The rapid decline of the RV industry

[Neemer]

This is the short version .Newmar paid nirvc in Atlanta to reinforce our full wall slide, and replace broken tiles.In just over a year the tiles started breaking again. I refuse to return to Atlanta so we took the coach to the nirvc Tennessee location, where they found work needing to be done on the slide. The problem now is no replacement tiles to be had. In the beginning when we first went to Atlanta, they said they would retile our coach if no replacement were available. Now they are offering carpet, tiles that don't match, a small sum of money, or they will sell our coach at a reduced consignment rate. If we take the money we have to sign a release stating we will never discuss our problem with anyone. We said they can keep the money.

OK, thanks for that. I misunderstood your original statement. I thought you meant “we” in the collective, rather than “we” as in you and yours personally.

What you are describing sounds structural, and Newmar warrants structure beyond the typical one year warranty period. I’m sure you knew that, but I don’t understand why Newmar would just say “too bad, so sad.” I did’t mean to step on an oozing wound. I’m sorry you are in that situation.

 

[purring along]

OK, thanks for that. I misunderstood your original statement. I thought you meant “we” in the collective, rather than “we” as in you and yours personally.

What you are describing sounds structural, and Newmar warrants structure beyond the typical one year warranty period. I’m sure you knew that, but I don’t understand why Newmar would just say “too bad, so sad.” I did’t mean to step on an oozing wound. I’m sorry you are in that situation.

No you didn't step on a wound, but more I appreciate people like you asking about our situation. I think its good to let others be informed. As for Newmar, they paid nirvc for the warranty work, so they feel our problem is between us not them ,and I agree.

 

[LGB! Dip stick]

There's a very narrow segment of society's hypocritial elite that propagate this view, often a part of their own agenda that does nothing other than to benefit their own situation. It's not political (for the most part) it's just a bunch of folks who think they shouldn't be subject to the same rules as the rest of the world.

I don't think the RV industry was exclusive to failing QA during covid, I think the gross lack of QA in the first place reduced it to dismal levels. The auto industry just made fewer vehicles and charged a whole lot more for them while offering few options at the same time.

The fuel thing is just good ole' supply and demand bolstered by never ending and accelerating greed. Energy dependance is helping that along nicely!

GM should have been allowed to dissolve, the bulk of their products are trying too hard to be relevant while falling woefully short of anything resembling inspiration or quality. They are most certainly not alone.

I do not agree with your asseeme t that fuel is “good ole” supply and demand. 2 years ago we had more then enough fuel at a great price that made driving affordable. [MOD edit - politics]. And where does that electricity come from-coal.

 

[Voyageurs]

I do not agree with your asseeme t that fuel is “good ole” supply and demand. 2 years ago we had more then enough fuel at a great price that made driving affordable. Immediately after the new administration came in they struck down pipelines and started to be Saudi and Venezuela for fuel while at the same time insulting those that they were asking for more and better price. They also drained our strategic reserves-they want you to try to pull your RV with an electric truck that will go about 109 miles before you need to plug in. And where does that electricity come from-coal.

Coal??? In the US? Might want to check that. Maybe 20 percent ish. More like 7 percent in Canada. Coal is definitely on the downslide for electricity production in North America.

 

[Buc]

I do not agree with your asseeme t that fuel is “good ole” supply and demand. 2 years ago we had more then enough fuel at a great price that made driving affordable. Immediately after the new administration came in they struck down pipelines and started to be Saudi and Venezuela for fuel while at the same time insulting those that they were asking for more and better price. They also drained our strategic reserves-they want you to try to pull your RV with an electric truck that will go about 109 miles before you need to plug in. And where does that electricity come from-coal.

Gas will always come from the same source: you cannot draw oil from solar. Electric is heading towards a more sustainable future even if it’s not there yet and some states are actively fighting against it.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Gas will always come from the same source: you cannot draw oil from solar. Electric is heading towards a more sustainable future even if it’s not there yet and some states are actively fighting against it.

I've seen this too, there's a bunch of lithium under several parts of Maine yet there is powerful resistance to letting it be mined.

The supply & demand I still agree with, I intentionally left out the part about who's messing with the "supply" part and their agenda.

 

[Buc]

I've seen this too, there's a bunch of lithium under several parts of Maine yet there is powerful resistance to letting it be mined.

The supply & demand I still agree with, I intentionally left out the part about who's messing with the "supply" part and their agenda.

I’m hoping we can find ways of storing energy that don’t require tearing up wild areas or find fuels that don’t require mining. Hydrogen seems promising.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

As far as what's available right now, propane looks appealing from a customer standpoint, the infrastructure is in place to extract it so nothing new is needed, but it's unpopular having ~76% the energy density of E10 and less so vs. diesel. If it were to all of the sudden become popular, the price different between commodity and retail would shrink but we'd be back in the same situation with needing more of something that's not sustainable. West of Lincolnton, NC there's going to be another big lithium mine setup, I'm not too worried about it because after it's empty, 10 year later after reclaimation is complete, it won't be apparent a mine was ever there.

 

[kenw]

I'll believe it when I can get a reservation at a provincial park without waking up early 6 months in advance, opening 3 computers and hitting enter like I'm playing Hungry Hippos
That said, I have a new Heartland North Trail on order. I special ordered because I didn't want a 12v fridge, but I also wanted a 2023 rather than one of the 2022 possible pandemic units that they had on the lot. I figured if they're having big layoffs, maybe my unit will be built by guys with seniority/experience? Time will tell, it was built last week...

You figured all this out and you bought a Heart land

 

[sanda]

Propane is produced from liquid components recovered during natural gas processing. These components include ethane, methane, propane, and butane, as well as heavier hydrocarbons. Propane and butane, along with other gases, are also produced during crude oil refining.
So we are going to process natural gas and oil to make propane? [MOD edit - politics - please refrain!].

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Propane is produced from liquid components recovered during natural gas processing. These components include ethane, methane, propane, and butane, as well as heavier hydrocarbons. Propane and butane, along with other gases, are also produced during crude oil refining.
So we are going to process natural gas and oil to make propane? Kind of defeats the purpose but I'm sure some in the white house would be all for it.

That's why I mentioned we'd be back in the same unsustainable situation as gasohol & diesel. It's not an issue now because it's not popular as a motor vehicle fuel. A big part of that is storage and as previously mentioned, the lower energy density.

 

[Buc]

That's why I mentioned we'd be back in the same unsustainable situation as gasohol & diesel. It's not an issue now because it's not popular as a motor vehicle fuel. A big part of that is storage and as previously mentioned, the lower energy density.

I seem to recall that my college had some trucks that ran off propane for the grounds crew. I started there in 1994. It kind of seems that if propane was going to be a thing, it would’ve taken off by now.

Electric is undoubtedly the future. Hopefully we can make it cost and materials efficient in the short term.

 

[Neal]

This thread seems to be one where people can't avoid politics. Warning....no politics or the thread will be closed. We come here to feel good, remember? So eat a glazed donut, because that would make me feel good, and speak RV.

 

[Buc]

This thread seems to be one where people can't avoid politics. Warning....no politics or the thread will be closed. We come here to feel good, remember? So eat a glazed donut, because that would make me feel good, and speak RV.

I’m firing up the espresso machine…

I also need to get the tow setup on the new truck. I might do that this weekend, and make sure the trailer is okay after a winter of non-use.

 

[Rosy]

Coal??? In the US? Might want to check that. Maybe 20 percent ish. More like 7 percent in Canada. Coal is definitely on the downslide for electricity production in North America.

Still about 50% in Alberta, though.