Hey all, have been reading this forum for the past year or so while I tried to decide if I wanted to take the chance on a new manufacturer. In the end, I decided to go with a Trialmaster, and got it in early July. The third day of ownership, a spring in the ignition broke and it would not start. Had to be towed to the dealership. Crown in St Pete was great, and immediately took a new ignition cylinder out of a new Grenadier on the lot, and replaced mine with it. Was returned within a day. Unfortunately, this weekend, I was pulling out of my driveway, and the engine stalled. Felt like fuel not making it to the engine. Had it towed into Crown, they suspect a failed fuel pump. Replacement fuel pump and controller should be able to be sourced in a week or two. That's now twice in 4 months and 2000 miles that the truck has had to be towed back to the dealership for being completely inoperable. This does not inspire much trust in the ability to take it to remote areas, which was my original plan for this truck. Have had good experiences with Crown and Ineos roadside assistance, at least, but the truck itself seems to be failing far too often.
Additionally, there are of course the minor annoyances to be expected. The safari windows leak, seatbelt alarm goes off even when seatbelt is buckled, heat comes on for no reason. rear tailgate alarm often goes off even when the tailgate is shut. Those are to be expected from a new manufacturer, and they aren't a huge deal. I've owned old Defenders for years and years, minor annoyances are par for the course for trucks like this.
Additionally, there are of course the minor annoyances to be expected. The safari windows leak, seatbelt alarm goes off even when seatbelt is buckled, heat comes on for no reason. rear tailgate alarm often goes off even when the tailgate is shut. Those are to be expected from a new manufacturer, and they aren't a huge deal. I've owned old Defenders for years and years, minor annoyances are par for the course for trucks like this.
