Community Forums

RBeau1954 · 01-28-2016, 03:53 PM

We recently went to an RV show in town, we have an '89 Vintage Class C Motor home that we love. We go just to see what is going on in the industry. I was truly amazed at some of the junk out there that the manufacturers are selling. One unit we looking at had overhead cabinets and the doors where put on crooked, not falling down from driving but actually installed wrong. Bunk houses with beds that pull up to sit on the couch and latches missing so the bed sits cock-eyed when tilted up. Latches on doors that were broken off because they were put on with such small screws they pulled out. As for me, I'll stick with my old vintage unit that is built like a mack truck.

beamisl · 01-28-2016, 04:32 PM

I don't like the new ones I have seen either. They are too fancy for me and I never have liked leather.

Too many fancy items to break down and way too much money for lack of quality. I'll stay with my 2004 Winnie

Grey Ghost I · 01-28-2016, 09:34 PM

I am also blessed with the perfect one for me. I would not trade it for anything. I am not saying it is best in the world. Just perfect for me!

Ted Lambert · 01-28-2016, 09:43 PM

Seems more and more people don't like today's leather.
Just not the quality of an old Caddie or Lincoln.
Anybody have any ideas what has changed in the leather industry?

It is sad what we see in the show rooms.
I recently tried out a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and made a comment to a salesman that I did not like the leather seats, he said but check out the features of the stereo!
Didn't buy the Cherokee bought a used Liberty, only because they couldn't find a Cherokee with cloth seats and a transmission that could be flat towed.
I feel it will only get worse.
I am keeping my 1998 Triple E and my 2006 Liberty.

Ramets · 01-29-2016, 04:44 AM

When wintering in Fl. we've gone to the Tampa RV show a number of times thinking we might buy. But each time we've come away saying that a lot of so called quality units are cutting too many corners. Shoddy workmanship, and little or no quality control. So we just keep motoring down the road in our trusty 2000 DSDP.

MSHappyCampers · 01-29-2016, 07:50 AM

Sad but true!

I think some of them are built just good enough not to fall apart until they drive off the dealer lot! I've always heard that you get what you pay for. Well, sometimes I thing you DON'T get what you pay for!

Cat320 · 01-29-2016, 08:45 AM

As has been said on here numerous times before, you are much better off buying an RV a couple of years old. In addition to not losing all the depreciation value, the bugs should be worked out.

tmw188 · 01-29-2016, 08:59 AM

Bought a 2005 Dolphin recently the quality and feel on the inside is nice. No cheap leather, smeather or what ever they call it but a nice upholstered couch and booth with a nice table top. Nice matching valances and corian counter tops with nice cabinetry.

530ktm · 01-29-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBeau1954

We recently went to an RV show in town, we have an '89 Vintage Class C Motor home that we love. We go just to see what is going on in the industry. I was truly amazed at some of the junk out there that the manufacturers are selling. One unit we looking at had overhead cabinets and the doors where put on crooked, not falling down from driving but actually installed wrong. Bunk houses with beds that pull up to sit on the couch and latches missing so the bed sits cock-eyed when tilted up. Latches on doors that were broken off because they were put on with such small screws they pulled out. As for me, I'll stick with my old vintage unit that is built like a mack truck.

This may be true for some makes and models but I don't think it pertains to all of them. I too have seen some junk when we were looking but there is some good quality out there also.

raineman · 01-29-2016, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530ktm

This may be true for some makes and models but I don't think it pertains to all of them. I too have seen some junk when we were looking but there is some good quality out there also.

X2 totally agree! RV's would not be selling the way they are if they were all crap. There is some total crap out there. But I won't lump all new RV's in that bucket

mel s · 01-29-2016, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBeau1954

We recently went to an RV show in town, we have an '89 Vintage Class C Motor home that we love. We go just to see what is going on in the industry. I was truly amazed at some of the junk out there that the manufacturers are selling. One unit we looking at had overhead cabinets and the doors where put on crooked, not falling down from driving but actually installed wrong. Bunk houses with beds that pull up to sit on the couch and latches missing so the bed sits cock-eyed when tilted up. Latches on doors that were broken off because they were put on with such small screws they pulled out. As for me, I'll stick with my old vintage unit that is built like a mack truck.

RBeau1954
IMO the reason there is poor quality throughout the RV industry is because people keep buying poor quality RVs.
Mel
'96 Safari

DGBPokes · 01-29-2016, 09:29 AM

I won't say they are "all" crap, however, being a retired supply chain manager with a large global company, let me explain how purchasing/ sourcing works.Not just at my company, but 98% of all big companies.

You set down and develop next years budget, goals, and objectives. For years now the number one goal is to achieve "X%" cost reduction. The first year pretty easy, the second year a little tougher, the third year a bear. So imagine year four, five etc. what happens....quality gets compromised. And oh by the way, the second year you don't achieve your goals, you are fired.

So is quality compromised, you bet it is.

mel s · 01-29-2016, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

I won't say they are "all" crap, however, being a retired supply chain manager with a large global company, let me explain how purchasing/ sourcing works.Not just at my company, but 98% of all big companies.

You set down and develop next years budget, goals, and objectives. For years now the number one goal is to achieve "X%" cost reduction. The first year pretty easy, the second year a little tougher, the third year a bear. So imagine year four, five etc. what happens....quality gets compromised. And oh by the way, the second year you don't achieve your goals, you are fired.

So is quality compromised, you bet it is.

DGBPokes

Sadly greed always trump's quality.... that's the "American Way"... (especially when it comes to RVs).

dennis45 · 01-29-2016, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

I won't say they are "all" crap, however, being a retired supply chain manager with a large global company, let me explain how purchasing/ sourcing works.Not just at my company, but 98% of all big companies.

You set down and develop next years budget, goals, and objectives. For years now the number one goal is to achieve "X%" cost reduction. The first year pretty easy, the second year a little tougher, the third year a bear. So imagine year four, five etc. what happens....quality gets compromised. And oh by the way, the second year you don't achieve your goals, you are fired.

So is quality compromised, you bet it is.

Absolutely, I have sat on that side of the table also.
It is much easier to sell on price than it is on quality so the goal is to compete on price.
Unfortunately, the public has been conditioned to accept lesser quality for the sake of price. And then complain bitterly when it all falls apart.