TM Quality in 2010

[Like2Ride]

I have read a lot of posts on this forum with a lot of good advice from a lot of smart people. What I don't understand is why the quality of TM is still so poor when you pay such a premium for the product. I bought my 2010 TrailMini and got a lot of training on the unit. The dealer did a great job with the training. It wasn't till I got home from the 5 hour drive from the dealer that I started seeing issues. Most of which would/should have been caught by even the most basic of Quality Control departments. Maybe it is just the economic downturn and they laid off the QC folks, or they are building product with all the parts at the bottom of the bin. I did post on the frame forum a photo of how the frame bent when I tried to jack it up, so there are design issues as well. I tried writing to TM directly over a month ago, and got no response. Now I am hoping that if we all take exception to the sloppy workmanship, maybe those that follow can just buy a new unit and start camping instead of start fixing.

 

[mtnguy]

I an not familiar with the overall quality of the 2010 units, but with what I have seen on other years the quality of Trailmanor is much better that those of other RVs. When I was at the factory in Aug. 2008, I was impressed with the operation there. I also saw where they had a "hiring" sign up at the main road, and was told that they were having trouble finding workers for the line. If that is still going on, then that might contribute to some quality issues. Trailmanor should (and probably will) address your issues. I realize that a 5 hour drive will be a big inconvenience to remedy your issues.

Regarding your bent frame, I realize that is a concern. I am no structural engineer, but it appears that just the lip of the C frame is bent, and not the vertical part. This might affect the integrity of the frame slightly, but I betcha you will never have a problem with that. Trailmanor apparently uses a lighter frame on the TrailMini to keep down on the weight. If they used a tubular frame similar to the fold-down models, than that would add another 100 lbs. or so to the total weight. With no intention of faulting anyone, when I lifted the tubular framed Trailmanor and the I-beam frame on my current travel trailer, I distribute the weight of my bottle jack by placing a board between the jack and the frame. I betcha this is 1 of those learning lessons that won't happen again.

 

[rjlwork]

We have a mini too. Our only "issue" to date was the kichen sink not being glued underneath. Looked like it was dry fitted and never glued. Our local dealer is new to TM, but had no trouble diagnosing or fixing the problem. We were only out 4 times before we put it into storage for the winter, but shakedown seems complete. My only question is if the Carrier AC was included in the recall. Haven't received any notice and all paperwork is in the mini, under cover for now.

Judy Workman
2010 Trailmini
2007 Buick Rendezvous

 

[Like2Ride]

I do think there is something going wrong at TM - This is the list of what I remember that I found in the first month of ownwership.
1) The Factory installed radio - No reception - When I finally dunked a CD, only one speaker works. After searching the forum I found that several people had found the antenna disconnected at the left rear corner - not so on mine - no antenna wire in the bundle at all. Then I found that they just stuck a short white wire in the antena socket on the back of the radio and let it fall behind the fridge. I think the only way I am going to get any reception is to install an external antenna.
2) The kitchen drawers fell in. Turned out that they did not connect/support the back side of the drawer rails to anything. It just relies on the two staples in the front to hold the whole drawer assembly up. That didn't make the first 250 miles home.
3) Before connecting to site water supply, I purchased a water regulator, but when I turned on the camp site water, It started filling the compartment where the water tank resides. I was able to tighten connections and get it to stop leaking.
4) When we started to use the kitchen sink, we soon realized that the food in the cupboard underneath the sink was all wet. I tightened up all the drain connections and eventually got it to stop leaking. The drain is not centered in the sink hole, so I am sure I will be re-visiting this one.
5) The door on the electrical panel falls open every time you close the exterior door. Since it is next to the exterior door the chances of stepping on it and breaking it are great.
6) One of the vanity drawer fronts has a huge split lengthwise across the whole drawer.
7) The rear door does not line up unless you make the unit un-level. You need to torque it using the leveling jacks which makes the unit not level. Otherwise the latch between the upper and lower parts of the door doesn't connect right. The whole door frame is a mess - the holes where the latches go into the frame look like they used a can opener to make them (a great place to slice up a finger).
A number of holes in the floor that had little or no insulation. I do cold weather camping, so this is a concern especially when moving in freezing temps.
9) While I really like their overall design, there are some stupid things. I could not believe when I removed the outside frig cover looking for the radio problem, I notice that the cover frame is held on by several wood screws into small sticks of wood. Now many of us have probably done this type of temporary repair when we did not have the right screw and nut, but it is not something that I have ever considered permanent. The other design issue that was immediately evident was that when folded, the bathroom door hangs down and just bangs against the stationary part of the bath wall.
10) Probably the most agravating is when you take the time write an email to Customer Service at Trailmanor, and they don't respond at all, it is a sign of a company who does not value their customers.

While I can correct any of these (and I have corrected a number of them), the reason for my original post was to say that people buying new (at this time) need to have a dealer close by to finish assembling the unit. I still love the concept, I just wish they had more control over the quality of the product.

 

[AstroBruce]

It's kinda hard to keep a trailer from falling apart, when everything inside is screwed to foam backed tinfoil.

 

[Jim&Joan]

I guess I am at once, sorry to hear about the issues folks seem to be having on recent TM products, but somehow glad I bought a used unit, ...I guess.

Hopefully you will remain around here and learn what the group has to offer. However, I do have to be honest and ask, "How could you have accepted delivery?" I get that some of the issues would only show up over time, but a whole lot of what you are pointing out seem positively 'walkthru spottable'.

I am not sure how you 'don't believe rust', but I am not sure that is a big deal overall. Those parts have been in place for most of the assembly, delivery to dealer, etc. When you pull it down the road, you will continously sandblast the under carriage and then probably pull in in wet conditions. The under rust will be a continous thing. All my TVs have rust underneath. I have not researched this, but I have had the thought that most surface coatings are going to have a tough time being effective on the torsion bars. These things are twisted and untwisted which distorts the surface of the rod. But, if that was a concern to you, why did you take delivery until you were satisfied?

I am not specifically familiar with the layout of your new unit, but the water issue, while certainly annoying for a new item, may not be too big a deal. I had a similar set of symptoms. (Granted we bought ours used. We took it with previous owner to a campground and ran up all the systems. So, this leak was known and negotiated, although not fixed, so I assumed risk.) It turned out to come from two sources. One was the exterior shower which had a loose fitting to the mixing valve. I could tell by the caulking that I wasn't the first one in there. There was still a leak. I was able to see it was coming from the bathroom tub faucet area. Again, it was a loose fitting. I was able to tilt the panel with the faucet out enough to tighten. This eliminated the leak. (The leak ran down the encolsed area and made the rear storage area wet and it leaked at the wall-floor seam from the exterior shower to the rear corner prior to the repair.) You certainly shouldn't have to fix it, not my point, but in my case, it was a couple of simple 'tighten the fitting' to fix.

Starting to sound like buying a trailer needs to be like buying a home, complete walk thru, hire an inspector, and hold a formal 'closing' to transfer funds after buyer acceptance of condition. (Course there's always going to be warranty things pop up.)

Even for new things and things under warranty, I'll often fix it myself because of experiences where things get made worse. As my friends and I like to say about working on our houses, "What's the difference between a homeowner and a professional? The homeowner cares!"

I hope you get all of your issues worked out in time to enjoy the upcoming spring. And I am really disheartened to hear of all of these issues.

 

[Larryp1941]

TM Quality

I was thinking similar thoughts about quality this weekend as I repaired the hinge apparatus on the folding wall of the bathroom. There was a 1x1 "L" frame attached to the wall to which the little shelf in the bathroom attached. The shelf had been attached by TM using 6 wire staples. Its a wonder they lasted as long as they did. The wall is now "screwed and glued" as it should have been originally.

 

[robertkennel]

It really shouldn't be the customers ,of a brand new unit, responsibility to perform quality control but now it has become that way.

 

[rubydoodle]

If you have a problem, call TM and ask for Ed. TM has had some hard times, like the rest of the RV industry, but I believe they will try to please their customers. Also, I believe they would want to know problems their customers encounter. I know yesterday when we were there, they had not receptionist. She had taken another job, and they had not replaced her yet. We have always been pleased with their response to our questions and their work.

 

[pacificstar]

Ok after reading these posts I'm not so sure the make is for me! I value customer care and customer appreciation from a company. I do like to buy new if I can afford it and this isn't making me feel so great about paying this much for a trailer. Thanks folks.

 

[wmtire]

Ok after reading these posts I'm not so sure the make is for me! I value customer care and customer appreciation from a company. I do like to buy new if I can afford it and this isn't making me feel so great about paying this much for a trailer. Thanks folks.

I'm not sure that it's just TrailManor having these problems. I have been debating on whether to get a fifth wheeler. As I do research on the models I have narrowed it down to, I keep running into similar kinds of problems from disatisified owners who have posted their experiences online in different forums.

It appears there are quality control issues across many makes and manufacturers of trailers.

As a business owner myself----I can testify to how hard it is to find good help. It appears less and less people are taking pride in their work, but the root causes of that would take up many forum pages.

 

[Wavery]

I'm not sure that it's just TrailManor having these problems. I have been debating on whether to get a fifth wheeler. As I do research on the models I have narrowed it down to, I keep running into similar kinds of problems from disatisified owners who have posted their experiences online in different forums.

It appears there are quality control issues across many makes and manufacturers of trailers.

As a business owner myself----I can testify to how hard it is to find good help. It appears less and less people are taking pride in their work, but the root causes of that would take up many forum pages.

I agree with wmtire 100%.

The problem with forums like this is that the dissatisfied customers speak the loudest..........It's not many forums that you will find that happy customers post their delight. For the hundreds of trailers that are built and sold, the # of complaints seem to be relatively low IMO.....

That doesn't diminish the validity of those that do complain. It may just help add a little balance to the over-all issue.

Just the very concept of building a home on a trailer that is driven down rough roads, over pot-holes, up & down hills, in and out of driveways, hot weather and cold weather (often in the same day), Sun exposure, salty roads, ocean air and all the rest of it, is a daunting task.

The manufacturers have to compete in the market place by keeping assembly prices in line, yet still come up with a competitive product.

I'm not excusing anything BTW.......I'm just saying that the market place is driven by the consumer. If a manufacturer does not keep up with consumer demand (both quality and price) they will only last as long as their ability to bleed $.

I have seen some really poor design flaws in the TM line of trailers. It does take a disturbingly long time for TM to get on top of these flaws but it has been my experience that (in the end) they do address most of them. Assembly issues seem to be a more time critical problem and closely related to the quality of people employed and the training time dedicated.

It appears that it is certainly time for TM to get serious about employee training and quality control.

 

[rpcoombs]

Customer Service (what a joke) has also ignored my e-mails asking them about the rumored future availability of a power shell lift option (expensive but retrofitable). Even a "we don't know" reply would have been great but they totally ignore you just as I once witnessed the founder refuse to to acknowledge his factory receptionist's :Good Morning" greeting to him as he swept royally into his office. They appear to just not care anymore sad to say.

 

[rjlwork]

After just returning from the factory, I can see why things are so up in the air. 40% of the rv industry has gone through shut-down. Trailmanor is feeling lucky to still be with us. That being said, the factory is running on minimum staff and stock/parts. Anything new, is on hold; waiting for an upturn to the economic situations we're all facing. I felt cared for and had all the attention I needed while I was there. Not being able to deal directly with them has to be frustrating. Being short-staffed has to have an effect on response and urgency issues. They're trying, please try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Anything new in development has to take a backseat to basic operations and survival.

Judy
2010 Trailmini
2007 (new to us!) Chevy Avalanche

 

[mtnguy]

That is quite a turn around. When I was at the factory in Aug. 2008, there was a hiring sign out front, and I was told production couldn't keep up with demand.

 

[cochise-TMO]

Customer Service (what a joke) has also ignored my e-mails asking them about the rumored future availability of a power shell lift option (expensive but retrofitable). Even a "we don't know" reply would have been great but they totally ignore you just as I once witnessed the founder refuse to to acknowledge his factory receptionist's :Good Morning" greeting to him as he swept royally into his office. They appear to just not care anymore sad to say.

Very interesting indeed...was that the elder William Hulsey? If so it must have been before he had his stroke. For over a year Michael Hulsey was in charge of the factory and did a great job of driving it into the ground. He rarely answered emails, and I have personally sent 3 certified letter that all vent unanswered by him. With the new CEO there may be hope for a brighter future. But the road is going to be rough!

And yes the Honorable Harveyrv is correct in stating that those with complaints are probably more active than those that claim to be satisfied. After calling/writing and what not without an answer it is only human to seek other places to "vent".

So it is all in the future. Perhaps TM will succeed, perhaps they will not.

 

[moaboy]

Let's buy the company...!

 

[foxhaven0]

I have had excellent response from TM, both from Ed Lytle and Eddie Loving in Parts. I used email and did not expect to be answered instantly. Within a couple days I had very courteous answers. I bought a used 3124ks and have had things that needed upkeep as anything would. While I was looking at used rvs I found the biggest issue was how well the owner took care of it, not how well it was build to begin with.
Fran
2001 3124ks
2003 F150

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

I have had excellent response from TM, both from Ed Lytle and Eddie Loving in Parts. I used email and did not expect to be answered instantly. Within a couple days I had very courteous answers. I bought a used 3124ks and have had things that needed upkeep as anything would. While I was looking at used rvs I found the biggest issue was how well the owner took care of it, not how well it was build to begin with.
Fran
2001 3124ks
2003 F150

I have to agree with you foxhaven0. Response to phone calls is great. Over all TM does a good job, I have never seen a RV with printed labels to identify wiring like TM does but at the same token not properly crimping connectors and or using the wrong one for the gauge wire isn't acceptable. The use of wire nuts for splices is great in two places; at home in house wiring and as a temporary fix on the road; not as a original splice from the factory or by the dealer prior to delivery.

 

[OffToDaRaces]

Trailmanor quality control

Hello everyone. I have been reading about quality issues with the TM units, new and old. I recently purchased a 2008 2720 that I am initially pleased with. I am not an engineer, but I have had some training in construction of various vehicles, ie semi's, semi trailers, cargo trailers etc.

After getting my TM home, I have spent the last few days going over it with a fine tooth comb. Although the engineering theories seem sound, the actual construction could be better. I have replaced many l inferior screws, staples and double stick tape. I actually think that if TM had used a better quality fasteners during assembly, it may have added $5-10 per unit, and possibly 5 pounds per Trailer. It appears that the new attitude in business is planned obsolesence. I guess that I may be a bit anal, but I like to know what I am dealing with.

I was abit suprised when I removed a couple panels and trim in the rear shell, while installing rear vision camera. I would have thought that electrical connections would be made with something better than "crimp connectors" from Wall Mart. I lieu of replacing all of those connectors now, I have decided that if I have any electrical problems inthe future, the first place to look will be the connectors.

Other minor things that I found and fixed are things like; the heavy weatherstrip that runs the length of the shells is poorly secured at the end of the slide. I fixed those by cleaning the tabs at the end of the slides, using velcro and a self taping screw thru a small flat washer. Now when slid, the weather barrier does slide smoothly and is not as prone to damage to itself or the surrounding materials. I also repaired or replaced almost all of Velcro that is used to hold the whole thing together.

I have also ordered, from TM, the LED tail lights. I believe that better lighting on the rear of any trailer, reduces the chances of rear end collisions. The new lights are supposed to be direct replacements for the older model lights, although a bit larger and a separate tag light must aslo be used.

If anyone is interested, will continue to post whatever fixes and replacements that I perform on my TM. It actually has been fun going thru the trailer and trying different things. Many of my ideas have come from this forum. Keep it up. Thanks