When will RV Manufacturers be concerned with quality?
I wanted to say Class A manufacturers, but it is the same with all manufacturers.
I have a 2008 Tiffin Allegro. FRED chassis. It has been an OK coach. Had it's share of issues, but Tiffin has been great about fixing them. Since the coach was new, there has been a leak around the doghouse that covers the engine. During summer travel, it is like a blast furnace is blowing on my right foot on the gas pedal. Since we stay within 300 miles of home, I have just dealt with it. I use CC to keep my foot off the pedal. This summer, we are planning a longer trip. So, I decided to tear it apart and see what it looks like "under the hood". To say I am appalled by the shoddy construction is an understatement. There is not enough space here to list everything that is wrong or sub par.
I am finding that I have to tear just about everything I can see or touch apart so that I can put it back together the way it should have been. This has turned into a complete remodel of the front end of the coach, including new carpet. A much, MUCH bigger project than I had expected. And the DW is not happy. Not happy with Tiffin. Not happy with me for busting it open. I will spend about $500 in materials to put it back together correctly. Everything is getting sound proofing, heat resistant insulation, and sealed. I knew I was going to have to spend some money, but not THAT much.
I have found all kinds of places I can see through the floor to the outside below. And, I found a piece of plywood about 18" x 18" that was some kind of scabbed on addition to patch a hole in the floor that has been blocking the gas pedal from being able to go completely to the floor. I figure I have only had about 70% throttle at best all this time.
And yes, I found why the dog house was allowing hot air on my foot. The drivers side of the dog house had a piece of angle iron that was 4" too short. So, they centered it leaving a 2" gap above and below. The gap at the bottom was allowing hot air to blast my foot. I completely redesigned that side of the doghouse and rebuilt it so there will be 100% seal from the engine compartment.
Not to bag on Tiffin. I suspect if you looked closely at most any rig, you would find shoddy construction. And Tiffin is supposed to be better than most. There needs to be a Mike Holmes for RV's! DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!
Rant over!
I have a 2008 Tiffin Allegro. FRED chassis. It has been an OK coach. Had it's share of issues, but Tiffin has been great about fixing them. Since the coach was new, there has been a leak around the doghouse that covers the engine. During summer travel, it is like a blast furnace is blowing on my right foot on the gas pedal. Since we stay within 300 miles of home, I have just dealt with it. I use CC to keep my foot off the pedal. This summer, we are planning a longer trip. So, I decided to tear it apart and see what it looks like "under the hood". To say I am appalled by the shoddy construction is an understatement. There is not enough space here to list everything that is wrong or sub par.
I am finding that I have to tear just about everything I can see or touch apart so that I can put it back together the way it should have been. This has turned into a complete remodel of the front end of the coach, including new carpet. A much, MUCH bigger project than I had expected. And the DW is not happy. Not happy with Tiffin. Not happy with me for busting it open. I will spend about $500 in materials to put it back together correctly. Everything is getting sound proofing, heat resistant insulation, and sealed. I knew I was going to have to spend some money, but not THAT much.
I have found all kinds of places I can see through the floor to the outside below. And, I found a piece of plywood about 18" x 18" that was some kind of scabbed on addition to patch a hole in the floor that has been blocking the gas pedal from being able to go completely to the floor. I figure I have only had about 70% throttle at best all this time.
And yes, I found why the dog house was allowing hot air on my foot. The drivers side of the dog house had a piece of angle iron that was 4" too short. So, they centered it leaving a 2" gap above and below. The gap at the bottom was allowing hot air to blast my foot. I completely redesigned that side of the doghouse and rebuilt it so there will be 100% seal from the engine compartment.
Not to bag on Tiffin. I suspect if you looked closely at most any rig, you would find shoddy construction. And Tiffin is supposed to be better than most. There needs to be a Mike Holmes for RV's! DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!
Rant over!
