Community Forums

Flavius · 09-28-2020, 07:50 AM

Curious as to how many motorhome manufacturers test drive and road check coaches for deficiencies, like front end alignment, chassis air conditioning, and obvious issues like loose slides, doors, and possible customer complaints?

**Lt Dan** · 09-29-2020, 11:24 AM

I know that Tiffin does. They test drive the unpainted coach as soon as it leaves the assembly line and mechanic shop. After it has gone through paint and final accessory installation it gets another test drive. We've been in an RV park in Red Bay and watched "naked" coaches go out for a test run.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-29-2020, 04:20 PM

Fleetwood used to, at least with their high end American Coach models. I don't think the current owner (Rev Group) does anything like that. They seem to be mostly cost-cutters and not quality wonks.

Fiesta48 · 09-29-2020, 05:23 PM

Dont make us laugh, Quality Control? I has one for 10+ years, but not in RVs. I've been on a tour never saw anything close to checking.

Isaac-1 · 09-30-2020, 01:31 AM

Given the number I have seen at RV shows, etc. where the bathroom door is so far out of alignment that it will not close, I suspect the answer is not many

YC1 · 09-30-2020, 03:30 AM

They usually provide you with most of the parts and accessories. There is absolutely no guarantee they will all work for a full weekend without something acting up.

If these things were built like an airplane they would be so expensive only the rich could afford one.

I recommend to anyone buying one that they need to be very handy with Tools, A Voltmeter, and a Check Book. Often all three at the same time. And these days this forum is one of the most valuable tools around. Thousands of combined years of experience and expertise.

The more expensive the RV, the more complex and likely more things to fail.

Besides, these things live on fault lines and the American Highways are not stellar these days.

triplewide · 09-30-2020, 04:45 AM

I worked at several companies that built mobile homes and modular homes. One of them actually hooked up all the utilities to every home produced and completed a "Function Test". It included air handler, water (supply,drain,heating), electrical, appliances, doors, windows, etc. A time consuming and costly process. They felt it reduced field issues (costs) and improved customer satisfaction (new sales).

From my point of view it reduced field costs and provided "instant" feedback for any production issues. Was it a cost savings overall, hard to say.

Some manufacturers gave the dealers a discount (2%) to handle their own warranty/service. Made sense from the point that the dealer was local to the problems, versus sending factory crews to remote locations. However it leads to abuse from the dealers (not performing service) and the factory relaxing standards and testing. I think this is where the RV industry is today, relying on the dealers for warranty/service.

I wonder if a manufacturer did include a "systems test" option that would park the coach with hookups and test all functions for 24-48 hours, would anyone buy it?. My guess is cost would be around $1K. Maybe on coaches costing $100+K, but lower price points not so much.

I can sum up 40 years in factory built buildings this way:

80% of customers want the lowest possible price when buying and expect the highest quality possible when receiving.

If you purchase the cheapest horse from a corral of ten and then expect it to run the fastest you will probably be disappointed.