Quality control issues-curiosity

One of the few things I found encouraging from my tour of Winnebago was that inspection for QC was independent of manufacturing. While a lot of the assembly work was rushed (it is essentially a moving assembly line operation) and had potential to get sloppy, the people doing the work were not the people who signed off on each operation being completed OK.

At some of the other plants I've visited, with more of a craftsman or staged assembly team operation, the craftsman or team leader signed off on the work stage being completed. While this lets management know who is responsible when something goes wrong, it is not the same as a third party inspection.

This difference in mass production and QC procedures helped me decide what brand to buy, when I finally decided that my budget allowed only for mass production, rather than custom-built luxury work. Without an independent QC inspection operation, it is too easy for something to get signed off as OK when it has in fact been overlooked or forgotten.

OK, I "was" shopping for a new MH but I will just keep my money in the bank and look for a hobby that cares about it's customers and tries to build a quality product. I have been on this site for 2 months and have read so much "negativity" about manufact. and dealers it will scare anyone away. Most of the negatives come from veteran RVers. People you look to for advice. Thanks for the warning.

midnightsadie wrote:
I agree with donno, things are overlooked,

X2. I was at the Hershey RV Show a couple years ago. I was surprised (actually shocked) at the RV's they sent to the show with obvious quality flaws. Cabinet doors and drawers that didn't line up and missing or mismatched trim were obvious. When you looked you saw other flaws.
I would think they would at least want the 'show' units to be complete and ready to go. Nope.
Quality control is definitely lacking in the RV industry.
Just my opinion. :)

I agree with donno, things are overlooked,

I think there are a few mfgs that are capable of delivering a better product than some of the mass producers. Whether they do or not is still a roll of the dice though.
Northwood has a good reputation as does Cedar Creek division of Forest River Inc.

I have seen video's of RV workers on the asembly line almost running. Pride of workmanship is sorely lacking. One would think it cheaper to slow down and take some pride. Guess not. My friend bought a new trailer insisting the dealer pressure test prior to delivery. Dealer found several leaks. Although I am saving for a new trailer I admit to being a bit nervous about quality

Your putting words in my mouth!
I said manufacturers dont place much emphasis on it. For the most part QC is done by the same people assemblying the product. I spend a number of years in QC, you never let the people inspect their own product. It just dont work. A comprehensive QC program is expensive and cannot start at the bottom. Upper managment MUST really want it. Sadly there far more interested in the bottom line than how good their product is.

donn0128 wrote:
Easy, total lack of quality control by RV manufacturers its not limited to any one brand or style. They just dont place much importance on it.

So you are saying all the RV's sitting around on Dealer lots have had "no quality" control while they were being built? Just lucky they had enough nuts and bolts installed to get them out to the lots. I think you are mistaking the "few" complaints you see on these pages as the normal and are not considering the 1000's that never complain or have problems. A new customer reading this post for the first time would go purchase a "boat" and stay away from RVing as per your suggestion after all, you are a 10 yr. veteran.

Easy, total lack of quality control by RV manufacturers its not limited to any one brand or style. They just dont place much importance on it.