Really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m very relieved to see Grand Design on the high end list. We literally just backed out on a Keystone Montana High Country and went with a Grand Design Reflection instead. So glad we followed our gut about it being a better product. The fit and finish was quite impressive compared to many Keystone and Forrest River models we looked at.
So glad that you enjoyed the video. You made a good call going with the Grand Design. They not only make a great product compared to their competition, but their customer service after the sale is exceptional too. I think you will be very happy with your new RV!
I completely agree with your assessment of how Forest River has fallen by the wayside in terms of quality AND customer service. I hope you’ll consider doing a similar video on towable travel trailers. If you do I would highly recommend the Crossroads brand. Though it is a division of Keystone, they are a completely separate operating unit. Great video.
Yep your correct about this being just your opinion. As our Forest River Salem Hemisphere 2021 is so much more of a better quality than our Keystone Cougar ever was. I won't even mention our junky Dutchman 2020 that the bathroom was so tiny we couldn't even take a shower in it! I've bought 3 RV's in 3 years drove our insurance man nuts. But our Forest River is nicer than my house. With the walk in pantry, beautiful electric fireplace and the huge rear bathroom, I also love the hidden hinges on the kitchen cabinets. I just love everything about it. I only wish that there was a slide out for the bedroom. We have a 22RBHL, oh yeah our little 6 gallon hot water heater doesn't cut it either so I eventually want to invest in a on demand hot water unit as even though there about $1,800. dollars I hear there so worth it.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Unfortunately, RVs are still basically being made by hand. And that means that no matter what the brand name may be, it will only be as good the skills and dedication of the crew that worked on assembling it allowed. So there can be a wide variation in quality from one RV to another with certain manufacturers. It's this inconsistency that is really frustrating. My experience with FR is that they can be very inconsistent. And that is one reason why I didn't recommend them in recent years. The other point that must be made is that you are going to usually find a lot more fit and finish issues in entry level brands like FR and Dutchman that you will in brands that cost more. I still stand by the list that I mentioned in this video because my conclusions are based on observations made on a lot more than just a handful of RVs. But I agree with you that FR does seem to be improving in quality and they may be back on my list soon if that trend continues. In the meantime, enjoy your Salem Hemisphere. It sound like you found the perfect RV for your needs.
Thanks so much for the great explanation Duane and also for the best advice on having a Certified Inspector Inspection before purchasing my Future new Fifth Wheel.
That's a good point. Actually when all is said and done, these days, almost any RV manufacturer out there is owned in one way or another by Thor or Winnebago. But that is a point for another video. This video is about individual brands and their reputation for quality. And interestingly, you can find brands owned by either Thor or Winnebago that are known for quality and conversely, you can find brands owned by the same company that are not doing so well with quality building methods or materials. So this video is about the brands and not about who owns them. Thanks for mentioning that point though!
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hahaha omg Duane, no you don´t have to worry about your shirt or about those who worry about your shirt. Just worry about continuing to make the great videos you put out there, please :) You are knowledgeable, very easy to understand, and gentle. That is all that matters. THANK YOU!
You got it John. Luxe is an incredible fifth wheel maker and they are definitely on my full list of recommended fifth wheel manufacturers. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Duane for all the great info as usual! I think that your shirt was ironed. To be truthful I didn't notice. Looks like you are east of the Mississippi. So green, beautiful! I'm still fiddling around with trying to investigate the Honda Fit for towing behind the Class A. The used CRV'S have so many miles on them, it scares me. Sorry that I got off the subject. My last 5th wheel that we had, was a pain in the backside to get level. The kitchen counter would be level but the bed wouldn't be. There goes QUALITY CONTROL again. THANKS SAFE TRAVELS
Hi Ron. You guessed it .... we are east of the mighty Miss. All of this green is great but we are tired of the rain that has followed us the whole way on our journey east this year. Hopefully some sunshine is in the forecast for a while. I know what you mean about the CRVs now. It's a shame that Honda didn't continue building in the flat towing capability after 2014.
I just bought a 5th wheel RV to live in. It says Pioneer on the side and has aluminum exterior, has a nice big bedroom, and bunch of bunks in the back, and one slide out across from the kitchen. It has a white looking plastic cassette player/AM/FM radio built into the wall. I had been homeless and bought it on sight for 4500. Not sure if I got a decent deal. No owner`s manual. I put a 4000 dollar roof over it. I assumed I`d never find a better deal nearby and someone willing to move and set it up for me and desperately wanted a home. Well I have one now. All I need is for the electrical and plumbing to function but we won`t know until utilities are connected. I`m on SSI disability and a 4500 dollar home is all I could afford and I love campers so I bought it with my fingers crossed. The woman I talked to lied...said the water heater was electric, and the fridge was either propane or electric, and everything worked fine, but when her husband was setting it up he said they only used it camping twice and he has no idea what does and doesn`t work. So I may need an electric hot water heater. I bought a dorm fridge, two 5 cubic ft freezers, and a very small Frigidaire window AC to go in it. I also bought a collection of solar power stations to run everything from freezers down to lights in emergencies and 500 watts of glass solar panels and several portable folding panels from 120 watts down to 20 and three 12 volt cookers and other prepping gear since I`m in hurricane country. Hoping to get a 300 amp hour LiFePo4 battery and solar charging for it so I can run the little window AC some after hurricanes and other larger wattage things.
I'm glad that you found the RV that works well for you. There are always a few issues that need to be ironed out as you first take ownership. But hopefully that won't take too long to resolve. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare I looked at it again after they set it up and put a roof over it. There`s no manual but it`s supposed to be a Salem LE from 2006 that says Pioneer on the side. It looks nice on the inside and the roof air conditioner works. I`m gonna inspect it better after spending a couple of nights in it. Just got internet/phone service, water, and electricity. My sister, of course, immediately misplaced the paperwork so I don`t know what to look for to find the exact info I need to attempt to get a manual. I don`t know anything about the water heater or even where the DC converter is. I bought a 300 ah LiFeP04 battery, solar charge controller, and 2000 watt inverter for emergency solar power for a tiny window air conditioner if a hurricane hits again. I have solar power stations for a small chest freezer and dorm fridge, etc. The AM/FM/Cassette isn`t in the best shape but I did pick up a few FM stations. Wasn`t loud though.
@@baneverything5580 It sounds like you are getting everything set up for your needs now. You can usually find the owners manual for most RVs by just searching on Google. Type in the brand and model number followed by "manual" and its usually available for download somewhere. I hope that helps.
I didn't include all of the brands that I recommend for quality in this video. It was just a sampling of the best brands. And you are right, Luxe definitely is a higher quality brand. Thanks for watching!
Great info as we're looking for a full time. I love the DRV and the Vanleigh. Also one high end I'm assuming it being is the ALLIANCE. What is your input on the Alliance brand please?
Hi Chris. What I have personally seen of Alliance 5th wheels so far has been good. I inspected a Paradigm last year and it seemed to be well made overall. Having said that, I still found some things that should not have left the factory before being repaired. So whatever brand you choose, even if it is a high end brand, I highly recommend having an RV inspector go through it and find all the issues that Quality Control at the factory and the PDI at the dealer did not address. Unfortunately, even the high end units these days need attention before you take delivery at the time of sale. BTW, I also think highly of Luxe in the high end 5th wheel category.
Hi Rebecca. Alliance RV hasn't been around very long and that is why they weren't included on my list. But I have had some experience with them so far and from what I have seen they appear to be building a quality product. After a few more years I will probably add them to my list of best brands. I hope that helps.
Thank you, Duane! If one is a careful solo fulltimer who just can't afford high-end fivers would you say Coachmen is the next best bet or must one save up for a Jayco/JZ for safe fulltiming in? I'm afraid if I wait to save up for a New Horizons/Grand Design I won't live long enough to get one. Kinda surprised Arctic Fox isn't anywhere on this list - which range would they fall in? Subbed!
Coachmen is definitely on my list for low cost fifth wheels Celeste, and either a Brookstone or a Chapparal could be a good choice for you. If cost is a factor just buy used at a price point that works for you. The thing about most low cost RVs is you may notice a lot of fit and finish issues primarily. Of course, you can solve a lot of that yourself if you ae handy. But the overall quality of Coachmen products is slightly above average when compared to other brand competitors in their price range IMHO. If you find a good used Coachmen 5th wheel that has been cared for and maintained, it could be a great way to go. Regarding Arctic Fox, it was a mistake on my part not to include Northwood on my list (just wasn't thinking). So I will correct that in future lists. Thanks for subbing too. I'm glad that you're following the channel now!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Much appreciated advice, Sir. I look forward to seeing what you think of Northwood 5th wheels. Happy that I subscribed & happy to know a Coachmen won't fall apart on me fulltiming as long as I take care of it!
Hi Bill. I was on the fence about putting Grand Design in either the mid-range or higher end category. But they have some models that are fairly expensive, so I settled on the high category. The main thing is that they made the list IMHO. But you have a point about Luxe. I agree that they should be on the list as well. That was an oversight. Thanks for your feedback!
Your list us general a lot of companies have bought others but let them still do own manufacturing. Forest River may own something but don't make it therefore the quality of bought out manufacturers may be high and get watered down by lower quality lines made by manufacturers
Some people take a very simplistic view of RV manufacturers and assume that just because a larger company owns a particular brand, it must be the same level of quality as the parent company. But that is not true in the RV industry. In fact, the evidence is that in most cases the parent companies have allowed the subsidiaries to operate as they always have, even using the same management as before. That's why I choose to list the RV builders that I feel are making a better product than their competitors regardless of who owns them, rather than just lumping all manufacturers under the umbrella of just 2-3 companies. Taking any other view in my opinion is not only simplistic but grossly inaccurate.
That's a great question Stephen. Many manufacturers make RV models that fall in different price range categories. So it makes it hard for me to place those brands in a particular price range. Jayco is one of those companies. As you can tell from this video I feel that Jayco's quality is a little above their competition. That's why I recommended them in the mid-range category. But as you pointed out here in your comment, they also make models that start around $110K - $120K like the North Point and the Pinnacle. My opinion is that they are certainly worthy of consideration in that higher price range, but make sure that you compare them fairly with Grand Design, Vanleigh, and other brands I listed in the higher end range of quality manufacturers before you make your final decision. I hope that helps.
Prior to the CCP virus, we loved the Grand Design Solitude brand, mostly the 390RK. But, we've been in some of the 22's and the quality has gone down hill! As for you mentioning Palomino, who is owned by Forest River BTW, we looked at the 388FKC just this past Monday and we were VERY disappointed. Screws on the floor, wires sticking out from the slides, TINY round holed toilets that were KID SIZE at best, cargo doors not lined up, and just an overall cheap feeling, for 100K it's worthless. We'll shop for an older Solitude, pre 2020 but we're running out of time! We want it this year if possible.
Unfortunately, quality control and thorough dealer PDI's have suffered a lot in the past year. So it's not uncommon to see the things you are describing happening even among some of the historically better quality brands. That's one reason why I highly recommend getting an RV inspection even on new RVs these days.
Hi, I know you didn't mention the Keystone or Heartland as probably good on your list. Have you done any inspections on the toy haulers like the fusion, cyclone or raptor? Toy haulers seem heavier duty. Would jayco seismic probably be a better route in your opinion? We are looking for a lasting Toy hauler possibly full time, haven't decided yet. But not high end
Unfortunately, Heartland does not make my list. But my most recent list does include Keystone as their fifth wheel quality seems to be improving lately. I have created a guidebook that lists all of the fifth wheels and toy haulers that I feel are a cut above their competition in quality and customer service. And some of the toy haulers you mentioned are in that guidebook. You can download the guidebook here - payhip.com/b/82KPO
what is your option of azdel? we are looking at a brookstone 374RK for fulltime living for my boyfriend work. we will be in campgrounds for months at a time.
Hi Cindy. Azdel seems to have a generally good reputation for being lighter and more water proof than other sidewall materials. Brookstone is a Coachmen brand and as I mentioned in my video, Coachmen is a recommended manufacturer for lower cost RVs. Just understand that there may be some fit and finish issues with RVs that offer such value pricing. And you can't fairly compare them to higher end RVs. When you pay more, you get more for it, generally speaking. Most lower cost fifth wheels are made more for weekend camping or vacation camping. If you intend to live in it full-time, it may not hold up well over the long haul. But Brookstone is one of Coachmen's better brands IMHO.
Sorry can’t really care about campers from 10 years ago! Have a keystone cougar for over a year now and have not had ONE thing go wrong! Not even a bad light bulb!
It sounds like you got a good one there Bud. Unfortunately, a lot of new RVs are coming with lots of issues and problems straight out of the factory. Just be glad that you didn't have to deal with that.
Hi! Great video. Sorry I know this is an old video but hoping I will get a response as I need some honest advice. Looking to buy a used 5th wheel, it’s come down to a 2015 Montana mountaineer 356TBF or 2017 forest River coachman chaparral. In your opinion which is the better brand between the 2 and why?? Need to make a decision in the next few days and we keep going back and fourth. Help!?!
Hi Rachael. Speaking strictly about RV quality I would give the Montana the nod in this case. The Chaparral is not a bad RV, but the Montana is one of the best products that Keystone puts out. I don't recommend Keystone or Coachmen much due to their quality inconsistency. But the Montana seems to get consistently good reviews from their owners. And so for that reason I would recommend it over the Chaparral. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare it helps a lot. Thank you so much for responding!! I really appreciate it! We actually ended up going with the Montana today! So this makes me feel better. Thank you!
Arctic Fox/Nash... both Northwood products. I will never buy another RV from a different manf. We've owned RV's for 25 years and 3 of the 4 units have been Northwood. Honestly you can't beat the quality or the materials they use. They build their own trailer frames instead of that crap that Lippert sells everyone. Stay away from Omega (Idaho) and Weekend Warrior!!! Complete Junk!! (straight off of the lot.)
Hi Sam. I agree with your opinion of Northwood. In fact in one of my recent videos I listed them as one of the top 5th wheel builders in their price category. Here is the video link - ua-cam.com/video/QstqcUf7H6s/v-deo.html . Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Forest river is terrible do not buy save your money and get better quality. They will not fix your trailer and if they do it will be hell. Honestly wouldn’t even want them to touch anything else that’s how bad they are.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Andrew. Older Forest River products were much better than what they are putting out these days. I'm sorry that you have had such a bad experience with them. But in all fairness, many of the current RV manufacturers are not putting quality control very high on their list of priorities. It's sad to say, but true.
Really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m very relieved to see Grand Design on the high end list. We literally just backed out on a Keystone Montana High Country and went with a Grand Design Reflection instead. So glad we followed our gut about it being a better product. The fit and finish was quite impressive compared to many Keystone and Forrest River models we looked at.
So glad that you enjoyed the video. You made a good call going with the Grand Design. They not only make a great product compared to their competition, but their customer service after the sale is exceptional too. I think you will be very happy with your new RV!
I completely agree with your assessment of how Forest River has fallen by the wayside in terms of quality AND customer service.
I hope you’ll consider doing a similar video on towable travel trailers. If you do I would highly recommend the Crossroads brand. Though it is a division of Keystone, they are a completely separate operating unit.
Great video.
You asked for it, you got it Tony. I'll be doing the TT brands very soon. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for the TT video. :-)
Great video. Just ordered an outdoors RV glacier peak 5th wheel. We were very impressed with the floor plans and quality.
Sounds great David. I hope you have lots of fun in your new RV!
We really enjoy our Jayco Eagle. We’ve had several RV brands in the past, and it’s been the best quality so far to us…
I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience with Jayco here!
Yep your correct about this being just your opinion. As our Forest River Salem Hemisphere 2021
is so much more of a better quality than our Keystone Cougar ever was. I won't even mention
our junky Dutchman 2020 that the bathroom was so tiny we couldn't even take a shower in it!
I've bought 3 RV's in 3 years drove our insurance man nuts. But our Forest River is nicer than
my house. With the walk in pantry, beautiful electric fireplace and the huge rear bathroom, I
also love the hidden hinges on the kitchen cabinets. I just love everything about it. I only wish
that there was a slide out for the bedroom. We have a 22RBHL, oh yeah our little 6 gallon hot
water heater doesn't cut it either so I eventually want to invest in a on demand hot water unit
as even though there about $1,800. dollars I hear there so worth it.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Unfortunately, RVs are still basically being made by hand. And that means that no matter what the brand name may be, it will only be as good the skills and dedication of the crew that worked on assembling it allowed. So there can be a wide variation in quality from one RV to another with certain manufacturers. It's this inconsistency that is really frustrating. My experience with FR is that they can be very inconsistent. And that is one reason why I didn't recommend them in recent years. The other point that must be made is that you are going to usually find a lot more fit and finish issues in entry level brands like FR and Dutchman that you will in brands that cost more. I still stand by the list that I mentioned in this video because my conclusions are based on observations made on a lot more than just a handful of RVs. But I agree with you that FR does seem to be improving in quality and they may be back on my list soon if that trend continues. In the meantime, enjoy your Salem Hemisphere. It sound like you found the perfect RV for your needs.
Thank you finally somebody tells it like it is
Thanks for the positive feedback Dennis. It's much appreciated!
Thanks so much for the great explanation Duane and also for the best advice on having a Certified Inspector Inspection before purchasing my Future new Fifth Wheel.
Glad to help! I hope you find the perfect RV for your needs.
Great information. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful Angela. Thanks for watching!
Great Channel with useful information, thank you!
Glad you think so Jeff. Thanks for such positive feedback!
Great list. I think you could have pointed out many of these companies are just sister companies of Thor, Forest River, and Winnebago.
That's a good point. Actually when all is said and done, these days, almost any RV manufacturer out there is owned in one way or another by Thor or Winnebago. But that is a point for another video. This video is about individual brands and their reputation for quality. And interestingly, you can find brands owned by either Thor or Winnebago that are known for quality and conversely, you can find brands owned by the same company that are not doing so well with quality building methods or materials. So this video is about the brands and not about who owns them. Thanks for mentioning that point though!
hahaha omg Duane, no you don´t have to worry about your shirt or about those who worry about your shirt. Just worry about continuing to make the great videos you put out there, please :)
You are knowledgeable, very easy to understand, and gentle. That is all that matters. THANK YOU!
That's awesome feedback Natalia! I'm so glad that my videos are helpful for you. Thanks for leaving such a positive comment!
Great job on the video thank you for your opinion!
Glad you enjoyed the video Daniel. Thanks for the positive comment too!
You have to had Luxe to your high end list. One of the best made fifth wheels.
You got it John. Luxe is an incredible fifth wheel maker and they are definitely on my full list of recommended fifth wheel manufacturers. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Duane for all the great info as usual! I think that your shirt was ironed. To be truthful I didn't notice. Looks like you are east of the Mississippi. So green, beautiful! I'm still fiddling around with trying to investigate the Honda Fit for towing behind the Class A. The used CRV'S have so many miles on them, it scares me. Sorry that I got off the subject. My last 5th wheel that we had, was a pain in the backside to get level. The kitchen counter would be level but the bed wouldn't be. There goes QUALITY CONTROL again.
THANKS SAFE TRAVELS
Hi Ron. You guessed it .... we are east of the mighty Miss. All of this green is great but we are tired of the rain that has followed us the whole way on our journey east this year. Hopefully some sunshine is in the forecast for a while. I know what you mean about the CRVs now. It's a shame that Honda didn't continue building in the flat towing capability after 2014.
Thank you
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
Very good info
Glad you think so. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just bought a 5th wheel RV to live in. It says Pioneer on the side and has aluminum exterior, has a nice big bedroom, and bunch of bunks in the back, and one slide out across from the kitchen. It has a white looking plastic cassette player/AM/FM radio built into the wall. I had been homeless and bought it on sight for 4500. Not sure if I got a decent deal. No owner`s manual. I put a 4000 dollar roof over it. I assumed I`d never find a better deal nearby and someone willing to move and set it up for me and desperately wanted a home. Well I have one now.
All I need is for the electrical and plumbing to function but we won`t know until utilities are connected. I`m on SSI disability and a 4500 dollar home is all I could afford and I love campers so I bought it with my fingers crossed. The woman I talked to lied...said the water heater was electric, and the fridge was either propane or electric, and everything worked fine, but when her husband was setting it up he said they only used it camping twice and he has no idea what does and doesn`t work. So I may need an electric hot water heater.
I bought a dorm fridge, two 5 cubic ft freezers, and a very small Frigidaire window AC to go in it. I also bought a collection of solar power stations to run everything from freezers down to lights in emergencies and 500 watts of glass solar panels and several portable folding panels from 120 watts down to 20 and three 12 volt cookers and other prepping gear since I`m in hurricane country. Hoping to get a 300 amp hour LiFePo4 battery and solar charging for it so I can run the little window AC some after hurricanes and other larger wattage things.
I'm glad that you found the RV that works well for you. There are always a few issues that need to be ironed out as you first take ownership. But hopefully that won't take too long to resolve. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare I looked at it again after they set it up and put a roof over it. There`s no manual but it`s supposed to be a Salem LE from 2006 that says Pioneer on the side. It looks nice on the inside and the roof air conditioner works. I`m gonna inspect it better after spending a couple of nights in it. Just got internet/phone service, water, and electricity. My sister, of course, immediately misplaced the paperwork so I don`t know what to look for to find the exact info I need to attempt to get a manual. I don`t know anything about the water heater or even where the DC converter is. I bought a 300 ah LiFeP04 battery, solar charge controller, and 2000 watt inverter for emergency solar power for a tiny window air conditioner if a hurricane hits again. I have solar power stations for a small chest freezer and dorm fridge, etc. The AM/FM/Cassette isn`t in the best shape but I did pick up a few FM stations. Wasn`t loud though.
@@baneverything5580 It sounds like you are getting everything set up for your needs now. You can usually find the owners manual for most RVs by just searching on Google. Type in the brand and model number followed by "manual" and its usually available for download somewhere. I hope that helps.
I don't see in your high end the Luxe which for me is a very good fifth wheel
I didn't include all of the brands that I recommend for quality in this video. It was just a sampling of the best brands. And you are right, Luxe definitely is a higher quality brand. Thanks for watching!
Great info as we're looking for a full time.
I love the DRV and the Vanleigh.
Also one high end I'm assuming it being is the ALLIANCE.
What is your input on the Alliance brand please?
Hi Chris. What I have personally seen of Alliance 5th wheels so far has been good. I inspected a Paradigm last year and it seemed to be well made overall. Having said that, I still found some things that should not have left the factory before being repaired. So whatever brand you choose, even if it is a high end brand, I highly recommend having an RV inspector go through it and find all the issues that Quality Control at the factory and the PDI at the dealer did not address. Unfortunately, even the high end units these days need attention before you take delivery at the time of sale. BTW, I also think highly of Luxe in the high end 5th wheel category.
Great information! What is your opinion of Alliance RV?
Hi Rebecca. Alliance RV hasn't been around very long and that is why they weren't included on my list. But I have had some experience with them so far and from what I have seen they appear to be building a quality product. After a few more years I will probably add them to my list of best brands. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank you for the reply!
Thank you, Duane! If one is a careful solo fulltimer who just can't afford high-end fivers would you say Coachmen is the next best bet or must one save up for a Jayco/JZ for safe fulltiming in? I'm afraid if I wait to save up for a New Horizons/Grand Design I won't live long enough to get one. Kinda surprised Arctic Fox isn't anywhere on this list - which range would they fall in? Subbed!
Coachmen is definitely on my list for low cost fifth wheels Celeste, and either a Brookstone or a Chapparal could be a good choice for you. If cost is a factor just buy used at a price point that works for you. The thing about most low cost RVs is you may notice a lot of fit and finish issues primarily. Of course, you can solve a lot of that yourself if you ae handy. But the overall quality of Coachmen products is slightly above average when compared to other brand competitors in their price range IMHO. If you find a good used Coachmen 5th wheel that has been cared for and maintained, it could be a great way to go. Regarding Arctic Fox, it was a mistake on my part not to include Northwood on my list (just wasn't thinking). So I will correct that in future lists. Thanks for subbing too. I'm glad that you're following the channel now!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Much appreciated advice, Sir. I look forward to seeing what you think of Northwood 5th wheels. Happy that I subscribed & happy to know a Coachmen won't fall apart on me fulltiming as long as I take care of it!
Hey dude, what about Artic Fox?
Actually Northwood who makes Arctic Fox was an oversight of mine. They deserve to be on my list for sure. Thanks for asking.
I don’t think you can put Grand Design in the high end fifth wheel category Luxe should be in this category
Hi Bill. I was on the fence about putting Grand Design in either the mid-range or higher end category. But they have some models that are fairly expensive, so I settled on the high category. The main thing is that they made the list IMHO. But you have a point about Luxe. I agree that they should be on the list as well. That was an oversight. Thanks for your feedback!
Was this recorded in Wilmington? Camp area looks familiar......
Yes, it sure was. That's a great eye for detail you have there. Thanks for watching!
Your list us general a lot of companies have bought others but let them still do own manufacturing. Forest River may own something but don't make it therefore the quality of bought out manufacturers may be high and get watered down by lower quality lines made by manufacturers
Some people take a very simplistic view of RV manufacturers and assume that just because a larger company owns a particular brand, it must be the same level of quality as the parent company. But that is not true in the RV industry. In fact, the evidence is that in most cases the parent companies have allowed the subsidiaries to operate as they always have, even using the same management as before. That's why I choose to list the RV builders that I feel are making a better product than their competitors regardless of who owns them, rather than just lumping all manufacturers under the umbrella of just 2-3 companies. Taking any other view in my opinion is not only simplistic but grossly inaccurate.
Do you consider Jaycos Pinnacle and North point RV's high end, and what do you think about their quality?
That's a great question Stephen. Many manufacturers make RV models that fall in different price range categories. So it makes it hard for me to place those brands in a particular price range. Jayco is one of those companies. As you can tell from this video I feel that Jayco's quality is a little above their competition. That's why I recommended them in the mid-range category. But as you pointed out here in your comment, they also make models that start around $110K - $120K like the North Point and the Pinnacle. My opinion is that they are certainly worthy of consideration in that higher price range, but make sure that you compare them fairly with Grand Design, Vanleigh, and other brands I listed in the higher end range of quality manufacturers before you make your final decision. I hope that helps.
Prior to the CCP virus, we loved the Grand Design Solitude brand, mostly the 390RK. But, we've been in some of the 22's and the quality has gone down hill!
As for you mentioning Palomino, who is owned by Forest River BTW, we looked at the 388FKC just this past Monday and we were VERY disappointed. Screws on the floor, wires sticking out from the slides, TINY round holed toilets that were KID SIZE at best, cargo doors not lined up, and just an overall cheap feeling, for 100K it's worthless.
We'll shop for an older Solitude, pre 2020 but we're running out of time! We want it this year if possible.
Unfortunately, quality control and thorough dealer PDI's have suffered a lot in the past year. So it's not uncommon to see the things you are describing happening even among some of the historically better quality brands. That's one reason why I highly recommend getting an RV inspection even on new RVs these days.
Hi, I know you didn't mention the Keystone or Heartland as probably good on your list. Have you done any inspections on the toy haulers like the fusion, cyclone or raptor? Toy haulers seem heavier duty. Would jayco seismic probably be a better route in your opinion? We are looking for a lasting Toy hauler possibly full time, haven't decided yet. But not high end
Unfortunately, Heartland does not make my list. But my most recent list does include Keystone as their fifth wheel quality seems to be improving lately. I have created a guidebook that lists all of the fifth wheels and toy haulers that I feel are a cut above their competition in quality and customer service. And some of the toy haulers you mentioned are in that guidebook. You can download the guidebook here - payhip.com/b/82KPO
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you for the info
I been looking at luxe are they built to last a long time.
Yes, Luxe builds a very good RV. They aren't cheap, but they are well made.
what is your option of azdel? we are looking at a brookstone 374RK for fulltime living for my boyfriend work. we will be in campgrounds for months at a time.
Hi Cindy. Azdel seems to have a generally good reputation for being lighter and more water proof than other sidewall materials. Brookstone is a Coachmen brand and as I mentioned in my video, Coachmen is a recommended manufacturer for lower cost RVs. Just understand that there may be some fit and finish issues with RVs that offer such value pricing. And you can't fairly compare them to higher end RVs. When you pay more, you get more for it, generally speaking. Most lower cost fifth wheels are made more for weekend camping or vacation camping. If you intend to live in it full-time, it may not hold up well over the long haul. But Brookstone is one of Coachmen's better brands IMHO.
Sorry can’t really care about campers from 10 years ago! Have a keystone cougar for over a year now and have not had ONE thing go wrong! Not even a bad light bulb!
It sounds like you got a good one there Bud. Unfortunately, a lot of new RVs are coming with lots of issues and problems straight out of the factory. Just be glad that you didn't have to deal with that.
Hi! Great video. Sorry I know this is an old video but hoping I will get a response as I need some honest advice. Looking to buy a used 5th wheel, it’s come down to a 2015 Montana mountaineer 356TBF or 2017 forest River coachman chaparral. In your opinion which is the better brand between the 2 and why?? Need to make a decision in the next few days and we keep going back and fourth. Help!?!
Hi Rachael. Speaking strictly about RV quality I would give the Montana the nod in this case. The Chaparral is not a bad RV, but the Montana is one of the best products that Keystone puts out. I don't recommend Keystone or Coachmen much due to their quality inconsistency. But the Montana seems to get consistently good reviews from their owners. And so for that reason I would recommend it over the Chaparral. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare it helps a lot. Thank you so much for responding!! I really appreciate it! We actually ended up going with the Montana today! So this makes me feel better. Thank you!
Where do you rate Mobile Scout?
Unfortunately Mobile Scout is not made in much volume. So I don't have any experience with them so far. That's why I didn't include them in my list.
Arctic Fox/Nash... both Northwood products. I will never buy another RV from a different manf. We've owned RV's for 25 years and 3 of the 4 units have been Northwood. Honestly you can't beat the quality or the materials they use. They build their own trailer frames instead of that crap that Lippert sells everyone. Stay away from Omega (Idaho) and Weekend Warrior!!! Complete Junk!! (straight off of the lot.)
Hi Sam. I agree with your opinion of Northwood. In fact in one of my recent videos I listed them as one of the top 5th wheel builders in their price category. Here is the video link - ua-cam.com/video/QstqcUf7H6s/v-deo.html . Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Forest river is terrible do not buy save your money and get better quality. They will not fix your trailer and if they do it will be hell. Honestly wouldn’t even want them to touch anything else that’s how bad they are.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Andrew. Older Forest River products were much better than what they are putting out these days. I'm sorry that you have had such a bad experience with them. But in all fairness, many of the current RV manufacturers are not putting quality control very high on their list of priorities. It's sad to say, but true.
Great info. Iron your shirt. Thank you
Good catch John. I honestly just grabbed a shirt out of the closet without thinking about it. :-)
Forest River Heritage Glen 370bl is a pile of junk. Less than year old and been in shop 3 1/2 months and still broken. Very poor quality control.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Michael.