wife and I are looking at being full-timers and we could use help in determining what components have given you long term full-timers least amount of problems and best service. Using your least we will make an effort to obtain a RV that has those items. Hopefully this will reduce having to buy several times and can get it pretty close to right the first time.Some questions are which companies provides the most reliable leveling jacks, slide out mechanisms, roof hvac, chassis, electrical systems, appliances, heated floors or ducted heat, refrigerators, slide windows or push-out windows. rubber roofs or fiberglass, generators, engines, transmissions, etc.. We are not be in a position to buy a new top quality motor-home but will look at a used one. Thanks for your help.Don't want to get caught up in the glitter and not have quality.

I'm a Winnebago guy! I'm not recommending to you buy a Winnebago that would be a disservice! They have been making RV's longer than any other RV manufacture and they make a lot of there own parts and systems. I've own my Winnebago for 12 years with very little trouble. I don't worry about getting to point A from point B like I did when I owned other RV brands. Good Luck to you.

Other that custom Prevost based buses, my personal ranking for Class A motorhomes.Foretravel & Newell, quality build, top quality components, manufacturers that back their coach and will upgrade/re-condition them. Down side, even an old ones aren't cheap compared to mass produced coaches their age.Next tier would be Country Coach, Monaco high end, Travel Supreme (now Entrega) and American Coach, but none of these companies really exist as they were 10 years ago. All have suffered through major turmoil, restructuring and/or change of ownership. But quality was there.Winnebago, Newmarr* and Tiffin* come next, good quality coaches that are mass produced with decent track records, overall. These companies build entry level to some higher end Class A'sOne's I would personally stay away from as a novice full-timer, Fleetwood, Thor (Damon*, Four Winds*, Dutchmen), Forest River (Coachman*, Georgie Boy*, Sportscoach*), Alfa, Alpine, National RV, and R-Vision*. Some are gone, many consolidated, some haven't been known to come to the plate when problems happen.* We or family members have owned products by these companies

This is going well without a single component listed but without knowing if you are asking about a gasser or a DP I'll wait. Between the "rubber roof" and asking the same question in the 5er section I'm leaning towards gasser... it makes a big difference.

We leaning towards a diesel, because would like to pull full size vehicle(Tahoe). I am also 6ft 7inches tall at 280pounds. We will be covering all types of conditions in either a motorhome or fifth wheel. I do like the idea of more room in the cockpit and sitting higher that a motorhome gives. We are in the ministry, traveling to children's homes throughout the US, Mexico, Canada, Alaska.

What is your budget and what size MH would you be looking for? Will you stay in places with full hookups or more remote areas with no electrical or water? Would you be traveling to these places and staying 2 weeks or less or will you stay for a month or more at each place? If you can post how you will use the MH it would help.

reliable components | Good Sam Community

richard_123
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
We will be staying at places with full hook-ups. We usually stay 2 weeks -four weeks before relocating. Sometimes it takes 3-4 days to change locations.

Not completely sure of the amount that can go into the project, but should have that determined soon.
bigdisplay
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
JimM68 wrote:
Dometic over norcold.
Powergear hydraulic jacks

HWH only allowed on my coach
I love my 1210 norcold
never missed a beat in seven years and I use it 6 months of every year
Side cooling a must have
Sparton chassis IFS
bigdisplay
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
gemert wrote:
bigdisplay wrote:
J-Rooster wrote:
I'm a Winnebago guy! I'm not recommending to you buy a Winnebago that would be a disservice! They have been making RV's longer than any other RV manufacture and they make a lot of there own parts and systems. I've own my Winnebago for 12 years with very little trouble. I don't worry about getting to point A from point B like I did when I owned other RV brands. Good Luck to you.

and I can show you a dozen people whom hate winnebego and would never buy another.The absolute two best class A made to day taking average affordabe units is TIFFIN and NEWMAR

And I can show you a dozen people who hate Tiffin, especially when Dad tried to retire. Newmar and Foretravel however have very few if any dissatisfied customers. But very pricy. Out of my range anyway.

That is/was my point ALL makes have problems

I know a foretravel guy whom paid 12K to have his roof redone at the factory.lasted 2 years and they refuse to help to fix it
I know a fellow that bought a kingaire. Aquahot had a hole in the line that was made by an assembly screw(took 3 weeks and a lot of pissed off people) before they found it
Also one front wheel bearing was sent out with no that was another nasty encounter

TIFFIN is the only one alive that at least fixes things or supplys free parts even when out of warrenty
gemert
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
bigdisplay wrote:
J-Rooster wrote:
I'm a Winnebago guy! I'm not recommending to you buy a Winnebago that would be a disservice! They have been making RV's longer than any other RV manufacture and they make a lot of there own parts and systems. I've own my Winnebago for 12 years with very little trouble. I don't worry about getting to point A from point B like I did when I owned other RV brands. Good Luck to you.

and I can show you a dozen people whom hate winnebego and would never buy another.The absolute two best class A made to day taking average affordabe units is TIFFIN and NEWMAR

And I can show you a dozen people who hate Tiffin, especially when Dad tried to retire. Newmar and Foretravel however have very few if any dissatisfied customers. But very pricy. Out of my range anyway.
JimM68
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Dometic over norcold.
Powergear hydraulic jacks
bigdisplay
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
J-Rooster wrote:
I'm a Winnebago guy! I'm not recommending to you buy a Winnebago that would be a disservice! They have been making RV's longer than any other RV manufacture and they make a lot of there own parts and systems. I've own my Winnebago for 12 years with very little trouble. I don't worry about getting to point A from point B like I did when I owned other RV brands. Good Luck to you.

and I can show you a dozen people whom hate winnebego and would never buy another.The absolute two best class A made to day taking average affordabe units is TIFFIN and NEWMAR
gemert
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Ivylog wrote:
OK, on the plus side Cummins, Allison, Roadmaster chassis, Onan diesel gen, Hankook tires, fiberglass roof, Girard awnings, AquaHot heat, Fantastic fans, Splendide W/D, Interstates batteries, LED lights from China
On the negative side NoCold 1200, 3M film, carpet instead of tile, Halogen lights, non LED TVs

Very good post!! Covers most if not all.
krivanj
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
We are Fleetwood/American fans. We have a relatively older DP but very happy with it. Very well built with quality components. But being 6'7", you might look at a 2004-5 Northern Star by Newmar.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Teacher's Pet wrote:
Other that custom Prevost based buses, my personal ranking for Class A motorhomes.

Foretravel & Newell, quality build, top quality components, manufacturers that back their coach and will upgrade/re-condition them. Down side, even an old ones aren't cheap compared to mass produced coaches their age.

Next tier would be Country Coach, Monaco high end, Travel Supreme (now Entrega) and American Coach, but none of these companies really exist as they were 10 years ago. All have suffered through major turmoil, restructuring and/or change of ownership. But quality was there.

Winnebago, Newmarr* and Tiffin* come next, good quality coaches that are mass produced with decent track records, overall. These companies build entry level to some higher end Class A's

One's I would personally stay away from as a novice full-timer, Fleetwood, Thor (Damon*, Four Winds*, Dutchmen), Forest River (Coachman*, Georgie Boy*, Sportscoach*), Alfa, Alpine, National RV, and R-Vision*. Some are gone, many consolidated, some haven't been known to come to the plate when problems happen.

* We or family members have owned products by these companies

Teacher's Pet, good list.

Just a note, National RV owned Country Coach when they went bankrupt. I've known two people that owned/own a National RV and were happy with them.

MM.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Mar 17, 2015
The longevity of an RV is mainly determined by how it was maintained by the previous owners. The previous owner could have addressed items that failed and the coach may now provide years of trouble free service. The alternative is that the previous owners ignored minor problems and the next owner will have to take care of them. That is the problem with buying any new OR used coach. They are complex vehicles and there is a lot to go wrong.
Most of us focus on what lies ahead in our travels instead of what MAY be future problems that will interrupt our next trip.

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