Which company(s) still build quality TT?

Your question comes through here every so often and each time I think about how many people here have actually owned over a hand full of rigs from different manufacturer's to make a valued analysis.

For us, we feel or 2004 Crossroads Cruiser is quality made but we haven't been able to compare a bunch of other brands. Also, many people don't understand that 5ers and trailers are recreational vehicles, not built for every day use, IMHO.

I feel a lot of the "quality" will come from how a rig is maintained and also how it is used.

Every manufacturer has their good days and bad days. What matters more is the selling dealer and their service.

The biggest "fear" most TT owners have is water intrusion. Flat roofs, with openings for vents and A/C units, just are NOT the best design. Jayco went to their "Magnum Roof System" several years ago, not just to add strength and rigidity, but to shed water more quickly. It may not be perfect, but it is better than a flat roof.

The second common area of water intrusion is at roof/side wall seam. Look at cargo/enclosed landscape trailers. Their roof wraps over the side in one piece and joins the side wall on the vertical. A piece of continuous Z-flashing at that joint would make it almost impermeable to water intrusion.

The third area of water intrusion is at the windows. Some type of window water deflector, installed under the siding, or even Z-flashing would help prevent water leaks at windows.

Stiffness against racking, side to side and front to back, is important, especially for long term durability. Heavier interior wallboard would help. Fully welded aluminum box tubing wall frames would help. A boxed frame and through frame welded transverse connectors/supports (look up images of F150 frame) really DO make a difference.


The only manufacturer that I can think of that does any of these is Airstream (rounded side roof).

korbe wrote:

I feel a lot of the "quality" will come from how a rig is maintained and also how it is used.

The best thing a consumer can do is limit the exposure of the rig to rain and UV.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest "fear" most TT owners have is water intrusion. Flat roofs, with openings for vents and A/C units, just are NOT the best design. Jayco went to their "Magnum Roof System" several years ago, not just to add strength and rigidity, but to shed water more quickly. It may not be perfect, but it is better than a flat roof.

The second common area of water intrusion is at roof/side wall seam. Look at cargo/enclosed landscape trailers. Their roof wraps over the side in one piece and joins the side wall on the vertical. A piece of continuous Z-flashing at that joint would make it almost impermeable to water intrusion.

The third area of water intrusion is at the windows. Some type of window water deflector, installed under the siding, or even Z-flashing would help prevent water leaks at windows.

Stiffness against racking, side to side and front to back, is important, especially for long term durability. Heavier interior wallboard would help. Fully welded aluminum box tubing wall frames would help. A boxed frame and through frame welded transverse connectors/supports (look up images of F150 frame) really DO make a difference.


The only manufacturer that I can think of that does any of these is Airstream (rounded side roof).

Actually, the most common place for water leaks involves the slides. The more, the leakier.

We are on our 5th trailer. All from different manufacturers.
Best quality has been our present one...Arctic Fox.

But, I agree with others that said - maintenance is the key.

I think you're looking at this wrong. It's not which mfg builds a good TT.

Look at cars, every mfg builds a complete line of cars from some little cheap bucket of bolts to Cadillacs. The same with tennis shoe mfgs. They all build from really cheap ones (just so some kid can show of the brand name) to a really good shoe.

Look at tire mfgs, they all build from really cheap tires that you might get 20,000 miles on to really good tires that they'll guarantee 60,000 miles on. Some guy who bought the cheapest tire is going to cuss them and the guy who bought the 60,000 mile tire will probably give a good report on the same brand.

So just asking who builds a good or bad RV isn't going to produce good / usable information. Someone who bought brand Xs top of the line RV will most likely report they were pleased with it vs someone who bought the same mfgs low end entry RV probably isn't going to be pleased with it.

So in addition to asking which company builds a good TT, I think you need to be asking people to include the model line.

Go look at the Northwoods TTs.

Bill

Something I forgot to add to my lengthy post and I doubt ANY TT manufacturer does, it use "true" marine grade plywood in the floor. The plys are made out of imported rot resistant hardwood, with no voids. They also use "water and boil proof" (WBP) glue.

Therefore, a leak will not mean a destroyed floor.

downtheroad wrote:

But, I agree with others that said - maintenance is the key.

Anything specific ?

Do you store it covered ?

theoldwizard1 wrote:

downtheroad wrote:

But, I agree with others that said - maintenance is the key.

Anything specific ?

Do you store it covered ?

Yes, ours is stored in a garage.
Check out the full line of Northwood products. Ours is an Arctic Fox 25Y.
They are somewhat heavy and expensive, but very will built.
Tow vehicle will also have to be a consideration for the Arctic Fox line.