Where are the Sunnybrooks? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

rotoray · RV-Dreams Community Member

Where are the Sunnybrooks?

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Currently parked next to a new looking full body paint Sunnybrook. The neighbor isn't there so I don't know the year but it looks new. Full body paint is a recent 5er thing so I expect its new. I think Sunnybrook is now a Winnebego product?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ray,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. It is good to have you. We look forward to any questions or comments you have.

As for Sunnybrook, I think they are still a viable company, although I agree with igotjam on their ownership. If you look at the Sunnybrook website, down at the very bottom of the home page there is a reference to Winnebago.

If I remember right, I think there is even another Sunnybrook owner here on the forums. However because of "CRS", I can't remember who it is. Maybe they will chime in soon.

Terry

EDIT: OK. Found out who it is. 53Merc is the username of the Sunnybrook owner.

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 5th of September 2011 09:55:53 PM

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yup, that's me. IMHO Sunnybrook began a downturn in about 2006. In the past they made Solanta (Sunnybrook Lite) and Titan. Titan was of course the flagship of the company. Then Elvie Frey began puttiong out more and more entry level units, with different names, etc. Then he had a mid-line (Brookside) as well as the Titan, which by then he had reduced quality on. I still think he should not have entered the lower line market. He had a niche market of a great Titan line as well as a slightly reduced Solanta line. Over time, he has just kept going after more market share with different efforts. He reduced the warranty period from 2 years to 1 year, then to 90 days. The SB rallies used to be a great effort, he shut down the factory and brought a lot of techs to the rally, where any and all work could be done, along with a parts trailer full of stuff for SB owners to take as needed. Alas, he has also lessened that effort. We shall see if the buy-out by Winnebago will bring SB back up to what I always believed it should be. BTW, in years past he bought the Mobile Scout marque and the Mobile Scout and Sunnybrook Titan were bolt for bolt the same, different decal.
Elvie and another guy started Mobile Suites and then got in a squabble of some kind and MS became DRV after they separated.
There is another website with a lot of Sunnybrook owners that came about as a result of Elvie becoming disenchanted with having a sebsite called Sunnybrook Talk. It was shut down, but one of the members was starting his own hitch company after leaving Hensley. His hitch is 3P or Pro-Pride Production. He makes a fine hitch and sponsors the website. Go to www.myrvtalk.com and you will find a lot of SB owners as well as a bunch of SOBs (Some Other Brands). Surely you didn't think I was going THERE? The ethos on MyRV Talk is very similar to RVDreams

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our 2001 Sunnybrook has been awesome! I have repacked the wheel bearings (once) and added one extra battery. I don't know if the newer ones are well built but our rig has endured many camping trips back east with 4 kids, 3 dogs, & 2 adults biggrin . We pulled it cross country and have continued to use it every chance we get to camp. We are using it as a guest house right now, my daughter is visiting and took over our bedroom so we are camping in the backyard for a week or so.

One battery and all of the tires are original! I haven't spent one penny on repairs since we puchased the camper, just spent money on modifications and addtional equipment. I would buy another Sunnybrook rv if this one ever wears out...lol.

Kathy Doin It · RV-Dreams Family Member

Azrving:

I've always thought Sunnybrook made an excellent product. So glad you are happy with yours. biggrin

But, I have to say your tires are old and you should really consider replacing them. The not having to spend one penny on repairs will become very costly if you blow a tire on that trailer. hmm We learned the hard way. Bought an 8 year old trailer that was in great shape. The day after we went on the road fulltime, the left front tire lost it's tread and did $2000 damage (covered by insurance) to the RV. We inspected the tires visually before we left and thought everything looked fine. The tires were not original, but were about 5 years old. doh

Kathy

-- Edited by Kathy Doin It on Wednesday 7th of September 2011 06:29:09 AM

-- Edited by Kathy Doin It on Wednesday 7th of September 2011 06:30:09 AM

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Kathy, Thanks for the concern but I'm certain the tires are fine biggrin I was in the automotive business for 25 years and sold and serviced tires too. Most if not all of the tire failures I witnessed were due to consumer neglect or road hazards. If you keep the tires out of the sun (as much as possible), buy quality tires, keep the pressure @ correct psi, and check them for dry rot/cracking, etc, you can get many miles and years out of your tires. I wouldn't be afraid to go cross country on the original tires tomorrow.

When we moved from SC to AZ back in 2006, I drove my 1988 Mercury Cougar the entire 2100 miles and the Michelin tires on the car were installed when my first child was born in 1992. Tires are still on the car today and they look great...it's all about maintenance and good quality tires IMO. Maxxis for my trailers and Michelin for my vehicles, never had a blow out or a flat in the last 30 years. I don't want to turn this into a thread about tires so I'll get back on topic... biggrin I LOVE MY SUNNYBROOK biggrin .

Happy camping everyone!!!!!!!!! biggrin

-- Edited by azrving on Wednesday 7th of September 2011 09:47:10 PM

IWantaCampMore · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you for those comments about tires Mark. Or was that Nancy. lol I have had the same results with tires. While I don't have a Sunnybrook, I do have a friend that has one. I think he called it a MobileScout and how its a special edition something or other, but he can talk about it for hours and how he has enjoyed it for years. Good luck in your search for information about them.

two travelers · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 2001 Moblie Scout 5th wheel that we bought used 3 years ago. We love it... The person who owned it before us traveled alot in it and kept a log that he left in the trailer . For all the places it has been I am impressed...I only hope we find something made as well when we go looking again. patti