Cheap cut corners

[Oregonjaf]

So, I found some surprises in my 2017 Quantum as I had a chance to really go over the rig. Here is a list, so far, of what I have found to be very cheaply manufactured and corners that Thor has cut:

1) Interior cupboards - Especially under the sink. The frames are made out of a light and cheap, I call it "balsa" wood and held up with industrial staples.

2) "Mushy" floor. (See separate post)

3) Sofa/Chair foam - This stuff has severely degraded after a few years. I had to replace nearly all the cushion foam.

4) Small molding - The smaller molding, again tacked up with staples and failing in several places. I don't have a problem with the heavier molding.

This is what I have found so far. Can anyone add to the list?

[Oneilkeys]

I can live with the cheap moldings and foam, it is the poor quality batteries, converter/charger and TVs in my Axis that I dislike the most.

[Bob Denman]

Thor is trying to deliver a product at the cheapest price (and cost!) possible.
The question has to be asked: How much more would you pay; for better quality in the materials and the construction?

[Oregonjaf]

Yup. It's all a hustle. Come to think about it, Everything is a hustle. That's what humans do, hustle and get hustled.

I can live with the cheap things on this RV. I plan on replacing in depth. Shoring the quality up. Slowly, one thing at a time. I think all brands have their cut corners.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Thor is trying to deliver a product at the cheapest price (and cost!) possible.
The question has to be asked: How much more would you pay; for better quality in the materials and the construction?

I agree and understand the quality and quality control issues vs price and I have been generally pleased with the trade off. From my perspective, I will gladly pay for quality devices (AC, fridge, stove, electrical and water, sewer system, etc). These are things that are expensive and difficult to replace and you probably will “live with them” rather than replace them. Things that I can relatively easily and cheaply replace like moldings, lights, carpets, I can live with and upgrade as I go along. In my current Axis, I have the 13.5K AC rather than the 15K. I knew it when I bought it and I save $5K. To replace it is only about $1K, but I probably will never do it unless the 13.5K breaks.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Oregonjaf

I can live with the cheap things on this RV. I plan on replacing in depth. Shoring the quality up. Slowly, one thing at a time. I think all brands have their cut corners.

I agree 100%
We just keep finding things that we can improve; and we roll up our shirtsleeves!

[Sweetbriar]

Complaining about low cost construction practices on a forum focused on the market leader in the production of low cost entry level RVs is preaching to the choir. Owning a two year old rig you haven't even started finding items and construction practices that are designed to get past the warranty period and not much more. Have the roof seals started leaking yet? No? Maybe you should get on the roof and check.

You want heavy, long lasting, high cost construction then get a million dollar 45' custom made Featherlite rig. They will be more than happy to build a rig to your requirements.

Featherlite Coaches | Luxury Prevost Conversions & Motorhomes

[Long & Winding road]

I agree with Oneilkeys (yet again - lol). Plus keep in mind they are tring to keep the RV relatively light weight.

So lots of 1 x 1 wood are are used along with thin decrative wood and plastic.

But it burns me up with I open up a new hidden compartment or look under something for the first time and the they used like 5 staples to hold something together and 4 of them missed. Same thing with the screws.

[Chuck and Mary Ann]

Amen to all of this thread -"quality is job NONE!"

[Oregonjaf]

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

Complaining about low cost construction practices on a forum focused on the market leader in the production of low cost entry level RVs is preaching to the choir. Owning a two year old rig you haven't even started finding items and construction practices that are designed to get past the warranty period and not much more. Have the roof seals started leaking yet? No? Maybe you should get on the roof and check.

You want heavy, long lasting, high cost construction then get a million dollar 45' custom made Featherlite rig. They will be more than happy to build a rig to your requirements.

Featherlite Coaches | Luxury Prevost Conversions & Motorhomes

Your assumption that I'm complaining is incorrect. Quite the opposite! I like a challenge.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by Oregonjaf

Your assumption that I'm complaining is incorrect. Quite the opposite! I like a challenge.

Me too.

[Jahood]

To purchase A Freedom Elite 30fe cheaper than a Yukon Denali XL .You have to know the best materials aren't used.
For the money I think it a great deal

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Oregonjaf

Your assumption that I'm complaining is incorrect. Quite the opposite! I like a challenge.

That's the best way to handle these sort of challenges...

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Jahood

To purchase A Freedom Elite 30fe cheaper than a Yukon Denali XL .You have to know the best materials aren't used.
For the money I think it a great deal

Yup. For sure. Everyone would like to see “better quality” but Thor makes entry and mid level products and when you can buy a new RV for less than the price of a nice pickup truck you have to know there will be a few trade offs. It needs to be a consideration in your decision to purchase. On the other hand, especially on a class C, you’re getting an awful lot of Ford engineering and quality. Nearly as much as a whole pickup with the house thrown in for free!

[Chuck and Mary Ann]

As a class A purchasing customer where the units MSRP star at $235k, im not sure I agree with the quality being commensurate with the price paid. Quality should be a given in every product, it's too bad that we don't get the value for our dollars. Woukd bd great to have some owners evaluate some units as they come off the line.

[Pete'sMH]

I heard THAT! It’s hard to accept flaws in an expensive purchase. But just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s high end. If you’re looking at Thor’s $175,000 products you might go take a peek at Tiffin or Newmar’s comparable floor plans. They might go for $50,000 more and you may or may not be able to see why. I’m not dissing the Thor - in fact I like mid range products as a rule - I’m just pointing out he difference.

[Bob Denman]

I won't be disagreeing with you...

[Long & Winding road]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I heard THAT! It’s hard to accept flaws in an expensive purchase. But just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s high end. If you’re looking at Thor’s $175,000 products you might go take a peek at Tiffin or Newmar’s comparable floor plans. They might go for $50,000 more and you may or may not be able to see why. I’m not dissing the Thor - in fact I like mid range products as a rule - I’m just pointing out he difference.

Yeah I have thought about doing the same thing. If and when Im ready for my next RV I would look at something larger for retirement.

Really the Tiffins and Newmar's (Gas engine) coaches are only like $20 - 30K more (and thats before you try to negociate them down). So I would look at all 3 of these brands and find the best bang/quality for the buck. Perhaps find this years model after next years are already hitting the dealers to get the best bang on a new coach (of any brand).

[Bob Denman]

Regardless of the Coach you have: this is the best forum!

[Long & Winding road]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Regardless of the Coach you have: this is the best forum!

As Good Old Bob would say.... "Ill drink to that" .