Is it a sign of the times?

[96Bounder1st]

Originally Posted by chdeatley

So if I expect a new RV to be trouble free at least during the first year I’m being unrealistic? Manufacturers are pushing out more product but that’s no excuse for sloppy manufacturing processes, poor quality (junk) furniture, and such. The dealers blame the manufacturers and complain they don’t make any money on warranty repairs. I have resolved to make my own repairs whenever possible for my sanity’s sake. And the horror stories I have heard from other RV owners are, well, another story. The entire industry, travel trailers to diesel pushers, needs to commit to quality. How many RV manufacturers are ISO certified? That would be a start. Can I get an Amen?

I am afraid I can not give you an Amen. I have yet to have a new car be absolutely trouble free in the first year and there quality control is waayyy better than the RV industry.
Will agree on the commitment on quality but likely not going to happen.
In today’s world money made comes first most times.
I am glad you have taken the route to sanity by handling the repairs you can.

Good luck, we need it.

Terry

[superman11]

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

Several things at work here. First is the tendency for those with grievances to run to the internet and complain. Few run to the forums, social media, etc. to report on adequate experiences. Human nature.

Second, lot's of newbies to the RV world with unreasonable expectations. They expect the same quality they got when they bought a home (homes are really super simple compared to RV's) and cars (which are built by machines and designed and tested on computers). Not to mention you just can't please some folks. They want everything just so and anything less is the end of the world and they'll let you know about it ad nauseam. You know, entitlement.

Third, lack of knowledge. So many folks just wander down to the local dealer and buy what's on the lot. They don't know what's out there, they don't research quality, options, specs, etc. and they don't know the manufacturer's or dealers reputation. Then they get a bad RV and poor service and wonder why.

We researched for years, literally years. We bought a Newmar from a top ten dealer. We could have bought another brand much closer but we knew we'd have been disappointed. And we knew what to expect as far as quality and workmanship. Our coach has it's small issues and we're dealing with them but we expected that.

I agree with all of Dan's points. You have to go into this lifestyle with your "eyes open". We all wish there was more QA.

I would expand the third point. As most know, due to the growth of the market - the RV industry's main incentive is to crank out more and more units. That will likely only change with a downturn in the economy. That is why it is even more important to select a brand that will stand behind their warranty and their product (after the warranty period ends and it is on your dime) when the inevitable problems occur.

[RKins]

Originally Posted by 96Bounder1st

I am afraid I can not give you an Amen. I have yet to have a new car be absolutely trouble free in the first year and there quality control is waayyy better than the RV industry.

I bought my 2006 Toyota Tundra new (the last year of the smaller full size pickup) and I have not had one issue to this day and I have 104K miles on it. Besides for recalls, it has not been back to the dealer. Maybe I got lucky.

Now I can't say the same thing for the 2007 and later Tundras.

[mfredm]

i purchased an 8 year old baystar from a dealer in florida and have since logged over 4k miles with ZERO problems. it drives so nice i can literally take my hands off the wheel and she still tracks straight. that being said, my inlaw is the parts manager at camping world, and his whole day is comprised of fixing rv's that are delivered incomplete. example: a jayco trailer with no outlet for the grey water tank! Today they are hunting for an exhaust pipe that is missing from a new thor class a! the prevailing theory among the grunts on the shop floor at CW is that manufacturers are rushing units out and counting on dealers to make it right.

[bevandtomH]

A couple of years ago, we were in MPLS-MN on their north Beltline.
Car dies. Make it to the widest part of the shoulder on the egress lane.
Decided to walk up to top of ramp and see what our options may be. In the age of C-Stores, 2PM on a Saturday, I was not hopeful of finding a solution. Surprisingly, we find a family run, Circle K that is old school, full service. Yes, the repair was costly, ( I later find out from my garage, the costs were within reason).
The garage saw my out of state plates and says, ‘Guess you want to get home fairly soon?’ We’ll, yeah, I’m thinking, he says, ‘Take my car, do whatever, see you in three hours...’
Finding good service is still out there, finding great service is a little tougher. Praising and recommending good-great service through this forum eases one of my biggest concerns. Going FT definitely puts a different spin on the subject.