How to determine best manufacturers?

[twogypsies]

To give you an idea of what you can purchase within your budget and floorplans, look at these two consignment sites:

http://http://motorhomesoftexas.com/

http://http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/...motorhomes.php

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by timjet

For a list that might be of interest and a place to start, from lower in price to higher:
Tiffin: Allegro RED, Phaeton, Allegro Bus
Newmar: Ventana, Kountry Star, Dutch Star
Monaco: Knight, Diplomat, Camelot, Windsor

In my opinion I would probably consider some of the Winnie and Fleetwood products rather than the entry level coaches above.

Dutch Stars can easily run above $400,000 when new. We've bought two ourselves and they are certainly not "entry level" as you posted.

[geardown]

Thank you for all the great responses! This information is exactly what I was looking for.

Re Mr. D's questions: we've got a lot of flexibility. We'd like a length no less than 38', at least 1-2 slides, tag axle would be nice as we'll have a toad, and we don't need room for kids. Not picky about the year. We are doing the "kid" RV now. This future RV will be for after DS goes to college! Bottom line, we want quality over anything else. Aesthetics of inside can be altered to fit what we want.

I will use the info you've provided to help streamline the search. Thank you so much and please keep the suggestions coming!

[timjet]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Dutch Stars can easily run above $400,000 when new. We've bought two ourselves and they are certainly not "entry level" as you posted.

My post was mis-interpreted. I meant to say the Ventana, and Tiffin RED are entry level DP's within those manufactures product line.
In my limited research the Dutch Star is no entry level DP and personally I would love to find one within my price range.

[twogypsies]

You might want to take some factory tours to see how they're really made and the care in building them. For instance, Newmar doesn't have one line for the entry level and another line for the top. They are all built by the same workers on the same line. Each one receives the same care and attention in building. They aren't mass-produced like some manufacturers. The real differences are the upgraded quality of flooring, furniture, appliances, etc.

We used our '04 Newmar Dutch Star for 8 years of full-timing and traveling constantly, including Alaska. We had no problems with it. If we were to buy again it would be a Newmar.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We used our '04 Newmar Dutch Star for 8 years of full-timing and traveling constantly, including Alaska. We had no problems with it. If we were to buy again it would be a Newmar.

Our biggest mistake was not getting another Newmar rather than the Country Coach. Don't get me wrong, the CC is a fantastic rig, but we've spent more on repairs in one year than we did in 13 years with the last Dutch Star.

[geardown]

Okay, so I compiled a list based on people's comments and how frequently certain manufacturers/brands were mentioned. I understand that there are *many* factors that need to be taken into consideration, not just a manufacture's name. For instance, we need to consider how well a coach has been cared for, how the components were made the year the coach was constructed, etc.

Nevertheless, having some starting point, is helping me get started. Also, I recognize that for the price range, we may not be able to afford some of them, such as a Prevost. Still, it's helpful to know where those coaches fall in the big picture. So this is what I've put together based on your input thus far:


Level 1:
Prevost
Foretravel

Level 2:
Country Coach
Newmar (upper end models such as Dutch Star, the "Air" models)

Level 3:
Newall
Entegra
Monaco (upper end models such as Camelot, Windsor Signature)
[in 2000s, Holiday Rambler models were same as Monacos, just different names. Example, Monaco Camelot = Holiday Rambler Sceptor]

Level 4:
American Tradition
American Coach
Travel Supreme
Alpine Coach
Tiffin ( upper end models like Phaeton and Allegro Bus)
Winnebago (upper end models like Tour, Journey)


So, what do you think of the list? Any additional ideas or thoughts?
I'm enthused because my initial search indicates for 125k we can get into a decent used coach made by a good manufacturer. And yes, I understand the need to have a thorough survey, consider service record and amount of TLC, etc.

One other question:
Is there one central place where I can find a list of all the models broken down by manufacturer, listed in an order of entry level to top of the line? It's difficult trying to find this.

Thanks to everyone who has responded or who will respond. It's extremely helpful!!

[Scarab0088]

Ranking lists are only good until the next RV you look at...don't drink the Kool Aid.
Floor Plan first...chassis is next...and care and maint. is paramount.

And I will mention that Newell, like Marathon should most surely be in your "level 1" catagory: http://www.newellcoach.com/

Having said that, I would never touch a Newell or any Prevost Bus bodied RV selling for $125,000 (it would probably be offered for parts only).

NADA lists most RV's by brand in price ranking, then by year and model with more specific pricing. A good place to check any RV you see advertised:
http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs

Best luck

P.S. Due diligence for details like...Monaco/Holiday Rambler closed shop and was acquired by REV Group (http://www.revgroup.com/) - a new company. County Coach closed shop and was acquired by Winnebago...replacing Itasca as their premier moniker.