Is there any good news here?

[San Diego travelers]

I’ve been reading this forum for three months, and keeping a list of all the problems so that we would be prepared.

The conclusion that we have come to is that Thor does not have adequate quality control, buyers should expect multiple problems, and poor customer service.

If only I would have read twenty happy customer stories in three months...

We will buy Travel Leisure Van.

[axis earl]

Kind of like watching the news in my opinion.... you pretty much hear about problems. Our Axis did cost quite a bit less than you will pay for your rig that you are deciding to buy. Yes, we have had some minor problems but they have been remedied. Don't know of anyone that hasn't had some issues with a RV, no matter what the brand. So, just picture me with a happy smile when I think of being out on the road with our Axis.

[JamieGeek]

There are lots of happy Thor owners--they don't post because they are out camping.

By its nature you will find many more problems in the Forums than happy people: If you're having issues you're going to seek out solutions, search for forums and post.

If you are happy you're not going to be searching, and posting--you don't have a reason to.

This is why you'll find many problems here (and in the forums for any other RV)...however there are quite a few happy people on here.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by San Diego travelers

I’ve been reading this forum for three months, and keeping a list of all the problems so that we would be prepared.

The conclusion that we have come to is that Thor does not have adequate quality control, buyers should expect multiple problems, and poor customer service.

If only I would have read twenty happy customer stories in three months...

We will buy Travel Leisure Van.

I think across multiple RV forums the INDUSTRY has a quality control problem... From entry level to most expensive....

Most customer service issues (not all certainly) are dealer related... I have seen multiple posts recently of people happy with direct Thor contact/help.

Also human nature, you will always see more posts about problems than the 'uneventful trip' where everything worked well.

Best of luck with whatever rig you buy
No matter the brand, a thorough PDI and a good dealer make a world of difference.

[Pete'sMH]

I’m very happy with my 26 foot 2017 Freedom Elite. It’s had its share of adjustments and minor repairs but nothing that has required it to go back to the dealer or a repair shop. I bought it new for about $55,000 which is less than the price of a nice pickup truck. I consider it to be an exceptional value and a very satisfying purchase. I don’t blame you for wanting a Travel Leisure Van though. Very “swankety”! I hope you get many years and miles of real joy from your new machine.

[Larry]

Originally Posted by axis earl

Kind of like watching the news in my opinion.... you pretty much hear about problems. Our Axis did cost quite a bit less than you will pay for your rig that you are deciding to buy. Yes, we have had some minor problems but they have been remedied. Don't know of anyone that hasn't had some issues with a RV, no matter what the brand. So, just picture me with a happy smile when I think of being out on the road with our Axis.

X2....well said.

Count me as a happy camper in my Axis. Very few problems and many happy miles traveled thus far.

Good luck with your purchase.

[revjeffrey]

9000 miles 20 states this summer family of 5, 2 college students and 14 yr. old. No Issues Everyone had a blast!!! Heading out for some Mich. Skiing in a few weeks... Good Luck !!

[San Diego travelers]

Love the word “swankety.” We have a few months to make our purchase decision. I’ll keep reading and see if any Thor Swanketeers are out there. 👍🏻

[mountainsam]

We have had a few issues but we have really come to enjoy our 23TR Gemini. Lots of pluses to this design. Most complaints I have seen involve dealers that are so deep in repairs with all brands it is hard to get relief with minor warranty items. If most minor issues could be remedied within a week or two they would never hit these posts.

Yup, count us as happy Thor owners

[Ewok]

I have had a few issues but have found that most of the equipment Thor put in the RV's is of high quality. I worked at dealerships in the automotive industry and found the same quality control. It comes from any mass production,even my new house had problems. Thor builds a good RV and the F53 runs great even at 11700 feet.

[Wrpt58]

Originally Posted by San Diego travelers

I’ve been reading this forum for three months, and keeping a list of all the problems so that we would be prepared.

The conclusion that we have come to is that Thor does not have adequate quality control, buyers should expect multiple problems, and poor customer service.

If only I would have read twenty happy customer stories in three months...

We will buy Travel Leisure Van.

I have to agree with what the others have posted. I bought my Hurricane the end of 2015, haven't driven it near as much as some of the people on here, but drove from CA to LA and back then up to Yellowstone NP and back, camped in it along the way and there. Didn't have any "manufacturer problems", just stuff I didn't know about.

I have fixed a few things that were not huge, and like I wrote the Rep, if Thor paid just a little more attention to detail and quality, this would be a GREAT RV, not just good. That being said I haven't had nearly as much problems as some on this forum have listed.

I think what hasn't been said so far on this thread is that to own an RV, it REALLY helps when the owners have a little mech/elect aptitude and the willingness to fix something they don't like or fell apart. I know I have seen many instances of that on this forum.

I wish you much happiness with whatever RV you decide to get. I am sure once you hit the road, you will enjoy it.

[Bob Denman]

Good news never travels as fast or as far as bad news...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

There are lots of happy Thor owners--they don't post because they are out camping.

By its nature you will find many more problems in the Forums than happy people: If you're having issues you're going to seek out solutions, search for forums and post.

If you are happy you're not going to be searching, and posting--you don't have a reason to.

This is why you'll find many problems here (and in the forums for any other RV)...however there are quite a few happy people on here.

Have you considered that some expectations may be so low that being "happy owner" and "poor quality" are no longer mutually exclusive?

I agree there is reporting bias, but that runs both ways. When someone questions a product, those who own it are likely to defend it because they take it personal, as if being called stupid for having purchased it. You see a lot of that here and in forums everywhere also.

Just saying reporting bias isn't one sided.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Chance

Have you considered that some expectations may be so low that being "happy owner" and "poor quality" are no longer mutually exclusive?

I agree there is reporting bias, but that runs both ways. When someone questions a product, those who own it are likely to defend it because they take it personal, as if being called stupid for having purchased it. You see a lot of that here and in forums everywhere also.

Just saying reporting bias isn't one sided.

True and good point.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

Have you considered that some expectations may be so low that being "happy owner" and "poor quality" are no longer mutually exclusive?

Isn't this also a rather LARGE assumption?

It actually sounds as if you're saying something like this:
"I don't hear the complaints that I just know are out there; they must all be ignorant..."

[axis earl]

Sometimes, this just gets down to the typical American discussion of Ford vs. Mopar vs. Chevrolet. There are lemons among all of them. I just looked at the Leisure Travel forum and read several regarding engine problems with the Mercedes Sprinter. I don't like taking my vehicles in for engine problems no matter who made it, but taking it to a Mercedes dealer would just make me cringe. I happen to like a tried and true chassis such as the F53 and EX50 because of their time on the market. Now if those driving the alternative Mercedes sprinter are happy with their purchase, I am happy for them. If you want a sure thing, I guess you shouldn't buy anything, sit in your rocker and just watch TV.

[Bob Denman]

I agree...

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Isn't this also a rather LARGE assumption?

It actually sounds as if you're saying something like this:
"I don't hear the complaints that I just know are out there; they must all be ignorant..."

I don't think that is what he was saying at all.

I think it was more along the lines of: "I know quality is crap but if I can get the coach I'm getting working for me then I'm a happy customer/camper"
(e.g. you know the quality is crap (low expectations) and decide to live with it anyway (hence happy camper))--or you're expecting to find the gem in the pile of....

[Joe-FL]

Originally Posted by San Diego travelers

I’ve been reading this forum for three months, and keeping a list of all the problems so that we would be prepared.

The conclusion that we have come to is that Thor does not have adequate quality control, buyers should expect multiple problems, and poor customer service.

If only I would have read twenty happy customer stories in three months...

We will buy Travel Leisure Van.

When I read a post like this I can guarantee you that the author has zero experience owning and maintaining an RV. I am not making that statement to be disrespectful to San Diego Travelers, I just remember my attitude a few years ago when we began our research prior to purchasing our first RV.

I don't care if you spend $20,000 or you spend $1,000,000 you take a chance on things going wrong. I paid $27,000 for my first used fiver and it was almost 100% trouble free. Paid much more for my first gently used Thor MH and there were only a few small issues. Taking a chance with a new higher end coach now and on that owner's forum there are folks with problems just like on this forum.

It is plain and simple, the RV industry just does not have the same QC as the automobile industry. The quality is not the same nor is the price structure. Once you realize that and deal with it you can sit back and enjoy RVing.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I don't think that is what he was saying at all.

I think it was more along the lines of: "I know quality is crap"....

That's the assumption that I was referring to...
Are the rigs "perfect"? probably not; but where do you put the delineations between "great, "pretty good", "okay" "Lousy", and "Where's our Lawyer's phone number?"