MHs are not cars with their high production runs, ubiquitous service and expectation of near perfection. Every MH has a significant number of custom assembly steps involving cutting, nailing, and gluing. Paying more rarely results in higher over all quality. The extra money goes towards more expensive components. The assembly steps remain pretty much the same.
Buying a used, 2 yr old model has an important advantage: Most of the bugs have been worked out. That has certainly been true in our case. I have never taken our MH in for service. I've done countless DIY fixes that total no more than a few hundred dollars. Some things don't work 100% and never will. I couldn't be happier
Like it or not, RV's still work best for those willing to do their own work. The idea of buying an MH and waiting for someone else to fix everything sounds frustrating, time consuming - and expensive.
Truth is: a brand new RV should cost less that a 2 yr old version given the amount of initial service required.
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Happy Ford F-53 Class A Owner (2008 Gulf Stream)
2010 Ford Fusion Toad (with 6 speed manual transmission - the only way to tow)
Brake Buddy Vantage, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar,
TST RV 507 TPMS, Power Master Voltage Controller
ClassAGeek wrote: MHs are not cars with their high production runs, ubiquitous service and expectation of near perfection. Every MH has a significant number of custom assembly steps involving cutting, nailing, and gluing. Paying more rarely results in higher over all quality. The extra money goes towards more expensive components. The assembly steps remain pretty much the same.
Buying a used, 2 yr old model has an important advantage: Most of the bugs have been worked out. That has certainly been true in our case. I have never taken our MH in for service. I've done countless DIY fixes that total no more than a few hundred dollars. Some things don't work 100% and never will. I couldn't be happier
Like it or not, RV's still work best for those willing to do their own work. The idea of buying an MH and waiting for someone else to fix everything sounds frustrating, time consuming - and expensive.
Truth is: a brand new RV should cost less that a 2 yr old version given the amount of initial service required.
As a person that has owned 3 class A's, 12 total RVs since 1970, I clearly understand your point of doing work myself, except when warranty is involved so I agree with you on that point. Your point that an manufacturer must produce a product in a high volume environment to reduce/eliminate defects, however, is as flawed as the engineering/manufacturing model being used by the RV industry. Eliminating defeats is much more about design protocol, manufacturing process control and a sound/effective QC plan, as it is about controlling worker conduct. We provided military electronics to the Services at a rate ranging from 20/day to a couple a week and I can tell you, the same quality was expected and provided regardless of the product production rate.
I know many folks on forums will say that a manufacturer can't produce a cost competitive motorhome if they have to put the resources and processes in place to eliminate the majority of the defects that occur during the manufacturing cycle. I can't get my mind around the "it's cheaper to put out a product full of defects and pay to have them fixed under warranty". Now that concept totally escapes me. Additionally, how does anyone put a price on a companies reputation for a quality product.
We have toured both the Winnebago and Tiffin factories, along with several others located in IN. If I were in the market for a production coach again, it would be a Winnebago because of their production line assembly method.
1997 Prevost by Angola towing 2011 Ford Ranger
OR
2008 Winnebago View towing 2008 Mini Clubman
Pick one
Two years ago we desided to upgrade to a DP 40' Looked at used and some new. Joined the forums and read and asked questions.
After all this no builder is great. CC, Monoco and Fortravel get close but they have had their problems. I have looked at Tiffins and was impressed with American Coach.
We wanted side rad, aqu-hot, heated floors and tag axle. Spending up to $350K we could get all this. I put AC at top of list then CC.
AC had front overload problems until 2009. CC were hard to find in good condition and had problems also. I can fix small stuff and have done so on the one we have now.
If I were to buy new today American Coach would be #1, Monoco #2. Tiffin would be around #5.
As for Tiffin I would bet the 87 problems were not all Tiffins. The bus is a nice MoHo and their 42' has everything we wanted.
This is all my oppinion. If you can't work on and fix some problems then don't get an RV. Everyone fixes problems on their stick homes or can afford to hire it done. An RV is much more complex and requires more time to keep things working. If you are not willing to keep up then maybe you need to buy a condo or two.
I don't know all the answers but no builder makes a flawless RV. Never have and never will. So you buy the best you can and hope yours is better than what others have.
Ron
Betty and Ron
2002 Bounder 31W
8.1 with 5 speed Allison
2 slides
2005 Colorado toad
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