RV Quality

[nhshep]

Always amazed me how the RV industry gets away with poor quality product. If you purchased a Toyota Camry you are in the $26,000 range. If you purchase Volvo as example in $66,000 range you do see the $40,000 difference from inside quality to outside quality. They don't put cheap tires on the $66,000 Volvo or low par metal frame.

Yet in the RV industry I purchased a $30,000 Prime Time Crusader 5th wheel and compared it to a similar size $60,000 RV and I cannot see the $30,000 that justifies that increase in price. The roof for most are still rubber. Look under the seating it is particle board. What is worse the appliances inside are not top of the line that could justify the $30,000 price difference. Granted some top line models selling for $80,000 may be in a different league. I am saying I don't see the same difference in price between $30,000 RV and $60,000 RV to justify the difference. Yet in a car is becomes clear the difference and they don't cut corners in shoddy workmanship during the build like they do in the RV industry. I guess demand and supply is the reason why RV's have not changed in quality. The manufacturer gets away with it.

No offense to owners of any specific RV. People are happy with what they buy which justifies the price they are willing to pay.

[Bumpyroad]

bpounds wrote:

This is an example of what I was trying to say. Self-leveling or full body paint are features, and you can have a well built quality trailer without those things. Those are features, that you would expect to pay extra for.

yep, I feel sorry for all of those Prevost owners out there that have to drive around in a RV that does not have full body paint, i.e. are cheap.
bumpy

[bpounds]

bpounds wrote:
Quality means something different to each individual...

4x4ord wrote:
I am satisfied with our 5th wheel and I know it has a reputation of being a high quality RV. Yet many places I look I see cheap. Cheap drawer slides; cheap hinges; cheap outside latches; no self leveling; no full body paint. It was a very expensive trailer when it was new and yet it could be considered cheap.

This is an example of what I was trying to say. Self-leveling or full body paint are features, and you can have a well built quality trailer without those things. Those are features, that you would expect to pay extra for. If you don't have them, your trailer might still last for decades. I would agree about drawer slides and cabinet hinges, assuming they break or screws pull out prematurely showing a lack of quality. No disrespect meant to you or your post, just using yours as an example of how opinions differ on quality.

I want stuff to not break and function for a long time. That is my definition of quality built. Anything else are features, which I can shop for and see before signing on the line (signature lines are not dotted anymore)

[bpounds]

BarneyS wrote:

Are you sure about that? Have you taken the bolts out of the spring equalizers and shackles to see?

It isn't necessary to pull the bolts to inspect for worn bushings.

[Super_Dave]

ependydad wrote:
Could it be that Chinese-imported RVs shake up the industry?

I just posted a thread here about a couple of units that I saw:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29812801.cfm

I’ve watched plenty of the Tiny Homes shows on TV and they all seem like less space, less convenient for more money than a RV. I haven’t figured out their appeal.

[ependydad]

Could it be that Chinese-imported RVs shake up the industry?

I just posted a thread here about a couple of units that I saw:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29812801.cfm

[tragusa3]

Full body paint offers value other than vanity.

[Bumpyroad]

4x4ord wrote:
no self leveling; no full body paint. .

I would consider these two items to be "optional", one for convenience, one for vanity. Not necessarily "cheap" if without.
bumpy

[4x4ord]

I am satisfied with our 5th wheel and I know it has a reputation of being a high quality RV. Yet many places I look I see cheap. Cheap drawer slides; cheap hinges; cheap outside latches; no self leveling; no full body paint. It was a very expensive trailer when it was new and yet it could be considered cheap.

[SoundGuy]

BarneyS wrote:
"My spring bushings are not worn out, proof that you don't need wet bolt kits."

Are you sure about that? Have you taken the bolts out of the spring equalizers and shackles to see? Unless you have bronze bushings from the factory (which would be quite unusual unless it came with special equalizers and shackles) then I would encourage you to take a look. You might be very surprised at what you find. :E

After owning our K-Z Spree for 5 yrs I had the dealer check the nylon bushings and finding them completely destroyed I had him install a Dexter Wet Bolt Kit. Years later, after owning our Freedom Express for 5 yrs I had the dealer again check the nylon bushings, this time finding no unusual wear at all so one can't automatically assume nylon bushings will always fail. In this case, since he already had everything pulled apart I nevertheless had him install Lippert Never Fail Bushings. Yeah, I know - Lippert :R - but much cheaper than a wet bolt kit and much better than the nylon bushings.

[BarneyS]

"My spring bushings are not worn out, proof that you don't need wet bolt kits."

Are you sure about that? Have you taken the bolts out of the spring equalizers and shackles to see? Unless you have bronze bushings from the factory (which would be quite unusual unless it came with special equalizers and shackles) then I would encourage you to take a look. You might be very surprised at what you find. :E
Barney

[bpounds]

Quality means something different to each individual. I would not presume to say who is right or wrong, we all have our own expectations. What I do know is that those who agree with me are right, and everyone else is some level of wrong 🙂

I'm pretty happy with the quality of our Cougar. It hasn't fallen apart on the road. And it didn't cost a lot. I think you call that, value, but I have to call it quality too, because the unit is doing the job it was designed for. Others will just scoff at that. Thing could have been done better. The foam around plumbing penetrations is sloppy and looks messy. The bubble cover on the aluminum corner molding at one corner was too short, and when it got hot it would slip out of the channel. I did a little cleanup to the edging on the countertops. I wouldn't call that poor quality, but others would.

I don't have solid surface countertops. Poor quality? Not to me. Then there is the lack of a cap on the rear. Oh the shame, such poor quality! Sarcasm here.

My frame is not broken. Running gear, including brakes, is holding up fine. I don't have shocks. Proof that they are not needed. My spring bushings are not worn out, proof that you don't need wet bolt kits.

Nothing leaks. Not the pipes. Not the roof. Not the box.

But to some, this is a low quality brand. Proof, not everyone agrees on what quality means.

About the most annoying thing I'm dealing with now, is the plastic fender skirts flexing and pulling the screws through, caused by driving in winds. I can definitely see where they cut cost and weight on those and it is a real pain to replace those. Should have lasted more than 8 years.

Someone said we defend manufacturers too often. But I've seen some extremely petty complaints too. A lot of times it is just buyers remorse due to unrealistic expectations.

Ideally, quality should be the same in a $30k trailer as in a $130k trailer, and the cost difference would just be features and size. Ideals and reality rarely meet.

This got long. Maybe I shoulda just written a book.

[ivbinconned]

That’s what we did. Ours is a 34 foot Cedar with 3 slides and a floor plan that gives us access to the whole trailer excrept the two recliners with out moving out a slide. Rare I think nowadays.

[scbwr]

IMHO, the majority of buyers aren't willing to pay for quality and just want a lot of bling for the cheapest price. Secondly, many purchasers don't take the time to research and learn what to look for when purchasing an RV. Then, there is the sliding scale of how much quality you need in an RV that you may only use for a short amount of time in a given year and may not keep for more than a few years before selling or purchasing a different RV. And, it's always very personal and subjective. We chose to buy a 2012 Newmar Bay Star because of its quality and features rather than buy a newer but lower quality entry unit.....at least by our perception and standard.

[justme]

goducks10 wrote:

philh wrote:

justme wrote:
BTY proper engineering and QC does not need to cost more money. In fact poor engineering and QC does cost more money if one cares to consider warranty costs and loss of business.

It needs to be good enough. As long as units are flying out the door thanks to a booming economy and ultra low interest rates, junk quality is good enough.

x2 Just ask Wallmart.

Walmart offers lower prices on mid to low quality. While the new low price/quality stores( https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-dollar-store-backlash-has-begun/ar-BBRdPzh?ocid=spartandhp )are now rapidly growing. The RV industry seems to be following this trend.