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@@Torben-tp1df I don’t know I’ve seen campervans made by airstream that are $150,000+ and aren’t worth it. I’ve also heard the newer promasters having a lot of recalls and problems, glad I bought an older one.
I'm glad to hear you say that. I just walked away from spending $110k on a new Mercedes Class B. I just couldn't pull the trigger on it for that much money. And that was $30K off asking. I was bummed but I'll find another way. Maybe a build.
That's true some you tubers prefer to be sponsored by those cheap quality rv and their never talk about the reality, do you want quality and longevity, built your self, I lear in the hard way about my mechanic fixing my car ,after that I learn to do the basics on the cars and not get rip off
My family owned a rv dealership in the mid 1980s. It nice to see rv manufacturers are still using the cheapest materials possible. People really have no clue how bad are rvs and trailers are made. They charge prices like a house yet are built like a throwaway. Class B are made better then class C but the prices don't match the materials. If you have the money and the willingness you can make a class B a amazing vehicle.
That's an informative and helpful video! Thanks for posting. I'm not mechanically inclined and I have no interest in doing vehicle repairs myself. That's why I always purchase my vehicles new. All I must do if I need a repair is take it to the dealership and most of the needed repairs and recalls are done under warranty and I don't experience extended "down-time". As well, when I travel, if I have a mechanical problem, there's usually a dedicated service centre nearby. I've always been fascinated by the idea of owning a motor home. Thanks to videos like yours, there's no way I could deal with all those problems.
Ive been compulsively checking Vans for Sale, Im on a FB Thor page and it seems their are many complaints. Also, the Promaster Vans 2029-2021, the transmissions are going out before 100,000 miles… Prices are sky high for high mileage, professional build outs ..as sellers think they can get their money back on vehicles that depreciate as soon as you drive it out of the lot. Why would I buy a Van with 100 thousand miles for 85,000 and fancy build ?
Followed along, great videos! I have a sequence version 2023. I learned a lot. I learned to have a check list on my steering wheel when I am stoped. I pulled the electric cord and broke the outlet, I know now how to replace the outlet. I finally figured out the annoying squeaks and I put cardboard between the rubbing plastic. Many small problems but still like the comfort of hot showers and a lot of the features. I love my Hollywood bike rack and my swing out hitch adapter. Keep on😊
Are you guys regret buying this one? We are planning to buy one used 2022 Thor Tellero with low miles next week. After seeing so many issues and lacking support from dealership, now I am not sure should still buy it.
We went the low budget, no frills route and got a Wayfarer Van build. We've had our van for 3 years and haven't had 1 problem. It breaks my heart every time I see one of your "van issue" videos. We always thought we'd save up and, in a few years, we'd upgrade to a "real" class B. After watching your videos, my husband swears we will NEVER trade in our Wayfarer Van. I couldn't agree more. Goos luck guys. Tellaro owes you, and a lot of other people, some compensation.
It is sad that Thor continues to purchase other manufacturers. Through time, the quality will be the only thing that drops. 100K is not chump change. Best of luck.
All y’all are so rude! 😂 (joking, my name is NOT associated w/ THOR.) Reliability wise, mileage, the ProMaster’s are a respectable machine. I would love one w/ 4WD. I’m leaning towards a Ford…. But I have yet to find a layout that doesn’t have gotcha’a. 😊
I have had five(5) RV's in my life time. (I'm 85) Four of them have been "previously owned". Had very few issues with them, as the original owners, had worked out most of the "bugs". The one I purchased new, had all of the sloppy, poor factory quality control issues so common in all RV's. My advice to "first time purchasers is to TAKE YOUR TIME and shop for used. You will also save a TON of money.
Don’t do a Sprinter van. It can only use B5 or less biodiesel. I had to go from station to station on the interstate looking for the correct diesel. No one knows this including the sales people but the tank is marked on the inlet. It voids your warranty and ruins the engine over time if you don’t use the correct diesel. When I spoke to Mercedes they told me that this is an American problem and they don’t build their vans for American issues.
Sadly problems like these are quite common on all RVs regardless if you pay $30000 or $3 million. There is no quality control for any part of the RV and service is typically 100s to 1000s of miles away. Even if you happen to be close to a service department it may be days to months before they can get to you because guess what everyone else is in the same boat.
So sorry that this happened. But it seems to be expected for Thor Motor coach RVs. We bought a 2023 Sanctuary last year and it has been in the service center more than on the road. Thor has the worst customer service.
Wow. I feel for you guys. I bought a used Pleasure-Way three years ago. It's now 5 years old and the only problem I've had was a couple of hinges not holding up the doors on a cabinets. I"ve since replaced those with inexpensive struts and all's good. I hope Thor gets everything fixed for you. They owe it to you as you're spokespeople for them whether they want you to or not. After all, this video has been seen by 80,000 plus folks.
All those problems for the shotty workmanship the delimitation, the falling cabinets the bad electrical system the ... well really, the lemon. And you paid over 100,000 dollars for that? It will be a cold day in hell before i would buy that brand.
I really hope the manufacturer sees this and knows what they need to fix for future models - because $100K is still a pretty penny! I ALSO hope they fix the issues y’all have been experiencing! Love yalls channel and the realness! So many things to consider which are crazy helpful!
Thor has been building for a long time, they know all the issues. They just chose not to address them. They have their dream profit margin and units sold wish.
Not disagreeing that $100k is a lot of money. But for a fully built out van… it is not a lot. Thor cut corners yes. But also delivers a cost ratio. Which I like.
I spoke to Lamesa in Pot St. Lucie and they were aware of the recall on the contact paper, wrong kid of glue. Then we got in touch with Thor with the info Lamesa gave us and to properly register as 2nd owners. We have an appointment for August 9th. I got the impresssion. they would have a new medicine cabinet then and swap it out. We'll sè.
We had the “pleasure” of visiting several RV plants in the Elkhart area while our 5th wheel was having warranty work performed. One observation that we came away with was that all of them were assembling the coaches at a horrifically hectic work pace. There are two van manufacturers from which a plant tour will demonstrate an almost “glacial” line speed as compared to the large manufacturers. These manufacturers are Pleasureway in Saskatoon, Sk who produce Class B coaches and Leisure Travel Vans in Winkler, Mb who produce Class B+ (or Class C) coaches. Please take the time to check them out.
I would LOVE to have a Leisure Travel Van! They seem so well made compared to all the others. Pleasure Way seems a close second. Unfortunately, I hear that LTVs are a two year wait? I have a van in the waiting room at a semi-custom maker. Some folks don't know why I would wait and pay for such a thing, but given the quality of the build for the money, I couldn't afford and wouldn't want anything else.
After watching from the beginning, I think the one thing you missed, was not only what went wrong, but the length of time it took to get it fixed. Frankly, from what I’ve learned, the motto of the manufacturer and dealer seems to be “ put off the warranty repairs for so long that the customer gets tired of waiting and fixes the problem at their own expense.” You have far more patience than I have… and I am impressed that you can enjoy the van as much as you say, with the constant holy dread in the back of your minds of what will fail next. On the other hand, I have loved traveling with you to the many places you have visited (especially the RV events) , your friendliness, and your honesty, and will continue to watch your vlogs knowing I am getting a true picture of the pros and cons of van life. ❤❤❤
I feel sorry for what you have to go thru with this garbage Thor. In three months I realize with my Sanctuary was pure garbage I was able to selling right away.
We had the same issue with the paper on the cuboards peeling off. We have the same as you a 2022 Thor Tellaro. They told us there was a recall on the paper and they did order and replace it under the Thor warranty.
i too own a Telaro with many problems. (don't buy a THOR!!!!) My Thor spent about 8 months in the shop over the last two years and Thor finally gave up and left me stranded with an electrical system that doesn't supply AC power. I gave up and spent another $6k on a Bluetti power system which supplies AC. The bed in the 20k is a disastor- it tends to slide out on it's own because the locking mechanism has repeatedly broken. I'm not a fan of the propane which recently blew up (sounded like a firecracker under the van!). However there are a few good points- the Promaster chassis is pretty good and I lifted it 3" so it works ok on forest roads(Off Highway Van in Utah- nice folks!) . My 20k has the rear bath which works well. The 20k also has a huge fridge which is amazing for food storage. I do like the awning which is huge! I have my van set up as a mobile office- and with starlink plus t-mobile 5g I've actually worked from the road in some really beautiful places. My next upgrade will be to replace the terrible car radio which I can barely see in daylight hours. ..... At the end of the day the terrible Thor van HAS brought me places I might have never seen without the van, and when I get there I have everything I need even if the build quality is bad. Your conclusion is spot on- good parts poorly assembled, offered at a low price point. I do like your channel and how you have a good attitude even with all the issues. Your sink faucet upgarde is nice! Keep putting up videos and I'll keep watching.
Thank you for taking the time to share this with us! Seriously it helps so much to hear other people’s journey. We agree with all of your points and suggestions. The fact that your propane blew up has us freaked out!
@@Vancaskeys When I say 'blew up' it sounded like a loud firecracker. I immediatly evacuated and thought the entire van was gonna turn into a fireball. Then a few seconds later when it didn't blow up I turned off the propane at the regulator and the hissing leak went away- sooo, a gas leak downstream of the regulator. I haven't gotten it repaired so I can't blame Thor.... yet!
@@Vancaskeys the propane leak turned out to be a burst hose (not Thor's fault). But the guy fixing the propane may even be able to fix my electric issues (2 yrs!) .
You guys are the best! As I have said before, I don't think I would have been able to stay as positive as I have observed you being (well at least on camera. ) 😂 This is such a helpful summary of keeping it real and the Thor specific and general issues you have encountered. I would have never expected anything I paid $100K for to have such poor workmanship or materials. I only hope for you that as you continue to upgrade and repair/improve the components, that the issues are fewer and the enjoyment is more frequent. Because of your channel, I have been able to share some of your challenges on other platforms so people could be more aware of the pros/cons. Glad you're at least out of the driveway again!!! Happy trails. ☺️
Thanks for being very truthful about the van. When I started researching vans, in my head I thought an "expensive high quality" price would be $60k for a Class B... boy was I wrong! Once I started looking at fit and finish, I realized you weren't getting away with anything less than $135k... and that was even questionable! So my question to you is... how much money have you spent for fixing and upgrading the van with things that it should have had to begin with? And I guess a follow up question would be... how much time would you say you've had to spend on the repairs (since time is money)? Thanks for your videos. Be seeing you!
Here is my list thor tellaro 20j....same issues with the cheap paper peeling. My table broke too and i upgraded. Bmpro tablet failed so i replaced it and drilled a hole into the cabinet to provide power. Batteries wouldn't really run ac as advertised so i upgraded to sfk and now have 8000 watts vs 2500. Sliding door intermittent opening problems. La mesa not at all helpful. Thor support very poor on the issues with auto start. At this point ive done like you and fixed stuff....so...if i forget all the issues it is great. I regret not buying the winnebago but liked this floorplan better and the price was right. Misery loves company so carry on and good luck.
@Vancaskeys the peeling paper is really a great sign of thor just being stupid. Shoddy workmanship....litte staples shot through the paper and then some attempt to cover it with a swipe of something that doesn't even match the color. Given the brain damage I have to go through to get it "fixed " under warranty I've decided it will be quicker to peel the paper off, paint with a good primer sealer and then paint match the van interior color scheme. The bm pro tablet is also stupid. Many threads on the internet about the power issues and then the tablet going into a loop. My fast fix was a new tablet (60 bucks) and drill a hole into the cabinet where your outlet failed. I then put in a small battery backup that gets charged by the outlet. That at least gives me some room when I turn my power off to keep the tablet charged. My long term solution will be to mount a swing arm with a much larger tablet so I can use it to watch video from the front or swing it to the outside for viewing when sitting outside. My TV is in the back. I'm glad your battery replacement worked. If you decide you want to triple the battery power in the same battery box, sun fun kits sfk...is what I did. Used the old batteries as a solar backup box with a 3000 watt inverter mounted on the box. Essentially gives me about 10,000 watts of battery if I want to bring the box. Another issue for me...when I buy my next rv (I've had 6 now) will be the dealer and their true reputation for warranty work. Every rv I've had failed both in and out of warranty. I'll pay more at this point to get a dealer that is responsive. Thanks for your videos. You've given me great ideas along the way as our thor units sputter along. On a positive note...I love the promaster. I love my pop up bunk.
I don’t think you missed anything….. I’m always amazed at your positivity! I think that peeling sticker stuff would be the straw that broke the camel’s back for me 🤦🏼♀️ Thank you for always keeping it real and making me smile. (Bob reminds me so much of my little brother!) You guys are the best!!!
Guys. I have been following your video's and am screaming at the TV right now. You bought a lousy RV period. I don't think it is a lemon, I expect it is a typical Thor product and the bottom line takeaway from all you videos is no one should buy one. My wife and I were in an RV lot a couple of weeks ago and because of your video's we went to look at a 2022 Tellaro. Guess what? The shore power connection on the exterior of the Van was hanging loose. The hole cut to install it was too large and it was pushed in to make it look like it was OK but must have come loose when the Van was moved. We pointed this out to the Dealer and suggest he take a look at your videos. You both suggest that the kinds of quality issues you two have dealt with should be excused or accepted because you bought an entry level van. Wrong! Would you expect or excuse such kinds of defects on a $100K Car like a Tesla? We bought our Winnebago Solis 59Px in September of 2021 and have had to deal with nothing like you have. But and this brings me to suggesting your video here is only Part 1 of your story and that Part 2 should be a video describing how much time you both have been on the phone, waiting for appointments to get warranty service done (and the quality of that service when finally provided) in short how much time your can has not been or available at all, crippled when you used and how much time and money you spent fixing things that should not have been faulty in the first place or because you didn't want to wait weeks or months getting it taken care of under warranty. If you are really wanting to advise people thinking about buying a Class B (or any RV for that matter) you should cover this topic.
I'm sorry for your trouble. I believe that brand new rigs suffer from substandard materials. We went cheap & basic with a 1999 Southwind Storm 34ft ClassA. Nothing has EVER gone wrong with it other than tune-ups, new batteries, tires, and a steer right system. We did spend $3,000 for new graphics, so it looks clean. Now, 3.5 years full-time, we're happy that we were able to pay in cash ($22,000), left on the previous owners note. We bought used figuring that any fixes had been done by the previous owner, and they were ... an $8,000 lifetime guaranteed roof that they pulled off somehow due to hail damage. Maybe for your next rig, go older, cheaper, and sturdier. Best wishes. Loved your video.
I've been thinking of leaving my class A RV, and opting for a class B for better travel. Ok, now I'm thinking of leaving both classes :) I don't really need to trade one problem for another. So glad I got to see this video to see what it could be like. Maybe, the answer is to build out your own simplistic travel van.
We’ve owned motorhomes of all sizes for 42 years now. We’re on our 9th one now. We had our share of lemons. The B+ that we have now has been far and away our best and most trouble free unit. We live near the RV capital of the world. Just a word of caution, I WOULD NOT buy a unit made from 2020-2022. During C-19 they couldn’t make them fast enough. The factories hired anyone with a warm body and essentially threw them together. Another thing to know is that the RV industry does not believe in quality control. The consumer is their final and usually only inspector.
We bought a Thor Sequence 20A.. almost the same layout. If this is an entry level, how much would you have paid for a quality interior from other manufacturers. Also… since RUclips is a business… I hope you’re writing this van off as a business expense. Lol
Build your own van and make sure it is done correctly, and can survive washboard roads. The anther benefit is you will know how to fix it. Also, little wood screws into cheap wood won’t be safe in an accident.
My husband and I really enjoy your videos. You both have a great chemistry, and your friends are a pleasure to watch also. I would love to rent a van and try a destination vacation. My husband is not so excited about the idea, so we go along and enjoy your adventures with you. Thank you!
Check out Pleasure-Way... (and the other two Canada companies that make Class-B) - They are so much better!!! We purchased a 2 year old 2019 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS for $95k back in 2021 and love it... Awsome quality and craftsmanship... Did not need any modifications to make it more functional... And both the first owner and us have had not a single problem. The new Coachmen Class-C 19CB that we had before was plagued with never ending problems almost all attributed to poor workmanship.
I would like to say we have been looking at class B vans, but it is actually I, not my husband. We are 59, 60 not in great shape physically, but still hope to go see some things. When I first showed my husband Class B he laughed at me. I’m a large woman so he thinks I’m crazy. Then we started talking about what we want out of traveling. So he would like to see more than less and not go to an RV park for a week at a time. He also would like his wife to be able to drive. This has him actually looking at Class B vans now. I’m so glad you showed all the bad. We are seeing that quality is very costly in these vans. I hope to purchase one in the next two years and will continue to watch your journey.
Guys, you are not alone. EVERY RV, no matter how much you pay is going to have issues. You definitely need to be a little handy to take care of those issues that will arise when you are out in no-man’s land. That being said, what Van Life has brought us so far has been worth every penny!!! Stick with it, you won’t be disappointed! STAY💯👍👍👍Mike and Lu in NC
I had a 2018 Travel Lite that cost $15k that didn’t have a fraction of those problems. I did have to replace the microwave under warranty and my propane heater never worked if l went over 3000 feet in altitude so l used a space heater. The plastic roof vent shattered and l replaced it myself with a metal one. That was it. I had the camper for 4 years and took it all over the west. I guess they just don’t make them like that anymore!
First of all, $100k on any new motorhome today is at the bottom of the barrel, even vans. Thor is the largest RV manufacturer out there. Just by the numbers, they produce more and therefore, there will be more mistakes made along the way. If they produce 1000 units and another company produces 100 and there is a 5% error rate. Then the larger producer will have 50 units with error and the other will have only 5. Also, RV companies across the board, pretty much use the same components or component manufacturers. Sometimes they go bad or have issues. And just like the error rate I mentioned, the same goes here. You will have more defective components in RV's that come from a much larger manufacturer. Almost like compounding negative interest. lol Yes, Thor does produce a lot more entry level type of rigs. But, there is a reason. Their biggest customer, are not the people that own the RV's, but places like Camping World, La Mesa, etc. They are the ones buying the RV's and placing orders for RV's from Thor. We don't have La Mesa here, but I imagine it's the same as Camping World in a sense. Camping World, as everyone knows, is the Walmart of RV dealerships. Sell for less and sell more. You can get great deals when buying from Camping World. Generally 25-30+% off the MSRP. Camping World (and I imagine La Mesa and others) have major advertising budgets. They cater and focus on those who never RV'ed and/or those who are completely new to RVing. The Camping World type of dealerships (others as well) do not inspect the RV's they purchase from the manufacturers. They would rather pass on any issues to any of their customers and let them find them. Either the customer has an issue and reports it, to be told it will be months before they can get it in to fix, or the customer fixes it on their own. Dealers are in no hurry to do any warranty work. They get paid a lesser amount than their rate they will charge you to do the same work. So, if you go in as a paying customer, you will get in quicker. These new to RVing customers also, expect that when they spend the money on something that cost the same as a house somewhere, for it act, perform and be built the same. It's farther from the truth. Several years ago, there was a push for the RV production to be regulated. There was push back from the manufacturers and dealers on it. Why? Because it would mean that they would need to build better quality products. They would need to invest in better materials and better trained builders. The $100k van you bought, would probably be $150k or so, with the added expenses to the manufacturer, leading to a higher cost to the dealers and then on to you. Everyone is going to make their profit margin. I run the Thor Motorhome Owners Group on Facebook. It is independent and separate from Thor. There are people on Thor that monitor it and do reach out to help with issues. Our main focus is a community that is based on 3 points: Connect, Share and Help. We do not advocate posts that are nothing but complaining. We don't allow for the "which brand is better" type of posts. We don't allow RV's to be sold. Our group is there to connect with other owners. If you have an issue, seek help from others in fixing it. Learn how to repair it yourself or at least have some knowledge when trying to get it repaired. We encourage and preach to all to get an independent RV inspection done before spending 10's-100's of thousands of dollars. You are working the bugs out of your van. You will make it better than what it was, for sure. But, as long as it fits your needs and the motor/transmission is going good, I would keep it and continue on with it. At least for the next while. Maybe down the road, consider doing self-build. You're very knowledgeable and handy and more than likely, wouldn't have any issues. Then you can build exactly what you want.
You had to replace your lithium batteries in the first year?! 😮 We have AGM in the Winnebago Solis, and I keep imagining how nice it must be to have lithium. Everyone makes it sound like they’re indestructible and near-limitless charge.
Just came across your channel. Bummer about the quality of your class B. We decided to have a van converted by Custom Coach Creations in 2020. Including the cost of a brand new 2020 Promaster 2500 159 WB, the total build was just over half what you said you paid for your van. If you look at new vans, consider having one built custom.
Q: How were your experiences dealing with LaMesa? I bought a 5th wheel from them - but had very few issues with mine. (I think I was just very lucky!) Were they easy to deal with? How long did you have to wait to get service completed? Thank you!
Sad that a “Professionally built” $100k van is done with such poor design and cheap materials. I helped a fellow camper with the same exact van and problems. It took many tech calls and exploring to find a burned out fuse they buried behind the fire extinguisher back panel and other things requiring removal of the microwave. Very poor design that would have been easy to improve on. Hope videos like this tank their sales so they produce a quality product. BTW, she also has had many of the same warranty claims with long backorder waits in random cities (ie alternator in 2023). Suggest finding a reputable small Van Builder who takes pride in his/her work! Not big on lawyers, but can anyone say Class Action?
We own a 2023 Thor Gemini and we understand your frustration with the cheap cabin finishes. We used it only 3 1/2 months, the rest of the time has been in the General RV service dept. Not GOOD !
See, this is my nightmare. Fortunately for you, you have the skills to make minor "adjustments" to your vehicle. I dont have the skill or knowledge to do those things. Plus, my hands are racked with arthritis and dont work all that well. That van would be a huge disappointment for me and would make me very upset...and the price would thoroughly piss me off.
Honestly anything new is overpriced junk. You can't go wrong with a mid nineties class C, B, or Van. I have 92 Ford class C. Runs great and everything works as it should. I rarely have a problem.
What a list! I can mark this dog off my consider list. That vinyl-covering coming loose and shrinking throughout is gross incompetent engineering. Are you posting this information on the user forum?
Been looking at class b's and c's for a while. Always had thought in the back of my mind that said, be careful, niche small volume vehicles will bite me in the asp. Great video, thanks
I love having an RV but I hate RVs because even if you had spent 50% more it often just a better shade of lipstick on the pig I used to deliver them in another life and the never ever showed up at the delivery point with out something going wrong ...there really should be some better standards as a half million dollar class a may have the same crappy press together outlets as the pop up on the lot
I'd never consider Thor after this review. And, I know, they all have issues, but Thor seems to be ultra-crappy. I'd never do the mid-cabin bathroom. Rear baths are definitely larger. Great video.
Thank you for showing us your van and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly...lol. I visited a La Mesa RV place in Sacramento, CA. I was pretty impressed with the RV units, including the Thors. You provided me insight as t what to look for before I purchase one. I have lived in a 2019 GMC Savana 2500 cargo van, DIY conversion, for over two years and actually love it. I would like to have more room and have a shower. Planet Fitness gyms do not exist in boondocking areas. Wow
You could have actually had one built buy a third party not an RV company but a company that builds out Vans for rving. You would have saved a lot of money and had a better product and built the way you want it
Great job. Appreciate you both. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan with a camper kit inside. It’s perfect. It’s not as fancy or has all your options, but I’ll never get a RV. I’d rather have less but way more peace. Zero frustration with my van and that’s the best option I could ever hope for or want.
The van is beautiful. Paying $100,000 you should not have any problems. Thank God that Bob is Handy. Just work through it and you will have a perfect van. Look at it like a house always needing something. The van is great! ♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✌🏻
We bought a old 1997 Road-trek for 11K a few years ago, had a wonderful time camping for a few years and sold it for 11K when I had health problems. I learned to work on that baby and all its accessories. Great times. These new vehicles are so expensive and complicated.
Interesting I’m also been a little frustrated with my 20AT. However like some comments below every rv has issues. And I came across a Winnebago owner that also complains about how cheap the material they were using for all the cabinets. But Thor craftsmanship definitely really lacking.
Wow! We’ve been discussing trading in our ‘94 Roadtrek for a new class B. We’ve seldom ever had issues. Light bulbs, belts, water pump, water heater rod. Thank you so much for this information.
I’ve been following your journey since day 1 and enjoy the channel and your honesty. Always great content and no matter the issues your always still smiling 😊
You guys honesty and chemistry is why y'all are my favorite van life couple. Thanks for being real and I've been their probably since the beginning of y'all van life journey! So I really enjoy your channel❤❤❤
In 1985 I bought a Dodge Ram 8 seater van and after 40,000 I had to get a new alternator after it just left me stranded on the side of the road. When we figured out what the problem was it was a quick fix but that’s rather frustrating! Ram apparently has not figured it out yet!
outlets have punchdown connection to 110 wires in back. Check for loose wire. We replaced all breakers with AFGFCI for this reason. Sprinter van owner, same song as yours, second verse.
I am going to order a 2024 Ram ProMaster 3500 super high roof and build it myself as I have a large shop and think it would be fun. Now I own a 2005 Itasca suncruiser 37 foot. I am looking forward to traveling and being able to stop at all the places we missed because we were too big. I am also tired of towing. I think you should build one the way you like.
Good old Mr. Lemon. You two are very positive, which I like. But when I saw the cabinet falling down and all the stick on tape coming off…. I can’t even. @winnebagorvs…we are still waiting! These nice people have endured enough with Mr. Lemon and I don’t want to buy a Mr. Lemon.
I did not expect American RV makers to be so bad. Is $100.000 considered cheap AF? Because to me this is expensive. Is this why so many vans there are self built? I know in Europe there are always a few things wrong and need servicing in a new RV, but this... this is so far beyond anything I have ever seen or heard of. I would repair everything under warranty and then sell as fast as possible
Wow 100k is a lot I will stop dreaming about owning a expensive van. I thought a van costing that much would have few problems but seems like thats not true. Thanks for being open and honest.
That’s why a drive a Lexus sedan vs a lesser brand. More $$$ but NEVER any issues since 2018. Just like new. I’ll take your “lessons learned” to heart when making a decision for a class B. You basically get what you pay for. (?)
As consumers, we should not be accepting this level of poor "craftsmanship" at this price point. Nobody would accept this level of quality when buying a bricks&sticks home at a comparable price. Furthermore, would you accept this level of quality in a $100K car?
When dealers give you lemons, you make lemonade! Had it not been for your trouble with this RV, I would have never discovered your channel. Keep finding those silver linings!
Simple summary: waay too much stuff jammed into way too small of a space/chassis, for the purpose of full-time living. When he opened the tiny hood, and when he described what all was packed under the bed (water heater, tanks, etc), I said to myself right then that I would never own a class B. With no working space, that means a huge amount of disassembly to fix the smallest things. I understand the appeal of “van life” (easy driving, easy parking, stealth camping, etc.), but how many days are you truly free of breakdowns, repairs, and worry?
You should write a letter to the General Manager of Class B and make him aware of this poor quality including pictures. Mr Lemon continues to live up to his name. Really don’t you think you should move on and NOT buy any Thor Class B again. A different brand like Coachmen Nova or Beyond.
I’m new here! Love your videos! Thank you for being so transparent & honest, that’s super helpful & important! I would have to say why don’t you somehow file a class action lawsuit against this company and I’m sure others would follow? This is ridiculous with all the problems you’re not the only one that I know that’s had issues.. love your videos! My husband and I decided to build our own and this is one of the biggest reasons why!
No, Penastar engine is a piece of junk. Thor is a terrible RV manufacturer. Good luck. Sell that Class B before you have engine failure. Or hope you have a good warranty.
Happy Anniversary! I hope you've made lots of positive memories that outweigh the troubled times dealing with the van issues. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. Safe travels!
Hello Bob and Hillary🤗 Thank you.. for an awesome video!!! 👍 We appreciate.. your honesty.. and we appreciate you both !!! 😊You guys are great people !!! 😁❤️
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Would y’all upgrade to a Class C?
What a disappointment for 100 grand. What are you really paying for?
I wish more people would do videos like this. This is one of the many reasons I’m building out my van by myself lol
That's awesome! Glad your building one out!
Pleasure way or something built better?
@@Torben-tp1df I don’t know I’ve seen campervans made by airstream that are $150,000+ and aren’t worth it. I’ve also heard the newer promasters having a lot of recalls and problems, glad I bought an older one.
I'm glad to hear you say that. I just walked away from spending $110k on a new Mercedes Class B. I just couldn't pull the trigger on it for that much money. And that was $30K off asking. I was bummed but I'll find another way. Maybe a build.
That's true some you tubers prefer to be sponsored by those cheap quality rv and their never talk about the reality, do you want quality and longevity, built your self, I lear in the hard way about my mechanic fixing my car ,after that I learn to do the basics on the cars and not get rip off
My family owned a rv dealership in the mid 1980s. It nice to see rv manufacturers are still using the cheapest materials possible.
People really have no clue how bad are rvs and trailers are made. They charge prices like a house yet are built like a throwaway.
Class B are made better then class C but the prices don't match the materials.
If you have the money and the willingness you can make a class B a amazing vehicle.
That's an informative and helpful video! Thanks for posting.
I'm not mechanically inclined and I have no interest in doing vehicle repairs myself. That's why I always purchase my vehicles new. All I must do if I need a repair is take it to the dealership and most of the needed repairs and recalls are done under warranty and I don't experience extended "down-time". As well, when I travel, if I have a mechanical problem, there's usually a dedicated service centre nearby.
I've always been fascinated by the idea of owning a motor home. Thanks to videos like yours, there's no way I could deal with all those problems.
Ive been compulsively checking Vans for Sale, Im on a FB Thor page and it seems their are many complaints. Also, the Promaster Vans 2029-2021, the transmissions are going out before 100,000 miles… Prices are sky high for high mileage, professional build outs ..as sellers think they can get their money back on vehicles that depreciate as soon as you drive it out of the lot. Why would I buy a Van with 100 thousand miles for 85,000 and fancy build ?
Thanks so much for another very informative video! Happy travels and I hope one day I get to see you guys out there!! I'm on a 16 month countdown!!
Thank you!!! Yay! Excited for you!
Followed along, great videos! I have a sequence version 2023. I learned a lot. I learned to have a check list on my steering wheel when I am stoped. I pulled the electric cord and broke the outlet, I know now how to replace the outlet. I finally figured out the annoying squeaks and I put cardboard between the rubbing plastic. Many small problems but still like the comfort of hot showers and a lot of the features. I love my Hollywood bike rack and my swing out hitch adapter. Keep on😊
Thank you! Happy Travels!
I wish we had Japanese quality rvs... kaizen baby..❤
Thanks for the info! Very happy to hear your opinions and satire!
Thanks!
We’re selling our 2021/2023 Thor Tranquility 19L.
Have you guys had issues with it?
Are you guys regret buying this one? We are planning to buy one used 2022 Thor Tellero with low miles next week. After seeing so many issues and lacking support from dealership, now I am not sure should still buy it.
You guys are too kind. I think you said Thor makes these. From what I read they do not have a good reputation for quality.
We went the low budget, no frills route and got a Wayfarer Van build. We've had our van for 3 years and haven't had 1 problem. It breaks my heart every time I see one of your "van issue" videos. We always thought we'd save up and, in a few years, we'd upgrade to a "real" class B. After watching your videos, my husband swears we will NEVER trade in our Wayfarer Van. I couldn't agree more. Goos luck guys. Tellaro owes you, and a lot of other people, some compensation.
Thanks for sharing! So glad you have a great one!
It figures. It's a Thor.
It is sad that Thor continues to purchase other manufacturers. Through time, the quality will be the only thing that drops. 100K is not chump change. Best of luck.
We've been casually looking at B and/or B+ or small C RV's but we'll casually look away from Thor...
Hehehe
Stay away from THOR.
Yeah, be mindful of "Thor quality"
All y’all are so rude! 😂 (joking, my name is NOT associated w/ THOR.) Reliability wise, mileage, the ProMaster’s are a respectable machine. I would love one w/ 4WD. I’m leaning towards a Ford…. But I have yet to find a layout that doesn’t have gotcha’a. 😊
Yeah, Thor is not looking too good!
I have had five(5) RV's in my life time. (I'm 85) Four of them have been "previously owned". Had very few issues with them, as the original owners, had worked out most of the "bugs". The one I purchased new, had all of the sloppy, poor factory quality control issues so common in all RV's. My advice to "first time purchasers is to TAKE YOUR TIME and shop for used. You will also save a TON of money.
I also have an older camper van and the materials inside the van are great! I'm grateful that I don't have any of these issues.
Don’t do a Sprinter van. It can only use B5 or less biodiesel. I had to go from station to station on the interstate looking for the correct diesel. No one knows this including the sales people but the tank is marked on the inlet. It voids your warranty and ruins the engine over time if you don’t use the correct diesel. When I spoke to Mercedes they told me that this is an American problem and they don’t build their vans for American issues.
Sadly problems like these are quite common on all RVs regardless if you pay $30000 or $3 million. There is no quality control for any part of the RV and service is typically 100s to 1000s of miles away. Even if you happen to be close to a service department it may be days to months before they can get to you because guess what everyone else is in the same boat.
That’s really sad and the industry needs to step it up and build quality products and only use quality components from other manufacturers
I doubt you have owned a $3M rv, so why make that comment pretending that you “know” Newell has these issues
"... because guess what everyone else is in the same boat..." These things are little better than owning a boat.
Maybe I'll just stick with a tent
So sorry that this happened. But it seems to be expected for Thor Motor coach RVs. We bought a 2023 Sanctuary last year and it has been in the service center more than on the road. Thor has the worst customer service.
Wow. I feel for you guys. I bought a used Pleasure-Way three years ago. It's now 5 years old and the only problem I've had was a couple of hinges not holding up the doors on a cabinets. I"ve since replaced those with inexpensive struts and all's good. I hope Thor gets everything fixed for you. They owe it to you as you're spokespeople for them whether they want you to or not. After all, this video has been seen by 80,000 plus folks.
All those problems for the shotty workmanship the delimitation, the falling cabinets the bad electrical system the ... well really, the lemon. And you paid over 100,000 dollars for that? It will be a cold day in hell before i would buy that brand.
I really hope the manufacturer sees this and knows what they need to fix for future models - because $100K is still a pretty penny! I ALSO hope they fix the issues y’all have been experiencing! Love yalls channel and the realness! So many things to consider which are crazy helpful!
Thank you so much! That would be the best if they did see all our issues and fix them in future models!
Thor has been building for a long time, they know all the issues. They just chose not to address them. They have their dream profit margin and units sold wish.
Not disagreeing that $100k is a lot of money. But for a fully built out van… it is not a lot. Thor cut corners yes. But also delivers a cost ratio. Which I like.
I spoke to Lamesa in Pot St. Lucie and they were aware of the recall on the contact paper, wrong kid of glue. Then we got in touch with Thor with the info Lamesa gave us and to properly register as 2nd owners. We have an appointment for August 9th. I got the impresssion. they would have a new medicine cabinet then and swap it out. We'll sè.
$100,000 is still alot of money. Where in the world are you from?
We had the “pleasure” of visiting several RV plants in the Elkhart area while our 5th wheel was having warranty work performed. One observation that we came away with was that all of them were assembling the coaches at a horrifically hectic work pace. There are two van manufacturers from which a plant tour will demonstrate an almost “glacial” line speed as compared to the large manufacturers. These manufacturers are Pleasureway in Saskatoon, Sk who produce Class B coaches and Leisure Travel Vans in Winkler, Mb who produce Class B+ (or Class C) coaches. Please take the time to check them out.
Oh wow. Good to know. Thanks for sharing!
LeisureTravel B+ vans are amazing! Their selection of lithium batteries for the new van builds leaves a bit to be desired, but overall very nice vans!
We have an older Leisure Travel Van. Very happy.
I would LOVE to have a Leisure Travel Van! They seem so well made compared to all the others. Pleasure Way seems a close second. Unfortunately, I hear that LTVs are a two year wait? I have a van in the waiting room at a semi-custom maker. Some folks don't know why I would wait and pay for such a thing, but given the quality of the build for the money, I couldn't afford and wouldn't want anything else.
And the big bonus for US customers is the exchange rate advantage is huge
After watching from the beginning, I think the one thing you missed, was not only what went wrong, but the length of time it took to get it fixed. Frankly, from what I’ve learned, the motto of the manufacturer and dealer seems to be “ put off the warranty repairs for so long that the customer gets tired of waiting and fixes the problem at their own expense.” You have far more patience than I have… and I am impressed that you can enjoy the van as much as you say, with the constant holy dread in the back of your minds of what will fail next. On the other hand, I have loved traveling with you to the many places you have visited (especially the RV events) , your friendliness, and your honesty, and will continue to watch your vlogs knowing I am getting a true picture of the pros and cons of van life. ❤❤❤
Ya know whats sad? You're fortunate to be able to do a lot of your service work. I really feel for the poor seniors that can't!!
Diane we 💯 agree 😞
I feel sorry for what you have to go thru with this garbage Thor. In three months I realize with my Sanctuary was pure garbage I was able to selling right away.
Oh we are sorry!
We had the same issue with the paper on the cuboards peeling off. We have the same as you a 2022 Thor Tellaro. They told us there was a recall on the paper and they did order and replace it under the Thor warranty.
No way! Thanks for telling us! We had no idea.
i too own a Telaro with many problems. (don't buy a THOR!!!!) My Thor spent about 8 months in the shop over the last two years and Thor finally gave up and left me stranded with an electrical system that doesn't supply AC power. I gave up and spent another $6k on a Bluetti power system which supplies AC. The bed in the 20k is a disastor- it tends to slide out on it's own because the locking mechanism has repeatedly broken. I'm not a fan of the propane which recently blew up (sounded like a firecracker under the van!).
However there are a few good points- the Promaster chassis is pretty good and I lifted it 3" so it works ok on forest roads(Off Highway Van in Utah- nice folks!) . My 20k has the rear bath which works well. The 20k also has a huge fridge which is amazing for food storage. I do like the awning which is huge! I have my van set up as a mobile office- and with starlink plus t-mobile 5g I've actually worked from the road in some really beautiful places. My next upgrade will be to replace the terrible car radio which I can barely see in daylight hours. .....
At the end of the day the terrible Thor van HAS brought me places I might have never seen without the van, and when I get there I have everything I need even if the build quality is bad. Your conclusion is spot on- good parts poorly assembled, offered at a low price point.
I do like your channel and how you have a good attitude even with all the issues. Your sink faucet upgarde is nice! Keep putting up videos and I'll keep watching.
Thank you for taking the time to share this with us! Seriously it helps so much to hear other people’s journey. We agree with all of your points and suggestions. The fact that your propane blew up has us freaked out!
@@Vancaskeys When I say 'blew up' it sounded like a loud firecracker. I immediatly evacuated and thought the entire van was gonna turn into a fireball. Then a few seconds later when it didn't blow up I turned off the propane at the regulator and the hissing leak went away- sooo, a gas leak downstream of the regulator. I haven't gotten it repaired so I can't blame Thor.... yet!
You'll have to let us know what you find out!
@@Vancaskeys the propane leak turned out to be a burst hose (not Thor's fault). But the guy fixing the propane may even be able to fix my electric issues (2 yrs!) .
You guys are the best! As I have said before, I don't think I would have been able to stay as positive as I have observed you being (well at least on camera. ) 😂 This is such a helpful summary of keeping it real and the Thor specific and general issues you have encountered. I would have never expected anything I paid $100K for to have such poor workmanship or materials. I only hope for you that as you continue to upgrade and repair/improve the components, that the issues are fewer and the enjoyment is more frequent. Because of your channel, I have been able to share some of your challenges on other platforms so people could be more aware of the pros/cons. Glad you're at least out of the driveway again!!! Happy trails. ☺️
Thank you JOE! We appreciate you! You have great points!
Thanks for being very truthful about the van. When I started researching vans, in my head I thought an "expensive high quality" price would be $60k for a Class B... boy was I wrong! Once I started looking at fit and finish, I realized you weren't getting away with anything less than $135k... and that was even questionable!
So my question to you is... how much money have you spent for fixing and upgrading the van with things that it should have had to begin with? And I guess a follow up question would be... how much time would you say you've had to spend on the repairs (since time is money)?
Thanks for your videos. Be seeing you!
Here is my list thor tellaro 20j....same issues with the cheap paper peeling. My table broke too and i upgraded. Bmpro tablet failed so i replaced it and drilled a hole into the cabinet to provide power. Batteries wouldn't really run ac as advertised so i upgraded to sfk and now have 8000 watts vs 2500. Sliding door intermittent opening problems. La mesa not at all helpful. Thor support very poor on the issues with auto start.
At this point ive done like you and fixed stuff....so...if i forget all the issues it is great. I regret not buying the winnebago but liked this floorplan better and the price was right.
Misery loves company so carry on and good luck.
Haha! Best line ever “if I forget all the issues it is great” 😂
@Vancaskeys the peeling paper is really a great sign of thor just being stupid. Shoddy workmanship....litte staples shot through the paper and then some attempt to cover it with a swipe of something that doesn't even match the color.
Given the brain damage I have to go through to get it "fixed " under warranty I've decided it will be quicker to peel the paper off, paint with a good primer sealer and then paint match the van interior color scheme.
The bm pro tablet is also stupid. Many threads on the internet about the power issues and then the tablet going into a loop. My fast fix was a new tablet (60 bucks) and drill a hole into the cabinet where your outlet failed. I then put in a small battery backup that gets charged by the outlet. That at least gives me some room when I turn my power off to keep the tablet charged. My long term solution will be to mount a swing arm with a much larger tablet so I can use it to watch video from the front or swing it to the outside for viewing when sitting outside. My TV is in the back.
I'm glad your battery replacement worked. If you decide you want to triple the battery power in the same battery box, sun fun kits sfk...is what I did. Used the old batteries as a solar backup box with a 3000 watt inverter mounted on the box. Essentially gives me about 10,000 watts of battery if I want to bring the box.
Another issue for me...when I buy my next rv (I've had 6 now) will be the dealer and their true reputation for warranty work. Every rv I've had failed both in and out of warranty. I'll pay more at this point to get a dealer that is responsive.
Thanks for your videos. You've given me great ideas along the way as our thor units sputter along. On a positive note...I love the promaster. I love my pop up bunk.
I don’t think you missed anything…..
I’m always amazed at your positivity! I think that peeling sticker stuff would be the straw that broke the camel’s back for me 🤦🏼♀️
Thank you for always keeping it real and making me smile. (Bob reminds me so much of my little brother!)
You guys are the best!!!
Awww thank you! ❤️
Guys. I have been following your video's and am screaming at the TV right now. You bought a lousy RV period. I don't think it is a lemon, I expect it is a typical Thor product and the bottom line takeaway from all you videos is no one should buy one. My wife and I were in an RV lot a couple of weeks ago and because of your video's we went to look at a 2022 Tellaro. Guess what? The shore power connection on the exterior of the Van was hanging loose. The hole cut to install it was too large and it was pushed in to make it look like it was OK but must have come loose when the Van was moved. We pointed this out to the Dealer and suggest he take a look at your videos. You both suggest that the kinds of quality issues you two have dealt with should be excused or accepted because you bought an entry level van. Wrong! Would you expect or excuse such kinds of defects on a $100K Car like a Tesla? We bought our Winnebago Solis 59Px in September of 2021 and have had to deal with nothing like you have. But and this brings me to suggesting your video here is only Part 1 of your story and that Part 2 should be a video describing how much time you both have been on the phone, waiting for appointments to get warranty service done (and the quality of that service when finally provided) in short how much time your can has not been or available at all, crippled when you used and how much time and money you spent fixing things that should not have been faulty in the first place or because you didn't want to wait weeks or months getting it taken care of under warranty. If you are really wanting to advise people thinking about buying a Class B (or any RV for that matter) you should cover this topic.
I'm sorry for your trouble. I believe that brand new rigs suffer from substandard materials. We went cheap & basic with a 1999 Southwind Storm 34ft ClassA. Nothing has EVER gone wrong with it other than tune-ups, new batteries, tires, and a steer right system. We did spend $3,000 for new graphics, so it looks clean. Now, 3.5 years full-time, we're happy that we were able to pay in cash ($22,000), left on the previous owners note. We bought used figuring that any fixes had been done by the previous owner, and they were ... an $8,000 lifetime guaranteed roof that they pulled off somehow due to hail damage. Maybe for your next rig, go older, cheaper, and sturdier. Best wishes. Loved your video.
Things we wish we would have known LOL...But we are so happy that you guys have had such a great experience! We love to hear it!
I've been thinking of leaving my class A RV, and opting for a class B for better travel. Ok, now I'm thinking of leaving both classes :) I don't really need to trade one problem for another. So glad I got to see this video to see what it could be like. Maybe, the answer is to build out your own simplistic travel van.
If you are not in a hurry then building one out is probaly the best bet.
We’ve owned motorhomes of all sizes for 42 years now. We’re on our 9th one now. We had our share of lemons. The B+ that we have now has been far and away our best and most trouble free unit. We live near the RV capital of the world. Just a word of caution, I WOULD NOT buy a unit made from 2020-2022. During C-19 they couldn’t make them fast enough. The factories hired anyone with a warm body and essentially threw them together. Another thing to know is that the RV industry does not believe in quality control. The consumer is their final and usually only inspector.
We bought a Thor Sequence 20A.. almost the same layout. If this is an entry level, how much would you have paid for a quality interior from other manufacturers.
Also… since RUclips is a business… I hope you’re writing this van off as a business expense. Lol
We write off what we can lol
Build your own van and make sure it is done correctly, and can survive washboard roads. The anther benefit is you will know how to fix it. Also, little wood screws into cheap wood won’t be safe in an accident.
Good advice!
My husband and I really enjoy your videos. You both have a great chemistry, and your friends are a pleasure to watch also. I would love to rent a van and try a destination vacation. My husband is not so excited about the idea, so we go along and enjoy your adventures with you. Thank you!
Emphasis on the "rent".
Check out Pleasure-Way... (and the other two Canada companies that make Class-B) - They are so much better!!! We purchased a 2 year old 2019 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS for $95k back in 2021 and love it... Awsome quality and craftsmanship... Did not need any modifications to make it more functional... And both the first owner and us have had not a single problem. The new Coachmen Class-C 19CB that we had before was plagued with never ending problems almost all attributed to poor workmanship.
I would like to say we have been looking at class B vans, but it is actually I, not my husband. We are 59, 60 not in great shape physically, but still hope to go see some things. When I first showed my husband Class B he laughed at me. I’m a large woman so he thinks I’m crazy. Then we started talking about what we want out of traveling. So he would like to see more than less and not go to an RV park for a week at a time. He also would like his wife to be able to drive. This has him actually looking at Class B vans now. I’m so glad you showed all the bad. We are seeing that quality is very costly in these vans. I hope to purchase one in the next two years and will continue to watch your journey.
Love this! Love that we are able to help you hopefully get into a great class b and have lots of amazing travels adventures!
Guys, you are not alone. EVERY RV, no matter how much you pay is going to have issues. You definitely need to be a little handy to take care of those issues that will arise when you are out in no-man’s land. That being said, what Van Life has brought us so far has been worth every penny!!! Stick with it, you won’t be disappointed! STAY💯👍👍👍Mike and Lu in NC
Thank Mike and Lu! ❤️
They shouldn't be using cheap materials and using shortcuts and charging 100,000 and up. Thats the problem. The price should match the work
I had a 2018 Travel Lite that cost $15k that didn’t have a fraction of those problems. I did have to replace the microwave under warranty and my propane heater never worked if l went over 3000 feet in altitude so l used a space heater.
The plastic roof vent shattered and l replaced it myself with a metal one. That was it. I had the camper for 4 years and took it all over the west. I guess they just don’t make them like that anymore!
First of all, $100k on any new motorhome today is at the bottom of the barrel, even vans. Thor is the largest RV manufacturer out there. Just by the numbers, they produce more and therefore, there will be more mistakes made along the way. If they produce 1000 units and another company produces 100 and there is a 5% error rate. Then the larger producer will have 50 units with error and the other will have only 5. Also, RV companies across the board, pretty much use the same components or component manufacturers. Sometimes they go bad or have issues. And just like the error rate I mentioned, the same goes here. You will have more defective components in RV's that come from a much larger manufacturer. Almost like compounding negative interest. lol
Yes, Thor does produce a lot more entry level type of rigs. But, there is a reason. Their biggest customer, are not the people that own the RV's, but places like Camping World, La Mesa, etc. They are the ones buying the RV's and placing orders for RV's from Thor. We don't have La Mesa here, but I imagine it's the same as Camping World in a sense. Camping World, as everyone knows, is the Walmart of RV dealerships. Sell for less and sell more. You can get great deals when buying from Camping World. Generally 25-30+% off the MSRP. Camping World (and I imagine La Mesa and others) have major advertising budgets. They cater and focus on those who never RV'ed and/or those who are completely new to RVing. The Camping World type of dealerships (others as well) do not inspect the RV's they purchase from the manufacturers. They would rather pass on any issues to any of their customers and let them find them. Either the customer has an issue and reports it, to be told it will be months before they can get it in to fix, or the customer fixes it on their own. Dealers are in no hurry to do any warranty work. They get paid a lesser amount than their rate they will charge you to do the same work. So, if you go in as a paying customer, you will get in quicker. These new to RVing customers also, expect that when they spend the money on something that cost the same as a house somewhere, for it act, perform and be built the same. It's farther from the truth. Several years ago, there was a push for the RV production to be regulated. There was push back from the manufacturers and dealers on it. Why? Because it would mean that they would need to build better quality products. They would need to invest in better materials and better trained builders. The $100k van you bought, would probably be $150k or so, with the added expenses to the manufacturer, leading to a higher cost to the dealers and then on to you. Everyone is going to make their profit margin.
I run the Thor Motorhome Owners Group on Facebook. It is independent and separate from Thor. There are people on Thor that monitor it and do reach out to help with issues. Our main focus is a community that is based on 3 points: Connect, Share and Help. We do not advocate posts that are nothing but complaining. We don't allow for the "which brand is better" type of posts. We don't allow RV's to be sold. Our group is there to connect with other owners. If you have an issue, seek help from others in fixing it. Learn how to repair it yourself or at least have some knowledge when trying to get it repaired. We encourage and preach to all to get an independent RV inspection done before spending 10's-100's of thousands of dollars.
You are working the bugs out of your van. You will make it better than what it was, for sure. But, as long as it fits your needs and the motor/transmission is going good, I would keep it and continue on with it. At least for the next while. Maybe down the road, consider doing self-build. You're very knowledgeable and handy and more than likely, wouldn't have any issues. Then you can build exactly what you want.
You had to replace your lithium batteries in the first year?! 😮 We have AGM in the Winnebago Solis, and I keep imagining how nice it must be to have lithium. Everyone makes it sound like they’re indestructible and near-limitless charge.
We did...We have not had the best experience with lithium...but it might have been caused by a different issue.
Nice thing about the Solis is both the Solar charge controller and the converter will work with Lithium batteries, they are easy to swap out.
We had to replace the solar controller. Tech said the float voltage was too high. Controller was set on lithium. No problems since.
Just came across your channel. Bummer about the quality of your class B. We decided to have a van converted by Custom Coach Creations in 2020. Including the cost of a brand new 2020 Promaster 2500 159 WB, the total build was just over half what you said you paid for your van. If you look at new vans, consider having one built custom.
Q: How were your experiences dealing with LaMesa? I bought a 5th wheel from them - but had very few issues with mine. (I think I was just very lucky!) Were they easy to deal with? How long did you have to wait to get service completed? Thank you!
Sad that a “Professionally built” $100k van is done with such poor design and cheap materials. I helped a fellow camper with the same exact van and problems. It took many tech calls and exploring to find a burned out fuse they buried behind the fire extinguisher back panel and other things requiring removal of the microwave. Very poor design that would have been easy to improve on. Hope videos like this tank their sales so they produce a quality product. BTW, she also has had many of the same warranty claims with long backorder waits in random cities (ie alternator in 2023). Suggest finding a reputable small Van Builder who takes pride in his/her work! Not big on lawyers, but can anyone say Class Action?
We own a 2023 Thor Gemini and we understand your frustration with the cheap cabin finishes. We used it only 3 1/2 months, the rest of the time has been in the General RV service dept. Not GOOD !
See, this is my nightmare. Fortunately for you, you have the skills to make minor "adjustments" to your vehicle. I dont have the skill or knowledge to do those things. Plus, my hands are racked with arthritis and dont work all that well. That van would be a huge disappointment for me and would make me very upset...and the price would thoroughly piss me off.
That's extremely crappy design, workmanship and materials for the price.
For reference we have about $80K in our build ($53K for the 2022 Promaster). I went overboard with 600 ah of battery and 800 watts of solar.
nice!
Honestly anything new is overpriced junk. You can't go wrong with a mid nineties class C, B, or Van. I have 92 Ford class C. Runs great and everything works as it should. I rarely have a problem.
What a list! I can mark this dog off my consider list. That vinyl-covering coming loose and shrinking throughout is gross incompetent engineering. Are you posting this information on the user forum?
Been looking at class b's and c's for a while. Always had thought in the back of my mind that said, be careful, niche small volume vehicles will bite me in the asp. Great video, thanks
I love having an RV but I hate RVs because even if you had spent 50% more it often just a better shade of lipstick on the pig
I used to deliver them in another life and the never ever showed up at the delivery point with out something going wrong ...there really should be some better standards as a half million dollar class a may have the same crappy press together outlets as the pop up on the lot
I'd never consider Thor after this review. And, I know, they all have issues, but Thor seems to be ultra-crappy. I'd never do the mid-cabin bathroom. Rear baths are definitely larger. Great video.
Omg my wallpaper is coming off everywhere. I too live in Arizona so heat!!
Thank you for showing us your van and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly...lol. I visited a La Mesa RV place in Sacramento, CA. I was pretty impressed with the RV units, including the Thors. You provided me insight as t what to look for before I purchase one. I have lived in a 2019 GMC Savana 2500 cargo van, DIY conversion, for over two years and actually love it. I would like to have more room and have a shower. Planet Fitness gyms do not exist in boondocking areas. Wow
You could have actually had one built buy a third party not an RV company but a company that builds out Vans for rving. You would have saved a lot of money and had a better product and built the way you want it
Great job. Appreciate you both. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan with a camper kit inside. It’s perfect. It’s not as fancy or has all your options, but I’ll never get a RV. I’d rather have less but way more peace. Zero frustration with my van and that’s the best option I could ever hope for or want.
Love it!
The van is beautiful. Paying $100,000 you should not have any problems. Thank God that Bob is Handy. Just work through it and you will have a perfect van. Look at it like a house always needing something. The van is great! ♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✌🏻
Well said!
Gee friends: they need to change the brand name to "Sore". Thanks for the upload 😂
😂😂😂
I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, but did you guys thought about contacting a lawyer that specializes in the lemon law?
Thor is short for "Thorn on my side" if you stop to think about it :(
Kinda true!
We bought a old 1997 Road-trek for 11K a few years ago, had a wonderful time camping for a few years and sold it for 11K when I had health problems. I learned to work on that baby and all its accessories. Great times. These new vehicles are so expensive and complicated.
Interesting I’m also been a little frustrated with my 20AT. However like some comments below every rv has issues. And I came across a Winnebago owner that also complains about how cheap the material they were using for all the cabinets. But Thor craftsmanship definitely really lacking.
Yeah it does seem to be industry-wide right now.
They use cheaper materials for cabinets to make for lighter weight
You are so generous.
I would want my money back. Fortunately, I don’t own one. Thank you for warning us.
Winnebago is a bit better. Nothing perfect, ever, as you know.
Wow! We’ve been discussing trading in our ‘94 Roadtrek for a new class B. We’ve seldom ever had issues. Light bulbs, belts, water pump, water heater rod. Thank you so much for this information.
Glad to help! Glad you've never had major issues!
I’ve been following your journey since day 1 and enjoy the channel and your honesty. Always great content and no matter the issues your always still smiling 😊
Awesome! Thank you! WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH!
You guys honesty and chemistry is why y'all are my favorite van life couple. Thanks for being real and I've been their probably since the beginning of y'all van life journey! So I really enjoy your channel❤❤❤
Awesome! Thank you Judy! We appreciate you so much!
$100k for that list of problems! Built in the cheap. They should refund your $$ 100%. There is no excuse other than greed for this type production.
Aren't they supposed to have some kids somewhere?
In 1985 I bought a Dodge Ram 8 seater van and after 40,000 I had to get a new alternator after it just left me stranded on the side of the road. When we figured out what the problem was it was a quick fix but that’s rather frustrating! Ram apparently has not figured it out yet!
Nicest couple ever! Don't know how they can be so calm in light of so many defects. Very helpful info done very well!
Wow, thank you!
your microwave outlet might be on a GFCI circuit. Look to see if you have any 120v outlets with a reset button on it that might be tripped.
We checked that and that didn't work...Bob thinks it might be a bad breaker! Thanks for helping us though!
outlets have punchdown connection to 110 wires in back. Check for loose wire. We replaced all breakers with AFGFCI for this reason. Sprinter van owner, same song as yours, second verse.
We bought a used 2003 Roadtrek 190 Popular and have not had a single issue with it. And high quality material. 👍🏻👍🏻
Yay! Love hearing this!
I am going to order a 2024 Ram ProMaster 3500 super high roof and build it myself as I have a large shop and think it would be fun. Now I own a 2005 Itasca suncruiser 37 foot. I am looking forward to traveling and being able to stop at all the places we missed because we were too big. I am also tired of towing. I think you should build one the way you like.
You're lucky you have the room and skills to build it out. I would love to do that but no room to do it.
Good old Mr. Lemon. You two are very positive, which I like. But when I saw the cabinet falling down and all the stick on tape coming off…. I can’t even. @winnebagorvs…we are still waiting! These nice people have endured enough with Mr. Lemon and I don’t want to buy a Mr. Lemon.
Haha! We are waiting too 😂
I did not expect American RV makers to be so bad. Is $100.000 considered cheap AF? Because to me this is expensive. Is this why so many vans there are self built? I know in Europe there are always a few things wrong and need servicing in a new RV, but this... this is so far beyond anything I have ever seen or heard of. I would repair everything under warranty and then sell as fast as possible
Wow 100k is a lot I will stop dreaming about owning a expensive van. I thought a van costing that much would have few problems but seems like thats not true. Thanks for being open and honest.
You are welcome!
"Kinda bummed?" *I'd be livid!* I congratulate you on your ability to accept the situation.
That’s why a drive a Lexus sedan vs a lesser brand. More $$$ but NEVER any issues since 2018. Just like new.
I’ll take your “lessons learned” to heart when making a decision for a class B. You basically get what you pay for. (?)
Hope it helps you get a great one!
As consumers, we should not be accepting this level of poor "craftsmanship" at this price point. Nobody would accept this level of quality when buying a bricks&sticks home at a comparable price. Furthermore, would you accept this level of quality in a $100K car?
True
Vancaskey’s!! I love your energy! I appreciate your husband when he says he doesn’t know how to do something. ❤ I have been bingeing on your videos💯
Thank you so much!! We appreciate you!
Thor…. It has a legitimately poor reputation.
When dealers give you lemons, you make lemonade! Had it not been for your trouble with this RV, I would have never discovered your channel. Keep finding those silver linings!
Right on! 🍋🚐😃
$100,000!!!! Man I’d be screaming.
I’m crossing Thor off my list
Simple summary: waay too much stuff jammed into way too small of a space/chassis, for the purpose of full-time living. When he opened the tiny hood, and when he described what all was packed under the bed (water heater, tanks, etc), I said to myself right then that I would never own a class B. With no working space, that means a huge amount of disassembly to fix the smallest things. I understand the appeal of “van life” (easy driving, easy parking, stealth camping, etc.), but how many days are you truly free of breakdowns, repairs, and worry?
Excellent assessment. Why not just buy a small trailer to tow. 4 times the room. I mean if the van was 40 grand .....maybe. But 100 gees. Good lord
We bought a 2022 Entegra Ethos 20 A, you should check it out. Is a Class B with bigger bathroom and 2 TVs, Rampromaster 3500.
Oh fun!!!! Will check it out!
You should write a letter to the General Manager of Class B and make him aware of this poor quality including pictures. Mr Lemon continues to live up to his name. Really don’t you think you should move on and NOT buy any Thor Class B again. A different brand like Coachmen Nova or Beyond.
Agree. 😃
I’m new here! Love your videos! Thank you for being so transparent & honest, that’s super helpful & important! I would have to say why don’t you somehow file a class action lawsuit against this company and I’m sure others would follow? This is ridiculous with all the problems you’re not the only one that I know that’s had issues.. love your videos! My husband and I decided to build our own and this is one of the biggest reasons why!
Welcome!! We would love to build one out too! That's something we hope to do next!
$100,000 .... and they used adhesive paper for their finishes?!! I can cross this manufacturer off our list. Thank you
Yeah...sad but true..but stay tuned...we did take it to get fixed and we pick it up today. FIngers crossed they did a good job!
Thank you for sharing all of your experiences. I've learned so much! Your patience and fortitude to make many of the repairs yourselves is inspiring.
No, Penastar engine is a piece of junk. Thor is a terrible RV manufacturer. Good luck. Sell that Class B before you have engine failure. Or hope you have a good warranty.
Happy Anniversary! I hope you've made lots of positive memories that outweigh the troubled times dealing with the van issues. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. Safe travels!
Thank you so much!
Hello Bob and Hillary🤗 Thank you.. for an awesome video!!! 👍
We appreciate.. your honesty.. and we appreciate you both !!! 😊You guys are great people !!!
😁❤️
Thanks so much1 You are very sweet to us!
Thor +. La Mesa =. Well you get the Picture. Online Research and an RV Inspection before you buy! Get some!…
Good TIps!
I believe in Australia they only build vans with marine ply...not cheap shit chipboard. I would not recommend the builder of the camper.
NICE! Australia is doing it right.
For $100,000, this seams like it could qualify for the lemon law. I would be so disappointed and disgusted.
We looked into it…it didn’t look like we did 🤪🥺
100 k for the van? Done the good things by himself - the rest is falling apart ... This way you kill your business, Thor.
👍🏼