trailer construction video

[Eagle63]

Just a found a 4 minute video on MSNBC that shows the construction of a Jayco travel trailer.

I thought it would be interesting to see how its done, and am not wanting to generate comparisons of Jayco with North Trail.

I just think its a great example of modern manufacturing that such a complex item as a travel trailer with electrical, plumbing, and heating, etc. can be assembled so quickly. The guys in the video are really working hard!!!

Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37555858...tips/#32468163

[irvin56]

but saying 6 hours from frame to out door,

IN my opoinion is not a good sales pitch. maybe they don't think the same way as me,

but I would of said "in 1 day we can do a single trailer if needed to get a special order out for pickup"
Or something along that line,

But now we know how much QUALITY CONTROL goes into their trailers.

I wonder how long one of our units, 31QBS is on line.(Honestly correct time)??
Factory rep?? can we find this out ???

Thanks
Irvin

[dbwell00]

I agree that video was kind of odd... you would think the marketing guy would want to show the operation as a well-oiled machine, each step of the process being executed quickly, but with care and pinpoint accuracy. That process looked a little out of control! Even unsafe perhaps (30 foot trailer frame swinging upright, people running to keep up with huge trailer panels swinging into place). It really looked like everyone was in fast forward, like one of those Sesame Street videos of a postal distribution center or something but more out of control.

When I went through the North Trail factory it was a Friday afternoon and there were limited staff there and it was very late in the season (after the downturn too) so maybe I don't have a real basis for comparison... I think they said 11 per day come out of there which may mean it takes between 1-2 days from start to finish given the number of stations on the line

I do think Jayco's trailers are high quality though, as they seem to use a notch better materials than average. I believe Heartland does as well. It actually came down to a Jay Flight or a North Trail for us, believe it or not. Funny because they are so different. One has been proven for decades, and the other is higher tech and addresses many problems with the old style, but potentially more expensive to remedy a major problem... but from my standpoint the quality seemed acceptable (above average at least) for both.

Very interesting video! Thanks for posting.

[bobk]

We were at the North Trail plant 2 weeks ago and were told that 60 units per week were in production at that time. The would build anywhere from 3 to 6 of the same model at a time on the line and then change to a different model based on needs or orders. Production methods were very similar to the video, but plant was packed to the max in every corner. Salesman said that they really needed more space for production somehow. There were 3-5 or more people working at each work station - had to watch where we were going and still we were getting in the way - they really hustled at every station.

[Mark]

I've had a Jayco, a new one, and it performed like it was built in 6 hours. :)
Only had it for a few miserable months.