Dang head hurts by banging it against the wall.

[Jayhawk 29]

There is little that I cannot figure out how to trouble shoot and patch up if need be with a bucket of tools and duct tape. But the lack of quality of rvs coming out of the factory are so frustrating . You hear the manufacturers say they have in house quality control folks and areas thats specifically dedicated for in house shakedown of the units .

.But if so the bean counters that's conscience of overhead expenditures are overlooking that area of the operating costs for the return of fewer needed claims .

If I was to take this camper into some dealership to correct the mess that I have found, I would not get a days worth of use for probably six months , knowing how long it takes to get approval from manufacturers. Rant over

[TaftCoach]

I wonder if the majority of owners just roll with it.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk 29

There is little that I cannot figure out how to trouble shoot and patch up if need be with a bucket of tools and duct tape. But the lack of quality of rvs coming out of the factory are so frustrating . You hear the manufacturers say they have in house quality control folks and areas thats specifically dedicated for in house shakedown of the units .

.But if so the bean counters that's conscience of overhead expenditures are overlooking that area of the operating costs for the return of fewer needed claims .

If I was to take this camper into some dealership to correct the mess that I have found, I would not get a days worth of use for probably six months , knowing how long it takes to get approval from manufacturers. Rant over

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I wonder if the majority of owners just roll with it.

You are totally correct and yes most of us roll with it. If you want to see quality control watch a Brinkley factory video and you will be impressed. If that's not enough, at the very end the campers go literally in a shakedown machine that looks for anything loose or incorrectly installed. Most other manufacturers should be embarrassed seeing their super modern/clean facilities compared the mess their factory floors are.

[OnTheGo]

Your rant might be over, but the quality issue is real. Lowering your expectations will not improve the quality but it will keep you from banging your head. Once again, these are built to satisfy shareholders, not consumers.

I think you and I (and others) are part of the problem. We can fix things and we do, but we shouldn't have to. Other than routine maintenance, we should be out enjoying the product.

When we trade, we get another inferior product for an inflated price knowing what we are doing. That's consumerism with our fingers crossed. The only solutions I can think of are buying used, or converting a utility trailer.

What I would like to see is less sophistacation in a sturdier build. My bottom line idea would be lets make it simpler, but it works and lasts a few years. I know I would be laughed right out of the next marketing meeting.

[Jayhawk 29]

There is a difference of acceptance and reality. We are dealing with reality . If a person wants to upgrade their rv since their lifestyle and uses changes, well you have but one choice in the standard rv production industry .
The bulk of the industry produces the same stuff, built with the same standards and equipment But there is no excuse for simple doors falling off their hinges,, and black tank lines discharging into the under belly.. This unit has not been anywhere off the beaten path in two months

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I wonder if the majority of owners just roll with it.

They do. That's why there is no reason for the builders to do better. That's why quality control is a talking piece and a marking point only. That's why an inferior build is the norm.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk 29

There is a difference of acceptance and reality. We are dealing with reality . If a person wants to upgrade their rv since their lifestyle and uses changes, well you have but one choice in the standard rv production industry .
The bulk of the industry produces the same stuff, built with the same standards and equipment But there is no excuse for simple doors falling off their hinges,, and black tank lines discharging into the under belly.. This unit has not been anywhere off the beaten path in two months

There's a new low. Sewage in the underbelly is a serious health concern.

... more later, no time this morning.

[Skyline]

Since I took possession of my new Fifth Wheel I also have a new “hobby” repairing it. There are videos on how to fix anything on YouTube and you can get anything you need on Amazon.

[wducat]

I had a spreadsheet with over 80 items that I was in contact with Jayco about on our Seneca. There was a six month period where my rig never left the shop except when I took it out for weekends. I was paying for a covered spot that entire time. It took 2 to 3 years to get through the list, but now the rig is performing very well, and we moved into it full-time four years ago. It’s a 2016 model. When I was going through this, I actually wrote a letter to the president of Jayco offering to be their quality control person. I never heard back��

[GutzNGlory]

Of course this strikes a cord in so many people these days. We ordered a 2023 Pinnacle. Went to pick it up in May 2023. It was so shiny and beautiful. Hitched her up and realized that she had no brakes when I did the tug test! They forgot to put brake fluid in the reservoir! Not sure how it slipped by the factory - and the transport company.



After the dealer fixed that, we took her out for the shakedown trip. Camped about 6 hours from home. Everything was fine. Got home and noticed a small red puddle beneath the right side. Yes, it was hydraulic fluid leaking from the landing gear. Dealer fixed it, Got it home and the hydraulic fluid was pouring out from the underbelly. Took it back and they fixed it again...I could go on but I'll stop there.


Unfortunately, the only thing that's going to improve the quality in this industry is either competition or law suites. Both will hit the bottom line of the companies and their share holders. I would hope that Brinkley or someone would demonstrate higher quality and cut into the market share enough to force the others to compete - on the quality level - to keep their market share.


Law suites are unlikely unless there are severe damages to many people. The other thing that could have some impact would be regulations. I would hate to see that personally and I doubt it would be effective at significantly improving quality.

[LVJJJ]

Guess I've been lucky, had a few new ones since 1988, never had much problem with any of them. Only buying used ones now, even buy 'em with known problems as I love to fix them. Just bought my first Jayco, a 2011 Skylark, very odd TT but very cool, "V" front, 21' single axle weighs all of 3100 lbs. Tows like a charm. No problems other than burned out bulbs and other tiki tacky.

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by jetlag

You are totally correct and yes most of us roll with it. If you want to see quality control watch a Brinkley factory video and you will be impressed. If that's not enough, at the very end the campers go literally in a shakedown machine that looks for anything loose or incorrectly installed. Most other manufacturers should be embarrassed seeing their super modern/clean facilities compared the mess their factory floors are.

Brinkley may have started out making models too big or luxurious for me or many others, to be a customer, but these days we can see where they are heading; smaller, less expensive 5th wheels and now a more budget friendly travel trailer.

The other guys better step up. I know if/when I buy another camper, a Brinkley travel trailer, on the lower end of the budget WILL be my first choice, with an Alliance being a consideration as well. This one is Brinkley's first run at lower prices, smaller travel trailer and it looks really great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqwVzTfw0gE&t=1s

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Brinkley may have started out making models too big or luxurious for me or many others, to be a customer, but these days we can see where they are heading; smaller, less expensive 5th wheels and now a more budget friendly travel trailer.

The other guys better step up. I know if/when I buy another camper, a Brinkley travel trailer, on the lower end of the budget WILL be my first choice, with an Alliance being a consideration as well. This one is Brinkley's first run at lower prices, smaller travel trailer and it looks really great.

X2

[Learjet]

really didn't some cool things with this trailer!

[AZDIESELPIG]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Brinkley may have started out making models too big or luxurious for me or many others, to be a customer, but these days we can see where they are heading; smaller, less expensive 5th wheels and now a more budget friendly travel trailer.

The other guys better step up. I know if/when I buy another camper, a Brinkley travel trailer, on the lower end of the budget WILL be my first choice, with an Alliance being a consideration as well. This one is Brinkley's first run at lower prices, smaller travel trailer and it looks really great.

Even Brinkley has their issues. I looked at some 2025s, although nice I could really tell they have used trim that is not as nearly as nice as the trim in our Pinnacle.