2012 Dutchman Voltage Review

[555-1212]

2012 Dutchman Voltage Review
Before buying my RV I did heavy research on the web so I thought I would add my review for others to do the same. I purchased my Voltage 3905 new at General RV in Feb. 2012. I bought it at an RV Show, the price seemed good and I could easily compare what else was out there for the same money. From what I saw from the other manufactures the Voltage seemed to have an UP on every other toy hauler out there. However, I have had nothing but problems with the RV from my first trip until this last weekend. Every trip I have had a problem with something not working. I want to love this thing, my family has such a great time every time we use it. And its not only systems that are not working its also screw heads popping off when a slide is opened or a storage door is shut. I have sooooo many screws in the RV that look like a 5 year old played with his dad's drill for the first time. In my first year of ownership the Voltage was back at General RV GETTING FIXED FOR 4 MONTHS. Like I said every time I have taken the RV on a trip something has broken. The first time we turned on the AC it snowed in our RV as all the little white shavings were pushed out the vents. This told me that nothing was tested at the factory. Sloppy sloppy. After my first trip I took it in to fix the remote entry that would not work and have all the sloppy stuff fixed (some screw heads that popped off, molding strip that was not even attached, etc.). On my second trip the slide would not go back in (according to General RV it took several weeks for Dutchman to send a replacement part and I missed 2 summer vacations sitting around). on my third trip the fuel gages were not working. On my forth time out had an issue with the levelers, and my fifth time out ……….. AND I'm forgetting about half of the stuff from last year….. Several other sloppy things bug me, but I was told that since I'm now out of the factory warranty and my extended warranty will not cover most wear and tear items. For example the roof ladder doesn't fit properly into the receiver holes (its misaligned) and causing the entire receiver to pull away from the fiberglass wall letting in water. Sloppy Sloppy That’s not covered!

This year I have a problem with my slide putting holes in the linoleum floor, my fridge fans screaming loudly and now my microwave does not work. My water gage would only show empty (general RV showed me the air outlet hose that was kinked at the factory) and my fuel gages STILL DON’T WORK.

The Epic package has some very nice features and when everything works this is a very impressive toy hauler but when you pay around 70K for a trailer everything better work.

At this point there is NO WAY I would tell anyone to buy a Voltage as they seem to have a big problem with factory QA and overall SLOPPY work. The other Toy Hauler that I thought was very comparable to the Voltage was the Cyclone. I would give that a try before buying the Voltage!

[invstr55]

If someone is going to air dirty laundry they should have the honesty to respond to questions about it with facts. Anything less relegates the conversation to nothing.
If anything is going to be edited it should be posts with nothing more than vague and general accusations, calling something a piece of garbage without explaining what makes you think so should not be acceptable.
JMHO

[azdryheat]

What is so wrong with having the OP back up his slanderous statements with some evidence. By censoring statements from dissenters, like me, it is apparent that rv.net endorses the OP's statements and also believes that today's RV's are built without any quality control and to such low standards that perhaps the industry should fail. We're just supposed to accept everything as truth without questioning its veracity? And now we're being censored?

[Y-Guy]

Ok folks I removed several posts. Keep on topic and let the personal attacks go or the thread will get closed. We were all new users here at one point, and I expect those of us that are Toy Hauler members to be a welcoming bunch. It's one thing to question but it's another to demand proof.

[Vulcanmars]

tgreening wrote:

Dave Wilburn wrote:
Expecting perfection on something this big and complicated at this price point is a lost cause.
There are RV manufactures that offer lifetime warranties, but you have to write a check in the deep 7 digits.

I'd have to disagree with this. Your average car is WAY more complicated than any normal RV, can cost way less as well, and offers 5 times the warranty at a minimum. Factor in that most vehicles will see mileage that makes most RVs road time pale in comparison and that warranty difference becomes even greater. My last truck cost $33,000, had 66,000 miles on it when I sold it, and had not one single failure that wasn't a wear item, IE tires/brakes/batteries.


You can build a fairly nice HOUSE, on LAND, FURNISHED, for the cost of a middle of the market RV.


Construction quality is crap, plain and simple. You need only pull off a basement wall to view the mess behind it to realize how much pride in work there is in the RV industry.

Very true. I work with a guy who worked in the industry. Bottom line they build them to sell them. The staples and glue only have to work for 12 months. Low skilled workers on a production line.

[mmasters]

Could it be that Camping World wants to pay the manufacturer the "lowest price" and to help reduce their cost, Camping World is willing to do the clean up and inspection?

[Steve_O_Reno]

I wonder I have also seen the new trailers that come to the dealer 95% complete or ready to deliver. Why would they pay a dealer 75-100 bucks a hour to fix stuff they could have a 15 dollar a hour guy to fix.

I still say I have looked at all of the "production" rv's and trailers They are all built the same. They use the absolute minimum quality everything companant and materials. Add mediocre workmanship and we see what the end result is.

By the way I have built my own using Rv and home depot parts and drug around for 2 years without 1 8 cent screw falling out. The secret is to hit a stud not 1/8'' masonite to hang a cabinet.

I still have my raptor. It looks pretty and has started to not have stuff fall off every trip. I dont care anymore cause I am resigned to figure this is what it is. Live with it or buy something else.

[garyhartaz]

Here is what I can share about my Voltage shopping experience. I visited Camping World here in Mesa, Arizona as they had about 16 Voltage models on the lot. The DW wanted to "touch and feel" the floor plan differences between the models so we spent 2 hours doing so.

Every time the sales person opened a unit up, I was amazed at how "unfinished" and messy they were. The sales person said that they would need a "week" on any Voltage just to make sure it was in "delivery condition". I couldn't believe simple items such as screws on cabinet door hinges could be missing to the point the door almost came off when opening it.

Sawdust, floor laminate pieces, carpet pieces, etc. where everywhere in almost every model. Then, in areas where glue was necessary for finishing, it was obvious no clean up had occurred after said glue application. The light pendants in almost every unit had an issue too.

Overall, I could not believe that a units listed for a MSRP of $115k could be in such a condition, from the factory.

Perhaps I'm spoiled with my Jayco buying experience because all of the Jayco units on the lot where in "take off and camp" condition. We are excited about getting a Voltage despite these observations and others issues; however, they (dealer/manufacturer) will be on their toes from day one on taking care of EVERYTHING.

I agree with many posters on this thread that quality is just not important any more to these manufactures. I call BS on the "it would cost more for better quality..." How about they hire people who take P R I D E in their craftsmanship!?!?

[mwebber78]

From my perspective, the industry has a band-wagon that defends the semi-joke of a quality check done by the manufacturers. I can't believe the things I've seen in the RVs I've owned. Just good ole fashion half-attempts at construction. I'm still a happy camper, I fix most stuff myself, but most things are just disappointing examples of taking little to no pride in construction.

[lawnspecialties]

tgreening wrote:

Dave Wilburn wrote:
Expecting perfection on something this big and complicated at this price point is a lost cause.
There are RV manufactures that offer lifetime warranties, but you have to write a check in the deep 7 digits.

I'd have to disagree with this. Your average car is WAY more complicated than any normal RV, can cost way less as well, and offers 5 times the warranty at a minimum. Factor in that most vehicles will see mileage that makes most RVs road time pale in comparison and that warranty difference becomes even greater. My last truck cost $33,000, had 66,000 miles on it when I sold it, and had not one single failure that wasn't a wear item, IE tires/brakes/batteries.


You can build a fairly nice HOUSE, on LAND, FURNISHED, for the cost of a middle of the market RV.


Construction quality is crap, plain and simple. You need only pull off a basement wall to view the mess behind it to realize how much pride in work there is in the RV industry.

That's one of the best posts I've seen on here in quite awhile. Well put.

[Lantley]

tgreening wrote:

Dave Wilburn wrote:
Expecting perfection on something this big and complicated at this price point is a lost cause.
There are RV manufactures that offer lifetime warranties, but you have to write a check in the deep 7 digits.

I'd have to disagree with this. Your average car is WAY more complicated than any normal RV, can cost way less as well, and offers 5 times the warranty at a minimum. Factor in that most vehicles will see mileage that makes most RVs road time pale in comparison and that warranty difference becomes even greater. My last truck cost $33,000, had 66,000 miles on it when I sold it, and had not one single failure that wasn't a wear item, IE tires/brakes/batteries.


You can build a fairly nice HOUSE, on LAND, FURNISHED, for the cost of a middle of the market RV.


Construction quality is crap, plain and simple. You need only pull off a basement wall to view the mess behind it to realize how much pride in work there is in the RV industry.

I am not trying to defend the RV industry. I agree there are a lot of shady practices. The entire industry has quality control issues and there is a lot of room for improvement

Nevertheless what makes an RV so complicated is that it is both a car and a house. It has the basic functions and systems of both. Building a stationary house is simple. Building one that can travel across the country at 65 mph becomes a challenge. Likewise building a car is routine building one with a stove,awning,furnace,central A/C, and a 110 electric system is also a challenge.
An RV has holding tanks,dual freshwater systems,dual electric systems and lots of issues that autos and houses don't have.

At this point the consumer must learn a thorough PDI is a must.
I will add during the PDI the buyer still holds all the cards.
Picking up a new RV is very exciting,however I suggest you curb your enthusiasm and slowly check the RV in a slow deliberate business like fashion.

Make sure your dealer understands you will not be rushed through the process.
Use the list as a guide but take your time and go room by room inspecting everything.
While there is a warranty, the PDI is your time to make sure everything works.
I mean everything! Every:latch, knob,catch,valve,slide,switch,faucet, connection,furnace,AC,pump,hinge and light fixtures. Test all doors and drawers.
Assume nothing works until you check it. That means taking a look at the roof and underbelly. Testing the: awning,shower,stove,water heater,fresh tank,pump, breakers, GFCI etc.
If you don't find out something is broke until you get home its your own fault for not checking it.

I know this advice may seem excessive however a thorough methodical PDI will eliminate a lot of future headaches down the road.
Failure to do a thorough PDI can leave you up the creek with an RV that no one is truly motivated to repair.

Once you leave with your unit the dealer has the upper hand and will deal with you on their schedule not yours.

I understand this info may not benefit the OP but hopefully it will help future buyers of all brands and types of RV.

To the OP good luck, most reputable dealers/manufacturers eventually get things sorted out. However in many cases its a slow stressful process.

[tgreening]

Dave Wilburn wrote:
Expecting perfection on something this big and complicated at this price point is a lost cause.
There are RV manufactures that offer lifetime warranties, but you have to write a check in the deep 7 digits.

I'd have to disagree with this. Your average car is WAY more complicated than any normal RV, can cost way less as well, and offers 5 times the warranty at a minimum. Factor in that most vehicles will see mileage that makes most RVs road time pale in comparison and that warranty difference becomes even greater. My last truck cost $33,000, had 66,000 miles on it when I sold it, and had not one single failure that wasn't a wear item, IE tires/brakes/batteries.


You can build a fairly nice HOUSE, on LAND, FURNISHED, for the cost of a middle of the market RV.


Construction quality is crap, plain and simple. You need only pull off a basement wall to view the mess behind it to realize how much pride in work there is in the RV industry.

[Dave_Wilburn]

I would say I got a good one, but I have had problems, but none weren't anything I couldn't take care of. I did a thorough PDI and had a few things fixed on the spot and the dealer ordered a couple things I found on the PDI. After our first trip, it went to the dealer for a week. One of the gutter extensions was missing, and the big one was the rear awning fell off the first time we used it. That was about it.
On subsequent trips, the WFCO water pump and transfer switch croaked. I removed them and took them to the dealer and they tested them and gave me credit for new ones. I then upgraded both to US made versions. The tires were******and I replaced those with G rated tires.
We just spent two months in it and the only problem was the screw heads popping off on the slides. The screws seem to shear where they go into the steel structure and I think it it caused by the slide motors pushing the slide up tight against the trailer when we close them. I replaced about 50 screws in total with stainless steel screws and recaulked the seams. Gotta remember that we have put over 8K miles on it and spent a total of 4 months living in it though. IMO, these things are always going to have problems and you have to spend a little time getting them right. Expecting perfection on something this big and complicated at this price point is a lost cause.
There are RV manufactures that offer lifetime warranties, but you have to write a check in the deep 7 digits.

[rb71]

when i got my voltage i did my walk through with the mechanic. we were talking about how it was shipped and he mentioned that he worked on my voltage for 3 days before i got there. there is still things i'm not happy with that i will address myself. the skirting is crooked, the shower wasn't water tight around the top and few little things. i worked on it almost all day sunday getting ready for hershey this week. i hoping everything works this weekend.

[WoodGlue]

jbc28 wrote:
The RV industry, in general, is a joke. It's shameful to see some of the "made in USA" junk that they pass off to the customer. A detailed pdi shouldn't be a burden placed on the customer.

While I agree in spirit about the PDI, would you buy a house without a 3rd party home inspector doing a once through? I wouldn't.

WoodGlue

[Y-Guy]

jbc28 wrote:
A detailed pdi shouldn't be a burden placed on the customer.

It shouldn't be but unless you do it you can get stuck with a lemon. I saw my Raptor the day it arrived from Keystone it as a junk yard of stuff they had left behind, wood shavings, extra pieces of carpet, typical stuff you'd see from a contractor before they cleaned up except they didn't clean up. They needed to caulk windows and other areas. Good unit for me but the dealer had to spend a lot of time. I also saw my Winnebago the day it arrived they needed to clean windows and take the plastic off the carpet, it wasn't trashed. Manufacturers can do a better job, but we the consumer have to be willing to pay for it too. Everything costs money at some point.