Nervous about ending up with a mass produced junk box.

Getting a relatively trouble free unit entails due diligence on your part which includes but is not limited to a careful pre purchase inspection of EVERYTHING and making doibly sure the selling dealer fixes all the issues prior to you taking delivery. Leave no stone unturned.

Far as water damage down the road, it don't ever have to happen if you maintain the caulk and seals and store the unit in the off season in a protected enclosure, or cover it with a suitable tarp or cover when not in use.

Hard items like hot water heaters and fridges and ac units and furnaces require additional maintenance and do wear out eventually.

My present unit has been basically trouble free but I was careful about one, the brand I bought, two, my pre delivery inspection and correction of any issues and three, continuing maintenance.

Keep in mind always that the more complex a unit is, the more issues can arise. Things like electronic entertainment centers, fireplaces, electric awnings and zoned ac can all fail and eventually will.

Myself, I take it as camping so I leave the 'convenience' stuff at home. My units are basic, no frills units. It's camping, not condo living on wheels.

So rather then start a "Which manufacturer has the best rating" thread, what is a potential TT buyer to do in trying to identify a *somewhat* better quality rv?

I slightly disagree with these two:

- Maintenance is key and due diligence will prolong the inevitable. Yes, almost everything wears out.

- Water damage is a 'when' not an 'if'. With inspection and repair, can be avoided but few do enough. I'm not in the few but I try.

If you want to go RVing...there is no perfect rig. I love the look and quality of Airstreams but at their price, weight and lack of slide, I said no.

No, I think that about sums it up.
Some are certainly better than others but none of them are the Lexus or Mercedes of trailers.