Better RV Brands?

[DixonL]

I am looking to upgrade the camper in the next few months. Currently we have a 1994 30 ft Dutchman pumper pull camper. I find that the camper is just not made very well. Nothing major, just a lot of little stuff that always in need of repair (like drawers, cabinets, foldout beds etc. ) I am thinking of going to a 5th wheel and planning to spend between $8-14K. I was interesting in your opinions as to what are the good manufactures out there and what options you would recommend. I also think a slider would be really nice.



Thanks,

Thad (Ohio)

 

[odinjunior]

I just signed up for this at "Grizzly's" recommendation. Looks like just what we need...

RV Ratings for motorhomes, fifth wheels, trailers, toy haulers.

 

[Grizzly]

Look at Hitchhiker or anything by Nu-wa and look at anything made by Northwood, such as Arctic Fox, Nash and Desert Fox. Look for Excel, Aspenlite and Jayco. There are many other 3. 5 and 4 star rated 5th wheels. There is only one 5 star rated 5th wheel and that's a New Horizon, but very expensive.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Ask Harvey he hauled them for years should know whats good vs junk.

 

[HBarlow]

Chuckle. (Private joke)

I have responded to at least a dozen similar inquiries on TDR over the years, always give similar advice, and always watch the person who asked ignore the advice and buy a cheap brand with lots of visible flash.

Grizzly's advice above is good.

I would add Travel Supreme, Newmar, Teton, and Alfa to his list.

I owned a used Travel Supreme fiver for several years and bought a new NuWa HitchHiker in early 2007.

All the brands we have mentioned are heavy and will be hard to buy for the amounts you listed.

Try browsing used on the NuWa Industries (HitchHiker parent company) website. They started taking trades and selling new from the factory about a year ago. Their prices are extremely competitive, their used units have been inspected and serviced, and they sell no junk. The company is honest, honorable, and trustworthy.

I would not buy a Keystone with any name label or any unit on a Lippert frame.

 

[Newt]

Chuckle. (Private joke)

I would not buy a Keystone with any name label or any unit on a Lippert frame.

Well Harvey, that eliminates most of them.



Newt

 

[Silver Ratler]

Look at the HeartLand lines... fasting growing 5th wheel on the market.



I purchased a Big Country 3250 last June and have been very impressed with the overall construction of my unit. They all have problems... but HeartLand has been easier to deal with than other manufacturers. This is our fifth RV and I would definitely by another HeartLand product.



They have a great owners forum at: Heartland Owners Forum

Factory Reps monitor this forum ... . you will learn the good and the bad.



Decide what your really need, how you are going to use it and then shop for what fits you the best.



Just my opinion!



Good Luck

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Well take heart Harvey, God willing when we are ready for our 5th wheel I 'd like to roll out your way and take you shopping, and then to a fine meal. LOL I am old enough to know where the wisdom in life comes from. Some folks get it from the book of hard knocks others ask questions.

 

[flyby night]

I can testify 100% steer clear of anything from Keystone! I bought mine brand new and that may end up being my saving grace when the war is done being fought over it. If I had it to do again, I would have got an Arctic Fox fiver, or possibly a Komfort. I would have to really look into the Komfort though. If I ever do end up getting another rv, it will not be a wood framed unit. This is part of the way the cheaper manufacturers make them cheaper. Wood is cheaper than aluminum.

 

[PFlory]

Chuckle. (Private joke)



I would add Travel Supreme, Newmar, Teton, and Alfa to his list.

After what I thought was good research I bought a new 2007 Newmar and would probably not buy it again. Landing jacks stripped out on three different trips and would not raise the camper, black water tank won't drain, after two years, two of the slide out seals came off and needed replacement. Our previous $18K Fleetwood Prowler travel trailer held up much better than in the 5 years we had it than the $48K Newmar has in the 2 years we've had it. Maybe I just got a lemon!

 

[SierraRam]

Well I guess I must be the exception, I like my Keystone Montana, seems very well built and has a great layout. Of course I have been living in it so it has not had a lot of road miles. Just curious from those that say stay away from Keystone what have the issues been?

 

[HBarlow]

After what I thought was good research I bought a new 2007 Newmar and would probably not buy it again. Landing jacks stripped out on three different trips and would not raise the camper, black water tank won't drain, after two years, two of the slide out seals came off and needed replacement. Our previous $18K Fleetwood Prowler travel trailer held up much better than in the 5 years we had it than the $48K Newmar has in the 2 years we've had it. Maybe I just got a lemon!

Cypress is a low end Newmar IIRC.

The low end model of any product often involves cost cutting. I haven't owned one but generally speaking a Newmar is a high quality unit.

 

[Slow Six]

We are looking to upgrade as soon as our place sells to go full timing. We have been looking for a couple of years and some of the fivers that we like are the Elite Suites, Hitch Hiker and we are leaning to the Carri Lite because of features and a decent dealer. The Torrey Pine is another one that we like. I am trying to get as much info as I can because I have to get it right as we won't be able afford a quick turnover if we get it wrong. A major concern for us is the true insulation values as we will have to spend some time in minus zero temperatures. As mentioned above frames are a major consideration. Friends have a big tri axle unit that has bells and whistles but if they are not parked absolutely perfect the slides will not operate plus they have a lot of slide alignment problems. To a large degree the old adage you get what you pay for holds true. That being said I find that a lot of RV sales people are like truck sales personnel, they don't know squat and cannot be trusted. I also watch the RV business reports etc. as I would like to get our unit from a company that is going to be in business after we buy.

 

[Grizzly]

Well I guess I must be the exception, I like my Keystone Montana, seems very well built and has a great layout. Of course I have been living in it so it has not had a lot of road miles. Just curious from those that say stay away from Keystone what have the issues been?

The issues are fit and finish, missed staples, shoddy workmanship in areas you don't see. Chinese frames, brakes and running gear. Cheap components, such as cabinet guides, hinges and sometimes wood frame and doors. Window cranks. Need I go on? You get what you pay for. My son bought a used Forest River, much against my recommendations, but that's all he could afford at the time. The entire trailer's falling apart. Now he knows better.



Also on the list of cheap quality RV's are anything by Fleetwood and Forest River. If that's all you can afford and it works for you, that's fine.



I don't mean any offense to anyone. george

 

[DennyDay]

Add to the list of "DO NOT BUY" anything made by R-Vision - - They were part of the Monaco bunch and also made some of the Hoilday Rambler low end units - - all were built on Lippert frames, and assembled by a bunch of Mexicans that were handed air screw guns to do assembly with no training they ran almost every screw in my MaxLite - - I could go on and on - - save your self some grief STAY AWAY from R-Vision

 

[ringneck]

carriage cameo great 5th wheel,made for year around rving.

 

[nunya]

Have been full timing in our 07 Montana for 2+ years and 15K miles and no issues, must have got one of the good ones? They all have issues and some of them have more than others, just like buyin a Dodge! Enjoy whatever you decide on and good luck with it!

 

[SierraRam]

The issues are fit and finish, missed staples, shoddy workmanship in areas you don't see. Chinese frames, brakes and running gear. Cheap components, such as cabinet guides, hinges and sometimes wood frame and doors. Window cranks. Need I go on? You get what you pay for. My son bought a used Forest River, much against my recommendations, but that's all he could afford at the time. The entire trailer's falling apart. Now he knows better.



Also on the list of cheap quality RV's are anything by Fleetwood and Forest River. If that's all you can afford and it works for you, that's fine.



I don't mean any offense to anyone. george

No offense taken George. was curious of what you thought. I guess I am comparing it to other trailers I have owned. Mine is a 2010 and I got a great deal and so far so good.

 

[DHayden]

How about Sunnybrook or Weekend Warrior, Heartland road warrior (looks very nice and well built from pictures) these are toyhaulers but general fit and finish of comparable fifth wheels from the same company is fine.

 

[Grizzly]

DHayden, Sunnybrook has a 3. 5 to 4 star rating on the RV Consumer Group Guide. Weekend Warrior, now out of business, has a 2 to 2. 5 star rating and I couldn't find Heartland Road Warrior in my guide.