Disgruntled RV’rs...

[Wolffarmer]

Over the years my dad and his wife has had 4 or 5 motor homes. One thing I have learned, there is always something broken on them. And they don't use them much ether. One MH they bought new and after 6-7 years it had never been cooked in. The paper bands was still on the burner grates. They use them mostly as a mobile bedroom/bathroom/liqueur/snack holder. Oh and money pit. I just shake my head.

Randy

[Shadow Catcher]

PBS had a very good two hour program on the Amish last night and one of the areas of concern is employing all of the kids that can not inherit the farm. One of the scenes showed a TT manufacturing company and the absolute hustle of the many bearded young Amish men. My over whelming feeling was in looking at the construction technique was, what absolute junk and techniques and materials that are the absolute least quality they can get away with.
We have had Subaru's since 1977 and I worked for companies that provided material or services for the big three auto companies and folks gave me a hard time. My reply was when they build cars that will go 100,000 miles trouble free I will consider buying one. One of the jobs I did involved trying to find a way to X-Ray a Ford torque converter and the parameters were that it was tested for 80,000 miles. The Japanese forced the big three to get their act together but my feeling is that while the Japanese make a car as good as it can be Americans make it only as good as it has to be. The recent experience with Toyota recalls tells me that may be changing at least with those cars built here in the US.
As I have said my feeling is that most RV buyers do not have a clue how their RV's are constructed and even fewer look past the surface glitz.

[SteveF]

Some of you may recall that I bought a biggish TTT last year. I've since sold it, and I'm honestly soured on the whole concept.

It was more comfortable than my old tent, of that there's no question. It was also very lonely and weird to be isolated in this little box. I missed the camaraderie of tenting it with my friends (my camping trips are usually group things where we all tent in the group campground or get several adjacent sites reserved. Basically, while it did make camping more comfortable, it did not make it any more enjoyable and it eliminated the companionable aspect that I hadn't even realized meant so much to me.

I took the trailer out twice last summer, and both times had issues I considered serious enough to take it back to the dealership and have them looked into. I had lots of little issues, too, due to build quality, and my own inexperience and absent-mindedness. Honestly, I found the thing to be way more trouble and expense than it was worth! I listed it and sold it in early fall, and am very happy to be out from under it! If I ever get a trailer again, it will be something much simpler and smaller (probably still a standie, though) something like a T@b or a stripped down Scamp-style fiberglass/egg camper, or even a pop-up. Definitely something cheaper to buy and maintain.

At this point for next season, I plan to just going to treat myself to a new, bigger and nicer tent than my trusty old A-frame which has served me well for decades but lately has seemed a bit cramped.

[GPW]

SC said : “ My over whelming feeling was in looking at the construction technique was, what absolute junk and techniques and materials that are the absolute least quality they can get away with. “ ... My sentiments Exactly !!!! Confirmed by my own first hand experience
“ As I have said my feeling is that most RV buyers do not have a clue how their RV's are constructed and even fewer look past the surface glitz.” ... They sure do take advantage of that don’t they !!!! I’ve seen them at the RV shows “working “ the women and children for sales .. that’s who they appeal to ... If the Men knew what lay under the glitz, and all the things they’d have to do to keep them from quickly falling apart ...they’d be PO’d big time ... I was ... Pure JUNK !! SC called it !!!!

The totally amazing thing is some of the manufactures USED to make quality products long ago , but the intercession of accountants and bean counters ruined that much like everything else involved with "Vulture capitalism" and the total , uncaring Maximization of Profits at any cost ... to others...
I can’t help but look at any Millionaire /Billionaire now and wonder who they (your word here) ed’ to get it ...
The Rv industry is a mere reflection of the way things are done now ... wait till the Chinese start making RVs for over here...