Best brand 5th wheel

With quality comes weight. A 41' Grand Design Solitude weighs 13500 lbs.
A similar length Mobile suite is 18000 lbs
Luxe ..... 19000 lbs
New Horizons ..... 21000 lbs
Continental Coach 26000 lbs.

zoro58 wrote:

WTP-GC wrote:
From our recent shopping experience, I'd have to say that GD is comparable in interior quality to other manufacturers in the same price range. They are far better than those in the lower price ranges, but not nearly as good as those that are in the higher price ranges. My observation of this may differ from someone else's observation because we might place more worth in certain things over others.

Our new GD has Dexter axles, rather than the Lippert axles they were using just a year earlier. Now some folks may still question the current quality of Dexter components, but when/if something breaks, I know I can find parts almost anywhere.

Lippert owns Dexter

An apparently common myth, which belongs right alongside Lippert owning Reese.

Dexter acquired a frame/chassis component company, which became a separate division that was later acquired by Lippert. There is no relation to the Dexter axle and brake division.

memtb wrote:

zoro58 wrote:

WTP-GC wrote:
From our recent shopping experience, I'd have to say that GD is comparable in interior quality to other manufacturers in the same price range. They are far better than those in the lower price ranges, but not nearly as good as those that are in the higher price ranges. My observation of this may differ from someone else's observation because we might place more worth in certain things over others.

Our new GD has Dexter axles, rather than the Lippert axles they were using just a year earlier. Now some folks may still question the current quality of Dexter components, but when/if something breaks, I know I can find parts almost anywhere.

Lippert owns Dexter

As best I can determine, Lippert bought the chassis division of Dexter, “NOT” Dexter Axle!

Correct. Lippert bought out Dexters frame division and most every other frame builder in northern IN in the early 2010's.

We had a 2013 Keystone 235. A close friend had a 2012 Keystone 235. His had a pre Lippert frame by Dexter, ours had a post Lippert frame built in the same plant that Lippert obtained in the acquisition of Dexters frame division. Our 2013 frame was a total joke compared to his 2012, not only in the materials, but the construction. The welding may have been done by the Elkardt Elementary School morning Kindergarten craft class.

zoro58 wrote:

WTP-GC wrote:
From our recent shopping experience, I'd have to say that GD is comparable in interior quality to other manufacturers in the same price range. They are far better than those in the lower price ranges, but not nearly as good as those that are in the higher price ranges. My observation of this may differ from someone else's observation because we might place more worth in certain things over others.

Our new GD has Dexter axles, rather than the Lippert axles they were using just a year earlier. Now some folks may still question the current quality of Dexter components, but when/if something breaks, I know I can find parts almost anywhere.

Lippert owns Dexter

As best I can determine, Lippert bought the chassis division of Dexter, “NOT” Dexter Axle!

WTP-GC wrote:
From our recent shopping experience, I'd have to say that GD is comparable in interior quality to other manufacturers in the same price range. They are far better than those in the lower price ranges, but not nearly as good as those that are in the higher price ranges. My observation of this may differ from someone else's observation because we might place more worth in certain things over others.

Our new GD has Dexter axles, rather than the Lippert axles they were using just a year earlier. Now some folks may still question the current quality of Dexter components, but when/if something breaks, I know I can find parts almost anywhere.

Lippert owns Dexter

laknox wrote:

justme wrote:
Look for specifics for recomendations and be weary of brand loyalty. Be clear as to what you need and watch out for emotional response---

Choosing an RV would be =so= much easier if the mfrs would release at least half-way readable numbers. All we really want is 1) how many did they produce; 2) how many needed a) zero warranty work, b) "minor" warranty work, say under $2,000 total repairs, c) "major" warranty work, over $2,000 total, d) factory buy-backs. Also, what the "major" and buy-back claims entailed, at least generally. I know, I know, I got into the 'shrooms again...

Lyle

For our own good....they shield us from the truth! ??

justme wrote:
Look for specifics for recomendations and be weary of brand loyalty. Be clear as to what you need and watch out for emotional response---

Choosing an RV would be =so= much easier if the mfrs would release at least half-way readable numbers. All we really want is 1) how many did they produce; 2) how many needed a) zero warranty work, b) "minor" warranty work, say under $2,000 total repairs, c) "major" warranty work, over $2,000 total, d) factory buy-backs. Also, what the "major" and buy-back claims entailed, at least generally. I know, I know, I got into the 'shrooms again...

Lyle

Look for specifics for recomendations and be weary of brand loyalty. Be clear as to what you need and watch out for emotional response---

goducks10 wrote:


I won't deny a down turn is coming and as history has shown it's over due. Everyone seems to be jumping on the 'Worst crash ever' bandwagon. I guess we won't know until it gets here. If we do have a big crash I still don't think that will make the RV industry change gears. I'm not convinced that they want to flip things around and go a different way. It would cost millions to retool and without incoming revenue from poor sales during a crash or even several year after, I think they'll just continue with business as usual.

It doesn't need to be a big crash, just a run of the mill normal market correction, or even a 20 to 30% long term uptick in fuel prices. RV's are a by product of the holding companies main business which is making money. That's why the entire industry operates on the piecework labor model in pre engineered disposable plants, which are usually leased.

All one needs to look at is historical wholesale shipments at the RVIA web rag and compare that to the economic indicators of the same point in time.

As soon as the markets correct, and the vast majority of boomers see how even the smallest correction affects their 401Ks and other retirement investments, RV sales will be the first thing to bite the dust. The holding companies already have their strategy planned out, you can bet your rear end on that. Hence the acquisitions where you now have two holding groups with a combined 85% +/- share of the RV market. When it happens there will be an instant shortage of plywood in Indiana, as it will all be bought up to make the "for sale or lease" signs to place in front of the plants due to excess manufacturing capacity.

This supposed "RV sales boom" is trumped up by the RV Industry Association through things like the GORVing campaign and RVbusiness daily. The reality of it is it's not a boom, it's a bubble, and bubbles always pop eventually. Sales of RVs during this boom have not even kept pace with population increase. The number of registered RV's in the US is a proven constant.

When someone comes along and points out the real scenario in a way that gains some traction, they are then silenced by the deep pockets of the RVIA. Greg Gerber being bought out of RV Daily report is a prime example. It's now an RVIA cheerleading rag just like RVbusiness. Who do you think does the lobbying to keep lemon laws off the books where RV's are concerned?

We had good luck with the three Keystone 5th whls we had, but I read about problems others on this forum have had with Keystone, so its more of a hit and miss of having good luck. The industry is not fail proof.