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Old 07-12-2014, 02:53 AM   #1
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Dutchmen Quality?...

Where to start... just found out our trailer isnt ready for PDI tomorrow like I mentioned in another thread. Dealer calls me and tells me apparently, the wall covering is peeling off and the AC units arent working correctly, just the beginning. Had to take the day off work trying to plan ahead for the PDI. I dont want to start on a rant but, How and why is it so hard for someone to check to make sure everything works before a unit is released to go to a dealer. From what I read on this forum, Everyone seems to be very happy with all the problems I have read here. Yet everyone is very happy with their trailer. This is not my first purchase I understand there will be some is issues. But Damn, how hard is it? Cant do our PDI til next Friday. For roughly a 90k + price tag, This is BULLS%^T. I hope this is the right trailer and everything works out. I will never recommend this brand of trailer to anyone. Please feel free to chime in or ignore. Thanks, Bud and Trudy
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Old 07-12-2014, 11:16 AM   #2
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I would perhaps ask for another trailer. I did that on a new truck delivery once. Don't take any crap. it is your money. I test drove the truck before I went to cut them a check and there was something not right about the drivetrain. I started walking away and they found me a new truck pretty darn fast.
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Old 07-12-2014, 11:20 AM   #3
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And yes, the quality is highly suspect. I have a 20 item check list for my guys working on my trailer I just purchased (very lightly preowned 2012 3950) about which 75% is getting things to work right. I just came to the realization that I will have to do some mods to get things working the way I would like.

I am a pay more for quality kind of guy. My plan is to use this trailer for 6-8 years then graduate to a bus-chassis coach. My neighbor has a Prevost and the fit and finish quality on them is beyond belief - though they still have issues. But that is what you can do when weight is really not a concern. I would like to see someone build a no-holds barred fiver toy hauler. Assume a 30k pound tow vehicle.
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Old 07-12-2014, 12:43 PM   #4
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You realize that using "Dutchmen" and "Quality" together is an oxymoron?

There is very little QC in the RV industry by the manufacturers at ANY level. I have seen $100,000+ units that were put together worse than some of the $14,000 units. The best bet is to do your own poking and prodding prior to purchasing. The RV industry has taken the WalMart approach to warranties... "let the consumer find the problems and bring it back".

Unfortunately the few companies that used to take pride in their work have fallen prey to investors, venture capitalists and the general public wanting low prices. I have been messing about in RV's for over 35 years and have worked on many different units. I have seen some very good companies come along, only to disappear when there was a change in ownership.

FWIW Dutchmen apparently no longer exists, they have been taken over by the Keystone group. Quality probably won't improve but customer service will... somewhat.

Aaron
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Old 07-12-2014, 01:52 PM   #5
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When you do go for the PDI look everything over closley. Take your time, move at your pace not theirs. Check this forum closely if you haven't already done so and read where others have had issues with right off the bat. Like air condition duct blockage, not taped right, missing broken screws everywhere, schwintek slide rails not aligned properly, so look for damage or signs of miss alignment. Check roof for proper sealing. I found a couple of places on mine that needed sealed. And this list can go on and on.

As far as answering your question about QC! Thats been asked over and over and there is no clear answer. They are certainly lacking in that department. Good luck, hopepit works out in the long run.
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Old 07-12-2014, 02:31 PM   #6
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That's the way they come. The Co. already knows that the dealer will need to fix or prepare/replace items. I did my PDI this year and found ELEVEN major things wrong with the trailer. A lot were SAFETY items. I sent a letter to Thor and all they could say was that they would review them for their next builds. You aren't alone in this BELEIVE ME!!!
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Old 07-12-2014, 08:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BnTinNV View Post
Where to start... just found out our trailer isnt ready for PDI tomorrow like I mentioned in another thread. Dealer calls me and tells me apparently, the wall covering is peeling off and the AC units arent working correctly, just the beginning. Had to take the day off work trying to plan ahead for the PDI. I dont want to start on a rant but, How and why is it so hard for someone to check to make sure everything works before a unit is released to go to a dealer. From what I read on this forum, Everyone seems to be very happy with all the problems I have read here. Yet everyone is very happy with their trailer. This is not my first purchase I understand there will be some is issues. But Damn, how hard is it? Cant do our PDI til next Friday. For roughly a 90k + price tag, This is BULLS%^T. I hope this is the right trailer and everything works out. I will never recommend this brand of trailer to anyone. Please feel free to chime in or ignore. Thanks, Bud and Trudy
Yes that sucks big time.

On the plus side is the dealer found the defects and is fixing them. Hopefully that will be that will be the only problems.
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