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matthewijenkins
Georgia
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Joined: 04/03/2014
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We love to camp and are finally in a good place to buy something new. Looking at travel trailers at Camping World and other lots. How can I go about making an informed decision as I focus in on specific brands and models? Is there a consumer reports guide to travel trailers?
Thx!
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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In my experience two identical TTs, one built on a Monday and one on Wednesday, could be miles apart on quality. A complete inspection and running all systems is the only way, and even that isn’t foolproof - roof, tank and pipe leaks that don’t show for days etc - but the best you can do. Don’t sign anything until fixed.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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delwhjr
TX
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Joined: 02/21/2017
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One section of the RV Travel Newsletter has reviews each week on RVs. You can look up old issues and see many report.
RV Travel
Be very careful when buying at any dealer as many are about the same as a used car salesman, especially Camping World. Read everything closely.
2022 Rockwood 2109S
2006 Durango HEMI
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philh
Belleville MI
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Joined: 05/11/2015
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All RV's are POS. Some more so than others.
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wanderingaimlessly
Kerr Reservoir
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Joined: 08/23/2017
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An extreme generalization, and I am taking into account that you are in Georgia so a couple of the better ones are very hard to find.
Best to worst.
Airstream, Outdoors RV, Lance, Grand Design, Winnebago, K-Z, Jayco, Coachmen, of the others, they make some good, some bad, as a general guide look at the warranties offered on the lines, while the manufacturers have sketchy reviews, length of warranty, whether it be of value or not, gives some idea of the manufacturers confidence in their product.
Happy hunting
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Skibane
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 11/09/2005
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wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Best to worst.
Airstream, Outdoors RV, Lance, Grand Design, Winnebago, K-Z, Jayco, Coachmen
I would rank Oliver, Escape, Bigfoot, Casita, and Arctic Fox above any of the brands you listed, except for Outdoors RV.
Notably, all 5 of these brands (along with Outdoors RV) are not owned by the big RV conglomerates (Thor Industries, Forest River, Winnebago Industries or REV Group). Most of them are sold directly from the factory, or rarely found at dealerships.
* This post was
edited 03/25/22 01:13am by Skibane *
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b17drvr
Houston
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New or used, have the RV inspected by a NRVIA Inspector prior to purchase. After you have your list of everything that needs to be fixed, have the dealer fix it before you take possession. Once you take it they will be in no hurry to fix it.
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wanderingaimlessly
Kerr Reservoir
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Skibane wrote:wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Best to worst.
Airstream, Outdoors RV, Lance, Grand Design, Winnebago, K-Z, Jayco, Coachmen
I would rank Oliver, Escape, Bigfoot, Casita, and Arctic Fox above any of the brands you listed, except for Outdoors RV.
Notably, all 5 of these brands (along with Outdoors RV) are not owned by the big RV conglomerates (Thor Industries, Forest River, Winnebago Industries or REV Group). Most of them are sold directly from the factory, or rarely found at dealerships.
Skibane, thats why I said considering you are in Georgia those brands are hard to find and have very few dealers along the east coast.
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GrandpaKip
Flat Rock
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philh wrote:All RV's are POS. Some more so than others.
Mine isn’t. Sorry yours is.
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch
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Vintage465
Prunedale CA.
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Joined: 05/02/2015
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Skibane wrote:wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Best to worst.
Airstream, Outdoors RV, Lance, Grand Design, Winnebago, K-Z, Jayco, Coachmen
I would rank Oliver, Escape, Bigfoot, Casita, and Arctic Fox above any of the brands you listed, except for Outdoors RV.
Notably, all 5 of these brands (along with Outdoors RV) are not owned by the big RV conglomerates (Thor Industries, Forest River, Winnebago Industries or REV Group). Most of them are sold directly from the factory, or rarely found at dealerships.
I'd run with this list. I'm an Outdoors RV Mfg.(ORV)fan. And I'd agreee with a previous poster that stated about the consumer reports being fine and still won't make a difference because many manufacturers don't have the same employees week to week. So it's pretty hard to nail it all down to one is best. There are a bunch of them that are better and a bunch of them that I don't even know they can sell their junk. I do think Airstream is prolly the best. But they're crazy expensive and really only fit the "RV Resort" lifestyle. Then prolly just up to you between ORV, Arctic Fox, Lance, Casita, Escape and Bigfoot.
V-465
2013 GMC 2500HD Duramax Denali. 2015 CreekSide 20fq w/450 watts solar and 465 amp/hour of batteries. Retired and living the dream!
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