Comparing Quality from a Manufacturer?
How on earth do you tell which models are entry level, vs higher quality from the various manufacturers? My husband and I are starting to shop for a replacement RV, but are having a hard time diffe...
Forum Discussion
When shopping I look at how the whole unit is assembled concerning the different parts. On the frame I look for a stout frame that has extra gussets or bracing welded on. Like above the spring hangers.
I look for plywood and if there's OSB I move on.
I look to see how the cabinet drawers are built. Some use a thin piece of luan for the bottoms, others a thinner piece of plywood. How are the drawer fronts built. Some use 1/2"-5/8" thick wood and then attach the drawer face to that. Others use a small piece of 3/8" plywood. How solid do the cabinet doors feel?
I also look at how they finish off the basement areas and how they route plumbing and electrical wires. If they are just running pipes and wires wherever then that means they really don't care.
I then look up the R values and holding tank capacities. Generally on lower cheaply made units the holding tanks are smaller. As well as the cargo carrying capacity. R-values are lower too. Like 7-9 for walls and 14 for roofs and floors.
I look to see if the back wall is just filon laid over framing or is it a vacuum bonded or pinch rolled assembly.
Also look inside the lower cabinets and see how they run pipes and wires.
Are they using ligt weight Schwintek or cables on heavier long slides? Rack type are stronger and will last longer without the need for adjustments.
Also look at the wheels and axles. Are they 5, 6 or 8 lug. The more the lug nuts the stronger the assembly.
I look at warranties as well. Two's better than one year and some even offer a 1-2-3 year combination warranty.
IMO it's pretty easy to tell the lower end form the better models. Price is really the biggest factor in a particular MFG.
It' doesn't necessarily mean the more expensive one will out last the lower priced one. One thing for certain though is, and take Keystone for example. If you buy a Cougar X-lite 5th wheel and a Big Horn and use them the same way, then there's a very good chance that the Big Horn will be in better shape. If you only use each for a few weekends out of the year then the lower priced X-lite will hold up just fine. On the other end of the spectrum is that if you full timed in both then the Big Horn will hold up better.
You can't build quality in an RV for nothing. But there is a fair amount of bling added that can skew the comparison.
I look for plywood and if there's OSB I move on.
I look to see how the cabinet drawers are built. Some use a thin piece of luan for the bottoms, others a thinner piece of plywood. How are the drawer fronts built. Some use 1/2"-5/8" thick wood and then attach the drawer face to that. Others use a small piece of 3/8" plywood. How solid do the cabinet doors feel?
I also look at how they finish off the basement areas and how they route plumbing and electrical wires. If they are just running pipes and wires wherever then that means they really don't care.
I then look up the R values and holding tank capacities. Generally on lower cheaply made units the holding tanks are smaller. As well as the cargo carrying capacity. R-values are lower too. Like 7-9 for walls and 14 for roofs and floors.
I look to see if the back wall is just filon laid over framing or is it a vacuum bonded or pinch rolled assembly.
Also look inside the lower cabinets and see how they run pipes and wires.
Are they using ligt weight Schwintek or cables on heavier long slides? Rack type are stronger and will last longer without the need for adjustments.
Also look at the wheels and axles. Are they 5, 6 or 8 lug. The more the lug nuts the stronger the assembly.
I look at warranties as well. Two's better than one year and some even offer a 1-2-3 year combination warranty.
IMO it's pretty easy to tell the lower end form the better models. Price is really the biggest factor in a particular MFG.
It' doesn't necessarily mean the more expensive one will out last the lower priced one. One thing for certain though is, and take Keystone for example. If you buy a Cougar X-lite 5th wheel and a Big Horn and use them the same way, then there's a very good chance that the Big Horn will be in better shape. If you only use each for a few weekends out of the year then the lower priced X-lite will hold up just fine. On the other end of the spectrum is that if you full timed in both then the Big Horn will hold up better.
You can't build quality in an RV for nothing. But there is a fair amount of bling added that can skew the comparison.
