A theromo Gun is money well spent, I wish that I had one. How much is the kind that RV'ers could have, I also fool around with muscle cars, engines, trans, etc.?
As a interesting side light, it is not just Hartland RV taking advantage of us, it is The RV industry in general, every manufacture is in competion with each other, therefore they cut cost on things we don't see.
My son bought a new 2005 SunnyBrook trailer with the best Dexter Axels (which we though where excellent axles). We tried to torque wheel nuts on the unit to proper spec; and on the curb side, one of six stripped, the driverside, 4 of 6 stripped(all do to pretty, cheap Chinise studs & Chrome Nuts plus a factory worker that installed and torqued the nuts with a air impact wrench). Called dealer, they said, tough luck. Therefore we had to remove hub/brake drums to drivers' side, and found that bearings where not set right, they where also leaking grease, pulled the bearings, in both hubs, and the bearings where already shot, only 4,000 miles on trailer. The bearings where made in Romanea & China (a bearing set at RV Supply in Elkhartabout $7.00) at this time we replaced only the drivers side with Detroit/ Timkin Roller Bearings (cost $24.00 a set, good quality wheel studs & nuts $7.00 x 24 = $168.00(mechanics costs)). We reset all bearing/torque both sides, and used the best grease money can buy (we still need to intall new bearings need on pass side yet).
Now driverside runs about 50 degrees cooler then passener side (wish we had a heat gun).
Total whole sale costs of parts was $270.00, that will last for years & years with proper maintenace.
Which company will take the step to install the best running gear and tires and eat a $1000.00 in extra cost when they can get away with cheap crap. Does a Landmark cost more then a Bighorn, is it because it has the better running gear? I have been to many FMCA Rallies, etc. and sat in coaches and listened to people shop for a new RV; and not once have I heard a couple of unsupecting buyers comment on the coaches running gear, handling, etc., but you sure hear it if they don't like the color of the couch! When we do get our trailer we receive cheap, crapy couches & reclinners, I had to go and buy the good flexsteel reliners.
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