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.