Camper Show RVs

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.

"JUST SHIP IT"

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.