I've always been amazed how some people make extra income from their RV's. From making "stuff" to running a consulting web site. Last week saw something I never saw before. A brand new RV backs in next to us. As he is hooking up things, I holler "Hi neighbor, How you doing?...If you need anything, maybe I can help" We talk a bit. Turns out is "testing" a new RV. He drives them for about an 8 hour drive, spends a night and then returns RV, then writes up his opinions in a major RV publication. Can't wait to read his write up. I'm going to see how he "wordsmiths" his adventures of hooking up the sewer hose connection. In real life is was "what were they thinking? NO, I don't have Chinese fingers or 3 elbows in each arm". Tuff job but I guess somebody's has to do it.

You will find the reviews in thr RV magazines pretty bland. They are writing to an audience that knows what to expect, hooking up sewer hoses is a known.

tatest wrote:You will find the reviews in thr RV magazines pretty bland. They are writing to an audience that knows what to expect, hooking up sewer hoses is a known.Ya, well I haven't seen any RV reviews mentioning they will have to crawl under RV to hook up the sewer hose to RV. This guy started on all fours, reaching underneath the RV with his arms trying to get the sewer hose on the connection UNDER the RV. He ended up wiggling on his back under the RV to get it sewer hose on.Sewer connection was Not at the side, but underneath RV and in about a foot. I don't know of anybody the "expects" to start out on their hands and knees and then have to wiggle on their back to get sewer hose connected.First thing I would do is put on an elbow and extension so connection was accessible from the side.But the point is of this thread is must be a tough job testing RV's.

I'd take it...:), compared to some jobs I've had, seems like it could be some fun and a WHOLE LOT LESS STRESSFUL than the manufacturing field:)

I haven't seen a review stating that you had to scoot on your back to hook up sewer (yet), but I did find the one for a MH I am interested in quite enlightening. Reviewer commented that GPS screen and radio were almost impossible for driver to reach/view easily. As a single RVer, that was something I hadn't really thought about, but will pay attention as I search for a MH. Also the reviewer mentioned the drop down bed had to be lowered to get into cabinets over dash. Another "ah ha" moment for this newbie to Class A's.

Don't know how many times I've had oil running down my arm while on my back changing an oil filter. You know it's going to happen with that sewer hose unless it's fixed, first thing. Yuck!

Tough job testing RV's | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
pnichols wrote:
Instead of manufacturers having their models reviewed after they have been fully designed, several copies built, and begun shipping to dealers or otherwise offered for sale .... how about taking a ton of user inputs before beginning their design in the first place?

For instance - regarding access to the sewer drain - I can't imagine any experienced RV user providing feedback to an RV designer that "it is OK to have the sewer drain access up under the coach such that laying down on your back in the dirt/wet/snow is necessary to get at it "!!! That would be a ludicrous design and I wouldn't ever consider buying an RV built that way. Life's too short to mess with sewer drains - and a whole bunch of other dumb stuff in RV designs - any more than is absolutely necessary.

By the time they start laying out the next model, they've forgotten the test results of the previous. THAT explains it all!
chevyman2
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
My job is not quite that good, but still a nice enjoyable (not too stressful) job. I am the delivery coordinator for an RV dealer. Which includes doing the walk thrus. I am considered a tech, and do some tech work when there are no sold get readys/walk thrus waiting.

Seriously though. Performing the walk thrus is the best job I ever had. Yes there are some nitpickers that expect a 20 yr old unit to be better than a new one, but basically most folks understand that the walk thru guy has no power to spend money on a unit. If they are not satisfied, I simply get the sales person to deal with money spending issues. Its the people I meet that makes this job the best job on the planet.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
pnichols wrote:
Instead of manufacturers having their models reviewed after they have been fully designed, several copies built, and begun shipping to dealers or otherwise offered for sale .... how about taking a ton of user inputs before beginning their design in the first place...

X2
Sure would be nice. At least MAYBE they would listen to the fact that we do NOT want interior fabrics that look like they are right out of the 70's disc era. :R
pnichols
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
Instead of manufacturers having their models reviewed after they have been fully designed, several copies built, and begun shipping to dealers or otherwise offered for sale .... how about taking a ton of user inputs before beginning their design in the first place?

For instance - regarding access to the sewer drain - I can't imagine any experienced RV user providing feedback to an RV designer that "it is OK to have the sewer drain access up under the coach such that laying down on your back in the dirt/wet/snow is necessary to get at it "!!! That would be a ludicrous design and I wouldn't ever consider buying an RV built that way. Life's too short to mess with sewer drains - and a whole bunch of other dumb stuff in RV designs - any more than is absolutely necessary.
Naio
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
I have a friend whose job is to do this with motorcycles. It's many people's dream job, but after 20+ years he is kind of burnt out on it. I guess everything gets old with repetition.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
path1 wrote:
Ya, well I haven't seen any RV reviews mentioning they will have to crawl under RV to hook up the sewer hose to RV. This guy started on all fours, reaching underneath the RV with his arms trying to get the
sewer hose on the connection UNDER the RV
. He ended up wiggling on his back under the RV to get it sewer hose on.
Sewer connection was Not at the side, but underneath RV and in about a foot.

X10!
I STILL can not believe that they DO put that sewer connection way UNDER an RV.

Your are not exaggerating either.

After I sold my house to go full time I had waited and waited all my life to buy a Big Foot TT which at the time was one of the most expensive TT's.

I can not tell you how disappointed I was to find the sewer connection WAAAY under the RV. And YES you have to get on all fours and crawl under to hook up the sewer! :R

Needless to say I did NOT buy what was going to be my long awaited dream TT. Just WHAT were they thinking when they designed it?
filthy_beast
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
I don't think I could write a review of an RV after just one night of camping.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Mar 16, 2015
Homer wrote:
Unless it was an independent review company, I would put very little credence in what they had to say. I would like to see Consumer Reports do a once a year report on RV's but it is not going to happen, not enough people into the hobby.
Some of those I have read in T/L and Motor home are ridiculous.

It might be interesting to have a spot on the forums where only people that has owned at least 6 different rigs report their experiences and critique the various models they have owned.

I agree.. I wonder who exactly is flipping the bill for his travels ?? the manufacturer... the publication ?? A little of both ? or none of the above ? I guess you will be able to tell who , once you read his report..
Homer1
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
Unless it was an independent review company, I would put very little credence in what they had to say. I would like to see Consumer Reports do a once a year report on RV's but it is not going to happen, not enough people into the hobby.
Some of those I have read in T/L and Motor home are ridiculous.

It might be interesting to have a spot on the forums where only people that has owned at least 6 different rigs report their experiences and critique the various models they have owned.
johnnyrv
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
i never tire of looking at rvs even though we have a class c. that would be my perfect job.

Forum Discussion

Tough job testing RV's

18 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

First mileage test result.

Tough Week

tough times - Help

tough chicken breasts

Two tires: A tough decsion