Best Of
Re: Battery Discharge
@GigHarborTom - actually, boondocking is not the mission for the majority of purchasers of nuCamp products. NuCamp follows consumer demands which dictates their sales down the road. Most owners typically use hookups, hence the microwave option and choice to have a 2 way vs a 3 way frig (3 way option now retired). Consumers often want more glamping features including Bluetooth entertainment systems, TVs, user friendly tank and battery monitors, etc. All of these items do add complexity to the build and requires commitment from the owner to understand what they own. The learning curve can be steep for any new owner.
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
Totally agree with this. If you've got the time and willingness to learn you really take a lot of stress off yourself by being self sufficient (in all aspects of life).marchule said:Your dealer experience of today will change in a year or so. This happens because the management changes their focus and/or the technicians find a better job. The more self-reliant you become on caring for your RV the happier and less stressful your life will become.
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
Okay, coming from the manufacturing industry I am compelled to jump in on this.
First topic, NuCamp Build Quality.
NuCamp (like all manufacturers) rely on suppliers to provide the majority of the components used to build the final product.
With this said, the majority of ALL issues with new products (read this as most anything) is tied to the quality and supply of those components. Some which are easily identified as "not acceptable quality" while others are not so simple.
To begin to even think that NuCamp (or any other company) would intentionally ship defective finished products is just not sound thinking (or business). The cost of warranty repairs after delivering to an end user is astronomical in comparison to fixing it "in-house" before shipping. It is 10 x higher after it leaves, if not more.
Unfortunately, due to the recent 2 plus years of the "pandemic", constant supply chain issues, substitutions, worker shortages (in all business nationwide) we are not dealing with what anyone could refer to as "Normal times". I don't have a crystal ball to be able to tell you when they will (if ever) return to what we view as normal. In the interim, we have choices that can be made. Either buy things knowing that there will be return visits due to these challenges that are beyond the manufacturers control or keep what we have.
2nd topic, regarding dealers.
As in all Sales & Service operations, there are really good ones and some that just "think they are". The only way to find out is to speak to people who have done business with them in the past or dive in and take the chance yourself. I originally came out of the Auto Industry and can assure you that there are some really good dealerships (and private repair facilities) and some that are just plain horrible.
I am blessed with the knowledge and ability to fix nearly anything that I come across as a problem. It is not because I can't afford to pay someone, it is the simple fact that I hate to pay money for the better than average chance that I am going to receive what I view as a "sub-standard" job.
If I had to rely on a dealership, their reputation would be a major deciding factor on the brand I buy. Meaning if they sell Brand X that I really like but have a horrible reputation with them. Maybe I look at Brand Y or go to another dealership location for my purchase.
Final Commnet, NuCamp customer service.
It has been my experience that NuCamp goes above and beyond to satisfy their end users. They certainly have "went the extra mile" for me with a couple of issues that I had. I couldn't be more pleased, and I know countless others who have also had this great experience.
As far as quality for the money, the prices have gone up significantly since I bought our 400 BDL in March of 2020. But it isn't just NuCamp that has price increases. I would challenge anyone to find the quality of what NuCamp builds in the price range they are selling for. I have personally looked at other campers in recent weeks (this includes up to a 100K unit), and I would easily say that everything I have looked at is way beneath NuCamp quality.
So, be patient in these difficult times, seek out a dealership that is knowledgeable for all of your needs, or if it is is realistic, learn as much as you possibly can. It is a wonderful benefit of being able to do things for yourself - especially if you are not near anything.
Brad
First topic, NuCamp Build Quality.
NuCamp (like all manufacturers) rely on suppliers to provide the majority of the components used to build the final product.
With this said, the majority of ALL issues with new products (read this as most anything) is tied to the quality and supply of those components. Some which are easily identified as "not acceptable quality" while others are not so simple.
To begin to even think that NuCamp (or any other company) would intentionally ship defective finished products is just not sound thinking (or business). The cost of warranty repairs after delivering to an end user is astronomical in comparison to fixing it "in-house" before shipping. It is 10 x higher after it leaves, if not more.
Unfortunately, due to the recent 2 plus years of the "pandemic", constant supply chain issues, substitutions, worker shortages (in all business nationwide) we are not dealing with what anyone could refer to as "Normal times". I don't have a crystal ball to be able to tell you when they will (if ever) return to what we view as normal. In the interim, we have choices that can be made. Either buy things knowing that there will be return visits due to these challenges that are beyond the manufacturers control or keep what we have.
2nd topic, regarding dealers.
As in all Sales & Service operations, there are really good ones and some that just "think they are". The only way to find out is to speak to people who have done business with them in the past or dive in and take the chance yourself. I originally came out of the Auto Industry and can assure you that there are some really good dealerships (and private repair facilities) and some that are just plain horrible.
I am blessed with the knowledge and ability to fix nearly anything that I come across as a problem. It is not because I can't afford to pay someone, it is the simple fact that I hate to pay money for the better than average chance that I am going to receive what I view as a "sub-standard" job.
If I had to rely on a dealership, their reputation would be a major deciding factor on the brand I buy. Meaning if they sell Brand X that I really like but have a horrible reputation with them. Maybe I look at Brand Y or go to another dealership location for my purchase.
Final Commnet, NuCamp customer service.
It has been my experience that NuCamp goes above and beyond to satisfy their end users. They certainly have "went the extra mile" for me with a couple of issues that I had. I couldn't be more pleased, and I know countless others who have also had this great experience.
As far as quality for the money, the prices have gone up significantly since I bought our 400 BDL in March of 2020. But it isn't just NuCamp that has price increases. I would challenge anyone to find the quality of what NuCamp builds in the price range they are selling for. I have personally looked at other campers in recent weeks (this includes up to a 100K unit), and I would easily say that everything I have looked at is way beneath NuCamp quality.
So, be patient in these difficult times, seek out a dealership that is knowledgeable for all of your needs, or if it is is realistic, learn as much as you possibly can. It is a wonderful benefit of being able to do things for yourself - especially if you are not near anything.
Brad
Turbocharging the Norcold N 180.3 3-Way Fridge (adding a baffle)
The baffle is the key element for any side vent mounted refrigerator. If there is more than two inches of space between the condenser and the wall, your side vent mounted refrigerator will not work as well as it should. The baffle is made out piece of 2x2 cut 11” long and a 12x12 sheet of aluminum, I found at Home Depot for less than $8.00. I staple gunned the aluminum to the 2x2 and bent it so that it would create a ramp to to push the air into the condensers. It’s mounted by replacing the left and middle mounting screws with 2 ½” deck screws. It sits flush with the bottom edge of the vent hole. The aluminum runs at an angle creating the ramp up to the condenser fins. The bottom sits about one inch above the top edge of the bottom vent and is taped down to the inside wall with aluminum vent tape.
The aluminum is stapled to the 2x2 and then I ran vent tap over the edge to create a smooth surface.
This shows the side that goes next to the exhaust pipe.
The is exhaust pipe is why I cut the 2x2 to 11” as to not interfere with it. Rather than lose the additional inch of surface to move air up the compartment, I just down about 3” or so and pushed the aluminum out of the way
This show the taped edge and mounting position for the fan. It’s mounted all the way to the left side of the compartment.
If you would like to see more about why it's important to have a baffle, please read my latest document posted on the Facebook T@b Camping Trailer Group in the files. https://www.facebook.com/groups/24931511064/10154559661986065/
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
RVs and campers are all big complicated boxes with lots of connections bouncing down the road. The industry would like you to think everything will be problem free. They don't want you to know there will be problems. With that said, our T@B is the best quality we've seen and had and we've had everything from campervans to motorhomes. So glad we ditched our motorhome a year ago for the T@B. It's a lot more fun.
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
Yeah, Nucamp’s videos are pretty poor. They lack a lot of the specifics for our particular trailers and seem to be superficial at best.
As far as quality, yes Nucamp tends to use the best materials…but humans put these things together and humans can suck sometimes. That’s been my biggest issue with our 400…lack of overall craftsmanship. Yeah, the components may all be made in China but it’s an American worker overdriving screws, not aligning cabinets, leaving too much slack on the brake line, etc.
We’ve owned a poor quality popup camper and yeah, those are a whole other story. If Nucamp is all you’re familiar with and you walk into a Forest River product…yikes. No comparison. I just wish the craftsmanship was a level up. That’s all.
As far as quality, yes Nucamp tends to use the best materials…but humans put these things together and humans can suck sometimes. That’s been my biggest issue with our 400…lack of overall craftsmanship. Yeah, the components may all be made in China but it’s an American worker overdriving screws, not aligning cabinets, leaving too much slack on the brake line, etc.
We’ve owned a poor quality popup camper and yeah, those are a whole other story. If Nucamp is all you’re familiar with and you walk into a Forest River product…yikes. No comparison. I just wish the craftsmanship was a level up. That’s all.
Re: UCamp22
@AnOldUR - I think nuCamp outdid themselves this year! The only thing missing is ice!
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
Or stick to hotels, motel or cabin rentals… :*
Cheers
Cheers
Re: Frankly its unbelievable that NuCamp builds a quality camper but just doesn't make it work better...
I too choose to do whatever I can myself on the camper because I know it will be done right...or at least I can blame myself when it doesn't work out. I've just never had a great experience when I've hired anything out. A lot of it is me and my expectations I guess but I can count numerous friends and family members that have hired out something and it's turned into a nightmare. Nobody is perfect but I feel like we have a workmanship issue in the states at least. A good craftsman is hard to find.
We tend to scapegoat and blame China for quality and yes, that's largely true. But there's plenty of things made here that just plain suck. I'm too young to remember when quality products came out of the US but I hear about it from my parents and other relatives. All I've really ever known is junk to be honest. Things break. Nothing lasts. It's just expected now. Built-in obsolescence. It's not necessarily China's fault. It's the companies shipping jobs overseas to save a penny and it's our fault as consumers for expecting everything to be affordable.
Regarding customer service, yes NuCamp is amazing. I've posted on this forum how amazing they've been to work with on all of the issues we've had with our camper. This is where they shine in my opinion. Companies could care less after the sale so it's great to see NuCamp standing by their product post sale.