Forest River and Thor, the two behemoths in the room!

[ChassisGuy]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

So sorry for your experience...What Thor brand/model gave you this outcome?

Our tour of the factory proved the staff there were very happy and hard working people...now grown to 5 factories just for the motorhome lines.

The horn story has gone around on-line, but doubtful since the typical chassis comes from the chassis builder set-up for safety minimums (like brakes and horn). Same for the won't start story...how would the RV get delivered to the dealership?

Forest River and Thor are bringing a great product to market at a reasonable price. And SO glad...the closest model to our RV offered by a different brand is a Newmar. Less garage capacity, no ramp/deck, and too much equipment being optional only (like lift bunks, and residential fridge), and at an unreasonable price point.

Safe travels

I am talking at the manufacturing plant.

The horns are not installed on a diesel chassis.

The harness was smashed during manufacturing.

This is all stuff that happens well before a dealer ever sees it.

[nothermark]

FWIW I think you will find Forest River is the same as Thor in terms of owning a lot of companies that do not carry the Forest River name. The folks at Berkshire Hathaway buy up companies the same way the folks at TMC do. We do hear significantly fewer complaints from Forest River. At least part of that is probably due to Camping World being mostly Thor.

[Beau388]

I have visited Thor's Middleton Run factory twice for a total of 6 hours. I sat in the parking lot watching the coaches come of the final assembly line and drive through the parking lot and into the QC check stations. Inside I watched four QC personally check the fit/finish and operate all the systems that can be checked on a dry coach. After the day shift ends, I have been in the factory and watched the "cleanup crew" fix the problems the QC inspectors found and move on to the production line to complete items that the shift left unfinished. I am an Aero Engineer (NCSU) by training and profession (P&W) so I am familiar with assembly line production of complete systems production. To be able to profitly manufacture an affordable does require some compromise in materials and construction techniques. I personalty there are no better coaches built at the price point of ACE, Windsport, or Hurricane. I have had and traveled in my little Hurricane for 13 months and have had basically no problems with it.

[ChassisGuy]

Originally Posted by Beau388

I have visited Thor's Middleton Run factory twice for a total of 6 hours. I sat in the parking lot watching the coaches come of the final assembly line and drive through the parking lot and into the QC check stations. Inside I watched four QC personally check the fit/finish and operate all the systems that can be checked on a dry coach. After the day shift ends, I have been in the factory and watched the "cleanup crew" fix the problems the QC inspectors found and move on to the production line to complete items that the shift left unfinished. I am an Aero Engineer (NCSU) by training and profession (P&W) so I am familiar with assembly line production of complete systems production. To be able to profitly manufacture an affordable does require some compromise in materials and construction techniques. I personalty there are no better coaches built at the price point of ACE, Windsport, or Hurricane. I have had and traveled in my little Hurricane for 13 months and have had basically no problems with it.

Go to the Wakarusa Thor plant and write a report up on it.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by ChassisGuy

I am talking at the manufacturing plant.

The horns are not installed on a diesel chassis.

The harness was smashed during manufacturing.

This is all stuff that happens well before a dealer ever sees it.

Thank you for clarifying. So no actual experience?

Our "actual" experience with Thor RV's was years with a Dutchmen Denali,(a BEAUTIFUL towable with real 4 season capability)...and now our Thor Outlaw, (wonderful capability and high reliability).

Safe travels

[ChassisGuy]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Thank you for clarifying. So no actual experience?

Our "actual" experience with Thor RV's was years with a Dutchman Denali,(a BEAUTIFUL towable with real 4 season capability)...and now our Thor Outlaw, (wonderful capability and high reliability).

Safe travels

No, no actual experience. After knowing what I know now, I'd never own a Thor anything.

I'm glad yours is working out well for you

[WyoFree]

Hey guys,

I'm hearing "my dad can beat up your dad"!

There is a relatively simple truth here... Thor, just like all other coach builder, does not build a bad coach all the time. And NO ONE will every convince me that an ongoing company will have consistently terrible builds with consistently terrible people and do nothing about it!

Thor and Forest River both build far too many coaches to have them ALL leave the shop in terrible condition! I just don't believe it and we also should remember two things.

1. Everyone buying a coach doesn't have these horrible problems!
2. Everyone buying a coach doesn't belong to the forum!
3. Folks are much more likely to complain than to praise!

I just stick in the number 3 to see if you were paying attention!

Scarab0088, I had no idea of your background, impressive! If something goes wring with my coach I want you to be the guy parked next-door!

Harry

[Unicorn Driver]

I canceled the membership on another forum as was annoyed with the constant Thor bashing. I own a 2005 Damon which is a Thor company since 2003.

It's what I could afford and I Love It :-)

[WyoFree]

We're glad to have you full time over here 1stMH! We are equal opportunity bashers over here! And I'm with you, I'm just soooo over it myself!

Some people don't even like what I have to say!!! Talking about a good reason to leave a forum!

[ChassisGuy]

I hate brand bashing just for the sake of bashing. Whether it's trucks, snowmobiles, motorcycles....it's stupid.

Having said that, I have no problem calling out something when I see it.

[Hooligan]

Another big factor in RV complaints online, many new buyers expect the same warranty coverage they have with that new Buick they just bought. If the Buick has a problem "chassis, appliance, cabinetry or engine manufacturer" never comes into the discussion. "Leave the keys and pick it up Friday, Betty will bring the loaner out front."
It's also not just knowing how to do minor repairs but what routine maintenance is needed by all the components.

Certainly a problem for all manufacturers, and no doubt you are more likely to see complains than kudos..

[WyoFree]

Wow, Great comment Hooligan, who wrote that for you?

[Electra 225]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

There is a relatively simple truth here... Thor, just like all other coach builder, does not build a bad coach all the time. And NO ONE will every convince me that an ongoing company will have consistently terrible builds with consistently terrible people and do nothing about it!

Thor and Forest River both build far too many coaches to have them ALL leave the shop in terrible condition!

Harry

It's like I said in another thread about Winnebago Harry......for them to put out such dang junk "all the time" they sure sell enough of 'em.

W.D.

[ohau8622]

I just purchased a Thor ace 30.3 and I'm hoping for the best. We are first timers and can't justify paying over 100k at this time. Reading this post I can only equate it to the experience we had with our Mercedes E class. Purchased it brand new 2014 and had nothing but electrical issues. Traded it in, lost money on it and got the 2015 ml SUV, no issues at all. With everything it will depend on the build regardless of price. Also, I can't see driving an earthquake on wheels to be perfect all the time. My 2 cents now, we will share more when we start our adventures.