Camper Show RVs

[lawnspecialties]

I remember a couple of years ago someone made the comment that campers built in the early part of the year had more quality issues than those built at other times. Their reasoning was manufacturers have to hire temporary labor to meet the demand for extra campers since most RV shows occur in the early months of the year.

The Cyclone we had a few years ago was built during the winter and the quality was terrible. Many, many shoddy quality issues. But that may have been just a coincidence. I truly don't know.

Here in NC, the Greensboro and Charlotte shows are in January and the Raleigh show is in February. We'll be going to at least Greensboro and Raleigh and maybe even Charlotte looking for our next toy hauler. But does it sound logical to be a little leery of buying a toy hauler built right before the shows or is this just over-reaction?

[Gjac]

tegu69 wrote:
Camper show rv's should be sold as used, since thousands of people walk through them.

. I think this is actually a good way to test the RV's quality and how things last. I wish all the equipment like WH's, slides, levelers,refers, MW,s etc were tested also to see how they hold up.

[EA_Williams]

"JUST SHIP IT"

[Veebyes]

No matter, cars, boats or RVs. Never buy from the first model year. It might have looked good on the CAD but it is full of design bugs which get worked out in following years of that model.

Now, when it comes to quality control from the builder I do believe that for the most part you get what you pay for. Don't expect a 4 star trailer at a 2 star price.

The way some of them are built it is a wonder that they hold together hurtling down the road in what amounts to being stationary in a cat 1 hurricane during an earthquake, but they do.

[lawnspecialties]

4X4Dodger wrote:
If you are right and I did read his post incorrectly as directed against the worker, I apologize to the OP. However there were many posts that were unambiguous and I think what I wrote needed to be said.

You are right in the main, especially about the Cell phone issue. But companies don't set out to make bad products for the most part. But they are so constrained by Cost to MFG vs competitive sale price. And to balance as one poster put it the silly wants of the consumer who demands 54 inch Flat screens and Stainless Steel Appliances with better overall design and construction. the cost of all the goodies has got to be taken somewhere if the price is to remain competitive in the market.

Agreed

[4X4Dodger]

lawnspecialties wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
The worst time for quality is M-F when the doors open for work.

I know you may be trying at humor. But do you really believe that the good people (for the most part) that go to work each day at the average RV MFG plant actually go there to do a BAD JOB.

Is that what you did in your work? I don't think so. And I don't believe they want to do a bad job either.

I have had many many many people work for me over my career and I can tell you for sure 99.99% of all of them came to work to do the right thing and a good job.

Many factors intervene to make everyones work difficult. The system in place, Managements philosophy, time, poor planning, poor design all kinds of things can affect the assembly of large structures.

The time of year is not one of them...except at Christmas. Many plants have decided to close between Christmas and New Years as productivity falls because there are so many competing pressures on the workforce.

While I quoted you, my comments are intended for all of those who voiced similar opinions. It's a sadly cynical view of the American workforce. That in my view is dead wrong.

I didn't see his post the way you did at all. Many (not all) of today's workers do a fine job. But there are many who are just downright lazy and fall on laws, unions, etc. to get by and keep their job.

But that post to me was against the companies themselves. So many companies today find the key to success is pump out as much product as possible, even though it sacrifices quality. Losing one customer over quality is no problem to them as long as they can gain two new customers with flashy new things and big deals.

Look at the cell phone companies. The US is miles behind many other nations in cell service but as long as we stand in line for the next big iPhone with a 2 year contract, the cell companies have no reason to invest in better quality for the customer.

If you are right and I did read his post incorrectly as directed against the worker, I apologize to the OP. However there were many posts that were unambiguous and I think what I wrote needed to be said.

You are right in the main, especially about the Cell phone issue. But companies don't set out to make bad products for the most part. But they are so constrained by Cost to MFG vs competitive sale price. And to balance as one poster put it the silly wants of the consumer who demands 54 inch Flat screens and Stainless Steel Appliances with better overall design and construction. the cost of all the goodies has got to be taken somewhere if the price is to remain competitive in the market.

[mlts22]

I think mine was made around the spring-summer of 2011, (it was a model year 2011 model, so that is why I got a decent deal on it.) Will have 160 days in it come April. For the price, as I didn't expect a Cadillac at Yugo prices, I think I've come out ahead, about $100/night, which is cheaper than even the least expensive roach motel in central Texas... and no worries about bedbugs.

I wouldn't blame the workers. I would blame the system. There are ways to make high quality goods, such as inspections during each state of the process, starting with decent materials (for example, Uponor ProPex or Flair-It Pro are the best you can get), proper procedure (each rig's wiring and plumbing is documented), etc. It is just easy for poor quality RV makers to skip basic QC and put out junk, or even start with worthless materials (fiberglass on luan for example) knowing that it will fail eventually.

You do get what you pay for though.

[w4yn]

2 RV TT's in last 3 years and both were built in winter.
I should have learned from first one but did not!
When they build them in winter and move them around they get covered in salt and sit on lots for who knows how long. Both of mine had corrosion issues on exposed frame. I sanded and painted frame what a lot of work! Replaced every bolt and axle suspension with plated or SS parts while I was at it.
Tim

[lawnspecialties]

4X4Dodger wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
The worst time for quality is M-F when the doors open for work.

I know you may be trying at humor. But do you really believe that the good people (for the most part) that go to work each day at the average RV MFG plant actually go there to do a BAD JOB.

Is that what you did in your work? I don't think so. And I don't believe they want to do a bad job either.

I have had many many many people work for me over my career and I can tell you for sure 99.99% of all of them came to work to do the right thing and a good job.

Many factors intervene to make everyones work difficult. The system in place, Managements philosophy, time, poor planning, poor design all kinds of things can affect the assembly of large structures.

The time of year is not one of them...except at Christmas. Many plants have decided to close between Christmas and New Years as productivity falls because there are so many competing pressures on the workforce.

While I quoted you, my comments are intended for all of those who voiced similar opinions. It's a sadly cynical view of the American workforce. That in my view is dead wrong.

I didn't see his post the way you did at all. Many (not all) of today's workers do a fine job. But there are many who are just downright lazy and fall on laws, unions, etc. to get by and keep their job.

But that post to me was against the companies themselves. So many companies today find the key to success is pump out as much product as possible, even though it sacrifices quality. Losing one customer over quality is no problem to them as long as they can gain two new customers with flashy new things and big deals.

Look at the cell phone companies. The US is miles behind many other nations in cell service but as long as we stand in line for the next big iPhone with a 2 year contract, the cell companies have no reason to invest in better quality for the customer.

[4X4Dodger]

goducks10 wrote:
The worst time for quality is M-F when the doors open for work.

I know you may be trying at humor. But do you really believe that the good people (for the most part) that go to work each day at the average RV MFG plant actually go there to do a BAD JOB.

Is that what you did in your work? I don't think so. And I don't believe they want to do a bad job either.

I have had many many many people work for me over my career and I can tell you for sure 99.99% of all of them came to work to do the right thing and a good job.

Many factors intervene to make everyones work difficult. The system in place, Managements philosophy, time, poor planning, poor design all kinds of things can affect the assembly of large structures.

The time of year is not one of them...except at Christmas. Many plants have decided to close between Christmas and New Years as productivity falls because there are so many competing pressures on the workforce.

While I quoted you, my comments are intended for all of those who voiced similar opinions. It's a sadly cynical view of the American workforce. That in my view is dead wrong.

[dwayneb236]

Last show we went to last month I was shocked at the condition of some of the trailers. And not because of the dealers. Because of the people walking through. I have never seen so much popcorn and trash on the floors of some of these units. I know it's up to the dealer to clean them sometime, but the people walking through stuffing their faces with popcorn and just letting it fly everywhere was ridiculous. Totally rude. And it was adults as well as kids. Just no respect for others property. Didn't see a huge amount of build issues as we were looking at higher end models and the unit we decided on was very nice.

[milo]

Our unit was a January build. 2 years old this month & has in the neighborhood of 7500 ish miles on it so far. Other than a few maintenance issues here and there that I took care of, it's built like a brick she-ite house. Being a former Industrial arts teacher & cabinet maker, I say phooey to that theory. Some are built and some are just assembled. All you have to do is give it the extra 49 cents inspection before you sign on the line. If it's not built to your satisfaction, don't buy it. If you buy it, you except the whatever & it's to late to whine & cry. JM2C on the matter.

[thirtydaZe]

We just bought our first FW this summer, the quality has been terrible.

Our trip down camper lane has gone like this.

Our first camper was a used 16' jayco, we only kept it 1 summer as it was clearly to small.

Next we bought a Cherokee, mass produced im sure, like a spring/summer sale unit, not an issue.

Then we decided we liked this camping gig, so we bought our Pilot, a higher end unit, a few little things, here and there, had to replace the front windows.

Then we upped the size and luxury again, and so far it has been problematic. In fact, it's been at the dealer since mid October if i'm correct on my thinking. I think we should get it back within the next couple weeks, and in early spring, when i'm ready to go again, it had better be tip top.

Anyhow, the moral of the story was, the more expensive the unit we purchased, the more problematic it has been. shameful.

[leeper]

goducks10 wrote:
The worst time for quality is M-F when the doors open for work.

This the most accurate post that I have ever seen on this forum!

[tegu69]

Camper show rv's should be sold as used, since thousands of people walk through them.