Manufactures and Reputation - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Big Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Manufactures and Reputation

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Big Mike,

Please keep in mind on this forum as well as other RV forums you are reaching the tip of the iceberg of all of the actual RV users in the world. There are a lot more RV users that don't read forum posts than do. And many of those RVers that do are using the forum to gain info like you are or have a problem with their RV and are looking for answers. You may not get the best available advice.

Your best source would be to locate the forums or website for owners of each brand. Keep in mind some of these folks are also on the owners forum/website because they are having problems with their RV.

All of the brands you have mention have been around for a long time. Lots of RV manufacturers have closed down in the past 5 years so these brands must be doing something right.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you're not going to buy new, it would easier to look at what is in your area and then research specific coaches. Winnebago can be good but they put out some shorter ones that were not of the best quality. Most of the manufacturers have different lines based primarily on cost so one might be a nice buy used and one, not so nice. On used units, it is best to be able to be flexible because you are looking for the ones that got the best care by the previous owner(s). We haven't owned a Class A. Do you have a size and price range in mind? Mileage alone isn't the best indicator of the condition on RVs. Some lower mileage have been lived in full-time which is hard on them while others have just sat in one place most of the time which is the other extreme of hard on them. I'd look around at what is available and decide what I liked and then get specific info on that model.

jengle · RV-Dreams Community Member

I am in a similar situation - looking for diesel pushers though. I have found that Motorhome Comparison Guide by Randall Eaton to be very informative. Google that and you should find it. I also got the Kindle Book Buying a Used Motorhome - How to get the most for your money and not get burned by Bill Myers. Next - hit all the RV shows and RV Showrooms around. I've found a couple of sales people that have taken the time to educate me. Of course they want the sale, but they also understand my goal of learning about the product first.

Good luck!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

http://rv.org/ is also helpful.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would look at a Lazy Daze class C 31' Island bed......far better quality than most of the brands you have mentioned.....small companies can have problems as well but in general the big guys are in the business of pushing them out quick and cheap.....read about Lazy Daze......

stargeezer · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have had really good luck with Fleetwood in the past. They have been around forever. This time around we purchased a Tiffin. Can't comment on it yet as its new and we still haven't had our shakedown run but it sure has performed well in the driveway hehe. We can't stay out of it. Come On Spring!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just a warning that Fleetwood (American Coach) and Monaco (Holiday Rambler/Beaver/Safari/Mackenzie) both went bankrupt, were sold and the current companies are not the same as the old. That does not mean their new motorhomes are of low quality, but we don't know yet. Talking to someone with a 2008 or earlier motorhome from these companies will not be as useful as you would like. Of the old manufacturers of higher quality Class A gas motorhomes, only Tiffin, Winnebago and Newmar survived and are still the same company and people. Yes, I left a bunch of companies that make Class A gas motorhomes out, including ones you mentioned. I have my reasons.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 9th of January 2014 11:45:05 AM

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are buying older and used , I would pay close attention to the chassis & drive train more than the coach itself........you can walk thru any coach and see if it meets your needs and quality.....if it was poorly maintained or just sat its not going to make a difference who built it......the big difference is Who owned it!!!

Dont get Branded.....every brand & mFg goes up and down in quality according to how the employees feel the day they built it, and every brand name is sold to someone else to Mfg it again there way!!

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like the others have said, I wouldn't worry too much about the manufacturer because really, they're all about the same. They don't build the chassis so that doesn't matter... you have Workhorse or Ford to choose from (and Workhorse went out of business). If you're looking for overall build quality you'll probably find good units and bad units made by every manufacturer. The components (appliances, etc.) are all built by a few outside vendors so that's the same no matter who builds the coach.

Whenever anyone is looking for their first RV I always harp on choosing a floorplan that has the features you want. Does the seating work for you... do you like a couch or recliner or both? Can you watch TV comfortably from all positions? Is there counter space if you want to work in the kitchen? Is the shower and bathroom arranged so you can use it comfortably? Is there enough storage? Is the bed big enough and convenient to get out of in the middle of the night? I could go on and on but I think you get the idea...

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Navistar shut down Workhorse, but still provides parts and service. At least, so far.

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVRon and Lucky Mike, you ask exactly the questions we ask whenever we look at a unit. Most posters here will be shocked because we were looking for small rather than big. We had lived in all kinds of RVs when we were full-timing and found that most of our activities were outdoors and we didn't need too much "inside space" to be comfortable, just the right arrangement of space and fixtures. We also didn't like to struggle to find sites that would accomodate the larger ones or sites that would require the driving skills (or the parking skills) of a professional driver.

At this stage of our lives, me 75 with a cardiac condition and DH 65 with only one lung, we know it's inevitable that one of us will be traveling alone at some point. We're not pessimistic, just realistic, and we have enough experience to know what's needed for upkeep and what we can and cannot do ourselves.

We have owned a 24' Aljo fiver for 10 yrs. It has survived hot, cold, hurricanes and a tree falling on it and we still love it. Now we found a 27' Aljo fiver, only one owner and with the exact floor plan we wanted. Since we can't go full-time yet, we'll be customizing for better storage and, of course, to make life pleasant for our three cats. It's going to be a fun year!

Your advice is right on the money, find what you love and everything else will fall into place.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike,

My wife and I have RV'ed for 25+ years and have owned 10 different RVs. The absolute best one "quality" we owned was a 2001 Winnebago Adventurer. I think it was 32' gas, Ford V-10. We only had it for a year and 13000 miles because I got diesel fever. We also had a close friend in the Winnebago club that had a 2000 model, same coach who also agrees that his was the best one he ever had also. But diesel fever is contagious and he upgraded too!

I'm not knocking other brands just giving you a personal experience.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Our 2004 Lance truck camper has the same quality. We still have that one and use it for "the boys" hunting and fishing trips.

bigredoes · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have owned a few and have had varying degrees of success with each. Only one was bought used - IT was the most reliable of all of them.

I learned (at least I think I have learned) that it isn't what brand you end up with - invariably things will break - SO I think one of the most important things to take into consideration is who is going to service what you buy? I wish I had checked out the dealer from which we bought our last from.....they are useless....a whole shop of incompetence led by a Service Manager who only understands one of the words in his title.

And I concur with Ron above....make sure the coach suits you and your needs....

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

No matter how much you spend or the manufacturer, you will find pros and cons. The best we ever bought to the worst quality even when comparing identical products. Some people expect more than others. Find the floor plan and features you like and hope for the best. I am a DIYer. If it is simple I will probably fix it myself and not give it another thought. Someone else might consider the same problem, the end of the world. I don't pay much attention to individual opinions. Everyone has one and they usually stink. I hear what others say and then make my own mind up based on known engineering best practices and common sense. Even if you are toasty warm in the winter but you hate the floor plan, you are probably going to find things about the coach to blame on quality.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike, I believe that Tiffin has some gassers, and Tiffin has a pretty good reputation. Don't know what engine/transmission they use, but a Ford truck shop should be able to work on a Ford setup, and a Chevy truck shop should be able to work on a Chevy setup.

PNV · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have had Fleetwood, Georgetown, Damon and now Tiffin.
I can tell you that I would NEVER consider Georgetown again ( entry level quality ) Fleetwood was OK, Damon has been sold out so can't give my opinion on their new quality.
We would have no hesitation on buying another Tiffin. Love the build quality and if you call the factory with questions they treat you like you are their best customer ( even though I told them I bought the unit used).
Good luck and enjoy

jengle · RV-Dreams Community Member

jengle wrote:
I am in a similar situation - looking for diesel pushers though. I have found that Motorhome Comparison Guide by Randall Eaton to be very informative. Google that and you should find it. I also got the Kindle Book Buying a Used Motorhome - How to get the most for your money and not get burned by Bill Myers. Next - hit all the RV shows and RV Showrooms around. I've found a couple of sales people that have taken the time to educate me. Of course they want the sale, but they also understand my goal of learning about the product first.

Good luck!

I purchased both of these books and found them very educational for newbies.

Jengle

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Just a warning that Fleetwood (American Coach) and Monaco (Holiday Rambler/Beaver/Safari/Mackenzie) both went bankrupt, were sold and the current companies are not the same as the old. That does not mean their new motorhomes are of low quality, but we don't know yet. Talking to someone with a 2008 or earlier motorhome from these companies will not be as useful as you would like. Of the old manufacturers of higher quality Class A gas motorhomes, only Tiffin, Winnebago and Newmar survived and are still the same company and people. Yes, I left a bunch of companies that make Class A gas motorhomes out, including ones you mentioned. I have my reasons.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 9th of January 2014 11:45:05 AM

Just a note about Fleetwood.....

I have a '99 American Dream and when ever I call Fleetwood for any tech support they are second to none. Very helpful, they will E-mail me PDF's of drawings, schematics, etc.

Oregonhiker · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Big Mike,

Our coach is a Newmar Baystar and we like it very well. After having it for a couple of years now I would certainly buy the Newmar quality again. We are looking to go diesel here in the future and from going to shows and many different dealers I will decide on either a Newmar or a Tiffin. The fit and finish on both seems to be great. Customer support on both have been given great reviews and we have used Newmar's and it was great.

But most of all look at floor plan. Don't settle on " well it will work", but for what is the best and fits your needs. We will make our next decision on first the manufacturer (in our case Newmar probably). And then floor plan. Storage is also important as we have looked at 34' models and much better storage in one verses another.

Good hunting for your new coach as I know it is both fun and frustrating sometimes at the same time. Rick

-- Edited by Oregonhiker on Sunday 4th of May 2014 12:05:27 PM

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike, Rick and Jenn brought up an important point. While you are researching you can go check out coaches for the floorplans. There are only so many ways that one can arrange a box, so chances are that the floorplan you like will be available in a brand you like. Spend some time in the coach "doing" regular things and you will soon see what will and won't work for you. It doesn't matter if you are in something that you can't afford or something that is one step away from the junkyard, you are just looking at the floorplan. Once you find a few plans that work you can start looking for those plans in the brand that you want.

As others have said, by quality. You are better off buying a coach that is a few years older but of a higher quality. See if you can find out how much the coach listed for new. That will let you compare apples to apples. For example, at one point we had both Newmar and Tiffin on our list. We found out that both of those were about $100,000 cheaper (new) than the 'Birds and Foretravels that we were also looking at. That told us that they weren't really in the same league and it wasn't fair to compare Newmars and Foretravels, for example.

You might be surprised to find out that a DP may not cost you much more than a gasser. Check out PPL and look for Tiffins and Newmars in both gas and diesel sections.

Good luck on your research. Ask lots of questions before you write that big check.