What is wrong with this industry?

Level of workmanship should have no impact on whether a new unit leaks or not. That's just crazy.

An entry level car today such as a 2015 Ford Fiesta (I didn't choose this car for any other reason that it is in the top five of the cheapest cars in the U.S.) has the following:

Warranty

Warranty whole vehicle - Total
60,000 / 36 months

Warranty whole vehicle - Total: 36 months/ 60,000 km
Anti-corrosion warranty
999,999 / 60 months

Anti-corrosion warranty: 60 months/ Unlimited km
Paint warranty
60,000 / 36 months

Paint warranty: 36 months/ 60,000 km
Warranty powertrain - Total
100,000 / 60 months

Warranty powertrain - Total: 60 months/ 100,000 km
Roadside assistance warranty
100,000 / 60 months

Do you expect this cheap entry level car to breakdown on the get go, have leaks or poor workmanship?

Ridiculous to think that an entry or mid level rv should come off the assembly line with problems because it isn't a Newmar or a Prevost. Hogwash.

No, the workmanship can NOT be the same. And, it will never be.
But, if you truly believe it can, then I suggest you talk to Newmar, and explain how.
What I believe is that the workmanship should not be substandard, for the price point.

travelnutz,
I noticed you also chose wisely when you purchased the GM HD Diesel. Congrats

These posts are exactly why we bought the 3 Carriage Corp 5th wheels and the 3 Lance TC's since 1989 and all were new, ordered, and optioned out just as we wanted. Far from cheap RV units but very well worth their price. Not one single issue or repair needed or done with any of the 6 and we RV and camp 100+ nights a year on average and have for over 20 years now. Still have one of the Carriages and one of the Lances and won't part with them as both still look inside and out and function like new. Wouldn't buy anything built on a flimsy Lippert frame anyway so that eliminates most new RV's for us.

Buy cheap, get cheap! "And" then complain when the problems that usually always come free with them but cost an arm and a leg usually to fix or the hassle getting warranty work done if the manufacturer OK's it. Don't forget the loss of use! But how do you put a price on your own personal disatisfaction, anger, usually frazzled nerves, and/or loss of use/ruined trips or vacations? We'd much rather have smooth sailing!

We fortunately learned years ago in our 51 years of RV'ing that quality doesn't come at cheap costs. We almost always had 2-4 different RV units at the same time over the last 51 years because NO one type of RV does eveything the best or fits all our wants and needs. Only going to live once!

Long distance mostly driving trips like going up to Alaska etc from Michigan or over quick nighters sure is more enjoyable with a truck Camper while driving to and spending 2-3 months in Florida in the winter is far more enjoyable with the 5th wheel or a TT. Different tasks may be best done/enjoyed with different tools!

Our 3 large Allegro Class A's we bought new were more like a money pit confiscating our wallet contents because of much higher purchase costs, much faster depreciation, additional very costly licensed motorized vehicle insurance, poorer fuel economy, very expensive repair costs as far fewer places will work on them and God Forbid engine or transmission repairs. Then to add insult to this, you need to pull another insured licensed motorized vehicle behind the RV unit so you can get around sensibly. Live and learn!

Let's not confuse what is considered standard/acceptable quality, with what is known to be an expensive high-line luxury vehicle.
For example, if you purchase a new middle-line Tiffin motorhome for $365,000 you are NOT getting a 2-1/2 million dollar Newell.
Actually, it takes a full page of typing in order to give a full explanation of what we're talking about. In so doing, one has to give several examples of what we're talking about. Personally, I don't have the time.

I, too, was very disappointed in the quality of the new units I saw when looking for a new trailer back in 2011. We finally went with old, high-line and have been overall happy with the decision.

I would've gladly paid extra for higher-quality construction, in the few IMPORTANT areas in my motorhome that I found way too substandard. The way I figure, it would've cost no more than $8,000 additionally. Which would've brought the price (I paid) up to $178,000. Heck yeah worth it! It would've made it great,....AND I would then gladly recommend the brand.
THAT'S what's wrong with the industry! The same thing as 15 years ago.

wing_zealot wrote:
The problem is no one wants to pay for quality. You can buy quality, the vast majority of people don't. The manufacturer's will give you what you are willing to pay for. Which is exactly what you are getting right now. Just look at what a car costs now compared to what it cost in the 1960's. Ever wonder why you don't see many airstreams on the road? It's not because they don't last.

My point exactly.. Want quality? pay for it.

I don't think it's a case of purchasers not wanting to pay more. A new purchaser simply does not know how poorly built RVs can be. I'd easily pay another thousand or two $$ to get decent quality that will last and I think others would too. You can spend much much more fixing problems down the road. The way it is now, when you go look at a bunch of different brands, the vast majority of buyers cannot differentiate between them on quality - only on features, bling and price.

I would say many equate an RV to automobiles and have an expectation of industry standards that will provide a min. level of quality to the public. However, there are no standards and regulations on construction methods, materials and workmanship. No industry regulations for frames (ASME, SAE for ex.) and Li**ert can build them however cheaply they want and not have to answer to anyone.

RV manufacturers could build better units, but why should they if they don't have to. Every RV purchaser should go visit one of the manufacturing facilities to see how they slap things together and how archaic the methods are. If you knew your TT was built in 7 hours like in this video would you buy one? No wonder they fall apart afterwards. Zero quality control and no inspections on any of the work during the build process. The workers are paid on a piece work basis and there is no motivation to improve workmanship, only to go as fast as possible.

RV manufacturers, RVIA and dealers are like an old boys club where they only look out for themselves.

My background is building construction and I'm appalled at the crappy workmanship, materials and methods. Am so tired of things falling off or breaking if you even look at them the wrong way or breathe on them. Made the bed a few days ago and the headboard fell right off as it was only held on by a few tiny staples. :M And don't ask me to go into detail on how bad our dealer is. Nice to have a warranty but if the dealer can't fix things or fix them properly, the warranty is next to useless.

As mentioned, until a Ralph Nader comes along, nothing will change.

If someone takes home a new RV with a leaking roof, they got screwed by the dealer who sold it to them. The RV industry relies on the dealers to perform an adequate PDI and correct any flaws before delivery to the buyer.