Found a Starcraft Autumn Ridge trailer and Keystone Springdale. Really torn between the two. The Starcraft seems a bit better made but the Springdale has a few more features. Anybody have some insite between the two, suggestions, experiences? Both 20ft trailers.....

I like my Springdale, but yes, it is an entry level model. It's light weight and may not be as well built as other trailers, but it has been a good first trailer for my family. We haven't had many issues with the Springdale, and about anything that came up we were able to fix ourselves.Because Springdale is a Keystone product, there are plenty of parts and service centers around for them.For the record, we are on our forth summer with our trailer. In 2014, we camped 18 nights. In 2015, we camped 28 nights. In 2016, we camped 32 nights. So far this year, we have camped 15 nights with many more on the books. Our trailer sees some use and is holding up well.

We presently have an 2015 Autumn Ridge 329BHU and have towed it more than 21,000 miles. We couldn't be happier with our choice. We did have a couple of minor glitches when it was new, but they were repaired under warranty and we've had no more issues at all.

One thing to consider: StarCraft has a two year warranty, whereas Keystone only has a one year warranty.

We had an Autumn Ridge that was about 28ft with no slide. Standard configuration. After three years we traded it in for a Springdale that had a slide and was about the same length. Second year into owning the Springdale and no complaints yet. But, I really liked the Autumn Ridge's little extras like the cloth upholstery--an option missing from the Springdale. Little drawers next the bed. Cabinets seemed better made in the Autumn Ridge. The Springdale has a larger bathroom which is nice. I think dollar for dollar the Autumn Ridge might be the better deal. Our problem was finding another one in our area, but next time ( if we trade in again ) I'll make the longer trip if we decide to go with the Autumn Ridge again.

No complaints with my Springdale!

Torn between a Springdale and Autumn Ridge | Good Sam Community

Mike_Up
Explorer
Dec 12, 2017
dranip66 wrote:
Stay away from the Autumn Ridge, I bought a 2018 R17 in July, on our 2nd time using it the tail light caught on fire and started burning inside the wall resulting in a total loss.Brought back to Camping World where they found a nail through the wires, would not refund us, said they will go after Starcraft, they would not replace it either. Ended up going through my insurance ended up losing money when it was a manufacturing defect, I will never do business or recommend Starcraft and Camping World. Worst Customer Service Ever

BTW, congratulations on your first and only post. Weird why the fuse didn't blow. It's hard starting a fire with only 12 Volts but I guess the planets could align and weird things could happen.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Dec 12, 2017
I would feel much better with the Starcraft over a Keystone product. I just don't find them as reliable as other makes from delamination of fiberglass skinned trailers to other issues I continue to see on these forums.

Starcraft is a Jayco company, and why it's has the Jayco 2 year warranty. I would go Starcraft but don't forget to look at the Jayco Jay Flight models either. Jay Flights have some pluses but Starcraft has their pluses as well. I like our Jayco dealer much better. I bought a Starcraft pop up previously and can say my Jayco dealer service center is the best I've seen anywhere.

So consider your dealers service center as well as their sales department, along with the reputation of the trailer's reliability and build quality. Features and bells and whistle are nice, but build quality and reliability are priorities.
Route_66_Travel
Explorer
Dec 09, 2017
Not quite sure how a nail through the wires could start a fire. The fuse in your TV should have blown as soon as the lights or brakes were applied due to a direct short. That problem should have also been caught during a walk thru and pre-delivery inspection

That being said, my 2017 Autumn Ridge 266 RKS is by far the best TT we have ever owned and the service we received at CW was the greatest. Not one problem in 9 months and 5000 miles of ownership.

Sorry for your loss.
dranip66
Explorer
Dec 09, 2017
Stay away from the Autumn Ridge, I bought a 2018 R17 in July, on our 2nd time using it the tail light caught on fire and started burning inside the wall resulting in a total loss.Brought back to Camping World where they found a nail through the wires, would not refund us, said they will go after Starcraft, they would not replace it either. Ended up going through my insurance ended up losing money when it was a manufacturing defect, I will never do business or recommend Starcraft and Camping World. Worst Customer Service Ever
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
11th year with the same Springdale having ordered it new. No regrets and has served us well.
Takamine
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
No complaints with our Springdale 2600TB. We looked at several with the same floorplan and liked the Springdale best.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2017
On my 8th year(2010 model bought in 2009) with a Springdale and have never had it back to the dealer.It is as solid as any Jayco I have owned and I use my RV's almost 100% of the time in the backcountry of Idaho with the wash boardy gravel roads.

Have never owned an Autum ridge so I can't chime in on them..
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2017
I have not had an Autumn Ridge but bought a new Springdale SRT 20' in 2010. No problems whatsoever for 4 years when we upgraded (:h) to a 23' Nash with slide out. What a POJ!! After 2 years of more shop time than camping time we dumped it and got our present 16 Arctic Fox. We still have it and love it but at the end of last year taking it in for winterization I had quite a "laundry list" of things needing fixed.

My friend has a 10 year old 22' Arctic Fox that is much more plush than mine. I guess even Arctic Fox is cheaping out.

If I had it to do over again I would have traded the Sprindale in for a slightly bigger Springdale with a slide and had a great trailer and a whole much more money in my pocket!!!
Santa_Fe
Explorer
Jul 08, 2017
No complaints with my Springdale!
wjlapier
Explorer
Jul 07, 2017
We had an Autumn Ridge that was about 28ft with no slide. Standard configuration. After three years we traded it in for a Springdale that had a slide and was about the same length. Second year into owning the Springdale and no complaints yet. But, I really liked the Autumn Ridge's little extras like the cloth upholstery--an option missing from the Springdale. Little drawers next the bed. Cabinets seemed better made in the Autumn Ridge. The Springdale has a larger bathroom which is nice.

I think dollar for dollar the Autumn Ridge might be the better deal. Our problem was finding another one in our area, but next time ( if we trade in again ) I'll make the longer trip if we decide to go with the Autumn Ridge again.