Travel to JC to see your trailer built???

[Bluto]

Those of you who have gone to JC to see your trailer when it was being built, I have a few questions:
Did you get to see it each day during manufacture? I assume only during the tour.
How many days does it take to make a trailer from start to finnish?
Did you see it after production (inside and out) before the delivery truck towed it to your dealer?
Did it do any good to be there? Think you got a better trailer because you let them know you were there and how much a good build means to you?
Would you do it again?

[greatlakes]

I took the tour of the plant and the trailer assembly six months before getting my trailer. Although I did not see it being built, I inquired meticulously about the particular model I was after. Now that I've had my trailer a while, I'd like to take the tour again with a lot more experience as what to ask and look for. The best time is when the plant is shut down and the tour still takes place. You can get in there with the bolts and nuts and find things out. I happen to travel the I-75 twice a year and JC is a convenient detour.

[Bluto]

Thanks Frank, I forgot to mention that I did take the tour at JC several years ago, and I agree that is worthwhile to visit the plant.
But this time around, I might go to see my own trailer being built and that's the reason for my questions. I wonder if it is worthwhile to be present during that particular time? Hence, all my questions in the initial post.

[2airishuman]

it takes about 10 days to run the full production cycle.

IF u contact j/c, they will give u that time frame (approximately)...

the 'start date' isn't hard set, but once it's on the line it's about 10 days.

i was there in 05 when assembly was IN process.

YES u can see it EVERY DAY on the tour as it moves along.

IF they know u are there and it is in the 'final few' days, toward the END of the production circle...

u can ASK to hang around and look after the tour is over and as the workers are leaving.

i strategically fell back during the tour and don (the tour man) came back to find me AFTER the tour each time...

he was FINE with me doing that.
__________

here's a couple of useful or FUN threads to read...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...ate-20926.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ter-24534.html

and saving the best for last, THIS thread has pics taken WHILE my unit was in production and just after...

see posts 35 to 38 or so...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f349...sic-18802.html
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mistakes can and DO happen on the line,

so watching them build it is a bit like watching the hog slaughtered, gutted, quartered and GROUND UP...

BEFORE eating the sausage and chops...
___________

here's a tiny BIT of a true story (i'll save the rest for a campfire)...

just a few minutes before my arrival AT the unit (on the line) a worker broke one of the perfectly sealed brand NEW, vista view windows...

(he's seen holding the impact driver in post #37 in the right hand pic with a sheepish "who me" expression...)

as i arrived they all looked a bit nervous and then when i saw the 'crinkled glass' in the frame...

a sorta LOUD expletive filled sentence rose from my lips....

the workers ALL ducked or ran for cover, except the electrician who said...

"if you LIKE the window that way we can do them ALL like that for you..."

then the shop foreman came to the noise, found me and escorted me to his private office for a special tour...

of course i took a few 100 photos of the assembly including this broken window and other minor errors and things...

not long after that, NO cameras were allowed on the production line,

but MY UNIT is very well documented...
__________

i don't think BEING there makes for a better or worse unit, but i would definitely go again IF ordering new.

a year after delivery, i was back in j/c for some repairs and took the tour again.

the guys who built it saw me in the group, and while they didn't exactly remember ME,

they were able to recite the details of my unit, including the special order stuff...

but failed to mention the window.

cheers
2air'

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Bluto

Thanks Frank, I forgot to mention that I did take the tour at JC several years ago, and I agree that is worthwhile to visit the plant.
But this time around, I might go to see my own trailer being built and that's the reason for my questions. I wonder if it is worthwhile to be present during that particular time? Hence, all my questions in the initial post.

You can only visit the plants production line, with guided supervision.

I seriously doubt that they would allow anyone to watch, day by day, nor asking all the involved emplyees, questions.

Normally, one can only visit with the tour guide, whose name is Don Ambose.

Andy

[Bluto]

Thanks 2air for answering my questions and the extra bits of wisdom.
Not sure if I'll be able to get up there for the build, but I'm going to try.
I'm sure it makes the tour(s) all that "much more better" when they are making one just for you, and you can see the daily progress.

[Bluto]

Andy, I think you missed my point. It is not my intention to ask all the workers questions and go thru the plant unsupervised.
But thanks for your thoughts on the subject.