Buying review guides - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Lilly444 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Buying review guides

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would suggest before spending money on review publications to visit a few brand explicit forums you would see more common problems and answers on each type of coach and how those were handled by the warranty........no money spent......good reading.....actual owners.....real problems

Lilly444 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Lucky Mike I will start with that

French Bikers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Mike, nothing is better then having the coach in front of you. Just be carefull if someone said that one model or a specific brand is garbage, I noticed that sometime people will only give negative comments because they had a bad experience or because they purchase something that is was not up to their expectation. Most people want a limousine but want to pay the price of a hyundai!!!!. Just make sure that you already have a good idea of the type of travelling you will be doing and what amneties are important for you, at the end you will find the proper f;oor plan that will fit your need. Again in life you get what you pay for!!!!!. In the meantime if you are looking for a website there is one that you could check www.rvreviews.net/motorhome-comparison-guide/

Good luck in your research.

Jean

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Are you planning to buy new or used? I would suggest getting out to look at used units in your area whether you are considering buying used or not since by looking closely, you'll start to see what sort of issues can come about. You'll see the difference between poor workmanship and an owner just trashing one out which will be an education in itself. Getting reliable reviews anywhere is tough on anything. I agree with what the others have said. Get some idea of your requirements, look on line and see what you like and then google "(manufacturer's name like Keystone, etc.) issues" and then read through them. Often times the complaints appear to be an isolated issue while others show up again and again. I went through two different owner's forums today reading and it doesn't take long to narrow down your list.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

When on the owner's RV forums, keep in mind that forums tend to draw folks that are looking for a problem with their RV. It doesn't take much to make one wonder whether the product is a good one or not. To aid in your looking, if you choose to register with the forums so you can ask your own questions, keep the following question in mind:

"If you were to purchase another RV, would you purchase the same brand/model that you have now, and if not, why not."

I've known of a number of folks that expressed problems and their frustrations and then turn around a day or two later saying that they really liked their current brand/model.

Terry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

http://rv.org/ - $139 and supplies a 2000 to 2013 rating guide for motorhomes or towables, plus some useful books.

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

I ditto what bjoyce said. We got the guide and it was soooo helpful in helping narrow down models. Now that we have narrowed down it allows us to then refine our search a bit (online, message boards, etc.) to do indepth research.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am one that doesn't care for rv.org. My issue lies in the fact that there is too much room for favoritism when some manufacturers are paying members who support their "mission" and others are not. Seriously, I already know that a $10,000 RV is not a match for a $100,000 RV. Three season? Four season? There are many things that you can do to "beef up" lower cost RVs and be just fine. Thousands of people are doing well in mid-priced RVs. To predict how long an RV will last, well, if they delam after the warranty........... I never agreed with a lot of what they came up with. We have owned 8 RVs and are shopping for number 9. I have heard complaints too that not all manufacturers are listed and that much of the information that the members needed was outdated. You could always check the library to see if they have copies of some of the books that the organization sells as I have seen them in the library and it would give you an idea what their "approach" is. Nothing beats getting the chance to visit with owners of the RVs you are interested in as they can be frank with you unless sometimes if a referral bonus might be in play. Yes, I don't trust many people when it comes to spending our money.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We tend to take a look at all ratings with a sceptical attitude. However, we did find useful information with rv.org and one of the books they sent along was great to read and gave us some info we had never considered in making our decision. That alone was worth it for us as it probably saved us from making a decision too soon and living to regret it later.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree that it is good to look at all sources but there is no "bible" of reviews, no way around doing some legwork yourself if you want to get what is going to work for you and meet your expectations. Always check for used books and/or at the library first though and save those dollars for the road IF you have them to save. I think one of the things that many people forget is that we all have different budgets and ideas of what is essential. I often wonder how many people actually start full-timing in an RV and are still in the same one after 15 years. I was in a forum where people were full-timing in the small molded fiberglass trailers, not 3 season and not 4 season or full-timer rated. I've read about people full-timing in camper vans. I've read you need $3,000 a month and I've read blogs with people full-timing for less than $1,000. Lifestyle is just such an individual thing.