Forum Discussion

nhshep's avatar
nhshep
Explorer
Dec 08, 2018

RV Quality

Always amazed me how the RV industry gets away with poor quality product. If you purchased a Toyota Camry you are in the $26,000 range. If you purchase Volvo as example in $66,000 range you do see the $40,000 difference from inside quality to outside quality. They don't put cheap tires on the $66,000 Volvo or low par metal frame.

Yet in the RV industry I purchased a $30,000 Prime Time Crusader 5th wheel and compared it to a similar size $60,000 RV and I cannot see the $30,000 that justifies that increase in price. The roof for most are still rubber. Look under the seating it is particle board. What is worse the appliances inside are not top of the line that could justify the $30,000 price difference. Granted some top line models selling for $80,000 may be in a different league. I am saying I don't see the same difference in price between $30,000 RV and $60,000 RV to justify the difference. Yet in a car is becomes clear the difference and they don't cut corners in shoddy workmanship during the build like they do in the RV industry. I guess demand and supply is the reason why RV's have not changed in quality. The manufacturer gets away with it.

No offense to owners of any specific RV. People are happy with what they buy which justifies the price they are willing to pay.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2018
    Likewise we recently purchased a new smaller SUV for DW. Salesman, from whom we have purchased a number of vehicles, talked me out of the top of the line model saying it wasn’t worth the extra bucks.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2018
    I would disagree with your premise, there is nothing significantly better with the Volvo than the Camry to justify a $40k difference. Quality, reliability, ride quality, resale value, etc. make the Camry and many other low end cars very good choices. Now the Yugo would be a different story. It is the prestige that makes the Volvo worth $40k more.

    But I agree with your conclusion about RVs, quality is bad regardless of price. And the more things, features, bling you add to an RV, the more problems you are likely to have.

    There are maybe a few exceptions, Airstream (you pay a lot for quality with few extras), other brands as well, both expensive and inexpensive. My $30k unit seems to be an exception, better quality than my last 3 units spanning 18 yrs.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 08, 2018
    There is a difference but the scale isn't linear. You pay almost exponentially more for an increase in quality.
    But if someone can afford it, why not enjoy it.
  • jkwilson's avatar
    jkwilson
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2018
    If they built them higher quality throughout, they’d all cost over $100K and we’d all be pulling them with a semi tractor. Compromises have to be made in all consumer products.
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2018
    Dayle1 wrote:
    I would disagree with your premise, there is nothing significantly better with the Volvo than the Camry to justify a $40k difference. Quality, reliability, ride quality, resale value, etc. make the Camry and many other low end cars very good choices. Now the Yugo would be a different story. It is the prestige that makes the Volvo worth $40k more.

    But I agree with your conclusion about RVs, quality is bad regardless of price. And the more things, features, bling you add to an RV, the more problems you are likely to have.


    I feel like you took the words right out of my mouth. Regarding cars, even with in models I don't see the value in throwing a little wood grain on the dash and charging $5k - $10k more than the base model. I bought our first 5th wheel last Spring but use it as a cabin rather than a mobile RV. I'm hoping that lends it to being less prone to problems.
  • Hammerboy's avatar
    Hammerboy
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2018
    jkwilson wrote:
    If they built them higher quality throughout, they’d all cost over $100K and we’d all be pulling them with a semi tractor. Compromises have to be made in all consumer products.


    Wouldn't necessarily need to weigh much more. Workmanship needs to improve as well and thats half the equation. You can take the same pile of materials and greatly improve the quality of the product just by slowing down and being conscientious of your work. I work in residential construction and say that all the time, same pile of materials and can have vastly different build quality depending on who built it. But time is money they say.

    Dan
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2018
    Funny, we paid something like $68,000 for our current 5er. All the "Bling" is great! Everything works just fine. But the front door drags! Something that is absolutely basic to any RV ... the front door. We are getting it replaced under warranty in a few weeks. But, imagine that!
  • dapperdan's avatar
    dapperdan
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2018
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    "RV Quality"

    Those words simply don't belong together!!!


    THAT made me laugh out loud Ron. :B

    Sorta like "jumbo shrimp" and "military intelligence". :S

    I needed that after reading that thread on the Thor forum about roofs.

    Dan
  • tragusa3's avatar
    tragusa3
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2018
    I did find the ratio of cost/quality to be more realistic in Class 'A' gassers. 20% increase in msrp made an immediately noticeable difference.

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