Is there a QUALITY Travel Trailer still built?

[bbaley]

I have new Keystone Cougar TT and I am sick of it.
There is nothing about it that doesn't scream "I am going to break or fall apart in a few more miles"

I previously had an R-Vision which was built 300% better than this,
and previous to that a Fleetwood Tent Trailer - also built really really well.

Sadly, even though made in my home state, this thing just stinks.
Everything is flimsy, half completed junk work done by some guy who didn't care late on Friday afternoon, and components chosen to save pennies.

Is there anything in the functional world of travel trailers (e.g. not Airstream) that isn't complete JUNK ?

I am ready to trade.

[cruz-in]

"If you look at the high dollar TTs and do not want to pay that much. "

I think that is the point...there aren't many high(er) dollar TTs on the market...

[myredracer]

cruz-in wrote:

I suspect the same can be said for most trailer manufacturers...Until one becomes ISO 9000 certified....they will not have repeatable quality.

Agree. Seems like the RV industry is the only one that hasn't considered ISO certification. Can even lead to overall cost savings if properly implemented.

Some enforceable design and construction standards would also help, like on frames for ex., where currently a frame manufacturer can build them however they want and if there's an issue, it's your fault.

[Mr_MrsSchleppro]

My wife and I have been to countless RV shows/lots. We used to think to get a nice well built RV/TT you had to spend big money, bigger than what we wanted to spend. But sadly the higher priced units aren't any better built as far as fit/finish than the lower priced units. I know there are some out there but...

[rbpru]

Goducks has it. Change and quality cost money and time. You will go broke in a market that will accept neither.

If you look at the high dollar TTs and do not want to pay that much. Your stuck with what sells the most.

Nothing sinister or mysterious; just meeting what the market wants to pay.

[goducks10]

There's no doubt that you can have two identical trailers sitting side by side on a dealers lot and one would be someone's best trailer ever and the other needs multiple trips back to the dealer.
Until manufacturing gets automated more like Lance does with their CNC cutting or until you pay the employees way more money then you'll never see an improvement.
I see two factors as the cause for poor quality. One is the cheap stuff they keep putting in RVs. The other is the way they're built. Too many chances for error.
It's not always an MFG fault, like a crooked cabinet front, sat/cable wired wrong, etc. It's the cheap RV related parts installed. Like the Kant Leak valve, ST tires, Jensen/Furion, cheap plastic faucets, etc.
It would cost $$$$$ to change all the above, so IMO there's no chance for change.

[cruz-in]

there seems to be a lot of variance trailer to trailer within each manufacturer...which is a sign of poor quality control...We have an Evergreen Toyhauler...very heavily built...we spent over 8 months in it with very few issues...However, we have chatted with others who have had all sorts of problems with Evergreen...

I suspect the same can be said for most trailer manufacturers...Until one becomes ISO 9000 certified....they will not have repeatable quality.

[rbpru]

Come on folks, whether a TT is functional or not depends on the person doing the evaluating, not the product.

My DW did not like the Air Stream because of their looks and cost. Durability, towing ease, resale value, means nothing if you do not like the floor plan and style.

Muk Luks are great footwear for tracking through the snow but not your first choice for a Prom.

[RedRocket204]

bbaley wrote:

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
Dusty is not a weasel and highly resents that statement from you.

We have a chiweenie in the group, I definitely classify her as some type of weasel (or bat if you hold her upside-down).

No offense to your non-weasel 🙂

I completely agree with you on the Airstreams being non-functional for a family with a larger dog(s). Airstreams are very nice inside and out but it's the limiting inside space that makes it difficult for anything other than 2 persons and a smaller dog... my opinion too!

BTW, bbaley, you can't be too bad, you own Sage fly rods so you expect quality! 🙂

[bbaley]

Taz 23 wrote:
and I wonder if the problem with workmanship is related to the western Keystone assembly plant. Not saying, just wondering

entirely possible. maybe it was built on a Friday before a holiday weekend around the time our state legalized a certain medicinal herb. who knows

[bbaley]

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
Dusty is not a weasel and highly resents that statement from you.

We have a chiweenie in the group, I definitely classify her as some type of weasel (or bat if you hold her upside-down).

No offense to your non-weasel 🙂

[Taz_23]

Wow. I feel like I just won the lottery. I have had a Cougar fiver for a year and a half and have only one problem with it. (the sleeper couch broke and was replaced under warranty) It appears I have the only Cougar that was built decent.
I noticed most of those commenting on this post are from the west coast, and I wonder if the problem with workmanship is related to the western Keystone assembly plant. Not saying, just wondering
Previously I have had a Outback TT by Keystone and a Puma TT by Forest River and had minimal problems with any of those.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

bbaley wrote:

eubank wrote:

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:


🙂 Hi, "not functional" for over eleven years and still going strong.

Oh, I am so glad that I found this thread! This means that we have to get rid of our 49 year old Airstream quick! It's not functional!

🙂
Lynn

Ok, Ok 🙂
I should say comparatively functional for US"

We have an Airstream dealer right down the street - and as far as I can tell we walked through every model they make currently.

Not having popouts and various other design reasons make them feel and seem way to cramped and they layouts don't seem to lend themselves well to anyone other than a couple (2 persons who sleep in same bed) and a weasel sized dog, let alone having occasional kids along.

Jealous of the quality and form, not so much on the "function" (for us)

Now... 5 years down the road... okay. maybe 🙂

🙂 Hi, OK, Ok, we just happen to be a couple (2 persons who sleep in the same bed) and one dog. Dusty is an 18.5 year old Lhasa Apso who adopted us when he was 13.5 years old. He has traveled to Alaska for over 10,000 miles and for 50 days and on a cross country trip for over 13,000 miles and 3.5 months and various other trips. Dusty has close to 30,000 miles traveling in a non-functional Airstream. Dusty is not a weasel and highly resents that statement from you.

[rbpru]

As stated there are some high dollar TTs that may be better. But the industry sells over 300,000 units a year. The folks are satisfied, so do not expect them to change any time soon.

I believe the average TT owner upgrades every 6 or 7 years.

[PaulJ2]

Bought a Lance 1685 last fall. One plumbing leak because of a cracked pipe connector and one water leak at the front window. Both repaired under warrenty so i guess assembley problem. Other than that seems to be a quality built unit.
I had two leaf spring failures with my other trailer in the 15 years i owned it. New Lance has the Torflex suspension so no springs.

[Clockman]

Best Quality is going to be Lance, not cheap but you get what you pay for...