Is quality going down hill ?

[Lakeman1]

I owned 70s cars, trucks and RVs. Thank god we aren't there anymore! Absolutely no comparison!!!

[baraff]

We recently traded our '03 R-Vision Travel Trailer for an '05 Winnebago Aspect 26A.
There is no comparison in quality.
First off, let me say that the R-Vision gave us only one MAJOR problem in the 7 years we owned it. The factory used a metal house-type junction box (non-weatherproof) mounted UNDER the trailer tongue where road spray from our truck corroded it and the wires. I'm lucky we didn't have a flaming ball rolling down the highway behind us. As it was I had to rewire the pigtail and everything else in there. (And it had the RVIA sticker too)
That said, we never had another problem with it.
But the Winnie impressed me the minute we set foot inside. The quality and workmanship of the Aspect is on a whole 'nother level. For a coach with 50,000 miles on it, nothing rattles when its driven, cabinetry is solid, plumbing and electrical is organized and neatly done. I am impressed by Winnebago's online resources and the fact you can still get parts for 25 year old coaches. The R-Vision is an orphan (although Navistar owns them now), but their parts department was a joke before they went bankrupt. You should see the "owners manual" R-Vision put out, talk about generic.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Originally Posted by Pete & Linda

I owned 70s cars, trucks and RVs. Thank god we aren't there anymore! Absolutely no comparison!!!

This argument crops up frequently - but the issue is NOT the technology, or even the floor plans - but rather, the actual quality of the components used in construction - the fit and finish, not just what it is brand new on the dealer lot, but what it is LIKELY to be in 20-30 years of use and miles.

What's BEHIND that nifty looking wall covering - pressed cardboard, or something more durable? What is the flooring made of - and how long will it last?

My own '88 Winnie Super Chief is a good example in one of the smaller "glitz" issues of that time period - the vast majority of the MH is rock-solid, but what HAS failed and cannot be replaced? The neat digital LED array in the stove hood clock module!

As Scotty, on one of the Star Trek movies said regarding the latest version of the Enterprise, "The fancier they make the plumbing, the easier it is to muck it up" - or words to that effect...

The dazzling array of technological advancements, and bright fabrics are all quite hypnotizing to the buyer when these rigs are new - but how reliable and durable will they all be in 25 years? How are those new and glamorous rubber roofs holding up in the newer stuff? Anyone heard of owner issues with the nifty slide-out rooms that leave them stuck and helpless out on the road or in a CG?

New cars "better" than those in the 70's?

Sure, in some areas - but how will all that glitzy Taiwan electronics and plastic in both cars and RV's hold up as the years and miles pass under the floorboards - and will replacements - especially the electronics stuff, be readily available in 20 years or so?

MOST of the above is of no concern to those who trade off their stuff every few years - but it IS an issue to those of us who choose our stuff carefully - and then keep it for the (hoped for!) long haul! That's the way we viewed - and then bought our '88 KIT 5er - it was exceptionally well designed and built for it's time, is STILL in excellent condition after about 150,000 miles, all over the USA. We buy stuff that we want to LAST!

"Quality" isn't so much (to me!) about flash and glitz, as it is reliability, durability, fit and finish - of ALL the RV, inside and out, on top and underneath!

[Gary - K7GLD]

Here's a pretty good case in point to add to the Toyota and other similar recalls that run into the hundreds of thousands of recently produced vehicles:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f57/jury-...aud-79817.html

Has our RV or passenger vehicle industry EVER in past decades experienced the quality issues that are now becoming daily events? And do any of us really think the RV industry operates any differently? If you think "yes", read that Blue-Bird article over again...