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Lifemember · 01-19-2017, 09:49 AM

My Damon was made when Damon industry was in production before Thor industry bought them out. I have no complaints about how this unit has held up or the material used. It was well maintained by the other owners before me.

Over the past several years the construction on most RVs related to quality has dropped no matter what the manufacture. You can look up (google) reviews on any one of them and get a long list of problems. Biggest one is the service or lack of service in the industry.

As with everything there are exceptions to this rule.

I do most all repairs myself, any that I can't handle I have a local shop that will work on the difficult chassis parts like changing out the ball joints or master break cylinder. Three days is the longest I have had to wait for repairs.

Steeljag · 01-19-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

I have seen a lot folk say that Damon build quality is very poor compared to the like of Winnebago, I have never owned another rv so cannot compare.

Has anyone owned a Damon and other brands and make a conparison?

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I can't answer your direct question, but can provide some info ! We owned from new, a 2006 Forest River TT. A few issues handled under warranty when new, and some down while it was at the dealer for those repairs. A few other minor issues we handled ourselves. That was in year one, and other than that it was pretty much smooth sailing. After six years with that we desided we wanted a RV to drive for access to the RV while moving, on board generator, etc. Listed and sold our TT quickly, and focused on a new Forest River Forester class C. I have under roof parking for a C.

Spending much time on their forums and reading the " reviews" I got a little nervous about end caps leaking and moved on. We then focused on Forest River Georgetowns, Fleetwood Bounders and more forums filled with horror stories!

Yes, in my research of Damon they did get poor reviews. But it seems most RVs get poor reviews ! Maybe the exception of 150 grand plus units like Newmar and Tiffin ( but they still get their share).

Normally I would not have looked at a Damon (bought out by Thor). But I'm interested in a class A over a C for the extra living / storage room and most class A's on 19.5 wheels would fit in my under roof parking......but not Damon.

I am glad I took time to look at the unit. Remembering "most" gas RVs are built on the Ford chassie, with the Ford engine and drive train. ( Chevy used to make motors and transmissions for class As but stopped years ago ) "Most" RVs share the same components being appliances, etc.

Look at the wood work, carpentry ect. I've got to say the wood work appears nicer on a Daymon than the new Georgetowns or Bounders I looked at.

The RV industry appears to have gone down hill in the last several years, at least as far as quality control goes!

To me it all depends on how the RV (any RV) was maintained and cared for after purchase! It's a rolling / shaking house and things do happen.

Sorry for the long winded, coffee drinking response...lol....but I hope it helps in some way!

Unicorn Driver · 01-19-2017, 01:01 PM

Thanks all for the replies.
The 2005 Daybreak I have does have solid doors, it's the the bottom of the drawers that feel flimsy. Overall I am happy with the rig.

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Unicorn Driver · 01-21-2017, 05:09 AM

So was the quality of the Damon brand better before or after Thor bought them out? Or is it the same? Daybreak seem to be fairly popular where I live. I see 2 on my way to work.

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Steeljag · 01-22-2017, 07:24 AM

Interesting question!

It would be interesting to know if Damon went under due to poor quality ? Bad management ? Just not being able to compete with larger manufactures ? ......or if simply the $$ offered by Thor was too good to pass up!

Unicorn Driver · 01-22-2017, 08:16 AM

It could be either or all of those. Damon is one brand I have seen really good things and bad thing said online. I don't see the same tilt with other brands.

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Lifemember · 01-22-2017, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

So was the quality of the Damon brand better before or after Thor bought them out? Or is it the same? Daybreak seem to be fairly popular where I live. I see 2 on my way to work.

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I bought ours used a couple years ago. Have not looked at any that were made after Thor took over. I would not say they are a higher end unit making them more attractive because of price. Price goes hand and hand with quality of materials used. I only talked with Thor once looking for some information. they could not help stating none of the information I was looking for exist.

I am going to the grave yard and look for replacement parts I may need like a BBC relays should they stop working.

Unicorn Driver · 01-23-2017, 04:44 AM

Is that an rv salvage yard?

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Lifemember · 01-23-2017, 05:47 AM

RV builders struggled because of the economy back then. Pockets not large enough to keep them going in hard times.

Unicorn Driver · 01-23-2017, 08:45 AM

2008 sure was a bad year.

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Unicorn Driver · 01-23-2017, 04:25 PM

Pulled this off a UK based Motor how website while ago. The forum post was from 2009.

Daybreak are entry model but if you're buying one 4 or 5 year old it will be much better made than the models available now, as the new ones I've looked at recently are much poorer quality and thats not just Damons but all makes.

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Steeljag · 01-24-2017, 07:33 AM

As I wrote above, being around campers for twenty years and reading about Thor products, I would have never looked at one because of online negative posts! Knowing nothing of Damon until I took the time to look at the current Damon I'm interested in, I would not have normally looked at it because it's listed as a Thor / Damon, but I was in the area looking at another unit.

Just from being able to see and touch it, it "appears" to be better quality than the new Georgetown we almost bought! Granted the Damon is a 13 and not a 16, it looks good and is 25 grand less than the Georgetown, and that's a lot of camping nights !

I probably would have bought it by now if it wasn't for my under roof parking issue!

I do think "most" online reviews are done by those who are having problems, while others without issues are out enjoying their RVs, and that is for all brands!

Unicorn Driver · 01-24-2017, 07:54 AM

That's very true on the reviews.

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Lifemember · 01-24-2017, 01:01 PM

How the reviews helped me was to look for the areas that the problems where consistent.
My inspection took four hours and all issues I found were in the chassis. After pointing this out we negotiated a price and I drove it 300 miles home. When I got her home I spent another $1600 getting it back into a condition I was happy with. Now we are looking at updating the inside. Looking at putting in something other then carpet. change the window covering and so on.