Fleetwood?

[Texas Diesel]

Looking at a used Fleetwood Terry ELT, 36', hardwood floors, artic pkg, triple slide, 2002.



Any experiences with Fleetwood? Looks good except for minor assmembly stupidity. Price is not the issue just experience.



Any comments appreciated.



NOTE: it has particle board subflooring ??!!?!?!

 

[rparlaman]

fleetwood product

I had a 1992 terry travel trailer, i did`ent care for it. The workman ship was not there. I own a Forest River product and love it. My 2 cents.



Ron









1992 CTD 161,000k, 01HO Banks Power Pack,Jacobs E Brake,50 gal trans flow,30ft Forest River 5th.

 

[mhstevens]

Fleetwood

I had a 1998 Fleetwood Prowler 5th wheel, front living room model. Worked well for a few years, but had a few leaks around the slides, seemed fairly drafty. The kicker came when the frame separated right behind the rear axle. The rear axle came forward on the right side so both right side tires were touching. Used a come-a-long and moved it back, then took it to a local welding shop. They did a temp fix, got it home and called Fleetwood. Absolutely no help at the dealer or with Fleetwood--"out of warrantee, you're on your own. " I finally got Fleetwood to admit that the frame really shouldn't fail after 3 years and they agreed to fix it--at the factory in California. My cost to get it there and back, their suggestion was to have it freighted on a railroad car and make arrangements for delivery to the factory. Short answer--I fixed it myself, traded it off and will never buy another Fleetwood product again. I'm in a Montana now, like it quite a bit. Fleetwood seems to appeal to the mass market and I really don't believe the quality is there anymore.

 

[pmartin]

Fleetwood

We had a 1993 29. 5 ft Wilderness and a 1998 31. 5 ft Wilderness, both front living rooms. Didn't really have much trouble. The 93 developed a leak at the right front corner of the roof that required repair and when I traded it off part of the rubber roof was coming unglued at the point the roof sloped down from living room and went straight back toward the rear living room. Also had the 98 for 5 years and only repairs I remember was brake retainer springs breaking and having to replace gas ignitor for refrig. We did go to Yellowstone in the 98 and it was cold at night. Hardly any insulation, had to install an insulated padded shield on the wall behind the bed headboard to keep cold from transferring through the wall to the tops of our heads. Holding tanks were too small (40 gal each). The 98 had a DR slide that did not cause any trouble or leaks. One section of fiberglass exterior wall delaminated within first year, replaced under warranty.



We have a Newmar Kountry Star now that has much more quality but at almost twice the price.



If the trailer you are considering has artic pac option that should help insulation in exterior walls.

 

[TowPro]

Re: Fleetwood

I have a 2000 Terry 30' 5th wheel, 2 slide.



Things have been pretty good with it. All trailers require maintence. they say every 6 months you should go over all the seams to look for leaks.



That being said, mine has this band about 1' up on the sides where the top and bottom fiberglass comes together. On one side the band (held on with double side tape) came loose, allowing water to get into the side.



Sure this should not have come off, but if I had checked it more often I would have caught it.



Someone else on here had the same problem and fleetwood fixed it for them, with me they were not as helpfull (out of warrantee)



Also had a recall on the frame, might be the results of what the other guy was talking about. They welded a new crossmember into the frame about 1/2 way back.



Besides that, I have been happy with it.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Well you get what you pay for. Fleetwood has not really been known for quality. I worked for a dealer and we sold Terry and had all kinds of warranty work to keep the techs busy. We also sold Newmar. Not much warranty work. But for 3 times the cost I guess you should not. I now deliver these things all over the US. Its just amazing what some companys let out of the factory. I had one a couple weeks ago that by time I made it to the dealer a cabinet fell of the wall. My best suggestion is go over it with a fine tooth comb. Watch for any signs of water leaks. Out of all the units I tow, my opinion is for the Montana by Keystone is nice. I have never had a problem towing or when the dealer does his inspection.



Karl

 

[Dkevdog]

We had a Fleetwood Wilderness for 9 months. Three of those months were spent at the dealer of the Fleetwood factory trying desparately to correct VERY poor construction and a complete disregard for Quality Control. Fleetwood is a bear to deal with on warranty issues, they questioned everything. Their interest is in being the biggest- not the best.



I know others haven't had problems, but take a good look at their products- They are built in too much a hurry and lack attention to detail. Buy what you will, but do you homework first.



Kev

 

[Loren]

Tejas,



I agree with Ron, Karl, and Kev. I don't think Fleetwood puts the quality into their units the way other manufacturers do. This is true of their expensive units too.



We have pulled an Avion fifth-wheel (expensive Fleetwood) and the first year it was in the shop for warranty work about five times. I won't buy another Fleetwood product.



We are happy with our Holiday Rambler. Other brands I would buy are Airstream, an older Avion (the ones that looked like an Airstream), or a Newmar product. All of these cost a lot more than a similar sized RV from Fleetwood, but they will still work after ten or twenty years.



Good luck.



Loren

 

[dmurdock]

After 3+ years, we've had 0 problems with ours, and it get's dragged around about once a month. I would definately look at buying one used and then if necessary, a 3rd party warranty. I bought mine after it was 5 months old for less than 1/2 of what it sold. Ditto on what everyone said, I would go over it top to bottom before signing anything.

 

[RustyJC]

Fleetwood

Caveat emptor!



Rusty

 

[TPotter]

Tejas,



I myself have never owned a fleetwood but I have a friend that has one and he has had nothing but trouble with it. Seems its about like the Bayliner of boats!!!!!!!!! Mine is a Carriage (Carri lite) so far so good seems to be pretty good quality... . LOL chime in guys let me know, maybe mine isn't so good either.





GOOD LUCK in whatever you buy*********Its alot of fun*********