balfre1946 wrote:
In 2011 we bought a 4 month old Fleetwood Fiesta 34B gas to take a 3 year, 36,000 mile trip then live in it for 1 1/2 years in Charleston, SC. Of course we had electrical, mechanical,A/C and habitability problems but after the year warranty ran out they were useless. The pleather, fake woodwork and rugs disintegrated, slides leaked, levelers wouldn't extend/retrack, tons of electrical problems we can go on and on and they provided no help. We didn't even have the proper manuals. The ONLY good thing about our RV was the Chevy Workhorse.
NEVER, EVER trust Fleetwood.
We had an 87 Pace Arrow once and probably Fleetwood's top of the line at the time. Good quality for it's time and served us well.
Then got our present National RV and found that there is no comparison between the two and with National being so much superior in the gas puller line during it's day. Naturally we had some newness in technology to consider, but that doesn't hold true in quality of workmanship and have seen new coaches, most recently that I would trade our old and original interior for.
Not saying that they don't make quality gas coaches any more and would be looking at a Newmar, if looking for something late model and in that category.
I do like older, tried and proven products and those that have depreciated substantially. Now speaking of Fleetwood for example and a DP in this case, I'm really partial to the 2006 Revolution LE 40E. Now, here we have one of the best and what is actually an American brand, built on the American platform, Spartan Chassis with side radiator, as well, but at the same time, says nothing on it, about being an American Revolution. One of the best bangs for the buck IMO and especially if one likes having a 1 1/2 bath model that you could most likely keep on the road, next to forever.
Point is, company models can vary widely and again, newness isn't the key to quality and longevity.
If one wasn't too concerned about the number of slides and floor plan selections and wanted a real tank of a coach, then an old Bluebird Wanderlodge would win hands down IMO and again, something that could be remodeled and updated forever, like an old yacht.