UNDERCOVER RV Tech reviews Grand Design, Brinkley & Alliance RVs

Comments · 1.3K

• MA

  @MattsRVReviews · 3 years ago

  As someone who reviews and sells All of these Brands I appreciate this video! I will send this to GD Alliance and Brinkley so they can ALL Improve! Thank you for the video!

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• MA

  @MattWahlstrom-fw3sq · 3 years ago

  I just forwarded this video to my Brinkley salesman with instructions to pass it on to his company rep.  I’m disappointed they missed this.

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• ON

  @onlibo · 2 years ago

  Brinkley&apos;s response - Adjusted &quot;Rigor&quot; score should now be 97 for both models<br><br>My wife and I are planning to purchase a 5th wheel in the not-too-distant future. Brinkley “Z” models have been at the top of our list. This video gave me pause. It is a very helpful video and the detailed, knowledgeable information is much appreciated. However, as a prospective buyer of a Brinkley, I wanted to get a response directly from Brinkley rather than secondhand. <br>The following are the 4 items noted as negative grades per the “Rigor scale” against Brinkley: <br>- Minus 10 points due to the flex plumbing hose connecting to brass fittings; &nbsp; <br>- Minus 2 points for the Furrion water heater sensor issue; <br>- Minus 1 for “fit and finish” lumber core use <br>- Minus 2 for Furrion vs. Norcold refrigerator <br>- = Minus 15 points <br><br>I did not bother to ask Brinkley about the use of lumber core, as that is a small issue and they have done a great job protecting and covering the core pieces in my personal opinion. <br>Brinkley’s responses to the other 3 items: <br><br>Add back 10 points: Flex plumbing hose connecting to brass fittings: <br>- Brinkley’s response and actual production line changes: <br> <br>“We have had zero issues with our plumbing connections in the field (over 1,600 units registered) or through our prototyping and testing. Everything we have done has been approved by our suppliers for the application they are used. We use PEX water lines wherever possible and brass plumbing connections throughout the entire unit. In a few specific locations, we are using an upgraded no kink flex tube that no one in the industry has previously used. It has a semi rigid inner lining with the flex mesh exterior. The quality of the hose is a HUGE factor in leading to problems that have been an issue with other manufacturers. It is recommended by the manufacturer of our water pump to use a flex tube coming off of the water pump to reduce vibration and noise. <br> <br>In most units in the field, we have used a ribbed brass PEX fitting with the no kink flex hose and an oetiker clamp coming off of the water pump and under the sink on the Model Z 2900. Using a brass fitting (as opposed to plastic) allows to ensure the clamp is tight and the fitting itself will not have “flex” making it much less likely for a leak to develop. <br> <br>Although we have had no issues with our connections, for customer peace of mind, we have eliminated all factory installed connections on flex supply lines. We have gone to a riser fitting hydraulicly preinstalled from the supplier on the water lines running to the water pump and below the sink in the 2900. Again, we have had no issue with the connection we are using and stand behind our product, but we are always looking for ways to improve and added peace of mind. &nbsp; <br> <br>Add back 2 points: Furrion water heater sensor issue: <br><br>- Brinkley’s response: <br>“The issue he brought up with the Furrion water heater sensor was a concern in the first generation Furrion tankless water heaters but was resolved about two years ago. Every Furrion tankless water heater we have used has been the second-generation version and this is a non-issue. <br> <br>No points regained. Furrion vs. Norcold refrigerator <br><br>- Brinkley’s response: <br>“The refrigerator we elected to use the Furrion 16 cubic foot 12V refrigerator based on its size and reliability. The Norcold refrigerator he mentions is a completely different size unit and would not be an option in our Model Z line. I do not know what criteria he used to determine one being superior to the other as he gives no data or rationale to his rating. <br>Final general quote from Brinkley: <br>“Know that we stand behind our product 100% and will take care of any issue that may arise (with this or anything else that we may have fallen short on). Our goal is to build the best RV on the market and something that will last for years to come.” <br><br><br>I hope this info helps folks who may have been turned off to Brinkley after watching the video. It would be great to have the video updated with the corrected scores.

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• WG

  @wgreenjr81 · 2 years ago

  Hopefully you&apos;ll do some of the comparable legacy nameplates for Keystone and Jayco in similar price points to see how they stack against the new kids on the block

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• SU

  @SuninSanDiego · 2 years ago

  I really wish they&apos;d extend lemon laws to the RV market. They aren&apos;t just protections for consumers but would also establish guidelines that RV manufacturers would have to live up to.

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• TH

  @theartistjodievans · 2 years ago

  I love what I learned about any RV just from watching this ONE video. I’m subscribing!

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• CJ

  @cjc1103 · 3 years ago

  Jacob tells it like it is! An excellent expose, that shows the soft underbelly of the RV industry. Cost is king, shove them out the door as fast as you can, for whatever you can get, and caveat emptor. If you&apos;ve tried to get RV service and repairs lately, let me tell you it&apos;s like the plumber in &quot;The Money Pit&quot; movie, who shows up in a Cadillac, and laughs at you. I don&apos;t understand how they stay in business. At least Brinkley appears to have a lot better build quality. Maybe we need Jacob to start a &quot;Consumer Reports&quot; type channel for RVs. Things will only get better if the consumer demands changes.

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• RV

  @RV_Reviews · 2 years ago (edited)

  Another great video, thank you. From a Brinkley RV rep, they are aware of the flex pipe issue in the industry and avoided using the same products. The flex line Brinkley is using is a no crush no kink product that no other manufacturer is using. It&apos;s choice was intentionally on the water pump to reduce vibration and a few other areas due to angle of running water lines. Their usage and attachment method is approved by the vendor and they have had no known issues with this application in the field so far in the first year of production.

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• AL

  @alliancerv · 2 years ago

  We greatly appreciate your objective evaluation of our product. One of our core values is to continuously strive for relentless improvement. If you ever find yourself in the Elkhart area, we would like to extend an invitation for a campus and factory tour.

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• TV

  @TVLKJ3 · 7 months ago

  This guy is fantastic. Tremendous value in knowing major problems to avoid. I just ran across his content for the first time today. We&apos;ve all heard nightmares about RV ownership. But this information about good and bad slides, good and bad plumbing, good and bad appliances etc. Is priceless. These are the hidden items that an untrained eye needs to assess before spending 50K, 100K, 500k. So glad I ran across your channel channel as I planned to buy an RV in the couple of years

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• KA

  @kathryncoker8642 · 2 years ago

  Anxiously awaiting Part 2. &nbsp;Your videos are very useful in narrowing down our choice. Thank you, Jacob!

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• RU

  @RushSimonson · 2 years ago

  Love the video! &nbsp;This is what the RV industry needs: accountability. &nbsp;My wife and I have a 2021 Rockwood Signature 8324SB that we purchased from a private buyer. &nbsp;I had a professional RV tech review and inspect before purchase. &nbsp;We love this RV. &nbsp;We have had very few issues and have owned it now for about a year and put over 10,000 miles and 2 months of nights in it. &nbsp;I have also been very impressed with Rockwood&apos;s support. Even though I was not the original owner, they treated me very well when I asked questions. &nbsp;They have gone so far as to provide me with the drawings and schematics for wiring and plumbing so I could troubleshoot my own issues if needed. &nbsp;Way more than I expected. &nbsp;They also answer questions promptly. &nbsp;Regarding suspension, one of the reasons I purchased Rockwood was their use of the torsion suspension. &nbsp;I have torsion suspension on a large utility trailer, and it pulls and handles like a dream. &nbsp;The Rockwood is the same. &nbsp;When we arrive, almost nothing has moved inside, and it goes over bumps very well. &nbsp;I do not see why all RV trailers would not use torsion suspension. &nbsp;The build quality has been excellent, and we would buy another Rockwood in a minute. &nbsp; I did have another question. &nbsp;When we store the trailer, should we bring in the slides every time, we park it next to my office, so we do go out and fix lunch and spend the night in it maybe once a week if we are too tired to drive home? &nbsp;Love your segments and look forward to more.

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