Lightweight FW

GPG52! wrote:
I have owned both a Durango 1500 series and Cougar 327RES. Both worked great for us. Here are some things we noticed with the light unit.
- Walls are thinner... which means less insulation
- The framing was based on the box configuration vs. having evenly spaced wall studs. I.E: framing around the perimeter of the box, around the door but then large gaps between studs
- limited amount of pull outs and the pull outs were not as deep
- some models have less hanging cupboard space as the walls have less framing
- oven was small... although the stove surface had three burner.. the oven interior height was shallow and would not fit standard cooking pots restricting its use.
- and my PET PEAVE the electric awning was anchored in the wall skin only and not in a stud.... first year we were caught in a freek storm which tor the awning arm away from the wall... this compromised the awning reducing it to a fair weather awning going forward.

My 2c worth... good luck.
GPG

IMO, electric awnings are fair weather use only, anyway. I know that I'll always retract mine any time I leave the trailer for more than a few minutes. I'd much prefer a manual any day.

Lyle

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Yeah, but yours is pre-Thor... :-/

Lyle

Are they still using the Dexter Nev-R Adjust brake systems? I really like mine.

I think so. Haven't yet waded through the 4" pile of paperwork due to year-end "stuff".

Lyle

I have owned both a Durango 1500 series and Cougar 327RES. Both worked great for us. Here are some things we noticed with the light unit.
- Walls are thinner... which means less insulation
- The framing was based on the box configuration vs. having evenly spaced wall studs. I.E: framing around the perimeter of the box, around the door but then large gaps between studs
- limited amount of pull outs and the pull outs were not as deep
- some models have less hanging cupboard space as the walls have less framing
- oven was small... although the stove surface had three burner.. the oven interior height was shallow and would not fit standard cooking pots restricting its use.
- and my PET PEAVE the electric awning was anchored in the wall skin only and not in a stud.... first year we were caught in a freek storm which tor the awning arm away from the wall... this compromised the awning reducing it to a fair weather awning going forward.

My 2c worth... good luck.
GPG

laknox wrote:

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Yeah, but yours is pre-Thor... :-/

Lyle

Are they still using the Dexter Nev-R Adjust brake systems? I really like mine.

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Yeah, but yours is pre-Thor... :-/

Lyle

Only time will tell if that matters. My guess is yours came off the same line using the same design. Nothing changed but the sticker.

Nothing changed 'cept the "faster, cheaper" mentality of Thor, and most other mfrs...

Lyle

laknox wrote:

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Yeah, but yours is pre-Thor... :-/

Lyle

Only time will tell if that matters. My guess is yours came off the same line using the same design. Nothing changed but the sticker.

2112 wrote:

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Yeah, but yours is pre-Thor... :-/

Lyle

laknox wrote:
*snip* I just got a Durango 1500 277RLT, but have yet to take it out. *snip*

We have this same floor plan and love it. I have experienced zero issues with it in the 5 years we've owned it.

Road Phantom wrote:
cougar 1/2 ton towed with 2500 hemi east coast to west coast three times. lived in it full time three winters total of 23 months, no major issues. solid construction. maintained seals and running gear, batteries, etc. keeping my 2014 another three years and upgrading to new model of the same keystone product.

In 3 years you will most likely come to the conclusion that a 2021 or 2020 Keystone is not built anywhere close to your 2014.

goducks10 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
My BIL uses his Phoenix about 8 weekends per year and is fairly happy with it. It is a pretty cheap light rv. My Citation is about as light as I would want....15500 lbs gvwr with a curb weight around 13000 lbs. It seems as though most people prefer buying junk and saving money as opposed to spending the bucks on quality.....therefore there is only about two quality 5th wheel manufacturers left in business.

LOL, which ones are they?

I think most would agree that New Horizon and Spacecraft are the remaining high quality manufacturers.

In my opinion Luxe, DRV Crossroads (Carriage) and Arctic Fox are descent. I hope there are others that belong in this catagory but I'm not aware of any. Does Redwood fit in the same group as Cedar Creek, Montana and a gazillion others?