Keystone or Forrest River?

Depends on who you ask....we have had both a FR HTT and now the FR TT. No matter what brand/manufacturer you choose, there is always the possibility of getting a lemon. Pick a floorplan you love, get what looks like the best quality the budget can handle, maintain it meticulously, hope for the best. We're FR people.

There both about the same. They build on price point to compete with each other with similar construction. Get what floor plan, interior and price point works for you. I agree with JAYCOCREEK That if you properly maintain it you will get 20 years out of it.

I own both, Forest River and Keystone products.

They both have 50 brands of RVs made in at least 10 plants. I'm not sure you can generalize that much. Do you have specific brands, models in which you are interested?

but 10-20 years from now, it will still be camp ready while most other TTs long since made their one-way trip to the town dump

NOT....I have two early '70's trailers in my driveway that get used ever year. One is a Kit and the other a Security and I would not hesitate to hall either anywhere.

Regular maintenance rules.

The only travel trailer I know that isn't cheaply made are Livin Lites, and that is because they do not use any wood whatsoever, so a leak won't cause major rot.

If you want a quality travel trailer, you probably will have to find a place that custom builds horse trailers and have them build you one. Mind you, it will be heavier than a mass-produced TT because it will use more insulation, larger wood framing members, and a beefy frame welded/huck bolted in house (as opposed to the underspecced frames off the boat from China.) It will also be more expensive... but 10-20 years from now, it will still be camp ready while most other TTs long since made their one-way trip to the town dump.

I have a Keystone Springdale that has seen more wash boardy rocky back roads than pavement and not had one related issue. I certainly would buy another Keystone. Never had a Forest River so can't comment with actual experience.

The almost 5 year old Keystone hasn't had one major issue to date even when drug all over the back country.

RV and Quality should never be used in the same sentence unless the word "bad" is included. They're all going to have issues, no matter what the decal says on the outside. Buy the floorplan and features you like, fix things as they break, and enjoy the camper.

I have a Keystone my boss has Forest River. Both are flimsy and come with the usual issues. Like above Ford Chevy Dodge it's all about the same. Any of the top brands are about the same quality and all the same appliances. Don't listen to the sales guy bash the competition down the street. You'll read horror stories from someone somewhere on each brand. You'll also hear rave reviews on each as well. I went with Keystone cause I liked the perceived aerodynamics of the passport. I also liked the wider wheel stance and it sits higher. Plumbing is behind the rear tire and wont scrap up the driveway. I'm sure there are things about the Forest River others may prefer more. Look at them closely and go with what feels right and catches the eye. The higher end models regardless of brand are the same structurally, just with extras. It's like a ford xl vs the ford platinum. Same power train, shell, chassis, etc. One has plastic seats and manual window cranks and the other is pure luxury. Lastly once you get it keep up the maintenance. Mine gets pressure washed top to bottom after each trip. Roof conditioner, 303 aerospace all over and it the fridge is off the cover is on. I also inspect the roof and make patches regularly. I see so many dirty, rotting, roof leaking rigs out there. Point being take care of it and you'll get your money's worth.

we have a keystone sprinter TT, and our friend has a keystone sprinter FW and the workmanship is terrible, many problems and issues with the quality of the build. We are looking at the forest rivers/canyon trails now.

bill

Ford Chevy Dodge...

with my experience, I had a 06 salem by forest river, had a metal outside shell. Was well built, had some small flaws...now have a 07 cougar by Keystone with a fiberglass outside shell, has some small flaws..but I can tell you that I will only get a trailer with a fiberglass outside. Easier to clean and holds up better I think..also I think they stay a more comfortable temperature inside. Other posts I have seen on the question have said that there are low end and high end Forest Rivers as well as low end and high end Keystones....

good luck