I spent this afternoon repairing a canned-food storage drawer on our toy hauler. It was obviously loose and not sliding correctly. Yet again, I discovered the poor engineering and construction of RVs. Based on the design and dimensions of this drawer, a common person would find it appropriate for 8-10 canned goods. In taking it apart to diagnose the problem I discovered the metal drawer slide was hanging off the side of 1" piece of soft pine with three 5/16" screws holding the whole thing together. There is no way that design was likely to last for any purpose, much less in a 7,000lb trailer bouncing down the highway at 65mph. This is hardly an isolated instance and such "8th grade engineering" seems to be the norm regardless of brand. I am amazed at the astronomical difference in engineering/construction of the average automobile (for instance) when compared to RVs. Even residential construction standards FAR exceed the craftsmanship in RVs. Like everything, I'm sure its an issue that boils down to economics. But its hard to believe RV companies can't produce a well engineered product with quality construction and still be profitable. Am I missing something?

better wood means weight they rather put 5 tv's in.look at prevost they use laminated wood over foam

No, you're not missing anything. This is the main reason we are on our second General Coach product which were hand made in Canada and extremely well made. All plywood construction, very well run plumbing, electrical, true thermal pane windows, guaranteed to -30C, 7,000 lb axles with disc brakes, etc. Definitely a high end unit for their time. Yes they were expensive but I got tired of fixing problems every time we went out and not having to do that anymore is priceless.We have looked long and hard at newer units because we were thinking strongly about a toyhauler but found too many shortcomings in quality compared to what we have to turn us off of them.

Thanks Newman. Obviously weight is a consideration but it should be something that necessitates innovation, not prevents it. I don't do that much work on my vehicles, but I usually try to fix stuff myself first. I've often looked at how stuff works on a car and said, "wow, that's ingenious." I've probably said it at some point while working on our RV, but I honestly don't remember when. Usually its the opposite; like "how dumb is that!?"

Good points Blofgren. I feel like I've made so many improvements on our 8 year old RV it is actually more valuable to me now than when I bought it. At the very least, its a "known quantity."

ThomasFour wrote: But its hard to believe RV companies can't produce a well engineered product with quality construction and still be profitable. Am I missing something?They do, its called Airstream.:B

RV Engineering and Construction | Good Sam Community

47 Replies

IDoMyOwnStunts
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
73guna wrote:
ThomasFour wrote:
But its hard to believe RV companies can't produce a well engineered product with quality construction and still be profitable. Am I missing something?

They do, its called Airstream.:B

OP has a toy hauler. I'd like to see an Airstream Toy Hauler. :D

Upon further review, they do exist! Airstream Panamerica. Wow. 11700 lb GVWR Triple Axle too. That's one hefty travel trailer.
ThomasFour
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
73guna, you are correct :)
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/12/09/thor-industries-big-gains-in-sales-and-profit.aspx
73guna
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
ThomasFour wrote:
But its hard to believe RV companies can't produce a well engineered product with quality construction and still be profitable. Am I missing something?

They do, its called Airstream.:B
ThomasFour
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
Good points Blofgren. I feel like I've made so many improvements on our 8 year old RV it is actually more valuable to me now than when I bought it. At the very least, its a "known quantity."
ThomasFour
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
Thanks Newman. Obviously weight is a consideration but it should be something that necessitates innovation, not prevents it. I don't do that much work on my vehicles, but I usually try to fix stuff myself first. I've often looked at how stuff works on a car and said, "wow, that's ingenious." I've probably said it at some point while working on our RV, but I honestly don't remember when. Usually its the opposite; like "how dumb is that!?"
blofgren
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
No, you're not missing anything. This is the main reason we are on our second General Coach product which were hand made in Canada and extremely well made. All plywood construction, very well run plumbing, electrical, true thermal pane windows, guaranteed to -30C, 7,000 lb axles with disc brakes, etc. Definitely a high end unit for their time. Yes they were expensive but I got tired of fixing problems every time we went out and not having to do that anymore is priceless.

We have looked long and hard at newer units because we were thinking strongly about a toyhauler but found too many shortcomings in quality compared to what we have to turn us off of them.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2016
better wood means weight they rather put 5 tv's in.look at prevost they use laminated wood over foam

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