Aviator owner head count on forum

[cjearle2]

Kenhwy61, you have some great ideas!

[KenHwy61]

Thank you. The Aviator concept was great, but the execution was typical RV. I've learned a lot about the Aviator, so I am just trying pass along my experiences to my fellow owners.

[cjearle2]

Thank you for that!

[Rivnut]

I would be interested in your Cabinet lighting mod.

[lorettayoung1954]

How did you get to all those water lines?? Do you have to pull the bottom off. Thanks for the info on the satellite. Gonna do that as soon as possible. Those are things that are small issues but you would expect to be already done in a unit of this price.

[lorettayoung1954]

I bought mine 6 months ago. Wright flyer. It's been in for repairs a lot. It has so much potential. It's a shame they did not pay attention to the details in manufacturing. There are some things they could have done which would have allowed it to compete with airstream. For instance the outside looks like a Lexus and the inside looks like a Ford Focus. The inside decor is lacking from a women's point of view. I love the outside however. Beautiful. It pulls great behind the truck. I know it sounds like I don't like it but I really do if they could just get everything fixed on it. It's been in shop 2 months out of the 6 months. Only been able to take it out twice. If there at any things that I should have them check that you all have had trouble with please let me know. Looking forward to using it at thanksgiving.

[cjearle2]

Yes I am the same way! Bought mine in August. It has been at the dealer longer than I owned it. I love the unit and it does pull great. It has a great suspension on it. But darn everything has gone wrong. Power jack, awning motor, ac, shower door handle falls off, reading light above dinette fell off, kitchen sink faucet issues, front hard to open and latch, was finding these little skinny tacks on the floor from trim above the couch, water in camper after hard rain seems to come from vents on the side of unit, trash can draw want close, tv outside went bad, surround sound quit working and makes blue ray stop playing, paint starting to peel on my will not ask what next. But still love the unit.

[KenHwy61]

The Aviator is our fourth RV, but in spite of all the issues it is only one I can spend a whole rainy day inside and not feel like I'm stuck inside a box! If it makes anyone feel better a friend just bought a 2013 Shadow Cruiser travel trailer and has had over 40 different issues with it. The industry as a whole needs to improve its quality. The awning motor has been a known problem. I removed the outside tv, reinforced the the round table supports and disconnected the keyless entry because I could just tell by looking they were all going to be future headaches! Don't be too discouraged, most of this stuff is actually quite easy to repair and improve upon. Replacing the water lines was not very hard either. Most of the parts are pretty cheap and are easily found on line. The only thing that really worries me is if one the big windows breaks. That no doubt will have to be custom made. I ordered the led lights for the cabinets today so I will let you know how they turn out!

[cjearle2]

Where did you order the led lights? So you got rid of the outside tv completely? My husband likes to watch football outside if weather permitting. I do love my RV it is my third one and my favorite.

[Naviator]

I fully expected to have to fix a few bugs on my Electra. The RV industry as a whole lacks quality control. And some of the construction methods are down right stupid! Running wood screws into cheap particle board materials with power tools? Really?! And don't let anyone kid you, even Airstream is not immune to quality control issues. They just use better materials inside, which you pay for. Most RVs are built in Indiana, and if you were led into any random unit blindfolded, you'd have no idea what brand you were in. They're all cheaply built using the same cheap industry standard components. Until the Aviator came along, nothing interested me! With the exception if the Airstream, I found everything cheap and depressing! Kenhwy61 summed it up for me. I wouldn't want to be cooped up in a box of saltine crackers. My Aviator though, that's another story:-) I love it and will gladly fix the little idiosyncrasies as I travel along. Eventually, it will be the way it should have been when it left the factory. My only regret? That I wasn't able to find a Wright Flyer at the time we got our Electra:-)

[lorettayoung1954]

I really think they have something with the aviator. I do like everything about it. Just will be glad when all the little things are fixed. The place repairing mine says it's very hard to contact the warranty department. That it is always a voicemail and they are at the mercy of someone calling them back. That should be corrected. I have called and they did not return my calls. If they want to compete they need to fix this issue.

[KenHwy61]

You sum it up well! I have had most everything apart and you will be please to know just as Aviator claimed, there really isn't any particle board or wood in the walls, floor or ceiling and that is what makes it unique. There is wood in some non-structure components though. It is funny you mentioned wishing you were able to buy a Wright-Flyer instead of the Electra. Once the prices came down, my wife and I went to the dealer to look at the Electra originally because of the shorter length and we thought it would be cool to be able to stargaze while in bed. But they also had one Wright Flyer and after sitting in both a while we decided having the view in the living room, plus the curved dinette and couch setup would suit us better. Either way, I do believe the Aviator will stand the test of time and not rot away like most all the other brands out there.

[KenHwy61]

Hopefully Forest River has not lost interest in supporting warranties on a model they will no longer be selling. Another thing to check if you have a Wright-Flyer is the way the table pedestal is mounted. Another owner had theirs tear right out of the floor. If you pop up the base cover, if it is like mine it is only attached with wood screws attached to a piece of plywood mounted under the floor. This is in no way strong enough to support a top heavy table during travel especially if it is not lowered while travelling. I removed the screws and bolted it through the floor with lock nuts and large fender washers on the bottom side. Be wary if you decide to do this as it appears that the two screws on front side of the pedestal (toward the kitchen) are actually screwed into the top of the water storage tank! I wish it were hard to believe but sadly it is not.

[cjearle2]

WOW! That is scary. We will start lowering our table now.

[KenHwy61]

Its a good thing these RV manufacturers don't make the really important stuff like the frames, axles and hitches! I installed LED lighting in the pantry, the cabinet above the sink and the utility closet. Really makes a big difference.

[cjearle2]

Where did you purchase your LED lights ?

[cjearle2]

Your aviator is going to be the sharpest one around .

[KenHwy61]

Thank you. I am really only trying to correct all the manufacturing mistakes and improve the trailer's reliability. It is no fun trying to fix all this stuff at a campground, or worse, being forced to take it to some dealer and wasting your vacation time with the hope they will actually fix the problem. The lights are a great addition. They took about an hour to wire and install. I think I'm going to add them to the bedroom closets as well. They came from Amazon: Gold Stars F3528001 LED RV Dome Light $8.95

[Rivnut]

Good looking trailer and truck...!Hope you can come to Alabama and Rally with us some time.
Keep an eye on everything and plan on the Goshen Rally in August for unsolved things.
Rivnut

[KenHwy61]

Thanks Rivnut. I would like to attend those events!