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.

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

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 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