How Did You Choose Your RV Brand?

[Luvamouse]

OK, here's my problem. We have looked-- fairly seriously-- for an RV for about 10 years now. We started with 5th wheels, went to Super-C's and smaller A's, then back to settle on a fifth wheel as the best choice for us. But here's why we get stuck-- I may be obsessing over the "right" company. I want it to be solid, last, quality but good value... So I'd like to see what fellow DISers-- who also camp-- have to say about how they made their choices. I hope my poll is clear and covers all the options. If not (or if so), please feel free to add any info to go along with your response. You can choose more than one answer and your user ID will be private.

Thanks so much! We need to get our rears in gear here, and I need to know if I am thinking it through too much. Maybe the 10 years says I am...

 

[thecplusplusguy]

A good solid manufacturer is important, but in the end the floorplan and style have to fit how you want to travel and camp. The only way to find a floorplan and style that fits you is to look at a lot of RV's. Once you find a floorplan you want then you start looking at what manufacturers make it and thats when you start looking at quality, and fit and finish.

Dan

 

[SCCamper]

A good solid manufacturer is important, but in the end the floorplan and style have to fit how you want to travel and camp. The only way to find a floorplan and style that fits you is to look at a lot of RV's. Once you find a floorplan you want then you start looking at what manufacturers make it and thats when you start looking at quality, and fit and finish.

Dan

I'm just the opposite. I would find a good quality manufacturer first, then find a floorplan I like. I would hate to fall in love with a floorplan only to find out the unit was built poorly. Many RV manufacturers have similar floorplans. I have always heard Jayco makes a good product. Our next purchace will probably be a 5er from them. We currently own a Sunnybrook TT and have had little problems with the unit. JMHO.

 

[docbrown]

I agree on the manufacture issue more than the floorplan.
A solid manufacturer is vital for your warrantied items and repairs down the road, a MH is a big purchase and I would research it as much as I can.
We did just that for almost 2 years and even rented a class A to see if that was what we wanted. We decided for a Tiffin MH after visiting the manufacturing plant and watch them build the MHs. We haven't been disappointed and the Company is fine even in these trying times for the industry. Good luck in your search.

 

[njcamper95]

I would say a manufacture would be first also if you are looking at traveling alot and longer distance the rig will need to be built good first the floorplan should be second but definately do look for both it needs to be a package deal as for company's you will get good and bad story's from all if you look hard enough we had a tt that was a lot of problems we upgraded same manufacture and haven't had any problems good warranty work but still lots of problems with first tt second one has had none in last 4 yrs good luck

 

[Born 2 Fish]

We started with a Jayco,,they had the best floor plan for us, the best warranty in the bizz,,and they have been around for a long time, and they are completely family owned company.
We were so pleased with our first Jayco and the way take care of their product that we have upgraded to two other Jayco after our first.

 

[Luvamouse]

Thanks for these terrific responses so far! Your answers are just what I had hoped for-- you are saying similar things, and many times confirming what we are trying to do. We plan to try for the Fort every other year-- 1400 miles each way, and to supplement with Nascar tracks a couple times a year and let the kids camp in the yard too!

I appreciate the advice. I especially like the idea of going to the factory to see a build also.

 

[lawnspecialties]

We found our travel trailer choice at a Raleigh RV show. We had never camped before, but somehow, we just knew RVing was going to be a big hit for our family. After looking over many choices back in 2004, it came down to two choices at the show. We picked our Puma (by Palomino) because we liked it slightly better than the other choice and our dealer was as good as they come.

Not only is manufacturer support a big issue but having a good dealer is just as important, if not more. For example, we have a dealer here in the Raleigh area that carries a lot of Keystone products. As big a name as Keystone is, this dealer has developed quite a name for themselves as people just short of being crooks. They're arrogant and could hardly care less about you once the sale is done.

As for features and options, get all your budget will allow. We ordered our Puma from our dealer so we got to pick out what we wanted. We pretty much picked about everything except the "outside" stove you attach to the side of the TT and hook into your LP line. Sure enough, it was one of our first camping trips we cooked something "smelly" in the camper and we could smell the food for quite some time. The whole time we were thinking, "Why didn't we get the outside stovetop?" Duh.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Our wants were pretty simple but hard to find. There were only 2 things we really wanted in our trailer a private bedroom with a island bed and to be able to haul 2 golf carts inside it. So this did not leave us with a lot of options. So we chose the wolf pack 30 wp made by forest river.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

I have a Jayco Greyhawk class C. I would agree with paying close attention to the dealer you deal with. Every RV has issues after the fact (they are mobile houses), and a good dealer is key in getting these taken care of. My dealer (Flagg RV) just took care of everything. I told them the issues (mostly minor) they fixed them and dealt with Jayco. I didn't need to do anything but drop it off for work.

Dan

 

[disney4dan]

I would also comment on the dealer. We went to a local dealer for our second trailer mainly because they were the nearest Jayco seller. Our first trailer was a Jayco and we liked the quality - very durable construction and the interior cabinets, furnishings were high quality. The family we bought it from had kids and we had three, and kids are not easy on trailers.

We ended up buying a Keystone trailer due to the floor plan and features, but ended up having some problems with water leaking in. It was the very responsive service from the dealer who made the difference. Others on this board had warned me about the trailer I bought (with good reason), but I have to say that the dealer was fantastic about it. I brought it to them when we first found the leak (and there was no question about it, come in at any time and they would get right to it).

It leaked again within days of getting it back, and this time the dealer came and picked up the trailer (same day we called), fixed it, returned it two days later. The day they returned it to us it was raining like you see in Florida; dropped 4-inches of rain in a few hours. When the dealer rep pulled in the driveway, he and my wife went in to inspect the trailer and guess what - it leaked! This was a Friday afternoon and we had plans to take the trailer out for a mid-week test run the following Monday. The dealer promised us they would have it back to us on Monday afternoon or the reservation at the CG would be paid for by them. The service manager had it back in our driveway Monday at 5:00 all cleaned and ready to go (and the fridge was on and cold - nice touch). No problems with it since, and I would recommend this dealership any time.

 

[chief19spixi]

when we were looking for our rv in 2007 (first one) we wanted something used but would not cramp 5 people. We saw the 321 BHT from sandpiper and decided to see what a nice camper would look like inside (the dream camper) and of course the price floored us so we chuckled and walked out, we did not see any used ones that we liked so when we went to the office to leave the guy said he would take $8,000 of the price of the brand new sandpiper and we ended up doing some price research at a md rv show and found out that we were given a GREAT deal so we went back and bought the piper. woo hoo.. at the time brand did not matter! Now we got our eyes on a cyclone!

 

[CindyT]

We went to the factory and were able to watch the construction process from start to finish. We were impressed with the workers and the product. We bought a Holiday Rambler because at the time it was the most bang for the buck.

 

[freshlybarked]

We were lucky in that a good friend works for an RV dealer in our area. We told him what we wanted and what we could afford. Some things he talked us out of because he knew we wouldn't be hapy with that in the long run and gave us some suggestions on what he knew would work. We settled on a great slightly used (07 in 07) RV that we paid more for than we had wanted in the beginning, but it is one we like, a good manufacturer (Itasca) and something that we can live with for several years. We thought it was bigger than we needed, but we use it a lot for business and pleasure and soon found out it was not bigger than we needed. It's amazing how much space you can fill up in a short time period. When the economy gets better we may be looking to upgrade and we will use him to help us again.

 

[GoofyCampers09]

we love Rockwood just bought our second went from a fully loaded pop-up to a fifth wheel...my DF has camped for yrs and always owned a Rockwood but i agree u need to find what suits u best!!

 

[Luvamouse]

I have a Jayco Greyhawk class C. I would agree with paying close attention to the dealer you deal with. Every RV has issues after the fact (they are mobile houses), and a good dealer is key in getting these taken care of. My dealer (Flagg RV) just took care of everything. I told them the issues (mostly minor) they fixed them and dealt with Jayco. I didn't need to do anything but drop it off for work.

Dan

Good to know, Dan. Flagg in Mass. or RI?

I would also comment on the dealer. We went to a local dealer for our second trailer mainly because they were the nearest Jayco seller. Our first trailer was a Jayco and we liked the quality - very durable construction and the interior cabinets, furnishings were high quality. The family we bought it from had kids and we had three, and kids are not easy on trailers.

We ended up buying a Keystone trailer due to the floor plan and features, but ended up having some problems with water leaking in. It was the very responsive service from the dealer who made the difference. Others on this board had warned me about the trailer I bought (with good reason), but I have to say that the dealer was fantastic about it. I brought it to them when we first found the leak (and there was no question about it, come in at any time and they would get right to it).

It leaked again within days of getting it back, and this time the dealer came and picked up the trailer (same day we called), fixed it, returned it two days later. The day they returned it to us it was raining like you see in Florida; dropped 4-inches of rain in a few hours. When the dealer rep pulled in the driveway, he and my wife went in to inspect the trailer and guess what - it leaked! This was a Friday afternoon and we had plans to take the trailer out for a mid-week test run the following Monday. The dealer promised us they would have it back to us on Monday afternoon or the reservation at the CG would be paid for by them. The service manager had it back in our driveway Monday at 5:00 all cleaned and ready to go (and the fridge was on and cold - nice touch). No problems with it since, and I would recommend this dealership any time.

Looks like you might live in Florida--am I right? The dealer may not as helpful for me there...

I am a little concerned about the dealership if we buy used. Any of you experience that? Bought out of state, but use local dealer?

Thanks again for all the great advice. Now my DH is asking if I'm ready to trade my Yukon XL... I keep telling him almost...but I'd REALLY like to be at the Fort!

 

[bradisgoofy]

When we were looking to get back into RVing ( 2004 ) we spent 9 months going to dealerships and RV shows. When we attended the Ford Field Show in early 2004 we spent hours there looking at everything. Just about our last stop was at M&M Sales and Service, we were struck by how low pressure they were. The gentleman could tell we were tired and frustrated, he took the time to ask what we were looking for and what our plans for the RV were. He then showed us two different Carriage 5th wheels. When we walked into the second one we said "this is the one"! It was that big of an epiphany. We went to the dealer the next week and ordered a Cameo. It was a beautifully built unit and we had zero problems with it in the 2 years we owned it. When we traded it on our current motorhome they gave us what we originally paid for it in trade. If I ever go back to a 5th wheel the Carriage will be my first choice.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

When we were looking for a new rv. We had many discussions about what we want in a rv. Layout, ammenities, tank sizes, counter space, how many people it can sleep, types of window including sixes and how they open, storage, weight range. We happened on a kodiak which wasn't one of our first picks because of there busy graphics. The one we found had a toned down graphic package and the exact layout we wanted. Kodiak is made by dutchman which is thor. Our previous trailer was a dutchman popup and it was a great trailer so we weren't to worried. We have not had any major problems just little things the come with trailers and usage. We bought new and have had it coming up on 5 years with no intrest in traiding it in anytime soon. Our popup we had for 11 years but out grew it with having kids. Do lots of research and talk about what you want. Do not settle for a great trailer but is not quite what you want because you more then likely will end up trading it in sooner than later. JMO

 

[BradyBz12]

We started the camper search based on what we could tow without needing a new vehicle and the space needed to camp with our dogs. That led us to the hybrids. We did a lot of poking around (online and at dealers) to get familiar with the different lines out there and what they offered in terms of size, layout, etc. We eventually settled on the 21' Kodiak and we love it. There are a few things I would change (tiny, uncomfortable couch namely) but on the whole it serves us and our 3 dogs well and we've managed to comfortable camp for up to 3 weeks at a time in it.

It pulls really well with our V8 Explorer (with all the extra towing goodies) and we're coming up on our 4th trip to the Fort with it from southern NH.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

Good to know, Dan. Flagg in Mass. or RI?

In Mass, in West Boylston. www.flaggrv.com then click flagg in MA.

I liked the salesmen I dealt with, but I don't have his name here at work.

Dan