Heartland rigs
I would love to know which of you has owned a Heartland fifth wheel and what you think of it.. we are especially interested in the Landmark or the Bighorn. we have listened til our ears hurt to all t...
Forum Discussion
Mine isn't exactly the model being discussed, but it is a 2011 Heartland. Just happens to be from the Cyclone toyhauler line.
Opinion? Most of the components used are pretty much the same as most other campers, Lippert, dometic, etc etc. and offer no real surprises either good or bad.
Construction? Well the hard parts seem to be ok, such as the structure itself, frame (though seems a bit on the light duty side), interior, etc.
Where it really falls down is when you lift the skin (beauty only goes that deep right?) and look under. Utility installation is pathetic. Plumbing, electrical, ductwork etc looks as if it were done by the lowest bidder from some 3rd world nation where standards are non-existent, and it had to be done yesterday.
Yes, it is that bad. The transfer switch (big metal box with relays in it) was held down with 1 screw, and faith in place of the other 3 screws.
There have been a slew of minor problems that were not all that big a deal to handle, and customer service/warranty issues were fairly painless, but bottom line is for the amount of money being paid out, a bit of pride of workmanship is not an unreasonable expectation.
In their defense I hear this to be pretty much prevalent throughout the low-mid level rv market, and based on what I saw during production at the Jayco plant I believe it.
Yes I did tour Heartland as well, during a plant shutdown actually, which to me was actually a better deal because I got to walk right up to units in all stages of construction and stick my nose in things. Again, expediency of installation seemed to trump all with neatness, cleanliness, and detail of installation taking the absolute back seat to "getting it done".
Would I buy another Heartland? Possibly, but I don't intend to next time around, which has more to do with lack of a floor plan that trips my trigger than anything else. Next purchase looks to be an XLR which the DW and I both like and agree on top to bottom.
A rare occurrence to be sure.
Opinion? Most of the components used are pretty much the same as most other campers, Lippert, dometic, etc etc. and offer no real surprises either good or bad.
Construction? Well the hard parts seem to be ok, such as the structure itself, frame (though seems a bit on the light duty side), interior, etc.
Where it really falls down is when you lift the skin (beauty only goes that deep right?) and look under. Utility installation is pathetic. Plumbing, electrical, ductwork etc looks as if it were done by the lowest bidder from some 3rd world nation where standards are non-existent, and it had to be done yesterday.
Yes, it is that bad. The transfer switch (big metal box with relays in it) was held down with 1 screw, and faith in place of the other 3 screws.
There have been a slew of minor problems that were not all that big a deal to handle, and customer service/warranty issues were fairly painless, but bottom line is for the amount of money being paid out, a bit of pride of workmanship is not an unreasonable expectation.
In their defense I hear this to be pretty much prevalent throughout the low-mid level rv market, and based on what I saw during production at the Jayco plant I believe it.
Yes I did tour Heartland as well, during a plant shutdown actually, which to me was actually a better deal because I got to walk right up to units in all stages of construction and stick my nose in things. Again, expediency of installation seemed to trump all with neatness, cleanliness, and detail of installation taking the absolute back seat to "getting it done".
Would I buy another Heartland? Possibly, but I don't intend to next time around, which has more to do with lack of a floor plan that trips my trigger than anything else. Next purchase looks to be an XLR which the DW and I both like and agree on top to bottom.
A rare occurrence to be sure.
