Objective Quality Reports for RVs
Does anyone know of a website that provides objective ratings, comments and feedback on recreational vehicles of all types that is available to consumers? When shopping for a new RV, it would be ve...
Forum Discussion
Overall, the quality I've found in all but class "B" rigs and custom built trailers has been fairly disappointing. In most rigs, I would not ever plug in a 1500 watt electric heater just because the wiring in an RV is not even near a residential code. In fact, most RV types, they have an "expiration date" stamped on them because of how the roof is made. One small crack in a caulk seam, and that $100,000 rig is now worth scrap value.
If I were buying a RV, there would be one overarching qualification: Would this be a rig built well enough that it could be passed onto the next generation in camp-ready condition without a major rebuild? (Rebuild as in replacing appliances like water pumps is one thing, having to rip and replace all furniture and wood is another.) Looking at things from this angle, one is going to pay a lot more than for an "entry level" rig. However, the RV will always be ready to go when needed in the future. I learned the hard way that a high price of a high quality rig hurts once, but cheap stuff hurts constantly.
Were I buying a TT, I'd be probably getting with either Livin' Lite and buying one of their models (no wood to rot), or going with a local aluminum cargo trailer maker and having it done right from the ground up, with no wood construction... so water intrusion would mean a mop or paper towel, not a new RV loan.
Motorhomes are different. "B"s tend to be high quality/high priced, and "C"s can range from one piece fiberglass shells like Coach House's offerings to wooden boxes. "A"s have a wide range as well, from stick and tin tossed on a Ford frame to mansions on tag axles.
If I were buying a RV, there would be one overarching qualification: Would this be a rig built well enough that it could be passed onto the next generation in camp-ready condition without a major rebuild? (Rebuild as in replacing appliances like water pumps is one thing, having to rip and replace all furniture and wood is another.) Looking at things from this angle, one is going to pay a lot more than for an "entry level" rig. However, the RV will always be ready to go when needed in the future. I learned the hard way that a high price of a high quality rig hurts once, but cheap stuff hurts constantly.
Were I buying a TT, I'd be probably getting with either Livin' Lite and buying one of their models (no wood to rot), or going with a local aluminum cargo trailer maker and having it done right from the ground up, with no wood construction... so water intrusion would mean a mop or paper towel, not a new RV loan.
Motorhomes are different. "B"s tend to be high quality/high priced, and "C"s can range from one piece fiberglass shells like Coach House's offerings to wooden boxes. "A"s have a wide range as well, from stick and tin tossed on a Ford frame to mansions on tag axles.
