Imagine if you were in the market to buy an airplane and, hypothetically, could buy one made by a large, existing RV manufacturer who opened an airplane-building division. Would you do it if the price were right?
What if Thor built airplanes? Or Airstream? Or Forest River? Or Winnebago? Would you buy one?
Think about it: These companies already specialize in building self-contained vehicles designed for travel and comfort. They understand space efficiency, systems integration, and mobile living. Could that knowledge translate into building reliable aircraft?
Of course, there’s more at stake when you’re flying through the sky than driving down the road. Would you trust an RV company to get aviation right? Or would you want to see a long track record first, or maybe wait until someone else takes that first test flight?
And what would you expect from a plane made by one of these manufacturers? Fold-out wings? A glamping-inspired interior? A full wet bath at 10,000 feet? Let your imagination take off, and let us know what you think!
(We bet you already know what we think… RV quality, ahem…)
We’re looking forward to your comments on this one.
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RVT1218b
I bet that piece of “crap” would crash 5 seconds after the first wheel left the ground.” Don’t tell me what you can do; show what you have done”. Past history is the best indicator of what you will do.
Especially if were United flying a Boeing product.
That’s optimistic. You’re assuming it would actually leave the ground! More likely it would just be a pile of rubbish when it runs out of runway.
A new line for Thor?
With all the shoddy workmanship and recalls from RV manufacturers, the planes would probably never get off the ground and then sit in the hangers for months waiting for repairs.
Yeah, I know the comments and concerns about big government… Perhaps the biggest reason for shoddy RVs is effective lobbying and a lack of government regulation. They aren’t cars, so those regs don’t apply. They aren’t homes, so those regs don’t apply either. On the other hand, if anything flies above a roof top in this country, the FAA does have safety regs. Right now, the RV manufacturers couldn’t touch that market without major overhaul of building practices. If I could afford a flying RV, I’d buy it with that FAA certification.
I said no way, but I would not buy a plane no matter who built it.
It must be a really slow day to post this. Clickbait title leading to a poll that is not even partly logical. As the manufacturers you named, they don’t make the chassis; the chassis is made by someone else. So the correctly asked question is, would you trust an RV manufacturer to outfit a luxury jet like a Global or Gulfstream? Even then, it is not like someone who can afford a jet over $100 million is going to camp on the tarmac. You could have done so much better, referring back to the Helihome or Helicamper, where Winnabago teamed up with Sikoriski to build a one-of-a-kind interior for a helicopter (not an airplane). Maybe you could cram something into an S76D ($15 million new).
Berkshire Hathaway which owns the majority of RV manufacturers also owns Precision Castparts which is a major parts supplier to airline manufactures.
So RV manufactures are already airplane builders!
Let’s see. Better than doors blowing off. Cheap China bomb tires exploding on takeoff and landing. Engine bolts not tightened. Instruments don’t work. Overhead luggage compartments dropping down on passengers. Tray tables collapsing. Windows falling off. And yes doors blowing off.
All FAA standards and qualifications will still have to be followed, no matter who builds the aircraft. While some of those might not be perfect they are still very good.
Exactly
I’d rather buy a plane from a kid down the street, who would build it in his backyard. I’ve been a reader of RV Travel for several years, and I’ve learned how poorly the majority of RV’s are built, with very little attention to detail.
It’s not like an RV. When something breaks, you can’t just pull over to the side of the road to fix it.
Indeed I would fly in or purchase an airplane made by an RV manufacturer !
But I would leave out the hot tub or washing machine option because luggin’ all that water around would cut into my mileage.
And I would only land at FAA-approved Kampgrounds of America (KOA) landing strips.
But hey you readers of RV Travel, I warn you that I’ll be runnin’ the APU all night long so I can enjoy some electrics and air conditioning !
In spite of all the regulations on aircraft (airplanes and helicopters), they do have many recalls – except their recalls are issued in the form of “airworthiness directives” which means you get to have it fixed and pay for it as well. Little things like cracks in the wing main spar or leaking fuel tank bladders or bad pumps and on and on. Since no home appliances are included – no problems with the propane or water heater or tanks etc… Aircraft operate in an entirely different environment from sea level to 45,000 ft – from 100+ to -70f all in a matter of minutes as well. Shrink and stretch. Ever watch an airliner wing tip in rough air? up and down flexing even on take-off they flex!
With all the stuff that fell off, leaked and popped out on our brand new TT, I would be concerned over more than a “door plug” blowing out on a Forest River-built airplane!
I gave up flying after 9-11. With all the security checks and other crap, it took the fun out of it. It is now a far cry from when I started flying in 1967.
Not just no, H@#L NO!!!!!!
Oh, HELL NO! I wouldn’t buy a Thor product either.
I have no desire to fly now days regardless of who manufactures the aircraft. The juice just isn’t worth the squeeze!
Well, at least 2% of your readers must be members of RVIA. They’re the only ones who would trust the RV industry to build anything well.
It would be wonderful to see an article in Chuck’s esteemed publication that takes readers onto the production floor and features interviews with employees of various RV manufacturers.
Hearing their perspectives on their jobs, the pride they take in their work, and their experiences, both joyful and challenging, would be incredibly insightful.
Additionally, their suggestions for improvements would offer valuable insights into the industry.
For you “young folks” – during WWII, Ford who built cars, changed over a factory to build the B-24 Liberator Bomber. So if a RV manufacturer, re-tools it’s production line to build an airplane – what is the difference?
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Shouldn’t the question be would you fly, rather than would you buy? I have no pilot’s license, so I won’t be buying anyone’s plane. Were I a pilot, I’d sooner buy a 60-years-old used plane than a new one built by any RV manufacturer. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Yeah, everybody is down on RV manufacturing quality. All this question does is provoke that particular animus. However, if any industry, not just RV builders, decided to start manufacturing aircraft, they would then be subject to a huge platform of government regulation, overlooking the manufacturing process and guaranteeing the safety, quality, and flyability of any device built. So no, if I were interested in whatever bird Forest River was building, I would have no qualms about buying it. (retired aviation professional)
Only if I were suicidal.
Hi Diane 🙂
😉 Have a good afternoon, Matt. 😀 –Diane
The “canned” answer would be “sure because it’d never get off the ground.” At least the airplane manufacturers are strictly regulated and watched.
Aircraft need to be inspected and licensed by the FAA, so if they are doing their job there shouldn’t be a problem. IF… But, if they were doing their job, I doubt any RV manufacturer would be able to get an aircraft through the process before running out of money.
Scary thought.
With the reputation of today’s new RVs coming off the line, I dont think so. There does not appear to be much reliability built into road vehicles so it would be a stretch for me to trust anything they built that flew.
There are airplanes actually called RVs. RV3 through RV10 (or 11 now).
Ha ha ha ha… Boeing can’t even make safe planes in recent years and you think a company like Thor would be a good idea for aircraft? Wonder what happens when the famous “wall separation” or “loose dashboard” issues hit a plane like they have Thor Outlaw RVs?