Rving oxymorons, or just plain silly things that seem to be.

[Radio]

Here are a few counter intuitive rules, or laws, that seem to be in effect when it comes to RVs.

1. RVs are made almost entirely of stuff that will degrade if left outside for any length of time. Your car isn't. But your camper is. Go figure. All these years those vent covers are STILL made of stuff that will dry rot in hot sun in 2years or less. And let's not even talk about decals or lap sealant...

2. RVs are designed by people who have never spent a week in one. This explains why the cabinet that has the water filter canister is screwed shut and the LED in the light switches keeps you awake at night. And why there is a grey tank outlet under your slide out room. And so on.

3. Cars and trucks come with manuals. RVs do not. Sure, you usually get one for the furnace, the fridge, the AC, etc. But you are NOT going to get a manual for the complete unit that might suggest best practice for use and maintenance of the camper. Imagine your car coming with only a manual for the transmission and the alternator.

4. The final assembly point for any RV is the owners backyard. The first thing I had to do to mine was plug up all the drafty leaks and holes so that the AC (or the furnace) could actually handle the load without running all the time. A whole can of Great Stuff. And some foam board. Duct tape. You know...

5. If you don't like to tinker and have no basic knowledge of how to use simple tools, do not get an RV. See above rules.

And there are many more...Feel free to add your own.

[BigJohnD]

Could not agree more. I second the comments and can think of a few more. I can thank the RV industry for all of the training we have received over the years. The more they screw up, the more I learn and fix / make better. We can't bullet proof one, but we dang sure try to.

[BigJohnD]

Reminds me of the industry I work in. Spend 1 billion on a floating drilling rig or ship, spend first 2 years minimum fixing it to where it works right (people who build don't use them), and the manuals are all but 100% correct. Go figure.

[PopBeavers]

Consider the opposite. My son is a mechanical engineer. He has to get it right the first time. Once completed and activated it can not be repaired.

He designs satellites. The nearest service station for a DirectTV satellite is 22,300 miles away.

Don't you wish your RV was designed and manufactured with such care and precision? But, you would not like the price tag!

[CarolinaGirl]

Pretty funny!

[305RESGUY]

Well said! Best post of the month.

[glfillion]

Yeah, but they could still use off the shelf items in their construction, not special RV designs. I was truly amazed when I had to remove an inoperative outlet due to the table support putting pressure on the six outlet adaptor. When I removed it and saw that they use push connections instead of screws to connect the hot and neutral wires, I was flabbergasted! This design is not even UL approved!

[DDC]

Quality and Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer in the same sentence would be an oxymoron.

[schrederman]

"Higher quality" = more expensive brand names... only... That term does NOT indicate you're getting higher quality parts... or more attention to detail when assembling is taking place. I want to camp... not tinker and fix. Unfortunately, the two go hand-in-hand. Fortunately, I retire in a bit over 16 months... and I am handy. Looking more and more like I'm going to be a Winnebago Ultra Light trailer mechanic/owner... or same for Grand Design Reflection... Jayco Eagle... Evergreen Element...Gulf Breeze Champagne Series... or... just shoot me...

[PopBeavers]

Originally Posted by glfillion

Yeah, but they could still use off the shelf items in their construction, not special RV designs. I was truly amazed when I had to remove an inoperative outlet due to the table support putting pressure on the six outlet adaptor. When I removed it and saw that they use push connections instead of screws to connect the hot and neutral wires, I was flabbergasted! This design is not even UL approved!

I do not think that UL approval is required. I think they must meet RVIA.

[oxcamper]

Originally Posted by DDC

Quality and Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer in the same sentence would be an oxymoron.

But which is the Oxy, which is the Moron?

[ottawapaul]

Great post! Unfortunately it is so true!

[BusyRetirees]

Totally agree with all posts. In my fiver, the water filter is under the sink behind a backer board that is screwed to braces. I have to empty everything under the sink, unscrew the backer board and then try to unscrew the filter cover (which is still full of water) and try and twist it out over pipes without spilling water all over the place. Not to mention working in a space that is about 24" x 24". Great for smurfs but not the rest of us. Thanks for letting me vent.

[dunk05]

Do not agree. I have owned 4 MH . 3 Winnebago and 1 used FR .All came with manuals including engine Operation generator operation. Everything for coach.

[Big Vic]

Rv'ing is best when its maintenance/customization is also a hobby. The basic product can be revised, updated and repaired to one's own specs, which is part of the fun of being an owner for me.

[brewjaz]

You nailed it (unfortunately)!

[satdog01]

I have a friend with a party barge and we laugh at each other as we compare notes on who spends the most time and money on maintenance. Every trip out opens up new opportunities for repair or mods. All in all both turn out to be very enjoyable hobbies! Have built a lot of enjoyable memories with over 170 camping in 3.5 years in the Marriot on wheels. Just glad I know enough to repair a lot of things and have this forum to learn and ask the things I do not know! My dream is to go into CW without leaving a chunk of cash, if not me DW.

[jkoenig24]

I have to agree too. The designers at Dynamax obviously aced their decorator courses but, have never USED the products they make look so pretty. In my DX3-37RB, it was actually built using 1/8" FIBERBOARD as the support for dresser drawers. The first drawer slides came loose on the third trip (I'm surprised it made it that long).

[Pruittc]

How about the number of people a camper will sleep? Always take the number that is advertised and then divide by two! My husband says our camper will sleep six as long as he is not one of them! Ha!

[F and E Damp]

Our '02 Georgetown came with an "Owners' Manual". It was so vague and non-specific to our particular model, it was only good for firelighter.