Is quality going down hill ?

[Larry & Rita]

I have an old 1999 and am thinking about getting a new or newer Class A, I have been a fan of IRV2 for just a short while, trying to learn all I can about what to buy and where to go.
All I see are mfgr. problems with the 2000 and newer. Granted some of the questions and complaints are laughable and seen contrived just to get out in public. Is this my imagination?
Is quality going away because of the economy or just mfgr's cutting corners ?

Larry

[InPursuit]

Of the X (estimated number) of actually running and on the road RV's in the world...
what percentage do you think are model year 2000 or newer?

A more interesting question might be the realistic life expectancy of the average/typical RV... the moderate to poorly maintained ones
(not the uber obsessed and lovingly cared for and never actually driven much)

hmmm

[tncruiser]

if we own a particular brand we will either complain or brag
otherwise we would have nothing to talk about
brianj

[two-niner]

Without insulting you..Larrygrandpa, you own a "model T' compared to much newer motor homes. More things to go wrong, but way more luxury.

If we couldn't complain here on this forum, why, we'd go nuts!!!

Kerry

[Luckiest Dreamer]

I find it hard to believe that quality can be worse that what I had found on my coach. No place to go but up!

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gotta be tough decisions for the few remaining RV makers - buyers want more luxury, but the economy dictates lower selling prices.

Can't get 15 pounds into a 10 pound bag!

For us, we're VERY happy that our '88 Winnie (call it a model T if you like...) was bought in great condition, at a low price, and reflects the attention to detail and pride in workmanship of decades long gone. It can sit unused as long as necessary, the low price we paid for it doesn't "force" us to use it to justify the FAR higher prices of later stuff - and it has EVERYTHING we need for comfortable travel and extended stays.

[Wizard]

Have an "02 motorhome and, KOW, never had a problem that I can blame on quality. A few on stupidity on my part, but thats another story.

[CarlGeo]

Quality of workmanship is definitely on a downward trend. Not only in motorhome construction, but all skilled trades.
Indeed, new coaches have many more electronic devices, gadgets, etc, but quality of construction is not as good as previous years.
Look at homes built in 1920's vs homes built today. Modest priced homes built in the 20's have superior craftsmanship compared to luxury homes of today. There are no skilled craftsman to build the cabinetry similar to that of earlier years. Everything is machine built, not hand crafted. Motorhomes, as all other built items, follows this same trend.

[chiefdave]

I have heard many times that manufacturers build in a 7-10 K factor in the price of the unit to fix issues with motorhomes once they leave the factory. You need to make sure you document every problem you have and make sure it fixed in the first year of your warrranty. I have purchased 2 new units; 1 gas, newer one diesel. Both had plently of issues. Good luck!

[denochs]

Originally Posted by chiefdave

I have heard many times that manufacturers build in a 7-10 K factor in the price of the unit to fix issues with motorhomes once they leave the factory. You need to make sure you document every problem you have and make sure it fixed in the first year of your warrranty. I have purchased 2 new units; 1 gas, newer one diesel. Both had plently of issues. Good luck!

Dave,

Now you have separated the difference we see in mh construction today. You can put the very best appliance/tire/accessory, etc in it. But it is only as good as the how and the quality of workmanship putting it into the coach.

Dave

[WOODYDEL]

Diesel pushers are the worst for problems. Too much integrated bull. Too much computer control from one system. Too many specialized parts you can't easily find and in the future will not find. Most owners are loyal to brand. To sway them away, seems like you'd need a mistake like an ejection seat installed by mistake and blasting you through the roof by mistake. Too many expectations that it is normal and expected to break down. When Ford comes out with their diesel option, the DP will not be so attractive. Ford is the biggest supplier of chassis's and backs their product. My manufacturer Four Winds made a mistake overloading the rear axle. The axle did not fall out. The springs did not break. The shocks did not explode. And my fuel lines did not leak.

Simpler the better. The "simple" Ford chassis is used by Winnebago. The model I will be getting is the 37L. It was loved by many at the last RV show I attended and has plenty of spare carrying capacity over both front and rear axles. Excellent quality throughout. Even under the bed which by the way looks like a dresser cabinet.

I like to dream about the "big rigs". I've even posted a great looking NeoPlan here on this site. If you take the time to read the Neoplan owner's blog you will find him fixing a lot of really expensive things. He even admits it.

Anyway, for me trouble is a Diesel Pusher.

There's one last thing. I'm retired recently and sometimes get pretty bored. Maybe breakdowns if you're full timing break it up. Just something I was thinking.

[Five2o]

Originally Posted by CarlGeo

Quality of workmanship is definitely on a downward trend. Not only in motorhome construction, but all skilled trades.
Indeed, new coaches have many more electronic devices, gadgets, etc, but quality of construction is not as good as previous years.
Look at homes built in 1920's vs homes built today. Modest priced homes built in the 20's have superior craftsmanship compared to luxury homes of today. There are no skilled craftsman to build the cabinetry similar to that of earlier years. Everything is machine built, not hand crafted. Motorhomes, as all other built items, follows this same trend.

Look at homes/vehicles built in the 70's...actually it would be hard to find a 70's vehicle to look at in 1990.

[historyljc]

Originally Posted by WOODYDEL

Diesel pushers are the worst for problems. Too much integrated bull. Too much computer control from one system. Too many specialized parts you can't easily find and in the future will not find. Most owners are loyal to brand. To sway them away, seems like you'd need a mistake like an ejection seat installed by mistake and blasting you through the roof by mistake. Too many expectations that it is normal and expected to break down. When Ford comes out with their diesel option, the DP will not be so attractive. Ford is the biggest supplier of chassis's and backs their product. My manufacturer Four Winds made a mistake overloading the rear axle. The axle did not fall out. The springs did not break. The shocks did not explode. And my fuel lines did not leak.

Simpler the better. The "simple" Ford chassis is used by Winnebago. The model I will be getting is the 37L. It was loved by many at the last RV show I attended and has plenty of spare carrying capacity over both front and rear axles. Excellent quality throughout. Even under the bed which by the way looks like a dresser cabinet.

I like to dream about the "big rigs". I've even posted a great looking NeoPlan here on this site. If you take the time to read the Neoplan owner's blog you will find him fixing a lot of really expensive things. He even admits it.

Anyway, for me trouble is a Diesel Pusher.

There's one last thing. I'm retired recently and sometimes get pretty bored. Maybe breakdowns if you're full timing break it up. Just something I was thinking.

The most reliable trouble free portion of my diesel pusher is the running gear. Any problems I've had has been with the house portion or the box on the running gear. That can happen on any coach regardless of the chassis. Except for a blown tire, my diesel pusher has never left me broke down on the side of the road. That can happen on any chassis. Possibly the next time I take it out it will break down on me, but so far it has not. I have read, on this and other forums, of Workhorse chassis' with brake problems and Ford's with troublesome spark plugs and other issues. My old bones sure do appreciate the smoother air ride of the dp chassis over the spring system of the regular chassis. The diesel engine and transmission in my dp are warrantied for five years for unlimited miles. Is this the case with Ford power trains? Properly maintained, dp power trains have a life expectancy of between 500,000 and million trouble free miles. Is this the case with Workhorse or Ford?

[UFO Pilot]

The majority of problems I have had were electrical / electronic. Kwickee control board, slide out control board, microwave, etc. I haven't had any problems with cabinets coming loose, water leaks, etc. So for me at least, the problems have been with the suppliers of the components and not with the quality of the build itself.