Tile Shortage?

[Jim]

It isn’t unusual for us to yank out furniture and install something new, maybe a desk, maybe a recliner, or whatever else we may decide on. So today, when I pulled the cushion off the driver-side couch, I expected… well, tile flooring. Instead? Two lonely tiles clinging to life under there. Basically, just enough tile to cover the floor so you don't see plywood under the couch. That’s it. Just a couple of ceramic survivors.

If you’ve ever dealt with Newmar regarding heated floors, or any reason a tile needs to be removed or replaced, you already know the pain. Replacement tiles are rather rare. It’s like Newmar buys the last crate of whatever tile run exists, tosses a few extras in the coach, and then burns the mold, the factory, and all records of its existence.

So the idea that I’ll someday find enough matching tile to finish out my full-wall slide? Yeah… the odds are roughly the same as winning the lottery and getting struck by lightning while holding the ticket.

But here’s what really gets me is we’re talking about a coach that ranks 2nd in their high-end line. Mine isn’t fresh off the production line anymore, but it’s still a top-tier rig. And yet when it was built, they just didn’t finish tiling the FWS? Seriously? My 2016 London Aire had tile in the slide, so why does the Essex suddenly get the “budget flooring surprise edition”?

So yes, I’m irritated. A little shocked. And a measurable amount pi$$ed.

 

[Neemer]

That is odd. Perhaps as you noted, they were running short at the time.

 

[Jim]

That is odd. Perhaps as you noted, they were running short at the time.

When you hire a contractor to build a house, you don't expect to open the closet and find plywood, you expect to find whatever floor covering is in the rest of the room. This is a totally unacceptable discovery, and I intend to get up with Newmar and find out what the heck happened and what kind of solution they have for me.

 

[Jim]

Sent the following email to Newmar, CC'ed everyone in support and management.

Good Afternoon Support Team,

I want to express my appreciation for the excellent work and support I received from Newmar on my 2016 London Aire, truly top notch. While I was visiting, I happened upon a 2020 Essex and ended up purchasing it shortly after leaving the factory. It has been a very good coach, and we’ve been enjoying it immensely.

However, today while measuring for a desk replacement, we discovered something surprising: there is only enough tile under the couch to cover what’s visible, leaving the plywood in the FWS exposed once the furniture is moved.

To say I’m shocked would be an understatement. To my knowledge, this has never been standard protocol on any Newmar coach, much less a top-of-the-line Essex. I’m trying to understand what happened here. Did the tile supply simply run short and someone decided this was “close enough,” or was this an oversight that slipped past inspection?

I’d appreciate any clarification you can provide.

Sincerely,
Jim Eliason

 

[fishslayer]

They will undoubtably blame covid

 

[redbaron]

Newmar has never been a high end builder.

They used to be a good quality builder with the DutchStar being the focal point for all things quality.

The lines above Dutch star are priced for profit and add minimal cost. The single largest cost for Newmar is the drive train, which tops out at the London Aire.

Looking at MSRP, Essex and King Aire are just price gouging over the already priced gouged London Aire.

The idea that the workers take more time, spend more money, or do anything different when building a Bay Star sport or king Aire has always been a joke.

A bay star is arguably the best value in the used market for gasser and the ventana the best value for diesel.

I have always purchased new, and finally broke that pattern with my 2019 Canyon Star gasser. Its quality for wood and other areas greatly exceeds the quality of my 2022 London Aire…a testament to the miller family. Things just started spiraling down after Winnebago took over.

Your 2020 is one of the first wbgo builds.

 

[Jim]

I have always purchased new, and finally broke that pattern with my 2019 Canyon Star gasser. Its quality for wood and other areas greatly exceeds the quality of my 2022 London Aire…a testament to the miller family. Things just started spiraling down after Winnebago took over.

How about lifting the cushion up on your 2022 London Aire and tell me what you find?

 

[redbaron]

How about lifting the cushion up on your 2022 London Aire and tell me what you find?

It’s the same.

My 2019 DutchStar had more tile that was cut out to support the seat belts.

It also had tile under the bench seats of the dinette, where my 2022 does not.

 

[Neal]

Let me help you with the auto responder, I mean the first response you'll get from Newmar.

"That's the first we've heard of that"

 

[Jim]

It’s the same.

My 2019 DutchStar had more tile that was cut out to support the seat belts.

It also had tile under the bench seats of the dinette, where my 2022 does not.

This is just nuts, tile is not that expensive.

 

[Neal]

Their alibi will be weight.

 

[Neemer]

It turns out mine is the same way.

 

[Jim]

It turns out mine is the same way.

It's an epidemic! All joking aside, I sure wish I had been aware of this when we were at the Hoots rally so Casey could have explained it in person.

Their alibi will be weight.

That won't fly.

We’ll see what Newmar has to say on Monday. I doubt anyone’s sitting around answering emails on a Saturday night, unless their idea of “weekend fun” is explaining missing floor tiles to irritated customers.

Still, it’s a tough position to defend if you’re marketing yourself as a “quality coach builder” while apparently saving money by omitting ten tiles in per coach in their luxury line. Bold strategy, Newmar.

Unless I magically locate matching tiles, and given their track record, that miracle will happen right after pigs achieve FAA certification, there’s no way I can install a desk in that space without replacing every tile in the coach. Which, of course, is not happening.

And I doubt I'm going to be the only one irritated by Newmar’s sudden interest in extreme coupon-level tile conservation.

 

[Holdmybeer]

What was the plan for the perforations in the tile where the sofa frame and seatbelts had been bolted down? Those would have had to be filled, in which case they'd have always been noticeable, or those tiles replaced. Even if you knew the tile type and lot #, the chances the tile manufacturer, some 5 yrs. on, is still running it would be slim. However, you never know. You may take a tile around and shop it at flooring distributors, Daltile, Floors and Decor, etc. You might get lucky.