Jim
RVF Supporter
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2019
- Messages
- 3,914
- Location
- North Carolina
- RV Year
- 2016
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- London Aire 4551
- RV Length
- 45
- Chassis
- Freightliner
- Engine
- Cummins / I6 Diesel Pusher 600HP / 1,950 ft-lbs
- TOW/TOAD
- 2016 Jeep Rubicon
- Fulltimer
- No
The following is my opinion and is based on speculation derived from what I’ve seen happening to others and what I myself have experienced from the service departments of several dealerships and manufacturers.
I truly believe that the RV industry is in trouble, and the contributing issues are the same whether you drive a Thor, a Newmar or you pull a 5th Wheel.
I remember watching GM (and others) dissolve into bankruptcy based on their policies of selling poor quality with limited warranties, and then refusing to support the people who bought their products. I believe were going to see it in this industry as well,
Just my .02.
I truly believe that the RV industry is in trouble, and the contributing issues are the same whether you drive a Thor, a Newmar or you pull a 5th Wheel.
- Covid brought with it a huge flurry of business to all the companies who build RV’s and the companies who supported them. This was a Christmas that lasted for several years, and the huge demand resulted in the production of thousands of poorly manufactured products.
- Service departments were overwhelmed as tens of thousands of poor quality RV’s clogged service schedules. Many RV’s made multiple visits to the same service department for the same issues, over and over again. Customers who bought with expectations of a fun and stress-free family adventure, instead were disappointed and grew increasingly frustrated.
- But now, the Covid party is over. The struggle of chasing poor quality has resulted in owners dumping their rigs in record numbers. Worse, the word is out around about the horrible service experiences you can expect if you buy one of these excessively priced money pits.
- What used to be seen as an exciting adventure, is already being viewed as a never-ending maintenance problem. Who has the time or persistence to argue with a service manager, who himself is often restricted by a manufacturer with limited accountability.
- The cost of fuels is increasing, while at the same time, society’s evolving view is that you are pillaging the earth’s limited resources.
- New sales are already suffering as people find more enjoyable, less costly, and more socially acceptable methods to entertain themselves.
I remember watching GM (and others) dissolve into bankruptcy based on their policies of selling poor quality with limited warranties, and then refusing to support the people who bought their products. I believe were going to see it in this industry as well,
Just my .02.