Brand Prestige

[Raining Star]

Being new to the scene I have no opinion on the subject but I heard two RV'ers discussing one RV manufacturer's brand as being like a Cadillac, another more "work-a-day" like a Chevy.
I know these are only opinions, and I have no interest in starting a debate over who's better than who, but wondering about what the general perceptions of the different brands of RV's are.
I think if we avoid commenting on other people's posted opinions we could get through this without arguing who's right and who's better.

[wnytaxman]

Originally Posted by Raining Star

Being new to the scene I have no opinion on the subject but I heard two RV'ers discussing one RV manufacturer's brand as being like a Cadillac, another more "work-a-day" like a Chevy.
I know these are only opinions, and I have no interest in starting a debate over who's better than who, but wondering about what the general perceptions of the different brands of RV's are.
I think if we avoid commenting on other people's posted opinions we could get through this without arguing who's right and who's better.

I think the brand prestiege is as much a function of cost as anything else. A Coachmen is an entry level coach and many folks are fine with that. Others won't even think of anything that isn't on a Prevost chassis or that has a price tag of less than $1 million.

There certainly is a pecking order on manufacturers. The top end is the custom coach such as the Newell or Marathon. One can look at one of those coaches and either drool or think that there is someone with more money than brains or just ignore them.

Next on the list would probably be what I would call the mid-level coaches. Many of these prefer to call themselves luxury coaches. I would put Tiffin, Monaco, Entegra, American Coach, Itasca/ Winnebago, and Holiday Rambler in that category. I'm sure there are others that I've missed.

Then you have the entry level coaches such as Coachmen, Berkshire, and Bounder. All of the different coaches I've listed are purely subjective. I'm happy with my Berkshire but as we move to a different point in life with kids going away to college our needs tend to change and I would look more closely at the Entegras but not from a prestiege standpoint, but from a practical standpoint of what will serve our needs going forward.

RVing should be a classless way of life. I know that it isn't totally classless, but it should be fine that the most mundane of pop ups is sitting next to the most opulent of Newells and both owners are sharing a libation together.

[RickO]

We learned pretty quickly that the big names rule the roost... Marathon, Newel, etc.

It took us a little longer to figure out there was a family of upper end rigs from Fleetwood and Winnie that gave the big boys a run for their money... but at half their price. American and the Ultimate (now defunct) lines are beautiful rigs.

After that, the perceptions I've formed (based only upon what I've read and talked to others about) lead me to view Newmar and Tiffin in the next level with Winnie right behind as the "General Motors" kind of standard bearer.

Just perceptions I've formed to date...

Rick

[RickO]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

but it should be fine that the most mundane of pop ups is sitting next to the most opulent of Newells and both owners are sharing a libation together.

I have a photo buried somewhere that I took of that very thing! Very cool.

Rick

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

I think the brand prestiege is as much a function of cost as anything else. A Coachmen is an entry level coach and many folks are fine with that. Others won't even think of anything that isn't on a Prevost chassis or that has a price tag of less than $1 million.

There certainly is a pecking order on manufacturers. The top end is the custom coach such as the Newell or Marathon. One can look at one of those coaches and either drool or think that there is someone with more money than brains or just ignore them.

Next on the list would probably be what I would call the mid-level coaches. Many of these prefer to call themselves luxury coaches. I would put Tiffin, Monaco, Entegra, American Coach, Itasca/ Winnebago, and Holiday Rambler in that category. I'm sure there are others that I've missed.

Then you have the entry level coaches such as Coachmen, Berkshire, and Bounder. All of the different coaches I've listed are purely subjective. I'm happy with my Berkshire but as we move to a different point in life with kids going away to college our needs tend to change and I would look more closely at the Entegras but not from a prestiege standpoint, but from a practical standpoint of what will serve our needs going forward.

RVing should be a classless way of life. I know that it isn't totally classless, but it should be fine that the most mundane of pop ups is sitting next to the most opulent of Newells and both owners are sharing a libation together.

You nailed it right there! Well said. I bought my motorhome to help me escape the rat race, not to create yet another one.

[Raining Star]

Thanks for all the replies, but I think I chose my subject line poorly. I'm a school bus driver and the wife is a nurse, neither of us has any interest in snubbing others with a flashy rig.
I was originally hoping to get an understanding of the quality and reliability reputations of the different brands, not their snob index.

[Tugboat]

You get what you like and can afford. You will find well made and junk in all price ranges.

[bdickson]

Interesting that no one has mentioned Thor. We just bought a Challenger, and we are very pleased with it. I would say it qualifies as a luxury coach, certainly in the gas world. We were able to compare the Challenger side by side with an Itasca Suncruiser and were less impressed with the build and finish quality on the Itasca which, I think, is built by Winnebago. in contrast, we were able to walk through a half million dollar Tiffin, and my reaction was "ostentatious" and over done. To each his own. In the final analysis, if one is happy with their coach, then it is the right choice for them.

[historyljc]

Originally Posted by bdickson

Interesting that no one has mentioned Thor. We just bought a Challenger, and we are very pleased with it. I would say it qualifies as a luxury coach, certainly in the gas world. We were able to compare the Challenger side by side with an Itasca Suncruiser and were less impressed with the build and finish quality on the Itasca which, I think, is built by Winnebago. in contrast, we were able to walk through a half million dollar Tiffin, and my reaction was "ostentatious" and over done. To each his own. In the final analysis, if one is happy with their coach, then it is the right choice for them.

You buy the Zephyr and I'll be glad to trade you my lowly Phaeton for it - even of course. You know in your heart you really want a DP.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by historyljc

You buy the Zephyr and I'll be glad to trade you my lowly Phaeton for it - even of course.

Or: we'll trade a new Dutch Star ($370,000) for a new King Aire ($800,000+), also even of course! BTW: Newmar doesn't even consider a Dutch Star to be a "luxury motorhome", you have to go to a Mountain Aire.
Actually I've looked at a lot of high end rigs and come to the conclusion that I wouldn't want one. Too gaudy for us.

[PyrateSilly]

If I am gonna spend that kind of money on a new coach I will have it designed the way I want with the paint and materials I want and I can tell you it will not be "ostentatious" since I find leather seats just wrong and marble too cold on the feet and forget it for all the "touches" that make it too ostentatious. That's about the only way I will spend that kind of money on new.

We put in for a possible spot on that show by Brett Micheals "Rock my RV". They asked what theme would you want and Thom put Steampunk Dragon. No idea yet if we will get on but you never know, lol. But as you can see that is not "normal" paint and stuff.

[CorLynn]

I love Newell brand. I have never even seen one in real life. I would love too though. Inside and out *faints*. I will never afford one though But that would be my opinion of the best coach. I suppose the one thing i would not like about it would be the thirsty gas tank.

[slickest1]

The one you have is always the best one!

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by slickest1

The one you have is always the best one!

Absolutely!!