Four Winds/Chateau quality?

[doubravsky]

You could for sure. The biggest drain is the fridge. I found if we're winter camping (less solar) or in the deep woods with little sun, and don't want to run the generator a lot during the day, we turn off the fridge when we go to bed, and then turn it on when we wake up. The fridge has great insulation- I can turn it off all night and the ice cubes and ice cream are still frozen in the morning. We originally (before the extra batteries) bought several of the plastic ice thingees you put in lunch boxes, and would stick them in the fridge at night, but we found it was unnecessary.

[wfhall]

I purchased a Chateau 35SK from La Mesa RV in San Diego last August. It is without a doubt the worst RV I've owned (prior Monaco Class A, Bounder Class A and two Jayco 5th wheels). It has constantly been in the shop and I have to return it again this Monday. This time the batteries are always going dead (bad batteries or bad convertor?). We've had huge problems with the Lippert Jacks, improper wiring so that both a/c units wouldn't work at the same time, and many other smaller but irratating faults. Basically, Thor has no quality control at their factories and dumps POS RVs on unsuspecting consumers. La Mesa San Diego did a very poor job of prepping the coach prior to delivery....we had a huge punch list of issues that should have been corrected prior to delivery. I will say that La Mesa Tucson, near where we live, has really tried to fix the numerous issues we've faced with the "Coach from Hell". Thor overall quality is extremely low and they tend to use the cheapest parts available to build the coach. An example was the radio in my 2015 coach....it was actually manufactured by Pioneer in 2011/2012. Pioneer stated that companies like Thor buy all their overstock and obsolete inventory for their RVs. If I was buying a new RV I'd definately avoid Thor.

[rskrbina]

Very pleased with my Four Winds. I'll give it 4out of 5 stars. 4 because I had my share of minor issues as well. Every manufacturer has their "Bad One's". Sadly, lemon's come off of every line. It shouldn't be that way, but I think today's demands for rv's feed some of these lemons. Good luck!

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by wfhall

I purchased a Chateau 35SK from La Mesa RV in San Diego last August. It is without a doubt the worst RV I've owned (prior Monaco Class A, Bounder Class A and two Jayco 5th wheels). It has constantly been in the shop and I have to return it again this Monday. This time the batteries are always going dead (bad batteries or bad convertor?). We've had huge problems with the Lippert Jacks, improper wiring so that both a/c units wouldn't work at the same time, and many other smaller but irratating faults. Basically, Thor has no quality control at their factories and dumps POS RVs on unsuspecting consumers. La Mesa San Diego did a very poor job of prepping the coach prior to delivery....we had a huge punch list of issues that should have been corrected prior to delivery. I will say that La Mesa Tucson, near where we live, has really tried to fix the numerous issues we've faced with the "Coach from Hell". Thor overall quality is extremely low and they tend to use the cheapest parts available to build the coach. An example was the radio in my 2015 coach....it was actually manufactured by Pioneer in 2011/2012. Pioneer stated that companies like Thor buy all their overstock and obsolete inventory for their RVs. If I was buying a new RV I'd definately avoid Thor.

Whew, your troubles put things in perspective. Even if most quality control or bad build posts come from the dissatisfied buyers there are still too many instances of junk being sold to the public.

I wonder if a good legally binding clause can be added to a sales agreement to protect buyers. Something short and that is not nit picky but eould force the dealers to fix in a set period of time, refund full purchase price or replace.

That would put pressure on dealers to demand satisfaction from the manufacturers.

If a substantial number of buyers used this clause and were willing to walk away from a deal if dealer refused we might see some positive change in this industry.

Bobby

[wfhall]

I ran across an interesting site....google this: "Burdge Law Office: How to get rid of your lemon RV". This firm specializes in OHIO, but the issues and Laws are apparently similar in other states.

[Deckwalker]

Have anyone checked out Quantum PD31.. We went looking at Chateau and fell in love with Thor's Quantum. Bought it yesterday. Believe it is new this year..trying to get info on it

[rskrbina]

Originally Posted by Deckwalker

Have anyone checked out Quantum PD31.. We went looking at Chateau and fell in love with Thor's Quantum. Bought it yesterday. Believe it is new this year..trying to get info on it

Congratulations!!! Yeah, I went through the same thing trying to find information on my 35SK when I bought it. Hope the Quantum holds up well. Safe travels.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Delco Bobby

Thanks for that. I am hoping the C's are much better than their A's. ....cut......

I don't have personal experience with As, but it makes sense to me that everything else being equal, quality would be superior on Cs (on average). The greater part of the unit is built in a mass-production assembly line, the fewer quality issues there should be with at least that part of the coach.

Reading all the posted reports here, it's clear some problems are much greater. An example is cracked Axis/Vegas windshields. While it involves a small percentage, the numbers are still much higher than expected from Ford windshields.

Another example is poor access to chassis battery. In an E-450 just raise the hood; in an Axis not quite so simple. The hood is also going to open and close better most of the time, etc... Some of the factory wiring under the hood appears better to me also every time I've looked under hoods of comparable Class Cs and As.

Overall I would expect fewer problems from a Class C of similar size, features, and price. Just my expectation -- doesn't make it right.

I'd still prefer to try a Class A next, but for reasons other than quality.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

I don't have personal experience with As, but it makes sense to me that everything else being equal, quality would be superior on Cs (on average). The greater part of the unit is built in a mass-production assembly line, the fewer quality issues there should be with at least that part of the coach.

Reading all the posted reports here, it's clear some problems are much greater. An example is cracked Axis/Vegas windshields. While it involves a small percentage, the numbers are still much higher than expected from Ford windshields.

Another example is poor access to chassis battery. In an E-450 just raise the hood; in an Axis not quite so simple. The hood is also going to open and close better most of the time, etc... Some of the factory wiring under the hood appears better to me also every time I've looked under hoods of comparable Class Cs and As.

Overall I would expect fewer problems from a Class C of similar size, features, and price. Just my expectation -- doesn't make it right.

I'd still prefer to try a Class A next, but for reasons other than quality.

Axis/Vegas windshields are not produced by Ford.

[Uramillionaire]

Originally Posted by Bruslymike

Right now, we are comparing two similar units - 2015 Super C Chateau 33w and 2016 Four Winds 31w.

Both are new units, pricing is just $20,000 difference to have the diesel. I'm trying to decide if the Ford V-10 will have enough power or if I should go for the diesel which is both quieter and has less internal storage.

Any owners of either units that can give suggestions?

Diesel any day of the week if your going to use it a lot. More power and a downhill Jake brake comes in really handy.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by dstankov

Axis/Vegas windshields are not produced by Ford.

"An example is cracked Axis/Vegas windshields. While it involves a small percentage (of Axis/Vegas), the numbers are still much higher than expected from Ford windshields (used on E-450 Class Cs)."


Sorry it wasn't clearer, but I thought my intended meaning was obvious -- particularly in the context of my reply.

[RMS31W]

Yes they make 3 floor plans, WS31 which is exact copy of Chateau or Four Winds 31W. When compared the only differences I see are the use of a more upscale wood on the cabinets, dream dinette covered in leatherette, microwave now is stainless steel and the front cap has built in skylight with shade. All capacities and options seem to be the same. The light leatherette and dark glossy wood give it a nice upscale look.

[Deckwalker]

Any issues with yours?

[RMS31W]

For the most part, no. You can see my few complaints in an earlier post