Pre-pandemic vs Post-pandemic build quality?

Which is better: pre-pandemic or post-pandemic build quality?

  • Pre-pandemic RV build quality is better

    Votes: 16 100.0%
  • Post-pandemic RV build quality is better

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    16

wordsmyth

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2022
Posts
193
Location
The outskirts of Roll Tide Central, Alabama!
Recently I heard someone say that pre-pandemic build quality on RV's in general was much better than on the new products on the current market.

We are contemplating a trade so my curiosity is piqued about the gentleman's observation. Unfortunately, and given the setting, I was unable to query him about why he said it.

So I'm here seeking insight from the brain trust. What say ye: were pre-pandemic units better built, are post pandemic units of the same quality, or what?
 
Generally speaking, yes. Given the supply chain shortages, suppliers going out of business, and the difficulty getting employees, the RV industry along with most others did suffer. Now, the situation will slowly come back, but it will take time. Now more than ever, a very thorough PDI is very important to identify any deficiencies, and get them addressed immediately, before signing for it and leaving the dealership. We are all hoping the manufacturers will step up their game, and put out a product that has been inspected better prior to leaving their factories.
 
Generally speaking, yes. Given the supply chain shortages, suppliers going out of business, and the difficulty getting employees, the RV industry along with most others did suffer. Now, the situation will slowly come back, but it will take time. Now more than ever, a very thorough PDI is very important to identify any deficiencies, and get them addressed immediately, before signing for it and leaving the dealership. We are all hoping the manufacturers will step up their game, and put out a product that has been inspected better prior to leaving their factories.
Thanks. I can see all of that coming into play.
 
Don't forget the rush of people that went out and bought campers, leading to a surge in building to make them quicker. Quality absolutely suffered as a result. I would not buy a used 2021-2023 model...
 
I have a 2021 Precept Prestige 36H, built spring 2021. I am happy with the build quality so far. I had a couple minor issues that I fixed myself because I felt they weren't big enough to worry about getting warranty repair done. One thing I noticed about pandemic built vehicles is the absence or substitution of options due to supply chain issues.
 
We purchased a pre owned 2022 Jayco Jayflight 174BH and it's been the worst purchase of our lives. Not only are we way upside down in negative equity, the build quality is so subpar that we are spending far more money in basic maintenance than anticipated. Camping World has been a horrible experience, and we are just fit to be tied. So far we've replaced both sets of leaf springs, as they have failed under normal load and driving conditions--we ended up upgrading them to heavier duty springs, water heater holding tank fittings we sloppily put together so it had been leaking, electrical outlets work some of the time, fit and finish is garbage. So we've rebuilt some of the walls, the roof membrane had to be resealed, the solar wiring was redone, and we have issues with the fresh water holding tank leaking. So we will likely replace that in the spring. So disappointed!
 
I bought my Entegra Accolade (Jayco Seneca) in Nov. 2020, right when it was received by the dealer. It was made literally in the first run after the COVID reopening. It was ordered early August 2020, delivered to the dealership in late November of '20.

I don't know if it was already PARTIALLY made before the shutdown, but the build quality was excellent. Anything that was deficient on it was of the type that I could easily fix it myself without the need for warranty service. Just little things.
 
We bought our 22 in May of this year. It was built in Aug of 22 so that's coming out of the pandemic. No issues yet and it has been out on 2 week long trips and every other weekend since purchased through the end of Oct. I think the build quality is very good and don't see any issues with it from being built when it was.
 
There are two things I won't buy that were built during the pandemic, and for me the end date runs through 2022. That's RVs built by everyone, and automobiles. I'll admit that "maybe" I paint with too broad of brush by including all of 2022. But since I'll be the one to pay the price/hardship for bad workmanship in a 2022, I have no reason or need to take on that risk.

Just my two-cents
Mike
 
My trailer (listed in my sig) was built in Jan/Feb 2020. I have not had any issues at all besides little minor, fix myself things. It is very well built!!

I have towed it over 40,000 miles since 2020....I just repacked the wheel bearings for the first time (I know, wayyy overdo). They all still had lots of grease and it was still red! One outer bearing looked a little iffy so I replaced it and of course all the seals. Now that's quality (and probably a little luck too).
 

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