Great job on this video if Big Truck Big RV. This is why I appreciate your videos. Because you aren't partial to any specific brands, your honest, up front and straight forward. I got a set of Sailun tires and looking at a Henderson Ultimate Hitch. Can't get the dually I would like to get yet.

@Milesco

7 жыл бұрын

Did you mean _Anderson_ Ultimate Hitch?

@ricwestdoesitwork

7 жыл бұрын

Yes I did mean Anderson.

@ricwestdoesitwork

7 жыл бұрын

Captain Quirk Yes I did mean Anderson.

@toyota420xp

3 жыл бұрын

What about airstream being owned by thor

My suggestions for RV mfgs: 1) Utilize Air Suspension on all units. This will minimize vibration during travel. 2) Please use painted/clear coat surfaces in lieu of decals which fade and come off. 4) Quality metal pluming fixtures instead of plastic. 5) less staples and more screws. Staples comes out and pieces fall off. 6) Better grade of tires out of the factory. A major safety issue. 7) Proper wall anchors when applicable. Wood screws in Lewan does not hold. 8) Please apply Underbelly correctly so it does not fall off. 9) If equipped, make sure rear ladders are securely attached and feel solid when climbing. 10) Better designed seams that do not require re-caulk every year to prevent leaks. These are just a few suggestions that would make the RV experience much more pleasurable.

Agree with everything you said in this video. Well said. Having called on RV builders and having seen how units are built and the pride that the employees take in building the units, I agree that while its not the units manufacturers intent to put out a unit with problems, it happens. Repairs are inevitable. Its part of the RV life! Have fun.

His comment about the different RV manufactures is right, they force the employees to rush through the assembly process and because of that, quality and fit and finish is degraded. I have toured a few different RV manufacturers and they employees have no pride of workmanship because they are pushed so hard. This is why I bought a used travel trailer. It already went through all the issues and the problems were fixed. We just maintain it and make sure that if something does go wrong, we fix it immediately. The advice of having tools, consumable parts and the ability to make repairs is very good. I have made a repair along the freeway, I have replaced the lower front portion of the siding myself, I have fixed water leaks, and now I have a issue with the water pump. I had and will have no problems tackling repairs. Go through the RV very thoroughly. Demand the dealer connects it to shore power and water with propane in the tank. Test all the plumbing several times, test all electronics and test all mechanical components. Test the propane operated appliances, heather and water heater. If you can, with a hose soak the roof and go and and look for leaks. Spend several hours going though it and making a list of things that needs to be fixed, or use that as a negotiation tool to lower the price significantly. If things are to be fixed as part of a condition of sale, at pickup, go and double check those items. Never take a dealers word that something was done "right." This series is a very good series about buying an RV.

@jameswells9749

6 жыл бұрын

sgj4aj you need your own KZread channel, I would definitely listen to what you have to say. Thank you

@HardKnoxU

5 жыл бұрын

Having worked in and around the RV industry for over two decades I can tell you there is a big difference in manufacturers and they basically fall into three categories. Slapped together (Most cheaper end end models Forest River, many of their production sites hire unskilled labor. They tool up crank out 1000's of trailers then lay everyone off. Their materials are off the shelf and the cheapest there is. Subsequently most trainers are poorly made) Second is the high end production units mostly by Keystone and as mentioned in the video Grand Design. Custom in house cabinets (On some models) customized frames for specific floor models, and employees that are generational, and a much higher attention to detail and innovation. Lastly, the boutique suppliers (Airstream, Oliver and others). Honorable mention can go to Jayco, they are a step above Forest River, but not as good as Keystone.

@spalace7919

5 жыл бұрын

@@HardKnoxU what is your opinion on Torque by Heartland toy haulers?

One thing I tell people about RV's, be gentle! It's not built like a house. Do not slam doors and cabinets, don't push or bang on the walls. Be careful with fixtures, doors, latches etc. I trained my kids when they were young to be careful. I laugh when I see people dragging their trailer down a dirt road at 50 MPH, all I can think is that thing will not last long!

This is by far the best video I've seen discussing the quality/brand issues with RVs.

Love this. No ummms or sentence fillers. You know your stuff.

When you decide on that RV for you and you purchase from a dealer, you need to make the sale with setting the RV up on the dealers lot, plug it in and use it for a short time. This will at least give you some idea that all the systems are working, no leaks, no electrical problems, etc. Most dealers are willing to accommodate the buyer with this option.

In the west, consider an Arctic Fox trailer or Fifth-wheel. As our seventh RV/trailer, it's by far the best built and finished we've owned. Tows beautifully. Insulation for both heat & cold is outstanding.

Scrolling through the comments I've seen that many people do not want to drop names on poor quality. Calling out poor craftsmanship is the ONLY reprocussion against these manufacturers or dealers. CALL 'EM OUT!

I used to work for an RV manufacturing company, Used to do paint & bodywork. But these places are filled with drugs, start at 5am and do not care about Quality only Quantity. They push for things to be done as fast as possible.

Thanks, logical and informative. We have a friend who is a dealer outside of Denver. He was telling us that they had carried a brand for a long time but recently found out that the workers were being paid a bonus when the build completed early! He knew that there was a good chance the quality would suffer. Sure enough as time went forward the problems began to multiply, so they stopped carrying that brand. I will not mention the brand since there may be many out there that have it. So this was a decision of a dealer that knew that profits were more important than quality. We have yet to decide on our pick but have narrowed it to a couple. I am a retired electrical contractor so I am very particular about all the systems and the quality associated with those systems. We were at a dealer down in Katy and my wife and I were looking at a model and I noticed some galvanized piping that was really rusted. I asked the salesman what that pipe was for, and he said it was the for the slides. Well, NOT! It was propane. So please be careful, learn what you can as it can be a real plus when making the final decision.

@cherylpoole8109

5 жыл бұрын

Bob Ginn I just read your post & seeing a year has passed am very curious what your final selection was. Your expertise gives your selection a much higher rating in my books. Thanks

@overbuiltlimited

2 жыл бұрын

You should have listed the brand to help others that are in the market. Strange that you would take the time to write a long comment and leave the most important information out.

I've had two Open Range Roamers one a TT and the latest a 5th wheel. Two year warranty was a big selling point yes I have had a few issuer but OpenRange fixed them at do cost to me. Being 100" wide with 42" slides makes a tremendous difference in the interior room. My 34' fifth wheel has over 350 sq feet of living space with tons of storage. One of my favorite thing is my washer dryer combo as well as dual ducted AC units.

This is the most expansive and articulate explanation I have seen so far regarding the "whats the best brand" question in all the forums. Thank you, now to go spread this link far and wide...

Honest and to the point. All brands can have issues. Just pray you have less than others. Made by man, and man is not perfect.

I bought a blue bird wanderlodge, no regrets, no issues, no leaks , built like an army tank... the bus will outlive me !

Northwood Manufacturing produces a high Quality product because they are not mass produced. We have a 2017 Northwood Nash 24M and are extremely happy!

Just purchased a 2019 23FB Airstream and have had it parked along the coast throughout this winter. There have been torrential monsoon rains, high winds and what not. Not a single leak or mechanical issues. (Knock on wood) Having said that it's certainly snug for three but the quality can't be denied which is what I was hoping for. I'm not to mechanically inclined so was willing to pay for quality or maybe I should say perceived quality up front for less hassle down the road. So far so good. Another factor in my decision to go with AS is it's nation wide network, history and knowledge base of the trailer because it's not always a "New & Improved" model. It's been relatively the same all these years so no surprises. There is that saying: "We are to poor to buy cheap". That's why I have a Toyota too. 250k miles and not a single problem. Phew.

You are a breath of fresh air and so honest about your FACTS. Thank you. I am about to go hunt for a camper, retired, and on a fixed income so I needed all this information. I am taking notes with me when I hope shopping.

No matter which brand or model you would have suggested someone would have had a problem with it.

@chriskriaris2671

4 жыл бұрын

NO YOUR WRONG I DONT

Very good friend of mine who has decades of experience with administration of Rv damage claims. Two brands at the top of his quality lists...Drv and Tiffin.

Excellent video, very well explained. I work in Aerospace manufacturing, been there for 32 years. Quality is absolute in what we build because it tends to be a safety of flight part. That said, ANYTHING, mass produced can turn out a POS. Thanks for explaining what I have been saying for years. Ive been a loyal Ford buyer for years, have I had problems? Yes! It happens. I have also had vehicles that have gone more than 100K and never seen the dealer for a quality issue.

You are right. Case in point is Lippert Components Inc. They made a ton of stuff on these campers. Everything from slides, axles, chassis, doors, windows, etc. Many issues can be traced, not to the RV manufacturer, but to component suppliers like Lippert. Although RV owners still have issues, my opinion is that quality is improving, albeit slowly. The other elephant in the room is the deplorable conditions of the roads we travel over with these units. Last trip I made, some of the roads were so bad, I commented to my spouse that, when I unhitch the camper, it may fall apart into pieces. I'm amazed the campers can withstand the treatment of the roads we pull them over and still stay together as well as they do.

@sheepdog9658

7 жыл бұрын

Joes Wishful the

Having worked in and around the RV industry for over two decades I can tell you there is a big difference in manufacturers and they basically fall into three categories. Slapped together (Most cheaper end end models Forest River, many of their production sites hire unskilled labor. They tool up crank out 1000's of trailers then lay everyone off. Their materials are off the shelf and the cheapest there is. Subsequently most trainers are poorly made) Second is the high end production units mostly by Keystone and as mentioned in the video Grand Design. Custom in house cabinets (On some models) customized frames for specific floor models, and employees that are generational, and a much higher attention to detail and innovation. Lastly, the boutique suppliers (Airstream, Oliver and others). Honorable mention can go to Jayco, they are a step above Forest River, but not as good as Keystone.

Great video! Point well made on PDI at Grand Design, I have owned two Jayco's and had limited problems. The key is picking a dealer who will support your warranty work, and after buying plan on staying close to dealer at a campground for a few weeks and test out every component.

Nice job on this video. As we're not yet prepared to jump into RVing, this is the type of video that I'll bookmark and come back to - when it's time. Thank you.

You forgot to mention Nuwa Hitchhiker 5th wheels. They are built in my home state of Kansas in a town called Chanute.

Vanleigh RV should be on everyone's 5th wheel list. Started by Van Tiffen & Leigh Tiffen (thus VanLeigh) in 2015, they are putting out a quality product. NOT owned by Thor or Forest River but rather one of the few independent, family owned RV manufacturers out there. Van is the son of Bob Tiffen who is responsible for the well-regarded class A Tiffen Motorcoaches. They currently have just 4 floorplans but I've been in 3 of them and was impressed, to say the least.

Excellent advise! You have given the best points to understand before you buy! I always had lengths of hose and hose clamps at hand and let me tell you there were countless times I used them to make our camper as well as others at a camp ground! Always be prepared!

I very happy with my keystone Laredo 280 RV. Great quality and no problems

You are 100 % correct in this video. I sold RVs for a big dealer and we had about 6 different manufacturers. I always found that fit and finish and general build quality was unit specific more than brand specific. It truly depends on the people and material that was used at the time of construction. We had units come in with every screw in the unit stripped. Inside panels that had a butt joint in an unattractive section and real poor fit and finish. A week later the same model comes in with no issues. You really have to go over any unit you buy and try to find an RV dealer with a good reputation with after sale service.

We bought a Heartland Wilderness new this year and it is very well done. Solid walls and top and bottom. standard maintenance for the outside, I can see. Like the videos keep rocking.

Very good down to earth assessment of the RV owners life. Listing supplies, tools to fix 99% of the issues is good basic advice. Generally , there is a wealth of advice available in any RV park. I have always found folks with a helpful attitude and good advice. Bringing your unit back to the dealer is the first step in a frustrating process. Thank you.

Good advice. We're on our third travel trailer, an Aerolite 25' 1998 model we bought new for $10,000. This thing has been a good one! Made by Thor, same as Airstream. Our favorite was our 1978 Midas 27' that we lived in about a year. Wish we still had that one! Loved everything about it. Never owned one with slides, don't like them, but will probably wind up with a slide one day, because that's about all they make!

This is why we like your videos. Honest and very helpful. Thanks keep it up!

Great video again, Mr. BTBRV. Our new custom 5th wheel has been back at the dealership for close to 5 months after our first trip in March, when after, we discovered 22 issues which needed addressing, all covered under warranty. One step further than you stated, we are a customer of the dealership, the dealership is a customer of the RV manufacturer, and further, the RV manufacturer is a customer of the manufacturer of the individual components the RV manufacturer purchases to install in their RVs. One of the seats in our power reclining theater seating console has a bad control panel. The theater seating manufacturer wants to see pictures and proof that the control panel is indeed not operating properly. My advice is to be the squeaky wheel and call the dealership regularly for updates. Keep your particular RV in the front of their minds. If you don't check in regularly, they will work on other RVs with constantly contacting customers, regardless of when you took it in for repair work. Hope this helps some of your viewers. Thank you.

i seriously don't understand how and why people disliked this video. It was brief and to the point. Good job!

Livinlite (aluminum), Arctic fox and all their lower brands, like fox mnt, Nash, Grand design, airstream are just the few that come to the top of my head. When you buy cheap cough cough Jayco you usually get what you pay for.

Spoken like a true politician..LOL..The old saying is true..mostly you get what you pay for and if anything can go wrong it will. A well made point about being able to fix things on your own.

As I prepare to eventually enter the RV travel world, I appreciate so many of your educational videos. I found the one about tires especially informative. However, while surely most of your viewers are looking at larger trucks and trailers for families, I'm a single gal whose needs are simpler and smaller. I have zero mechanical training, so I have to learn fix-it stuff as I'll be on my own. I want a smaller Rv without a slide, but one that can be pulled by my Dodge Ram 1500. There are more and more single people hitting the road, so maybe you can keep us in mind once in a while in your videos. I would get, in a heartbeat, an Outdoors RV Manufacturing Black Rock 17 or 18b if my budget would allow. I believe their trailers are very well built and worth considering. But perhaps it's going to be a used Oliver for me. I need something reliable and under 20'. Thanks for your vids!

I'll say it... Open Road, Lance & Airstream...They hold their value and with Open Road & Lance you get sealed underbody & almost 4 season camping for we northerners who do camp in the winter. For the pop ups, I like the A Liner and Rockcrest A Frame. Check them out!

@ronseidel4244

7 жыл бұрын

Lance...in my opinion best quality and value in a TT! Yes, they cost more than the units made in Indiana, but the use of Solidworks CAD and CNC technologies plus their 51 years making campers puts them in a league by themselves IMO! I'm a proud owner if a 2018 model 2285 and it is built perfect!!

@bev5660

6 жыл бұрын

what about Winnebago?

@dougsmith7195

6 жыл бұрын

Fibreglass shell is the best, Escape and Casita.

@garyzimmerman8785

6 жыл бұрын

Brokerba almost 😂

Another great video, thank you. My wife and I took delivery of our new 2018 Montana 3560-RL with Legacy Package and full body paint, back in March, 2018. After our maiden voyage for a month in Arizona. we discovered several issues. Our dealership has repaired everything within Montana's full one year warranty. The coach is now perfect as ordered. We are very pleased with our purchase. Keep on with the videos. Thanks!

I now have a 2014 Newmare King Air 45ft 600 cummins 4 slides 12.5 Onan gen . It to was used . It had 19000 miles . 1 first thing i did i took it to Cummins had i5 serviced all the liquifs changed I had the Dyno dun .i had the Goodyears taken off put Bridgestone 365s 22.5 Tire this coach has a Tsg all the esy around I had my new Weboost 8nstalled Satelite TV . This on was set up 15000l lb Towing compasity . Hey i tow a Jeep go figger .

We bought a Taylor Coach. Used. 7yrs old. Travelled 13,000 miles, had 2 issues. Air conditioner had to be screwed down/tightened as it had loosened from jiggling..and we had to buy some new closure clips for the cupboards as they were breaking. We luved our 12ft Bobbie so much, that we chose to order our dream custom made Taylor Coach! An 18ft.

Best most intelligent answer and video I've seen yet keep them coming

I work in the Rv industry and what you are saying is right. Some manufacturers are definitely better then others as far as the materials they us for their products. Now what you also have too understand is we are pushed too get stuff done as fast as we can and as efficient as possible so yes along the way still will tend too get messed along the way isn't part of the game of anything. But what also plays in that is the people making them do they care about what their making or are they just in it for the money that goes both ways. People are always coming and going (not liking on plant because they don't make enough or the environment) so you're going too have a mix of new employees and old ones that know what they're doing. If someone doesn't show up for work everyone else that did has to pick up that person's job as well as still doing their own so you will have mistakes there because they don't do that person's job everyday. They you have to go into the kind of stuff that's used in the units where they come from who makes them and the suppliers. Pretty much all popular companies use the same suppliers to get their products like the stoves the lights and so on so just like products you buy at the store 1 out of the bunch is going to have a problem to it. And it's not necessarily the manufacturers problem it's the company who made the let's say AC they didn't do something right who. Every unit gets checked everything is used and turned on too make sure that it's ready to go out the door everything is make to be ready for the came ground as soon as it's out the door.

I am 67 years old . I sold my home and my ranch in east texas . Ive bern full timing for years . My first RV was used it was a 2006 winnebago Tour 37 ft 3 slide coach . I bought that coach in 2010 i sold it in 2015 for $89,500 dollars I had no problem with the coach . When i bought it the mileage was 29000 miles it had a 400 cummins . I must all i did was service the engine and AC i put a new set of Bridgestones 365s I thunk Winnebago is a fine product

@VideoBell

5 жыл бұрын

I rented a Winnebago Micro Minnie. Somehow I spilled about a gallon of water during the night which ran down to the back of the trailer. The wall covering delaminated everywhere that little bit of standing water touched the walls. All that damage happens in 4 hours The Winnebago dealer is charging the owner anywhere from $300 dollars to 500 dollars to repair. The laminate covering should not come off a wood wall or framing that easy. If that is the way RVs are built then I would never buy one.

I have a 1969 Lil Hobo build quality is much better than any new Trailer today frame is better we put a new Axle on it instead of 3,500lb axle we put on a 5,000lb axle new tires and Electric Brakes its small but we renovated it fo rour needs and we got it for free from a friend removed all the things that brake and cause problems in Trailers.

This video is right on the money. I have owned RVs for 45 years and sold many brands. I totally agree with Big Truck.

Have you ever watched how fast an average RV is made? Some plants can run 18 a day from start to finish in one day. They have a final finish dock, and a yard repair, and a road repair. The best way to buy an RV is to buy 2 of them. Use one for good, the other for parts. Most all RV manufacturing plants run in a fashion that if they don't get 18 or more done by 1:00 pm, the world will blow up.

One indicator on quality, is to walk through the dealer lot and look in the repair bays, and waiting for repair area. Do this with all the dealers in your area, whether you are interested in their product or not. Camping world especially since they repair everything... its eye opening. Be prepared to wait months for the repair work...and i mean MONTHS.

I have a 2015 evergreen I go. Its a 32" long. Love it... payed 12k new.

A real answer, spoken like a real salesman; good job.

Thank You for a clear common sense approach to evaluating a purchase. It does give me comfort that my choice for the Grand Design Reflection made your list.

How can "people" not like your Videos? ... There great ... Please keep them coming ... Thanks

Thank you! Nobody likes to hear people bash on there very expensive purchase. I saved 20k by buying a highlander vs a momentum, I have not had any major issues, the tank levers were reversed for black and grey tanks. I just earned 20k by swapping the handles.

Great video. We've owned 3 travel trailers, a fifth wheel, a truck camper, and now a diesel pusher. Always bought used and had repairs to do. Replaced a rood on the fifth wheel, various leaks, etc. My wife's boss purchased a new travel trailer and from the factory the drain from the bathroom shower was not hooked up. Big problem. Took over 6 months to get it repaired from the dealer. The QC from manufacturers is very inconsistent and not good IMHO. I think most folks would be better served to get a used unit due to the depreciation. Thank you for the video. Very informative.

I have been a full timer for 2 years now solely due to work. My travel trailer sits most of the time in one place 6-18 months depending on the job. I have had problems with my Puma, but nothing major. My wife now wants to join me and our search for a larger fifth wheel has taken us to Solitude, Vilano, and Luxe as well as some others due to the amenities and floor plans. We figure it's going to be our full time home and the residential type quality for full timing seems to be the best choice... PEX, full size fridge and stove/oven, etc.

Own a 2021 Reflection Grand Design. 12k later, has had one problem, fixed in 30 minutes. Great Unit.

Hey this is the RGV ! I’m doing as much research as I can before we purchase an RV but I couldn’t help but notice your drive is out in McAllen. 🎉❤🤗

We bought a new 25'x7' Aerolite (Thor) in 1998, have pulled this thing all over the country, and in it right now! Hardly any problems. $10,000 new then, and 19 years later, I'd say we got our money's worth. Plan to keep using it. Dry weight is only 3,200 lbs, loaded about 4,500. I live trucks, trailers, and roofs to keep all this mess under. I'm about two roof shy now.

The 3 main problems I've had with my KZ Sportsman are as follows: 1. "Cold cracking" of the vinyl floor in 2 locations, fixed with "No More Nails". 2. The vinyl roof is not applied tight so there are some lose sections, no leaks though so far. 3. The under covering is not well sealed so I've had bees in there twice. I imagine heat goes out where the bees can go in. Oh and 4 electric awnings suck and self destruct at the slightest gust of wind but I had that taken off and replaced with manual ones, they were able to use the original tarp and spring rod, just had to replace the struts. Unit is 11 years old and otherwise holding up well. And 5 I guess, grey and black water tanks are too small. The fresh water will last 2 weeks, grey and black maybe 5 days even if you mostly use the outhouse. I've had some trim pieces come lose but I have a brad nailer so I just stuck them back. Oh and the vinyl trim that goes over the outside seams have "slouched" ridiculously, such that all the screws are exposed. Haven't figured how to deal with that yet.

This is an easy answer. Go to truly better quality manufacturers like Lance and Northwood products like Artic Fox and Outdoor RV. They give free factory tours in Oregon. I love my Outdoor RV Creekside 24' trailer.

@amarmot3635

7 жыл бұрын

David Dreax Read the online comments about Lance RVs. They are not good. Just Google "Lance RV Problems."

@taxpayer9972

7 жыл бұрын

David Dreax I have a black rock 24rks, best trailer I've ever had.

Quality is more a production design problem then it is a cost problem. The top rated car in each segment doesn't necessarily cost more to build than other cars in the segment but it will have a superior build process. Ask why Toyota has such a good reputation for quality when their cars are still cost competitive? The RV industry hasn't implemented quality process systems like the automotive industry has so quality is haphazard at best. Its a shame because something like TPS could make a huge difference.

@RUFFSTUFFMEDIA

7 жыл бұрын

The conflict is between quality and weight. If you want that 43' toy hauler to weigh 12500lbs unloaded with 2500# on the pin, you aren't going to get the best components, but I''ll bet you'll get the lightest. Durablility will definitely suffer as well.

@Davido50

5 жыл бұрын

Terry Pullen Ford as well. #1 truck & SUV sales every yr for a reason.

Class b+/c : LTV leisure travel vans. Trailer : Rockwood, class A : Newmar

I used to be a supervisor for one of these manufacturers , I have a lot of answers for quality issues. I am more than happy to answer the whys.

I have a 26 foot mallard from 1985. Awesome camper!

Until the manufactures decide to have quality control as a priority and enforce them the industry will continue producing substandard RVs.

@exbioman

7 жыл бұрын

Same goes with the truck body business. Production at (G)organ trailer co. Morgantown, Pa. Hire temps at low wage, no experience. Learn on the job. So where's the quality? While I worked there they froze everyone's wages for 3 plus years.

@TheBuddy1939

7 жыл бұрын

I will use the iconic phrase "Make America Great Again"

Every year with my keystone cougar 5th wheel I had leaks on the front seal so I would take it back to the dealer to get it sealed but the last time I took it in they kept it for two week and didnt find the leak and gave it back to me wet so I took it back where we keep at the beach cleaned the front seal where the cap and roof meet taped it off and put two coats of flex seal on it and no more leaks every year

The brand to buy is Allegro! This is because it's the one that the Trinity River Band uses! And they're the best bluegrass band ever to exist!

You are very well spoken and your videos are well thought out, organized, and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time necessary to put them together

An option, though it won't be viable for some people, is to buy an older RV and do an overhaul & re-fit yourself. That way you can build it up to your own standards, and in the process gain a very intimate knowledge of your trailer. You know the strengths & weaknesses of every component because you put it together. This, when life circumstances allow, is what I intend to do with a vintage Airstream at some point. I like the thought of knowing just how well built it will be, and the satisfaction of having built it myself. Nothing is better than looking at something and being able to say "I made that"

I bought a new forest river in 2015. Slide worked twice, it broke 800 miles from home. One dealer said he would work on it but had a 3 month wait. AC broke in 2018. Unit leaked from day 1. The fiber glass roof that was supposed to be so much better cracked in 2016. I finally found a dealer that would take it trade in on a new one. So glad to be rid of it.

I bought a KZ ESCAPE E231BH and have had to rebuild pretty much everything right off the showroom floor. I purchaced in 4/23 and it's now 9/23 The water pump leaked, the propane line leaked, the table was crooked. the outlets were not screwed in. The microwave was missing the hub that drives the rotating plate. The 12v fridge turned out NOT to be 12v. The wood supports on both the dinette seats and bunk bed broke the moment weight was applied. The blue tooth speaker secured to the wall fell off. The blinds fell off. The contact paper inside the cabinets peeled up. Oh and the black water tank fell out of the back of the trailer. Moral of the stroy? Buy a top of the line RV or get a damn good extended warrenty or be a damn good handy man, otherwise your trailer just may cause you some grief.

Thank you for making great, common sense, videos. I've learned a bunch, and it has all been confirmed as I've done my shoppi g and research.

A better question than which brands of RVs are best would be which dealersships can be trusted to not screw over their customers. That would narrow down the choices by several orders of magnitude. Good customer service is far more important when major issues occur. Unfortunately it's the last thing you will ever experience from most RV dealers.

@MYCHANNELWITHMYSTUFF

5 жыл бұрын

Basin Creek Homes in Butte Montana. Best customer service you will ever find in an RV dealership.www.basincreekhomes.com/

I have had several motorhomes over the last 35 or so years and the least troublesome were both Newmar products - a Mountain Aire gas coach and a Dutch Star pusher. Best bang for the buck was a 94 Bounder that we ran over 110K miles over 7 years with minimal problems. I am a electrician so was able to take care of most problems - chief among them was the failure of transfer switches and furnace circuit boards and early Michelin RV tires. I had two that separated tread and one with zipper wall blow outs sitting in the garage. Worst in my experience were Damon, Winnebago and Phoenix Cruiser with too many problems with them to report on here. The gas rigs were all GM powered and not problems with running gear except a faulty third member on the Mountain Aire replaced under factory warranty. One thing that potential RV owners need to realize that it is not an investment, but a lifestyle choice as they depreciate rapidly and are worse than a boat for maintenance and general operating costs. The RV lifestyle is fun and we spent many winters in the American SW and enjoyed that very much but, in reflection, that money could have been spent in much better ways.

It's all about be able to doing repairs yourself and keeping up with maintenance.

our Golden Falcon by Glendale is a well built 5th wheel...aluminum studs with Styrofoam insulation makes it strong and light and attention to detail inside and outside makes it a stand out winner in my books. I have redone all the floors in vinyl planking and added heavy duty window blinds to keep the heat out. Solar panels and a 1000 watt inverter make it a great boondocker…another great feature is the 3/4 inch plywood subflooring throughout...sturdy 4 life... enjoy getting out and seeing the country folks

Great video, thanks for the information. Also like the tool/care suggestions at the end, very important.

I was getting ready to coment but you covered it at the end with being prepared with tools, bolts ,sealants etc...thanks for sharing.

On airstream always make sure tires are balanced.Have seen damage and many rivets loose from one unbalanced wheel.

I bought a 2017 (one year old at the time) Denali 5th wheel. The original owner paid cash for it apparently then things went south for him and I was able to purchase it from him for $25k cash. The unit was around $35k new out the door. He didn't winterize it and it got really cold so I had to replace the shower knobs and the fresh water tank leaks so bad it's not useable until fixed. I also had some AC issues with the bedroom AC but worked on that until I figured out it was the sensor causing it to cycle too fast. I got that worked out but then found that the kitchen slide was pushing out the wall when closing it at the bottom which kind of freaked me out. I have been able to make all the repairs needed but the slide thing seemed to much for me so I have it in a local shop that all they do is work on RV's they don't even sell them anymore and they have a great reputation so I'm hoping they can repair it somewhat cheaply. I figure even if it costs a grand or so I still came out way ahead. I too love having an RV and doing the work myself. Good video!

One of the more informative videos I've viewed lately, especially the list at the end.

Awesome intro milwaukee for the win! The only clear brand winner!

I really think someone could really get a huge market share by making RVs that people want and need

Thanks for such an honest and helpful video. This is the most straightforward answer that anyone can expect!

We bought our 2000 Nash 24.5N on craigslist. We have never regretted it. Artic Fox and Nash have a good value retention. Our unit is valued at about how much we paid for it. We have had to do maintenance at times but it has been worth it. We took it to Alaska last year and had a blast. Our unit came fully loaded with sheets, blankets, pans and dishes. We are so happy. We paid cash.

Also for high end, consider Leisure Travel Vans and Pleasant Way out of Canada. Yes they are smaller and expensive but high quality. You can buy used and new ones in the US. I bought a 2015 Leisure Travel Van Serenity and LOVE it. High resale value also.

Thanks for the honest review. On my last trip half way across the nation, I wasn’t too happy with the hotel and motel experience, so I have been thinking of getting a travel trailer. As a disabled senior citizen, my ability to do my own repairs is already compromised and will continue to degrade over time. It seems like the only choice for me would be an exorbitantly expensive unit such as an Airstream. But I am not willing to spend more than the price of a house for a new pickup and trailer. So, it looks like for me it will be a foam pad in the back of a pickup with a truck cap.

Thanks for the great information and nice to see you driving around in my hometown.

@HDtenor1

4 жыл бұрын

Where is this? RGV? Looks familiar

If you plan on driving your RV to a site and staying for months or just use it a few times a year.. then just about any sticks on a frame will do.. if you plan on RVing across the country.. then you better get something like Airstream that can take the long road trips and often moving them around on the road. the stick on a frame will literaly fall apart after a few long trips. I know.. they all do... because they are literaly glued and nailed together.. the roof will be the first to fail and the susspension will go next.

nice job.. a new subscriber... We've been fulltiming for 15 months and have no intention to do anything else for the next few years. It's refreshing to hear sincere honestly about enjoying the nomadic lifestyle.

You are dead on!! I’ve been in the RV business for 20 years and you hit the nail on the head. I’ve seen $100,000 junk, and $10,000 perfect RVs. All mechanicals will fail at one time or another. The diamonds are the rvs that have been owned by an experienced RV person or by the older people that maintain it well. Don’t buy an RV that’s been sitting for 5 years in a field, barn or a storage facility.

In addition to problems in manufacture, you are also dependent on the support from the dealer. A search on forums will show the lack of support by the 'world's largest RV dealer" and many others. Another issue is "if you didn't buy it here, we won't take care of you". Anyone who is looking to purchase an RV of any type needs to research the dealer, the record of the manufacturer to respond to warranty (and after warranty) issues. As an aside, we just returned from a weekend where we ran into a new owner of a travel trailer. The dealer did not explain how to use his weight distribution hitch, the fact his travel was prewired for a backup camera, the order to drain his holding tanks and more than anything I can list here. This dealer is known for "GREAT PRICES" and moves a lot of units (not a retail chain). And the same dealer has only 4 technicians to prep and do warranty work, so the ability to get support is virtually nil. The buyer of any unit really needs to do their homework, researching both the unit (manufacturer and RV) AND the dealer support available including the support network (local, regional or national).

Lol! "Be prepared to actually have to use those tools." Very good point. Any fool can buy tools and materials. Make sure you well understand what you're setting out to do before you go ripping into things.

When we were searching for our next 5th wheel we went to the county fair for an RV show. Spent all day deciding what we liked and let the salesmen give their pitch for each brand and model. After we made our decision at the RV show. We then went home and went on the internet and found the best price anywhere in the country. We found a price that we liked in Michigan. We live in the Bay Area in California were prices are sky high. We took delivery on our brand new unit at 2/3 the cost of buying locally. Took the delivery fee money and put it towards a world class road trip. Drove to Michigan to pick it up. Then drove home for one of the most memorable trips of my life. Spent 3 weeks getting back home. Really got us familiar with our new unit. Great times.

@baxter6373

Жыл бұрын

How do you feel about it now? We're looking to buy but leery of quality issues.

@mattmayo3539

Жыл бұрын

@@baxter6373 our 2004 unit still shines. We get compliments all the time of how well kept it is. They’re all going to be low quality. Unless you’re buying a coach. Be ready to fix anything that could go wrong. We’ve had lights go out. Cabinet doors fall off. Squeaks and rattles. It’s the nature of the beast. Good luck.

Airstream all the way! Many of them that we're built in the 1950's are still rolling down the highway!👍😀

@outdoorsnevada4138

6 жыл бұрын

way overpriced though

@gregoryadkins2213

6 жыл бұрын

Isaac Spencer Great resale value,I bought a used one $28,000(Bambi)5-years Old.Sold it for $34,000.Its not overpriced if you get believe in you get what you pay for.Or to cheap or can’t afford it(in general)Not always.

@richfarfugnuven6308

6 жыл бұрын

No garage(toy hauler), no slideouts. I love the look, but not reasonable for my needs.

@AnthonyBarthelCurbside

6 жыл бұрын

My stove was built in the 1950s and works as well as it did when new - the oven's even still accurate. This stove was purchased to replace one that was a modern stove that just crapped out. A 1950s product doesn't reflect on a product built today.

@joenissan

6 жыл бұрын

Airstreams are far to small. They may be well built but they don’t build a large unit with slides

I agree with you, never take your RV to the shop unless it’s a major repair. The technicians are terrible and they charge you $100+ per hour for something anyone with some mechanical ability can do. I’ve replaced an AC unit, valves, repaired leaks from the roof. Buy used because the person before that owned it did all of the warranty work !

Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS. Good unit.on second one. 1st one insurance bought after it was flooded. I love Azdel walls. I purchase from least expensive dealer which means I don't have local service. That presents a few! problems. This thing is so simple, I fix it myself. I have not experienced roof or outside leaks. I'm sure those would require a shop. I relocated 2000 miles. A local dealer when I bought would be no good to me now. Like I said, pay attention to maintenance and fix it yourself. There's always you tube