Starcraft 10RT

[GroupSe7en]

Just ebayed a 2005 Starcraft 10RT.

Bought it for a trip with the family across Newfoundland and Labrador. I think that by the time I get to the end of the Trans Labrador Highway, I'm going to be towing a frame with a propane tank bolted to it.

Takes the "Made in America" thing to a whole new level.

The thing is put together with staples!

The cabinetry is literally put together with staples. The frame pieces don't even touch one another. They just cut them to within 1/4" and held them together with whopping great staples. The "frame" is then stapled to the 3/32" (plywood? particle board?) face pieces and the whole mess is attached to the floor with a couple of screws.

I crawled underneath it today to have a look at how the wiring and propane lines were run. It's a total nightmare. The wires are attached to the bottom of the floor decking with a few (3 total!) screw collars. The wires are just hanging under the frame rails - no chafe protection - no nothing. The "holes" where the wires pass through the decking into the trailer look like the decking was just smashed with a hammer until they made a hole. There's no grommet or anything. The wires just pass up through the ragged hole and then they closed it up with a pound of silicone sealant. Inside it's about the same - a birds nest, crimp connectors, and cover it all up with some simulated-wood-grain-paneling.

The propane has a central iron pipe (yup, Iron pipe under the trailer) running down the middle with fittings off of it that connect to copper tubing that runs through the decking to the appliances. One of the the copper tubes was thoughtful pre-crimped at the factory. There's no provision whatsoever to protect anything from stones kicked up by the tires.

There's much more to this tale of incompetence and stupidity but I can feel my blood pressure spiking so it's time to stop.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Sad but true. When I have looked at how some of the US tent trailers were made I was shocked and couldn't understand why anyone would buy them just to see them fall to pieces in a short time. Even some of the higher end ones are junk compared to the South African or Australian options on the market.

So now what's your plan for the Trans Labrador Highway?

BTW, I was not trying to be a wise guy. I am curious if you plan to beef up what you have or sell it and get something else for your trip.

 

[mudbutt]

Yep! That's why depreciation is so high on RV's. They are worth about 50% what you pay the second they leave the lot.

They are built to "industry standards".... Which aren't very high.

The toy hauler I have now is a Rage'n. Their motto is "Luxury Toyhaulers". They use upgraded cabinets and fixtures so the interiors look a little more high end. But what most people don't realize is it's the same labor pool building them all. And no offense to anyone, but let's face it, you don't have to have a degree to get a job assembling rv's.....

The trailer I have was stickered at almost $50,000. (I bought it new at a show for $35,000). Imagine how I felt to see that it was about as well put together as $5,000. pop-up.

Within the first month I found trim around the door falling off. The stereo amp that was hidden inside a cabinet had fallen off because it was put in with only 2 screws and weighs about 7 pounds. They left the slug that was bored out for the fill pipe inside the blackwater tank so it got jammed into and broke the gate valve. The wiring was done wrong so everytime the water heater kicked on the only thing you could hear from the stereo was a high pitched screetch. Propane leaked.... The list goes on.

And I'm not bashing Rage'n, we like the trailer. It's just like I said, it's the same labor pool building these things and they just build them as fast as they can. They figure if there's a problem it's up to the owner to find it and get it fixed.

You will defently have to put in some time beefing things up if it's going off road. They really aren't designed for a whole lot of abuse. Plus the materials they use are to help keep the units light as possible. Usually light weight=wimpy.

The iron pipe for the propane is standard issue. Every trailer I have bought had that. Since it's a used trailer just open the valve and squirt down all the connections with soapy water. If you find no leaks call it good and forget about it.

If there is anything hanging down below the frame however, that's a different story. Zip-ties or Adell clamps will fix that. If not, skin over it with some aluminum sheet, ala skid plate style. The crimped copper tube I would replace tho. Should be simple to do.

Buy a couple of cans of spray poly foam. You'll find a use for them.

When all is said and done, do a shake down run close to home for a couple of days and try and pinpoint any problems to be fixed before your vacation run.

And try and imagine things falling apart on the trail and put together a fix-it kit to take with you. Various size wood/sheetmetal screws, teflon tape, duct tape, RTV, wood glue, etc...

Oh and velcro..... Lot's and lot's of velcro. Different sizes. I like the kind with the peel and stick backing.

Don't let it get to you. Like I said they are all the same. Spend some time and if need be some $$$$ and make it yours. Modify, upgrade, improve, and enjoy!!!

 

[DrMoab]

I have a friend who used to be a mechanic at an RV dealer. They sold Alphas...you know, the big buggers that say See Ya on the back?

Anyway, they are well over $100K to buy and he said when they got a new one in from the factory it would take them a solid two weeks to get it patched up enough to sell.

I just don't get it either.

 

[wcdu]

I have had 2 RV's, a trailer or bumper hitch and a 5th wheel. They defintely take a bit of modification.

I must say that my Jumping Jack trailer didn't need a thing and is, as far as I can tell, after only 2 hard trips, bulletproof. It is probably the best made American manufactured thing I have ever seen. Well, not counting pre-64 Winchester's and this one girl I know.

Steve

 

[Atoyot1031]

I looked long and hard at the 10RTs. I ended up buying a $600 popup, putting ~$2000 into it and ended up with a popup that will go anywhere an AT will, has the creature comforts of a popup, and costs a fraction of either. Here's my build:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/354638-offroad-popup-camper-build.html

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I was really looking at the Starcraft 11RT myself, but you basically confirmed and reinforced all the reasons I decided not to buy one. It doesn't matter how strong the frame is, everything bolted to it is the same junk as a standard pop-up.

My father bought a used 2005 Coleman pop-up last year, and I was checking it out. Inside the wiring panel, I saw the same **** you did. Wiring run through holes that were punched with a hammer. I thought maybe the previous owner did some modifications, but I guess not!

It's a wonder how they get these things to look nice on the outside. It's only when you crawl underneath, or look behind the panels that you realize how badly they are made. I mean how much, really, would it cost to make the cabinets out of plywood for the "off-road" models. They sure charge enough for them.

 

[Borrego60]

That is just wrong,no wonder people do not trust each other.

 

[GroupSe7en]

Atoyot - I've seen your build thread - loved it!

Yeah guys - don't know what to say except that it is fueling my fire to build something myself. I'm torn between building a super trailer and building something super to haul it. :jumping:

Or

getting a beat to death Fuse FG 4x4 and building a super camper on that. :drool:

My wife is encouraging me to do nothing that involves spending money :violent-smiley-031: but a man's got to do what a man's got to do!

Cheers,
Mark