Just looking for honest info

[spindrift]

Comparing DRV Fullhouse, Vanleigh Ambition and Luxe. Noticed that the Luxe price point is substantially higher than the other two. In fact, approaching the cost of a custom New Horizon or Spacecraft. So I called Luxe and spoke to a very pleasant salesperson and flat out asked what makes your RV so special that it's priced comparable to a New Horizon? The salesperson said IT IS as well built as the New Horizon. I asked for, and received, pictures of a toyhauler build in progress. Guess what? The frame is manufactured by Lippert, as most are. There are very few manufacturers that design and build their own frames in house. The New Horizon frame is what makes the dang thing so heavy; 30K lbs for the 45' model.

So I ask,has anyone completed a deep dive into the differences among these three toyhaulers?

[lawnspecialties]

spindrift wrote:

lawnspecialties wrote:
I'd be willing to pull a NH with my last F450 (2017) as long as the pin weight doesn't get crazy. 24,000 lbs is OK but something hovering 5000 lb pin weight pushes the truck's GVWR.

I think just about any NH toyhauler is pushing 28-30K. Pin weight? Good question.

Yikes.

[spindrift]

lawnspecialties wrote:
I'd be willing to pull a NH with my last F450 (2017) as long as the pin weight doesn't get crazy. 24,000 lbs is OK but something hovering 5000 lb pin weight pushes the truck's GVWR.

I think just about any NH toyhauler is pushing 28-30K. Pin weight? Good question.

[lawnspecialties]

I'd be willing to pull a NH with my last F450 (2017) as long as the pin weight doesn't get crazy. 24,000 lbs is OK but something hovering 5000 lb pin weight pushes the truck's GVWR.

[spindrift]

PButler96 wrote:

dsrace wrote:
if new horizons build there own frames in house where the others use spec'd out lci frames.......new horizons would be my first choice if they would build the toyhauler to your spec. the frame is the foundation for any build and a stronger frame is always heavier.

Good advice. LCI produces junk no matter what the manufacturer "specs out". Dont believe anyone when they say LCI makes something better for manufacturer X because they spec it so. Thats BS. They use the cheapest steel obtainable, the welds look like they're done by Kindergarten kids, and the powder coating is worthless. I'd gladly pay more for something not associated with LCI. LCI's dominance as a supplier is a lot of what is wrong with the RV industry.

The catch with the NH is weight. I'd need something bigger than my F450 if we go that route and that's not something I'm orepared for at this point in time.

[PButler96]

dsrace wrote:
if new horizons build there own frames in house where the others use spec'd out lci frames.......new horizons would be my first choice if they would build the toyhauler to your spec. the frame is the foundation for any build and a stronger frame is always heavier.

Good advice. LCI produces junk no matter what the manufacturer "specs out". Dont believe anyone when they say LCI makes something better for manufacturer X because they spec it so. Thats BS. They use the cheapest steel obtainable, the welds look like they're done by Kindergarten kids, and the powder coating is worthless. I'd gladly pay more for something not associated with LCI. LCI's dominance as a supplier is a lot of what is wrong with the RV industry.

[dsrace]

if new horizons build there own frames in house where the others use spec'd out lci frames.......new horizons would be my first choice if they would build the toyhauler to your spec. the frame is the foundation for any build and a stronger frame is always heavier.

[spindrift]

Yes, we noticed a crazy price increase as well. We're on our second Arctic Gox so I called Northwood and asked if they would build a one-off for us. That was a hearty No Go. I've looked at the frame and sidewall build of both a NH and Luxe. For Luxe to say they're equal to a NH is quite simply a slap in my face. At this point all we can hope for is that prices will come down over the next two years...hopefully.

[lawnspecialties]

I rarely chime in here anymore but this thread made me log in. Here's my .02 although I have no ownership experience. But we're in the long term market for our next toy hauler and plan to go high-end.

1. Maybe a year ago or so, Luxe pricing went crazy. Their toy hauler pricing had long hovered around the $175,000 mark, give or take. But I guess Covid plus "supply and demand" allowed them to add around 30-50%. For us, they've just about priced themselves out of our market. My wife and I had an appointment to meet with them at the Tampa Show last January but a rare NC snowstorm made me cancel due to work commitments. But when I spoke with them before the trip, they said they were so backed up with orders, they were at least 8 months out on new orders. Again, supply and demand can dictate a lot in pricing.

2. I like the build quality of the Riverstones but that one bike toy hauler is not what I want. If they could make a traditional toy hauler like dblr said, I'd strongly consider going that way. If they could make a side patio toy hauler, I'd probably be first in line! But Riverstone is going too price-strong right now as well. A dealer we visited in Myrtle Beach has a new 42FSKG "on sale" for $188,450. Not much of a sale price but the MSRP is supposedly $201,913. At least with Luxe, you have a much broader range of options, including changing up the floor plan a little if you want to. Luxe seems to be far more of a custom order brand than most others. I remember when Riverstone toy haulers were just a little over $100,000 2-3 years ago!

Luxe sent me an email wanting us to come see them at Hershey next month. We're on the fence for that trip. But as I eluded to earlier, I can't justify paying $250,000 for a toy hauler. Why buy such quality but have no money for any trips!

[Y-Guy]

I can't add a lot, we don't tend to hear from the owners of the high end units as much as the more common ones.

RV Factory/Luxe bought out the old Weekend Warrior assets then ended up in a long legal fight with the founder, Mark Warmouth and Omega RV. Omega is gone, as is Mark. Now the WW name is just a bit of marketing.

Good luck with your research.

[spindrift]

Thanks @dblr.

[dblr]

For what it's worth River Stone by Forest River has a dedicated toy hauler getting ready to hit the production line, not one that can carry a single bike. I hope to be able to see it sometime in the next 2 weeks as I am in the area, yes, they also use a Lippert frame, but they are built to their specs just not sure how much that helps, we have been very pleased with our River Stone 5th wheel so far (6 years) just letting you know there might be something else to look at and compare. Good luck on your decision.