Hello everyone,We have just sold our house, well closing date is in a few weeks, and we are shopping for a used DP to fulltime. I have purchased the RV.org ratings for MH and would like to get some feedback on their ratings. DP such as Monaco products, Signiture, Exexecutive, Patriot Thunder, Navigator are rated as appropriate for snowbirding. However, Newmar Essex, American Coach Eagle, CC Magna are all rated for fulltime.From what I have seen the Monaco products seem to be made with as good materials as the others and was wondering what specifically creates this inconsistency. I do not want to purchase a DP that will not hold up or work well for fulltiming. We are looking at 2006 to 2009 years of the above models.Thanks for your input.Stuart

Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better. IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.

John&Joey wrote:Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better. IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.X2

Rollnhome wrote:John&Joey wrote:Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better. IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.X2X3

I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? And if you are going to snowbird in it for five or six months, just how does that differ from full-timing year round?

wny_pat wrote:I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? And if you are going to snowbird in it for five or six months, just how does that differ from full-timing year round?Point A... and they've been successful for what... 20+ years?Point B... vacation/snowbird/full time... Having done all three, I'm sure there must be SOME differences.:h Think I'll give that some serious thought. :R

RV.org rating question-snowbirding vs. fulltiming

18 Replies

wny_pat1
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
n7bsn wrote:
wny_pat wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? ...

What makes you think they have "never been in" the rigs they rate? Something some sales-geek told you? Something you read some internet "x-pert" wrote?

Now I've actually talked to the people behind the RV Consumer group, and understand how they do, what they do. It starts with actually looking at rigs, inside and out. They also tour factories and ask questions of the builder and builder-reps. Sometimes they even get answers (not always)

Some RV companies dislike them, a lot. Some years back a couple manufacturers (the old Fleetwood among them) got the people behind the Seattle RV show to "ban" known people from the RV Consumer Group from attending the Seattle RV show (to the point of being escorted out).
I formed my opinion on comments I read right here and on other forums from folks who got suckered in! Call them internet "x-pert" if you want. And it takes a lot more to review a coach than just walking in it. Many I've walked in at RV shows, I would not buy just because of poor fit and finish. But I still would make my determination by driving one. That tells all!!!
wny_pat1
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
Eycom wrote:
wny_pat wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? And if you are going to snowbird in it for five or six months, just how does that differ from full-timing year round?

Point A... and they've been successful for what... 20+ years?
Point B... vacation/snowbird/full time... Having done all three, I'm sure there must be SOME differences.:h Think I'll give that some serious thought. :R

Well, at $139 I think I do my research right here, and on irv2.com, and rvforum.net and the many other RV forums out there. It doesn't take long to sort it all out. It is what lead me to my Foretravel!
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? ...

What makes you think they have "never been in" the rigs they rate? Something some sales-geek told you? Something you read some internet "x-pert" wrote?

Now I've actually talked to the people behind the RV Consumer group, and understand how they do, what they do. It starts with actually looking at rigs, inside and out. They also tour factories and ask questions of the builder and builder-reps. Sometimes they even get answers (not always)

Some RV companies dislike them, a lot. Some years back a couple manufacturers (the old Fleetwood among them) got the people behind the Seattle RV show to "ban" known people from the RV Consumer Group from attending the Seattle RV show (to the point of being escorted out).
Eycom
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? And if you are going to snowbird in it for five or six months, just how does that differ from full-timing year round?

Point A... and they've been successful for what... 20+ years?
Point B... vacation/snowbird/full time... Having done all three, I'm sure there must be SOME differences.:h Think I'll give that some serious thought. :R
wny_pat1
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I'm still trying to figure out how someone can review a motorhome that they have never been in, they write a book about it, and publish and sell that book, all in good faith??? And if you are going to snowbird in it for five or six months, just how does that differ from full-timing year round?
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
Rollnhome wrote:
John&Joey wrote:
Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better.

IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.

X2

X3
Rollnhome
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
John&Joey wrote:
Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better.

IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.

X2
John_Joey
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
Honestly I wonder about RV.org recommendations. I think all they are doing is figuring FT'ing is 12 months vs 6 months or less of living in a RV and the wear and tear on the inside due to it. Theory being the more costly units will stand up to the wear and tear better.

IMO, it's not the RV, but the owners of the RV that will determine the longevity and answer what you're asking that makes a good unit.

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RV.org rating question-snowbirding vs. fulltiming

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