We've also been looking at the Columbus. Looks like very good value and we like the shower too!

Guy accross from us bought one a month ago. He loves it....but its only month one. THe shower is awesome. He has no complaints so far.

I did find a Columbus owner's page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusOwners

It's such a new model that there aren't a lot of owners.  So far I've been impressed with what I've seen.   Consturction seems solid and I like the double pained windows.

Mary Sunshine wrote:

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Carol, I'm beginning to think we are barking up the wrong tree!  Pretty and perfect appearance, but practical for the long haul structurally?

-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Tuesday 24th of July 2012 11:04:58 AM

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 Well, everybody has to have a first model year.  I was thinking by the time we make our purchase, the 'first year' bugs will be worked out.  As far as new or used, we always try to buy used (automotively) unless there is a compelling reason not to.  I like for someone else to pay the initial depreciation.  

As far as "the long haul", Does Forest River have a reputation we can bank on?  I'll do my research and due dilligence...we have a couple of years.

Vance

Our current travel trailer is a Forest River. Kevin had some issues trying to get warranty work done last year, but they seem to be pretty good dealing with me... Maybe the trick is to have the girl call.... lol

Mary Sunshine wrote:

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Carol, I'm beginning to think we are barking up the wrong tree!  Pretty and perfect appearance, but practical for the long haul structurally?

-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Tuesday 24th of July 2012 11:04:58 AM

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 Not sure why you say that Mary.  We haven't seen anything negative or that is concerning so far.  We like the double pane windows.  I guess the only thing we see as an issue so far is the unit we looked at only had 5500 lb axles.  We would want those changed out to 7500 lb ones before delivery.  But this seems to be a common issue on almost every unit we look at.

So far my experience has been that trying to get actual specs on the Columbus is like trying to get blood from a turnip. We only found out about the axle because Kevin crawled under one and looked!

This week is the state fair in Minot, ND so we took a look at some RV's there. Saw a Jayco Eagle Premier that we really liked. Similar shower to the Columbus.

Also ran across the Dutchman Infinity online again. It's pretty nice too and prices seem to have come down on it.

We're just trying to find the best balance of quality, durability and livability that fits in our budget. We love the quality of the Mobile Suites, but when we look at the weight and the bigger truck we would need, we're not sure it's the best trade off for us.

For now we keep looking and researching.

I will agree with you, George.  In most cases, a 12" I-beam frame would be good for most RV's.  It's just when you get to the heavier ones like the DRV Suites models and New Horizons (plus perhaps some others), a larger frame might be really desirable.

I caution for everyone to verify on such things as frames.  I noticed recently that the Redwood brand states that they have a "12 inch main frame" and "the drop frame is 10 inches."  Well, if the "drop frame" is that part that the majority of the RV (including the heavy kitchen) sits on, then I would worry about that one.  If one were looking at only one for occasional camping, even a 10" might be OK, but I'd never consider it for full-timing.

Terry

Mary Sunshine wrote:

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I'm going to begin more research on the Heartland, so I appreciate any and all comments on this one.  It's what I guess you would call "all seasons" as it is good up to 0 degrees, I believe.  I picked up a brochure at a local RV lot and keep going back to it.  It has a lot of the same features as the Columbus 320RS, but is also longer and heavier.  I plan on learning how to drive for obvious reasons, so I'm just wondering if I will be comfortable with such a behemouth!

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 Mary,

Up until the end of last year I was pulling a 40ft Fuzion toyhauler that weighed 17,000 lbs.  Other than when I just pulled out I really never knew it was there.  I honestly don't think there is a big difference between pulling a 35 foot 5th wheel and a 40 footer.   As for weight just make sure you have enough truck to both pull it and stop it and I don't think you will notice it much.

A couple of other makes we are looking at are:

Jayco Eagle Premier or Pinnacle (we like the 361REQ model)

Crossroads Cruiser

Dutchman Infinity -- similar floorplan available but can't recall the model

There are many differences in coaches that are "fulltime" rated and those that are not. Besides the price. The price is higher because the cost of manufacturing is higher. Fulltime coaches tend to have better infrastructure. Larger frames, better wood, flooring that is not OSB, better windows, etc. It adds to the cost and is not "flash" so in one sense it inhibits sales. They also often have more complex systems that take longer to install, longer in the quality control area, more documentation and training for the customer. All that adds cost. With a smaller market, they tend to sit on dealer lots longer....adding more cost in "flooring" (finance). All this adds up.

Some manufacturers do have good warranties. New Horizons warrants hitch to bumper for 2 years. And structure for 5 years. For the rig - not the owner. In other words it is transferable. Two years used to be the norm for higher line units. But not many do that any more. From a business perspective (on average) it does add to the cost of the rig, significantly. New Horizons can do it because they are a small custom manufacturer that builds only higher end units, with excellent materials. That minimizes risk, somewhat.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer on Wednesday 1st of August 2012 07:34:33 AM

Everybody,

I emailed Palomino/Columbus on Sunday (7/29) with the following questions:

What is the frame size?

What is the axle capacity?

Tire size and load rating?

Brake size?

Is the Columbus designed and warranted for full-timing?

Is it four season capable?

Have not received an answer yet (Wed pm) but I will post the results when I get them.

Vance

Vance, there was a discussion on another forum about the poor effort that goes into web sales. Saturday night I filled out an email form for a dealer asking about a particular item, and directed my question to a particular sales person. As of this writing I haven't heard back. The question is a simple one. I've since gotten my answer from another source, but I'm a little bit frustrated with that dealer.

Some factories don't put much effort into their web information, either. They are under the impression that all potential buyers will be able to go to the dealer and look at the coach. Not true. Sometimes the nearest dealer is 500 miles away. That's too far for most people. I might drive 500 miles to see the factory IF there was a good chance that I'd be buying that brand, but I'm not going to drive 500 miles just to look at a couple of coaches on a dealer's lot on the chance that I'll like what I see.

I hope that some high up factory people from every manufacturer out there reads this thread, then goes to the company website, and looks for the answers to some of the questions that have been raised. If the information isn't readily available, somebody needs to get a phone call from the boss.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm getting tired of people assuming that I'll gladly pay many thousands of dollars for an RV with less information than McDonald's provides for their burgers.

OK, here's the reply I just received from Columbus:

Hello Vance,

Thank you for your interest in the Columbus. We hope that you are enjoying the RV buying process, it can be overwhelming but is surely a lot of fun.

In response to your questions:

Frame - 10" on the 295, 320 and 325, 12" on the 365 and 385
Axles - 6,000lb on the 295, 320 and 325, 7,000lb on the 365 and 385
Tires - I have attached a spreadsheet with the specs on the tires we use
Brakes - 12"

In regards to full-timing and four seasons: We have designed and built the product to be a full-time four season coach. Our floor is laminated, heat is forced into the underbelly (which is sealed with Darco, equipped with a layer of Astro-foil and layers of spun-fiberglass insulation), and the tanks are heated by 12Volt heat pads. These are all standard features on our coach.

If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me back or call

Thanks again,

Ross Gunden
Columbus by Palomino
Sales Assistant
P: 574-821-1505
F: 574-821-1514


The tires were the standard 235-80R16E.  The frame and tires seem to be pretty much standard for 5ers around this price point.  The axles were, however, kinda wimpy.  Seems to me the mfgrs start with an axle to fit a price point and then design the RV around them with the GVWR equalling axle/tire capacity plus hitch weight and absolutely nothing more.  Like I said before, we have another couple of years to do our research.

Vance

Mary Sunshine wrote:

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Vance, any chance we can get an e-mail address for Ross Gunden?

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 rgunden@forestriverinc.com

Vance

VanMar wrote:

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OK, here's the reply I just received from Columbus:

Hello Vance,

Thank you for your interest in the Columbus. We hope that you are enjoying the RV buying process, it can be overwhelming but is surely a lot of fun.

In response to your questions:

Frame - 10" on the 295, 320 and 325, 12" on the 365 and 385
Axles - 6,000lb on the 295, 320 and 325, 7,000lb on the 365 and 385
Tires - I have attached a spreadsheet with the specs on the tires we use
Brakes - 12"

In regards to full-timing and four seasons: We have designed and built the product to be a full-time four season coach. Our floor is laminated, heat is forced into the underbelly (which is sealed with Darco, equipped with a layer of Astro-foil and layers of spun-fiberglass insulation), and the tanks are heated by 12Volt heat pads. These are all standard features on our coach.

If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me back or call

Thanks again,

Ross Gunden
Columbus by Palomino
Sales Assistant
P: 574-821-1505
F: 574-821-1514


The tires were the standard 235-80R16E.  The frame and tires seem to be pretty much standard for 5ers around this price point.  The axles were, however, kinda wimpy.  Seems to me the mfgrs start with an axle to fit a price point and then design the RV around them with the GVWR equalling axle/tire capacity plus hitch weight and absolutely nothing more.  Like I said before, we have another couple of years to do our research.

Vance

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Overall, it doesn't look too bad for the price point.  We've been told we can have the dealer put different axles under it and better tires.  Anything to sell an RV you know!