This is thread is not intended to be a bashing tread, I am hoping to have a discussion that will benefit potential buyers by highlighting what they can do to give themselves the best chance to be a happy camper.
What is the best weapon to protect yourself from some of the many woe's that we read about on a daily basis on the forum. The question that keeps coming to mind is that some people will have very positive reviews of a particular make and model of a coach and others will have experiences that range from mildly frustrating to deplorable for the same make and model...
There seems to be a wide range of opinions about the state of quality in terms of what the standard is, where the fault lies, and what the remedies ought to be...Some are of the opinion that using the word quality and motorhome in the same sentence is inappropriate while others think otherwise, and still others that think that quality is a function of the make and model.
That brings the question of what is the best weapon to protect yourself into focus. From what I have read on the forum and garnished from the research I have done, no manufacture, no make or model is immune from quality issues. The issue as to what the causes for lapses in quality when they do occur might be have often been discussed... Design, engineering, manufacturing, quality control at the factory, quality assurance at the dealership, or due diligence on the part of the buyer remains as an open discussion. I am thinking that there is no one universal answer to this issue...Each component plays a role..... sometimes individually and at others in concert.
The other piece of the equation has to do with how problems are handled once discovered...We have all read about the frustrations with getting timely and adequate Reponses to minimize the impact of problems when they do occur.
So what is the best weapon to protect ones self from feeling more like a victim than a happy camper? Is it a selection process? Picking the right manufacture? Or picking the right dealer? Or is it more of a buyers diligence in not only picking the right manufacture and dealer or doing research up front and doing an exhaustive and thorough Pre Delivery Inspection?... Or is it in reality the luck of the draw?
So I am going to ask the hard question, giving that you chose the make and model that you did on the basis that the floorplan, chassis, and options that best meet your requirements and pocketbook..... If dissatisfied.....What could you have done differently, if anything to have the motorhome you choose to meet your expectations in terms of quality?
For those of you that are satisfied, how do you account for being a happy camper?
JohnnyT
* This post was
edited 08/11/04 01:49pm by JohnnyT *
Johnny, I have to be classed as a happy camper. I won't credit my research, or two year hunt for the perfect coach, as much as experience with all the things that can and will go wrong. If the engineering is sound, you can fix any shoddy workmanship, and the best workmanship in the USA won't fix bad engineering. If you expect zero problems with something a complex as a big MH with all the trimmings, you aren't living in the real world. I started back in the 70's with a 24' Coachmen on a Dodge chassis, blew the transmission, motor, and it leaked like a torn tent. We fixed it, and loved it. Then a Holiday Alumalite on a P30. Big step up, 8 manifold gaskets and two refer's, one water heater, one TH400, we fixed it and loved it. One big Pace arrow, leaked like the Coachmen, P30 again, we fixed the leaks and loved it. Traded on a 97 Pace Arrow Vision, P30 with a tag, didn't leak until the windshield fell out. We fixed it and loved it. Now, in love again, and can't find anything to fix. I'm sure there will be, and we'll fix it, not complain to the dealer, factory, and anybody else that will listen. I think most 2 page complainers have never owned a RV before, and the rest still don't own one, they're just making noise. See how many are "new members".
2004 Mandalay 40B , four slides, 350 Cummins/Freightliner.
I think the biggest "one" thing I did that helped to make me a "happy camper" was to do my homework prior to looking at anything except maybe at shows. I did not want to talk to any salesmen at all. I read, read, read, reviewed manufacturers brochurers, looked at models on the internet. compareed features, etc. I spent probably the better part of 4-5 years reading thinking, planning,etc. It was difficult to not buy right away but sure paid off.
I'm a very happy camper because my 3rd MH, a Bounder is all but perfect.
My first one was also excellent.
The 2nd one had F-53 chassis issues.
I wish I knew way back when what I know now as I would have been a better informed purchaser. This forum is invaluable as a source of information and ideas !!!
2005 Bounder 37U Cat C7 Engine
2007 Dodge 2500 4X4 5.9 Cummins Laramie
Amateur Radio Callsign W4PHJ
ARRL Extra Class Volunteer Examiner
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1969 Plymouth Road Runner
I think the biggest key to satisfaction is having realistic expectations.
1. Financial. It's not an investment, it's a expense. Think of it like buying beer instead of Krugeraands.
2. Living conditions. It may look like it has all the comforts of home, but is isn't a house. Storage, heating, cooling, cooking, sound proofing, living space, etc. are all compromised in some way.
If I might be alowed to do a little copy and paste;
" I think the biggest "one" thing I did that helped to make me a "happy camper" was to do my homework prior to looking at anything except maybe at shows. ( The wife and I even attended some shows).."
"1. Financial. It's not an investment, it's a expense. Think of it like buying beer instead of Krugeraands.
2. Living conditions. It may look like it has all the comforts of home, but is isn't a house. Storage, heating, cooling, cooking, sound proofing, living space, etc. are all compromised in some way...."
Johnny T I also am a happy camper, the main reason for that is that I absolutely love the peacefullness and serenity that is associated with camping. I have never had the misfortune to be camped next to a rude or impolite fellow camper. I think we must be a different breed from other people. I know I have been in motel/hotels where you could hardly get a conversation going with the person next to you.
As far as the campers/motorhomes go I have probably had my share of problems, and they all seem to happen at 5:00/6:00PM on Friday leaving you stranded for the weekend. Overall though I have been pretty lucky with the six motorhomes I have owned starting in the late 70's. I finally moved up to my present DP and I don't think I will ever go back to a gas. I think the big advantage is the quieter and softer ride. I think the maint. such as oil changes will even out. I know that it cost more to change oil in the DP but you don't do it nearly as often and you don't have to get caught on the road needing an oil change as in the gas powered where the Motorhome dealers want upwards of $100.00 to do a twenty minute $30.00 job. But all in all I would say that I am a happy camper....bob
Me? A happy camper! I've always owned either a boat or camper, or both. They are tools to a outdoor and traveling lifestlye that I find wonderful. Like any tool, buy the best you can afford and expect it will need maintenance and will ocassionally break and need repair. If it becomes an aggravation, give it up and take up something else.
Geaux LSU
Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Dem dang Cowboys, dat who!! But 13-1 not too bad. Look out Souper Boul!
What a large question. Basically I think I would fall in the "happy" category. We have had all the same problems with a new coach that every one else seems to have. For whatever reason they all seem to have initial problems just like every new house I ever bought. It seems to be a given that problems will occur, thus is not the dealer you purchase from going to play a large part in your satisfaction. All manufacturers seem to have great fans and great detractors. So it appears the brand of coach you purchase, as you say, does not guarantee satisfaction.
I would think that the first consideration in the purchase would be what you want in a coach and what manufacturer produces your needs. The next decision is who to purchase from. If a fulltimer and never in the same place, I would suppose price would become your only concern. Service is going to be attempted where ever and might become the luck of the draw. If like most of us you live in one place, then the dealer who is going to work on the unit becomes very important.
The relationship between the buyer and seller will be like any other relationship in life. Some work at it and have good ones and some don't. First do your homework and look for a dealer with a reputation for service and people who attest to that.
My dealer has been responsible for making me a "happy camper". The manufacturer has yet to work on my motorhome and I don't have the time to drive it to him. I knew going in that good service costs money. Expecting to get the best price and the best service from the same source is an oxymoron.
I'm another happy camper. The wife and I did tons of research years ago before we bought our second MH. Got lucky on the first one because we went in blind. It was a Winnebago and it served us well. Before we moved up to a DP we looked, studied and talked to many people and decided on a Newmar Mountain Aire. It was a good choice and we never had a major problem with it. We did have to tow it twice but both times, it was a Cummings fuel problem, not a Newmar problem. After a few years, I was suffering from "bus envy" so I traded off a perfectly good MH for a Featherlite Voge. It was also a good coach but not really suited for our camping style. It was built to run down the road and not for being parked by the river. While I still owned the Newmar, I had found a dealer in Ft. Worth (Vogt RV) who did excellent service for me, even though I did not buy my coach from them. When we bought this, our second Mountain Aire, I knew the quality I was buying and I knew I had a good dealer.
My advice to anyone thinking about an RV is if you don't like tools and you don't like "fixing things", the RV life is not for you. These are big, complicated machines and they require attention. People also have to remember that alot of the problems they will experience with their RVs are not the mfgs. fault. Newmar doesn't make the Norcold fridge so if it brakes, it's a Norcold problem, not Newmar. Same with the TV, microwave, washer/dryer or any other bolt in that we put in our coaches. A lot of people cuss their mfg., when the assories are giving them a problem.
I think you will fine most happy campers are really into their RVs and enjoy working on and maintaining them. Most and I repaeat most of the unhappy ones are the folks who expect to jump in to their rv four or five times per year, crank them up and go and every thing be perfect. In all my years and miles of driving these things, I have meet a whole lot more happy campers that I have frustrated owners.
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