How important is it to get a model that is still being made.For example I saw a Fleetwood Caribou but could find little information about it since Fleetwood only keeps manuals for their travel trailers online. Would there be more issues in the future if I needed to make repairs - or are parts fairly standard?Salesman told me Bigfoot was no longer being made either.

It's important if you're not handy with tools. Absolutely zero product support from any vendor is what you'll be getting. Having an orphan product like Bigfoot can be kinda cool (they're well made) but beware the downsides of finding parts, etc!

years back I lusted after a Caribou, in fact drove 500 miles out to the factory in W.Ohio to see one. I knew they were going to fiberglass sides before my local dealer did. If you get a winnebago each compartment door etc. has an ID number stamped on it for replacement purposes, but I think you would be pretty much out of luck on an obsolete fleetwood.bumpy

Very few campers have proprietary parts - Fridge, Heater, Stove, etc all come from the same factories no matter which brand campers its in ... The other parts - cabinet hinges, etc, plumbing fixtures, lights can be replaced with similar items available. Windows can be replaces with another brand ...The list goes on -- you might have to modify some things occasionally, but parts don't go obsolete when a company folds. You need to be handy and flexible, but as long as the camper is in good shape and no leaks, no water damage, and all appliances work when you buy it -- you should be OK.

If Bigfoot is no longer in business than they forgot to take their website down....www.bigfootrv.com

Bigfoot went out of business, someone bought everything including the rights to the name and is now in business making most of the same models.Doesn't really matter is the company is in business or not. Most parts are fairly standard. And even non-standard parts become obsolete even if the company is still in business. Don't think you can still get every part from every Lance camper do you?Very seldom does the camper ever go back to the factory for repairs, but goes back to an RV center who does the work. Unless of course you decide to say money by doing the work yourself.Before we decided to go to the Lance 915 next, we were looking at Alpenlite which went out of business in 2008 without any worries about getting parts if necessary.

Not a current model - should I care? | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

kerry4951
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
If Bigfoot is no longer in business than they forgot to take their website down....www.bigfootrv.com
monkey44
Nomad II
Nov 23, 2014
Very few campers have proprietary parts - Fridge, Heater, Stove, etc all come from the same factories no matter which brand campers its in ...

The other parts - cabinet hinges, etc, plumbing fixtures, lights can be replaced with similar items available. Windows can be replaces with another brand ...

The list goes on -- you might have to modify some things occasionally, but parts don't go obsolete when a company folds. You need to be handy and flexible, but as long as the camper is in good shape and no leaks, no water damage, and all appliances work when you buy it -- you should be OK.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
years back I lusted after a Caribou, in fact drove 500 miles out to the factory in W.Ohio to see one. I knew they were going to fiberglass sides before my local dealer did. If you get a winnebago each compartment door etc. has an ID number stamped on it for replacement purposes, but I think you would be pretty much out of luck on an obsolete fleetwood.
bumpy
FrankShore
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
It's important if you're not handy with tools. Absolutely zero product support from any vendor is what you'll be getting. Having an orphan product like Bigfoot can be kinda cool (they're well made) but beware the downsides of finding parts, etc!

Forum Discussion

Not a current model - should I care?

14 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Norcold Model 611 Fridge problem

Park models

Dometic RM3862 models

Lance Model Difference

Dometic RV Toilet - Model 300