Quality Control

[retnasaguy]

Is there any trailer/5th wheel manufacturer out there that is ISO 9001 certified, if not why?

[nothermark]

As I recall ISO 9001 certifies a way to track problems but does not guarantee they will be fixed...

[retnasaguy]

Originally Posted by nothermark

As I recall ISO 9001 certifies a way to track problems but does not guarantee they will be fixed...

ISO 9001 is a set of quality control standards that should be applied to the manufacturing process.
Check Wikipedia.

[Cumminsfan]

RV MFG's use this.

The RVIA Seal


As you shop for the right vehicle, make sure you look for the oval-shaped Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) seal. RVIA is a national association representing RV manufacturers and parts suppliers who together produce more than 95% of all RVs manufactured in the United States.

As members of RVIA, manufacturers who display the seal must self-certify compliance with more than 500 safety specifications for electrical, plumbing, heating, fire and life safety established under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard for Recreational Vehicles. Manufacturers are subject to periodic, unannounced plant inspections by RVIA representatives to audit their compliance. Members who fail to maintain an acceptable level of compliance can be expelled from the Association, which prohibits them from displaying the RVIA seal on their products.

Kind of a self controlled fiasco.

[Old-Biscuit]

RVIA has NOTHING to do with 'QUALITY'


QC is NOT part of the equation when MFGs use 'piece-work' to assemble their products

[retnasaguy]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

RVIA has NOTHING to do with 'QUALITY'


QC is NOT part of the equation when MFGs use 'piece-work' to assemble their products

Thanks for the input.
"Quality Control" is exactly my point. There appears to be NO quality control at the factory or most of the problems found in new units would not exist at the dealers lot. Manufacturers have to pay dealers for warranty work so why not eliminate the problem at the factory!!!

[AITG]

Wait a minute, they self certify. Just like Iran doing their own nuclear weapons inspections.
How could that possibly go wrong?

[Persistent]

Try Airstream. They start at $50,000 and go over $100,000. If you want one for less, you should be ready to repair and replace anything at any time including when it is brand new. Many buyers have lost 6 months or more waiting for repairs and frequently paid for it themselves. Don't count on warranty. The company support desks are trained to tell you why your claim is not their fault.

[Cumminsfan]

There's only enough quality control to get them from the factory to the dealer and then to last a year or two without major issues on the majority of them.
I have no idea how many have serious issues, but from reading RV forums for 8+ years it seems that a relatively small amount are lemons. Most are in the 1-2-3 trips to the dealer, of which most could be fixed by the owner but due to the lack of RV knowledge get taken in for service.

RV's are selling like hot cakes with several MFG's back ordered. Building the best of the best is not necessary and would hurt the bottom line. My thinking is if someones bothered by the quality then don't buy one. If someones willing to finish the RV Kit they just towed home then by all means go for it.

None of the current RV MFG's are losing money, even with all the warranty repairs.
Even a poorly built RV is better than a motel or tent and the MFG's know that.

[fvstringpicker]

Originally Posted by AITG

Wait a minute, they self certify. Just like Iran doing their own nuclear weapons inspections.
How could that possibly go wrong?

Stateside, its like self regulation in the accounting industry. Kinda like the big five firm, Arthur Andersen that went down in flames for their involvement in Eron.

[retnasaguy]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

There's only enough quality control to get them from the factory to the dealer and then to last a year or two without major issues on the majority of them.
I have no idea how many have serious issues, but from reading RV forums for 8+ years it seems that a relatively small amount are lemons. Most are in the 1-2-3 trips to the dealer, of which most could be fixed by the owner but due to the lack of RV knowledge get taken in for service.

RV's are selling like hot cakes with several MFG's back ordered. Building the best of the best is not necessary and would hurt the bottom line. My thinking is if someones bothered by the quality then don't buy one. If someones willing to finish the RV Kit they just towed home then by all means go for it.

None of the current RV MFG's are losing money, even with all the warranty repairs.
Even a poorly built RV is better than a motel or tent and the MFG's know that.

Exactly my point; it's all about $$$$ and quality be damned.

[Arkie_ENT]

Skip the RV (Any RV) and maybe invest in something more "durable". Maybe a used military vehicle, some level of jet airplane requiring a good fulltime maintenance staff or just go get a Mercedes or Jaguar. Seriously, it's an RV, it's going to break, have flaws and need upgrades.

Really, it seems to me that "those who are less capable of owning this type of vehicle, typically complain the loudest" - Seriously!

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by retnasaguy

ISO 9001 is a set of quality control standards that should be applied to the manufacturing process.
Check Wikipedia.

It's a process of reporting with the intent to improve quality. It is too general to be able to set absolute goals or how to achieve them. Unless things have changed drastically it does not take much "improvement" to keep the standard satisfied.

[Normal_Dave]

Bit of a long trip to the dealer but:
Quality | Pioneer Campers