Palomino Columbus vs Carriage Carri-lite

I think comparing a columbus to a carriage is like comparing a BMW to a Chevrolet.
I will always buy used over new. All the bugs are worked out of a used unit. We just purchased a used Jayco and there were no issues with it whatsoever.

Yes...I am well aware of the gap in quality. I also know that the Columbus is about 4,500 lbs lighter, which may keep us out of driving a dually.

The winter of 2013, Judy and I spent the winter months at Corpus Christi TX and had the opportunity to attended the local RV show. We spend the entire day nit picking all new 5th wheels. It was our observation that the Columbus line of RV's was superior to all other makes, which included floor plans, quality of construction and living convenience. If I was in the market for a new 5th wheel, the Columbus would be my first choice.

maggiejcampbell wrote:
The winter of 2013, Judy and I spent the winter months at Corpus Christi TX and had the opportunity to attended the local RV show. We spend the entire day nit picking all new 5th wheels. It was our observation that the Columbus line of RV's was superior to all other makes, which included floor plans, quality of construction and living convenience. If I was in the market for a new 5th wheel, the Columbus would be my first choice.

Was the Carriage Carri-lite line there? Mobile Suites? Lifestyle? Montanas? Are you comparing the Columbus to these in terms of quality of construction?

Our neighbor last winter had a new Columbus Palomino. Not much of it was very good and I thought he was not telling the truth until I walked in and saw what the problems were . They will not be here this winter so I will never know the result of his claim to CW or forest river.

chevman

janegowest wrote:

maggiejcampbell wrote:
The winter of 2013, Judy and I spent the winter months at Corpus Christi TX and had the opportunity to attended the local RV show. We spend the entire day nit picking all new 5th wheels. It was our observation that the Columbus line of RV's was superior to all other makes, which included floor plans, quality of construction and living convenience. If I was in the market for a new 5th wheel, the Columbus would be my first choice.

Was the Carriage Carri-lite line there? Mobile Suites? Lifestyle? Montanas? Are you comparing the Columbus to these in terms of quality of construction?

And certainly - a bunch of others also!

RV shows are a "stacked deck"..:R

Usually an RV dealer sponsors the show - allows/selects (for a fee) -
the dealers that will participate.

Multiple dealers of the same brand are usually not allowed.
("Show deals" are the best??)

You can change "dealer" to "manufacturer/s" - but the result is the same.
Nice opportunity to look at what *IS* there - - - but the savy shopper has to search out what is *NOT* there and see those brands elsewhere.

Ditto checking the other un-invited dealers of the brand/s you like -vs- supposed "hot" (IMO - not!) show prices by the participants.

~

maggiejcampbell wrote:
The winter of 2013, Judy and I spent the winter months at Corpus Christi TX and had the opportunity to attended the local RV show. We spend the entire day nit picking all new 5th wheels. It was our observation that the Columbus line of RV's was superior to all other makes, which included floor plans, quality of construction and living convenience. If I was in the market for a new 5th wheel, the Columbus would be my first choice.

Over what?Thats some statement!!!Spell out some of those construction differences.

janegowest wrote:
Yes, I know that they are not equal in terms of quality, but I am asking, because we can buy a 2015 Columbus for the same price as a 2009 Carri-lite. I am nervous about buying used, due to not knowing what kind of hidden issues there might be.

Any feedback on the showdown would be very helpful. Thx in advance!

Most of the things that u check on a new trailer are the same things u look for on a used, but one thing I would do more thoroughly is I would push on every piece of wall and ceiling checking for soft spots! and also looking for water stains.

We have a 2014 Columbus and we love it. We picked it up out an RV show as the best from those in the show.

Well you certainly can not compare a Carriage to a Forest River, or a Thor. I know we dont have a "Columbus" dealer close, so we dont see many of them, but Forest River is generally a decent-to-good quality unit. (Someone mentiond a Montana). Well we get many many Thor products in for repair. A lot more than any other name BY FAR!
Of course Carriage is no longer in business, but we get a few in as a trade, and everyone has been near perfect even a few years old.

Basically (to the OP) its your choice. Pick out the one you like the best and go with it.

Usually when posts like this are made, it is because they want someone to blame if their decision proves to be bad.

Really you can get good and bad in everything, so the one YOU want, is the best one for you. It doesnt matter if it is the one that WE want.