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Old 06-04-2012, 11:18 AM   #1
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Dutchmen trailers

My wife and I have put a deposit on a Dutchmen 277RLS trailer that we should
pick up this weekend. I am wondering what you RVers that have a Dutchmen think about the trailer. The 277 will work fine for us as far as space and storage but I am wondering what the owners think of the Dutchmen over all reliability? Thanks for the help.
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Old 06-04-2012, 07:36 PM   #2
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We had a Dutchmen 30' 5er for 10 years. The only problem was a water leak at a front clearance light that rotted the LF corner away. We now have a Grand Junction (luxury unit), made by Dutchmen that has been practically trouble free, and we travel/live it in about 6 months a year.
That said, Dutchmen themselves advertise Dutchmen TT's as entry-level units.
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Old 06-05-2012, 02:43 PM   #3
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ezspdr....try the Dutchmen owners site and ask the question. See below

Dutchmen RV Owner's Group • Index page
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Old 06-06-2012, 04:22 PM   #4
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DO NOT BUY DUTCHMEN. we bought brand new Rainier 277RLS September 2011. It spent 73 days in two different shops for everything from leaks to component failures to poorly fitted drawers and on and on. Dutchmen refused to haul it to a factory and go over it and dealer couldn't find and fix leaks. Finally traded it at a huge loss for a new Jayco that is so well made. What a new trailer should be.
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Old 06-28-2012, 09:53 PM   #5
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Have had my 2012 Dutchmen 814RB since mid May and had our first trip last weekend. I had been using it as an office in the side yard while finishing up the school year and it was great to finally be able to use it as a travel trailer.

As another poster noted, Dutchmen promote on their site as entry level, but I do not get that "entry level" feel to the trailer. I am impressed more and more as I use it.

I looked for a year and decided on the Dutchmen in about 15 minutes. It was the nicest of all the 14ft trailers I had viewed in person or had explored online.
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Old 07-26-2012, 12:57 AM   #6
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Own and operate a dutchman lite from 1999 and have had very few issues, most of which were self induced. Certainly an entry level unit but we have loved ours so far.
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Old 07-26-2012, 02:37 PM   #7
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I have a 2013 Dutchmen Denali 287re. We have taken it out twice so far this summer with another trip planned for next month. I'm very happy with it so far. Very spacious floor plan, remote control awning, slide, outside light, landing gear. Hard counter tops, 10 gal hot H2o tank, 10 cubic foot large fridge. Lots of nice cabinets. I don't really consider ours "entry level" though. It's our third TT.
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Old 07-26-2012, 05:19 PM   #8
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Wow,

Ours is quite spartan compared to that denali!
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Old 07-26-2012, 06:20 PM   #9
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If that Denali is an entry model, I'm in! What a nice lookin TT
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Old 07-26-2012, 06:44 PM   #10
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Recently purchased an aerolite travel trailer ; have ongoing problem of air in lines using a new well system with a 7' in ground frost free shut off , pressure regulator and rv filter system . Our neighbors have the same setup with no air in their lines ? We also used the water from our neighbors frost free hookup and the problem continues . RV tech insist it's our well even though he noted no change in our camper using our neighbors water with no air in his lines . While the tech had our access panel removed from our hot water heater , water sprayed across our camper floor ? His response was this is normal when you hook up your water to the city water hookup . He wiped up the spill and continues to insist our well is the problem even though he personally witnessed my neighbors water running as smooth as the water in your home sink with absolutely no air in the lines . He made a last ditch effort by replacing our city water inlet valve but we still have air in our lines enough to make our faucets shake at the kitchen sink . We also found water under our kitchen sink on the floor but again he found no leaks ? He also tried our fresh holding tank ' noting that the new rv monitor was stuck on empty ?
And further filling of our tank until water ran out the inlet fill noted we had a defective water pump that demonstrates the same air in line problem as our well water system/hookup ? We are new to rv'ing and extremely disappointed by the dealers inability to assess and repair our new rv plumbing problems . Further discussion with other rv dealers informed us the dealer we purchased our rv from has a poor record with service after the sale ! There are other concerns with this "new travel trailer" , 2012 Aerolite . But for now , I'm wondering if anyone had similar experience with their rv and is this fixable problem or are we just stuck with an expensive lemon ?
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Old 07-26-2012, 08:41 PM   #11
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Thor/Dutchman manages to put a lot of glitz and bling on that makes it look expensive. But the basic bones of the trailer are entry level.

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Old 07-26-2012, 08:57 PM   #12
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Yeah, I once owned a Dutchman fifth wheel. I could write a book on the poor quality, even poorer service. After a few years, as it was rotting away from numerous leaks, I traded it off at a huge loss. They should be out of buisiness. The fact they they aren't proves that low price, lots of glitz and an Rv community with very little knowledge of quality, works. It's sad.
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Old 07-26-2012, 10:38 PM   #13
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We have a Dutchmen Infinity 5er. We like it. Not going to point fingers at other brands. Just the facts; We don't have TT. But if as nice as out 5er, it is good.
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Old 07-27-2012, 03:22 AM   #14
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We are on our 3 TT. 1st one was a Forest River, 2nd was a Keystone Outback and now our Denali. My experience with all 3 is that they ALL have their "glitz and glimmer" but are they constructed like my custom home? No. Unfortunately they are not. I keep that in mind when purchasing them. To me personally, they are just big toys. I take the best care of them but things will break. Try dragging your home down the road on a flat bed truck... Things will rattle and fall off. Just part of the game... And I still love it. They all have their pluses and minuses. My Forest River was nice but plain,y Keystone Outback was beautiful inside but horribly insulated and hot as hell during the summer months. My Denali is fine but still I wouldn't want to live in it forever. Just buy the best you can afford. It's the dealership you buy from that I find to be the problem more often that will cost you money down the road. Jmo.
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