OK, Steve.

I've reviewed all of your posts and in view of things, I'd have to say that they are all good.

As an afterthought, are you still "operating" Cole Dale Beach "caravan" camp?

Terry

We have been thru the research & are waiting to get our Trilogy ($75-100k) in 30 days! We found that it offered most of what we were looking for in a fulltimer rig.

Learning from the Dreamers, and a lot of soul-searching for preferences of how we "think" we will be fulltiming, plus the cost factors ALL played a role in our decision to get the Trilogy.

The number one factor I found ~ which relates to why we want to fulltime in the first place ~ is what will be conducive to your enjoyment living your days fulltiming. It usually isn't the "stuff" in an RV.

So go with your gut & your heart....and a residential fridge- just sayin...

Let us know what you get.

LIKENIT wrote:

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I agree 100% with Neil & Connie and have toured the factory, plus they are a Christain family with convictions about honesty and doing the right thing.  My next choice would be Peterson's Exel or NUWA products, but NUWA has been in and out of producing 5th wheels.  So many of the quality high end 5th wheels have shut down because the consumer has bought into the glitz of some of the new 5th wheels and with lower much lower prices.  The old adage, you get what you pay for hasn't changed unless you have paid too much.  I purchased two 5th wheels new and both were at 70% of suggested retail.  I would never trade for a new rig as that really clouds the transaction.  Because manufacturers have labeled their products as being full time rigs does not equate to being built well enough to stand up to full time use.  There are many new names in the market and many old quality established names that have closed like Travel Supreme, Carriage, King of the Road, Newmar 5th wheels to name some.
I would personally stay away from Keystone, Forrest River, Thor, Dutchman, Heartland and Fleetwood products in my selection process unless you plan to trade for a newer one every few years.  Just my two cents, but I started RV life in 1960, researched them in depth from 1993 through 2007, when I purchased my last trailer and do not presently intend to buy another.  If I was looking at buying another, I would look closely at what it might take to refurbish my present trailer with the updates I would like vs a new purchase.  Depreciation with RV's is the downside of RV life.  There are several newer names on the market since 2007 that I can not comment on if they are not made by the above mentioned manufacturers.

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 And why those units?  I have looked at a Redwood, made by Thor.  And it looks like a GREAT unit.

Looks can be very deceiving and I would compare price of similar size and feature units with the price of units with the excellent reputations and customer support.  If there is a considerable difference it is coming from somewhere.  Over the years I have just developed my list of manufacturers I don't feel comfortable with.  That came about through talking with owners, visiting owner forums and walking through units.  I have walked through the Redwoods and found them very attractive and can see their appeal.  One of my tests is how steady and solid do the steps feel as you enter the trailer.  That test will tell a lot about the overall strutural quality.  Look closely behind what is openly visible.  Thor is a huge company and from what I have heard does not have the greatest reputation for quality or standing behind their products.
I liked this resource but have not used it for some years.  http://www.rvreviews.net/?gclid=CJ_zm_Xe4bgCFe9aMgodYEQAFQ

LIKENIT wrote:

I would personally stay away from Keystone, Forrest River, Thor, Dutchman, Heartland and Fleetwood products in my selection process unless you plan to trade for a newer one every few years.  

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 I guess I could buy an 8-10 year old New Horizons/DRV/Forks, etc, etc, that would fit our budget but we're talking about 'new' units here...or at least that's the way the thread started.  So, I guess what you're sayin' is that if we can't afford one of the uber quality units we should just stay home??

The philosophy I've always heard on this forum is "there's no 'right' way to do it, just do it".  The thread does say "Best Fifth Wheels..." so to state your opinion of the best is one thing, but to put down the rest is to alienate a large portion of the fifth wheel owners on this forum who own these units, love them, are perfectly happy with them, and would buy them again.

When we get ready to go to the RV restaurant I'll peruse the menu.  I'm sure I would really like to have the filet mignon but I'll get the chicken, like it, and be happy.

Just my two cents.

Vance

Vance, very good words, that's the best two cents I've heard all day. We have a 2010 Keystone Everest 5th wheel and are very happy with our chicken, because it taste like chicken doesn't mean we can't have filet mignon later, just my two cents.

Lonney

I'm with you, Vance... To tell us to stay away from the largest manufactures of RVs would price most people out of the full-timing lifestyle, not to mention those who want to do it in addition to a sticks & bricks. If uber models are the "best," why are BMWs & Mercedes' in the shop as much as other cars?

When DW & I make our purchase, our new home will undoubtedly have a malfunction or two but, as others here will attest, price of the unit does not guarantee smooth sailing. Just sayin'!

Another unit to consider is the new Holiday Rambler Presidential fifth wheel. For 2014, they are building a true fulltimers unit. check it out at the following link: http://www.holidayrambler.com/holidayrambler/products/presidential.html

At one time this resource, or a forerunner, was considered the Bible of RV evaluations by many.  It was also available at libraies.  http://www.rv.org/

This is another one available.  http://www.rvreviews.net/youtube-video/

Often people that seemed to agree with it's reports raved about it and those that disagreed weren't impressed.

From what I've heard about RV.org from someone who worked with a manufacturer that "subscribed" with them, RV.org would give a good review if the manufacturer subscribed and followed their recommendations.  I was told that the RV.org folks would go to the factory and then insist that the manufacturer pay for their hotel bills and such.

On the other hand, if a company chose not to "subscribe" with them, they got a lower rating.  From what I've heard from businessmen, that is similar to what the Better Business Bureau does as well.  "Be a member" and you get a good rating....don't and your rating would be low.

And to be truthful, I've had experiences that indicates that Consumer Reports have issues as well.  I used to work as a manager for a "national major retail chain" in electronics.  Folks would come to us wanting a particular product that was recently reviewed in CR.  Imagine their surprise when we told them that the particular model they wanted had been discontinued for over a year.  CR's reviews were slow in being published.  So, I've seldom paid much attention to rating services.

It is kind of like truck dealerships touting a truck's "tow rating," when most everyone knows that the tow rating is always high.  Our Ford F450 has a tow rating (2008 model) of 24,600 lbs.  I can guarantee that if I was to tow a trailer that heavy, I would likely be overweight on GCVW and GAWR as well.

Terry

Bill,

All I can say is that my opinion is based on what I stated in the first paragraph.  "Someone" who worked at one of the manufacturers that "subscribed" to RV.org told me of this.  That person has asked that their name not be stated, and I respect their wishes.  However, I have no reason to believe that this person is lying to me.

Also, I won't reveal the name of the manufacturer for whom they worked because that revelation would really irritate some on this forum.  That is not to take away from the quality of the product of that manufacturer, as it is of good quality.  It's just that the "ratings" given for that manufacturer "may not" be wholly based on the true merits of their construction and service.

Terry

Jack,

I'm not discounting RV.org's data.  It is just the "rating" of a brand that seems to be affected by the above described practices.  That is why I made my comparisons with the BBB and Consumer Reports.  Sometimes their "data" is not in question, but if one has to "subscribe" and support the rating company/association in order to get a good "rating," that is where I have issues.

Terry

No, it is not the RVIA and I know what I am talking about. I would never, ever pay any attention to what the organization had to say. It is a business and I just don't agree with the way it works. In addition to what Terry states, we have owned 8 RVs spent 4 years living full-time in RV parks (30 years of RVing) and I talk to everyone who will make eye contact and I just don't agree with the "opinions" of many of the manufacturers and think they are not relevant to many of the RVers. I don't need to subscribe to a service that tells me that a $150,000 unit is better than a $20,000 unit. Again, it is a business. Actually, I used to think the RVIA wasn't of that much value until I started looking at the problems of the units that didn't carry the seal, things which, following the guidance of the RVIA would not have come up and some serious stuff in some cases especially with newer manufacturers that didn't appear to have a clue or just didn't give a darn.

I won't go into specifics about rv.org and as Terry said, the manufacturer was solid so the high rating was deserved but................

And, my experience with the BBB has never been worthwhile.  Now, if you contact the state attorney general or make mention that you are planning to do that..............

I came back to clarify after some thought.  To a smaller RV manufacturer,  the 5 star rating can mean a lot while to a larger one, they don't care one way or another because they are selling units.  The larger manufacturer won't take the time or interest in having someone bother them with their "system" so without really entering a facility and talking with them, the appraisal is weakened.  Now, the smaller manufacturer can take the time and listen to suggestions, etc. and has a keen interest in getting the 5 star rating.  While it can be well deserved, where I see an issue is where that manufacturer becomes a member, paying dues, buying literature, making donations, paying expenses or in doing anything that might bias the person doing the rating.  To me, there is too much room for favoritism.  That may or may not be shown but, frankly, from the experiences I have had, I don't trust many people these days. 

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Friday 30th of August 2013 01:29:37 PM