Manufacturers?
Hello All. Looking for some advice. My wife and I are searching for our first TT, a bunk house version to be exact. Can anyone offer up a list of the best manufacturers down to the ones to stay...
Forum Discussion
The RV business is evolving into conglomerates such as Thor Industries and Forest River. There are other smaller ones such as Jayco buying Open Range. Every manufacturer has multiple factories, brands, subsidiaries, etc. Some do well, some have good days, bad days, etc. It is very difficult to draw conclusions to a particular brand. The RV industry just hasn’t discovered the quality model. If you’re not the fix it type, then you’re going to be dependent on your dealer. Check them out on line, through other customers, any way you can, etc. I prefer the low cost program where I can afford to pay for some repair to mitigate a poor dealer, a remote dealer, or the inconvenience of just doing myself.
I just recently learned that Forest River’s second year program for $145 is limited to just the Forest River and Palomino brands. It does not include Prime Time, Coachman, Shasta, or Dynamx. One of the Palomina brands is Puma which I picked out as seeming to be better made. Our Puma was not perfect, but the problems were minor and fixed at home for less effort and money than hauling back to the dealer. Forest River also seems to be a little easier to get along with in terms of factory repair, but it will be up to your dealer to campaign for you—and then you have to get to the factory in IN.
RV towables have up to 40% profit at the dealer. I wouldn’t buy a unit for less than 30% discount, but that’s just me. Next year units start coming out of the factories in April—2016 units are built in April 2015. If it’s past April, it’s time to dicker for a discount. Remember if the salesman’s lips are moving, he’s lying—just check out everything independently. Don’t EVER let the salesman rush a decision—check it out here on RV.NET. Use rvtrader.com to compare prices and find availability around the country.
I just recently learned that Forest River’s second year program for $145 is limited to just the Forest River and Palomino brands. It does not include Prime Time, Coachman, Shasta, or Dynamx. One of the Palomina brands is Puma which I picked out as seeming to be better made. Our Puma was not perfect, but the problems were minor and fixed at home for less effort and money than hauling back to the dealer. Forest River also seems to be a little easier to get along with in terms of factory repair, but it will be up to your dealer to campaign for you—and then you have to get to the factory in IN.
RV towables have up to 40% profit at the dealer. I wouldn’t buy a unit for less than 30% discount, but that’s just me. Next year units start coming out of the factories in April—2016 units are built in April 2015. If it’s past April, it’s time to dicker for a discount. Remember if the salesman’s lips are moving, he’s lying—just check out everything independently. Don’t EVER let the salesman rush a decision—check it out here on RV.NET. Use rvtrader.com to compare prices and find availability around the country.
