Van Amburg product quality?

[Summit69]

I was just wondering if anyone else has had any bad or mixed reviews of VanAmburg products lately? I know I have seen some really nice work come from them before, and that's what lead me to go with their product.

I ordered a tunnel extension and cooler from them earlier this year. Got it and everything looked good (other than poor weld quality and finishing of product) and after a dry fit, off to powder coating it went. Long story short, I'm having "fitment" issues and not only that, after taking my skid out to take detailed pictures for them, I noticed a coolant leak from one of the rear welds on the cooler.

I had been in contact with them regarding my original issue of the cooler itself sitting approximately 1/4 lower than the factory and after several emails back and forth stating my concern multiple times (I was not getting near the response from them I was hoping for), they told me there was nothing they could do except offer an Avid chaincase kit at their cost to me. So I decided to take more detailed pictures to show what I meant (that's when I found the coolant leak).

Now I have sent the pictures along with an email, and they will no longer respond to my emails. I have sent several and have yet to see any sort of response. I was going to try to call there yesterday (I prefer email because then I have it somewhat in writing what was said) but work got in the way of that. So I will try on Monday and see what they say.

Myself and two other close friends all ordered from them this year and each of us have had our set of issues with our product this year. Not happy at all with them as of now, hopefully they make amends or at least make an attempt?

Appreciate any and all input!​

 

[gibsons]

have two rear tunnel kits and one rear bumper all for M8's with no issues, very nice welds.

 

[CATPRIDE]

........X2^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[maxwell]

last season i ordered 2 identical 174 tunnel extensions. beautiful product. however one was a full 4 inches longer for no aparent reason. didnt notice until we hit the snow and they were side by side. not a big deal but kind of a wtf? the sled with the longer one is having more cooling issues though with the flap being further back. can you show us your photos?

 

[Summit69]

Ya for sure I can show the photos, ill post them up later as I am at work right now. I guess I couldve explained my fitment problem a bit more. When I ordered the cooler, I was under the impression I was getting a factory replacement cooler that would look similar to the factory one, and being half the price of a 163 cooler from BRP, how could I say no? Well the cooler fits in the factory spot, but it sits recessed into the tunnel taking away precious track clearance (I need all I can get with the 3" that got stuffed in there for this year). I knew going into it that the track was going to rub some, just too tight to not. But the part that is my problem, is that the cooling fins on the cooler were machined down right to the cooler and the track rubs directly on the cooler.

It doesnt rub when the track hangs, its not all over it, but it does rub on it. Realistically, the track can rub on the tunnel and/or cooling fins of the cooler without causing any damage, but with it rubbing directly on the cooler I worry that it might rub through or something could get caught inbetween track and cooler and cause a loss of coolant while riding. So I asked them if they would do anything for me or have any thoughts/suggestions for this, and thats where they told me all they could do was offer the chaincase kit.

Theres a bit more to the conversations than that, Ill try and see if I can figure out how to share the e-mails that went back and forth. Also the weld quality on both my extension and cooler were pretty bad. I ended up sanding down large lumps and rough spots on the top of the cooler (not where its leaking now) and on the bumper. That stuff didnt really bother me because its not a show sled by any means, but its always nice to have a clean product. My other two friends that ordered VE products this year recieved the same quality, or lack of, on their parts too. Not to mention, one cooler was 4" too long and had to get repaired before it would fit (then VE wouldnt respond to him to pay his bill that they said they would).

Really I guess I was looking for a bit more customer service from them, and maybe to tell me that the cooler was recessed into the tunnel before I ordered it. Now its powder coated and installed, and I need to do something with it, they wont even respond to me.

I know they make a good product, like I said Ive seen it and thats why I chose them this year. But now with lack of service Im getting, and with 3/3 of the people I know arent happy with what they got, I dont think I would buy again or recommend to my friends.

 

[Summit69]

I think all I will end up doing, if they wont help me out, is buy a shorter renegade cooler and have that and my stock cooler welded together to make a "factory" 174 cooler that will fit properly. Also I forgot to mention that the VE cooler 90% covers the factory holes on the tunnel for the factory cooler (so 10% is showing). Again not a huge deal, and overall the product is what they said it is I guess, but its the small details that count in make a good product IMO.

I try and throw some pics up here soon so you can visually see what im talking about.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[0neoldfart]

Sorry to hear you are having issues - I have found the products to be top notch in the past, and have a custom tapered hillclimb tunnel (with u-cooler to match) from them, and the quality was first rate. Out of curiousity, did you mention to them that you were putting a 3" under the sled? That is a fairly new track, and clearances are tight on any tunnel - the one on my M will not accomodate a 3" track due to the cooler design, but I've never had my sled get hot, either. I suppose one could install a rolled edge cooler, but you are pretty much screwed in spring conditions...
Having said that, good luck, and hope you can reach an agreement with VE.

 

[Summit69]

Sorry to hear you are having issues - I have found the products to be top notch in the past, and have a custom tapered hillclimb tunnel (with u-cooler to match) from them, and the quality was first rate. Out of curiousity, did you mention to them that you were putting a 3" under the sled? That is a fairly new track, and clearances are tight on any tunnel - the one on my M will not accomodate a 3" track due to the cooler design, but I've never had my sled get hot, either. I suppose one could install a rolled edge cooler, but you are pretty much screwed in spring conditions...
Having said that, good luck, and hope you can reach an agreement with VE.

I did tell them that I was putting the 3" underneath when I first talked with them in July when ordering the parts. Im not sure if that was over looked or whether they figured I would be running the Avid chaincase with the 3". I told them exactly what I was doing and even talking over the phone to Mike (I believe thats who I talked to in July) he was quite helpful with some tips for the build as well. I really didnt expect this lack of response or help from them with this. I know the cooler has been modified now and can't be returned, etc., but to quit responding to my e-mails? Its been since the 7th of December since I have heard back from them, and they were pretty punctual with other replies up until then.

Like I said, I'll call them Monday morning and hopefully we can sort something out. My biggest concern now is that Ive shown them my unhappiness with the cooler fitment, and now with the coolant leak being found, I hope they dont think Im making that up now. Time will tell what they say, and Ill be sure to keep posting.

 

[Summit69]

Here is some pictures. The first 2 are of the rear of the cooler where I found the coolant. The 3rd is the clearance that I lost, and the fact that the track rubs diectly on the cooler is the part I do not like (I could care a less if it rubbed on rivets or the tunnel, but on the cooler face is not good IMO). The 4th is the rub marks.

Yes the 3" is tight and clearance is minimal at best, but shouldnt be this bad. Regardless of what VE says or does for me, I think I will end up making my own cooler out of 2 stock coolers to solve this issue altogether and get back on the hills!!

The welds that are visible in the pictures are actually decent welds, these arent the ones I was talking about earlier, Ill see if I can dig up a picture or two of some of the not so nice ones.

 

[TPOWER]

IMHO>>>The issue isnt 2010 and prior products its the 2011 summer/fall products and customer service. Summit69 is a good buddy of mine and partner in The Summit River Lodge, Valemount. Nathan and a couple other buddies went with Van Am as he stated due to myself and another buddy of mine. We built two sleds last year summer of 2010 , one was a full M8 mod with Van Am tunnel and mine was the full Van Am Tunnel wrap for the XP. Both products were beatiful craftmanship there were no complaints of any kind including shipping. This is why these guys ordered from Mike. I have also recommended there products to a few guys i sold parts to and i do apologise if i recommended van am to anyone that has recieved poor quality product and or lack of service. As nathan has stated all three of them had had issues this year which i have personally seen and witnessed for example: 1) S Mackey ordered a simple 154 to 163 rear bumber with tunnel extension, his problem was shipping and the stories he would get when he phoned atleast 6 times after product should of been shipped. 2) S Philpott... ordered a 174 cooler and a 154-174 extension with rear bumper, his problems to date were poor quality welds he had to clean up, cooler was 4 inches to long which Mike told him to take it locally to have it fixed and he would pick up the bill, which he had to contact multiple times before getting reimbursed, while shortening was being done at the local shop they found the two round aluminum disc inside the cooler Van am cut out to insert the cooling couplers, the couplers were also shoved down into the cooler to far restricting flow., leaking from a van am weld before even using it. 3) Nathans problems, mike was aware in all cases of 3 inch tracks going on.
Mike if you read this u have a few unhappy customers in Alberta that i believe you need to adress. We represent a riding crew of apprx 20 not to mention the custom work i do out of my garage. I personaly can not say that i am able to recommend your products at this time until these customers are satified. Mike i realize this is the first you have heard from me on these problems, i am actually shocked that Van Amberg has not met the concerns of these customers. I believe you have grown and possible hired on some extra help to meet the demands. One of the problems we face now which should concern you is when you roll up to the cabin for lunch and u have 10-30 people checking out the misc mods such as 3 in tracks, extension etc and the say where did u get that and how do u like it. Facts are facts and all us sledders want is a quality product as advertised and customer service when needed. i actual will make sure this thread gets emailed to mike.
thanks,
TPOWER

 

[Summit69]

So I called today, and got transferred to Chris (who is Mikes son) and had a chat with him on the phone. I asked if he had received the emails I had sent with pictures on wednesday and thursday last week. He said no and began to look through his email until he found my emails. Im not sure about them, but I know if I was dealing with an unhappy customer, I would be responding to emails. While he was loading the pictures, I explained to him the scenario and he knew what the deal was because he had been the one who I began dealing with after 6-7 emails the first time.

Short version is that they stand behind their product and pretty much the cooler is the way it is and they will not do anything to change it as far as how its designed and that it sits lower than the factory. He told me that the xp is not designed for a 3" track (and I told him I know and I know its very tight) and that they havent had any other problems with this cooler. I talked to him about maybe shimming it up (putting spacers between the tunnel and cooler) to raise the cooler, but that it would now raise my fuel tank off of the tunnel due to the design of the cooler. He did offer any shims and or rivets that I would require to try shimming it up.

Next with the leak, he said they pressure test them to 25psi before they ship them out. I said that well I have a leak now, and it needs to be dealt with. Chris asked if I would pressure test it and take more pictures of it. He also said due to the fact that its not practical to ship it to them for repair because of Canada/US, that I would probably get it fixed locally and they would foot the bill.

So hopefully that end of the deal holds up and I can be leak free soon. Im still not happy with the fitment or the quality of the cooler but it looks like ill have to live with it....

 

[maxwell]

what about grinding the fins down in the tight spot. i realize its risky but would it work?

 

[Summit69]

what about grinding the fins down in the tight spot. i realize its risky but would it work?

It is already ground/machined down at the front for clearance by VE. Thats why I dont like this situation, its because the track is rubbing directly on the cooler. In the 4th picture you can see at the top of the picture, where they machined down the fins.

 

[zeke]

I got a hillclimb tunnel from a guy in the states. It didn't have a cooler so I called down and ordered one thru VE. Got it back in a couple weeks and it fit like a glove. Also ordered some board inserts and they were good as well. I have nothing but good things to say about them. Sorry to hear about your troubles. Especially at this time of year! Good luck

 

[powderhoundbrr]

You don't want that cooler rub, you will wear through it in no time. What happens when you compress the suspension all the way, it must make it worse.
You need to shim it up somehow?
I have had luck with JB weld on small cooler leaks in the past. Or you can get it fixed properly and weld it.

 

[POWDERSLUT]

i got a stock 154 cooler ,if u wanna try n weld them together...

 

[Chrisco]

That realy looks like a sweet sled you built alot of time and money. I just have to ask why you did not use an avid case, I know they cost some cash and some labour to do but you dont have the clearance unless you use the avid case. I know the 3 inch fits but its so fu$$en tight. Its hard to push all that snow past 1/8 slot. I deal with VE all the time and have never had any trouble with them or any parts. I hope you get looked after.

 

[Summit69]

That realy looks like a sweet sled you built alot of time and money. I just have to ask why you did not use an avid case, I know they cost some cash and some labour to do but you dont have the clearance unless you use the avid case. I know the 3 inch fits but its so fu$$en tight. Its hard to push all that snow past 1/8 slot. I deal with VE all the time and have never had any trouble with them or any parts. I hope you get looked after.

I went off of what the Micku boys said and did when I put the 3" underneath it. They did it to a few customer sleds they were testing in Valemount last year and the sleds rocked. I was worried about snow clearance as well with the track being so tight but Ive had it out 4 times this year and so far no issues. They didnt like the Avid case that much actually, they said it changed the angles too much? Im not saying its not in my future plans, but right now (other than the cooler issue) I have no need for it.

Thanks for the offer Powderslut, Ill see what I come up with in the next couple days and let you know.

And yes powderhoundbrr, the rub is definitely no good. I dont really want to JB weld it up, and if VE does step up and offer to pay to get it repaired, I will definitely do it right.

 

[Summit69]

So here is an update with my ongoing situation with VE.

After a few emails and a phone call with Chris (and the holidays), I sent them the requested info (which was more pictures of the weld leaking on the cooler) on the 23rd of December (the first e-mail I sent telling them about how displeased I was, was on November 28th). I called and got ahold of Chris on the 27th at around noon and he told me they were very busy and he would look at my email and call me back within 1.5hrs. No call that day. I called back the next day and he had stepped out for lunch, so once again I left my contact information. And once again no call back. I called at 4pm as well on the 28th and Liz told me she relayed my message and Chris should be returning my call. No call.

So I called them at 10 today, got ahold of Chris, and he said that they were willing to pay for my repair, but only $50. I laughed and he said thats all they are willing to offer. I explained that my sled is sitting now with a leaking cooler for a month and that I want to take it to a shop and have them do the labour because its prime sledding season. That way when im not working, I can go sledding, not fix my sled. No, $50 take it or leave it. He told me the weld was probably leaking because of the vibrations of the track hitting the cooler (which is bogus). I asked what if the cooler will have to be removed to get repaired, and was told that I was doing that anyways to attempt to shim it up so there was no need to pay for that.

So I asked to talk to Mike/Liz because I was straight up not happy with where this conversation was going. Liz answered and said that she was confirming that all I would get was $50 because it would take them 3min to weld up. So I said how about I ship it to you then and you pay for shipping both ways. She then said fine and hung up. I was a bit stunned that she hung up on me, but I called back and politely asked for an email stating that they would pay both ways shipping so that I could have it in writing.

Needless to say, not impressed. At all. Now Ill be down for 2-3-4 weeks? I was expecting more from them thats for sure. I asked if they were a member of the BBB and said that I was going to give them a call and let them know what was going on. Not really sure what else to do at this point, other than fab up my own cooler.

Any input appreciated, thanks.

 

[powderhoundbrr]

Fix it properly, lick your wounds, and get out riding. And relish the fact that this thread will probably ensure that at least a few of their products don't get sold and people will go to their competitors.