TM is a small company, and their products don't change dramatically from year to year. It is not like the complete redesign of the Ford Explorer from the 2001 model to the 2002 model - almost a different vehicle! With TMs, it is more like a slow steady evolution - and in fact, many improvements are introduced in mid-year. So there are no "good years" and "bad years". There will always be minor goofs, glitches, and gotchas, usually associated with production methods rather than engineering or design. But they are not endemic to any particular model or year. And they don't doom any particular model or year to the LEMON category.
As has been noted, there were a few giant leaps of evolution. The change from wood to metal framing in the shell comes to mind, but even that took place over a couple years. The change from square to round wheel wells was a big step and an important one, but hardly a giant leap since the retrofit of older units isn't hard. The change from side air conditioning to roof air conditioning was nice, but doesn't qualify (IMO) as even a "big step".
It sounds like you are headed in the right direction. Go for it! And when you have questions, come back to this board for answers.
Bill
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