Grand Junction fifth wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

poweredbytheholyghost · RV-Dreams Family Member

Grand Junction fifth wheel

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,
There's a company called RV Consumer Group that is like Consumer Reports for RV's.
They independently rate all types of RV's. Well worth the approximately $100 it cost to join.
What many people don't know is that most RV's aren't warranted for full time use. Only a limited number of brands are.
The RV industry published that the average RV is only used 31 days a year. Thats only a month of full timing.
Consequently the competitive nature of the business has evolved into very slick looking RV's without a lot of substance in the basic structure.
They don't have to be built well, they're not used that much

Stan and Trudi · RV-Dreams Community Member

The one piece of advise I would offer anyone buying an RV is to check out the dealer as much as the manufacturer. A bad dealer can make what should be a wonderful exciting experience, a very miserable and bad experience. This was our 2nd 5th wheel and we just didn't have any problems with our first one so we were not prepared for the problems we had with our new one. We had a bad dealer who made our buying experience a very frustrating and disapointing one. All is well now but we will be much more careful next time. Good luck. Sorry I can't offer any advise on a Grand Junction except we look at one once and liked what we saw.

Tom N Gina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,

I have been researching different models and manufactures for almost a year. We have decided on the Montana 3400RL for the most part. After looking at what must have been over 200 floor plans we liked what the Montana offered in the way of counter space and other options for the $$. One thing I found was the fact that they state they do not warranty if the rig is used full time. Hmmmmm, why would they build a rig so perfect for full time then not warranty there product? This just didn't add up for a company to build something that nice and so liveable then not stand behind it!

Not making any sense, I called the factory and talked to them about the disclosure they make when they talk about full time. I was refered to the Midwest rep for Keystone and asked him why they would do that. He informed me that they would indeed stand behind any private party that purchased their product for full time. However the legal guy's for the company had them put that in because of possibility of people purchasing them for rental use and abuse. I trust what this person had to say and he assured me that if I did purchase their 5er they would stand behind it.

I would call the factory and ask them what their policy is when it comes to private use full time. Then I would choose what fits you best. I believe that when it comes to customer support they would all like to keep their jobs. I also believe that if they get a bad reputation because of something small like standing behind what they build why do they need to build it? The factory guy also told me that they very much like to hear from full timers that live in their products so they can make the needed adjustments to better the product. One of the things they are very interested in making an option in the future is a dehumidifier. This is because of imput from persons just like us. Grand Junction....... Nice rig, individual choice, go with your gut feeling.

Just a few thoughts.................. later

dreamjosie · RV-Dreams Family Member

I recommend a factory tour of the brand/model you are interested in if at all possible. We toured several mfr we were interested in and it really helped solidify our decision. We really liked the Montana going in, especially some of their floorplans. But when we toured the factory we saw them cranking out rigs like crazy, about 40 a day. They were proud of that production, but we saw fast slipshod work. And when I specifically asked about the warranty as it applied to fulltiming, they very quickly and adamantly told me they absolutely did NOT warrant their units for fulltime. That really turned us off.

Then we visited the Carriage factory and saw careful quality work being done by mostly Amish craftsmen. Instead of 40 a day, they made maybe 40 a week. When I asked about the warranty, I was proudly told they provide a two year "bumper to bumper" warranty including fulltiming, and a five year structural warranty, including fulltiming. They back this up in writing.

You have to look beyond the cosmetic appeal of floorplans, woodwork, fabric, etc. and really take a good look at the structural components and integrity, and the mechanical systems. If you are a part-time or vacationing RVer, it's not that critical. But as a fulltimer, this is your home, 365 days a year, usually in a variety of climatic conditions. You drag it around a lot, which stresses the structure and systems. It's really important to have a rig that is built to withstand the rigors of fulltiming, from a company that will stand behind it, on paper, legally.

And don't put any stock in anything a salesman will tell you. (In my humble opinion)