This is exactly why I have always advised for the potential buyer to spend a LOT of time in the potential new camper and not be razzled by the glitter and glitch! It's emphasized to sit at the table, sit on the commode, lay on the bed, try navigating everything with the slides in.
But, here is where 99% of RV buyers fail! They never consider the how or where the mechanical components of the RV are actually located, how functional they really are, or how much maintenance is required for them.
We we purchased our Outback, I had the salesmen track everything down, every detail. Funny, he couldn't find the water pump, but I finally figured it out and found it! I had him open the cover to access the water heater, go through all the wiring, lights, electrical, switches, plumbing, all the systems, inch by inch. After I was satisfied, my wife was completely pi$$ed at me for taking so long, asking so many questions, and thought I was being ridiculous.
After getting the camper, she's never regretted my being so picky! If everyone nit-picked their potential camper instead of being razzled by the "glitch", and if they would walk away from stupid design features, manufacturers would either get the idea something is wrong, or else go out of business.
Not log ago, on these forums, someone posted about their garden hose melting because the fresh water intake was directly above their furnace vent! With the hose hooked up, it hung directly in front of the vent! Yes, it's those little details the buyer needs to think about! But all to often don't because they are so wrapped up in the "glitch" of the camper, they never see the design flaws until they are 2 thousand miles away from the dealer and now have a loan for the next 15 years!
Blame it on the manufacture... sure! Yes! But lay some blame on the consumer too for impulsive buying and not REALLY seeing the forest for the trees!
