DRV

[crickeydog]

We've been seriously contemplating over the past couple of years the purchase of a new 2016 Mobile Suites DRV 5'er. Mostly because we're a bit bored with what we have. We have 3 close camping couples, all of whom have owned multiple DRV 5'ers. Well we've heard our latest and probably not the last DRV horror story regarding DRV workmanship from the owners involved. Our little 30' 5'er is 11 1/2 years old. We get compliments on her all the time, she's never let us down, and she's been the perfect 5'er for us. We shopped and researched 2 full years before we ordered her and took delivery of her new in January, 2004. Now after the latest DRV factory and dealer service horror story we just heard from those directly involved, we won't be buying any DRV 5'er. We'll be draggin around our little 30' 2004 "Presidential" for another 11+ years thank you very much. We've already got enough retail customer no-service drama going on around us today without spending $100K on some extra. We always thought DRV was a class act and a major step up from what we have!!! Mercy.:R

If yer seriously considering the purchase of a DRV product, do your homework before plunking down $100K for a new one. You may very well be surprised. We were.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

[Cummins12V98]

We had our 16 MS 39TKSB3 delivered to us about a month ago. We do have a list of items that need to be taken care of. We are happy with the new rig and will give DRV a chance to resolve these issues. If they don't I will let everyone know our experience.

We lived in a 07.5 MS for 3.5 years and knew we wanted in a new one and ordered it exactly how we wanted it.

[Garry_Gayle]

The only issue with our 2013 Mobile Suites that was DRV caused was the insulation between the front closet and the cap, some of it fell down and had to be repaired other than that no issues.

[kakampers]

Just toured the DRV factory this past week...nothing has changed as far as build and construction. Still a very well built unit. The one thing that the new owners have brought to the table, which happens to be Heartland, is buying power and the ability hire and expand DRV's operation. They are still only building two units a day and Heartland is in no way planning on changing or interfering with a quality product....they know a good thing when they see it.

[Splashers3]

I won't bash...but, time will tell if the quality and the support will be the same going forward as it has been in the past - since they've been bought out.

[soos]

4 years and going strong with our DRV.
Do people have issues with them, yup, some do.
But this is one company that certainly stands behind their product...In My Experience

[dapperdan]

Thanks for sharing .....

This should get interesting, maybe even fun reading.

Let the bashing begin. :E

Dan

[Luke_Porter]

I currently have 2014 Elite Suites that I am very happy with. I previously had 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire. In terms of any thing you want to measure, the 2004 HR Presidential was no where in the league, of the Newmar. And to compare it to a 2015 DVR???

[RustyJC]

Quite an interesting story....

Having owned a 2004 DRV Mobile Suites 36RE3 for 10 years, our experience was positive enough for us to not hesitate in purchasing our current 2014.5 Mobile Suites 38RSSA in May 2014. The 38RSSA has never been back to the factory or to any dealer for repairs - I took care of the few minor problems that arose myself, as I have with all of our previous 5th wheels. Throughout our 11+ years of ownership of DRV products, we have no complaints with the customer support (not that we've needed very much) offered by the folks at Howe, Indiana. Dealer support - that's always a hit or miss proposition. If I need service, I prefer to use independent RV service/repair providers who live and die by the quality of their work, and DRV is very flexible about authorizing service at and supporting independent facilities.

I'm sure you'll find dissatisfied owners of anything, but that certainly isn't our experience.

Rusty

[rskeans]

ANY RV will have problems of some sort. Just sort it out one by one. It just does not make any sense to bash a brand. Just move on.

[Mile_High]

crickeydog wrote:
I'm not posting them on the forum and create a major fuss ball. A lot of good folks own DRV products and they're probably most happy with them. I don't want to shovel on the next guy's rig. As you read, what I said is if you're contemplating a DRV product, do your homework. And "no". We didn't realize DRV "sold out" to Thor.

So....what exactly was the purpose of your post if it wasn't to create a major fuss ball? Sounds like a "brand bomb" to me.

I think everyone knows enough to "do their own homework", as that is pretty typical for any buyer. Its hard enough to sort through the issues of actual owners without having to trim off the opinions of "almost owners". :R

[retispcsi]

Ok, first as a DRV owner and 31 year RVer I guess I have to put in my two cents worth. I always find it interesting when folks comment about what they hear at a campground or from their second cousin twice removed. I bought my rig from Lazydays in Seffner Fla. They were very competitive on price however I was not happy with their service dept. I had problems with items on my unit. The washing machine broke and had to be replaced. Whirlpool the vendor were terrible to deal with took 3 months. I had a mobile repair service put in a new washer as well as fix a set of shower doors. Drv paid for those issues. We had several what I call quality control issues. The most of the soft close drawers in the kitchen had to have the guides replaced. We had about 20 punch list items that needed to be corrected. Most of the issues were because of construction of other vendors parts. We went to the factory all had all of the issues corrected. We even had a couple of items replaced that our service tech found. We are very happy with the work done on our rig. As far as the structure frame, sidewalls etc. it is very solid quiet and with 3 1/4 in walls easy to heat and cool. The only advice I will give is take a factory tour and judge for yourself. I have listened to unhappy owners and happy owners but judge for yourself.

[buta4]

jmtandem wrote:

We'll be draggin around our little 30' 2004 "Presidential" for another 11+ years thank you very much.

You are bored with it and still plan to keep it another 11 years??? Why not look at other brands like Arctic Fox as they have a good reputation for quality, reasonalble cost, a strong frame and well insulated? Keystone Montana as another choice seems to have a strong owners group and following.

Also look at Americana fivers if you like build quality and excellent insulation. Check out their winter warming tests.

[FlatBroke]

Yeah, DRV is Thor owned on a Lippert frame. Run!!! LOL. Not me, DRV would be my #1 choice. Service and warranty are only as good as the dealer which doesn't bother me much because of my bad exprearance with dealers so I fix most stuff my self. I have fixed warranty problems myself because it is cheaper than hauling it to a dealer to sit there for a month. Plus I can't screw it up any worse. Everyone has a bunch of horror story's seldom backed up with the WHOLE STORY

[crickeydog]

donn0128 wrote:
As you probably already know they sold out to Thor earlier this year. Stories and rumors will continue to circulate, but without facts and your post lacks that all your saying is several lines of nothing.

PM me for the facts. I'm not posting them on the forum and create a major fuss ball. A lot of good folks own DRV products and they're probably most happy with them. I don't want to shovel on the next guy's rig. As you read, what I said is if you're contemplating a DRV product, do your homework. And "no". We didn't realize DRV "sold out" to Thor.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

[crickeydog]

jmtandem wrote:

We'll be draggin around our little 30' 2004 "Presidential" for another 11+ years thank you very much.

You are bored with it and still plan to keep it another 11 years??? Why not look at other brands like Arctic Fox as they have a good reputation for quality, reasonable cost, a strong frame and well insulated?

Well we're not bored with it any more!!! As far as Artic Fox goes, we've already got that in what we have.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)