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cavie · 10-31-2019, 06:58 PM

https://axleaddict.com/rvs/Why-Its-I...ore-Buying-One

okcnewbie · 11-01-2019, 07:47 AM

Nothing new here IMO. We know it's risky to buy a MH. No one can afford to keep paying an inspector until the perfect RV is confirmed. We also don't have 20 hours per rig to inspect, etc.

There are at least two 2019 DS owners (on irv2.com) right now that just want their MH to travel straight down the road and give an enjoyable experience.

DRM901 · 11-01-2019, 08:04 AM

Not impressed with this article at all. Comment about car manufacturing methods is off about 20-30 years. Most assembly is now done with automation. Yes there are workers using the robotics, but really the robot is doing the assembly- there same way every time.

When such a glaring error is made, I look more critically at the rest of the content as questionable. The old rule never buy something made on a Monday or Friday is just not true. At least I've never seen the statistical analysis showing there a valid difference in defect rates.

TonyMac · 11-01-2019, 08:19 AM

Can an RV be built better? Absolutely!! Anyone want to pay for it? I thought not. Your half million dollar RV just went way over a million, it's full of entry level accessories, no bling and entry level coaches are gone.

tcg · 11-01-2019, 09:23 AM

I just used common sense when buying our used RV. Looked for obvious abuse, water leaks, maintenance records, etc...

I figured that because of the age and what we were willing to pay there would be some repairs. In other words we went in with our eyes wide open.

As far as new... you guys should see the quality on brand new 2 million dollar boats. The fit and finish is not to be believed sometimes but all the dealers I work for and the manufacturers stand behind what they sell. They will fix everything to your satisfaction.

Is this not the case with RV dealers?

Phillieagle · 11-01-2019, 10:16 AM

Read the comment section. It is more valuable than the article. The recommended Coaches are an interesting insight to most peoples opinion.

cavie · 11-02-2019, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM901

Not impressed with this article at all. Comment about car manufacturing methods is off about 20-30 years. Most assembly is now done with automation. Yes there are workers using the robotics, but really the robot is doing the assembly- there same way every time.

When such a glaring error is made, I look more critically at the rest of the content as questionable. The old rule never buy something made on a Monday or Friday is just not true. At least I've never seen the statistical analysis showing there a valid difference in defect rates.

I've never been to an RV factory. Don't know about them being done with "Automation". This is the first. I have 1st hand knowledge if using a hammer instead of a drill in my 2011 Keystone. Can you show me some evidence of the "Automation" process? I'm not referring to vacuumed formed walls. I'm referring to wiring. plumbing, A/C duct work etc. I am here to learn.

but really the robot is doing the assembly- there same way every time.

Solo_RV_Guy · 11-02-2019, 09:08 AM

I didn't find the linked article particularly helpful (and a bit doom and gloom, it was) but I've already bought and used an RV, watched a bunch of MooToob videos from factory tours, etc. Perhaps if it was the first thing an interested person reads, it might be thought of as more helpful.

Cavie, do some searches for factory videos. Not a lot of "automation" the way I've seen automation in the aviation manufacturing business or the auto industry but my exposure to those makes me think that RV manufacturing could be significantly automated IF the public would be willing to pay for the quality improvements that would result.

Part of it goes back to piece work and quality control inspections. Aircraft parts were once made by workers on piece work pay (it was very popular in the Ye Old Days in many industries). No incentive to do well or even right, so long as there was no or minimal inspection of the components being produced. With RVs, the manufacturer is basically an aggregator and assembler of components and sub-assemblies purchased from other suppliers. Inspecting the assembly requires process control (lacking) and immediate inspection before access is closed or covered by the next step in manufacturing.

In automated assembly, once the process and results are verified it decreases the need to inspect on the level that hand assembly should receive.

This kind of transition isn't cheap. I think Thor, REV and Winne are big enough they might pull this off but it would take a huge investment and significant production labor $avings, along with much lower warranty costs for them to justify it. I don't see it happening in what is left of my natural lifetime.

twogypsies · 11-02-2019, 02:25 PM

There are some excellent manufacturers out there. Quality RVs are not built by automation. For instance, Newmar's build is individually crafted per the customer's specs. At the end of the line - which may take weeks - the RV is tested and if anything is found to be wrong it is sent back to the person who installed/built it and that person does the job right. Good build and the individuals get a bonus. It's an incentive to do it right the first time. Newmars are also put through a rain tunnel to check for leaks. There's an extensive end of line testing done. That's not to say that things don't go wrong after the fact but do some comparisons. Most issues are from components used. For instance, if something occurs with the engine that's not Newmar's fault. Watch a video of Newmar's build.

On the other hand, watch a video of Jayco's build - how many they can produce and finish in a DAY.

Factory tours are very interesting.