Suburban SDS2 LP Leak Cooktop Owners

Sticky

I know the moderators don’t like doing stickies/pins often but I think due to safety concerns that this post could be an exception. It is possible that someone missed the notice or buys a used trailer in the future and I think they need this priority information up front.
 
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Solar Panels

So we had our stove replaced, and the LP detector as it was alarming all the time. While having it serviced, the guy told us that when you have solar panels, you should never leave your RV plugged in as it overcharges the batteries...
 
It'll be interesting what others say, but we leave our trailer plugged in for months at a time, and haven't had any issue with our batteries in 3+ yrs.
 
Remember when Suburban claimed the recall was only on Escape trailers, inplying that Escape was somehow responsible for poor installation?
I happened to see this on a Consumers Affairs page, seems any manufacturers that installed these stoves are affected. 28,536 units so far!

"Suburban Manufacturing is expanding an earlier recall of SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops, part numbers 3031AST and 3032AST for a total of 28,536 units.

The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.

In the presence of an ignition source, a gas leak can increase the risk of a fire."
 
Remember when Suburban claimed the recall was only on Escape trailers, inplying that Escape was somehow responsible for poor installation?
I happened to see this on a Consumers Affairs page, seems any manufacturers that installed these stoves are affected. 28,536 units so far!

"Suburban Manufacturing is expanding an earlier recall of SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops, part numbers 3031AST and 3032AST for a total of 28,536 units.

The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.

In the presence of an ignition source, a gas leak can increase the risk of a fire."

No surprise. Those of us that knew it was clearly a design issue with the burner tubes called BS on that right away!
 
Remember when Suburban claimed the recall was only on Escape trailers, inplying that Escape was somehow responsible for poor installation?
I happened to see this on a Consumers Affairs page, seems any manufacturers that installed these stoves are affected. 28,536 units so far!

"Suburban Manufacturing is expanding an earlier recall of SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops, part numbers 3031AST and 3032AST for a total of 28,536 units.

The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.

In the presence of an ignition source, a gas leak can increase the risk of a fire."

Yes, I clearly remember. I thought how bold their attempt was to deflect the blame to Escape Trailers. I also thought suburban must be an unethical company unwilling to take responsibility for their mistakes. In other words, a company to avoid doing business with.

Maybe Escape could claim defamation and collect some $. I'm not sure Escape could show damages and I doubt they would want to piss off a supplier.
 
Please don’t whine on this thread. It really does no good here and clutters up the intention of this thread. I’m trying to be proactive, not reactive.

Are there any others that have had leaking with your Suburban SDS2 stovetop?

The list below is those who have expressed their stove has leaked gas from a broken feeder pipe from the control to the burner:

NWTraveler
Effie
Perryb67
CarlNH
j3cub
Dee
bbbqmaxx@yahoo.com
Fun Pig
Eggscape​

I'm trying to get my letter written for Karl and Melissa at Escape and the NHTSA.

When I contacted Melissa at Escape last week only three of us have actually taken the time to contact either Melissa or Karl. Contacting Dustin does no good! If you haven’t already, please call/e-mail/write Melissa or Karl, and if using mail or e-mail ask for a response acknowledging they received the notification.

To repeat, "Are there any others that have had leaking with your Suburban SDS2 stovetop?"

After I contact another Escape Forum member I'll be posting the cheap fix that will make these stoves as reliable as any other, including the Dickinson. I wish I had known about this fix before we purchased our $629 Dickinson stovetop! You've waited this long, so you can wait a day or two until I post the simple correction. AND those that have the problem can have your stove fixed with under $20 (probably less) in easily obtainable parts. Patience grasshopper!

Again, please don’t whine on this thread. It really does no good. I’m trying to be proactive, not reactive.

Thanks,

Perry
Hello, could I get your fix for the SDS2 stovetop? Mine shows no sign of problems but I'd like to make sure. Thanks
 
Hello, could I get your fix for the SDS2 stovetop? Mine shows no sign of problems but I'd like to make sure. Thanks


Have you contacted the mfg about replacing it? You do not need to be the original owner or have the recall letter for them to replace it. All I had to do last summer was to send them a few pictures of the part#/Ser# tag off the bottom of the cooktop and they were happy to pay for my replacement Dometic cooktop.
 
Good advice. You're probably right. Now that they've recalled them every one still out there is a liability for them.

Ron
 
Our 21c Suburban SDS2 leaked and we had an explosion. Wife had some injuries. I did not. Caused about $17,000 damage. I was wondering if anyone was pursuing any action. I did notify Escape of the incident.
Our stove also leaked and we had an explosion just this past summer. When the recall first came out, I emailed suburban immediately for info on getting a replacement, and I got no response. Years went by and, if I’m honest, I forgot about it altogether…must not be that important if they don’t reply, right? Myself, my husband, our son, and our dog were all inside the trailer when it exploded. Thank god none of us were injured, but the trailer sustained damages to the fibreglass (the roof is all cracked) and it is a write off. We will get no where near what it would cost us to replace it with a new one, and as we know, as they’re custom built, finding something used that is comparable is unlikely. Totally heartsick, and would love to hear how things turned out for you if you would be willing to message me? Thanks!
 
. . . We will get no where near what it would cost us to replace it with a new one, and as we know, as they’re custom built, finding something used that is comparable is unlikely. . .
How awful! But actually, these days used Escapes are turning up on this Forum and on Escape's Pre-owned page fairly frequently. Also check the Escape Facebook page, and Fiberglass RV 4 Sale. You might be able to find one.
 
The new SDS2 Suburban has stainless tubes not the easy to crack aluminum tubes. We got a replacement from Suburban and it looked identical to the exploding stove. With a Dometic stove top you should be good.
 
I am looking into purchasing an Escape 23 now and on their build page they list the two burner stove as a Dometic.
Yes, when Escape found out there were problems with the Suburban stove they stopped using it and switched to the Dometic two burner stove.

It does have screws that you should check periodically and add some loctite to. But, they aren't going to explode on you like the Suburban did.
 
Yes, when Escape found out there were problems with the Suburban stove they stopped using it and switched to the Dometic two burner stove.

It does have screws that you should check periodically and add some loctite to. But, they aren't going to explode on you like the Suburban did.
Which screws are those? Thanks.
 

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