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[GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325132] Wed, 18 October 2017 16:35 Go to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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Some of us get upset with GMC problems and prices. If you do, you should
read this article, and similar ones which appear too frequently. While the
article itself could have stood considerably more quality control, it does
present a perspective on the RV industry. Especially at their cost today,
the GMC can be an EXCELLENT buy vs most new coaches.

http://rvtravel.com/readers-tales-of-woe-about-the-quality-of-their-rvs/

Ken H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325145 is a reply to message #325132] Wed, 18 October 2017 19:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
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Yep, it's pervasive in the industry these days, travel trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes.

Most of yall know I have a SOB, a 2003 Fleetwood Discovery diesel pusher. It has been (KNOCK ON WOOD), very reliable but has enough issues to keep me in projects. My problems are more age related than quality related however although my coach was the first year for full body paint and Fleetwood had some quality issues that have resulted in most 2003's having peeling clearcoat.

I belong to a Discovery regional group similar to the Dixielanders. In the club we have 61 coaches from 97 (the Discovery first year) to 2018. There are quite a few original owners of the first generation Discoverys still around. They report that there were very few initial quality issues. Most the 3-5 year old coaches are pretty well debugged but I'd NEVER buy a new one...even if I hit the lottery. The aggravation level would probably cause me to do something I'd regret.

Two years ago, two of my friends and club members both bought a 2016 Discovery from General RV during the yearly LazyDays rally in January. One of the coaches lives about 5 miles from me. They've had a few issues but nothing serious and most caused by the idiots at Bankston RV in Huntsville who break 3 things for every thing they work on. The other coach went to Charleston SC and they are IDENTICAL and only a few numbers apart on the VIN.

The second coach has been a disaster. They went to Alaska and had so many leaks they had to travel with the generator on so they could run the dryer and dry the towels they had on top of the dashboard because the windshields leaked so bad. They came back with a 4 page typed, single page punch list and left it at the factory in Decatur IN for 2 months. The quality difference is astounding even down to the neatness of the wiring in the electric bay. On a recent rolling rally with them, they lost a starter (Warranty) and the pump motor on the leveling jacks. I helped him diagnose both problems. The complexity of the systems increases the difficulty but when you have 12V on the motor or starter lugs and nothing happens, they be bad!

The pump motor was 3 weeks old and was a Lippert (bought out PowerGear) component installed by Tom Johnson Camping world. My friend had paid a small fortune for expedited shipping because they were leaving on this trip. When we diagnosed the problem, he called Tom Johnson and asked them to have the motor on hand when they got there today. They said no problem and actually did order it from Fleetwood who ordered it from Lippert (why they didn't order it direct from Lippert makes no sense to me and everyone who touches it adds their markup)! Anyway, they arrive at Camping World today to find no motor. The part was not in stock at Fleetwood and Fleetwood didn't reorder part.. and didn't let Tom Johnson know plus no one followed up on either party. It's supposed to be there Monday and Camping World is supposed to install it (warranty) and DELIVER the coach 200 miles to my friend.

I wouldn't let Camping World work on a shovel and not just because of the owners politics. Fleetwood screwed up but the bigger screw up was Camping World for not getting a confirmation or doing a followup.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325148 is a reply to message #325145] Wed, 18 October 2017 23:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
More of the same:

http://rvtravel.com/rv-delivery-driver-tells-workmanship-horror-stories/

Hang on to your GMC! :-)

Ken H.


On Wed, Oct 18, 2017 at 8:54 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:

> Yep, it's pervasive in the industry these days, travel trailers, 5th
> wheels, and motorhomes.
> ​...
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325151 is a reply to message #325148] Thu, 19 October 2017 07:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Location: S.E. Michigan
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And I was sure I was the only GMC owner to read RVTravel.

Actually, the horror stories of new RVs are all over the web. A few years back, we ended up at a KOA for a partial day hold (long story of little interest) and we were in the pool with three other couples. One MH and 2 5ers and the three regaled us with warranty stories. Mary was unaware of this.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325157 is a reply to message #325151] Thu, 19 October 2017 10:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pjburt is currently offline  pjburt   United States
Messages: 436
Registered: February 2016
Location: Fresno, California
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Senior Member
No, I'm another RVTravel reader. The GMC was a no brainer for me but I'm an old car nut. I have a friend that thinks I'm crazy but he has over $250,000 in his 5th wheel and truck. It's parked next to the house waiting on parts and the 2 year old truck just got a new frontend.

Matt Colie wrote on Thu, 19 October 2017 05:21
And I was sure I was the only GMC owner to read RVTravel.
Matt



Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325158 is a reply to message #325157] Thu, 19 October 2017 10:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
richshoop is currently offline  richshoop   United States
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Registered: April 2017
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Senior Member
There are SO many stories about new equipment being unrepairable for months and months. With the money being spent, you would expect the parts availability would be a non issue. So many thanks to our parts suppliers who keep us ALL on the road, their contribution cannot be measured, support them at every turn.


----- Original Message -----

From: "Jerry Burt"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2017 8:45:26 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality

No, I'm another RVTravel reader. The GMC was a no brainer for me but I'm an old car nut. I have a friend that thinks I'm crazy but he has over
$250,000 in his 5th wheel and truck. It's parked next to the house waiting on parts and the 2 year old truck just got a new frontend.

Matt Colie wrote on Thu, 19 October 2017 05:21
> And I was sure I was the only GMC owner to read RVTravel.
> Matt


--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers

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Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325161 is a reply to message #325132] Thu, 19 October 2017 13:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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My next door neighbor has had an immobile D150 for a couple years. I wonder what he wants forit..... old square front.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325181 is a reply to message #325132] Fri, 20 October 2017 00:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
misnomer is currently offline  misnomer   United States
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Registered: April 2015
Location: Reno
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Member

So this is probably not the best spot to chat about what Coachmen passed off for wiring in my Birchaven Wink

77 Birchaven 23 w/ 455 Reno, NV
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325185 is a reply to message #325181] Fri, 20 October 2017 08:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
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Location: Mounds View,MN
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Senior Member
My royale was redone in 2002, lets just say they were good cabinet makers, but stupid when doing plumbing, and dangerous when trying to do propane!

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of John Yurtinus
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2017 12:12:42 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality

So this is probably not the best spot to chat about what Coachmen passed off for wiring in my Birchaven ;)
--
77 Birchaven 23 w/ 455
Reno, NV

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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325218 is a reply to message #325132] Fri, 20 October 2017 17:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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That's a real eye opener, Ken! I think we'll stick with the plan of owning our '75 GMC indefinitely.

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325234 is a reply to message #325218] Fri, 20 October 2017 23:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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I believe if we were talking about say a new Fortravel or a Newell rather than a Thor or a Winnebago it would be a whole nother ballgame but it would be a whole lot more money. No matter what the GMC is a lot easier and cheaper to repair ,A 10 year old coach can have more obsolete and hard to find parts on it then a 40 year old GMC especially if the coach mfg has gone out of business. Diesel motor homes also requir a class B drivers license in some states as most are over 26,000 lbs and have air brakes. Another plus for the GMC.

Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] New RV Quality [message #325235 is a reply to message #325234] Fri, 20 October 2017 23:18 Go to previous message
Sammy Williams is currently offline  Sammy Williams   United States
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Registered: August 2010
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Senior Member
The 1999 American Eagle I have has been rock solid "GMC type" reliable.
Turn key, works. Everything else does too. :D lol

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 11:08 PM, roy keen wrote:

> I believe if we were talking about say a new Fortravel or a Newell rather
> than a Thor or a Winnebago it would be a whole nother ballgame but it would
> be a whole lot more money. No matter what the GMC is a lot easier and
> cheaper to repair ,A 10 year old coach can have more obsolete and hard to
> find
> parts on it then a 40 year old GMC especially if the coach mfg has gone
> out of business. Diesel motor homes also requir a class B drivers license in
> some states as most are over 26,000 lbs and have air brakes. Another plus
> for the GMC.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
>
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