Can Newmar ever return to the quality of the Miller era?

[Stuart W]

QUALITY of the PRODUCT?
QUALITY of the SERVICE?

I believe the quality of the product will improve due to a slower rate of production. And from a greater demand by the customer! The ridiculous prices are causing the buyer to be more particular! They are demanding the quality or they won't spend their money!

Will it ever go back to "Miller time"? Doubtful, but even "Miller Time" had folks that were less than happy with things breaking, etc. Go back and research this & other forums from years past.



My ".02" cents!

Absolutely agree, my 2018 wasn’t without issue, most were interior cosmetics, the paint was flawless

 

[ARD]

I don't know what the future will hold for Newmar and I have had my fair share of issues with my 2018 DS and 2022 LA, but the one thing I've always been able to count on is the Service Center in Nappanee to make things right.

I will admit that I am personally a little tired of the Newmar bashing and the lamenting of days gone by; however, this is a place for sharing personal experiences. I encourage everyone to participate. These contributions are invaluable and one of the things I love about RVF that makes it different from other forums is the tolerance, kindness and care the members use to express themselves here.

 

[DennisT]

We have been full time in our 22 Superstar since we picked it up Dec of 22.

List of issues got fixed last year at the factory and added a few more to the list for a trip this year before the year was up.

All of them have been minor and nothing has kept us from using the coach.

May be considered “covid coach” but we haven’t seen it from our experience with it.

 

[Stuart W]

We have been full time in our 22 Superstar since we picked it up Dec of 22.

List of issues got fixed last year at the factory and added a few more to the list for a trip this year before the year was up.

All of them have been minor and nothing has kept us from using the coach.

May be considered “covid coach” but we haven’t seen it from our experience with it

Not related to the topic , did you have a class A prior to your Superstar? If so what are the major differences you have noticed. I have always been intrigued with them

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Not related to the topic , did you have a class A prior to your Superstar? If so what are the major differences you have noticed. I have always been intrigued with them

Great question, Stuart. I've also been intrigued but once I sat in the driver's seat and lost the panoramic view from my class A, the intrigue left rather quickly.

Maybe DennisT will start another thread - Why I bought my Super C.

 

[Joe Hogan]

I'm with ARD on this. The service center and service in general has always been attentive, skilled and resolve any issue. Call backs are never an issue, always return calls for me.
Nappanee folks have treated me very well.

Dealers are what dealers are, has little to do with the brand. Can the build be better, always room for improvement. That said these machines are complicated and can be very frustrating and annoying. That does bleed over into the interactions with people at times.

The challenges that I am working on have nothing to do with the build other than the lift door slow closing. But we will get that figured out on my next visit.

 

[DennisT]

Not related to the topic , did you have a class A prior to your Superstar? If so what are the major differences you have noticed. I have always been intrigued with them

Actually had a Forest River Forester 32 foot class c before this.

So as not get this one off track I’ll start another thread for why we went the way we did.

 

[Stuart W]

Actually had a Forest River Forester 32 foot class c before this.

So as not get this one off track I’ll start another thread for why we went the way we did.

Looking forward to it

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Actually had a Forest River Forester 32 foot class c before this.

So as not get this one off track I’ll start another thread for why we went the way we did.

Thanks for starting another thread.

 

[AbdRahim]

Service regards the "free stuff", out of warranty stuff, and broken stuff has diminished, which is upsetting to some folks! I believe that is a "corporate" crackdown on spending. And sadly, quite a bit of the "stuff" that breaks isn't Newmar's fault, though they installed it.

I think we all realize the complexity of these things (way too much complexity, if you ask me) and that stuff will happen in and after the build. But with only one year for a warranty - which is effectively six months or less in north country - it is the little extras and mercy with the out of warranty and broken stuff that makes for customer loyalty. How much profit does any company make on one of these things, compared to the actual cost of a courtesy repair? How much do they lose when a customer, decides to spend $250,000 to $1,000,000 or more elsewhere. Of course he tells 30 other people, as well.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a Newmar fan, and advocate. I have been treated very well at the service center, and the center was one of the main reasons I bought a Newmar.

Btw, despite the horror stories I heard about the manufacturer of my previous coach, the essentially rebuilt the coach in year three (two years out of warranty, fir a devastating manufacturing error. It took that look to discover the root of the problem. They did an excellent job and threw in extras which I never asked for or could have expected to receive. The manager of that warranty dept. knew how to make customer happy. I would not be surprised if my broadcasting of my experience sold a unit or two., as my Newmar stories likely help to sell Newmars.

I understand the plight of the bean counters at big corporations. However, Winnebago should understand why people buy Newmars and not Winnebagos. Management needs to really study and learn from the Miller model. Do they want many one time customers or maintain customers through several coaches for life.

Unfortunately public corporations are answerable to shareholders who could care less about quality or the customer -only the trajectory of the stock. So it is a matter of philosophy and goals. Does Newmar want to continue the Miller legacy and improve the reputation of Winnebago, simply milk the Newmar name for every penny they can get out of it.

I really like my Newmar. I am glad I got it when I did. I really hope Newmar will win my vote for the next one. Yes it is a COVID coach - came off the line in the heat of the shut downs.

FOCUS ON QUALITY AND THE PROFITS WILL COME. The mediocre are destined to continually hunt for new customers.

 

[DavidL]

How does Newmar outsource paint? Does the assembled RV get driven down the street to a body shop for paint and then driven back? I understand cabinets...I correlate that to the auto industry having suppliers like LEAR build seats with just in time delivery. But paint? I don't get the logistics on that one. Or maybe the outsourcing is the labor (prep / tape / paint / buff / clean up) and the paint booth is onsite?

BTW, in the auto industry, there is more outsourcing today than ever before. And the quality is better than it has ever been. The key is the coordination / scheduling / excellent specifications and holding the supplier accountable. It just takes years to learn how to do this well, and the IT systems to pull it all together. That takes much, much investment. Well beyond what a family operation could have done. That is what I think is possible with a multibrand like Winnebago to build it once, and use it with every brand.

Today, with some unusual warm weather, hopefully I get to paint my new Corvette. In working on this new toy, I am completely impressed with the order complexity and coordination of all suppliers that GM has accomplished. It is a model that Winnebago should learn from.

Alvin Foo on LinkedIn: This is how the Xiaomi Automobile Super Factory manufactures their EVs… | 332 comments

This is how the Xiaomi Automobile Super Factory manufactures their EVs, apparently producing one SU7 every 76 seconds! | 332 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

That's an example of what a most modern auto plant looks like. Very little comparison (today) to an RV assembler.

I envision that the cabinet supplier will ultimately be a line of trees coming in one side, robots debarking, slicing, milling the wood components, another robot glueing / assembling, and another robot boxing, palleting and sliding the pallet into a semi for delivery to "Newmar" assembly plant. A family operation absolutely cannot build with better quality, and most importantly, the high value.

Then again, it probably won't even be trees....that's old school thinking...how many autos do you know are built from trees?

 

[Neal]

How does Newmar outsource paint? Does the assembled RV get driven down the street to a body shop for paint and then driven back? I understand cabinets...I correlate that to the auto industry having suppliers like LEAR build seats with just in time delivery. But paint? I don't get the logistics on that one. Or maybe the outsourcing is the labor (prep / tape / paint / buff / clean up) and the paint booth is onsite?

I don't know where you got this, not from me, it is not outsourced. Woodwork is except for King Aire I'm told.

How cool would it be if Newmar offered wraps!

Cancel that, Cloud Hopper will be on my case for derailing again!

 

[Underboss]

How does Newmar outsource paint? Does the assembled RV get driven down the street to a body shop for paint and then driven back? I understand cabinets...I correlate that to the auto industry having suppliers like LEAR build seats with just in time delivery. But paint? I don't get the logistics on that one. Or maybe the outsourcing is the labor (prep / tape / paint / buff / clean up) and the paint booth is onsite?

BTW, in the auto industry, there is more outsourcing today than ever before. And the quality is better than it has ever been. The key is the coordination / scheduling / excellent specifications and holding the supplier accountable. It just takes years to learn how to do this well, and the IT systems to pull it all together. That takes much, much investment. Well beyond what a family operation could have done. That is what I think is possible with a multibrand like Winnebago to build it once, and use it with every brand.

Today, with some unusual warm weather, hopefully I get to paint my new Corvette. In working on this new toy, I am completely impressed with the order complexity and coordination of all suppliers that GM has accomplished. It is a model that Winnebago should learn from.

Alvin Foo on LinkedIn: This is how the Xiaomi Automobile Super Factory manufactures their EVs… | 332 comments

This is how the Xiaomi Automobile Super Factory manufactures their EVs, apparently producing one SU7 every 76 seconds! | 332 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

That's an example of what a most modern auto plant looks like. Very little comparison (today) to an RV assembler.

I envision that the cabinet supplier will ultimately be a line of trees coming in one side, robots debarking, slicing, milling the wood components, another robot glueing / assembling, and another robot boxing, palleting and sliding the pallet into a semi for delivery to "Newmar" assembly plant. A family operation absolutely cannot build with better quality, and most importantly, the high value.

Then again, it probably won't even be trees....that's old school thinking...how many autos do you know are built from trees?

Newmar builds cabinets, makes the wire looms, and paints all in house

 

[DavidL]

I haven't been on RV Forums for a bit but read what I thought was cabinet and paint being outsourced. Maybe reading too fast (as usual). But don't be surprised if this happens....
BTW, when rebuilding my Newmar, and ordering cabinet doors, they didn't get built by Newmar. They got built by a supplier. And that was about 5 years ago (pre-Winnebago). So, at least the replacement cabinet supply was moved out of house.

The reason you won't (today) see wraps is the material isn't UV strong enough to last in the sun. Hopefully next week I get to wrap parts of my Corvette It's also too labor intensive to apply. I envision you will see dipped parts down the road (dipped by the supplier of the part).

 

[Neal]

I guess in the end it doesn't matter if people are praising it. Sadly of late they are not (the woodwork). Whoever can do the best job, do it.

 

[Underboss]

I haven't been on RV Forums for a bit but read what I thought was cabinet and paint being outsourced. Maybe reading too fast (as usual). But don't be surprised if this happens....
BTW, when rebuilding my Newmar, and ordering cabinet doors, they didn't get built by Newmar. They got built by a supplier. And that was about 5 years ago (pre-Winnebago). So, at least the replacement cabinet supply was moved out of house.

The reason you won't (today) see wraps is the material isn't UV strong enough to last. Hopefully next week I get to wrap parts of my Corvette

I am not sure about the doors, did the tour but cannot remember. Maybe someone else who has actually been on a tour lately can answer. When I was building custom kitchens, we would build everything but order the doors to the size we needed.
Doors are time consuming and costly to manufacture. They can be problematic so I found it best to outsource. Better built, I did not need a shaper and the cost was about 50% of what a door would cost me in house.

 

[Underboss]

I guess in the end it doesn't matter if people are praising it. Sadly of late they are not (the woodwork). Whoever can do the best job, do it.

I have no idea where you get this from. The cabinet fit and finish are one of the best features of a Newmar. It seems that folks or maybe this forum is just a Newmar bashing place. Maybe time to rethink activity here.

 

[DavidL]

I am not sure about the doors, did the tour but cannot remember. Maybe someone else who has actually been on a tour lately can answer. When I was building custom kitchens, we would build everything but order the doors to the size we needed.
Doors are time consuming and costly to manufacture. They can be problematic so I found it best to outsource. Better built, I did not need a shaper and the cost was about 50% of what a door would cost me in house.

I don't know too many "custom" home builders that build kitchen cabinet boxes in house. Most all specify, order from a supplier (I got mine from "Plain and Fancy in Amish country PA"), and assemble on site. I too didn't have shapers (specifically the ones to match rest of cabinets that were undamaged or fixable) and the price to buy was WAY cheaper.

 

[Neal]

I don't know too many "custom" home builders that build kitchen cabinet boxes in house. Most all specify, order from a supplier (I got my from "Plain and Fancy in Amish country PA", and assemble on site. I too didn't have shapers (specifically the ones to match rest of cabinets that were undamaged or fixable) and the price to buy was WAY cheaper.

Agreed. I'm just saying this was once the big marketing point for Newmar, in their brochures, on website, etc. Was it not? Wasn't this the big thing about Newmar years ago and what most owners raved about? Maybe they still do, maybe I just heard from a few that had a bad experience and is not the majority. Again, unless people share the GOOD and BAD we don't know and we typically only hear the bad in anything these days. Remember to share the GOOD too peeps.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Cancel that, Cloud Hopper will be on my case for derailing again!

Hang on just a second, who the heck is Cloud Hopper? That is close to copyright infringement!