A magazine/outfit that evaluates new RV's

[araucano]

Hello everyone:
As F/T are you aware of any outfits such as "Consumer
Reports" for appliances and automobiles but in this case for new/used
Rv?.If so,has anyone used their services and how satisfied were you?
I'd like to have an idea for a 5th or trailer for full timing.......
Thank you so very much for replying.........
Also if you would,is there a better time to buy a unit?is it better to buy at
RV shows?araucano.

["007"]

Here is a list of reporting sites that may help you, some want your money but others get feed back of RVers with what they own.
As for best time would be now, know of people getting bargains on EBay and some people are strapped for cash and need to get rid of their RV's.
Local newspapers may have some bargains also.
Check the PDI lists for what ever your looking for found in new rig forum top of forums.

[Barbaraok]

There is no group comparable to Consumers Union that does ratings of RVs. The few 'groups' out there are one or two person operations and the 'ratings' are really some things that the owners of the outfits thinks are important. They don't buy and test rigs, they just get literature and have various 'formulas' that they use to rate - - very subjective.

For the best information about a rig find and owners group on the web. There are a lot out there whether on iRV2 of Yahoo groups. That is your best source of information about the rig - the good and the bad.

Barb

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

The problems I see with just about anyplace you try to get ratings on RV's is none of them go into detail of the manufacturing quality. All they do is look at the surface of the rigs, the things that can be seen as one walks through a rig.

I'd like to see a consumer rating on the different manufacturers that go into detail deep inside the unit. The wiring and plumbing that's hidden behind cabinets and areas you can't see on a finished unit.

[mick]

Kind this in mind.................Those people who do the ratings, THEY LIVE IN S&B and have probally never spent a week in an rv. You IMO, should forget using or paying other people for their advice and talk to the ones that acutally live in their rvs. Find a campground or rv park, locate some fulltimers and have at it. You will learn more in 2 hours with them, than 2 months with all them funny people wanting to sell you something. Visit all the forums for fulltimers, read, read, read some more, read BETWEEN the lines, read before the lines and then go put that info to work at the dealerships, private sales etc. That will give you an UNEQUALLED education.

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick Kind this in mind.................Those people who do the ratings, THEY LIVE IN S&B and have probally never spent a week in an rv. You IMO, should forget using or paying other people for their advice and talk to the ones that acutally live in their rvs. Find a campground or rv park, locate some fulltimers and have at it. You will learn more in 2 hours with them, than 2 months with all them funny people wanting to sell you something. Visit all the forums for fulltimers, read, read, read some more, read BETWEEN the lines, read before the lines and then go put that info to work at the dealerships, private sales etc. That will give you an UNEQUALLED education.

Well said.

[Barbaraok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob (WA0MQE) The problems I see with just about anyplace you try to get ratings on RV's is none of them go into detail of the manufacturing quality. All they do is look at the surface of the rigs, the things that can be seen as one walks through a rig. I'd like to see a consumer rating on the different manufacturers that go into detail deep inside the unit. The wiring and plumbing that's hidden behind cabinets and areas you can't see on a finished unit.

There just are the numbers of people who would be willing to pay for that kind of research - - that is why the best source of information is the various user groups.

Barb

[LindaH]

Whether you like them or not, RV Consumers Group is the only non-profit group that rates all types of RVs for safety, durability, value, use, etc. In addition to their ratings, they have a lot of educational material available.

We have used the RVCG ratings with every RV we've ever owned. We use it as a first step in helping us sort through the miriad of choices out there. Once we have our list narrowed down to two or three brands/models, we then start doing indepth research.