Did Outdoors RV maintain quality construction during COVID demand?

[SquamLake]

Dear Friends,
We are considering the purchase of an Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 27KVS. During my research I have been cautioned to avoid units made during the COVID demand but I have not seen this specific to Outdoors RV. Did this manufacturer escape this criticism and maintain quality during this time? Is there any reason to avoid 2020-2024 from this manufacturer?
Thanks,
SquamLake

[Stormpeakco]

Given an expected limited sample size, wonder how any answer may be anything other than a subjective response (much like a product review of a purchase via AMZN...ya have a decent experience with a purchased item vs. possibly receiving something defective)...and that ignores minor imperfections that may have remedied by a vigilant prep staff by the individual dealer (on that note, Thompson-Pendleton seems quite top notch tho a long distance from Ah, New Hampshaaah).

[Lantley]

Since you are referring to covid built units I assume you are buying used. At this point each unit needs to be taken on its own merit. Examine the unit for the condition it is currently in. The only way to buy an RV especially used is to examine it closely. You also have the history on the unit to help determine its worthiness. If you are unsure consider hiring a pro to inspect unit.
Trying to group a series of used units together to determine their condition is futile.

[MooseCountry]

La Grande, Oregon where both the Northwood and the ORV manufacturing facilities are located is quite rural. Business as usual during that time. Same here with our local rural businesses where no locals complied with the wearing of masks. Maybe it's our high altitude of 10,000 feet elevation combined with the wearing of a mask restricted our breathing of oxygen a little too, too much. The Covid-19 virus was something that we watched on the news occurring far away in the big cities. We own a 2023 ORV with no quality issues.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/ore...-rural-threat/

[Russ Olin]

I know for a fact during the time of Covid Outdoors RV was having trouble to get the parts to complete the RV's. There were dozens of units sitting at their factory at their parking lot waiting for this part & that part so they could complete the unit. So they were piece milled together as the parts came in. Not a good way to build quality. But I am sure that they got every RV put together correctly RIGHT? LOL Maybe in a perfect world. But I have never lived that way in my 67 years.

[Dave Pelletier]

What they said; there were certainly parts shortages but I've not seen any compelling evidence that there is/was a substantial difference in quality between "covid built" units and trailers built before or after. Urban myth IMO.

In my sample size of two; my "Covid built" 2022 25RDS was cleaner and had fewer issues than my pre-Covid 2020 21RBS though neither had any major issues that weren't self induced.

In short, it's prudent to fully inspect any RV purchase, especially used ones but I wouldn't place any particular emphasis on whether it was built before, during or after the pandemic.

Dave

[SquamLake]

Thank You Dave for taking the time to weigh in. Your answer in particular was helpful because you had both pre and post COVID units. In the end, I know inspection of the particular unit is what will matter and the quality of this manufacturer is what has drawn me to it.
Thanks,
Lynne

[SquamLake]

Thank You Russ, I'm sure the difficulty getting parts was true for all manufacturers so that issue will be a wash. It seems the consensus is that this manufacturer still stands out for quality.
Best,
Lynne

[litzdog911]

If you're buying used invest in a qualified RV inspection.

https://nrvia.org/locate/

[Russ Olin]

In this price range of RV's you are right SquamLake it's the best that you can get for the money. Does that mean that they are built with great quality? Certainly not. The way that these RV's are wired is kindergarten level 101 at its best. Wires just laying in the underbelly of the RV, no protection, wrapped around the frame, or the drain pipes, or just too short. All the ground wires run to one post so that you can't figure out which one is shorted out or has a problem. There actually should be a law that RV's manufactures wire them to a certain standard. I owned a 1997 Holiday Rambler Aluma Light travel trailer for appox 20 yrs & the quality of that RV made in 1997 puts Outdoor RV quality to a shame. It was wired in a professional manner, it had a full sized frame no I beam with gussets welded at the spring shackles like that is on the Outdoor RV. It even had a subframe where the springs hooked to under the main frame. They weren't worried about weight, they were about Quality. The under belly was completely enclosed with tin metal panels & over a foot of insulation above them. Never had one electrical problem with pulling that RV to construction sites or Forest Service roads. Why because it was wired in a professional manner. I just wore the old thing out. People that still have their Holidays and that are still in good shape will never give them up. Because there is nothing out there in that price range. That being said I do love my 2020 26 KVS. Its modern & comfortable for myself & my wife with our 3 dogs. But as far as quality the Outdoors RV can not hold a candle to my old Holiday. Thanks for listening & I hope that you find a good one. By the way they did have a couple of years where the Schwintec slides were failing or make sure that it has been updated & fixed.

[SquamLake]

Will do. We plan on it.
Thanks!

[SquamLake]

Do you know what years the slides were failing?

[laura970]

Fyi, we have a late 2020 build. 2021 24RLS Titanium, purchased from Thompson's and delivered to Ohio in March 2021. We have had very few issues with it. There will always be something - we use it quite a bit.

[Vertburn]

Yes, there is a difference in the build of the ORV trailers built during Covid. I learned during a factory tour that the difference is not in the build quality per say, but in the availability of parts during the construction. Our trailer was supposed to have a awning that has the built in metal shield that protects against UV and weather when rolled up. Our trailer did not come with it because of the covid supply issues. I asked if they would replace it with the correct awning, but they declined and said that was why our trailer was sold with a reduced price reflecting the change. Whatever, I'm not that peeved over it. We did get a good deal and I'm happy with the RV. I would assume that other RV's built during that time suffer from the same inadequacy, but the build quality was still maintained generally. For sure do a thorough inspection.