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I am sure glad that Boeing builds planes and Winnebago doesn't. My second new Winnebago is just like the first: A DIY project. I have never seen so many missing, stripped out or miss-aligned screws. ...
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I have taken a close look at the Newmar coaches at RV shows and at the dealer where I bought our Navion. Zero to 12,000 miles with nothing out of place? Duh, it's a Newmar.
Comparing Winnebago to Boeing may be a little unfair, after all flight is just a tad more unforgiving when things go wrong. Still, I wish quality control at Winnebago was just a little more like as if my motorhome was going to take to the skies.
The push-button latch is probably the most effective way to keep the drawer closed. Our last Navion had them everywhere and the new one has but one on a cabinet in the bathroom. Oh, just remembered another design flaw that is just a little infuriating. The top drawer where you would put utensils such as knives, forks, spoons and such, is not deep enough to put standard organizers. So, what is the excuse for not getting out the measuring stick and borrowing a fraction of an inch from the two drawers below the top one? We will have to work around this, by re-arranging things. But, it is incomprehensible that whoever designed the cabinets did not consider the dimensions and the fact that this kitchen is not standing still.
It is not just the oversights at Winnebago that is taking the shine off the experience. I discovered something today that has me wondering about Mercedes Benz as well. I figured I would top off the DEF tank taking into account the mileage on the odometer and the gauge on the dash. About two gallons. This DEF thing is new to me. Anyway, I figured since the hood was up, I would clean the cabin air filter that is right there. I shook off the bugs and bits of stuff and washed out the enclosure, also cleaning the drain orifice. When I went to return the filter to the chamber I noted the arrows indicating air flow. Hold the phone: The dirt was coming off the downstream side of the filter. The air filter was installed backwards. Installing in reverse has the possibility of dirt coming past the outside of the filter frame. Reminds me of the time back in the early 70s when I discovered a customers clutch problem on a brand new MG Midget was due to a clutch disk installed backwards. The only reason the clutch was able to release for the first few thousand miles was that the facing material was a bit thicker than average. It took a show and tell session to convince the unbelieving factory rep that they should pay up. Quality control is an age old thing and no one is exempt. I will add this: when I worked as a mechanic and a vehicle came back to the shop, my labor was free. Needless to say, my work was done correctly the first time.
Comparing Winnebago to Boeing may be a little unfair, after all flight is just a tad more unforgiving when things go wrong. Still, I wish quality control at Winnebago was just a little more like as if my motorhome was going to take to the skies.
The push-button latch is probably the most effective way to keep the drawer closed. Our last Navion had them everywhere and the new one has but one on a cabinet in the bathroom. Oh, just remembered another design flaw that is just a little infuriating. The top drawer where you would put utensils such as knives, forks, spoons and such, is not deep enough to put standard organizers. So, what is the excuse for not getting out the measuring stick and borrowing a fraction of an inch from the two drawers below the top one? We will have to work around this, by re-arranging things. But, it is incomprehensible that whoever designed the cabinets did not consider the dimensions and the fact that this kitchen is not standing still.
It is not just the oversights at Winnebago that is taking the shine off the experience. I discovered something today that has me wondering about Mercedes Benz as well. I figured I would top off the DEF tank taking into account the mileage on the odometer and the gauge on the dash. About two gallons. This DEF thing is new to me. Anyway, I figured since the hood was up, I would clean the cabin air filter that is right there. I shook off the bugs and bits of stuff and washed out the enclosure, also cleaning the drain orifice. When I went to return the filter to the chamber I noted the arrows indicating air flow. Hold the phone: The dirt was coming off the downstream side of the filter. The air filter was installed backwards. Installing in reverse has the possibility of dirt coming past the outside of the filter frame. Reminds me of the time back in the early 70s when I discovered a customers clutch problem on a brand new MG Midget was due to a clutch disk installed backwards. The only reason the clutch was able to release for the first few thousand miles was that the facing material was a bit thicker than average. It took a show and tell session to convince the unbelieving factory rep that they should pay up. Quality control is an age old thing and no one is exempt. I will add this: when I worked as a mechanic and a vehicle came back to the shop, my labor was free. Needless to say, my work was done correctly the first time.
