What A Shock At The Thor Dealer Yesterday!!

[79cvx20]

Just like new except a lot better 2020 Axis 25.6

You can forget about dealer because if you don't have a half a million dollar motorhome they aren't going to look at it. You have to get an extended warranty and use independent repair shops. Mine has already been fixed at the factory in July 2022.
I have a 2020 Axis 25.6 with 2 years left on extended warranty
There are many more photos at the end.
$85,000 including Extended warranty EAGLE GUARDIAN Protection (GNM-1) 60 months / 60,000 miles $100.00 Deductible
“Our Happy Place” 2020 Axis 25.6 foot motorhome has a large full slide.
Ford V10 engine with 6 speed automatic transmission.

My additions:
Extended warranty $3,000 included and paid cash for EAGLE GUARDIAN Protection (GNM-1) 60 months / 60,000 miles $100.00 Deductible
At least 3 years left.

I installed a Quad display that shows all cameras at once. RVS Systems RVS-6139Q 9 Inch TFT LCD Digital Quad view Color Monitor

I replaced the underpowered 100 reserve capacity factory batteries with two new 182 Reserve Capacity (RC)@25 Amps deep cycle house batteries September 16, 2021 Interstate 27M $144.95 each MSRP (USD)
Group Size 27MS
800 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
Samsung - 40" Class 5 Series LED Full HD Smart Tizen TV https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...ull-hd-smart-tizen-tv/6360291.p?skuId=6360291 in the dining room and Roku's for the other two TVs. They all connect to the internet with Wi-Fi or your 4G Hotspot service. The factory TV's did not.
6 extra USB Outlets on the dash.
manual scissor jacks with rubber pads mounted to the frame rails
LevelMatePRO+ Wireless Vehicle Leveling System - Quick and Easy Smartphone and Apple Watch RV Leveling Tool - Powered by LogicBlue Technology https://www.amazon.com/LogicBlue-Te...a-912266093455&ref=&adgrpid=102724737018&th=1
Hughes Power WatchDog surge protector w/Bluetooth w/auto shut off
https://www.campingworld.com/30-amp...t0EYJwovj27ySPZGFDcaAh8_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Tekonsha 90885C Prodigy P2 Universal Super Intelligent High Powered Electronic Trailer Brake Control System https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-Towing-Brake-Control-Prodigy/dp/B07DPVBFZ3

three sets of Camco leveling blocks.
4 wheel chocks
I added front end stability options and custom alignment that did not come with it. Makes driving it a dream. New ones are not properly aligned for RV use.
Safe-T-Plus RV Steering Stabilizer 31-140 Silver (RV Steering Stabilizer, RV Steering Control, RV Safety, Truck Steering Stabilizer) + mounting kit https://www.amazon.com/Safe-T-Plus-Stee
ring-Stabilizer-31-140-Control/dp/B003VBIJ80
Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar https://www.suspensionconnection.co...P8mUyIt9sW6Urpu7AbKAT-PnX791nsLxoCMwcQAvD_BwE
Alignment with 5 degrees positive caster
Sewer Macerator with 30’ hose. https://www.ebay.com/itm/152541108022
Other Key Features on mine:

7 in. Touchscreen Dash Radio with Bluetooth®, Android Auto®, Apple CarPlay™ and Sirius/XM® Radio ready, IGO Primo GPS
Bedroom 12V Outlet for CPAP Machine
Bedroom USB Power Charging Center for Electronics
Black Frameless Windows
Comfort Flex Euro Style Bed Support Flip-Up Queen Size Bed with Reversible Mattress and Cushioned Seating Underneath
Double Door Refrigerator
Electric Stabilizing System
Changed original 39” dumb tv to 40 inch Samsung Smart TV in dining room and 1 outdoor 32” TV with Roku and bedroom 32”TV with Roku.They all connect to the internet with Wi-Fi or your 4G Hotspot service in the Winegard
Euro-Style Cabinet Doors with Soft Close Hidden Hinges and Nickel Finish Hardware
Heated/Remote Exterior Mirrors with Integrated Side View Cameras
Onan® RV QG 4000 Gas Generator with auto generator start when batteries get low or when air conditioning is needed while pets are left in the RV unattended
Power Drop Down Hide-Away Overhead Bunk with Cotton Cloud™ Mattress and Bunk Ladder
Power Patio Awning with Integrated LED Lighting
Power Privacy Shade on Windshield. Added bubble wrap window coverings.
RapidCamp+™ Multiplex Lighting and Systems Control can be used with WIFI or Bluetooth.Your generator can be started remotely and many other controls can be used anywhere you have Wi-Fi.
15,000 BTU Roof Air Conditioner
Two Burner Gas Cooktop, Glass Cover with Electric Start
Winegard® ConnecT 2.0 WiFi booster/4G booster/ local channels TV Antenna with booster. Verizon 4G connection works great which costs $17 a month if you want it.
The car dolly is also for sale separately with surge brakes and 2 spares and tie downs and 5000 lbs. capacity. It stores in a 2’x9’ space. $1600. By the time you get a usable one delivered it would be approximately $2500 with one spare.
Many More photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rGxFiPhNo8S7UHWv7

We thought we wanted a Class C until we found out that you had to get out of the RV and pull the seats towards you and turn them around and then push them back in. Also, we would have to get out to get in the back of the RV to go to the bathroom or anything else.The storage was extremely limited compared to this RV.

 

[cgeace29.3]

After reading all these issues with american made motorhomes boy does it sound like the american automotive industry in the 1980's when they were producing junk cars and trucks.
What happened? Folks stopped buying american produced cars and trucks and switched to high quality japenese, toyota and honda cars and trucks.
I can envision the same thing happening to american RV industry, where are the toyota RV's?

 

[EA37TS]

After reading all these issues with american made motorhomes boy does it sound like the american automotive industry in the 1980's when they were producing junk cars and trucks.
What happened? Folks stopped buying american produced cars and trucks and switched to high quality japenese, toyota and honda cars and trucks.
I can envision the same thing happening to american RV industry, where are the toyota RV's?

In your dreams.

 

[16ACE27]

After reading all these issues with american made motorhomes boy does it sound like the american automotive industry in the 1980's when they were producing junk cars and trucks.
What happened? Folks stopped buying american produced cars and trucks and switched to high quality japenese, toyota and honda cars and trucks.
I can envision the same thing happening to american RV industry, where are the toyota RV's?

That's been a point of discussion in RV forums for at least one decade, if not two. How many foreign made RVs are at the RV supershow in Tampa this week?

 

[dkoldman]

I always felt that if you could convince me or give me enough compelling reason to buy any extended warranty, I will not buy the product.

I will never forget the guy at Wal Mart that had just paid $29 for a toaster and the checkout lady asked if he wanted the extended warranty; and he paid like $30 more never blinked

If their is travesty, it the poor souls that buy these RVs without much diligence because they assume the RV is new or in perfect condition. Other poor souls knowing accept the issues under belief that Dealer or TMC will resolve.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

After reading all these issues with american made motorhomes boy does it sound like the american automotive industry in the 1980's when they were producing junk cars and trucks.
What happened? Folks stopped buying american produced cars and trucks and switched to high quality japenese, toyota and honda cars and trucks.
I can envision the same thing happening to american RV industry, where are the toyota RV's?

Truthfully most everything except the structure is foreign imports. And who really knows where Ford sources parts. That's pretty much what the Auto industry has become. Funny how Honda became a domestic manufacturer... It's old news that Ford probably has more foreign sourced parts than Honda or Toyota!

It USED to be the better quality product at a FAIR price (Honda) would garner market share... quality was KING, and won in the competition game. That has evolved into a "leveraged buyout" mentality - absorb your competition. The focus moved AWAY from "continuous quality improvement"... just buy your competition/suppliers to reduce competition.

It will be interesting in the next few years how this shift from a quality focus to a purely financial "focus on investor return" at all costs shakes out. Price and interest rate hikes have really cooled the market... so it may be sooner than later.

 

[The Gritz Carlton]

The body on RV is not a vehicle. It's mounted on one. The body of the RV is the issue here...not the chassis. Thank God our chassis can drag all the other crap home when it fails.

 

[mstng]

After hearing these stories, glad we have a pre-covid Thor. Seems to be a big difference in quality control since my 2020 was built (in 2019).

Now thats really sad having owned a 2018 Axis. Not as described as above in the OP post but deficient in many respects. I could tell you some stories. QC was already poor in 2017 when they stopped the drug testing just to get employees.

 

[mstng]

I'm surprised someone hasn't devised a way to build modular kits in China and ship them back to the U.S. duty free. It's the American way...

Probably better quality. When I see "made in america" I know to stay away. My 4runner VIN begins with the letter J for that reason. My former Tundra didn't and it performed as expected.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Now thats really sad having owned a 2018 Axis. Not as described as above in the OP post but deficient in many respects. I could tell you some stories. QC was already poor in 2017 when they stopped the drug testing just to get employees.

What's next? "Stealing" high school kids from McDonald's?

 

[mstng]

After reading all these issues with american made motorhomes boy does it sound like the american automotive industry in the 1980's when they were producing junk cars and trucks.
What happened? Folks stopped buying american produced cars and trucks and switched to high quality japenese, toyota and honda cars and trucks.
I can envision the same thing happening to american RV industry, where are the toyota RV's?

I would be all over that if they did.

 

[mstng]

I always felt that if you could convince me or give me enough compelling reason to buy any extended warranty, I will not buy the product.

I will never forget the guy at Wal Mart that had just paid $29 for a toaster and the checkout lady asked if he wanted the extended warranty; and he paid like $30 more never blinked

If their is travesty, it the poor souls that buy these RVs without much diligence because they assume the RV is new or in perfect condition. Other poor souls knowing accept the issues under belief that Dealer or TMC will resolve.

Your last paragraph is golden and something every new RV buyer should understand. Better be handy if you own an RV. You truly are on your own when you leave the lot regardless of warranty or extended warranty unless you have unlimted time.

 

[mstng]

What's next? "Stealing" high school kids from McDonald's?

Now thats funny. There is no need though because uninformed people keep buying them as if they are getting a factory car or truck and believe warranty work will take care of it. It will, eventually, but you're liable to be long gone by then.
My 2018 Axis had all the eye candy, outside TV, drop down bed, huge front window etc. Wife was insistent and having owned 4 prior RV's I figured it can't be that bad. What a surprise to find out thh chassis A/C wasn't hooked up from the factory on a drive from Ocala to north Florida in July, coupled with a completely uninsulated dog house. It must have been 130 in the coach. Then ran the generator (which worked great) to run the coach A/C and outflow temp when I measured of no less than 79 degrees. Perhaps high school kids would be better. The ones I know would.

 

[lwmcguire]

I bought my first RV in 1964 and about 10 after that going up in cost each time, larger, better equipped

The last three were Yellowstone 5th wheel with all the options, Landmark 5th wheel that included most options although i got 8k axles and 17.5 tires plus 2 ac, and then the Tuscany which is likely the last

Every RV had issues but not like the horror stories you hear now, although some had major issues

You can spend a million dollars and up most likely getting better QC

The industry suffers now right along with all employers trying to hire competent employees

I don't see anything that is going to change quickly

As it was over 60 years ago, they all will need something fixed, some more than others

 

[bry899]

Jayco is Thor!

Jayco is owned by Thor, so what makes a Jayco build different than other Thor subsidiaries?

We actually made a deal with RV One in Jacksonville for a "no-slide" JAYCO Melbourne Prestige 24NP with the diesel generator option. Huge rear lounge area and seems to be built pretty solid. Lots of features will make setup and breakdown so much easier. We can also use it more as a day cruiser around home and while on the road from campgrounds. Best of all...as we head out west in a couple months...my calculations show I will gain 110+ more miles per day on the same daily amount of fuel we normally use in the Chateau. As we unload ours now, I was amazed at how much stuff we had packed into it...and never used...and we thought we were packing light already. My experience with RV One has been excellent. It's nice to be treated and respected as a customer. Their reviews are very good as well. They do have a service priority system for their own customers that will eliminate having to wait for service and they have a lot of locations around the country. Heading over Sunday night for a Monday delivery. It's buying season!! This will be a huge adjustment for us where size and space is concerned but we've been talking this out for quite some time and we are ready. Excited about the Mercedes chassis. They build them on the "premium" chassis package with all the features we have in the Cadillac. And...I can stand straight up from the drivers seat and not have to crawl back.

 

[EA37TS]

Jayco is owned by Thor, so what makes a Jayco build different than other Thor subsidiaries?

Although Jayco is part of Thor Industries, Jayco is not managed by Thor Motor Coach (TMC). The major problems are, and have always been, with TMC built rigs.

Although Jayco has some issues they’re nothing like TMC’s.

 

[The Gritz Carlton]

Jayco is owned by Thor, so what makes a Jayco build different than other Thor subsidiaries?

Jayco still operates on their own, by their original processes. I'm sure, once Thor sends in their efficiency experts, they will show Jayco how to build the same thing at half the price in half the time with half the fasteners.

 

[dkoldman]

Fasteners are overrated. Elmer's glue is readily available, and most all of the workers have had some experience with Elmer's. Maybe no more protruding staplers, window inserts falling, or even Wingard / roofs ripping up in the wind. From what I read anyway.

 

[EA37TS]

Jayco still operates on their own, by their original processes. I'm sure, once Thor sends in their efficiency experts, they will show Jayco how to build the same thing at half the price in half the time with half the fasteners.

In your opinion.

Jayco has been a part of Thor for a number of years with out the influence of TMC. What’s make you think, repeat think, that will change.

 

[16ACE27]

Jayco still operates on their own, by their original processes. I'm sure, once Thor sends in their efficiency experts, they will show Jayco how to build the same thing at half the price in half the time with half the fasteners.

Half the fasteners? Does that mean they won't come with their current supply of spare fasteners left in out of the way places for you to find when trying to fix the QA/QC problems?