Forest River vs Dutchman products

You might want to take a look around this forum to see how Forest River owners feel about their trailer:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/

Greetings ladies and gentlemen. My first post here but have been lurking for several weeks now and there is lots of helpful information on here. Reason I am posting here is that I seem to be in the same boat as Johndeerfarmer. That is, looking for my first toy hauler. I have been researching this for several months now and still have not made up my mind what to buy.

As for JDF's original question as to build quality, so far in my experience that is hard to say. I have learned that most manufacturers use many of the same components. How well they are put together is what makes the difference.

I'll touch real quick on what I have learned from this forum, talking to owners and going to the dealers (3 states now) and looking at the smaller toy haulers myself.

Forrest River, like stated above, makes many different toy haulers. In the price range and size I am looking at are the Wolf Pack, Grey Wolfe and Work and play. I have pretty much ruled all of these out. Wolf Pack and Grey Wolfe are basically travel trailers converted to TH's. They have wood studs in the walls and roof and the entry door is in the garage area. Not that big of a deal but if you have it full of toys it could be hard to get to the front without unloading. The Work and Play models are the first I looked at when I started this quest. I learned, on here I think, that they are not insulated and are hard to keep warm when the temp really drops, a concern of mine since this will be used a lot during deer season. I can also imagine that they are harder to keep cool in the summer months here in Texas.
After learning this I started looking for listed R values in the floor, walls and roof of the RV.

I then ran across the Dutchman Rubicon, particularly the 2100. I liked the lay out as it has a separate front bedroom, with a door, not just a curtain, lots of storage and insulation. They also make an identical one in the Razorback. Build quality and the 2 I have looked at seems comparable to all the others. May not be but I am still looking. This model seems to be the best "bang for the buck".

I am interested in seeing an Axxess by VRV before I buy.

I also kind of like the Keystone Energy, particularly the 236LFSWE but it is a little bigger than I want but it seems to be a well build unit.

Going to and RV show in Ft Worth in a couple of weeks and may find something I like even better.

I wouldn't take a Dutchmen for free. Money pit.

Forest River has a few different toyhauler brands. I can list wolfpack-low level to XLR Top level. Theres Work & Play, Puma, a small greywolf. I sure theres more I cant think of.

Our FR hauler is top notch, and its an '04.....

Baaa to those who slam the product....

Have you looked at a Desert Fox?

I am looking for a toyhauler 25-27' max. Who builds a quality product? Or are they all cheaply built?

Last September, I was in and out of many different FR and Dutchman RV's.

My own personal opinion is that neither company is worth a darn.

Trying to meet too many needs (28 product lines) plus the different layouts within each product line.

Both companies are spread too thin for my liking.

WoodGlue

IMO I would say that is a pretty broad negative assessment of Forest River. Since FR represents over 23 different product lines in just TT and 5vr's, I would think you would find everything from low end to upper end products. I don't know anything about Dutchmen or all of the FR product lines, but I wouldn't rule out either on the basis of one or two of it's product lines.

my opinion of forest river is not all that good. if you look at interior walls they are very flimsy, and you can put a finger through them. one of our tech's put his hand on the wall out side the toilet and almost fell into the toilet. the wall gave way. we don't like working on them