Why this, please explain, to my knowledge the Nothwoods are at the upper End in Price and Quality and i considered them for Me when the Time comes.
Ozy
They are indeed at the upper end and have a good reputation. Sadly, they're just mediocre when it comes to quality. My unit was just thrown together. Someone pointed out to me that things changed greatly during the recession and even good builders began cutting costs to the bone.
I've owned a number of RV's over the last 30+ years and I have a background in manufacturing. I'm also an avid DIY'r So I consider myself a pretty good judge.
It's clear to me that NW just don't care what they're doing.
Little stuff:
Most cabinet screws were stripped so latches and hinges fell apart. I installed new screws.
All doors and drawers were crooked/out of plumb. I rehung all of them.
All faucets were loose. Drains had sealant slopped all over.
The two fiberglass end caps have countless blemishes. Factory said all their units are like that. They rubbed them out but they still look like crap. I don't see the same thing with any other brand.
The slide out awnings are an ultra cheap version that is only available to the builders. Carefree wont sell the same junk model to the public and no parts are avail. The light and heat comes right through them and the rain collapses them and bends the tubes. I wish I had just installed covers myself like I did on my other trailer.
Main awning (electric) was mounted with awning arms badly out of plumb so the awning clanks and jerks and has to be helped to nest when retracting.
Here's an example of the wiring for it:
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There was interior trim with big gaps and some even falling off. Factory fixed some, I fixed the rest.
They claim to do some big electrical test before shipping but it had USB charge ports wired backwards which blew fuses - and they left them that way. I figured it out and corrected them.
Big stuff:
Main slideout was installed wrong and ended up ripping its roof. (post warranty period so my problem)
There were numerous cracks in the exterior from rough treatment in the factory and running screws through the walls to the outside (just stupid). NW paid to have them "fixed" but the results are dissapointing. New cracks keep showing up.
Damage where wall had been set on something prior to assembly, cracking it.
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The roof wasn't structured correctly for second AC (an option I paid for). Unit had to go back to factory for a rebuild and replacement of the roof. Roof was replaced IN ONE DAY!!! Quality of work is horrendous. I'm lucky I can keep it inside because I cannot trust the roof and have to inspect it often. I was lied to time after time by the factory. They told me what ever I wanted to hear but didn't do anything they promised. The factory also tried to argue with me on what I paid for - a ridiculous argument. My dealer set them straight.
Fridge was installed without any regard to the instructions. All clearances were way off and it worked very poorly. I reworked it myself and it functions OK now.
Now the main slide is grinding into the carpet. Warranty expired so it's my problem.
There's lots more little stuff. It's way worse than I ever experienced before.
You do get lots of little extra's with an Arctic Fox but the build quality is terrible. It compares with Jayco, Keystone, Pioneer - very avg. to below avg. from what I've seen at RV shows. And not nearly as good as my 2004 Wildcat which was a low end brand.
Scott
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