Better RV Brands?

[NStates]

Quality Rig

Steve,



The bottom line is that you need to compare all components and then decide how much you plan to use the rig and how many miles you plan to put on it. We run between 5,000 to 10,000 miles a year on interstate as well as poor roads ( like PA). I find that you usually get exactly what you pay for.



Norm



2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

 

[Bill Carlyle]

Harvey



I also bought my first 35 ft silver Avion a 1987 and joined the club. We went to almost all of the rallys untill it became fleetwood travel club in 2005. We bought a 94 5th wheel and then a 98 5th wheel. Like you said they were hard to beat. In 2005 we bought our Mobile suite and joined that club. I like the hydraulic system in the MS, No electric motors



Bill

 

[SHobbs]

I ran across the Sunnybrook West Pointe while going blind looking at all the different coaches online. Darn thing looks nice not sure about how well built they are though.

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey

I also bought my first 35 ft silver Avion a 1987 and joined the club. We went to almost all of the rallys untill it became fleetwood travel club in 2005. We bought a 94 5th wheel and then a 98 5th wheel. Like you said they were hard to beat. In 2005 we bought our Mobile suite and joined that club. I like the hydraulic system in the MS, No electric motors

Bill

Sounds like you had a lot more experience with Avions than I did. I only owed one but was a real fan of the silver ones. The 32 I owned had one of the best floor plans in a conventional trailer I have ever seen.

My HH also uses hydraulic rams for the big slides on the main floor, street and curb side, but it uses an electric motor to spin the hydraulic pump. It also uses an electric motor for the smaller, lighter bedroom slide and for the front landing gear. Each has a set up for manually cranking the slides or landing gear with a hand crank or hand held electric tool motor in case of electrical or hydraulic failure.

 

[amsoilman]

I have a "Stellar" Toyhauler, model T31DBLG manufactured by "Eclipse RV". Suposedlly been in the RV industry for 50 years. Do you have any info on this unit or the Company?



Thanks in advance,

Wayne

(amsoilman)

 

[HBarlow]

Wayne,

If "Eclipse RV" has been in the RV industry for 50 years the company has sure kept a VERY low profile. I have never heard of them. I have owned some type of RV since the late-60s starting with slide in truck campers. I was interested in them before that and subscribed to the industry magazines back in the middle-60s. Maybe some of the company owners or managers have been in the industry an aggregate total of 50 years.

Never heard of a Stellar toy hauler either but don't really pay any attention to toy haulers.

 

[Grizzly]

Wayne,



The only Toy Hauler made by Eclipse I can find in my RV Consumer Group is called an Attitude and it's not well rated, which was a 2007. I can not find a Stellar brand nor the model number you gave. Is the spelling correct? I need more to go on.



george

 

[gtoli]

Thanks George.



So far have logged about 4000 miles on the Tango, both highway and Forest service roads, and have had no major issues as yet.

 

[HBarlow]

Wayne,

The only Toy Hauler made by Eclipse I can find in my RV Consumer Group is called an Attitude and it's not well rated, which was a 2007. I can not find a Stellar brand nor the model number you gave. Is the spelling correct? I need more to go on.

george

Is that the start up company in Moreno Valley, CA? It was created after the RV industry disaster that took out Alfa, Weekend Warrier, the Forest River plant in Rialto, and a Moreno Valley manufacturer of entry level conventional boxes whose name I can't recall. Three managers from the company whose name I can't remember lost their jobs so created their own company manufacturing more cheap boxes. I think that is the group. The owner/managers probably have a combined 50 years in the RV industry but less than five, perhaps three years as a company.

 

[AHarris]

I agree with Grizzly and his RV buyer's guide. Keystones are simply not very well built.



However, if the seller originally purchased it deeply discounted from the dealer (unlikely) and if the seller made a large downpayment or paid cash (even more unlikely) and has a low pay off balance or none at all (not likely) and you can buy it for about 40% of original MSRP it might be an acceptable buy. It it is priced higher than that why bother? If you're going to pay retail price for a new one buy a Nash as Grizzly suggested or a late model used trailer built by a better manufacturer.



You understand that it will never be a high quality, durable, and well insulated unit but if you and your family could buy it cheap and use it for a few years of weekends and short summer vacation trips it could give you decent service.

I got what I paid for with the Keystone Hideout--but for what we use it for it should be fine. Not impressed with the quality of any RV I've looked at under $30K. The priority right now is buying a house and I needed a trailer to replace my crumbling Coleman Caravan so we don't have to give up camping. The used stuff I looked at was crap. I stole this Hideout and paid cash for most of it. Don't like being in debt but don't want to give up camping either.



I think with reasonable care and relatively light use I can get 10-12 years out of it anyway. Once I hit retirement, then we'll go for the better quality 5ers or even a high end (hopefully Cummins powered) motor home.



That said, I enjoy reading yours and Grizzley's advice. You guys know your stuff for sure.

 

[Grizzly]

Is that the start up company in Moreno Valley, CA? It was created after the RV industry disaster that took out Alfa, Weekend Warrier, the Forest River plant in Rialto, and a Moreno Valley manufacturer of entry level conventional boxes whose name I can't recall. Three managers from the company whose name I can't remember lost their jobs so created their own company manufacturing more cheap boxes. I think that is the group. The owner/managers probably have a combined 50 years in the RV industry but less than five, perhaps three years as a company.

RVCG doesn't say where Eclipse is built. It say that very little information is provided by the manufacture.



I did however find their website on the internet. Eclipse



george

 

[HBarlow]

Yeah, I think that's the company I remember. They are located in Riverside, CA accordng to their website.

Thanks for the link, Grizzly.

 

[amsoilman]

Wayne,



The only Toy Hauler made by Eclipse I can find in my RV Consumer Group is called an Attitude and it's not well rated, which was a 2007. I can not find a Stellar brand nor the model number you gave. Is the spelling correct? I need more to go on.



george

Thanks, George. Here is the "link" for this unit.



Eclipse RV Manufacturing - Home of Stellar, Attitude & Milan RVs & Toyhaulers - Eclipse RV Trailers and Toy Haulers



Wayne

 

[Grizzly]

I did see that link Wayne and provided it on Post 393. It looks impressive enough, but I'd like to see it rated on RV Consumer Group. I don't understand why Eclipse won't share information about their models with RVCG. Can you tell us which frame and running gear they have. Have you made a major trip with it yet and if so how did it performed?



george

 

[amsoilman]

I did see that link Wayne and provided it on Post 393. It looks impressive enough, but I'd like to see it rated on RV Consumer Group. I don't understand why Eclipse won't share information about their models with RVCG. Can you tell us which frame and running gear they have. Have you made a major trip with it yet and if so how did it performed?



george

I have had it out about 6 times, and the longest trip was only 1,000 miles. the first time it went out, the TV fell on to the floor due to the three "Grabber" screws pulling out of the board they were screwed into. The dealer did replace it, and secured it much better than it had been done at the factory! Everything else so far as worked just fine. I do not know what the frame is, but the axles (triple) have a rating of 6,000 lbs each. With no water (130 gallons) and no fuel(30 gallons) the weight of the trailer and my truck weighed in at 19,600 lbs.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Bill Carlyle]

I guess that's why they make all different kinds. Working people get just enough to get the family off for the weekend and vacations. Nature seems to do a lot to help bond the family and they don't have to worry about the bed bugs. That seems to be a big problem now.



I'm just glad I carry my own bed with me.



Bill

 

[Grizzly]

Glad to hear that Wayne. That speaks volumes for a good 5th Wheel.



Good thoughts Bill. I like taking my own bed and bathroom with me also.



george

 

[Yo Hoot]

Many thanks to all of the good people here helping us all out in our decision making. I am getting ready to make my first RV purchase ever. Based on what I've learned, I'm zooming in on a used 2005 Nash 26X. I did notice it comes with 16" wheels from the factory.

The problem is it's about a 170 miles from here... ... 3 hrs.

I've talked to the fellow on the phone and am trying to get a feel for the model, condition and final price. I guess I'll come to a decision, make the deal by phone and head up there. If it doesn't suite me, I'll just pass on it.

Maybe next week

Mike

BTW: What frames does Northwood use?

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm just glad I carry my own bed with me.



Bill

When I retired 18 years ago, I swore no more motel/hotel rooms and no more airports/airplanes and I've kept that promise. If my 6 wheels can't get me there, I ain't goin'. I too take my own bed, bathroom, and kitchen.



Bill

 

[Grizzly]

Many thanks to all of the good people here helping us all out in our decision making. I am getting ready to make my first RV purchase ever. Based on what I've learned, I'm zooming in on a used 2005 Nash 26X. I did notice it comes with 16" wheels from the factory.



The problem is it's about a 170 miles from here... ... 3 hrs.



I've talked to the fellow on the phone and am trying to get a feel for the model, condition and final price. I guess I'll come to a decision, make the deal by phone and head up there. If it doesn't suite me, I'll just pass on it.



Maybe next week



Mike



BTW: What frames does Northwood use?

Nash is a good well made and well rated trailer, 4 stars. Northwood Mfg. makes their own frames in their La Grande, Oregon plant. I'm pleased to hear that the Nash you're looking at has 16" wheels. Make sure you put good American made LT tires on it. The ST tires that are most likely on it now are junk Chinese tires that will blow out or separate and can cause much damage to the under side and possibly inside cabinets plus plumbing and electrical wiring. ST tires are only good for a max of 3 years from the date stamped in the box on the inside of the tire.



Good luck on your purchase, george