We just bought a new 2017 Mobile Suites RS3 in Jan. It was special ordered since they said they build less than 5 of this size a year. We went with their smallest unit so our truck could handle the weight. These are beautiful coaches inside and out. But, we have had almost a dozen warranty issues with our coach and its been at a dealer being worked on more that at our own home. And our first trip out for 2 was in Az we had even more trouble, A/C wasn't working properly. All of these issues are nothing but very poor QC at the factory and some simple livability issues that our 5 other RV's had. What it seems like who ever did the engineering design never owned an RV. Granted we had some issues with the others, but nothing to this extent. I'm wondering if others with MS or the ES have had the same quantity of issues. For the $137 price tag I find this whole experience unacceptable. If I had bought a luxury car in Colorado with all of these problems I'd take it back under the "lemon law" we have. I'd like to know if others out there have had similar issues. I do know that one owner of a 2016 44 foot MS we met in AZ has had multiple problems too. Let me know your thoughts.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

I've never had a MS, but we did park next to one several years ago when we were in Georgia. She paid a pretty good chunk o'change for hers and it had to go back to the factory to repair all the issues she had. She said she had paid over $100,000 for hers, and this was a few years ago.So they aren't immune to problems, even though you'd think they would be, for the amount of money they cost.

It sounds like you have a dealer who doesn't do a very good job of "make ready". With a good dealer, you should never see any QC deficiencies that make it out of the factory. Our dealer spent 7 calendar days getting our Mobile Suites ready for us to pick up, and I found 1 defect in the first week after taking delivery - a screw that was twisted off on a piece of trim on one slideout.Two of the best, most knowledgeable dealers that specialize in DRVs and do an exceptional job of prepping and servicing them are (1.) Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma and (2.) RVs for Less in Knoxville, Tennessee. We bought ours from the latter.If you haven't found them already, I'd suggest you check in at the DRV Suites Owners Group on Facebook (the dealers I mentioned above are active there, as are some DRV factory personnel) or the DRV section of www.Thorforums.com Rusty

Given the price tag and insane depreciation on these you should really expect very few problems. You are paying big bucks for new and the anticipation that there won't be issues. ESPECIALLY problems that should have been caught by QC at the factory. I would be steamed as well!

I wondered if the quality would go down hill once they were bought out.....I'm thinking it was Thor, I'm sure somebody will correct me if needed.

2017 MOBILE SUITES QC issues | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

kydale
Explorer
May 05, 2017
I have a 2013 MS. I'm replacing my Dometic refrigerator with a residential now. The TV went out a year ago. I've had problems with my vanity slide. That is working great right now. If I could have it any way I would want it I wouldn't have had any of those problems. But that's part of owning a fifth wheel. I think my MS is better looking than any other fifth wheel I've seen but I won't own another. The other problems I've had aren't ones you would catch at a PDI. And I'm not talking about the ones I've told you about. The guys at the factory have been very good responsive to me including Ed Fry. But if DRV don't make some changes they will continue to loose customers until they fade away. They've lost me.
Jbird
Explorer
May 04, 2017
I've got a 2010 MS,had a Travel Supreme,had an Alpenlite. Of the three,all presumably quality brands,the MS has been a clear winner on insulation (noise,temperature)and watertightness. All three had assembly QC issues,the MS neither best nor worst. At least for me,the relative cost of fifth wheels is all about the quality of components (trim,frame,running gear etc) because assembly QC throughout the industry is a **** shoot regardless of price.
Gib3633
Explorer
May 02, 2017
WE bought 2013 and of course after the Tampa RV show where they sell 125 units in a week and promise delivery to everyone on the same day , well not much gets checked or fixed.
Anyway on the recommendation of another owner we used a sub contractor to do the warrantee and anything serious never got fixed. On a special trip from Niagara Falls ON to HOWE Indiana to the factory they fixed most everything in 3 days. The electronic mobile guy they used who thought he was smarter than me didn't address the furnace properly and the following xmas I bought the part from Lazy Days.
We have finally got some happy use out of it
PS you will be equipped with a Kant Leak control valve for tank fill, city fixture and bypass valve. Do not change from one to the other without turning the water off at the source
Don't give up just persevere it will get better and then you will have one of the best.
Aridon
Explorer
May 02, 2017
We were not impressed with our DRV quality wise. Wouldn't buy again. They are not worth the double you'll pay over say a Grand Design.

If I were looking in that category I might consider luxe. Still don't think the price is worth what you get though.

I would buy a Newmar again in a heart beat if it fit our needs and price.
BarneyS
Explorer III
May 02, 2017
All off topic posts have been deleted. Please keep your remarks confined to the question the OP asked.
Barney
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 01, 2017
GottaGoCamping wrote:
We have a 2017 40KSSB4 Mobile Suite and have had no quality issues. Our previous unit was a Montana Big Sky and it spent 10 months out of 18 in the shop. Unfortunately, when you get a lemon it really stinks because these are not cheap.

You should really go buy a Lottery Ticket! Seriously you are a lucky person! Let's hope it stays trouble free for you.
GottaGoCamping
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
We have a 2017 40KSSB4 Mobile Suite and have had no quality issues. Our previous unit was a Montana Big Sky and it spent 10 months out of 18 in the shop. Unfortunately, when you get a lemon it really stinks because these are not cheap.
tinner12002
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
What it seems like who ever did the engineering design never owned an RV...I've said that for quite some time, funny to hear someone else make that comment too!! The design of these things with the itty bitty cabinets or lack of cabinets on some is ridiculous!! Plug in locations, same way but there's no excuse for bad QC on any of them let alone an expensive one that you would think would be quite a bit better!! I had been looking at their LX455 toy hauler at 125K purchase price but after reading and going to DRV forums I may start rethinking that purchase a bit.
oldbird1965
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
I'm glad I bought a 08 MS, to many horror stories on the new ones. Besides, all the smells of the new ones make my wife sick!
RustyJC
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
As I said earlier, the dealer should have prepped the unit before delivery. Our Mobile Suites just returned from it's first service visit in almost 3 years - 1 day in the shop to have a failed Dometic A/C (a buyout item) replaced.

Rusty