Say a new RV company came onto the market. The RVs it’s making are absolutely gorgeous! They have a great floorplan, unique design, high-end appliances, and the interior is classy yet modern. The quality is the same as U.S.-made RVs. It’s exactly what you’ve been looking for and it’s even less expensive! The catch? It’s made in China. Would you still want to buy it?
Or, another scenario: Say your favorite RV manufacturer shuts down its U.S. factories and begins making its RVs in China. Nothing is obviously different except the price tag is lower. Would you still want to buy from that company?
Please answer in the poll below, and leave a comment, too, explaining your answer. We’re curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Only a fool would believe that most of the parts in their RV are not already sourced from China!
Exactly. And only a fool would believe that China could even make a lower quality RV than US manufacturers. We’ve got that market cornered!
Truth be told, most of the RV (parts, accessories, things that make it go) is already sourced from China. Just saying.
If a Chinese company makes an RV in America with American steel, raw materials, and labor, how Chinese is it?
Be the same as the autos.
China, the ugly gorilla in the World.
China would probably make better RVs than any of the junk that comes out of Indiana.
HA!
Based on Chinese cars we have rented in Bonaire – NO
You are supporting an enemy of our country by doing this.
No, no and no. The quality of trailers being made today is not what it was 10-20 years ago so there is one reason. China?, there is another (and probably the biggest) reason.
Sad to say, but I don’t really think matching US build quality would be too difficult for ANY foreign country.
After purchasing simple spark plugs on Amazon, which we later found out were Chinese made, and having said spark plugs start to fail at less than 100 miles, the answer is “hell no”
Once again, RVtravel readers are ignoring what they’re being asked to repeat the same tired political points. The poll plainly asks if they would buy an RV made in/by China if its quality was at least equal to a U.S.-made product but priced significantly less, so all comments about crappy Chinese production are irrelevant. And judging by past history (Japanese-made cars spring immediately to mind), the obvious answer is yes, of course most people would make the purchase. People vote with their wallets at least as often as with ballots.
Absolutely couldn’t agree more Andy. And the great thing about the high quality/affordable Japanese cars that started coming to the US in the 70s is that we consumers had better choices at our disposal. Some of the cars coming out of Detroit were atrocious in the 70s and 80s and they now had to course correct because there was serious competition from Japan’s automakers. Thankfully they have and the quality of cars from all around the globe has never been better. And just remember the same type of anti Japanese sentiments-cheaply made and Japan is a threat blah, blah, blah that now are applied to China. Choice and competition is good for all of us, including the producers. Buy American/local is just another tribalistic trope that largely benefits the producers and not the consumers.
Why not? If the build quality is as questionable as those built in the US, why not pay less for the crap shoot that is buying a new RV these days. Competition may be good for domestic manufactures to up their game.
AMEN! I agree. Domestic Cars got a lot better when the Toyotas and Hondas took the market.
Without having a list showing the percentage of parts in our RV that show “Made in China” I’m sure that we already own one that is partially chinese made. Common America we are already creating our own demise, Jobs need to come back to the U.S.A.
Aren’t most of the components used in American made RV’s already made in China?
I said “no”, but the reason depends more on support (replacement parts and labor) availability in the U.S. As already noted, I suspect a number of sub-sub-components in our RVs are already coming from China.
When we visit family in Europe, I am intrigued by the caravan features I see there versus here. But same thing, I wouldn’t buy one in the U.S. without a good support network.
Yes I might if only for the purpose to wake US manufactures to lower the cost of a unit and deliver better quality and if another company from where ever can produce such then go for it. I’ve become intolerant of US quality that has fast slipped away and we have allowed it.
Many Asian, (Honda, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan) and other foreign companies are exporting vehicles to the US. Most far exceed the quality of the Big Three here. However, when did anyone ever see a Chinese made car sold here?
Also, most of the foreign car companies have factories in the US, which employ US workers and add to the economy here.
My wife drives a 2013 Kia that has only had two problems since we owned it, Both times it was covered under the 10 year warranty and both were minor repairs.
Not going to happen with the Chinese stuff.
Not gonna buy a new RV, regardless of where it’s made.
China hasn’t cornered the market on poor quality, but the point is simply this: It’s not about China it’s about us. If you buy American made products, quality or no quality, you keep our folks employed instead of out on the street and dependent on government support. If people are going to work every morning, they are much less likely to be causing problems and they are less under the thumb of government control, which is a good thing.
The bigger concern is what aftersales service would be like. Needing service and parts would be a BIG consideration.
The statement ‘if the quality is equal’ is very subjective. As a retired engineer, the details lie in how ‘quality’ is defined and measured. This is why there are some RV manufacturers have products that seem to have a shorter life span than others. How can one make a serious comparison between US and China made RVs, unless the standard for US quality is the same and all RVs have the same life span and reliability. By the way, the different quality levels for RVs are driven by the market forces – buyers who can afford better quality will spend the money for the quality.
I don’t see anyone commenting on the REASON it’s cheaper in China. There is a certain cost for materials, time and labor in building anything. Where do they cut costs to sell cheaper? If the quality is the same, it isn’t there. If manufacturing is done the same way, no time is being saved either. What’s left? Oh that’s right… labor. The human factor. Pay them less. Make them work longer hours. Forced labor gets costs down. Take away benefits like health care and retirement funds.
We could do all of that and save on costs. But is that what we really want to do as a nation?
There is of course THE STATE. The manufacturer may be owned by the government. It is a Communist country after all. Probably saving LOTS of money there on taxes alone. Do you want to have that happen here? Or pay a little more? Your choice.
Glad to see the results so far.
Me too!
Ditto!!!🇺🇸
YEP !!
It wouldn’t be a challenge for Chinese quality to be the same as American manufacturers. However the fact that American workers would be out of work by buying Chinese products. This is the reason most manufacturers ran to China to begin with to save money on their products and increase their profits. I buy American made when I can, I’m all for capitalism as long as it supports American workers. I said years ago when NAFTA was put it in that if we ever got into another world war we’d be buying our military weapons from our enemies.
I will need to give it some thought when I’m shopping at Wal Mart.
No. We already send too much business out of country, not just to China. Furthermore, China’s various policies are contrary to humanity and support countries with totalitarian regimes.
Wake up people. A large amount of the parts in your current RV are already made in China. So you’ve basically already done what the majority of you have responded that you would not do. Case in point, during Covid our awning motor quit and the RV repair folks called everywhere to get one. No one had it and it had to be ordered from the manufacturer. In China (took 4 months to get it).
You have supported my point on what I have Been saying for many years. I am satisfied with the build quality of my motorhome however most of the bolt on parts such as A/C units, toilet, awning parts, slide mechanism, and etc that are made in China are crap. Knowing this why would I want to buy a complete RV made by the same people that are making crappy parts!
The ” made in america” rv is just assembled in the us.
FULL of foreign parts. The newer Dansforth? Refrigerator the on demand water heater that heats the coach too. The vent fans for the bathroom Air conditioner.. Aluminum for sides and roof. We are a Global economy, not just us of a. Take away everything that wasn’t made in usa and work would stop INSTANTLY..
My Toyota has tires made in Vietnam. Are the Japanese complaining? I bet they are. Should we complain, yes we should. We fought and gave up a terrible war. Now we buy their stuff. If it wasn’t for foreign competition we couldn’t afford to even think about buying 1/2 the stuff we take for granted.
Communist China is not our friend. So, no way would I buy an RV from them. I try not to buy anything from them.
I said “yes,” largely because I doubt that I would know where it was made because both it and I would be in the USA when/if I bought it. Also, buying it would put more dollars in the hands of the Chinese, making it less likely that they would call US debt that they currently hold. Further, it would give them more ability to purchase US goods and services. Lastly, it would reduce the current use of US resources, making them last farther into the future.
Here we are in the 21st century and the saga continues. We want the world to buy our junk but we don’t want to touch anything Chinese. They got 1.6 billion people, they really don’t need us. They have a strong economy and the country continues to grow. I’m very happy for them. If we want to stay even with them, it has to include a highly-educated population that is willing to work.
NO WAY!!!
To be truthful, Yes I would consider buying an RV from a Chinese manufacturer if I were in the market to buy new (which I’m not). I own a Subaru Outback (Japanese manufacturer), which has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.
For many years “Made in America” has meant “assembled in America, with foreign sourced parts”. Even the “support American workers” argument is getting pretty weak. “Real” Americans don’t want (or have) to work anymore. Just ask anyone who is looking for workers. More American jobs, means more migrant workers (I am NOT anti-immigration, as long as it is controlled). I would be curious to know how many undocumented workers are currently employed by “American” RV manufacturers.
why don’t you move to China then.
What a strange response to Sven’s comment, SDW. Just sayin’. Have a good day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Why don’t you mind your own business?
You are comparing apples to rotten oranges when you say you bought a Subaru and then you say would by Chinese. Subaru actually has a plant in Indiana. Do you think China would build here? Plus, there are no Chinese automobiles sold here.
There are no Chinese automobiles sold or assembled in the US because of the political lobbyists of the domestic, and foreign manufactures, who don’t want to share the US market, knowing Chinese competition would seriously erode their profit margins. I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF OPENING THE US MARKET TO THE CHINESE AUTO MAKERS. But something needs to be done to bring down the price of new automobiles to affordable levels for average Americans.
Any ideas?
The Volkswagen model in the 1930s did what you seek for the affordability of American automobiles.
I seldom agree with you but the last third of your post is very accurate. A generation or 2 of very soft American workers is not filling the jobs available. We are lacking 2 generations if craftsmen wanting a career working with their hands. One if my businesses currently employs 24 people, half of which are illegals. If I could hire American only I would. For those of you that think employers of illegals are predators for saved wages, you are wrong. The jobs I have available pay between $80k and $100k/ year and my illegal employees get 2 weeks paid vacation each year along with those wages.
I’m not going to close that business down because American kids feel entitled and deserve free money, free college and a guaranteed income for playing XBox. Not all kids are snowflake soft, but many are. I’ll create the jobs and if no American wants one of them, I’ll find someone that does. I would prefer legal immigrant employees and Americans but I didn’t create the labor problem. I just need hard workers that can operate an alarm clock every night on the way to bed.
That would be a big mistake. China doesn’t know what it takes to make a sturdy RV for American roads, not counting the import tax it would cost. And who would want to support China, since it’s our enemy that constantly steals our technologies.
Sure why not. As someone who works in the industry and has seen them inside and out, a quality product is a quality product. Who cares what country it’s from. People are all too eager to forget that most of the components are made in China anyway.
Buying from China betrays America. Keep America strong by supporting American made products.
I believe the word quality is what defines this whole argument. It has not proven to be the case so far, in terms of other manufactured goods. A plan can be followed, but if the materials are inferior and corners are cut, clearly the final product will be impacted.
If the quality is there than yes I would consider it – many of the parts already are made out of this country (but the quality is NOT there). Need to buy a new camper in the next year or two but waiting for the USA to get the quality back in the manufacturing end of things due to what seems to be a few years of really poor construction at ever increasing pricetags.
Quality Equal? Maybe BETTER!
We will never know until you see one in person.
Only then will you be able to answer to original question.
I am so confused, China is our enemy? But we literally buy stuff from them by the boat load, by the hour. COVID supply chain proved that. American companies have parts made in China. I would like to see someone break down the parts of any RV that is built in Indiana, USA. Door hardware, plywood, vinyl, glass, plumbing hardware, steel – every item that is in any RV, where are they from? I will bet most items are not made in the USA. If what we get is from a non Chinese country, how do we know they did not get it, or parts, from China before they shipped it to us? Not that I like it, but this is a world economy. I think it would be likely that a lot of parts in a Chinese RV were not made in China. Would I buy a Chinese RV? I guess I might if the steering wheel were on the left side. It is my understanding that India is the largest agriculture equipment manufacture in the world making USA sold tractors. It’s a Mad Mad World.
On the Chinese camper question, in most part the quality my be better! Just saying.
Couldn’t be any worse than the junk RVs that are built here. Most of the parts are from China anyway.
I voted “Yes to both”. I’m a supporter of nationalism AND global trade as both are necessary for economic stability. China takes a hit on consumer perceptions of quality yet their exports to America are staggering. That leaves me to conclude an appealing price to Americans will displace the frustration of poor quality. Product from Indiana isn’t poor quality, it’s indifference and apathy AND at a premium price. Any option from that would be worthwhile to investigate..
Agreed
As a Quality Manager for over 30 years, I disagree. In the Chinese QMS there is no word for non-conforming material. If a customer rejects their goods for non-conformance to spec, they will accept the return but just sell it to the next company and wait to see if that company accepts the substandard product. During the recent supply issues, we couldn’t even source product anywhere else which caused a potential shortage to our customers. by the way we are a medical manufacturer. How would you like to wait to have your life saving surgery due to Chinese supply lines?
I’ll go back to the fifties through the eighty’s before NAFTA we seemed to be self sufficient on our own. It’s the greed of American business that brought all this Asian and Mexican products into fruition. Of course the politicians catered to the money from lobbyists promoting international trade that cost American jobs. Before NAFTA if you didn’t have a job it was because you didn’t want a job just like today where the government is paying more to stay home than employers pay to work.
Nice that so many Americans are willing to fund the Chinese military. The American people are truly headed for bad days ahead. But common sense isn’t too common
So very true Chinese are buy large portion of.land here pretty soon they will own us people are so stupid NO pther.country sell their land.go and try and buy some Chinese land.ots the American greed that ruin us
Cold?
Hungry??
Unemployed???
Eat your Import.
Hopefully the folks in the US who don’t mind everything being made in China will have a job here in the US to buy all that Chinese stuff.
No, parts would be an issue.
I wouldn’t buy one either, but all the parts are now made in china except the frames so parts is a non-issue. As a matter of fact you might get parts faster from a Chinese RV manufacturer than a American manufacturer importing Chinese made parts.
We don’t buy cars built overseas either. American made as much as possible all the time.
Not down loading on you, but have you looked at the point of manufacture sticker inside your drivers side door? I was of the same ideals you have until NAFTA was started. Since then very few American vehicles are made in the USA. On the other hand my Toyota Camry was built in KY, Hondas are built in AL,IN, Hyundais are built in AL, Kia is built in GA. Foreign manufacturers are more American than American manufacturers. Mercedes builds in AL.
Bob, you are exactly right. There are no American car companies. There are only multinational companies that choose to assemble some of their cars in the US.
Remember the Ford Fiesta, ” the world car” that was probably the beginning of the end of US car companies
I would prefer to buy us made products, but our government (so really all of us) has sold out to whatever market is the least expensive. In most cases there is no way that a US manufacturer can compete on price with low cost foreign producers. Domestic manufacturers have to pay higher labor rates and meet many environmental and workplace requirements that dramatically increase their overhead, and simply do not exist in other places. Love or hate Trump, he started to apply tariffs in an attempt to compensate for these inequities. This was essentially the policy of Democrats prior to Clinton. It’s almost funny that Trump haters tag these policies as extreme and racist, when they were the foundation of the Democratic platform not so long ago.
I try to buy domestically, but I will buy direct from China instead of buying a a made in China product that a US reseller has marked up by several hundred percent.
I would not buy an RV made in China. Now ask yourself, would you fly on an airplane made in China?
Normally I avoid Chinese made stuff but I’m thinking about the NJ Star
I haven’t seen anything else like it.
Same layout yes but weighing more meaning I would need a bigger truck to tow it.
And a South African company has something similar but they have moved production to China also.
It can’t be any worse than the what we get currently. The fact we bought an RV and traded it less than a year later because of everything wrong with it what is made here would be no better. Usually China junk is just that cheap materials, made cheaply, and meant to throw away not maintain.