Brand with best quality control?

There are at least three separate types of quality in RV manufacturing:

Quality of Assembly: What we usually talk about. For example, poor quality of assembly would be not using the clutch release mechanism on battery operated screw guns properly and stripping out all the self tapping screws or having leaks in the plumbing.

Quality of Materials: For example, poor quality of materials would be using Luan instead of composite material or OSB instead of plywood or in the case of a rubber roof using an EPDM roof instead of TPO.

Quality of Design: For example, poor quality of design would be unacceptably low wheelbase/length ratios or inability to open the refrigerator or access a bathroom with the slide-out in or a very low cargo capacity.

My experience has been when I found a manufacturer that did one type of quality right, they screwed up the others.

downtheroad wrote:
After 4 trailers and one on order now - I have found that the ones with the best quality are the ones owned by a person who is handy with tools and a person who is constantly on top of preventive maintenance.

There is a great deal of truth in that statement.
Quality at delivery is one item, quality of maintenance is another.

One of the best 5ers made is the New Horizon line, but starting at $100,000 it should be. That being said I saw a 3-year old used one that was junk, because it had been used hard, not maintained and put away wet (literally).

While I once saw a 20 year old Fleetwood Class C that looked like it had just rolled off the show-room floor, because it had been very well cared for.

Valkyriebush wrote:
Fleetwood, They are still going strong as a company. All that was optional at one time seem standard in their class A's now. Great customer service and tech support is excellent.

Which Fleetwood? The one that went bankrupt in 2008 or the new company that bought the rights and make just Class A MH's now?

Got burnt twice by Fleetwood. Alegro and Winnebago my top 2.

The OP has a post in the Beginning RV'ing" section of the Forum where his use was defined and some of his wants are listed.

I believe this post is to cover the need for "low maintenance".

I'd just add that "low maintenance" and a travel trailer will meld to a lifestyle change. If you've never used a caulk gun, you will learn. :B

FrankShore wrote:
I see by your post that you're looking at Travel Trailers, that being said - they're all equally lousy! Those that are a little cut above the rest are usually Northwoods Mfg, Lance, Grand Design.

I ditto this. But in a addition we looked at Outdoor RV, Jayco and Airstream.

For us both times we went looking we ended up with Northwood. We feel it is best for boon-docking with its build for off road frame, and being the only ground up built for 4 seasons in the TT models.

Enjoy the search!

If you are looking at travel trailers and want quality purchase an Airstream. They have been made since the mid 1930's and two thirds of all ever made are still on the road. Many RV's barely last the length of payments.

Everybody defines quality differently. I define quality as something that lasts a long time with minimal maintenance, no rubber roof, no sidewall delam, and a frame/axles/tires that can go the distance.

After 4 trailers and one on order now - I have found that the ones with the best quality are the ones owned by a person who is handy with tools and a person who is constantly on top of preventive maintenance.

I have had very good luck with Winnebago for quality, and that is iffy. I have owned 7 different brands and Fleetwood Bounder gave me least amount of trouble. I am talking Class "A" gassers now.

I see by your post that you're looking at Travel Trailers, that being said - they're all equally lousy! Those that are a little cut above the rest are usually Northwoods Mfg, Lance, Grand Design.