3 Dirty Secrets the RV Industry doesn't want you to know...from an RV Tech

One other tip - use a detailed checklist to test the functionality of the RV before paying for it. Serveral items in our new RV were fixed the next day because the dealer wants to get paid. Don't be afraid to walk away it things are not fixed.

I am a certified RV technician and inspector. Regarding the purchase of a new RV, always get a third party inspection. Remember the Golden Rule..."he who has the gold makes the rules." Before money changes hands the dealership is VERY interested in taking care of you. I have inspected new RVs with non-working ACs, slide systems, leveling systems, appliances and leaks. I typical RV inspection takes me anywhere from 6-10 hours of total time including finalizing the report. Most new RV owners just don't have the experience or skills necessary to properly inspect an RV. I was a real estate inspector and let me tell you. RVs are WAY more difficult and time consuming to inspect. I like your content and appreciate what you are trying to do. Keep up the good work.

I had an RV. It developed a fairly small leak which actually totaled the unit. The insurance adjuster told me something I will never forget. "Buying an RV is like buying an ice cream cone. If you're careful with it, you can enjoy it for awhile, but make no mistake as soon as you buy it - it begins to melt.

One trick I have seen dealerships do is sell the RV and tell the buyer to take it camping and make up a punch list of everything they find that needs repair. When they bring it back and drop it off the dealership service department is so overwhelmed that their RV just sits there for 3, 4, or 5 months and in the mean time they are still making payments and that one year warranty clock is still ticking. What should really happen, at the minimum, is when an RV is returned for warranty work then that warranty time clock should stop until EVERYTHING has been repaired and the unit accepted back by the customer but unfortunately that's not how it works. :-(

I don't look so silly camping in my tent now, huh.

I've been full timing RVING for a year now. 2 years 3 weeks in rv 1 week home. From my experiences in Rv parks I talk to a lot of people RVING. I also watch YouTube stations. The fifthwheels are junk. They look like polished dream homes on wheels, but they are junk. Also, the manufacturers are cutting so many corners on building these house on wheels. The whole industry is aware of it. Dealers and RV techs. Buying a used motorhome, not fifthwheel, from 1st or second owner is the way to avoid junk. So much to know about this life. If your not a handyman and can't do the maintenance on your motorhome than expect to pay that out of pocket. Also, read up and educate yourself on the problems that other full time Rvers have run into. For instance, parks electrical hookups can fry all your brand new hardware and any electrical equipment, tv's and laptops included. A power surge protector won't do. You need an EMS PROTECTOR. Read up on it or pay the expensive cost. They run about 400.00. Why they're not sold with expensive high ticket rigs is just down right scandless. New comers get no heads up on this costly electrical disaster, just waiting to happen.

I watched a video previously of a guy who says you should buy a used rv that is 2-3 years old. Typically he says that the person who bought it new has fleshed out about all of these issues and they are tired of dealing with them so they sell it to cut their losses but the vehicle is now basically where it should have been when it was first bought. I don’t really know about this idea but I found it interesting.

Another option for potential RV buyers is to hire a certified RV inspector. Just like buying a new home, they can find the problems with the new RV before you buy. That way you could negotiate repairs before your first trip out. It would be a worthwhile expense if buying a new, high dollar RV in my opinion.

Mine didn't even make it out of the lot. It had electrical problems and the trailer brakes would not release. I asked for another, but their mechanic got in my jeep and dragged it around until the wheels started to spin on their own. I got a mile down the road and smoke was coming from my brakes. We unhooked and drove back to the dealer and made them go get it. They put in a new wiring harness and we went camping. The fridge only worked on 12 volts. The 3rd day the hot water heater got so hot you could smell the insulation smoking. The fan in the bathroom blades flew off and the pump would run continuously. We took it back, but it never worked right. Then the following year they said I needed knew brakes to pass inspection, well that lead to a heated discussion. At least now we have social media to do the research.

This is an industry that needs some regulatory oversight and some strong competition from companies with good engineering departments and strong QA systems. Disposal of dead RVs is an environmental issue…these eyesores are piling up everywhere. Nothing much can be salvaged or recycled, the chassis and suspension metal is about all. There is no parting out, crushing, or recycling infrastructure like for cars. Is there? I see huge inventories of unsold RVs sitting on lots. What happens to them? Who eats the depreciation? Great video. No longer an active RVer but this video caught my eye.

I worked as an RV tech for 1 week. I’ve been fixing and building things for 40 yrs. The quality on every single unit was embarrassing. The other techs instead of fixing the issues created other issues. The single driving factor for all of these issues is the time it takes to complete a build. No care or patience at all. Panelling fixed to walls with staples in the middle instead of hidden behind the trim was common on all units. I’ve decided that I’m going to build my own camper from scratch.

They are rolling money pits. This video just saved me $100.000.

I stated on another YouTube Channel (some RVIA guy) that the RV manufacturer that figures out quality will OWN the industry, regardless the price point. (He did NOT appreciate that.) It's the same situation as when Datsun, Honda, and Toyota came in and cleaned up on the American auto manufacturers who were letting their dealers fix the cars. It's as if the customer is the quality control department. What the RV manufacturers will learn is it will actually be cheaper to do it right the first time.

Wow i been telling my friends about this for a long time that the manufactures of rvs really dont care about the quality and the prices are so inexpensive i wonder how they make money. But you just answered my question about they make the money in finance. Anyway i bought my rv from a company not in the US and the quality is number one.

I bought an Outback trailer new, went out immediately for the first time and whatever could not work did not work, holy hell, they had it for 4 months and when I finally got it back all of the original problems were still there, they never even touched it, all of the original problems were still there! I took it back again but had marked all of the bad parts, they told me they replaced all kinds of things and when I showed them the marks I put on and threatened them with a lawsuit and the local news they finally started replacing things. I ended up fixing things they didn't and got it perfect, I sold it and bought a used Minnie Winnie with 8,000 miles and haven't had a problem with it other than wear and tear, it was built well, that was in 2007 and it's still going strong.

I recently toured the Grand Design assembly line my trailer was built on. First thing I noted was the Lippert frams they use are had the poorest chicken scratch welds I ever have seen. Now wonder Youtube is full of videos of the spring hangers twisting away from the frams. A 6 year old could produce better welds. Next I noticed when the black moisture liner is added it is stapled into the flooring. Half the staples were protruding 1/8 out of the decking. This area where the stapkes are located is where the load bearing side wall will rest on. On down the line I could not help to notice the difference in fit and finish from one unit to the next. A lot of these issues are covered up by interior and exterior siding. So these mistakes are not checked in the pdi. I just walked away pretty disappointed at the build quality of a manufactur that touts superior quality in their product.

Fellow RV tech here. You spoke a lot of truth. Especially that RV techs often do this because they love RV’s, but we’re disappointed by the leaders in the industry taking advantage of customers perception vs the reality of ownership. Subscribed!

I've found with my 50+ years of RVing is the golden years of manufacturing was 2004 to 2008. There was some great coaches built during that time..... The best of the best, for me, is a diesel pusher from one of the Northwest manufactures built in those years. The SoCal builders are second. Find a used coach from an original owner (or second) that has taken care of and stored it inside and you've got a peach.

Can you do a video on which manufactures are quality? We want to buy in six months. Thanks

Our 2019 FR motorhome had issues from start. Warranty replaced 3 ovens, each subsequent one was lower quality than previous, 2 stovetops all worked intermittently, propane system never purged and now indicted empty on gauge and 1 light on panel. Had “filled” 2 days ago and fill went slow. Propane guy said it was full! Gauge reads between 1/4 and 1/2 but lights on panel show 2/3 full! Do not have dealer because the one we bought our motorhome from, I caught filing false extended insurance claim and forging my signature. When caught, dealership paid back amount and said they made a “mistake” just like the armed robber that got caught by the police after he robbed the 7-Eleven, made a “mistake”! Insurance company and law enforcement for state did not want to pursue charges for false claims filing and forgery! The entire industry is corrupt and in bed with each other for another buck. Stay away from RVs!