So, there are several different YouTube influencers that have now been asked to sign an NDA agreement as part of their settlement with an RV manufacturer.
Let’s talk about NDA’s, aka non-disclosure agreements for just a minute.
An NDA might also be known as a CA (confidentiality Agreement) or a Secrecy agreement. It is basically a contract between at least two parties in which they agree to share information only between themselves and prevent one of the parties from disclosing information. In the case of the RV manufacturers what they are trying to do is prevent RV owners from disclosing the events they complained about and/or settlement that they received.
In some of these cases they actually demand that videos be removed from YouTube, and other social media platforms.
The most common problem going on right now in the RV industry that seems to be getting traction happens to be frame flex on fifth wheel trailers. I understand that a lot of folks are quick to blame the frame manufacturer, Lippert. Keep in mind that Lippert is a manufacturer, that makes their product to a specification given by the RV manufacturer. That is similar to blaming the meat plant for the size of your hamburger at McDonalds. Now, that being said, if the frame isn’t properly welded, that is indeed the frame manufacturer’s fault. It would also be their fault if they didn’t manufacture the frame according to the specs they are given by the RV manufacturer. In any event, from what I see on-line, there seems to be a lot of finger pointing between Lippert and the RV manufacturers.
I feel for the fifth wheel owners that are experiencing these issues. In my opinion the problem lies deep in the RV industry. The RVIA, which in my opinion is nothing more than a lobbying group for the RV industry. They have fought to keep the lemon laws away from towables. They say that they have established standards for the RV manufacturers, really? The standards for RV construction are loose, to say the least. One need only look at the way a couple of the following examples.
Plumbing fittings that are not appropriate for the plumbing lines they are attached to.
Look at the morass of wiring that is bundled up under the trailer.
Screws that are driven into outlets that end up in water pipes. In one of the latest cases I’ve seen, screws are puncturing refrigerators. Trust me, these are just a few of the issues that are happening on new rigs.
If one hole is good, is two better?…NO!
In my opinion, if folks want real change it will need to look at the RVIA and determine its culpability in all of this as well.
I’ll be quite honest. I hate the federal government getting involved in regulating anything. However, since the RV industry is unwilling or unable to control the quality and safety of their builds, maybe it’s time for oversight from the NTSB. Maybe it’s time for the RV industry to be held accountable for what they are putting on the roadway at highway speeds.
The NDA that manufacturers are trying to enforce with customers, is nothing short of trying to sweep the issues under the rug. As long as they can coverup the issues, the business can keep functioning the way it has been. In the meantime, folks that are in a bad situation with their rig get to make a choice between no help with their issue; or help that is dependent on an NDA.
This industry quality has steadily gone downhill since 2008. I know this based on my personal buying experience over 35+ years and 8 travel trailers. Before the big three bought out all the struggling RV companies during the 2008 recession, there was competition. Competition typically breeds quality. Where is the quality now? The industry incents its workers to push more and more units out the door at a faster rate. Is there any surprise that they are cutting corners to make that happen? Missing lag screws in the frame, the wrong plumbing connections, electrical boxes not wired correctly, etc. etc.
I want to be clear, I don’t want the RV industry to crash and burn. I just want to see it turn around and course correct. A better, safer, and reliable RV can be made.
An RV attorney said recently that anyone would be crazy to buy a new RV right now. I can’t disagree with that statement.
NDA’s and the RV Industry
So, there are several different YouTube influencers that have now been asked to sign an NDA agreement as part of their settlement with an RV manufacturer.
Let’s talk about NDA’s, aka non-disclosure agreements for just a minute.
An NDA might also be known as a CA (confidentiality Agreement) or a Secrecy agreement. It is basically a contract between at least two parties in which they agree to share information only between themselves and prevent one of the parties from disclosing information. In the case of the RV manufacturers what they are trying to do is prevent RV owners from disclosing the events they complained about and/or settlement that they received.
In some of these cases they actually demand that videos be removed from YouTube, and other social media platforms.
The most common problem going on right now in the RV industry that seems to be getting traction happens to be frame flex on fifth wheel trailers. I understand that a lot of folks are quick to blame the frame manufacturer, Lippert. Keep in mind that Lippert is a manufacturer, that makes their product to a specification given by the RV manufacturer. That is similar to blaming the meat plant for the size of your hamburger at McDonalds. Now, that being said, if the frame isn’t properly welded, that is indeed the frame manufacturer’s fault. It would also be their fault if they didn’t manufacture the frame according to the specs they are given by the RV manufacturer. In any event, from what I see on-line, there seems to be a lot of finger pointing between Lippert and the RV manufacturers.
I feel for the fifth wheel owners that are experiencing these issues. In my opinion the problem lies deep in the RV industry. The RVIA, which in my opinion is nothing more than a lobbying group for the RV industry. They have fought to keep the lemon laws away from towables. They say that they have established standards for the RV manufacturers, really? The standards for RV construction are loose, to say the least. One need only look at the way a couple of the following examples.
In my opinion, if folks want real change it will need to look at the RVIA and determine its culpability in all of this as well.
I’ll be quite honest. I hate the federal government getting involved in regulating anything. However, since the RV industry is unwilling or unable to control the quality and safety of their builds, maybe it’s time for oversight from the NTSB. Maybe it’s time for the RV industry to be held accountable for what they are putting on the roadway at highway speeds.
The NDA that manufacturers are trying to enforce with customers, is nothing short of trying to sweep the issues under the rug. As long as they can coverup the issues, the business can keep functioning the way it has been. In the meantime, folks that are in a bad situation with their rig get to make a choice between no help with their issue; or help that is dependent on an NDA.
This industry quality has steadily gone downhill since 2008. I know this based on my personal buying experience over 35+ years and 8 travel trailers. Before the big three bought out all the struggling RV companies during the 2008 recession, there was competition. Competition typically breeds quality. Where is the quality now? The industry incents its workers to push more and more units out the door at a faster rate. Is there any surprise that they are cutting corners to make that happen? Missing lag screws in the frame, the wrong plumbing connections, electrical boxes not wired correctly, etc. etc.
I want to be clear, I don’t want the RV industry to crash and burn. I just want to see it turn around and course correct. A better, safer, and reliable RV can be made.
An RV attorney said recently that anyone would be crazy to buy a new RV right now. I can’t disagree with that statement.
john.martini.patterson@gmail.com
May 6, 2024
Blog, Industry Commentary
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