Bad Workmanship

[dkstraub]

Why do I have to put up with shoddy workmanship on my fifth wheel? From what I understand from talking with users and mechanics, we have problems that should not be occurring. An example is that I had a problem with the suspension of my rig. The mechanic needed to cut the suspension from the original pick-up points because the wheels would not align. This mechanic told me that it was common for trailers to be mad that way. Brand new, the suspension is set in the wrong places. Why do I have to put up with that? If I buy an automobile, I would have a recourse if this type of problem occurred. It seems that nobody takes the people who buy and use these trailers seriously. Where is the Ralph Nader of campers?

Some of these are safety issues. One of those problems was loosing three tires in a two week period. All tires were less than a year old, had less than 7,000 miles on them, and all failed with tread separation. When one spends 40,000 to 50,000 on a fifth wheel, what would an extra $200 impact me in order to get decent, safe tires?

I love traveling, camping and the wonderful people I meet along the way. It is problems like this that take away a lot of the pleasure.

[mileshuff]

My 2004 Starcraft Hybrid trailer was still in perfect shape, no problems after 10 years of use. It was a light weight so had to glue, nail or screw some interior wood trim down where the cheap staples failed but thats the extent of repairs.

[doughere]

I guess I must be one of the few who feel that I got fair value for my money. We have a small 2005 5er (24') that has had a few problems. For our money, we have a small home on wheels that has traveled across the US a couple of times, has served months at a time as a "camp host" home. Has spent many weeks at the beach, and many weeks at the mountains.

Problems worth talking about; all original tires bad (Goodyear tires with tread separation, all 5), original battery junk(dealer supplied I suspect), original converter junk (fixed voltage output). Replaced tires, put in 2 6V GC's, installed PD9245 (which I then upgraded to 9460). The tires were the only thing that really got my goat. The battery and converter for many would have been fine. Nothing that couldn't be fixed.

Regards,
Doug

[PNW_Steve]

bgum wrote:
What kind of house would you get in California for 40 to 50 grand? One with all appliances and can go down the road at 70+ mph. One that runs over holes and other objects on the road. One that has a 2 year warrante. Yep we are getting what we pay for.

Where I live you can have a VERY nice house built for $100 a square foot. $50k would get you a very well built 500sq ft house. The biggest trailer I have owned was closer to 350 sq ft.

[jus2shy]

dshizzel wrote:
I see a lot of complaints of quality, and "you get what you pay for", but I don't see any specific recommendations on "bang for the buck" in terms of manufacturer and model.

Seems like there are a lot of generalities being tossed about with few specifics.

I think the issue here is that the individual is already in it.

I see lots of recommendations when people sign on, and those recommendations are usually based on what the user wants. Whenever someone signs on and says that they want something that has x, y , z. So they get recommendations that apply to x, y and z. I've been learning a lot over the past year about these RV's and who builds what and how.

The generality that everyone uses a Lippert frame is sorely lacking as well. There are a few makers out there that build their own frames. Personally I would like to buy a Northwood product since I'm from the Pacific NW. Built locally with heavier components and their own in-house frame so they can take the beating compared to the regular stuff rolling out of Indiana. They also aren't hard-locked on who can work on their trailers, they work with whoever you can find that's competent to work on their trailer when under warranty. Seems like one of the few shiny gems that stick out in this industry.

The converse to all that Northwood goodness though is that their trailers (5th and TT) are much heavier than the industry average. Even their "Lightweight" Nash trailers can barely be towed by most half tons because of the tongue weight that they exert (some can't). Caveat emptor.

[dshizzel]

I see a lot of complaints of quality, and "you get what you pay for", but I don't see any specific recommendations on "bang for the buck" in terms of manufacturer and model.

Seems like there are a lot of generalities being tossed about with few specifics.

[Cummins12V98]

I see it's your first post and you don't mention what your RV is.

Typically YA get what YA pay for.

[goducks10]

tratterboy1 wrote:
Don't blame "workmanship",blame "engineeringship" an"managementship".The people have no say in how a piece of equipment is made.They are told"here are the parts,shutup and put them together".Been there,done that.

I think you forgot to say "put them together as fast as you can"

[Mile_High]

FrankShore wrote:

calamus wrote:
They build them as fast as they can and hire the cheapest labor(Mexicans). What needs to happen is what happened with pontoon boats a new player came in in 1997 Bennington building High quality boats and last year they had 50% of the market share. I would start the company myself if I had the start up money! SKILLED LABOR ISNT CHEAP! CHEAP LABOR ISNT SKILLED end of story!

This is about one of the most racist statement's I've ever read on RV.net before! First, get your facts straight, about 87% of RV's are built in Indiana by Jack Amish, not "Mexicans"

And to the original OP, there are plenty of quality builders making RV's out there, seems like you didn't do you research!

By the way, I pilot a 1994 Beneteau Oceanis 400, so I also know my yacht construction as well!

A bit overly sensitive are you - or are you just trying to stir the pot.

Who cares that you pilot a boat? What does that have to do with the topic, or does that somehow make you an expert on Nationality?

[Duck]

For the price points that people will for a RV has a lot to say about the quality of construction. If you look at some of the high end motor homes, $500,000 and above, you will see a much higher quality of build.
Don

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Oasisbob wrote:
Quality in the RV industry is sorely lacking overall and will continue as long as we keep buying. Some spend their life savings on an Rv while others actually finance. And this forum is example after example of poor quality. The RV industry whould be ashamed. It is not always design but the line worker being pushed for production numbers rather than quality and pride of workmanship.Go ahead and tell me I am wrong. This board is full of evidence supporting my thoughts on this. Sad but true

Not wrong at all.

But there is an equally alarming part to that equation.

The uninformed buyer.

Unless we want to participate in a huge display of hubris here, we must admit that as an informed participant in an RV forum, we only probably represent less than 1/10th of 1 percent of all folks who buy and use an RV here in North America.

So that leaves a whole bunch of folks out there who have not the foggiest idea of what makes a good RV.

But it sure looks pretty. Yep, the old glitz factor fools so many, because they know not what is below that facade of quality.

[ventrman]

FrankShore wrote:

calamus wrote:
They build them as fast as they can and hire the cheapest labor(Mexicans). What needs to happen is what happened with pontoon boats a new player came in in 1997 Bennington building High quality boats and last year they had 50% of the market share. I would start the company myself if I had the start up money! SKILLED LABOR ISNT CHEAP! CHEAP LABOR ISNT SKILLED end of story!

This is about one of the most racist statement's I've ever read on RV.net before!

It is not Racist. Mexican, is a Nationality, not a Race.

[NJRVer]

Put it in perspective.
You can buy a brand new 12x32 mobile home for $19,000.
This will come with real appliances, real HVAC, real windows, etc.
Now at $19,000 they are selling this and making a profit.

So what is the profit margin on an 8x36 TT or 5'ver that is being sold for $40-50,000?

[TXiceman]

The industry builds what the people buy. They for the most part want a big box with a lot of glitz and bling. The manufacturers see and endless supply on this type buyer. The buyer is often a new or unknowable buyer and is not thinking about quality or how long the RV will last. They are just interested in a low monthly payment and hook up to go camping.

After they get burned a few times, they will give up or a few will try to move up the food chain to a more expensive unit.

Another side of the issue is maintenance on the RV. You have a house that is built lightly to keep the weight down and you go dragging it down the road , bouncing and shaking it. A lot of the buyers lack the knowledge to properly maintain the equipment and many cannot afford the extra budget to get the work done.

Many of the RV dealers do not have well trained people with the work ethics to make a proper repair.

There are many problems with RVs, but you can get some decent ones, but you have to get way on up there in the cost to get the quality. And you will still have some problems...it is the nature of the beast, but you should not be having structural frame problems and leaks due to poor construction.

Build it right or do not build it.

Ken

[NJRVer]

LoneStar1 wrote:

calamus wrote:
They build them as fast as they can and hire the cheapest labor(Mexicans). What needs to happen is what happened with pontoon boats a new player came in in 1997 Bennington building High quality boats and last year they had 50% of the market share. I would start the company myself if I had the start up money! SKILLED LABOR ISNT CHEAP! CHEAP LABOR ISNT SKILLED end of story!

Mexicans? Really? And here I thought they used the Amish to build the trailers. I guess the companies must have hired Amish actors for the trailer construction videos I have seen.

Learn something new everyday.
Here I thought they were built by meth head bikers.:B