This sums it up for the status of the RV industry now

RLS7201 wrote:
While some valid points are made, the author does show some lack of knowledge when he blames the RV manufactures for the in tank fuel pumps. He needs to learn the difference between coach and chassis.

Richard

This is an excellent point. Most dealers do not warranty chassis, engine, trans, etc. So ask them for info as to who to go to. Ford, Cat, cummins, freightliner, etc. They should have experience with these dealers. Get names, contacts, etc. Do some homework.

What he is describing here is exactly what happened to the American auto industry back in the 70's. They started cutting costs and cutting quality and turning out junk. So American's quit buying and started buying Japanese cars instead. How long until Japan gets into the RV industry?

I think this article, although having some incorrect info, is spot on. Have you walked into some of the newer light weight trailers? I find myself walking carefully because it feels like you're going to fall through the floor. You can just walk around and look at the cheapness of everything. But then again, I'm a consumer who is willing to pay more for quality. The reason the RV makers are doing this is because so many consumers look at price over quality. At least until after they buy the cheapest and then can't figure out why it's falling apart.

Regarding the subject matter, I don't think the industry is going to change. However, I believe they will will add more and more electronic modules (and not tell us where they are and what they control).

wow, wow, wow. thank you so much for this post. i recently retired and was doing research in prep to going full time RVing. after reading that article and listening to the referenced audio file from the lemon law lawyer i have deep 6'ed the whole idea. i almost walked into a nightmare. thank you again for saving me from such a headache.

I have over the last 14 years traveled from Key West to north of Fairbanks from California to Nova Scotia. My experience is that unless
you can fix small things yourself or are willing (and able) to pay high repair bills be careful of what you do. That is after talking and observing hundreds (if not thousands) of campers.

Kayteg1 wrote:
My 30 years experience with RV is that quality of average RV was always poor.
Average RV are build with "cheap, cheap, cheap" but that doesn't make them different from stick-build houses.
Each mid-priced RV I did own had unfinished holes - where exterior wind would flow freely inside, unsecured wires in lot of invisible places and $10 faucets. Add 0 roll-over ratings.
That is why after years, having family safety in mind I bought very vintage Prevost and kept it 11 years, still making new owners of 44 years old coach happy.
Custom Prevost conversion come with gold-plated faucets and insulation where single electric heater would keep 40' coach cozy.

We considered an old Prevost or a BB Wanderlodge, but for the want of 1 1/2 baths, 3 slides and staying within our budget, it wasn't to be. Not saying that there isn't one somewhere that would have suited us, just that we were ready this year and what we purchased, was close enough to inspect and the price was right.

The Reason a lot of people buy New or Newer Rigs has to do with Financing !

I learned a long time ago that when it comes to Vehicles and other Toys it is safer to buy something that I can afford and pay for with my Cash, than something that I have to keep paying for after it has broken or worn out!

My 30 years experience with RV is that quality of average RV was always poor.
Average RV are build with "cheap, cheap, cheap" but that doesn't make them different from stick-build houses.
Each mid-priced RV I did own had unfinished holes - where exterior wind would flow freely inside, unsecured wires in lot of invisible places and $10 faucets. Add 0 roll-over ratings.
That is why after years, having family safety in mind I bought very vintage Prevost and kept it 11 years, still making new owners of 44 years old coach happy.
Custom Prevost conversion come with gold-plated faucets and insulation where single electric heater would keep 40' coach cozy.

You can always have a PDI done before the purchase, as a contingency. Just don't make the mistake of hiring a fox to guard the chicken house, which means the possible dealer you're purchasing from. No friends of this would be dealer, either.
The other thing about buying used, is for all the money you still have left in the bank for whatever might come up. Like having your own warranty company, in that you still have room for profit and if all goes well, you can apply it elsewhere and like getting free fuel for a few years, if not more so.
In our case, we decided to forgo an extended warranty as well, since we do so much of our own work anyway and since so much isn't covered or has a deductible, along with the hassle of having to leave it somewhere.
It's like betting against the casino and in extended warranty plans, they're betting that you won't break it and you're betting that you will, so hopefully we won't break it and considering that the house usually wins....lol

texasclarks wrote:
Good article... Unfortunately a lot of truths in it. My next purchase will definitely be used so I will have a better idea of what has already been repaired ;)

I agree, accept I am leery about buying "used". Never can tell if a buyer is purchasing someone else's problems.

And to back a point in the article, our 2006 Sunline had never been back to the dealers for any defects. Not one. However, our new 2016 Arctic Fox T.T. has been a fixer upper before we made our first camping trip. Basically it is a very good trailer, but numerous defects attributed to crappy workmanship.

Sure, we have a good dealer who is taking care of things that I didn't want to tackle and left up to them, but it's the inconvenience and travel distance to the dealers. Most of the issues should have been caught and corrected at Northwood's factory if there was a decent quality control system in place.