Industry ratings and spec comparisons?

Question

Does a true comparison of MH’s exist? AS I think about my next coach I have a good idea about what I want out of a coach but not necessarily the manufacturer. I know this question has been asked and answered on this forum a gazillion times and I feel like I ought to know better for asking but here goes: As I narrow my search to 2 types. First I will only look at new coaches, don’t ask why or try and talk me out of it, that’s where I landed for my own reasons. One search is an entry level DP. The market is pretty slim here and narrowed to the Palazzo, the  FW Excursion and Tiffin Red.  Gassers get a little more complex. But is there any tool that exists to compare specs across different manufacturers? Like wheelbase to wheelbase, roof type, slide count, hp, and features? I have searched and searched and can’t find anything. Usually I put this stuff in an Excel  but there are intangibles. Like the ride, road manners, interior noise, quality issues, R values, customer service, MPG, and true ownership intangibles. etc. Are these seriously rated anywhere? If you ask here you’ll get 1000 different opinions usually gravitating about what each person owns. Are RV’s that subjective? Aside from lack of mandated quality control, there seems to be no mandates around disclosures either. RV’s are a huge business. Why isn’t there more structure around ratings and mandates? If you buy a car there are about 20 sites you can go to that will compare comparable models across manufacturers. Heck when I bought my Kubota there are sites to compare specs on various models. No such thing really exists for MH’s does it? You telling me the tractor market has it more together than the RV world? I probably already know the answer. I’ll start working on my next spreadsheet.

nomadac · Answer

Does a true comparison of MH’s exist? The answer is NO. IMO there are too many variables to make a true comparison and too small a market for it. IMO the best option it to acquire brochures on the models you are interested and make your own spreed sheet listing specs. etc. That is what I have done in the past. The next thing is to visit the Mfg. and take a plant tour to see how it is made to determine quality of workmanship, materials used, that you cannot see in the finished product, and quality procedures. Then to test drive the models you are interested in purchasing. And finally talk to owners if models or brands you are interested to get their experiences and if they would repurchase again.

charles · Answer

I did the brochures, probably a dozen of them before buying a Winnebago. It is surprising how much you miss if you only go through them once, I spent several months going over everything before buying and I was quite happy with our purchase. I have since sold it very near to the price we paid for it. Family changes prevent us from going on long trips for the next two winters so I am back into Class B for short trips.

Nick

effy · Answer

Nomadac wrote:Does a true comparison of MH’s exist? The answer is NO. IMO there are too many variables to make a true comparison and too small a market for it. IMO the best option it to acquire brochures on the models you are interested and make your own spreed sheet listing specs. etc. That is what I have done in the past. The next thing is to visit the Mfg. and take a plant tour to see how it is made to determine quality of workmanship, materials used, that you cannot see in the finished product, and quality procedures. Then to test drive the models you are interested in purchasing. And finally talk to owners if models or brands you are interested to get their experiences and if they would repurchase again.Respectfully I have to disagree. In most auto magazines in any given month you’ll find comparisons of some supercars. Porsche to Ferrari, Lambo to Bugatti, etc. not only are these a smaller niche market than most RV’s, they usually have very few “items” in common. Yet they can be compared. I can think of my own scenario. Entry level DP’s; Palazzo, Vs Excursion vs Tiffin Red. A very obvious comparison can be made.  Sub $100k gas market – ACE, Hurricane, Vista, Bounder, Mirada, FR3, etc. MH’s are in fact categorized and there is a lot of strategy in play to compete on “like” levels.  But no one steps up to rate one against the other. Motorhome magazine is the only thing close and their reviews have all the slant of nothing short of a sales brochure. Makes sense understanding their vested interest.  I will keep making spreadsheets because I don’t think anything exists. But it should. I smell a gap in the market…who wants to throw capital my way to startup a true rating mag?

john_wayne · Answer

If your looking at new gas I think the only frame going now is the F53 with I think like 3 weight sizes so that should narrow it down. 1 engine size and 1 trans. Diesel will have more  options with frame, wheel base, engine (although I think only cummings is making MH engines now Cat dropped out), trans size.

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Industry ratings and spec comparisons?

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