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The RV Factor
RVIA research shows that the quality of the RV is a top consumer concern with the recreational vehicle industry. In the following posts, I will focus on my concerns of safety, workmanship, and quality of Class A & Class C Motorhomes. I will support my posts with detailed photos.
THIS BLOG was born FROM A NEED TO RESOLVE A SAFETY ISSUE... When I purchased my coach, I had every confidence that I would be content with my purchase. Within weeks after buying my Class C motorhome, I realized I had made a serious error in judgment. Not only was this coach not built to a perceptual standard of quality, it had serious safety issues as well!
The coach leans 4" to the driver's side, even when unloaded. While towing my Chevrolet Tahoe (5700#) I felt the steering control was sloppy. After weighing, I found the coach was 1800 lbs. heavier on the driver's side, with NO cargo or fresh water added to the coach! Just filling my fresh water tank caused my left rear axle to become overloaded!
Because of a short wheelbase (213.5") and 30" of extended frame rails, even a small amount of cargo added can also seriously unload the front axle, causing a loss of steering!
The coach leans 4" to the driver's side, even when unloaded. While towing my Chevrolet Tahoe (5700#) I felt the steering control was sloppy. After weighing, I found the coach was 1800 lbs. heavier on the driver's side, with NO cargo or fresh water added to the coach! Just filling my fresh water tank caused my left rear axle to become overloaded!
Because of a short wheelbase (213.5") and 30" of extended frame rails, even a small amount of cargo added can also seriously unload the front axle, causing a loss of steering!
Other RV Websites
Tips on Buying an RV....
If you are shopping for a quality RV, doing your homework will reduce chances of buying a RV you will dislike. Locate a dealer that lives close to your home area. He knows he has to live with you and your coach, and he also has to live with your neighbors...and word travels quickly if there is a problem.
There will always be issues, and it is simply easier to deal with issues if you live near the dealer. Never take for granted that, just because your neighbor loves his RV, you will love the same RV. The RV industry does not play by the same rules set by our regulators for auto manufacturing. If you buy an automobile, federal law mandates those vehicles be manufactured to specifications. The first production vehicle must be identical to the 10,000th vehicle on the production line.
In contrast, an RV manufacturer can build their products to any specification with few federal restrictions. Take notice of what others are saying about their recreation vehicle. When it comes to quality, chances are you will find a pattern from one brand to another. Keep written notes on the brands you inspect. Log the likes/dislikes for each make & model. Take digital photos, log them with your notes; even setting up a blog of your own and publishing your findings will help the next consumer make an informed decision.
Once you find that perfect RV, make the commitment and move forward with your plans. You will never regret making the decision to buy a quality and safe RV, and, if you follow the above advice, you will have fewer problems.
There will always be issues, and it is simply easier to deal with issues if you live near the dealer. Never take for granted that, just because your neighbor loves his RV, you will love the same RV. The RV industry does not play by the same rules set by our regulators for auto manufacturing. If you buy an automobile, federal law mandates those vehicles be manufactured to specifications. The first production vehicle must be identical to the 10,000th vehicle on the production line.
In contrast, an RV manufacturer can build their products to any specification with few federal restrictions. Take notice of what others are saying about their recreation vehicle. When it comes to quality, chances are you will find a pattern from one brand to another. Keep written notes on the brands you inspect. Log the likes/dislikes for each make & model. Take digital photos, log them with your notes; even setting up a blog of your own and publishing your findings will help the next consumer make an informed decision.
Once you find that perfect RV, make the commitment and move forward with your plans. You will never regret making the decision to buy a quality and safe RV, and, if you follow the above advice, you will have fewer problems.