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Old 01-22-2020, 08:04 AM   #1
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What are the top 5 5th wheel manufacturers?

Subjective question to be sure. Any data or studies you can base quality on?
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Old 01-22-2020, 08:33 AM   #2
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None that I know of! It is all subject to the individual’s opinion.

Since most if not all RV manufactures use the same components such as Dometic, Lippert, Suburban components, Carefree of Colorado, Dexter and others. In most cases it is only the assembly of these components along with the wall material and roof. So, as you can see most if not all are the same in some way or other.

Now with that being said you pay for what you get IE: the more expensive trailers may have higher end components and better build quality, than the lower cost units.

In my price point I looked at Cedar Creek, Columbus, Redwood and a few others. Settling on a Cedar Creek unit.
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Old 01-22-2020, 09:23 AM   #3
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https://horizonsrv.com/
https://spacecraftmfg.com/

Those are the top of the lineup.
The rest are not even close.
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Old 01-22-2020, 09:45 AM   #4
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Trailers are, in general, built by workers who get paid by the piece meaning the faster they build the more money they make. Also, you won't find anyone on the assembly line checking quality. Does that practice lead to a quality product?

When I bought my Voltage in 2014 I wanted to put a serious hurt on the moron who installed the air conditioners. The center a/c had the duct tape rolled up into a ball because he didn't blow out the sawdust first. The cold air went into the ceiling instead of the ducts for distribution. Took me a couple of minutes to fix the issue. Too bad the factory worker was so intent on making a buck that he skipped the part about cleaning out the hole.

Motorhomes are a different story as you can tour the factory and watch your bus getting built.
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Old 01-22-2020, 10:19 AM   #5
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The RVs being built now have very poor quality control and design. I am thankful that we got one of the last NuWa HitcHiker Champagnes built. We have had very few problems compared to the junk being produced now.

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Old 01-22-2020, 11:00 AM   #6
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I want to add to the list the LUXE.
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Old 01-22-2020, 06:04 PM   #7
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Both the Keystone Montanas and Cougar are in the top few leading sellers. I know for sure the Keystone Montana was the leading seller back in 2008, 09, 10, 11 and 12 but lost track since then.

I just checked, the Montana was the leading 5th wheel in 2018.

You can Google and dig deeper to get the top 5 leading selling 5th wheels.
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Old 01-22-2020, 06:10 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman View Post
The RVs being built now have very poor quality control and design. I am thankful that we got one of the last NuWa HitcHiker Champagnes built. We have had very few problems compared to the junk being produced now.

Ken
Agreed! I feel the same way about our 2014 LS. The new stuff is putiful!
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:01 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2 View Post
Both the Keystone Montanas and Cougar are in the top few leading sellers. I know for sure the Keystone Montana was the leading seller back in 2008, 09, 10, 11 and 12 but lost track since then.

I just checked, the Montana was the leading 5th wheel in 2018.

You can Google and dig deeper to get the top 5 leading selling 5th wheels.
McDonalds sells a lot of burgers too.
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:03 PM   #10
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It is all subjective. If you want them to slow down the line for you, then offer to pay 85K for the 5er that will normally cost you 50K and they can split the extra 35K amongst all the employees that helped build your unit, if it passes the QC.
Then compare price points between the lines against the equipment level.Does the Montana have the same amenities as the Solitude, again at that price point?

After tons of research, we went with the Grand Design Solitude. They appear to be the 5er equal to the Entegra Class A coaches, both in build and service.
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:18 PM   #11
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IMO and in order:

Anderson Mobile Estate
Forks (sadly closed)
Spacecraft
NH
DRV
Luxe
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:35 PM   #12
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It really depends on what you're measuring it by.

For what its worth, here's my opinion as I currently see things (pretty sure I've missed a couple). I have no connections to the RV Industry.

Also not including custom builders like Spacecraft, New Horizons, LUXE etc.

Easiest Resale / Brand Recognition:
Grand Design
Keystone
Jayco
Heartland
Forest River

Best Frame - individual Brand:
DRV - Thor
Riverstone - Forrest River
KZ Durango Gold - Thor
Arctic Fox - Northwood
Grand Design - Winnebago

Best Quality:
Northwood - Arctic Fox
Van Leigh - Beacon
Forrest River - Riverstone
KZ - Durango Gold
Grand Design - Solitude

Best Floor Plans/Features/Bling:
Keystone
Heartland
Jayco
Van Leigh
Grand Design
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Old 01-22-2020, 08:24 PM   #13
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We have a 2007 Montana 3400rl. Love it! I want to upgrade to a newer model but not sure of the quality of newer RV's.
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Old 01-22-2020, 08:39 PM   #14
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5ers

Quote:
Originally Posted by ac5501 View Post
It really depends on what you're measuring it by.

For what its worth, here's my opinion as I currently see things (pretty sure I've missed a couple). I have no connections to the RV Industry.

Also not including custom builders like Spacecraft, New Horizons, LUXE etc.

Easiest Resale / Brand Recognition:
Grand Design
Keystone
Jayco
Heartland
Forest River

Best Frame - individual Brand:
DRV - Thor
Riverstone - Forrest River
KZ Durango Gold - Thor
Arctic Fox - Northwood
Grand Design - Winnebago

Best Quality:
Northwood - Arctic Fox
Van Leigh - Beacon
Forrest River - Riverstone
KZ - Durango Gold
Grand Design - Solitude

Best Floor Plans/Features/Bling:
Keystone
Heartland
Jayco
Van Leigh
Grand Design
LUXE is really not a custom builder.They fit between DRV and riverstone.
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