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Old 06-05-2014, 09:18 AM   #1
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Unhappy 23U Chateau build quality

We just returned from a 6k trip in new Thor Chateau 23U, FL to Southwest to NC and encountered many build problems (about 20 manufacturing defects) with unit including four serious water leaks, mis-wired TV antenna and keyless entry, inoperative power awning, rubbing mud flap, rubbing LPG copper line, improperly fused electrical panel, misaligned and sprung hinge on bath door, bowed screen door,and a plethora of annoying other issues. I previously owned a similar Winnebago for seven years and had very few problems. To exacerbate the problem, the dealer has been totally ineffective, but I'm an engineer and repaired all but three of the problems, many on the road.

Candidly, I’m sorry that I traded the Winnebago; new isn’t always better! My bad. Winnebago didn’t offer the Chevrolet platform anymore.

The bright spot is the Chevrolet 3500, which is a dream and my fuel mileage varied from 11 (with strong headwinds) to 14 mpg, but I drive a geezerly 55-60. (Remember the drag equation from aerodynamics?) The new 6L90 transmission is ideal, especially with the manual mode, which allows selecting the highest gear when climbing. The Winnebago had the Chevrolet 4500 chassis, which was over capacity and rode harshly, even with reduced tire inflation. It also had a four-speed transmission, not as flexible as the new six-speed.
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Old 06-05-2014, 11:33 AM   #2
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RVGeek:

Welcome to the Forum and so sad that a manufacturer can let that many things slide by quality control. Sounds like it never went thru quality control. We hear about a lot of items that were never properly installed on new models, I guess that is why some people prefer to buy a two year old model in hopes that most of the items are repaired by the previous owner.

Again sorry to hear about your problems. Let's hope things will get better. Best of luck.
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Old 06-05-2014, 02:51 PM   #3
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Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang!

Sorry you're having all the problems! Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Old 06-05-2014, 08:10 PM   #4
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Welcome to the irv2 gang! You should be able to feel and hear the collective wince followed by a groan from those of us reading your post....ouch!

The long term good news is indeed the Chevy chassis being what you want, but my vote goes to the fact that you're an engineer and "handy." Some of us (at least me) are not fortunate in that category. I hope that when the kinks are eliminated you guys have a great time with your new wheels!
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Old 06-06-2014, 05:09 AM   #5
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Welcome to the forum....
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Old 06-06-2014, 07:44 AM   #6
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Howdy from SC and welcome to the forums. Sorry to hear about all your RV problems.
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Old 06-06-2014, 09:25 AM   #7
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Old 06-08-2014, 10:47 AM   #8
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Old 06-08-2014, 08:53 PM   #9
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Howdy from SC and welcome to the forums. Hope you work out all the issues soon.
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Old 09-22-2014, 08:00 PM   #10
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bump 8=), How is the 23U working out???????

Saw one that was being traded in, while shopping for Rv this weekend, We really liked the layout. Talked to the owner, who was trading it in on a class A, as he was taking his 8 grandkids on trips, and wanted a bunkhouse A.
2011 with 21K on it, very good condition, I think the dealer was asking 45k for it.
seems a little high, but it is a dealer, and they always shoot high, and come down
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Old 09-22-2014, 08:47 PM   #11
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Sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your new Chateau. Most new MH have some problems but it sounds like yiou had more then your fair share. Glad you have most of them straightened out.

Happy Trails!!!
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Old 09-22-2014, 11:17 PM   #12
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Glad you're aboard. Sorry you had problems with the new Thor. Thanks for sharing the info. Enjoy your adventures and be safe.
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Old 09-23-2014, 11:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJerryP View Post
bump 8=), How is the 23U working out???????

Saw one that was being traded in, while shopping for Rv this weekend, We really liked the layout. Talked to the owner, who was trading it in on a class A, as he was taking his 8 grandkids on trips, and wanted a bunkhouse A.
2011 with 21K on it, very good condition, I think the dealer was asking 45k for it.
seems a little high, but it is a dealer, and they always shoot high, and come down
$45k is really too high. I paid $53k new (2015 model), and had the privilege of debugging it! It's about there now, and I'm starting to feel relaxed going out, but we did discover another leak this weekend.

I agree the layout is very good and the bed is 80" long (but 54" wide). Thor is now including a TV, porcelain toilet, electric awning (though the gear train was a problem with mine), glass shower doors and several other items standard. The spare tire is an option! There is a storage location in the basement for one, and I bought a wheel and tire separately for about $150. It's a must; I had a defective valve stem in remote NM and it came in handy.

Thor makes the 23U in several brands. if you go that way, I suggest you make sure the dealer will commit to fix the bugs.
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Old 09-23-2014, 07:00 PM   #14
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Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang here!

Hope you get all those problems solved! Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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