do they go through the units prior to shipping? After over a month in the shop here fixing all the factory issues, I started wondering. Our roof leak for example, was caused by wiring going through the ac gasket causing a gap and allowing rain to come in damaging wood, ceiling panels and the island light. All of our other issues would have been caught if someone went through the rv and checked it out prior to shipping. Bathroom door hits handrail causing a dent in the door, cuts in the roof from taking masking off, screws stripped in door latch making it seem locked, shower track not sealed at the bottom making it leak, slideout ceiling and walls coming off, etc. etc. All factory issues - granted the slideout issues may have come about from shipping but they could have been better attached to start with.

Picking up our 31SL tomorrow from the dealer and praying everything has been fixed.

When visiting the factory during the 2014 Rally we were in a group with the then GM. He mentioned every unit gets a quick inspection as it comes off the line and 1 or 2 units per week get a thorough inspection.

I should also mention that when coming off the line they are not painted, so they head to a 3rd party vendor for the application.

While walking through coaches in each station there was no obvious signs of an active QC program inspecting the quality of build at each stage of production.

However, Redwood has a new management team and I am not aware of any QA/QC changes they have implemented. Hoping to see some positive changes during the factory tour next month.

Since we will not be there in August, would appreciate any changes you observe.

Andy , when I was there last month I asked that question during my walk through.. They told me that there is a GROUP LEADER that is at every station... That person has a roll of I believe red tape..

Everyone knows that if they see red tape on or hanging that the coach does not leave that area till its fixed.

I did see tape , that's what brought up the conversation..

Andy , when I was there last month I asked that question during my walk through.. They told me that there is a GROUP LEADER that is at every station... That person has a roll of I believe red tape..

Everyone knows that if they see red tape on or hanging that the coach does not leave that area till its fixed.

I did see tape , that's what brought up the conversation..

This was the policy stated at last years rally....

Remember that delivery is also independent. When traveling 1800 miles for delivery, there is no telling how fast they drive or how rough the roads will be. The roads in Illinois and Indiana stink. I know...I lived there many years.

Anyone at the rally this year should ask about the current policy and find out if a "final" checklist is completed prior to leaving the factory.

It would also be interesting to know if an acceptance check is done at the dealership upon arrival...

Obviously, you also do the acceptance check yourself and if you are not comfortable with this, then hire an RV inspector to do it for you.

Andy , when I was there last month I asked that question during my walk through.. They told me that there is a GROUP LEADER that is at every station... That person has a roll of I believe red tape..

Everyone knows that if they see red tape on or hanging that the coach does not leave that area till its fixed.

I did see tape , that's what brought up the conversation..

Joe - thanks for the update. They are definitely making progress. I recall seeing a 38FL on the line and the framing behind the shower, on one of them was a disgrace. One of the studs was about 1" short so they attached it by numerous long staples.

At the 2014 Rally, Vaughan and I visited one of the custom shops and their QC also used the red tape.

Usually RV plants that use RVIA tags are required to use travelers for every unit. By department there are required steps and procedures that are performed and signed off by the group leaders. Things such as flood testing, air pressure testing. Gas line testing with air pressure, etc. There is a pre-appliance gas test. Final gas testing with pressure gauge, then real testing and burning of appliances. Torque for wheel lug nuts gets done several times during the line. As the added weight of sidewalls, roof and appliances and slide outs things change, thus they get re torqued several times. You sure don't want a wheel to fall off on the way to the paint shop.
Systems and electrical testing and hi-pot of electrical for shorts. Hi-pot tests leaving departments will aid in finding the cause of the shorts. The addition of trim and such, can and will penetrate wiring. Easier to fix if you know where it happened and what changed. Verification of rvia requirements while units are built also. Like the 2" requirement of the vent/stink pipe above the roof decking, etc. Wire spacing and securement. Lots of things that the average person doesn't or wouldn't understand why it's done the way its done. Some things do get overlooked, but by looking for these failures they can become less repetitive and not such a nightmare for the future RV owner.

Sorry for rambling on...

Chris

Yep, they inspect the profit margin regularly apparently just ask the last 2 GMs, but as far as QC inspections not so much. They must have use the roll red tape for something by days end so they just stick it somewhere. From reading these forums the same issues I was reading about before I bought mine 3 1/2 years ago are still the same issues now, leaking showers, lack of construction clean up, plastic spring bushings, just to name a few that I cam recall, but the management says it's improving. Just FYI, before you take your first shower, check to see if they caulked the bottom track, 10 to 1 they did not.