What's Happening" in the RV Industry

[ryan7]

What's Happening" in the RV Industry

[wally]

I find the quality of new campers has gone down hill. Last year I purchased a new fifth wheel, and spent more time driving back and forth to my RV dealer than going camping. I believe RV companies should devote more time on quality control.

[ttbeachbum]

http://online.wsj.com/google_login.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com% 2Farticle%2FSB117194093457213295.html%3Fmod%3Dgoog lenews_wsj

WSJ talks about all the upgrades to Class A's and how this remains a booming multi-million dollar industry.

I do agree there needs to be more Q.C. in the industry.

[rvwizard]

It is good to see That Bob Lee is back at the helm of Country Coach. Many manufacturers have gone through some real growing pains when the industry was growing so fast flr the last six years. Now that it is slowing down for some, maybe they can focus on quality issues. We wil see.

[viking1470]

Wally for the record -- which unit do you own, did the manufacture fix or back up the warantee and are you pleased with the unit now? 64 dollar question is would you buy the same unit today?

[frank]

We find that over the 35 years we have been at this that Quality and Quality Control has gone steadily down hill. The MFG's do not take the time to make sure all is well before shipping the units and expect that the dealers will fix. Unfortunately many dealers do not have the capacity or expertise to make the units 100% before delivery.

We do what we have to to make every trip a "happy trip."

We have been very fortunate that our Winni has had 0 problems, not even a loose screw!!!

Enjoy!!

[thejollyrogers]

The problem with the RV Industry is the price goes up and up, and the quality of the RV goes down, and down. What we need is for the Japanese to come over here and show the American builders how to do it. If the builders use the RV's or asked for imput from RVer's, maybe we'd receive an RV worth something. I think the real problem lies with the fact, that the RV Engineers who get paid $10 an hour and give the companies $8 dollars worth of work, are being laid off, and the RV Industry keeps the Engineers they pay $8 an hour who are giving $2 dollars worth of work. It's always bottom line, not product. We buy their junk, so why shouldn't they keep building them?

[wally]

viking1470; Wally speaking, The dealer has not charge me for any repairs, but I have had to take it back often for the same problem. In fact I have an appointment for Friday for the fourth time to have the slide adjusted. I would have to think twice before buying the same modle again. We bought it in the first place because it was just what we wanted.

[cisco8325]

My opinion is that its all about money , get it out their as fast as you can and when it arrives the dealer hate to fix it,cause they only get paid what the warranty will allow. I bet if you are willing to paid upfront you get the best service . I agree with previous post. Its going down hill. I read alot of post how they have to wait so long for their rigs to get repair. I at an average two to three weeks before I get mine back to enjoy. America-In god we trust ,all others pay cash.

[kd8wdave]

I have a used Damon Daybreak 26 ft and my friend has a used bounder 33 ft. He commented to me that his unit is a real PITA to maintain his electrical system or add any thing to it. I had stripped mine out about half way and remodeled it, and while apart added cabling for antennas and additional 12vdc fused circuits. We both have found a few quality issues but these have been reasonably easy to fix. Mine is a '96' and his is a '97'. I have looked at newer and some brand new 2006's that were not as well put together and they were not supposed to be entry level coach's. I read on these forums a lot and find that a much higher percentage of folks have had problems than those who post that they have not had any issues. I am inclined to believe that there are some major issues with dealers and their capability. I do not ever intend to take my unit to be worked on by any RV dealer EVER!!. I'll do all of it myself.

[xplorer]

We bought our first RV in 1976, and have owned 7 RV's. All, at one time or another had minor problems. As we progressed into the motor RV's we still experienced minor problems and some more serious relating to mechanical (fuel pumps, and electrical issues caused by an improperly installed brake controller, tire blowouts (those are on me)). However, our RV's don't sit long in a driveway. We bought them to use and have used them extensively, and have evolved to full-time in our latest, which is a class A.

That said, in seriously reflecting on our experience, I just dont' think the quality is any worse than it was, for us anyway, going back to 1976.

However, the technology has advanced considerably, materials used, etc, etc, etc. The quality problems we have experienced are attention to detail, pride in cosmetic workmanship. However, we continue to buy RV's, continue to go, go and go some more. I like the new technology, as it adds to the quality of life, especially when working as advertised. The problem in my humble view is having the confidence to locate someone to fix it and fix it right the first time.

Our current coach is a little over a year old, and have had some very minor issues, all of which have been fixed by both the factory and our dealer to our complete satisfaction.

Right now, we have over 10 tons rolling down the road, (another story available about roads). I expect we will have some problems as we go along.

One thing I know, no matter how painful to help eliminate problems for me is: MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE AND MORE MAINTENANCE. However, even though I am almost a fanatic about keeping the MH up, I still know I will at some point experience some problems. Which I hope to try to avoid self-inflicted ones.

Finally, I still shake my head and don't understand why I am not undergoing therapy.

Our MH cost more than any of our homes ever did, including a new tiled roof home with a pool. Go Figure.

Come to think of it, anyone know a good therapist that can rescue me from this insanity. Nah!, I'm just not going to get out of this world alive, but am trying to figure out how to take my MH with me.

Happy Highways

[sirbill]

Afew weeks back my satilite dish went out, I had no power to the inside controler. And as things would have it my coach is 5 months out of warranty. I contacted the builder of the coach Newmar and the rep, told me well we did cover you for the 3 years. I told him the company who mfg the dish, (Winegard) advised me there were no parts available. He then told me I shold check around my area for a company that sells dishes and see if they might have spare parts.The reason, the dish was last mfg in 1998, and the mfg of the coach installed it on my 2003. The darn thing was 4-5 yrs old when it was installed, and only carried a 2 yr warranty. The rep from Newmar adivsed they don't look when a add on, like a dish is mfg. "Shame on them!". For what a person pays for a new coach, it should have the most current accessories, not something old and outdated. What I would recommend is that if ordering a dish on a new coach, don't get it from the factory, but have the coach wired for it and let the dealer install a new one, and check it for mfg date before it's installed.

[bilmo]

:mad: Spent some time this summer in Goshen/Elkhart area checking out 5W mfgrs. All the tours we took were disappointing. They all pay employees piece rate--the faster they make RVs, the more the employees earn. So you know that if they drop a screw or 20 of them, your rig won't have them, but they will probably be under the cabinets waiting for you.

My biggest complaint is the use of staples everywhere. If they would glue and staple, there won't be as many problems with cupboards, etc. coming apart as you go down the road.

[stubeje]

Try the Newmar plant in Napanee...they glue and screw their cabinets together. Have had three of their coaches...2 5ers and 1 MH and quality thru and thru...had a Gulfstream MH and a peice of junk...

[edjhill]

I've used various Thetford products over the years and like 'em. I happened to see this information in a press release from the RVIA trade show.

-excerpt-

Shown for the first time at the Recreational Vehicle Industry
Association's (RVIA) annual trade show in Louisville (Nov. 27-29), the new
Thetford products include:

-- An improved line of portable waste-water holding tanks,
-- A unique waste-water holding-tank evacuation system,
-- new non-formaldehyde Storage Tank Deodorant for RV holding tanks, and
-- Additions to Thetford's Premium RV Care product line.

SmartTotes - Thetford's line of portable waste-water holding tanks -
are now easier to empty and include the company's PermaStore(TM) Hose
Handling & Stowage System for clean and easy hose handling and stowing.
Ranging from 12 up to 35 gallons in capacity, SmartTotes are available in
seven sizes and are up to 20 percent larger than competitive models.

-end of excerpt-

They're getting better all the time. The old PortaPotti's were a pretty lame substitute for the commode at home. But, they were better than an outhouse with a Sears catalog! (For those too young to remember such, ask your grandparents!)

I think it's pretty cool that this part of camping is getting better, too!

Ed Hill
www.enjoyrvtravel.com

[seatinkers]

I have been looking for 2 yrs for another Class A and I am finding out the longer I look the quality and the floor plans that they have in the newer models are for people who don't want to cook or use their bathroom. The bathrooms are getting smaller and when you pay $100,000 plus the sinks get smaller and they can't even give you a bathtub/shower like they have in the older units. The kitchens lack counter space and storage. Also do you think they could please put in good quality furniture jeezz I can buy better furniture at the salvation army store LOL. If they rebuilt the unit I have with the same floor plan I would buy it in a heartbeat. I have a 1995 Kountry Aire and my coach has alot of storage an open bathroom plan and I love it! Also WHY are they putting cedar lined closets in all the new RVs do they just assume everyone loves the cedar smell personnally I really don't care for it.

[racerx]

Look its simple, if people stop buying, they will need to upgrade the product. The fact is that people are buying RV's faster than they can make them and manufacturers and products like the Weekend Warrior that haven't had any changes to them in the past five years, are still selling. Do your homework when you buy and make sure you have a strong re-sale value and you will be fine.
Scott

[jpannier]

Does anyone know what's going on with Travel Supreme? I just heard today that they shut down their manufacturing facilities this week. I've been looking seriously at buying one, but now...

[whodo]

jpannier
Not being active in the RV industry any more we don't get all the inside information that we used too. From what we are being told at the present time " Travel Supreme and a few others including Winnebago are making adjustments to production due to the economic slow down. " Each manufacture is adjusting production and cost using methods that they deem best for them.

[whodo]

Travel Supreme Production Up and Running
RV Business
Monday, January 28, 2008

Travel Supreme Inc. said today (Jan. 28) that it is back in production but may not remain at full employment due to continued softness in the recreational vehicle market.

The Wakarusa, Ind.-based builder of luxury fifth-wheels and motorhomes closed down last Wednesday and told its around 230 employees not to report back to work until today. Management, including President Glenn Troyer, met privately this morning before talking to personnel.

The Travel Supreme news was a double whammy for the small, rural town in Elkhart County. On Friday, Coburg, Ore.-based Monaco Coach Corp. informed workers at its Wakarusa facility that it would be laying off around 200 people. Other RV companies in the manufacturing-heavy area are reportedly also scaling back on production.

The industry as a whole is feeling the combined effects of volatile gas prices, a meltdown in the finance sector and plummeting consumer confidence. In a report released today by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), wholesale shipments were down 9.5% last year compared to 2006.

Travel Supreme is a family-owned company founded in 1989, which recently expanded its motorized line with the introduction of the more affordable Avalon diesel pusher motorhome during last November’s National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.

[pondman2008]

Travel Supreme Production Up and Running
RV Business
Monday, January 28, 2008

Travel Supreme Inc. said today (Jan. 28) that it is back in production but may not remain at full employment due to continued softness in the recreational vehicle market.

The Wakarusa, Ind.-based builder of luxury fifth-wheels and motorhomes closed down last Wednesday and told its around 230 employees not to report back to work until today. Management, including President Glenn Troyer, met privately this morning before talking to personnel.

The Travel Supreme news was a double whammy for the small, rural town in Elkhart County. On Friday, Coburg, Ore.-based Monaco Coach Corp. informed workers at its Wakarusa facility that it would be laying off around 200 people. Other RV companies in the manufacturing-heavy area are reportedly also scaling back on production.

The industry as a whole is feeling the combined effects of volatile gas prices, a meltdown in the finance sector and plummeting consumer confidence. In a report released today by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), wholesale shipments were down 9.5% last year compared to 2006.

Travel Supreme is a family-owned company founded in 1989, which recently expanded its motorized line with the introduction of the more affordable Avalon diesel pusher motorhome during last November’s National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.

It's always tragic when jobs are lost due to situations beyond one's control. Personally, I attribute 50% of the RV industry downturn to "controllable" conditions. I personally own a Monaco product and absolutely love it. However, whether it's through my dealer or Monaco, the service level is simply not conducive to trading up in the near future. I feel and I've met other RVers who will continue to learn and adapt with their existing RV than get into a whole NEW set of circumstances with a poor network support. Gentlemen of the industry, listen to your product owners. We are older and downturn in financial markets DO NOT dictate whether or not we travel.
I wish all the RV workers on reduced duty a quick return to work. I think you are the people who put the RVs together and keep us relatively happy in spite of the poor support services.
My hat off to you all.

[adventurerv]

Truck Campers are much easier to handle than 5th wheels anyway.