custom RVs - RV-Dreams Community Forum

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

custom RVs

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Spacecraft, and New Horizon are worth a look, I have not heard of Travel Units. com....

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Add these folks to your list.
www.forksrv.com/continental/showroom2.php

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I could not find anything on the internet about them other than their website. I have heard of them but nothing specific. I did find 2 or 3 of their used units listed online. Many units do just fine depending on how you will use them and how many years you want them to last. Define your needs and your budget to get the best recommendations. Travel Units has to be doing something right to be in business that long because 38 years is awesome!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

One other that I have heard about is Allen Camper Manufacturing Co in Oklahoma. I know nothing about them, even though they are in my home state, but they do have a dealer network and will do custom orders.

Allen Camper Mfg. Co., Inc.

Just as an FYI, Forks (also known as Continental Coach), New Horizons, and Spacecraft will be true custom builds, but they are also much more expensive than most other manufacturers.

Terry

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you for your input,

I can't afford the really nice one (sob-sob), and don't like the cheap one. It is nice that there is such a selection out there. I guess I will check out the Tampa show, I think the DRV is really nice, along with the Cedar Creek, new Horizon on sale, and the Excel. I get so confused on the construction aspects. What do I want in a sound 5th wheel in construction. I want to live in it full time, move every 3 months (due to work) and have an excellent all seasons package to manage real cold weather.

Helen

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Before you make your choice go read about our experience with DRV @ www.puppypaths.blogspot.com on the October 22, 2012 post, "The Start of Our DRV Elite Suite RVing Journey". Hope DRV has made some improvements since our purchase. We had a new 2010 DRV Mobile Suite and a new 2012 DRV Elite Suite. In the first 13 months we spent close to four months at DRV having warranty work done. We also had warranty work at two DRV dealers and at Camping World. Got nowhere with the Indiana Attorney General's Office of Consumer Affairs. I do not believe Indiana has a "Lemon Law" and don't know of anyone that has won a case against a RV manufacturer. I contacted several attorneys in Indiana and could not find one that would take a case against a RV manufacturer.

We now have a 2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus and in the first year we have spent almost two weeks in the dealer's parking lot and have made three trips to Tiffin's factory in Red Bay for repairs. In the case of all three of our RVs, most issues were due to faulty installation, wiring and component failure. In most case quality control happens after the sale, not before delivery to the dealer or by the dealer. In all three case problems started once we drove the RV off the lot before we got home. With the Elite Suite we were notified of problems while on our way to DRV to take factory delivery. Only the first dealer, Southern RV, came to our aid. It is all on the consumer. Florida is where we bought our Allegro Bus and Florida has a Lemon Law; however, our sales contract at North Trail RV requires the buyer to agree to arbitration or mediation in the county of purchase OR "home cooking."

In our last trip to DRV for warranty work, they were so behind that they farmed out our and other owners' warranty work to their dealer in Elkhart. On our last trip to Tiffin we learned that an owner could no longer get a warranty appointment. It is now "first come, first served" and there were over a hundred owners there waiting on repairs. We met people that had been waiting for weeks and some had been there over a month.

When you get close to making a choice visit the manufacturer if you can and go online and check out problems with the brand. I thought I had done my homework each time. Boy, was I ever wrong. On most owner sites and many forums these issues are not discussed. Many owners are afraid to speak out while their RVs are under warranty and many are embarrassed to admit they have been taken. Some RV owners wear their troubles as a "badge of courage" and make statements like, 'that's part of RVing!"

Good luck!! The lifestyle is rewarding and you will meet some great people.

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 12:22:31 AM

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 12:23:20 AM

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 12:31:53 AM

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

Wow Steve,

that is horrible that you all had to go through all that on THREE rvs. I am trying to devise a chart and list what each has/not to compare the finalist. The interiors pretty much look the same except for a few options. It is the construction that matters most to me, the capability to handle extreme weathers, and the ease of usability for me since it is just me The biggest thing I have ever owned has been a cattle trailer and a large pop-up trailer. So, I have to get this right. I have a lot to learn and appreciate your input.

Thank you, Helen

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year

PS: Your pictures are just beautiful! The sunset & roses!!!!

-- Edited by hawhawmomma on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 02:03:43 AM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would consider a higher end used unit. We are KS and the old Nu-Wa plant closed last spring but they are now: www.kansasrvcenter.com/, a dealer and they tend to get some high end used trailers in. They take nice photos which I enjoy looking at to compare units. The older Excels and New Horizons (these come up on KS Craiglists now and then) can be had for a decent price and another is Alpenlite which has now went out of business but was a nice solid trailer. Nu Wa, The Hitchhiker model seemed to be a pretty good unit as I knew someone that bought a very old one and liked it so much they bought a newer one and they seem to last. Whenever a manufacturer goes out of business, the used value of that trailer should drop making it a good value, I think. There are tweets that you can do to make a solid unit more winter friendly and, myself, I would rather concentrate on "solid" and not "4 season" since some of the "4 season" are in my opinion not that great of unit. Enjoy the hunt! Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 07:14:32 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

While Steve has had issues with his RV's, our experience with our DRV Mobile Suites has largely been good to excellent. Much of one's experiences can be enhanced by choosing a good dealership through which to order. With respect to DRV models, check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma. Alicia and Slade are very conscientious about working with and helping their customers. They have an excellent reputation among DRV owners. They also have some used models if you are considering a DRV. Check out those at the bottom of their "Inventory" page at their website.

When advising folks for quality RV's, I always advise that they look at the very "foundation" of the RV. That foundation includes the frame, axles, suspension, wheels and tires. My opinion with choosing a full time RV would be to not get anything smaller than a 12-inch frame. (I think New Horizon's are 16-inch double boxed frames and DRV's Elite Suites and Mobile Suites are 15-inch triple-boxed frames.) Oh, and look into insulation R-ratings. The DRV Elite and Mobile Suite models all have 3 1/4" walls and good insulation. We've been comfortable in temps down to 8 degrees and up to 115 degrees.

Terry

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are not gonig to find a custom built RV in the price range of a Cedar Creek, or even a Mobile Suite. Custom built RVs tend to be higher-end units...prices vary, but the cost order - low to high - would be: Travel Units, Spacecraft, New Horizons, Forks RV (Continental Coach). You will see the last three at Tampa. To my knowledge you would have to go to the factory to see a Travel Units. I have never seen one at any of the large shows.

I can not speak of Travel Units, since I have no specific knowledge of them. I have been in one unit, and seen two others from the outside. They are what I consider to be very "basic". But that is an opinion formed on minimal data.

Of the other three, all of them make a good coach. All of them are totally custom, so you need to have some idea of what you want. All of them are extremely heavy (in relative terms), so tow vehicle selection becomes very important. Weights vary based on design/amenities, but in general the weights will be: heaviest - lightest...Forks (heaviest), then Spacecraft, then New Horizons. In my opinion, all of them require a MINIMUM of an F450 on anything over 36'. And anything 42' or larger is going to REQUIRE either a true MDT or HDT.

Forks and Spacecraft will build you a custom coach on a semi-chassis. New Horizon will not. All of them have excellent frames - and the high weights are due to heavy frames and use of heavy components. In all of them you pretty much "get what you pay for". Relative to a production coach.

Prices for a 40' unit will run upward from $150K (Spacecraft) to well over $200K (NH and Forks) for "average" amenities. These "average" amenities are FAR above what you would see in a production coach. And getting into one for $150K is a "stretch" even on a Spacecraft. More realistic is $165-170K with excellent amenities. That includes high end running gear, residential appliances and full body paint.....just for starters.

Jo and Ben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Helen,
Welcome to the forum! We are also planning to live full time in a fifth wheel, moving every three months as we will be doing travel nurse assignments. Are you a nurse? We did a lot of research before choosing a 5'er and definitely wanted one that could handle colder weather. We settled on an Arctic Fox made by Northwood Manufacturing. They are one of only a few brands that are truly 4-season. Some say they are, but aren't really. We are getting the 32-5M but they have several models and are very well made. We did our pre-delivery inspection several days ago, spent 3 hours thoroughly checking out every little thing, and only found 3 very small things that need to be fixed. We are very pleased. Of course we haven't started living in it yet :)
Jo

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all so much!!!

There is so much still to learn and from what I have learned is I can eventually afford a DRV, Cedar Creek and possibly a New Horizon. I want to pay cash. Along with a truck. I have found a Mobile Suites Estates (DRV) that is 39 ft that I like a lot, but haven't seen it personally. The truck will be my next problem. That too will be paid for in cash. I want no notes.

You all have given me excellent information. Actually I am so impressed because everything I have read seems that everyone has been so neutral in info and I really needed some great opinions and I am so pleased that I got them.

Yes, I am a travel nurse. I work mostly out in CA, Montana, Nevada, but my home is Texas. I have started to downsize and will be traveling again in March. Hopefully I will be down to a trunk full of belongings and living very frugal. I am going to be doing this alone and I need to be sure everything I do can be handled by a female with minimal talent in fixing simple things. I am so impressed with all the things you all do without requiring a professional.

Thank you again and anything else you all can share, I will take it and absorb it.

Sincerely Helen

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

There is a group called "RVing Women" that might interest, both single and married women seem to belong.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

As newbie, my opinion about custom RV's doesn't mean much, that's okay. However reading about Steve's painful experience certainly gives one pause to do more than just go with the hype any manufacturer or custom builder says. I'm sure "you get what you pay for" is more or less true with RV's as with anything else. Terry and Jack's thoughts seem like sound advice.

For us we have the time to light the fires and kick the tires research-wise and some here at RV-D have suggested that maybe finding a rig, custom or not, one would be well advised to consider a slightly older model that has had the bugs worked out, been well maintained over a brand spanking new one. Each rig, older or new, custom or more/less off the shelf(production floor) has it's merits for your situation. I doubt our budget will allow a brand new custom rig but we both will look hard at all options across the spectrum to find what is right for us and we can always "customize" whatever we get so it suits us.

Good luck in your search.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jack Mayer wrote:
You are not gonig to find a custom built RV in the price range of a Cedar Creek, or even a Mobile Suite. Custom built RVs tend to be higher-end units...prices vary, but the cost order - low to high - would be: Travel Units, Spacecraft, New Horizons, Forks RV (Continental Coach). You will see the last three at Tampa. To my knowledge you would have to go to the factory to see a Travel Units. I have never seen one at any of the large shows.

I can not speak of Travel Units, since I have no specific knowledge of them. I have been in one unit, and seen two others from the outside. They are what I consider to be very "basic". But that is an opinion formed on minimal data.

Of the other three, all of them make a good coach. All of them are totally custom, so you need to have some idea of what you want. All of them are extremely heavy (in relative terms), so tow vehicle selection becomes very important. Weights vary based on design/amenities, but in general the weights will be: heaviest - lightest...Forks (heaviest), then Spacecraft, then New Horizons. In my opinion, all of them require a MINIMUM of an F450 on anything over 36'. And anything 42' or larger is going to REQUIRE either a true MDT or HDT.

As a follow on to Jack’s comment: In addition to the amenities, a true custom unit allows you to change everything, including slide length, number of slides, height of rig, height of rig off the ground, even the width of the unit and the location of the generator. While there are “suggested” layouts to get you started, as an example if your design or need requires the living / dining room slide to be 144” then so be it. Same for the kitchen, bedroom, etc. slides. They fit the trailer to you, not you to the trailer. The frames are heavy and totally designed for each rig. So the discussion pretty much goes something like: “What do you want?” When you’re presented with that question you will be surprised at what is possible and the suggestions they will make to meet your goals. Be sure to keep that in mind if you begin this project. The possibilities go on and on and with every possibility the weight of the rig.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was reading through a book today and they suggested that for a first unit that maybe a used unit might be a best bet so that you can figure out for sure what you need first. Of course, if you have owned/used other trailers, you would have a better idea. The issue I see with totally custom is that you don't get the chance to "feel" how it is going to work or not. I have seen more than a couple disappointed faces when they met their custom unit for the first time. It is also much more difficult to sell a unit that is overly "unique" to individual tastes. Just a couple of things to think about.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I do agree with Cathy’s comments. In our case this isn’t our first RV. We’ve had several. But if it is your first RV and you want a more custom RV they can show you plans that many people have chosen so you know it isn’t “unique” but can still be made with the amenities you prefer. As to reselling it: At least in our case we purchased all our RV’s to use. If your concerned about resale value then it is probably best not to purchase much of anything new. So, as always, “It depends” on what meets your needs.

b

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Helen,

You're getting a lot of good input here from great members. Not sure why you need a custom unit? You can customize the interior and tires and suspension of most units but not sure what you're wanting.

Put Trilogy on your list to check out. I'd stack it up to a DRV any day but that's just my opinion. While we have had issues, the factory has stood behind us 110% and have paid for warranty work at dealers we trusted because we couldn't get to the factory as originally planned; they've also said don't worry about trying to get to the factory for a going over before the warranty expires, we'll take care of you. I've also heard great things about Heartland's service and support.

Depends on your needs, budget and preferences. Lots of fun looking, tho' we still do every time we get a chance.

Sherry

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Helen, it sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you need/want, and a handle on your budget. My suggestion is to begin looking for used coaches that fit your parameters. Remember that you will want to keep some money in reserve to take care of repairs and upgrades that your coach will need. You are wise to consider only high-end coaches. You may find that a five-year-old high-end coach will cost more than a new lower-end coach, but after another five years the high-end coach will still have quite a bit of life left in it, while the cheaper one will be half used up.

As others have pointed out, you are looking at some very heavy coaches, and they will require a very robust truck to haul them. Remember that you will be using that truck as your daily driver UNLESS you do as some do and get a heavy-duty truck that can also carry a small car. That adds to the complexity and cost, but may actually be the best solution. There are several people on this forum who can advise you on that route.

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

Happy New Year All!!!

And Thank you so much for your wonderful input smile

I just got off working for the past seven nights and again I am blown away from the wonderful information ya'll have given me. I know I want a large shower. That is a priority for me. I want a large refrig and a good kitchen with most of the creature comforts of a home. TVs are not important to me. Keeping warm or cool is very important to me and excellent insulation is a must. I read somewhere on here that a RV going down the road is like a continual earthquake for the coach...I took that to heart and want something very solid. I don't know if I can handle anything bigger than a F450 (I might need a special license for something bigger?). From what I can learn, the higher cost fifth wheels are better made and some are better than others. My other understanding is that I need to find what I want first, then look for the truck.

My most major concern is I get something that will last. It is a major investment that will only depreciate. So maintenance that is reasonable in cost to get the most life out of the RV. I do understand the more bells and whistles I get, the more that can go wrong.

This is overwhelming, but incredibly exciting. My adventure! And one day to meet you all.

Thank you again, Helen

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

hawhawmomma wrote:
I don't know if I can handle anything bigger than a F450 (I might need a special license for something bigger?). From what I can learn, the higher cost fifth wheels are better made and some are better than others. My other understanding is that I need to find what I want first, then look for the truck.

Helen:

Concerning the above – It depends on your state or residency. In general, many states require a “Class A” (non-commercial) - or some other “special license” for RV’s for anything that weighs over 26,001 lbs single or combined weight. That is the weight of the truck and trailer together It depends on the state and whatever your state requires that license is good for the all the US.

(Some very few states do require a “Class A” CDL but I seriously doubt you would choose residency in any of those listed. CDL=commercial drivers license)

There are many other things to consider in addition to the drivers license, but you could establish your residency in a state that does not require that “special license.” At last check, South Dakota is one of those.

This link might help. But naturally you need to check with the state in question to make sure as there are notable “It depends” in many states.

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

This site has other good general information as well.

And yes, IMO, you should look for the trailer first, but keep in mind what you will need to safely pull it as you make your selection.

Bill

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Helen, one way to help shorten the search is to get the gross weights of the 5'ers you are considering. Simply use the heaviest one on your list, and look for a truck that can easily handle that much weight. For example, if you are looking at 5'ers with GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or the maximum the coach can weigh) of 18,000 to 24,000 pounds, look for a truck that can handle 24,000 pounds. Don't rely on what a sales associate tells you about either the trailer or the truck. The trailer will have a sticker on it somewhere with the gross weight. Fiver owners will correct me, but I believe that the pin weight (the weight that actually rests on your truck) is about 20-25% of the trailer weight, so in my example above, you need a truck that can take 6,000 pounds on the truck. A dealer for the brand of truck you are looking at can look up the VIN of a particular truck and find out what it is capable of hauling.

I mentioned "easily handle" the weight. By that I mean that if the 24,000 pound coach above would put a potential truck right at the limit you probably ought to look for a more capable truck. Years ago, long before air suspensions and disc brakes, the general rule of thumb was that the tow vehicle should weigh more than the trailer. That isn't the case now, but even if your truck weighs 8,000 pounds, that 24,000 pound 5'er still outweighs it, and if the 5'er wants to lead the way there might not be much your truck can do about it.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you're going to be in colder weather a lot then I would stay away from the DRV products. I know a lot of folks here have them and like them…but from an engineering standpoint the insulation is much poorer. Our two finalists were an Elite Suites and a New Horizons and once you take the factory tour then the answer becomes pretty obvious (at least for us and if you can afford it as a NH will cost more than the DRV, but then the NH has better features in addition to the better insulation(.

That said…if you aren't going to be in cold weather there isn't anything wrong with the DRV…as I said it was our second choice although it became a distant second after the factory tours and cost (while important to us) was not the primary consideration, live-ability was.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sorry, Neil. We're spending our third winter in our DRV Mobile Suites and are quite comfortable, so I have to disagree with your assessment of the "engineering" aspect of the insulation. We've been as low as 8 degrees and as high as 115 with no real problems. This winter is worse than the first two years with a lot more cold days. We are facing the prospect of up to three more cold fronts moving through in the next week to 10 days.

Considering the cost differences between the New Horizon and the Mobile Suites, I can buy a WHOLE LOT of LPG if needed with that difference.

Terry

hawhawmomma · RV-Dreams Community Member

I want to thank you all so very much with your input. I find myself reading this forum at least daily and think how truly wonderful all of you are in taking time to answer people's questions.

I feel a little bit better armed when I head to the Tampa show for the beginning search. I know the RV & the truck are the major part, but there is so much more. The hoses, generators, maintenance, storage, parks, roads, boondocking, etc...

I know (with the help of RV Dreams) I will eventually make an informed, intelligent decision.

Happy New Year and ya'll be safe out there.

Helen