Returning to RVing after maybe 13 years. On this and other forums read much about Rvs being made with less quality (cheaply) than in the past. So here is my limited anecdotal evidence in support of that contention. I have a 2004 Keystone Cougar 5th wheel. So after 15 years of service the the dead bolt on the door lock quit. Purchased a new one. Indistinguishable from the original. Heavy, all metal construction. When bolting the inner and outer halves together the 4 screws were about 1/4" short of mating the two halves. I had the 4 bolts from the original lock so I used them. Called the vendor to let him know. He replied, "no those are the standard length bolts that fit the thickness of today's doors". So, I concluded that today's doors are thinner hence less cost to manufacture. Unfortunately, unit sale price has not followed door cost. So, what say you Dr. Watson?

Having a 1996 Vogue( a fairly decent made MH in its day), you are right on the money. The construction, the fit and finish, the use of quality components are not even close to being equal in todays market. While having multiple slides and every electronic gadget one can imagine is Great, I'll take well built before anything else. IMHO

After thinking about it my first trailer a 96 Seahawk was built very well, my 03 Streamlite was not even though built by the same company. Through the years they have found ways of cutting cost and the price of entry level trailers has not risen much compared to vehicles. The biggest absence is the disappearance of premium manufacturers like Travel Supreme, Holliday Rambler, Excel, NuWa, Forks RV, Newmar trailers and fifth wheels, DRV and a few others. Small manufacturers cannot compete with the buying power of the big companies such as Forest River and Thor. Look at all the companies that use to be independent that have been purchased by these two conglomerates. The price of high end trailers has risen to a point the average family cannot afford one. I was looking on the New Horizon RV Web site and a top of the line show model was $254,000. Look at Newell coaches prices most start over a million dollars.

Nothing is made today like they used to.

It's not only the prices of the RV it's the taxes. Growing up in KS had a 3 percent sales tax, now it's 9 percent. Personal property tax, paid each year along with tag fees have risen as well. In KS maximum devaluation occurs after 10 years, does not get any cheaper after that. By keeping my vehicles and RV'S maintained I save a lot of money on taxes and insurance.More money for fuel and travel.

They don't make em like they used to. Having owned three truck campers and three 5th wheel trailers from the '60s up to the '97 era I'm sure glad. Same with our LDTs.

They don't make em like they used to. | Good Sam Community

BarneyS
Explorer III
May 30, 2019
I agree with Pacnrat above. My 2004 Sunnybrook has been heavily used since we purchased it new. It has never been back to the dealer or factory for anything. We have replaced several appliances and made many improvements and extensive roof maintenance but it is still going strong as our "summer place" since we no longer travel with it. I expect it will probably outlive us. :E
Barney
packnrat
Explorer
May 30, 2019
I am keeping my 2001 sunny brook (25 ft 5er) for another decade.
bought new, never been back to the dealer for any repair.
couple miner in the past couple years. (failed plastic stuff).

i have installed a "super auto vent fan".
this year all new outside led lights, plus a couple extra. the normal ones are all still working great... from the factory. (18 years and no failed bulbs).
inside one ceiling light burned out, one the holder fused and burnt a bit, and one over the vanity, the glue failed (holding the bulb to the fitting) but it still was working when i took it out. one of the "locking handles" on the reefer broke. heck i can count all the problems on just my factory installed digits.
so yes some of the older units are made far better than some - most of the new ones.
smlranger
Explorer
May 29, 2019
94-D2 wrote:
I would look at the grand design lineup. They seem to be at or near the top for materials and quality and still in the realm of affordability.

I would disagree. We bought a new 2019 Grand Design Solitude this past November. It was our first trailer after owning three motorhomes. After using it for 6 months, I would say it is no better than most of the similar mass produced trailers from other manufacturers. It's OK for our intended use (parked in one spot permanently. It is clear to me that whomever designed it never spent much time living in any RV.
minnow
Explorer
May 29, 2019
94-D2 wrote:
I would look at the grand design lineup. They seem to be at or near the top for materials and quality and still in the realm of affordability.

That statement might of been true 3-4 years ago. Not today. They are no better then FR or Thor offerings.
GJGAR
Explorer
May 22, 2019
Thanks. I will check them out.
94-D2
Explorer
May 22, 2019
I would look at the grand design lineup. They seem to be at or near the top for materials and quality and still in the realm of affordability.
GJGAR
Explorer
May 22, 2019
I have had a 5th wheel for 10 yrs. Put about 60,000 miles on it and am thinking of upgrading to a newer model. I am not impressed with the build quality of any of these trailers. Are there some manufactures and/or models which are known for higher quality than others? I fully realize that higher quality will likely cost more but it is worth it to me to pay more, and have a better experience. I don't want to deal with problems/delays when on vacation. I do enough of that at work.
IdaD
Explorer
May 21, 2019
Campers have been mostly junk for a long time.
94-D2
Explorer
May 21, 2019
Tossing a cat into the dog pound I would mostly agree that the campers are not built as well as the old days. While the doors and walls may be thicker in past years, I would suggest that perhaps the materials became much more efficient and in any cases stronger. Metal vs wood construction, fiber glass and composite vs Masonite or corrugated aluminum skin, foam insulation vs cellulose or fiber batting. Now, quality of the installation and mfg methods, certainly craftsmanship of the past outlasts what is done today with the “run of the mill” rig.
Durb
Explorer
May 21, 2019
My trailer is 11 years old. I plan to use it for another ten years and pull it with my currently 15 year old truck. Both units are nicely maintained and are young at heart. If quality continues to degrade, maybe my old gear will start to increase in value.