smokin george Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I think they're all built with cheap materials no matter the brand. Once you take it off the lot your basically on your own and getting service at another dealer is hard to come by. Do your research on the forums for the brands your looking at before dropping big coin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadaBing444 Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 8 hours ago, ActionfigureJoe said: They’re all assembled by meth heads. I think they’re all pretty much junk. Bring your box of tools. You’ll need it. Don’t forget the Amish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadaBing444 Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 11 hours ago, J. Jackson said: Buying a new camper and would like some feedback from those in the know. My choices are: Grand Design Solitude Cardinal Luxury Alliance Paradigm Jayco North Point All are floorplans that have a large bathroom and are similarly priced within a few thousand retail. Curious about opinions especially from those who might have owned one of these. Have you checked out anything from Heartland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin george Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 We looked at a few before we bought this used motorhome and I looked up all the problems associated with with the ones we were looking at. Alot had the same issues and I took a chance hoping that since it's used they had been addressed. We drove it down to Nova Scotia early January and have been living in it since. The 1st problem sofar have been the electric stairs that quit and wouldn't go back in. It was an easy fix I took them off and put a two step on the ground to get in/out. The module went and waiting for the local dealer to get it in to replace it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 13 minutes ago, BadaBing444 said: Have you checked out anything from Heartland? Heartland is owned by Thor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 55 minutes ago, Bontz said: We own a 29' Premier (travel trailer) and even though it's "higher end" from our previous camper ... they're all pretty much junk in the grand scheme of things. I mean, don't get me wrong ... we really like our camper ... but the quality and overall manufacturing are not exactly the gold standard. Hopefully you're either somewhat handy and can address issues as they come up, or buy from a dealer with a good service department that won't rake you over the coals if you need something outside of warranty. Of the four you listed, the Jayco is the one that I'd say is on the lower end of the spectrum. At least if it's anything like the 2 Jayco campers my camping buddies have owned (seal issues way too early, plumbing issues, water heater issues). These campers are definitely a great way to spend time away from home with family and friends - but they can sure piss a guy off when there's problems. Rv’ers are some of the biggest liars. Walk through a campground and strike up some conversations. The man of the house will tell what a great and trouble free rig he has. Glance over at his wife’s face and there’s an entirely different story going on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat45 Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I transport rvs from the factories to dealers. I get to see what production problems they have when i deliver them and the dealer does an initial inspection. The forest river units always have a 1-2 page list of things to fix. jayco is better, usually less than a page. Grand design always has a few minor issues but nowhere near what the others do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Member XCR INDY Posted February 19, 2021 Gold Member Share Posted February 19, 2021 We have had great luck with this '17 321 Eagle. As smokin george said look them over real good. Once you buy them, You own them. Every problem we have had or others we camp with, have the best luck calling the manufacturer of the part or appliance direct. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEFF Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 First thing to know is they are all built like complete shit. Lippert builds all of the frames and most of the suspensions as well as 75% of all the components used in all brands of RV's. That being said I found that Grand Design does a better job of cobbling the pile of crap parts together and does a pretty good job of rectifying issues as they arise. Mine has been surprisingly trouble free. The small issues that have come up take about 5 minutes to fix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayatodaU.P.eh? Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 13 hours ago, Bontz said: We own a 29' Premier (travel trailer) and even though it's "higher end" from our previous camper ... they're all pretty much junk in the grand scheme of things. I mean, don't get me wrong ... we really like our camper ... but the quality and overall manufacturing are not exactly the gold standard. Hopefully you're either somewhat handy and can address issues as they come up, or buy from a dealer with a good service department that won't rake you over the coals if you need something outside of warranty. Of the four you listed, the Jayco is the one that I'd say is on the lower end of the spectrum. At least if it's anything like the 2 Jayco campers my camping buddies have owned (seal issues way too early, plumbing issues, water heater issues). These campers are definitely a great way to spend time away from home with family and friends - but they can sure piss a guy off when there's problems. They certainly aren’t held to the same standards as other manufacturers, are they? Im lucky because one of my friends, and he’s also a rides sleds with us in the winter, is a 30 year RV tech. He gets pissed when I bring it into his dealer to have it fixed and usually comes right to the house to do anything I need on our campers but I feel bad asking him to work on them at home. He always cuts me a smoking deal on the labor and I he always finds a box of beer in the bed of his truck after I pick our camper up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford_428cj Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Anybody ever use them in cold weather? I see that some have the tanks insulated in. Seems like that would be a mouse nest home area tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin george Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 7 hours ago, ford_428cj said: Anybody ever use them in cold weather? I see that some have the tanks insulated in. Seems like that would be a mouse nest home area tho We used ours year-round and never had a mouse inside. We had them in the under storage and we just kept a suicide pail in there. Ours had the winter pkg with the heated tanks and we winterized and didn't use them. I think in freezing weather the lines would be frozen even with the tank heaters on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 21 minutes ago, smokin george said: We used ours year-round and never had a mouse inside. We had them in the under storage and we just kept a suicide pail in there. Ours had the winter pkg with the heated tanks and we winterized and didn't use them. I think in freezing weather the lines would be frozen even with the tank heaters on. Skirting helps heating the under belly.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin george Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 3 minutes ago, Dave said: Skirting helps heating the under belly.... Our previous trailers were stationary and we only had hydro when the genny was running. It was wilderness glamping lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 6 minutes ago, smokin george said: Our previous trailers were stationary and we only had hydro when the genny was running. It was wilderness glamping lol Ya I love boondocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin george Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 31 minutes ago, Dave said: Ya I love boondocking. We have been using the coach for the past 6 weeks for sleeping, watching movies and having our morning coffee. We only turn one furnace on in the morning and again in the evening to watch movies then shut it down overnight. We are plugged into the house and use a small elec heater in the bedroom. Hopefully we can get the house/shop cleaned out the next 2-3 weeks and head home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 1 minute ago, smokin george said: We have been using the coach for the past 6 weeks for sleeping, watching movies and having our morning coffee. We only turn one furnace on in the morning and again in the evening to watch movies then shut it down overnight. We are plugged into the house and use a small elec heater in the bedroom. Hopefully we can get the house/shop cleaned out the next 2-3 weeks and head home. Good times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Any man that’s owned an Arctic Cat will find servicing an RV a breeze 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Jackson Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 So in my search you get educated. Biggest revelation is wall material. Azdel is the material of choice. Less than 1% incidences of delam plus mold and mildew resistant. All Heartland and Alliance products have it as well as some Forest River units. Surprisingly Grand Design uses luan like most others. Leaning towards the Heartland and Columbus 1492 brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irv Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) I was going to suggest Newmar trailers but by the looks of things, they only make Motorhomes nowadays. Still, because, imo, they make a real solid product, I'd have no issue finding a used one. Just my opinion, of course. https://rvbg.trailerlife.com/product/2004-newmar-corporation-mountain-aire-36-kswb-fw/ https://rvbg.trailerlife.com/product/2007-newmar-corporation-kountry-aire-37rlpk/ Edited February 28, 2021 by irv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaturallyAspirated Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 I was pondering the idea of a charter bus conversion. Would include of a lot of miles per camp so something very roadworthy would be preferred. For $35k - $40k I could have a pretty nice rig... https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-MCI-J4500/402695625979?_trkparms=aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201018205123%26meid%3D1061850fbae04443a288f262d482cd42%26pid%3D101286%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26itm%3D402695625979%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DWatchlistVariant&_trksid=p2380057.c101286.m47999&_trkparms=pageci%3Abbd6ee0d-797d-11eb-ad96-6a1390507881|parentrq%3Ae6e73a261770ac3cf908d07ffff61fae|iid%3A8 Neal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Jackson Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 8 hours ago, NaturallyAspirated said: I was pondering the idea of a charter bus conversion. Would include of a lot of miles per camp so something very roadworthy would be preferred. For $35k - $40k I could have a pretty nice rig... https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-MCI-J4500/402695625979?_trkparms=aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201018205123%26meid%3D1061850fbae04443a288f262d482cd42%26pid%3D101286%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26itm%3D402695625979%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DWatchlistVariant&_trksid=p2380057.c101286.m47999&_trkparms=pageci%3Abbd6ee0d-797d-11eb-ad96-6a1390507881|parentrq%3Ae6e73a261770ac3cf908d07ffff61fae|iid%3A8 Neal Here you go!https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1961-crown-a779-11-school-bus/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old indy Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) On 2/18/2021 at 11:09 PM, J. Jackson said: 5th wheel. my dad had an XLR thunderbolt maybe a 16 or 17 that had a nice layout like that. impressive once bumped out, the livingroom was quite large up front. the XLR s have some nice feature over a jayco or some of the others. Edited March 1, 2021 by old indy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Jackson Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 Finally pulled the trigger on a 2022 Grand Design Solitude 345GK-R. Isn't exactly the f-p that I wanted but bought it for what I feel is a pretty good price. If I don't like it I think that I could flip it without a big hit. There's been multiple price increases since the first of the year and it's getting crazy. The ball and chain is happy so that's a plus! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Congrats on the new purchase @J. Jackson ... I hope you and the wife enjoy it & it's troublefree (or at least as troublefree as one can hope!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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