Unfortunately, IMO there is no definitive answer to this. All manufacturers build units with issues. The question is how are you supported after the delivery. You will find horror stories from every manufacturer. Personally, when we were looking 1.5 years ago Carriage was not on our list....and we owned a Royals International at the time. DRV was on the list, and we were looking at an Elite Suite. We ended up buying a custom built New Horizons for approximately the same money.

If you would like to read about our experience with the New Horizon look on our website here.

While the New Horizon is not perfect, it is very good, and we are more than satisfied with it. After fulltiming for 11 years in first a Newmar, then a Royals International, and now the New Horizon, I will say that this is by far the nicest and most comfortable rig we have owned. But you would expect that - since we designed it just for us. That is the biggest advantage of the NH - EVERYTHING is custom.

Just something else to consider.

If you expect a perfect rig you will be disappointed in any manufacturer. The RV industry is just not at the point of the auto industry. Not even close. And for the most part, the build quality of low and medium-level rigs is pretty poor. As is the materials used. But everything is a trade-off in an RV. Ask yourself this question...if the rig has lots of amenities and flash and high-end look then what was compromised elsewhere to attain that at the pricepoint you are looking at. There is no free ride; you pretty much get what you pay for.

Steve,

I would be careful on that one.  If I remember Jack's posts correctly, the New Horizon is built in Kansas and there are no dealers, just the factory.  IF that is true, then Kansas' Lemon Law doesn't seem to apply to vehicles over 12,000 lbs.

Here is a link to the Kansas information on an independent website:

http://www.carlemon.com/lemon/KS_LemonGuide.html

And here is that site's home page, where you can pick and choose your state of interest:

http://www.carlemon.com/

Good luck in the renewed process of research and purchasing.

Terry

Jack Mayer wrote:

---

I'm not sure what Lemon Laws have to do with New Horizons.

As far as I know, Lemon Laws of most states do not apply to RVs. They may in some states, though. And, again IMO, utilizing this against a manufacturer is a very last resort, akin to suing them. IF it applies and you use it you are done with interaction with the manufacturer.

Most RV issues that can't be easily resolved at the dealer network level are best resolved by dealing directly with the manufacturer, on a factual basis, and documenting everything. Getting angry will not help, although it can be frustrating sometimes dealing with repair facilities. And utilizing an attorney is IMO the worst thing you can do - because once you do that the manufacturer will usually never talk to you again, and there is zero chance of getting the problems resolved in a timely fashion. You will be dealing with the manufacturers law firm and courts. For a long time. However, sometimes it becomes necessary.

---

I could not agree more with Jack on the point of not resorting to the courts.  If that is your backup plan,IMO best to sell the rig and “start over” because, as Jack says, any “relationship” at any level with the dealer or manufacture is now via the attorneys.  With due respect to Howard, that’s not a good person to be talking with for true resolution of issues.  You want the rig fixed, not litigated.

 

All of this is opinion, but I think New Horizons and NuWA, who basically have no dealer network, should be less of a concern for people who can travel than for those who are more “fixed” in one location. Fixed due to employment or other personal issues which make travel to the middle of the US an issue and problematic.

 

Although we have a local dealer, really nice people, after the PDI the 5’er has never been back on their property including back when we were working fulltime.  All work has been done at the factory (KZ in Shipshewana, IN) and we have been extremely pleased with their service. Yes, our rig had some issues, they ALL DO. But KZ went well beyond our expectations to make everything correct to our full satisfaction.

All that said, if you can’t travel to the factory, then other factors come into play and perhaps the local dealer is more important.  But if you are free to get to the factory they almost always do a better job, have all the “special” parts, and will probably do other “little things” you want done while you’re there.  Sometimes for free.  That has been our experience.

 

I know Steve knows our story. But I just thought this perspective might be of interest to other readers in making their decisions.

Safe travels to all. 

Bill

Steve,
We HAVE a 2010 Mobile Suites 38RSSB3 and couldn't be happier with it!  We have had some minor (very minor) issues since we have lived in it full time since last june.

We have lived in it throught the coldest Kansas winter since moving here in 91 and came out of it with flying colors. 


Doris

-- Edited by DorisandDave on Wednesday 16th of March 2011 04:16:04 PM

Hi Sue,

On Thursday, we looked at a new Carri-Lite and pretty much ruled Carriage out. I cannot stand up in most of the bedroom and the recliners will not support my legs. The wood quality in the cabinets did not, IMHO, match the Mobile Suite. We are now trying to find time to make a factory trip to Kansas and Indiana. 

I have put the house on the market and have been getting some prices on a new Mobile Suite from several different dealers; although, we were very happy with Southern RV in Jonesboro, Ga where we bought before. Just want to make sure we are getting a competitive price.

I agree with Bill that the best place to have service and/or warranty work is at the factory. I was more that pleased with DRV before. I have read of some people that were not and have gotten a personal email from a DRV owner that was not as pleased I was.

If you are going to Kansas, if it were me, I would at least go by New Horizons and visit. I would also go on Jack Mayer's website and read about his experience. It will be well worth your while no matter what you decide to buy. I was especially interested in his decision to put in a dishwasher and residential gas cook-top. I talked with DRV and I can do the cook-top like Jack has. I did not ask about the dishwasher. Jack found that he used less water with the dishwasher than he did washing dishes by hand. Jack is a great person to talk to as he has been full-timing over ten years and has done it with several different vehicles.

Still have my homework to do on truck selection. New GM 3500 HD seems to be a better haul/tow vehicle than a new F-350. I recently read a thread that reported that 100% of all single rear wheel trucks tested were hauling weights above the limit and, I think, 60% of the dual rear wheel trucks had loads above the GCVW limit. That may force me to go the F-450 route again. On the DRV website is a link to a Trailer Life article featuring the 2011 Chevy 3500 HD pulling a Mobile Suite. Bill, above, also sent me a link to a independent test on the Ford F-350 and GM 3500 HD that has got me thinking GM for the first time.

Send me a personal email and I will give you my phone number or call you and I will let you know what I am finding this time around.

Steve C

Steve,
I just sent you a PM.
In a nutshell, my husband retired after 30 years with Ford Customer Service Engineering, and knows a fair amount about Ford Pick up trucks etc.
We test drove a 2011 F350 dually and he was extremely impressed. He can tell you about the urea, which he says is a system that works well, etc.
We looked at the Carri-lite today and there was a lot I liked about it but mostly it comes down to quality of build and we won't know that until we go to the factories.

Sue

If Hitchhiker is on your short list, you might want to check out www.nuwaowners.org. The owner's forum is owned and controlled by owners, with no company control. You'd learn a lot there - both good and bad. Company employees, including the owner, Mike Mitchell, frequently participate. You might have to join the owner's forum to participate, but that is to keep spammers from slamming the forum.

We've been on the road for nearly 4 years, including two trips to Alaska, and still are quite pleased with our Hitchhiker Champagne. The blue Dow foam insulation that NUWA uses makes a huge difference in the sidewall strength and four season comfort.

By our choice, we've generally gone to the factory in Chanute, KS for service and upgrades but they have also covered service at service facilities while on the road (including in Canada). They have been extremely good about warranty work, even years after the "official" warranty had expired. NuWA now sells on a no-haggle price basis both directly from the factory and through some dealer reps.

Good Luck!

LeslieW