DRV factory tour - RV-Dreams Community Forum

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

DRV factory tour

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We actually got to see our 5th wheel while it was on the line being built. It was interesting to see how everything goes together. Due to the popularity, at the time of the brand (Alfa See-Ya), the factory was very busy. They had three shifts going.

Unfortunately because they were so busy quality suffered. There were a bunch of things wrong with our 5th wheel. Mostly easy to fix fit and finish problems but a couple of stand outs...the faucets had not been tightened down to the sinks.

Two holes had been drilled through the sidewall when they mounted window awnings. Too long of drill bits were used. This actually turned out to be a positive when my DW negotiated to have small cabinets built to cover the holes. These cabinets went in between the windows and were large enough to hold a few candle holders and bud vases.

So the only tip I have is to watch for mistakes in fit and finish since DRV is popular right now.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

We took the tour a couple of years ago. Very impressive.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian,

I can't think of anything specific to look for during the tour, but if you can, take pictures. They may not let you, but I don't know. All I do know is that I've not seen many pictures on the various forums that were taken during a tour.

You might also come back after your tour and give us your impressions of your experience.

We had the good fortune of seeing DRV Suites models prior to our searching for a full time rig. So, they ended up being a "benchmark" against which everything else was compared. DRV's aren't for everyone, but since we knew we would be full-timing in ours even when we weren't traveling, we wanted to get as good of quality as we could. Finding a good used F450 (instead of paying new price) helped in keeping us to where we could go with the Mobile Suites.

Terry

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can only surmise that photos are allowed from the photo on DRV's "Tours" page from their site. I plan to take tons of pix, if allowed. Will definitely share our impressions with everybody as soon as we return and sort through what is sure to be an interesting and informative visit.

Brian

Tom and Cathy · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi Brian,

We're really interested in the DRV also. One of the things I don't understand is their use of wool insulation. I know wool is warm, but never heard of using it in walls. If you find out their reasons for it's use and it's effectiveness, I would appreciate the info. I would think bugs and mice would love living in the wool more than fiberglass or whatever other RVs have as insulation.

Cathy

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cool Brian and Cindi,

It'll be great to see/read your impressions!

Sherry

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom and Cathy wrote:
Hi Brian,
We're really interested in the DRV also. One of the things I don't understand is their use of wool insulation. I know wool is warm, but never heard of using it in walls. If you find out their reasons for it's use and it's effectiveness, I would appreciate the info. I would think bugs and mice would love living in the wool more than fiberglass or whatever other RVs have as insulation.
Cathy

Cathy,

For what it is worth, we have a 2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 that we have lived in now for just over three years. For three years of that time, we lived in Oklahoma City and experienced temperatures ranging from 6 degrees up to 115 degrees. We never felt that we were uncomfortable, but at 50 lbs overweight, 115 degrees made me stick to shorts and being shirtless.

Now, we've moved to Colorado and this will be our first Colorado winter. I may let you know more in about six months, but I'm not really too worried about it.

Terry

R12 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom and Cathy wrote:
Hi Brian,
We're really interested in the DRV also. One of the things I don't understand is their use of wool insulation. I know wool is warm, but never heard of using it in walls. If you find out their reasons for it's use and it's effectiveness, I would appreciate the info. I would think bugs and mice would love living in the wool more than fiberglass or whatever other RVs have as insulation.
Cathy

Cathy, it's not wool insulation like you are thinking. Sheep wool can be used as an insulation after it has been treated to prevent mold, pests and fire.

What DRV uses is a glass or a wool insulation that is made from mostly recycled materials and resembles the fiberglass insulation in a house, that is it has fibers that are held together with a resin. It is installed the same as home insulation by using batts of a standard size. The inner wall is sprayed with a glue and the batts are pushed in place. Once the outer wall is in place it holds the insulation and keeps it from moving or sliding down in the wall.

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you say you are interested in other manufacturers, I might recommend touring the Lifestyle factory in Middlebury, IN (in the vicinity) should your schedule allow. Our new Lifestyle 38RS was delivered to Tiara yesterday and we got a sneak peek. The quality and craftmanship is superb! I am quite impressed... and very pleased!

Tom and Cathy · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks, Paul & Terry, we have alot to learn. Just when I think I'm starting to understand a little bit about RVs, I find I don't really know much at all. Good thing we have almost a year to do more research before making a decision on a RV.

-- Edited by Tom and Cathy on Tuesday 9th of September 2014 09:52:20 PM

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

They do let you take pictures on the tour. We have taken the factory tour about 8 times, most of them just before we ordered a semi-custom unit.
One thing that impressed me on the tour was that everytime i said "I don't like that" I was asked what I would like instead and was immediately reassured that I could have whatever I wanted. Did I pay extra? Sometimes, but the prices were reasonable And I was building my home so was willing to pay for some customizations (most of which are standard now).

Sue

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well todays torrential downpours have made travel a mess so the DRV tour is off as I'd rather not press my luck, on flooded roads with shortsighted drivers suffering from "Get- there-itis". Will have to do it another day. Yeah we're disappointed, but who needs that stress on the road for 3 hours? Might still do the dealership(at least it's 30 minutes closer) if the weather ends soon enough to make it worthwhile.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian,

You still have plenty of time to do the tours. And, I do encourage you to go on as many as you can because they will give you a perspective of not only the construction process, but of the differences between the different brands. I know of more than one person that had an idea of the coach that they wanted, but after taking 3 or 4 tours of different factories, they changed their minds.

Also, do hit the dealerships as well, because you have a better chance of having the time and of being able to "get up close and personal" with each unit or brand. Take lots of pictures even at the dealerships. I used to first take a picture of the dealership's name, then a picture of the brand name of the RV, and then a picture of the model number. I took those first off so that I knew that any photos that followed that brand/model number were of that particular one. Get both overall pictures of the interior and exterior, but then also take pictures of specific features on each one. For instance, I always took a picture of the basement area as well as the area for water hook-ups and tank dump controls. You will be surprised at what you will find you overlooked on the first look, but a picture can save you a trip back to the dealership.

Look online for pictures that others might have posted of tours that they took. Any of those will help give one an idea of how some brands/models differ. I even got onto forums for specific brands and asked owners if they could provide photos. Many of them are more than willing to share their photos. In fact, if you ever want to see some like that of DRV's, send me a private message with your e-mail address and I'll be glad to send you some.

Terry