Quality Control?

kdot · 07-18-2019, 08:13 AM

We just bought a new E -Pro 19FBS. On the first camping trip, the trim strip on the front of the stove fell off and the bathroom switch plate was found on the floor. Also, the cap broke off the storage pipe for the waste tank drain hose. On the second trip, I discovered that the toilet would not hold water due to a crack all the way through the valve that seals the bottom of the bowl. Coincidentally, this also caused the exhaust fan to draw air directly from the black tank and stink up the bathroom. And, I learned that to raise and lower the shades, you have to grasp the shade fabric, not the plastic grip across the bottom of the shade. If you pull the shade down by the grip, which seems logical, the entire gripping strip comes off the shade. Fortunately, the dealer repaired the problems. I hope this is the end of them, but I'm not holding my breath!

upflying · 07-18-2019, 08:30 AM

This stuff is pretty common with new FR products.
Glad your dealer took care of you, owning an RV comes with the expectation you are handy with repairs after the warranty runs out.

5picker · 07-18-2019, 08:39 AM

You will likely find several more things as time goes along. It comes with owning a R/V and just the way the R/V industry is.

Could it be better?... sure but sadly... it isn't.

As mentioned, you either have to be somewhat handy or have a good dealer/mobile tech to support your issues.

kdot · 07-18-2019, 08:39 AM

Yes, I know the stuff is common, although having to replace an entire toilet seems over the top to me.

5picker · 07-18-2019, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdot

Yes, I know the stuff is common, although having to replace an entire toilet seems over the top to me.

Well anything can/does break or has issues.

You are only ruffling your own feathers if you believe things don't/shouldn't have issues.

kdot · 07-18-2019, 08:53 AM

Well, they are my feathers to ruffle if I choose to.

DFW Rusty · 07-18-2019, 08:55 AM

We have all been there. I spent the first year bad mouthing our last camper, but soon came to terms with the fact that campers are not made to the same standards as a car, house or even a motorhome. Everything has to be as light as possible and typically cheap as possible to keep weight and prices down.

Once I came to terms with that I seemed to not worry as much.

Although, I still think my last camper was made on a Friday close to quitting time or a Monday morning! lol

5picker · 07-18-2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdot

Well, they are my feathers to ruffle if I choose to.

They are for sure!

But you mentioned about not holding your breath... good idea, you'd pass out.

Danieloneil01 · 07-19-2019, 04:20 PM

Sadly it's all about the bottom dollar and quality takes the backseat. It's not just this industry but all. I had a few things that I fixed myself rather than drive 3 hrs one way so the dealer could fix it. These are things that should be noticed during pre-delivery.

Oaklevel · 07-19-2019, 05:17 PM

Typical of any brand RV.... just remember that components like toilets etc. are not made by FR and are used in any make RV.

Top of the line and heavier components would make your RV cost well over 100K and take a tractor trailer to pull.

The parts are cheap and light so we can tow the trailer and afford them.

Bouncing a trailer down the road takes a toll as well.

BandJCarm · 07-19-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Typical of any brand RV.... just remember that components like toilets etc. are not made by FR and are used in any make RV.

Top of the line and heavier components would make your RV cost well over 100K and take a tractor trailer to pull.

The parts are cheap and light so we can tow the trailer and afford them.

Bouncing a trailer down the road takes a toll as well.

^^^^^This should be a sticky.

I've had 10,000 problems. But I'm glad I have what I have, and can't wait to get it back on the road.

ClaudeP · 07-21-2019, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Bouncing a trailer down the road takes a toll as well.

+1

I live in Québec and given the state of our roads, it's a wonder that anything stays in place at the end of any trip. We were lucky and the only trouble we've had with out new TT was a drawer that needed be fixed.

As an HR professional, I also suspect the high seasonality of the industry is part of the overall QC issue. It must be virtually impossibile to run the shops without a small army of temporary, untrained workers in the Spring. I'd be curious to know what percentage of their annual volume manufacturers have to produce between April and July

Claude

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