Forum Discussion

wannabervin's avatar
wannabervin
Explorer
Nov 07, 2016

RV Consumer Group

I'll be in the market soon for a 5th wheel for full timing. I'm researching as much information as I can get. To that end, what level of credibility does RV Consumer Group have in the RV community?
  • I love that "Highway Control" rating---like they have any idea. I had a Newmar MountainAire with dual tandem wheels---it scored poorly. After pulling that thing a couple of hundred thousand miles (really), I never figured out what the problem was.

    Around 15 years ago "they" was just a guy. You could buy a membership that included maybe 30 minutes of phone time with the guy---forget his name.

    About the same time there was a discussion in another forum about this guys use of the non-profit, yet there was none of the required IRS filings by the group.
  • Tvov's avatar
    Tvov
    Explorer II
    Never heard of them. Are they new? Who are they?
  • According to their web site - rv.org, they've been around since 1982, but I've never heard of them.

    Purchasing an RV is a cross between purchasing a car and a home. You really need to get in them and experience them, you can't take others' opinions. Just because the RV Consumer Group loves one camper doesn't mean it is the best one out there.

    -Michael
  • Education is their best value to me- people get mad because they want to know if xyz rig is good (often after they purchase). RVCG is not for that. They will, however, teach you what to look for.
  • n7bsn wrote:
    They can be, and are, useful. I've used their info, and the knowledge I learned from them to help buy several rigs now.

    I've been a member (off and on, mostly off) over the years.

    No they don't just collect sales flyers; they inspect rigs, visit factories, ask owners, etc

    No they don't buy rigs, but they do talk to people that do.

    One of the publications I bought from them was a book on how to inspect RVs your self. Knowing how to look for quality and how to tell what was "good" and what was "bad" is really useful.

    Bottom line, they are a tool to help you make a wise choice.



    Baloney!! (or.... "Balogna")

    As far as a "tool to help you make a wise choice" it's as valuable
    as a left-handed monkey wrench for right-handed monkeys.

    Foolish me - several years ago when I was in the market for a new 5h
    wheel, I thought it would be a worthwhile purchase.

    Wrong! - complete waste of money!

    They don't do any testing, or talking to owners - simply gather specs (from previous year/s models) and formulate "opinions".

    Of course, as always, if it rings *YOUR* chimes..........

    ~
  • Luke Porter wrote:
    ...

    About the same time there was a discussion in another forum about this guys use of the non-profit, yet there was none of the required IRS filings by the group.


    Probably because no-one involved actually knew what they were talking about.

    They have a registered DBA (Doing Business As) in Washington and their IRS registration is under BaseCamp

    Last time I checked they 990 filed for every year since 1982
  • New Horizons have the quality and workmanship you are looking for, but they are expensive and heavy.

    I don't believe they offer a dealer network because they sell direct from the factory.

    Their forum is a good consumer review forum.

    LINK to N/H

    Lakeside