Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Community Forums > Thor Owners Community Discussions
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-06-2018, 02:27 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
DenverTransplant's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
Elkhart, IN

Explains a lot about why so many people have RV quality issues. It’s across the board - manufacturers and component suppliers.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...ana/ar-AAvvX6Z

__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
DenverTransplant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 03:31 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
jpmihalk's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: South Dakota
Posts: 1,132
THOR #3761
Great article! Thanks for posting!!
__________________
John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
jpmihalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 04:01 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mustang46555's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum RS26
State: Indiana
Posts: 288
THOR #10823
And Warsaw, roughly an hour and a half south of Elkhart, is the "Orthopedic" capital of the world with 4 of the top Medical Device manufactures located there. I was in that industry for 20+ years part of that time as a hiring manager, try to hire an experienced machinist in that area! Add to that the current generation of "milenials" and manufacturing in general is in tough shape to find good, qualified and above all motivated workers.
__________________
Mustang46555 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 04:21 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37KT
State: Texas
Posts: 235
THOR #1183
WOW! Good time to buy used?
__________________
ctpres is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 10:26 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 27.7
State: California
Posts: 289
THOR #10907
"Thor .... hires county jail inmates".

Lol.
__________________
gmtech16450yz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 10:36 PM   #6
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860

If even ONE RV manufacturer would make higher quality a first priority: I bet that the rest of them would be forced to re-prioritize also...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 11:41 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Mustang46555's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum RS26
State: Indiana
Posts: 288
THOR #10823
Thor isn't alone in hiring work release. It was common practice at the OEM machining company I worked for last. Some of those folks are actually very good workers AND they ARE motivated to come to work every day! There is NOTHING to laugh about in that practice.
__________________
Mustang46555 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 12:26 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
airforceret's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 26B
State: Indiana
Posts: 387
THOR #6414
Quality starts at the top and clearly that is not a priority at Thor. Nor is integrity. Flood the market with crap and who does everyone get angry at... mostly dealers! A select number of people are treated to their factory repair and another select group get their issues addressed at the dealer and they come out smelling like a Rose! I gave them plenty of opportunities to make things right with mine but every time I got my hopes up it ended with a dagger in my heart. Clearly after such a banner year they could afford to make things right so it was clearly a decision to NOT make it right. #ThorLacksIntegrity
__________________
Roger, Dawn, and Roxie
airforceret is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 02:39 PM   #9
Site Team
 
revjeffrey's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 Windjammer
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,179
THOR #7074
Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverTransplant View Post
Explains a lot about why so many people have RV quality issues. It’s across the board - manufacturers and component suppliers.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...ana/ar-AAvvX6Z
This article explains it all. Spot On! 9000 + job openings. My advise is.. buy a good set of square head screwdrivers.... Thank you 4 posting!
__________________
Rev. Jeffrey 2017 Thor Axis 24.1 E450 Windjammer.
Silver Safe-T-Plus Steering Control
SSF-106-40 SumoSprings Solo Front Bump Stop SSR-107-47 SumoSprings Rear Bump Stop
Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar & 7180 Rear Sway Bar
Koni FSD Front Shocks 8805-1042 / Koni FSD Rear Shocks 8805-1043
revjeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 03:16 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Tennessee
Posts: 297
THOR #7227
I wonder about the true percentage of serious problem. In Hardee’s parking lot a guy pulls up to my rig explains how he camped three days in his new camper and discovered a leaky window. So sends it back to the dealer who has had possession of it for the last year. Yes Thor had a quality error in one of the half dozen or so windows in the rig. Nashville CW is definitely at fault for having the rig for a year. But a $10 tube of pro flex MIGHT have saved everyone a great deal of aggravation and contempt.
__________________
JamJanTan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 04:48 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
DenverTransplant's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamJanTan View Post
I wonder about the true percentage of serious problem. In Hardee’s parking lot a guy pulls up to my rig explains how he camped three days in his new camper and discovered a leaky window. So sends it back to the dealer who has had possession of it for the last year. Yes Thor had a quality error in one of the half dozen or so windows in the rig. Nashville CW is definitely at fault for having the rig for a year. But a $10 tube of pro flex MIGHT have saved everyone a great deal of aggravation and contempt.
I've been fairly lucky as the quality issues I've had so far have been within my ability to fix (circuits scrambled, drawer slides coming free, wet circuit boards, etc.) and I very much avoided the warranty dance (and having to deal with the CW lack of service department).

While I agree that major problems are fairly isolated - but very real and probably 10x or more than it should be - the pain experienced by an owner is 100%. Thor, and other manufacturers seem to feel that a high failure rate it OK, and try to make it go away by their warranty and dealer practices. Its no fun though for the folks that get the black ball. I'm sure that managers look at quality as something they don't have to do yet. Eventually it will catch up with them just like it did with American car manufacturers during the 70's and 80's.
__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
DenverTransplant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 11:46 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
I hope the quality improves but I suspect it would price me out of the market if it does. I also don’t think our industry will ever mirror the auto industry because the latter is a highly competitive multi-billion dollar global market while RVs always will be a tiny luxury market and will need to be price sensitive. Both of my machines have had their issues but I consider them to be a good value. So far, at least. My opinion could change if I find a major flaw
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2018, 11:53 PM   #13
Site Team
 
revjeffrey's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 Windjammer
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,179
THOR #7074
They have not changed in the last 40 years since I've been going to Elkhart and working on RVs at an RV dealer when I was in high school. Champion, Beechcraft, Hop Cap, Winnebago, we worked on all of them Shasta, Open Road, nothing has changed ...the only thing I wish I would have done is invest in a staple company....
__________________
Rev. Jeffrey 2017 Thor Axis 24.1 E450 Windjammer.
Silver Safe-T-Plus Steering Control
SSF-106-40 SumoSprings Solo Front Bump Stop SSR-107-47 SumoSprings Rear Bump Stop
Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar & 7180 Rear Sway Bar
Koni FSD Front Shocks 8805-1042 / Koni FSD Rear Shocks 8805-1043
revjeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 12:48 PM   #14
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
I also don’t think our industry will ever mirror the auto industry because the latter is a highly competitive multi-billion dollar global market while RVs always will be a tiny luxury market and will need to be price sensitive.
Because this market doesn't feel the need to compete on anything other than the basis of price: quality will not become a consideration, until the buyers start "voting their their pocketbooks.".

When the manufacturers are made to realize that "Quality Sells": that's when they'll change their tune!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 01:36 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Miramar Owner's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.4
State: Iowa
Posts: 794
THOR #4488
The major difference between the RV and auto industry is automation. I'm not sure if it is even possible in the RV world but even if it could be done the cost would be huge and would require many years to recover the investment. Right now the demand is high but if oil prices go back to $90 per barrel and $4.00 gas you would see the demand drop like a rock. Thus their reluctance to make that kind of investment.

As long as consumers take their RV's back for the smallest annoyance because it is "under warranty" and THEY should fix it, the repair shops are going to be overwhelmed. Sure they should be perfect but nothing ever is.

To many people are entering the RV world with too high of expectations. That over taxes the shops (yes, even CW) for those that do have an issue that the consumer can not address.

I don't call the repair man to fix a leaky faucet in my house or to tighten a loose screw on a door hinge. Why do I expect the dealer to "fix" my motorhome, just because it's under warranty.

This forum is best used by those that want to fix their minor issues themselves. Not just to complain about how bad EVERYTHING is.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.
__________________
Miramar Owner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 01:41 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Mustang46555's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum RS26
State: Indiana
Posts: 288
THOR #10823
Well said
__________________
Mustang46555 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 01:44 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
I have a close relative that bought a brand new boat primarily made for ocean fishing years ago. Not a cheap model. He has been fixing and tweaking this vessel since he bought it and even refused to take it back to the dealership for some repairs chiefly because of the less than stellar job that they were known for. Seems like this is not a new story with boat owners. It appears that there is a large number of RV owners that are of the same mindset.
__________________
axis earl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 02:05 PM   #18
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miramar Owner View Post
..As long as consumers take their RV's back for the smallest annoyance because it is "under warranty" and THEY should fix it, the repair shops are going to be overwhelmed. Sure they should be perfect but nothing ever is.

To many people are entering the RV world with too high of expectations. That over taxes the shops (yes, even CW) for those that do have an issue that the consumer can not address...
Perhaps we've been spoiled by the higher quality purchases that we make in other parts of our lives...
Short of an actual house: most RVs will be about the second most expensive thing that a family can buy. (Well: not counting the cost of a college education for the kids...)
For that kind of money: they should be a whole lot better than they currently are. The repair services offered by the dealerships need to improve even more! Thor didn't do a horrible job in building my rig: they just sort of did a haphazard job: that's all...
But Camping World's attempts (so far) to fix it: they've been abominable!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 10:02 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miramar Owner View Post
The major difference between the RV and auto industry is automation. I'm not sure if it is even possible in the RV world but even if it could be done the cost would be huge and would require many years to recover the investment. Right now the demand is high but if oil prices go back to $90 per barrel and $4.00 gas you would see the demand drop like a rock. Thus their reluctance to make that kind of investment.



As long as consumers take their RV's back for the smallest annoyance because it is "under warranty" and THEY should fix it, the repair shops are going to be overwhelmed. Sure they should be perfect but nothing ever is.



To many people are entering the RV world with too high of expectations. That over taxes the shops (yes, even CW) for those that do have an issue that the consumer can not address.



I don't call the repair man to fix a leaky faucet in my house or to tighten a loose screw on a door hinge. Why do I expect the dealer to "fix" my motorhome, just because it's under warranty.



This forum is best used by those that want to fix their minor issues themselves. Not just to complain about how bad EVERYTHING is.



Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.


Agree 100%! It would take a pretty significant failure to get me to take my machine back to a dealer. These are not rocket ships and most of the systems seem pretty straightforward to troubleshoot and repair. Also Thor has been very helpful with sending me parts. A side benefit of doing my own repairs is that I now have a pretty darn good understanding of how everything works. It’s not as intimidating as it once was.
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 10:57 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: outlaw 37ls
State: Europe
Posts: 230
THOR #6831
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmtech16450yz View Post
"Thor .... hires county jail inmates".

Lol.

and we elect crooks to run our government
__________________
captmetal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 09:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2