Where is quality?????

ScottG wrote:
When I've walked around RV shows it always looks to me that some of the material and technology has gotten better but the actual workmanship is even worse than it was 10 or more years ago.

I agree whole heartedly. That is certainly the case with my new 2016 Arctic Fox TT. The workmanship totally stinks!

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I watched a show the other day that showed an automobile manufacturing facility. ALL of their different models, from the cheapest to the most expensive, went down the same assembly line. In other words, the SAME guys installed the various components in the cheapest as well as the most expensive model. The same quality level, as far as the labor function, was used on ALL vehicles, regardless of the sales price.
I guess what some here seem to be implying is that the various RV manufacturers use less experienced labor to assemble their cheap RV's and highly trained assemblers on their high end products, thus the buyer should expect to have more assembly problems/thus poor quality, on the less expensive RV's. Basically a recipe for failure.

The ONLY Manufacturer(OLD Monaco that went out of business in 2008)used different skill levels at the Plants. The Signature series Monaco's were built by long time Plant workers that had demonstrated good skill levels. Other Monaco's were built by the standard employees that as time went on and increased their skill level could move up to the Signature line. Other OEM's, do NOT segregate workers based on skill level. One exception is Newmar. As of 2009(last time we were a dealer and knew how their production line ran) ALL the Newmar's including towables were built on the same production line and building and assembled by the same production workers. The only thing that changes were the materials used, depending on the model and what they were building. Doug

In answer to some of the questions listed above. 3 units had to have the roof AC replaced. 2 had water {plumbing} leaks. 1 had a problem with the slide outs and 1 had to have the water heater replaced. 4 of the units went directly to the campground. 3 of the MH's were "high end" units. I am not naming manufacture because that could start another long post. As you can see several of that problems were caused by components used by many manufactures.

usersmanual wrote:
Bunk? really so the screw driver that you bought at HD for 4$ is as good as a mac or snap-on is for $9? I seriously do not think so

I stand by my statement. You would not expect nor accept buying an entry level automobile and have the fuel tank fall off because the automaker chose to use flimsy straps to hold the tank in place. You would not expect nor accept a dashboard or door panels falling off because the assembly worker didn't use the required screws to hold them in a place. You would not expect nor accept the windows and roof on your brand new entry level automobile to leak or make excessive wind noise because the automaker chose to skip on the sealant to make them watertight. I could go forever but you get my point.

A new RV is an assembly of literally 100,000's of parts/materials that come together for the first time. In much the same way as a house or a car/truck, an RV is BOTH as far as complexity of design/construction goes. To expect EVERYTHING to be perfect upon initial delivery is, IMO, unreasonable. There will always be flaws in even the most expensive RV's. What is reasonable is that most flaws be corrected in a reasonable time which is a negotiation between the manufacturer, the seller, and the buyer. Depending on the nature of the flaw, that time may vary. Some customers are never happy, no matter what. They see flaws where 100's of others simply . . . . . don't. That is unfortunate, but, a fact of life.

Be happy that you can afford a new RV and don't expect granite counter tops and leather trim in a starter model wnatever it is!

Chum lee

I watched a show the other day that showed an automobile manufacturing facility. ALL of their different models, from the cheapest to the most expensive, went down the same assembly line. In other words, the SAME guys installed the various components in the cheapest as well as the most expensive model. The same quality level, as far as the labor function, was used on ALL vehicles, regardless of the sales price.
I guess what some here seem to be implying is that the various RV manufacturers use less experienced labor to assemble their cheap RV's and highly trained assemblers on their high end products, thus the buyer should expect to have more assembly problems/thus poor quality, on the less expensive RV's. Basically a recipe for failure.

gemsworld wrote:
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said we are not willing to pay for quality, and we get what we paid for. Bunk!

Like others have said, you should expect and receive a certain level of quality, even in entry level units. The American RV manufacturers will continue churn out shoddy products as long as we are willing to buy them and there is no threat from foreign competitors.

Bunk? really so the screw driver that you bought at HD for 4$ is as good as a mac or snap-on is for $9? I seriously do not think so

1. Prevost and Airstream. We have sold Airstreams for 37 years both Motorhomes and Trailers. ALL sorts of problems.
2. HOW many of those "New" RV's in Florida had shake down cruise's BEFORE they went to Florida? Shakedown's are to find and fix most of the problems. I have a lot of Fulltime customers and they spend the first few months getting all the issues worked out. My FEWEST complaints are from Fulltimers as they spend the time in them and operate all the systems and find all those items that cause problems if you just use it every few months.
3. I find it a pain because Mercedes/BMW and Asian automakers do NOT have service centers. Why would they? They build PERFECT vehicles, so there is no reason to have Service facilities or parts or even a warranty.
4. How many of you have purchased a NEW HOUSE and found NOTHING wrong? If you state you have you are lying.
5. Quality/DESIGN is directly related to how NEW the RV maker is. Most RV'ers will go down the road and buy any RV because they look at the price only. They figure they are all the same and just want the cheapest price. THEN they complain when they buy a piece of junk based on price only. Doug

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said we are not willing to pay for quality, and we get what we paid for. Bunk!

Like others have said, you should expect and receive a certain level of quality, even in entry level units. The American RV manufacturers will continue churn out shoddy products as long as we are willing to buy them and there is no threat from foreign competitors.

charming wrote:
As in an automobile, I expect a certain level of quality, whether it is a $16,000 Dodge Dart or a $100,000 Mercedes S Class. I don't think the electrical system should have a burn out within 10 days of use, I expect all the doors and windows to be properly sealed, I expect the radio to work and not have wires almost cut in two, I expect the radiator to not leak, etc. even in a Dodge Dart. Why should I expect anything less in a $100,000 motor home? Not everyone is going to purchase a Prevost, but you expect some quality checks along the way.

I also expect when I purchase a new car that the salesman or other person with the dealership to be able to show me all the bells and whistles and how they work.

agreed and u have a valid point however it seems in the class A business the less money u spend (cheaper unit) you buy the lessor quality of construction methods,materials,cabinets,furnature etc are used and less time given to the unit overall during the manufacturing process