14 Billion in back orders for RV company!!!! - Page 2

**bikendan** · 06-11-2021, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTnewbie

I'm not too sure about that. Thor has some major brand names that are icons in the RV world from what I learned. FR is not on the same platform of recognition as they are in my opinion.

And those major brand names, like Airstream and Jayco, have gone downhill since Thor has acquired them.
Just look through various RV brand forums.

5er_tom · 06-12-2021, 07:41 AM

I don’t believe that Thor owns Jayco.

**RedLdr1** · 06-12-2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

I don’t believe that Thor owns Jayco.

Unfortunately Thor purchased Jayco in July 2016. See Here.

5er_tom · 06-12-2021, 08:01 AM

I read on the Jayco website that they are a family owned business. That is very misleading.

5er_tom · 06-12-2021, 08:04 AM

I have a new Jayco Class C am I am having lots of issues with it. So far, I have had to cancel two weeks of reservations. All the water connections are leaking so we had to return home and it has been at the dealer for 2 weeks. Hoping to be dry and on the road mid next week.

NJKris · 06-12-2021, 08:43 AM

You can still be family owned and have a parent company I think. In 2018 when we shopped for our first RV, and went to a giant RV show (Hershey PA). My head was spinning going through all the different RVs, different brands. Back then I honestly couldn't tell with a quick look the difference in build quality, the only thing that stuck out was units that had like a siding material, and those smooth side units. Now that I know what to look for when inspecting, I'd be a much more educated consumer.

TitanMike · 06-12-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

You can still be family owned and have a parent company I think. In 2018 when we shopped for our first RV, and went to a giant RV show (Hershey PA). My head was spinning going through all the different RVs, different brands. Back then I honestly couldn't tell with a quick look the difference in build quality, the only thing that stuck out was units that had like a siding material, and those smooth side units. Now that I know what to look for when inspecting, I'd be a much more educated consumer.

IF the dealer/salesman actually lets you look where you want. In a lot of units the problem areas are hidden by the "third hinge" the factory puts on compartment doors that require a screwdriver to open. That's where you find the extra sawdust, hacked out holes, loose water pump, etc, etc. And then there is the rat's nest of wiring behind the power distribution center that you can only see if you remove the power center from the wall so you can see behind. Good luck on that while shopping.

As for being "Family Owned" and having a "Parent Company", I believe the terms are mutually exclisive. Unless perhaps the "Parent Company" is "Family Owned"

chriscowles · 06-12-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

IF the dealer/salesman actually lets you look where you want. In a lot of units the problem areas are hidden by the "third hinge" the factory puts on compartment doors that require a screwdriver to open. That's where you find the extra sawdust, hacked out holes, loose water pump, etc, etc. And then there is the rat's nest of wiring behind the power distribution center that you can only see if you remove the power center from the wall so you can see behind. Good luck on that while shopping.

As for being "Family Owned" and having a "Parent Company", I believe the terms are mutually exclisive. Unless perhaps the "Parent Company" is "Family Owned"

The sawdust and rat's nests are decoys to distract you from the lousy wire connections, kinked hoses and crushed heater ducts.

nomad297 · 06-12-2021, 11:16 AM

This may clear up some things:

https://youtu.be/mHQqIy3m5jM

Bruce

Inciter · 06-12-2021, 11:19 AM

Senior Members: Based off the amount of postings you guys have under your belts, I'm going to assume you have RVs or TT that date back to the late 80's possibly 70's?

Are the dire comments on quality based off your 20 to 30 year ago experiences? I've not seen postings in multitudes of these so-called disastrous builds you speak of from the new units hitting the street recently.

Tombsy · 06-12-2021, 11:32 AM

Mines a 2015 and I’m still finding things that amaze me, I was expecting higher quality behind the scenes.

5er_tom · 06-12-2021, 11:59 AM

We bought a Coachman Freedom Express Class C new in late 2007. It was a 2008 model. We put 50,000 miles on it in 5 years, so yes, we used it.

We never had one issue with it in those 5 years. Sure cannot complain about build quality with that unit. They do not build them that way any more, sorry to say.

The current stuff is at best junk.

chriscowles · 06-12-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inciter

Senior Members: Based off the amount of postings you guys have under your belts, I'm going to assume you have RVs or TT that date back to the late 80's possibly 70's? …

Membership status is determined by the number of posts, I believe. Some of us are just obsessive about corresponding here.

**bikendan** · 06-12-2021, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

I read on the Jayco website that they are a family owned business. That is very misleading.

They WERE family-owned but they sold out to Thor. Some of the family may still be employed but they no longer own it.

5er_tom · 06-12-2021, 03:06 PM

Their Website hides that fact. I could find no mention of Thor. Maybe I did not dig deep enough.

chriscowles · 06-12-2021, 03:52 PM

It's buried REAL deep. The only mention I see of Thor is on the careers page, go to "Our Journey" and move right to 2016:

"On July 1, The Bontrager Family sold all shares of Jayco Corporation, including the operating divisions of Jayco, Entegra Coach, Starcraft RV and Highland Ridge RV to Thor Industries."

rsdata · 06-12-2021, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Are the dire comments on quality based off your 20 to 30 year ago experiences? I've not seen postings in multitudes of these so-called disastrous builds you speak of from the new units hitting the street recently.

I have a 2014 built in Sep 2013...
It was the least expensive new hybrid I could find at $15K out the door in May of 2014.

Although you could tell it was not prepped for sale as I would have thought it should have been, with visible sawdust and screws laying in corners, I have to admit it has not been a problem for me in over 6 years.

I did some preventative work on the inside trim that I saw was loose and would fall off soon. Nothing major has happened inside or out, so I am happy overall and I did not get a lemon.

Inciter · 06-12-2021, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsdata

I have a 2014 built in Sep 2013...
It was the least expensive new hybrid I could find at $15K out the door in May of 2014.

Although you could tell it was not prepped for sale as I would have thought it should have been, with visible sawdust and screws laying in corners, I have to admit it has not been a problem for me in over 6 years.

I did some preventative work on the inside trim that I saw was loose and would fall off soon. Nothing major has happened inside or out, so I am happy overall and I did not get a lemon.

Thanks for that... I do have a 2017 four-wheel hawk the wife uses in the truck while towing her horses for camping. I have had not one problem like you a few minor what and what knots to tend as expected.

We have the geo pro 20fbs coming and it looks like next month! We thought August Sept by the conversations on the forums here.

When Newbies here start reading our TT or RV's where going tobe put together like crap? Well it's a little deflating to say the least.

Thanks I alway enjoy reading your posts lots to learn from you as the others here.

Squatchin · 06-13-2021, 10:01 AM

All these back orders are guaranteed to have a lot of issues off the assembly line. I don’t think the inexperienced soon to be owners really know what their getting into. I myself was one of these individuals and ran into issues THEN came to the forums to vent my frustrations and find answers to our issues...if only I would of stopped here first I could of saved myself a lot of time, frustration and money!

I don’t think many expect to have issues with a brand spanking new unit. When in reality they have more issues than a previously used unit...mostly due to the original owner having the warranty repairs completed and fixing all the problems. Then the long wait times to have warranty work completed. More units out there and it’s not like there is a lot of new rv dealerships or repair places popping up to meet the demand. RV sales up 600%...number of new rv dealerships/repair shops to handle repairs staying the same. My $0.02

mmartin_tdc · 06-13-2021, 10:22 AM

When in reality they have more issues than a previously used unit...mostly due to the original owner having the warranty repairs completed and fixing all the problems.

^ like he said^

This and the immediate depreciation are why I buy used vehicles. I have a 2013 Crusader that I just purchased. It is not new. It did have some maintenance that was needed. Previous owner was clueless on most aspects of the unit. I do not have any leaks, things are not falling off the walls, all the electrical stuff works, all landing gear works, it has GY Endurance tires, not the cheap tires they like to put on the new trailers... Cost was 1/3 of original pricing. I will stick with used but not abused.

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