Brand survey likes/dislikes

87bob wrote:
My DW and I are thinking of up grading from a Bumper Tow to Fiver. This is with an eye to possible be full timers. I'm in sales so I've both heard and given BS in my time. That is why I asking folks here to give me their honest opinion. I want to cut out the sales BS. If you have or had a 5th Wheel. If you could respond to this post with Brand Year Model and Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. If you care to elaborate that is welcomed too. I know this is not scientific but people remember the the build quality and problems for a long time. I was looking at an used Open Range that an older couple had from new in a campground. The bad reviews were so plentiful about leaks and broken sliders on their units I wouldn't take one of those if it was given. I have been in some of the plants in Elkhart and have watched while the guys literally run from one unit to the next. For me there are two main issues, build quality and manufacture responsiveness of the manufacture. If you care to help out with my survey I will thank you in advance.

My '04 Komfort has been a pretty trouble-free rig since we got it. I only had a couple warranty issues, and one was never fixed. Small leak on the input water line on the toilet that only crops up when you step on the pedal for a while. I simply put a small plastic bowl underneath the valve and don't worry about it. :-) Most of my other problems are related to having to store it outside in the AZ sun. My dealer was a friend before I bought it and he treated me well and didn't take forever to fix the couple problems I did have. That being said, Komfort is NOT the same company it was in '04, so I wouldn't have a clue as to the more recent models. IMO, unless you get a complete custom rig, like a Spacecraft, you're going to run into the same terrible-to-mediocre build quality, no matter how much you spend. Yes, some mfrs are more responsive than others, in how they handle problems but, again IMO, there are still way too many problems that they do have to handle, some d@mn serious. Right now, for a mid-priced RV company, and based on a lot of reading, KZ isn't a bad way to go. Also, Northwoods (Arctic Fox) is also right up there, especially as they build their own frames; one of only 2 or 3 of the "major" mfrs that still do. (I'd be interested in an AF if 1) I had a 1 ton dually and 2) they made a floorplan that I liked.) If you read enough, you'll find people that have the cheapest RVs made and have literally no problems with them in years of ownership. At the same time, you'll find people who have purchased $100k+ trailers that literally fall apart.

Lyle