Community Forums

Xmcdog · 03-02-2021, 09:08 AM

Interesting thought. I've had our fiver for 6 years and only a few issues. Drawer runners failed, electric side of the water heater quit. New tires, new propane tanks and that is about it. We have used it a lot.

Now the S&B we have spent in excess of $125 k in the past 8 years and still spending on it. Hardwood floors, tiles, roof, bathroom renovatio, siding, heat pumps(4) and numerous other things. Yes it is 40 years old but still.

A friend bought a new house and after 4 years he is going through the same process.

So no matter if we are mobile or set life is expensive. Just trying to put things in prospective.

Me I'm going RVing.

Roy-c · 03-02-2021, 09:25 AM

The problem is we are satisfied with mediocre, at best, products. One only has to go as far as the nearest big box store to find many ( read most ) of the products there are of low quality. Take a look at the plywood and see how it is already delaminating before it is even sold, 2X4's that are bent and twisted. RV manufacturers are building their RV's with the same poor quality products. Wood that has powder post beetles in it comes to mind. No wonder there are issues. There is no quality control anywhere.

Varago · 03-02-2021, 10:32 AM

We had/have 4 rv's over the past 20 years. Had one problem with the first RV a Thor parked in the open and had a water leak in the roof over the winter. Had to redo the whole living area floor.

We had/have 3 GD rigs over the past 4 years, severe case of newer RV itis

We have not had any problems with the GD's but they were all keep under cover the year round when not in use.

Dave

Unplanned Tourist · 03-02-2021, 10:42 AM

So we have to get the Japanese to build them?

That's what happened to the American car quality. We were expecting cars to be junked at 100,000 miles or less until the Japanese cars showed up. Now American cars have finally caught up.

RoadEyePie · 03-02-2021, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

So we have to get the Japanese to build them?

After seeing the Dr. Seuss story on the news tonight, that might be regarded as a racist remark. In the future you should refer to "them" as them people over thar.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-02-2021, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadEyePie

After seeing the Dr. Seuss story on the news tonight, that might be regarded as a racist remark. In the future you should refer to "them" as them people over thar.

Actually, that was a compliment to them.

tuffr2 · 03-02-2021, 07:45 PM

I have had about a dozen problems but only posted about 2. My 1st travel trailer i had for 5 years with zero problems. It was a Gulfstream Streamlite 22SLB with no slide.

My 2nd trailer was a 2011 Sunnybrook Bristol Bay 5th wheel that I used to snowbird with. I had about a dozen problems that were easily fixed by myself. I posted about my LCI 6 point leveling system that made a grinding noise. I was sure it was a major issue - turned out to be a weak battery. Because I towed this 5th wheel between Ohio and Florida and Pennsylvania things would come loose.

My 3rd RV is a 2013 Keystone Vantage travel trailer. I had a window leak that was caused by a drain hole being clogged. The exterior is chalky and needs cleaned.

All three were bought new. No roof problems.

Boogie_ · 03-03-2021, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

We'll never know because the majority of RV owners aren't RV forum members.
Or are they?

Right.

I would make a blind guess that 1% of RV owners post on any RV forum. 5% max.

MtCamper · 03-03-2021, 06:07 AM

Happy owners don't post. All RVs will have failure issues. Life is like that. Most RVs are not built by craftsmen, they are built by hourly workers on and assembly line to a minimum standard. I grew up RVing with my parents. They owned six different TTs while I was with them and since then I've gone thru over 20 RVs of all types. They all need maintenance and repair. Anytime you tow your house down a bumpy road at 60mph you will have stuff get loose, fall off and just plain wear out. RVing isn't really about the RV, it's about the lifestyle. The RV is just the vehicle that allows us to pursue our chosen lifestyle.

Gordon Dewald · 03-03-2021, 10:47 AM

Did some research a few years ago but did not follow up much on it.

At the time:
Winnebago was producing 200 units a week.
Newmar was producing 40 units a week.
At the time Entegra's total production to date was less than Newmars yearly production.

Given differing production numbers one would expect more complaints from Winnebago and Newmar than Entegra. But at the time the complaints on the forum seemed to be about the same number for each of the brands.

Rather than number of complaints, the failure rate should be used.

jacknife · 03-03-2021, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDandGREY

I think it’s really tough to gauge that in the online world, many people only come here seeking advice for a failure and there are countless thousands of happy campers out there. I only have the loose piece of TPO repaired with enterabond and an in wall slide frame needing an additional fastener as “major” issues (not caused by me), and I still fixed them myself. But I swear, a mystery awaits behind every panel with these things.

Has anyone ever had a completely defect-free RV?

Yes ! The sales person at the RV CENTER.[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]