Triple e is alive!

[Loefflerh]

I bought a Solera 2013 and had my fair share of issues, but less then I expected and far less then I had with my previous Jayco. And the best thing was customer service - no complaint whatsoever.
I just ordered a Forester 2401W 2 days go - proves that I am a satisfied customer!
Hans

[Total Loss]

I am seeing a more and more of them on the road in the southwest.
They look very well made.

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by papa-jim

My wife and I toured the Triple E plant a few weeks ago. We were really impressed. It is not an assembly line culture. Each motorhome was being methodically worked on by a team, much like working on it yourself at home. Everything was spotlessly clean. Everyone was happy at their work. I had to chuckle. Before entering a motorhome, we would knock and ask permission of those working inside it.

I was impressed with the atmosphere in the plant, the culture. I was impressed with the organization, the cleanliness, the pride in workmanship. The fit and finish of all the work is absolutely exceptional.

Jim

This sounds very much like the Big Three vs. Japan early on. The Japanese refused to accept mediocre and SPC became the holy grail for them. It forced the Big Three to change and adapt as many of us (myself included) bought Japanese cars and never looked back.

I'm thinking I may have found my next motorhome. I need to tour Triple E and FR both and see how they compare. I think I already know...

[bclemens]

That would be a fair assessment if the Japanese cars cost $130k and the US cars $80k.
Triple E/Leisure Travel only builds about 500 a year. They also run almost double the price.

I was at the Pomona show with a guy who was comparing Forester MBS and Leisure Travel. Forester was on sale for $89k unpainted. Leisure was $130k or $140. He pointed out a lot of nice features on the Leisure...but in the end could not find $40k worth of upgrades. Ended up buying the Lesiure. Normally, not even close to the same buyer.

[Total Loss]

Originally Posted by bclemens

That would be a fair assessment if the Japanese cars cost $130k and the US cars $80k.
Triple E/Leisure Travel only builds about 500 a year. They also run almost double the price.

I was at the Pomona show with a guy who was comparing Forester MBS and Leisure Travel. Forester was on sale for $89k unpainted. Leisure was $130k or $140. He pointed out a lot of nice features on the Leisure...but in the end could not find $40k worth of upgrades. Ended up buying the Lesiure. Normally, not even close to the same buyer.

First "R" I saw was at Pomona. (circa 2013?)
I was totally impressed. I would have pulled the trigger had I been ready at the time.
Show price was 75k- unpainted.
Couldn't even figure out how you can make it, sell it and profit anything at that price.
Then I saw my 2251- still can't figure out how you profit on those.

Luv mine for the 50k $$$.

I just saw a new Dodge Diesel dually Laramie for 70k sticker- and you can't live in it- at least not comfortably.

[bclemens]

Lol. They don't. They use the 2250 as a loss leader. Makes a nice trade I. When people want to move up in size.

[papa-jim]

Originally Posted by bclemens

That would be a fair assessment if the Japanese cars cost $130k and the US cars $80k.
Triple E/Leisure Travel only builds about 500 a year. They also run almost double the price.

I was at the Pomona show with a guy who was comparing Forester MBS and Leisure Travel. Forester was on sale for $89k unpainted. Leisure was $130k or $140. He pointed out a lot of nice features on the Leisure...but in the end could not find $40k worth of upgrades. Ended up buying the Lesiure. Normally, not even close to the same buyer.

Well, it's a little different here in Canada. Canadian dealers list the Forest River MBS for $120,000 to $140,000. Leisure Travel are being sold for $140,000 to $150,000.

Jim

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by papa-jim

Well, it's a little different here in Canada. Canadian dealers list the Forest River MBS for $120,000 to $140,000. Leisure Travel are being sold for $140,000 to $150,000.

Jim

Too bad they aren't a Class C - I would order one today and sell the MBS. I would gladly pay the extra for the quality.

Oh, never mind - I guess they do. Anyone interested in a low mileage Forester MBS?

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

I had to post this. These are built two blocks away from my school.
I see them everyday, and they are beautiful.
Built like a tank, and amazing quality.

http://youtu.be/dazD1sWkYxc


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

Went to Sarasota today to look at a Leisure Travel Unity (and Serenity). They are beautifully put together. Already planning a trip to Winkler, MB to see how they are made. Yes, they are more expensive and clearly in a different class than the FR product. Even the caulking looks like it was done with care (unlike the caulking on the MBS that looks like a 6 year old did it).

My spouse chastised me for not knowing about Leisure Travel and having purchased the FR MBS instead. Looking for a slightly used one, but probably will order one (10 month lead time) instead. Gives me time to sell the Forester.

[Kenny kustom]

If you go to winkler, stop by " triangle oasis" all you can eat, Mennonite buffet... Mmmmm.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

If you go to winkler, stop by " triangle oasis" all you can eat, Mennonite buffet... Mmmmm.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

If you are Waterloo Region stop by Conestoga the Black Forest Inn for the best food that Schmeks!! Including Pigstails!!

[HomeOnWheels]

Originally Posted by bclemens

That would be a fair assessment if the Japanese cars cost $130k and the US cars $80k.
Triple E/Leisure Travel only builds about 500 a year. They also run almost double the price.

I was at the Pomona show with a guy who was comparing Forester MBS and Leisure Travel. Forester was on sale for $89k unpainted. Leisure was $130k or $140. He pointed out a lot of nice features on the Leisure...but in the end could not find $40k worth of upgrades. Ended up buying the Lesiure. Normally, not even close to the same buyer.

Brian, does it have to cost twice as much to get the quality right? I love my W but the quality makes me nervous. For example, I've encountered tank valve issue three times in 15 months. The grey tank was leaking with the brand new unit, then the blank tank a few months later, then again the blank tank today. Something isn't done right

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels

Brian, does it have to cost twice as much to get the quality right? I love my W but the quality makes me nervous. For example, I've encountered tank valve issue three times in 15 months. The grey tank was leaking with the brand new unit, then the blank tank a few months later, then again the blank tank today. Something isn't done right

It certainly wouldn't cost double or even close to clean up after themselves, install screws into something that will hold, put the Curt controller in an appropriate place, run wires in a neat manner, stop the leaking front caps, etc. - but why should they? We end up fixing many of these problems ourselves and they are selling everything they make. Mr. Buffett is data-driven and until and unless he sees a drop in revenues and/or profits - nothing is going to change.

This is why I'm moving away from FR and towards a small company that really cares about quality AND their customers.

[bclemens]

It certainly helps. Even expensive parts can fail though.

The other issue is sheer numbers. When you only build 300-500 units a year, and 5% of those have issues (lower volume), you have 15-25 potential complaints.

When you build 6,000 unit and let's say an 8% issue rate due to higher volume, you now have 480 potential complaints. 3% higher issue rate, but 19 times the number of complaints.

That's obviously a fairly simplistic example and there is more that goes into it, but just sheer numbers means way more complaints. (now multiply that by a 5 year span).

We also rely very heavily on supplier components. Just like a house, but the home builder rarely takes the heat for the furnace that was installed (no pun intended). You complain on the furnace site. RV mfg, not so much. Not complaining...just the facts.

Could be installation but it could also just be a bad part. Combine a little of both and it can get ugly quick, with only the mfg to blame.

[Kenny kustom]

This wasn't meant to compare FR to triple e. Because you cannot.

I can't imagine a hole like this on a triple e. There is no excuse for some of the things we see on our units.




2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[bclemens]

Ouch. That isn't pretty. I'd agree with that. No excuse there.

[KatanaPilot]

Clearly no comparison from what I have seen so far.

Headed to Winkler on Friday and the Triangle Oasis for lunch!

[Rich.M]

I may take a beating on this string but I do agree with Brian, not all problems are from the coach builder. Many are from supplier parts that are the same for all coaches. Changing brands does not mean no problems. Here are a few experiences to support my point.
One morning a year ago I had a knock on our Solera's door. It was a Leisure travel MBS owner asking how I liked my Solera. He was very frustrated with a slide jamming problem and had already taken the coach back to the factory in Canada and looking for another brand.
Problems with my own coach were as follows: Heater board fail 5 months - Dometic issue, Jack antenna intermittently working- Forest river( found wire kinked under roof mount when bolted down) , Curt controller - curt problem, leaked at wire inserts, no problems after I sealed with silicone(sure,a different location would be better but it is supposed to be tolerant of spray) , Inner window seals contracting - Hehr issue,widows mounted to coach correctly by FR. Dometic Ac fail to start on Diesel gen- Dometic and FR, Needed optional hard start cap the Dometic dropped in new model and FR missed on electrical review. (Easy fix to add capacitor). Latches, drawer adjustments,latch breakage- wear and tear, no different than when I bought a new home. On review most of my problems were from supplier design/part fail, not assembly.

I don't think any brand will be totally free from issues, too many vendor parts are shared. If you like a particular style or trim on a coach then buy it but it will always have something that irks you the longer you live with it.

[Kenny kustom]

Every single issue on my sabre, has been workmanship quality.
Not appliances.
It's no wonder, the auto industry is moving to Mexico.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Rich.M

I may take a beating on this string but I do agree with Brian, not all problems are from the coach builder. Many are from supplier parts that are the same for all coaches. Changing brands does not mean no problems. Here are a few experiences to support my point.
One morning a year ago I had a knock on our Solera's door. It was a Leisure travel MBS owner asking how I liked my Solera. He was very frustrated with a slide jamming problem and had already taken the coach back to the factory in Canada and looking for another brand.
Problems with my own coach were as follows: Heater board fail 5 months - Dometic issue, Jack antenna intermittently working- Forest river( found wire kinked under roof mount when bolted down) , Curt controller - curt problem, leaked at wire inserts, no problems after I sealed with silicone(sure,a different location would be better but it is supposed to be tolerant of spray) , Inner window seals contracting - Hehr issue,widows mounted to coach correctly by FR. Dometic Ac fail to start on Diesel gen- Dometic and FR, Needed optional hard start cap the Dometic dropped in new model and FR missed on electrical review. (Easy fix to add capacitor). Latches, drawer adjustments,latch breakage- wear and tear, no different than when I bought a new home. On review most of my problems were from supplier design/part fail, not assembly.

I don't think any brand will be totally free from issues, too many vendor parts are shared. If you like a particular style or trim on a coach then buy it but it will always have something that irks you the longer you live with it.

While I generally agree with you, cheap components poorly installed will not last or be trouble free.

If you haven't already, drive down to Nokomis/Osprey and check out the Leisure Travel units down at RV World. You can tell from the outside that they are built with care and are a different breed. Once you get inside there is no comparison.