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Old 01-04-2015, 02:23 AM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 82
THOR #1393
2015 ACE 27.1 Maiden Trip and Problems

Can't believe the issues present on a "new" $80K Motorcoach.. Spent Christmas Eve and New Years Eve at a CW dealing with batteries not charging, replacing the battery selonoid, replacing both house batteries, ordering corroded storage lights (4), ordering a new headboard which had a stain on it, ordering a new cabinet door which was damaged by an adjacent door/cabinet which crashed into it due to QC issues, half-assed repairs to a storage door (which was bent, still is), half ass repairs to the crashing cabinet which I had to later take out, shimmed it and reinstalled (which was the correct way to repair the issue instead of drilling 6 new longer screws into the door)...

I really do like the coach but for $80K, can't we expect better???

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Old 01-04-2015, 07:37 AM   #2
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 27K
State: California
Posts: 121
THOR #1226
Its a shame that RV mfg and dealers are in such a hurry to pass the problems on to the buyer. A serviceman should be able to inspect a RV in about an hour or so. I guess they feel an hour of their time is worth more than hours, days or weeks of frustration of the customer.
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Old 01-05-2015, 10:03 PM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34E
State: California
Posts: 524
THOR #937
Quote:
Originally Posted by acsnook View Post
...I really do like the coach but for $80K, can't we expect better???
From a manufacturer's perspective it's actually a $8.5k Ford chassis, with an additional $15k of value added materials, (and labor for assembly, installation and inspection), before delivery to the dealership.

When a manufacturer contemplates and plans for the cost of quality it's inside of that $15k figure that all inspection and rework must be budgeted within. Not the $80k retail price, (part of that is the negotiable markup to the dealership from Thor corporate, and it pays for dealership marketing, delivery, dealership overhead, dealership salaries, dealership owner's profit, and the one year warranty).

It's all relative. When you are talking about a Prevost motorhome that retails for $1,500k. That's about $270k for the value added materials and labor that's added to the chassis. That leaves a little more wiggle room for "quality" inspection and rework before delivery to the dealer.

That's why a new commercial airliner that retails for $415 million dollars apiece, (Airbus A380), or a new military Lockheed Martin F-35 for $90 million apiece, the manufacturer can afford to have 100% inspection and verification of inspection for every single screw, rivet, and hose.
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Old 01-06-2015, 02:19 AM   #4
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Model: 2015 Hurricane 34 J
State: Ohio
Posts: 680
THOR #1295
Welcome to the wonder world of Thor ownership! Thor suck!!!!!
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Old 01-06-2015, 03:25 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 32.1
State: Florida
Posts: 37
THOR #611
Thor ain't so bad

Thor ain't so bad

If you want a coach in a good Toyota like quality condition, then you need to spend two or three hundred thousand more bucks on a big diesel. $80,000 is not much more than what you pay for a well loaded pickup truck.
For the prices we pay for a big moving house with all the electrical and safety issues built in, and general usability, I accept some issues.
We bought a new ACE 30.1 and like an Outback travel trailer we bought new some years before and a pop up before that, we expect the first few months to be spent shaking out all the imperfections.

When we bought the Outback, among other things, the nose, a solid piece of material from roof to bottom, bubbled out. They replaced the whole thing. The brakes locked up - the Dealer Manager spent a Saturday replacing the entire brake wiring system himself since he was the only fully licensed brake specialist available that day.
After the first year, we had very few problems.
Same thing with the ACE. We replaced several doors, the radio had to be replaced twice, the shower leaked, electrical system had a failure, etc. By the time they got it all fixed up, we ended up with a smooth running, nicely buttoned together unit. I think for the money, we get a lot coach. Just take good notes on issues under warranty and be clear about what is wrong and what needs to be right.

I fully understand the unhappiness and frustration, I do not deny I felt it too, but I also think what incredible functionality we get for the price. Good luck.
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Old 01-06-2015, 04:44 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar bath & 1/2
State: New Mexico
Posts: 17
THOR #1366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TEUSeller View Post
Thor ain't so bad

If you want a coach in a good Toyota like quality condition, then you need to spend two or three hundred thousand more bucks on a big diesel. $80,000 is not much more than what you pay for a well loaded pickup truck.
For the prices we pay for a big moving house with all the electrical and safety issues built in, and general usability, I accept some issues.
We bought a new ACE 30.1 and like an Outback travel trailer we bought new some years before and a pop up before that, we expect the first few months to be spent shaking out all the imperfections.

When we bought the Outback, among other things, the nose, a solid piece of material from roof to bottom, bubbled out. They replaced the whole thing. The brakes locked up - the Dealer Manager spent a Saturday replacing the entire brake wiring system himself since he was the only fully licensed brake specialist available that day.
After the first year, we had very few problems.
Same thing with the ACE. We replaced several doors, the radio had to be replaced twice, the shower leaked, electrical system had a failure, etc. By the time they got it all fixed up, we ended up with a smooth running, nicely buttoned together unit. I think for the money, we get a lot coach. Just take good notes on issues under warranty and be clear about what is wrong and what needs to be right.

I fully understand the unhappiness and frustration, I do not deny I felt it too, but I also think what incredible functionality we get for the price. Good luck.

I think this is a very good response. I got a Thor Miramar bath & 1/2 and had numerous problems. I had to have a handicapped lift installed and the Dealer did a wonderful job .........took forever. The best thing I ever did was buy some of Mark Polks video's. My engine battery went dead but, how long was it setting in the chassis? Then the house batteries wouldn't charge a switch needed to be in use instead of store.

I think you hit the nail on the head about how much can we expect. These Motorhomes are very complicated and it takes a while but, everything does come together. I'm pretty pleased with my coach. Everything is easy when you know how! No one likes problems but, they do happen, having a good attitude helps.

Good read, even made me feel better.

Larry Mac,
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Old 01-07-2015, 01:57 AM   #7
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 82
THOR #1393
I guess I shouldn't be complaining on spending days of my vacation including Christmas Eve and New Years Eve at several different CW's waiting hours with my wife and kids in the waiting room.. I guess that since I am not a millionaire, I should just expect mediocrity with the other gutter rats.. I think that after reviewing the NUMEROUS posts on new coaches with dead batteries and other QC issues that should have been checked for and addressed before being driven off the lot, there is a real issue on how these coaches go from the factory to a customer. I think that an $80,000 Toyota truck or a Corvette would not be back at the dealership 4 times within the first 2 weeks of purchase..
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Old 01-07-2015, 02:01 AM   #8
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 82
THOR #1393
Good Thor customer service

I called Thor customer service today and had a pleasant experience. I needed to be reimbursed for out of pocket warranty repairs which they resolved quickly and professionally. When things go right, I will let you know, when things are wrong, I will also let you know..
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Old 01-07-2015, 02:06 AM   #9
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Model: 2015 Hurricane 34 J
State: Ohio
Posts: 680
THOR #1295
I don't care what is said about the amount of money being not enough to get quality. 80 or 90 grand is almost as much as I paid for my house, and although a high end luxury vehicle cost as much or more, for that money, one should get quality! And THOR does not deliver!
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Old 01-07-2015, 02:41 AM   #10
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 32.1
State: Florida
Posts: 37
THOR #611
No Doubt

Not trying to make light of others difficulty. I have not had any holidays ruined, or other disaster occur due to my issues. Nor have I had ongoing and recurring problems like has been posted here.

There is definitely a limit and when it is reached, there is no way to fix it and quality is only as good as the next unit to come off the line.

Again, I hope things work out but I am still not anti Thor. I visit other forums and much of the same problems arise and even worse with other manufacturers units in similar price ranges.
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Old 01-07-2015, 03:07 AM   #11
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 82
THOR #1393
Quote:
Originally Posted by TEUSeller View Post
Not trying to make light of others difficulty. I have not had any holidays ruined, or other disaster occur due to my issues. Nor have I had ongoing and recurring problems like has been posted here.

There is definitely a limit and when it is reached, there is no way to fix it and quality is only as good as the next unit to come off the line.

Again, I hope things work out but I am still not anti Thor. I visit other forums and much of the same problems arise and even worse with other manufacturers units in similar price ranges.

Well said TEUSeller.. this seems to be an industry issue which I would hope is being addressed. Couldn't help but vent a little as I love the coach but have to explain to the wife why we are having all these issues on a new item, NOT FUN!
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Old 01-12-2015, 02:59 AM   #12
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 27K
State: Nevada
Posts: 388
THOR #970
You are going to have to do most of these Mods on your own.. I know I missed a few when I wrote it but these are the bigger ones.. That slide out door needs a real latch pronto! I had a u latch put on, wish I could upload a pic but do not know how..keeps asking for a web site address when I try I try maybe it worked. And get an alignment at a good shop NOW!!! I mean really, have it done..is very important because it will kill your tire wear.
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...eded-1006.html

Very disheartening to have such grade D work for your 80k I completely understand.
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