Grand Design vs. Keystone vs. Big Horn

Whatever you go with make sure it has Dexter running gear. I know a GD owner who has had multiple bearing issues with the Lippert bearings. I think the Big Horn has Dexter.
Have you considered Cedar Creek. Their owners seem to be a happy bunch and speak well of the customer service.

We looked at all three and settled on a Montana, mostly because my DW like the floor plan. I think all three are fairly comparable and nothing in their visible construction stood out..

stickdog wrote:
We're in the process of purchasing a new fiver. We've seen them all over the last few years unfortunatly with consolidation of manufactures the ones we liked have been dropped. Looked over the Grand Design but couldn't find a floor plan we could agree on. The two we had as top contenders were the Big Horn and Arctic Fox. After spending an hour or more going over a AF 35-5 DW didn't care for the
layout so we were down to one but not quite yet. We've now decided move up to the same floor plan as in the BH but in a Landmark 365. For us/me the larger carry capasity is important and DW likes the finish much better although there are some things she still likes about the BH better. I keep telling her there is no perfect RV and she/we are already makeing plans for the upgrades. Gotta keep the DW happy.

Bighorn and Landmark are built on the same assembly line, however the Landmark cost a lot more. We love our BH3575el. Chris

Not much difference between them. They are all in the same price range. They use the same components in many cases. Why not throw a Cedar Creek into the mix. I shopped them all and felt it was the best value. JMHO

B.O.

We're in the process of purchasing a new fiver. We've seen them all over the last few years unfortunatly with consolidation of manufactures the ones we liked have been dropped. Looked over the Grand Design but couldn't find a floor plan we could agree on. The two we had as top contenders were the Big Horn and Arctic Fox. After spending an hour or more going over a AF 35-5 DW didn't care for the
layout so we were down to one but not quite yet. We've now decided move up to the same floor plan as in the BH but in a Landmark 365. For us/me the larger carry capasity is important and DW likes the finish much better although there are some things she still likes about the BH better. I keep telling her there is no perfect RV and she/we are already makeing plans for the upgrades. Gotta keep the DW happy.

I was very interested in a GD but after looking very closely at their units, I found that they started saving a few dollars in the sneakiest places. Frames got smaller, no padding under carpet, etc.
Plus, at the RV show their "Engineer" didn't seem to know how they were built or just flat out lied about the construction; "no luan in walls - solid fiberglass".
Don't get me wrong, these are super nice trailers but I was looking for the best quality I could find without concern for added cost (within reason).

Short of finding someone who has owned all three brands, you will be hard-pressed to find an objective assessment of the comparative quality. Also, until you get into the really high-end lines (read heavy and expensive like DRV, New Horizons, etc.), there's also not a huge difference in build or materials quality. What I can tell you from having owned two other brands and now full-timing in a Grand Design (Reflection 337RLS) is that Grand Design has built a reputation for customer service that sets them a bit above the competition.

I, too, am a fan of the Northwood Manufacturing products (Arctic Fox, etc.) and, like you, could not find a floorplan that would work for us. Most issues with new RVs these days are with the appliances and components supplied by vendors other than the RV builder - i.e. ACs, refrigerators, slide mechanisms, and the like. Other than problems with the solid axle suspension system (Lippert, of course), we've not had any major issues with our unit in two years of full-timing. We replaced the solid axles with the MOR/ryde independent suspension and disc brakes and are much happier campers, now.

Rob

We had a heartland cyclone, not many issues. Then a heartland big Horn Silverado, we had quite a few issues largest being the exterior was cracking at the top of both back slides. I tried to get simple communication with heartland rep and he would not even reply. Now we have a grand design reflection and have had very few issues. I did post on grand design forum and was immediately contacted by a customer service representative.

I have a Montana Legacy and Love it but have friends with GD Solitudes and Heartland Big Horns and they are pretty much all the same IMO Now but a few years back I think Grand Designs Cheap'ed out on to many things like only 10 in frames lame sound systems and TV's and no Rear Caps and no central vac systems only 3 step entry etc.. compared to Montana and Heartland BUT they have stepped it up in the last 2 years and they have made up ground and they have good Customer Service so Now Just pick a floor plan you like from any of those(and many other brands) and buy from a good dealer and Go With it and Enjoy