NO - I am not a sales rep ... just a believer (and user) of their products.
I see so many posts about different RV brands, and we often get asked by others too, WHAT BRAND is BEST?
There isn't 1 BEST, but there are so many that shouldn't be manufactured, and quite a few that are well-rated. Each brand has it's fans and haters. So, how does one choose a good-quality rig?
RV.ORG was started years ago by JD Gallant who worked as an adjuster in the RV insurance industry. He doesn't take advertising from the manufacturers, so is not partial to any one brand. He has first hand knowledge of many of the owners, presidents and engineers that give an insiders view to those of us searching for hard facts.
What I really like about the programs (both trailers and motorhomes) is that I can see what the current price should be as well as it's safety issues and customer service reviews.
Or ... I can see is it is a 3-star or 4.5 star RV quickly ... just depends on how much reading I care to do.
Either way, it's WELL worth the membership fee if you are SERIOUS about finding a good-quality RV to spend your hard-earned money on. He won't even list soome models because they are so poor, he wouldn't recommend them to anyone ..... yet these models are still being manufactured, and worse yet SOLD to unsuspecting buyers!
Again, No, I am NOT a sales rep - just a believer! We have both memberships while we search for our 3rd RV to full-time in.
jholderbaum said
05:54 PM Mar 21, 2013
Just bought this Product. I found it to be dated. Descriptions as much as 3-4 years old. I bought it looking for reveiews on a couple of specific models/styes of motor homes. The first, which admittitly is a small-custom maker, was listed as a brond/model they reviewed. Powerhouse Coach The Second was Entegra Coach, a very popular brand as far as I can tell for Full-Timers.
The first, they had never actually laid eyes upon and even listed the wrong chassis type as the basic foundation, this coud easily hjave been learned by just looking at the manufacturer's website.
The Second, they had not looked at since pre 2010, saying they 'will have to see' when one of them comes out. I find this highly suspect, borderline scam. They may have once had good data, but it looks like they are just selling a over-priced, un-updated database that is ineffectual, and no help at all for helping me make the decision on the few brands I was interested in.
I also looked at their 'Non-Profit" statement listed in the about me section, and it shows 2009 as their filing year. I happen to know a VERY good CPA with her Masters in Taxation... And if I tell her I spent $140 on this CD that is dated and useless, I'll probably be spending a few nights on the couch....
waltben said
06:31 PM Mar 21, 2013
I bought first the motor home version (found it very informative and well thought out), but then LOML changed her mind about what she wanted to a 5er. Fortunately they have a discounted version of the other half (towables), so I got that as well and I'm now familiar with both versions. We've settled on a used '10 Montana (the brand isn't well rated, but we conducted a full inspection as Galant recommends) and got it at a good price from a dealer who took our old travel trailer also at a good price. We were able to do this partly because of the tips and recommendations that come with the membership package.
As to the ratings; for older brands and models, I think they've a lot to give. There's owner's comments as well as walkthrough info that's useful. There is a lot of cut and paste from model to model by the same manufacturer though. One thing I don't like are how they down rate newer brands rather than just say there isn't enough info. Another is that the database interface can be a bit cumbersome (I've too many years in IT and know what things can be like!).
The previous comment about the info being dated I don't believe is fair. They gather input from owners and that means it will always not be new. The real value is for those not wanting to buy new because you can find out what happened to those that did as well as those who've owned a particular model for a while. On top of that there's negotiating tips and inspection what to look for things - the stuff anyone wanting to sink $50k or more into a home on wheels should REALLY be looking at rather than the floorplan and colors.
I believe anyone thinking of spending significant money without being an educated consumer is asking to be taken to the cleaners. RV.ORG is worth it.
Terry and Jo said
07:21 PM Mar 21, 2013
I've addressed this in another post, which I don't have time to look for right now because I'm at work on on break, but with ANY rating service, take the information with a grain of salt.
I've personally seen dated information with Consumer Reports and I've seen comments by others that had personal experience with both the Better Business Bureau and RV.org. In those comments, a lot of the rating that a business got was based on how "cooperative" the business was with the rating service.
Terry
jholderbaum said
08:24 PM Mar 21, 2013
My real point is that they advertise their ratings like they know, and have handled the brands. It was only after I purchased the product, then looked up the brands, and the models in question did I find they had not even updated their information from YEARS, despite having thise brands listed as current 2013/2012.
I feel like I was taken to the cleaners, and I havn't even purchased a RV yet. Mind you, I have spent well more than that on books, research, gas, etc, just to get this far. SO I oculd say "Whats another $150?" But thats enough to fill my DW's car three times with Gas.
Jess
jholderbaum said
01:07 PM Mar 22, 2013
The folks at rv.org got back to my email that (nicely) expressed my displeasure. They issued me a full refund, and I deleted the software from my PC. I have to say they responded faster than most any other software company I have dealt with (as a IT consultant, I have dealt with many). I honestly did not expect a full refund, nor did I ask for one, but it was issued anyway.
While I did not find what I was looking for, in the end I also did not pay, so it is all a wash.
Jess
SnowGypsy said
02:05 PM Mar 28, 2013
I was actually at an RV manufacturer when J D Gallant came through. After experiencing that and reviewing his materials, I would not use them. Keep in mind that this RV rating service is a business and all that would entail because he has expenses that have to be covered just like any other business. We have had 8 RVs over a span of about 25 years of varying types and quality and spent over 8 years in RV/Mobile Home Parks on a full-time basis. It was my understanding that most of the larger RV manufacturer don't really give the "service" the time of day so access is limited in those cases. I actually don't need someone to tell me that a $30,000 trailer isn't as good as a $75,000 trailer and I disagreed with a lot of ideas of "value". When you look at a term of say 12 to 15 years on a unit and look at a high price tag, during that time, you will be replacing tires, refrigerators, etc. etc. etc. We actually bought a cheaper trailer because we could replace it 3 times and have all new appliances, etc. for the price of the higher priced trailers. Also, the used market is loaded down with older trailers, especially 5th wheels, so the resale value is plummeting on those which is for some people a factor. Best bet is to talk to others, view used units of the manufacturers you are interested in to see how they hold up, do your own research online and don't get lost in the fancy decor which I find a lot of people do.
jayc said
01:38 PM Mar 30, 2013
I've always recommended that people go to shows to look and compare. The Internet is a great tool to find information but you cannot actually look at a unit. Talk to other owners of the brand(s) that they are interested in. Some of the manufacturers have an owners forum that you can get a lot of information from.
jholderbaum said
02:28 PM Mar 30, 2013
I would love to do that Jayc, but considering the 'type' of rig i am looking for (Class-8 Conversion), and where we currently live, I have to narrow it down as far as I can "remotely". I am starting to think I should go to Elkhart (My mothers side of the family lives in Indiana anyway) for a week and tour the builders in that area. The rigs are not terribly common, so there is a lack of overall information available. I guess I could go to a Nascar race and check out the infield, but I am still recovering from my 5th leg surgery, and my DW is in the middle of Tax season. I thought buying thr rv.org product would help, since I saw a few of the manufactuers actually listed as being reviewed. It ended up that their information was dated, or in the case of powerhouse coach, completely wrong (powerhouse builds on Volvo Chassis, not Frieghtliner). In the case of Entegra Motorcoaches, they are still stuck in saying it was just purchased by Jayco from being travel Supreme, but no coaches have been relesed yet. That is,m of course, after I clicked on a 2012 Entegra Aspire they had supposeably reveiwed. I can understand It could be a initial resource when just starting your fact-finding, but when you need the detailed model-by-model information, it is severly lacking.
Jess
jayc said
04:46 PM Apr 1, 2013
Sorry, I didn't understand what you were looking for. That being said, some of the larger shows, Louisville KY, Tampa FL, Heshey PA, offer some of the units so you could compare them. Your idea of going to Elkhart is a good one though. Go to the factories and look at the construction.
We will to go to Elkhart for a month or so this summer for a couple of rallies, which will include a factory tour of the Heartland factory there.
JayKim-no regrets said
06:05 PM Apr 1, 2013
I paid for the RV.org membership when I first started researching RV's, To be honest, I agree with Jess, I didn't really find much useful info for someone that hadn't had much experience in buying an RV (me)
I also felt like I had wasted $150 of our hard earned money, never thought to send an email to the site owners, wish I had!
NO - I am not a sales rep ... just a believer (and user) of their products.
I see so many posts about different RV brands, and we often get asked by others too, WHAT BRAND is BEST?
There isn't 1 BEST, but there are so many that shouldn't be manufactured, and quite a few that are well-rated. Each brand has it's fans and haters. So, how does one choose a good-quality rig?
RV.ORG was started years ago by JD Gallant who worked as an adjuster in the RV insurance industry. He doesn't take advertising from the manufacturers, so is not partial to any one brand. He has first hand knowledge of many of the owners, presidents and engineers that give an insiders view to those of us searching for hard facts.
What I really like about the programs (both trailers and motorhomes) is that I can see what the current price should be as well as it's safety issues and customer service reviews.
Or ... I can see is it is a 3-star or 4.5 star RV quickly ... just depends on how much reading I care to do.
Either way, it's WELL worth the membership fee if you are SERIOUS about finding a good-quality RV to spend your hard-earned money on. He won't even list soome models because they are so poor, he wouldn't recommend them to anyone ..... yet these models are still being manufactured, and worse yet SOLD to unsuspecting buyers!
Again, No, I am NOT a sales rep - just a believer! We have both memberships while we search for our 3rd RV to full-time in.
The first, which admittitly is a small-custom maker, was listed as a brond/model they reviewed. Powerhouse Coach
The Second was Entegra Coach, a very popular brand as far as I can tell for Full-Timers.
The first, they had never actually laid eyes upon and even listed the wrong chassis type as the basic foundation, this coud easily hjave been learned by just looking at the manufacturer's website.
The Second, they had not looked at since pre 2010, saying they 'will have to see' when one of them comes out. I find this highly suspect, borderline scam. They may have once had good data, but it looks like they are just selling a over-priced, un-updated database that is ineffectual, and no help at all for helping me make the decision on the few brands I was interested in.
I also looked at their 'Non-Profit" statement listed in the about me section, and it shows 2009 as their filing year. I happen to know a VERY good CPA with her Masters in Taxation... And if I tell her I spent $140 on this CD that is dated and useless, I'll probably be spending a few nights on the couch....
I bought first the motor home version (found it very informative and well thought out), but then LOML changed her mind about what she wanted to a 5er. Fortunately they have a discounted version of the other half (towables), so I got that as well and I'm now familiar with both versions. We've settled on a used '10 Montana (the brand isn't well rated, but we conducted a full inspection as Galant recommends) and got it at a good price from a dealer who took our old travel trailer also at a good price. We were able to do this partly because of the tips and recommendations that come with the membership package.
As to the ratings; for older brands and models, I think they've a lot to give. There's owner's comments as well as walkthrough info that's useful. There is a lot of cut and paste from model to model by the same manufacturer though. One thing I don't like are how they down rate newer brands rather than just say there isn't enough info. Another is that the database interface can be a bit cumbersome (I've too many years in IT and know what things can be like!).
The previous comment about the info being dated I don't believe is fair. They gather input from owners and that means it will always not be new. The real value is for those not wanting to buy new because you can find out what happened to those that did as well as those who've owned a particular model for a while. On top of that there's negotiating tips and inspection what to look for things - the stuff anyone wanting to sink $50k or more into a home on wheels should REALLY be looking at rather than the floorplan and colors.
I believe anyone thinking of spending significant money without being an educated consumer is asking to be taken to the cleaners. RV.ORG is worth it.
I've addressed this in another post, which I don't have time to look for right now because I'm at work on on break, but with ANY rating service, take the information with a grain of salt.
I've personally seen dated information with Consumer Reports and I've seen comments by others that had personal experience with both the Better Business Bureau and RV.org. In those comments, a lot of the rating that a business got was based on how "cooperative" the business was with the rating service.
Terry
I feel like I was taken to the cleaners, and I havn't even purchased a RV yet. Mind you, I have spent well more than that on books, research, gas, etc, just to get this far. SO I oculd say "Whats another $150?" But thats enough to fill my DW's car three times with Gas.
Jess
While I did not find what I was looking for, in the end I also did not pay, so it is all a wash.
Jess
I was actually at an RV manufacturer when J D Gallant came through. After experiencing that and reviewing his materials, I would not use them. Keep in mind that this RV rating service is a business and all that would entail because he has expenses that have to be covered just like any other business. We have had 8 RVs over a span of about 25 years of varying types and quality and spent over 8 years in RV/Mobile Home Parks on a full-time basis. It was my understanding that most of the larger RV manufacturer don't really give the "service" the time of day so access is limited in those cases. I actually don't need someone to tell me that a $30,000 trailer isn't as good as a $75,000 trailer and I disagreed with a lot of ideas of "value". When you look at a term of say 12 to 15 years on a unit and look at a high price tag, during that time, you will be replacing tires, refrigerators, etc. etc. etc. We actually bought a cheaper trailer because we could replace it 3 times and have all new appliances, etc. for the price of the higher priced trailers. Also, the used market is loaded down with older trailers, especially 5th wheels, so the resale value is plummeting on those which is for some people a factor. Best bet is to talk to others, view used units of the manufacturers you are interested in to see how they hold up, do your own research online and don't get lost in the fancy decor which I find a lot of people do.
I thought buying thr rv.org product would help, since I saw a few of the manufactuers actually listed as being reviewed. It ended up that their information was dated, or in the case of powerhouse coach, completely wrong (powerhouse builds on Volvo Chassis, not Frieghtliner). In the case of Entegra Motorcoaches, they are still stuck in saying it was just purchased by Jayco from being travel Supreme, but no coaches have been relesed yet. That is,m of course, after I clicked on a 2012 Entegra Aspire they had supposeably reveiwed.
I can understand It could be a initial resource when just starting your fact-finding, but when you need the detailed model-by-model information, it is severly lacking.
Jess
We will to go to Elkhart for a month or so this summer for a couple of rallies, which will include a factory tour of the Heartland factory there.
I also felt like I had wasted $150 of our hard earned money, never thought to send an email to the site owners, wish I had!