Ten years ago, the RV industry was in freefall—another casualty of the housing market crash and subsequent economic implosion. According to Wheeler, industry sales fell about 60 percent. Just , vehicles were sold in Then, starting in , the RV manufacturers that survived began their long climb back. Its growth also happens to mark a continued decline in manufacturing quality, according to several sources Curbed spoke with for this article. Becky and Tom recall their motorhome missing a black tank flush, a relatively inexpensive part that helps in cleaning out the onboard tank that holds wastewater from the toilet.
His best guess, as an outsider looking in, comes down to the sheer quantity of recreational vehicles currently being built. Unlike cars, which are built along robotic assembly lines, RVs are largely built by hand along manual assembly lines. Not to mention that a teardrop camping trailer, for example, is not a class B paneled van trailer, and therefore will be constructed differently.
This is a common refrain among manufacturers: Just as your home requires repairs and maintenance from time to time, so, too, will your RV. Longtime RV owners are used to this conundrum. But we love the lifestyle, we love RVing, so we put up with the frustrations. When the Bennetts conducted their own tour of 14 North American manufacturers in , they found that only about four out of every 10 RVs are checked for quality.
Because of that, they use the materials they always use: plastic, wood, things with the ability to absorb moisture. Across the industry, there are safety standards to which manufacturers must conform, especially as they relate to plumbing and electrical work, heating and air conditioning, and protecting against fire hazards.
Brown recently told the Wall Street Journal that the tariffs have led to 22 percent and 9 percent increases in the cost of their steel and aluminum, respectively. Some of the choices around construction materials have been dictated by newer consumers, who are more interested in lightweight, less expensive units.
For manufacturers, this creates a bit of a predicament. To make not only the chassis but also the entire frame of an RV out of aluminum means some other material will have to be cheaper to prevent the purchase price from ballooning. Some industry veterans say complaints about quality will persist, despite the best efforts made by the RV industry. The one thing all RV owners do agree on, however, is that you will never find one coach that has every option in it.
All you can do is try to get as many as you can! Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Question: I have been doing some extensive research and am looking to purchase an RV this spring. We have 5 kids so need bunk space.
We will not be full time as my husband is a fireman. Was initially going to purchase new, but upon researching it was recommended to purchase used and let the initial owner take the hit in depreciation. Answer: I don't think a Class A would be a good choice because they are the least safe of all RVs to travel in, especially with children.
Furthermore, it will be hard to find Class A units with bunk beds in them. You'd do better to look for a fifth wheel. I hesitate to recommend a brand because all brands have lower and higher quality units. I have always liked Jayco, Country Coach, Beaver and Safari, so those would be good starting points for you. Question: What is your opinion of the Safari Trek 24, 26 and 28 foot with the magic bed?
We are new to the RV lifestyle, and am reading all I can. I think we want a shorty Class A to facilitate getting in and out of areas. I am trying to learn enough, so I make the right choice the first time. I am even considering converting a 16 foot Isuzu Box truck into an RV and loading a motorcycle on the lift in back.
Answer: The Safari Treks are great little units, but try to buy one made in or earlier, because those are more well made. If you want to carry a motorcycle with you, you might want to consider buying a toy hauler that you pull with a truck.
However, those are much larger. I have an article about the Safari Serengeti you might want to read because it discusses some of the great design ideas Safari used back in the mid to late 90's. Watch out for size. A unit that is too small can become claustrophobic if you're living in it year round. If you're thinking about trying to come up with some cool car name ideas for your vehicle, then this is the article to give you a jump start on the process. Which of these ten basic problems is keeping you from starting your engine?
Looking for the best space heater for your RV this Winter? Follow along with me as I provide research and reviews of the most popular space heater types on the market. Don't spend another frigid night with your old, inefficient space heater. This is a step-by-step how-to with photo illustrations chronicling the DIY removal and replacement of a floor and repair of the roof of a Palomino Stampede Ultralight travel trailer RV.
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Have you ever looked at your car and seen that bubbled paint on the edge of your fender? Follow along as I cover the steps to easily repair this common problem. From sanding to priming and finally painting and clear coat. I will provide an easy, step by step guide with a list of products I used. If you are looking to upgrade your stock motorcycle, then here are the best beginner-friendly mods that are fast, easy, and affordable to perform. Auto Repair. Something else to be aware of is, RV manufacturers send representatives to RV shows to help dealers who sell their products.
So, RV shows are a great place to talk directly with RV manufacturer representatives about a particular brand or model RV you might be interested in. Research the RV dealer you plan to buy from. Are they reputable? How long have they been in business? Do they have a nice facility with a good selection of RVs to look at? Do they have an organized service department with certified RV technicians?
Is the sales staff educated and well-versed on the products they sell, or are they more like used car salespeople? After you identify the RV you are interested in, spend time looking at all the fit and finish work on the interior and exterior of the RV. If it passes the fit and finish test, look into the construction materials and techniques used in building the RV.
I learned years ago, if a manufacturer builds a quality product, they want you to know about it. They will highlight the construction materials and construction techniques in all of their literature, and they will train the dealers who sell their products about the quality that goes into their RVs.
After a thorough inspection of the RV; is what you discovered during the inspection simple flaws in the construction process, or poor quality and workmanship? Lots of times RVs are sold with a problem that is nothing more than a flaw in the construction process, or an oversight by an employee during the assembly process.
RV dealers perform pre-delivery inspections on RVs and usually identify and repair any flaws they discover. Other times, a problem might exist across an entire line of RVs.
For example, when a manufacturer builds a travel trailer, they purchase the frame, suspension, axles, brakes and tires from other vendors. This typically results in a recall. Was this the fault of the trailer manufacturer? No, but it was installed on their product. When a manufacturer or supplier takes the steps required to correct a problem they are standing behind the product.
It is inconvenient for the consumer, but considered fair in the scheme of things. Go through the product brochures to see what standard equipment is on the RV you are interested in. Is it enough to heat and cool the RV? Is the air conditioner ducted throughout the RV, or is it a free-delivery unit? Look at the size of the holding tanks on the RV. Are they large enough to accommodate the number of campers staying in the RV, and for the type of camping you plan to do?
What size water heater does the RV have? Is the water heater a direct spark ignition DSI model, and does it operate on both LP gas and electricity? I think you get the point. Carefully review all the standard equipment, and then look at what options the dealership added.
Does it have the equipment and options you want or need? Does the RV have the best floor-plan for you and your family? Look at the sleeping arrangements, will they work? Look at where the living room, kitchen and bathroom are located.
Will that work? Is the bathroom big enough? How about the shower or tub? Is there drawer space, wardrobe space and cabinet space for everything you plan to take camping? Is there enough exterior storage space? Are there enough windows and are they located where you want windows? Sit down inside the RV and imagine you are camping in it, does everything work. Look into all of the warranty coverage on the RV.
Again, if the manufacturer builds a quality product, they will offer the buyer a good warranty. What is the warranty period on the RV itself? What is the warranty on the roofing material? What is NOT covered under warranty?
On another note, something lots of folks are not aware of is individual equipment and appliances used in the RV may offer separate warranties. You will need to fill them out and send them in to activate the warranties.
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