What brands of mid-price 5 ers are quality and reliable?

Yes, you can save money buying used but that can often become a nightmare too. There are reasons the owner sold or traded in the trailer and very often he knows what skeletons are in the closet and seldom do they reveal this to the dealer or the private party purchasing it. Keep in mind that a dealer only want's to make money on the used RV's they take in. Usually, a dealer will check a trade-in's book value, do a walk thru to note anything obviously not right and the general condition. Then temper their trade-in value price offer by what they thing it will sell for on their lot and local/regional market.

Many to most people trading in or selling will cover up or bandaids over a defect they know is there and will almost clean all showing mold or yellow leak indication and much as they can. They also want the best price they can get for their RV. We've seen it no less than 100 times over the years helping family and friends find a good used RV. No real guarantee and usually a max of a 30 day warrantee from a dealer on used RV's. Many even have lots of restrictions on it then or only offer 50/50 coverage. Buyer, beware!!! And green buyers be triple aware and have a trusted knowledgeable 3rd person look the used RV over in detail as a reasonable help but may not still catch all flaws and issues as so many are hidden or have been hidden. For instance: Buying a 3 year old used car and 6 months later the transmission goes out, guess who pays? Probably didn't actually get a good deal on it then! Right? Same with an RV!

Buying used, you get only what it is and perhaps as close to your wants as you can and always remember that you too will be selling it again so getting the best bang for your buck is going to be applied to/on both ends of ownership.

Yes, there are many excellent condition used RV's at dealerships and private party selling. Something to remember is that the lower quality cheaper to buy new RV's usually drop like a rock in used value even when in very nice condition and can by bought quite cheap.

On the other hand, high end better quality decently maintained and clean RV's will usually hold their book and resale value high and for much longer and you'll be literally stunned to get one at a very cheap price. They normally don't sit long at all before selling.

Most any new RV on a dealers lot and most that have to be ordered can be bought for 25% to 35% off the manufacturer's MSRP actual $ listed amount if you dicker well and shop around and pit dealer against dealer. Many dealers are very slippery and fake a higher MSRP value so you think you are getting 30% off and it's really will only be 15% or less. Again, buyer beware!

We only buy new because we could and can and always pay cash as we like to collect interest, not pay interest. Not everyone can or will do this but that's their option or personal business to decide upon. We also like first use and having a hitch to rear bumper or bumper to bumper true full warranty for as long as possible.

Jane, go back and re-read your "dilemma" thread posters comments.

We looked at a new Montana today. Really liked all the features, except for the price.

I guess we would like to cap it around 30-35K at most. Of course, if we could come across a find for much less, all the better!

I think we had better stick with used....the fumes were really strong today in the new ones and I started feeling ill after a while of being in them.

I believe you might get better information if you provide a ballpark budget on what you want to spend. I have bought used, then new, then used in a fairly wide price range (12K to 60K). I don't think I would ever buy new again should I have the opportunity to purchase another RV. My experience encourages you to purchase the highest quality used rig within your budget.

Best Wishes!

janegowest wrote:
Including used as well. What brands are less prone to problems and are a good value?

We like the Shasta Phoenix for the pricing and design, but am not so sure about its quality. I have read about windows leaking and showers leaking, floor being flooded, etc. so am feeling leery about the brand now.

Would love to have some better-built brands to look for.

We have a Forest River, and would not buy another brand. They have great service. We looked at a lot of trailers, and saw a bunch of junk from Keystone.
It is very important to find a good, honest dealer to handle problems that come up. Most dealers are great for selling trailers, but indifferent when it comes to support.
You can save thousands by buying a used trailer (1 or 2 years old).

Old Duck wrote:
Check out Arctic Fox made by Northwood Mfg in Oregon

I've been surfing several rv.net forums for a few years now. Whenever anyone asks the question you've asked, Arctic Fox (Northwood Manufacturing) always comes up as a recommendation. They are built in Oregon. Most others are Indiana based. Not saying there is a thing wrong with that, except that Arctic Fox appears to put more emphasis on building units that are acclimated for cooler/colder weather, which really means they will also do well in hot weather too. They also build their own frames (Considered to be good thing). They have a good reputation for quality. The biggest problem for me (in Florida) is that there are not many dealers in the SE USA so I couldn't check them out. I just looked and they show one in NC and one in Ohio. Even so, I believe I should have put forth a little more effort to get a look at them. I believe they should be seriously considered.

Jayco (family owned) also seems to get good reviews.

I believe Montana is #1 in sales so they must be doing something right.

I have a Heartland Bighorn 3010RE (35 ft). They have very good factory support and a terrific on-line owners club. Maybe the best anywhere. I was encouraged to look at Bighorns because they are '4-season' rated. Only problem is that there are no standards for 4-season. It is also rated for full time living. Same question - what does that really mean ? At any rate, I am satisfied with my rig and do recommend Bighorn.

hbillsmith wrote:
My Wildcat offered the most features for the buck at the time I bought.........nothing else even came close.......I couldnt be more pleased.

See how it is. Wildcat is mid-priced. Hbillsmith is happy. DW and I couldn't get rid of ours fast enough. There is something good to be said about buying a higher quality used unit after all the kinks have been worked out.

shepstone wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
From much time spent on RV forums plus my own experiences I have to say that quality control is severely lacking in the trailer industry. I found so much shoddy workmanship on my own toy hauler, which I bought new, that I'll never buy another one (Voltage). After 2 years mine is finally right. Most other brands have similar complaints. Don't buy new. Get one a few years old, like mine, that has had the bugs worked out of it. You don't want the hassles of a new one.

I do agree with you, but after ours and the problems we had in the first year I had to keep a close watch on it usually checking after any rainstorm for leaks and found that one of the windows leaked to the inside and 3 others literally had no drain holes on the outside and water built up in the window wells to the point of overflowing . If it had been a used unit kept in a storage compound, the previous owners may have missed that and now it would have water damage and out of warrantee. So I suppose in this case there is an argument for buying new.

I guess that another case scenario could be that the owner of the new unit got fed up with the problems that were never resolved and got rid of it to buy another. So then, the next owner would be taking on the problems of the first owner. I hope that a super-thorough PDI could spot these problems though....

Check out Arctic Fox made by Northwood Mfg in Oregon

azdryheat wrote:
From much time spent on RV forums plus my own experiences I have to say that quality control is severely lacking in the trailer industry. I found so much shoddy workmanship on my own toy hauler, which I bought new, that I'll never buy another one (Voltage). After 2 years mine is finally right. Most other brands have similar complaints. Don't buy new. Get one a few years old, like mine, that has had the bugs worked out of it. You don't want the hassles of a new one.

I do agree with you, but after ours and the problems we had in the first year I had to keep a close watch on it usually checking after any rainstorm for leaks and found that one of the windows leaked to the inside and 3 others literally had no drain holes on the outside and water built up in the window wells to the point of overflowing . If it had been a used unit kept in a storage compound, the previous owners may have missed that and now it would have water damage and out of warrantee. So I suppose in this case there is an argument for buying new.

We researched our full time rig purchase for over a year. Looked at many lines online, personally walked through many more. You really need to decide the items important to YOU, then narrow your search. For us, we need a 4 ft shower (tall husband), four seasons, and no kitchen island fixed (mine is on casters which works for us). We finally settled on an Open Range because it checked most of our boxes. We did buy new because we had a Terry before this rig we bought new, kept for 15 years and worth every penny. Again, that works for us. Good luck with your search!