MH Brands, Quality, Etc.

[harleyjt]

Originally Posted by scbwr

Your classification seems consistent with what I've seen aside from the fact
that I haven't even ventured to look at the Rolls Royce and Cadillac divisions!
But, I'd suggest that the Chevy class be renamed Dodge as I think GM has improved the Chevy line over the past few years. But, I think one can say that Dodge autos have really suffered in recent years and are a grade lower than Chevy! Just my opinion....As in my signature, my tow car is a Chevy and it's better quality than some of the Thor products I've looked. And....let's be clear....I know that there are some Thor products out there that folks are very happy to own!!

Sure, lots of happy Chevy owners out there. I haven't seen Dodge suffering in recent years. The new truck is dynamite. Dodge is every bit the equal of Chevy. Personal opinion. Regardless, I just used the GM hierarchy that most everyone is familiar with.
jt

[TUCSONRAIL]

1. Newmar, 2. Entegra, 3. Tiffin, 4. Winnabago.

[Nichaw]

Originally Posted by DaBruuzer

Originally posted the following in my New Member Intro thread (HERE if anyone cares to read it), but didn't really get any responses. I realize everyone seems to have a fav manufacturer (kinda like the old Ford People vs Chevy People thing), but was hoping for some guidance:

Is there some kind of "hierarchy" in the perceived/real-world quality of motorhome manufacturers? As mentioned, I come from an automotive background, so using GM as an analogy (I know not all divisions are around any longer), you started off with a Chevy, maybe moved up to a Pontiac, then an Olds, a Buick and finally a Caddy. I know they are all the same manufacturer, but I hope you are getting my meaning.

Who is the "Cadillac" or "Rolls Royce" of motorhomes, and who is the "Chevy"? Nothing wrong with a Chevy, but people looking for a Rolls wouldn't be looking at a Chevy. Who is the "Olds" of motorhomes? Or if you come from a Ford background, what about the Ford, versus the Mercury, versus the Lincoln? Etc.

To add a little more, we're thinking of the entry end of things, like a Thor ACE or Vegas/Axis, or perhaps a Jayco Leprechaun (30ft+ range) or Pursuit, etc. Under or just slightly over $100k range, pre-owned.

Thanks in advance for any input!

There’s a lot of road warriors on here with expert knowledge of RVs and who have the best of the best. So let me say I appreciate all the input and advice as it does truly help rookies like me . But for those of us, at least myself, I can’t afford those big dollar rigs and never will So when you talk down about the Thor and the other lesser RV owners understand some of us don’t have your kind of money. The dream of RVing is real for those of us less fortunate that can’t afford the class A rigs or over 100 k RVs . So the entry level rig is a dream come true for people like me. After wanting one for twenty years and doing my homework on class C’s, I bought a New Thor class C four winds that I bought new in 2016. Never had an issue with it( knock on wood) drives great , everything still works as it did when I bought it, has all the bells and whistles, 3 TVs , outdoor entertainment, blah blah,, .. yes I can see where it went cheap ion a few things but I love it.. I read on here where people say all the time their big high dollar rigs had to take back to shop to fix this or that, in and out of the shop etc.. mines never been in shop, over 30 thousand miles in three years . I take mine hunting, fishing, dry camping, visiting baseball parks , and stay in baseball lots for 3 days, ( my sons plays baseball) lots of hiking mountain biking etc.. I’m 62 and retired Police Officer , And for me this RVing is amazing.. I know I’m on my high horse now but it’s not to piss anyone off, just speaking up to us lesser RVers out there.

[bobkathy95]

To echo Nichaw's reply - many of us have champagne taste but beer pocketbooks. After 3 new Class A coaches and heaven knows how many trips to the factory - we decided to sell our new coach and buy one much older - but also much higher in quality. Granted, you have to look, but it is amazing how many REALLY nice and well maintained coaches are out there in the 10 year or so age. You can get a 10-15 year old Alpine, Country Coach, Monaco, Newmar - and even some Foretravels that have build quality better than what seems to be common today.

[GeeWillakers]

Originally Posted by Nichaw

There’s a lot of road warriors on here with expert knowledge of RVs and who have the best of the best. So let me say I appreciate all the input and advice as it does truly help rookies like me . But for those of us, at least myself, I can’t afford those big dollar rigs and never will So when you talk down about the Thor and the other lesser RV owners understand some of us don’t have your kind of money. The dream of RVing is real for those of us less fortunate that can’t afford the class A rigs or over 100 k RVs . So the entry level rig is a dream come true for people like me. After wanting one for twenty years and doing my homework on class C’s, I bought a New Thor class C four winds that I bought new in 2016. Never had an issue with it( knock on wood) drives great , everything still works as it did when I bought it, has all the bells and whistles, 3 TVs , outdoor entertainment, blah blah,, .. yes I can see where it went cheap ion a few things but I love it.. I read on here where people say all the time their big high dollar rigs had to take back to shop to fix this or that, in and out of the shop etc.. mines never been in shop, over 30 thousand miles in three years . I take mine hunting, fishing, dry camping, visiting baseball parks , and stay in baseball lots for 3 days, ( my sons plays baseball) lots of hiking mountain biking etc.. I’m 62 and retired Police Officer , And for me this RVing is amazing.. I know I’m on my high horse now but it’s not to piss anyone off, just speaking up to us lesser RVers out there.

You make a good point. We don’t have a high end pusher but the one we have is fancier and cost more than we expected to pay. We think we’re lucky. I see people travelling in 80’s or 90’s small class c’s and figure they get to see it all too. If our situation changed maybe we could hope to go that way too.

[harleyjt]

I understand. I’m in the same situation. I have s Newmar gas rig that I bought 10 yrs old. But it’s a good rig and suits our needs.
jt

[scbwr]

Originally Posted by TUCSONRAIL

1. Newmar, 2. Entegra, 3. Tiffin, 4. Winnabago.

I was thinking more in terms of their cars. The Ram trucks and Jeep line seem to be what`s keeping Dodge alive.

[lfcjasp]

Originally Posted by Nichaw

There’s a lot of road warriors on here with expert knowledge of RVs and who have the best of the best. So let me say I appreciate all the input and advice as it does truly help rookies like me . But for those of us, at least myself, I can’t afford those big dollar rigs and never will So when you talk down about the Thor and the other lesser RV owners understand some of us don’t have your kind of money. The dream of RVing is real for those of us less fortunate that can’t afford the class A rigs or over 100 k RVs . So the entry level rig is a dream come true for people like me. After wanting one for twenty years and doing my homework on class C’s, I bought a New Thor class C four winds that I bought new in 2016. Never had an issue with it( knock on wood) drives great , everything still works as it did when I bought it, has all the bells and whistles, 3 TVs , outdoor entertainment, blah blah,, .. yes I can see where it went cheap ion a few things but I love it.. I read on here where people say all the time their big high dollar rigs had to take back to shop to fix this or that, in and out of the shop etc.. mines never been in shop, over 30 thousand miles in three years . I take mine hunting, fishing, dry camping, visiting baseball parks , and stay in baseball lots for 3 days, ( my sons plays baseball) lots of hiking mountain biking etc.. I’m 62 and retired Police Officer , And for me this RVing is amazing.. I know I’m on my high horse now but it’s not to piss anyone off, just speaking up to us lesser RVers out there.

You hit the nail on the head, Nichaw. We bought the Four Winds we have now though I suspected we were not getting the best Class C. It fit our needs, we could afford it and DH liked this dealership. Now it's a Camping World and our camper has taught us a lot over the past six years. We still can't afford what I'd really like...maybe even used...but we hope to get a better quality unit the next time.

[TUCSONRAIL]

I believe the original post was about build quality. 3 of the 4 brands mentioned above have always built gas coaches along with DPs. Now Entegra has come out with a gas line. Newmar and Entegra are the only ones to use hung wall construction which provides superior insulation. Newmar builds the gas coaches in the same line as the high end DPs using the same construction methods. There is a reason Newmar sold out their entire 2019 production( 2200 units) at the spring dealer show. Newmar is also one of the very few that survived the 2008 downturn.

[Rolling Ragu]

Budget does not limit you to entry level motorhomes. We just purchased a higher quality, 8 year old coach. My budget couldn't go any higher and my expectations weren't going any lower.

Nearly every owner of a higher end coach at one time was limited. I believe sometimes the written word on forums can come across like "talking down" when the person is trying to offer sound advice.

One of the most reoccurring suggestions from those with the most experience is to buy used, and buy as old as you have to to hit your budget. That's what we did. I can't tell you how it pans out, but so far I appreciate the decision.

[rschad]

I do understand the envy of looking at a new motorhome and thinking wow I would love a rig like that. But there is also a joy in taking a solid older motorhome and making it nicer, seeing how great a new floor or new taps or new furniture or shining up the exterior makes you kind of happy and proud of what you have. Both in terms of your motorhome and the amount of money still in the bank. I sometimes remind myself that I have less invested in my nice 2001 bounder than I would have paid the government in taxes on a new one. Gives me a warm feeling inside[emoji4]

[DaBruuzer]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Right or wrong, here's my perception of the overall quality level of different motorhomes:

Rolls Royce - Prevost and other bus conversions
Cadillac - Fortravel and Newell, Wanderlodge
Buick - Newmar, Entegra/Travel Supreme, Winnebago/Itasca, Monaco (pre-09), Tiffin
Oldsmobile - Fleetwood, Holiday Rambler, Pace Arrow
Pontiac - Alfa
Chevy - Thor, Coachmen

And I know there are others, now gone, for which I really know nothing about such as Alpine and Safari and others.
jt

Thanks, JT! Exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Went to my first RV show this weekend, and was actually very impressed with some of the Coachmen and FR3 models. Thor not as much, but still not terrible upon first inspection. These are in my range, used, and I was not disappointed by any of them. Would LOVE a Newmar or Prevost, but not looking for 10+ year old coaches.

[janniemac]

Originally Posted by Nichaw

There’s a lot of road warriors on here with expert knowledge of RVs and who have the best of the best. So let me say I appreciate all the input and advice as it does truly help rookies like me . But for those of us, at least myself, I can’t afford those big dollar rigs and never will So when you talk down about the Thor and the other lesser RV owners understand some of us don’t have your kind of money. The dream of RVing is real for those of us less fortunate that can’t afford the class A rigs or over 100 k RVs . So the entry level rig is a dream come true for people like me. After wanting one for twenty years and doing my homework on class C’s, I bought a New Thor class C four winds that I bought new in 2016. Never had an issue with it( knock on wood) drives great , everything still works as it did when I bought it, has all the bells and whistles, 3 TVs , outdoor entertainment, blah blah,, .. yes I can see where it went cheap ion a few things but I love it.. I read on here where people say all the time their big high dollar rigs had to take back to shop to fix this or that, in and out of the shop etc.. mines never been in shop, over 30 thousand miles in three years . I take mine hunting, fishing, dry camping, visiting baseball parks , and stay in baseball lots for 3 days, ( my sons plays baseball) lots of hiking mountain biking etc.. I’m 62 and retired Police Officer , And for me this RVing is amazing.. I know I’m on my high horse now but it’s not to piss anyone off, just speaking up to us lesser RVers out there.

We bought our first rv on a whim-- new '14 Thor Winds 31F. Almost no issues with it and learned we loved the lifestyle but wanted more room. Next '16 , Thor Challenger 37LX. Kept having an issue with mid house electrical wiring issues plus a few other minor issues. Eventually, those all got fixed too (under warranty). Retired last year and moved up to a Newmar diesel. Have had a few issues, but again, all is fixed now. We learned a lot about RVing with our previous Thor's, including how much we love it. And you are right, there is a price point for everyone. You can still enjoy the lifestyle without breaking the bank. Expect some problems and hope for a little luck.