Any Experience with these Brands/Makes?

[JCGibson]

We have narrowed it down to these new Gasser models and hopefully will be able to see these in person either at the Kansas City or St Louis Shows this month.

Fleetwood Bounder & Southwind
Tiffin Allegro
Newmar Bay Star
Winnebego Sightseer & Vista
Forest River Georgetown XL
Thor Challenger
Holiday Rambler Vacationer

We would like to hear your real world experience and insight for each of these models. On paper, they have similar chassis (22K or more) and 22.5" tires. Any likes or dislikes for your particular model, build quality and how is the company themselves?

Thanks.

John

[artillery6]

We have had one Bounder, two Southwinds and now have a 40X Discovery. All were and are great vehicles.

[Camper_Ken]

I'll add my vote for Winnebago and Newmar. I worked at a major RV dealer in the service department a few years ago and have seen them all, new and used. I owned a 2007 Winnebago class C and now have a Newmar class A. Newmar has some of the best cabinetry and overall fit and finish. Excellent build quality. Definitely stay away from anything made by Thor.

[JCGibson]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Much appreciated!

John

[mike_brez]

CG Dawson wrote:
Have had our Fleetwood Bounder for 12 years now and it has been a fantastic rig for us. So we would definitely give Fleetwood a look.

X2 we had a 1994 Fleetwood PaceArrow for about 14 years if it wasn't for the p30 chassis it was on I would still have it.

[CG_Dawson]

Have had our Fleetwood Bounder for 12 years now and it has been a fantastic rig for us. So we would definitely give Fleetwood a look.

[Goldencrazy]

I have had four Winnebagos dating back to a LeSharo which was an early small diesel van/motorhome. I loved it. Owned two Vistas and traded up to get more features-2010-30W and 2012-30T. When we saw the Sightseer 35G we bit the bullet and traded again. The floor plan and features are perfect. We have never really seriously looked beyond Winnebago. I have had some issues with the new moho and all have been addressed well. Winnebago dealers are very helpful. With my last one I needed some warranty work on a camera and a dealer worked me in quickly and did the repair and I didn't lose a day of travel. I recommend Winnebago without hesitation but again the advice I hear so often holds true for me. Find the floor plan you like and then go from there.

[myrtle_beach_rv]

We are on our 2nd allegro gasser with 11 years of tiffin experience and are very happy with tiffin quality and features.

[427435]

gemsworld wrote:
Stick to Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago. Good luck!

X2

In the case of the Winny, it's nice to know I can get parts for an old MH.

[J-Rooster]

Were currently on our 3rd Winnebago RV and I have been RVing since 1976 and we have had very little problems with them that's why I keep buying them. If I buy a 4th it will be a new Winnebago Adventurer DP. The only RV that I had problems with was a Fleetwood that I owned in the 90's! Constant problems with the FW but in FW defense they always fixed everything at no cost to me.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

gemsworld wrote:
Stick to Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago. Good luck!

Those are the 3 best on your list. Long track record of quality, factory support after the sale and under the original ownership. They are the only ones that have not been gobbled up by a conglomerate with interests outside of the RV industry. Saying that of the 8 RVs we have owned in the past 35+ years, only our current Tiffin is still in business. The others have all gone out of business, been acquired by someone else, or the tradename was resurrected after a few years as an orphan.

[Sully2]

gemsworld wrote:
Stick to Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago. Good luck!

Pull Newmar out and pitch the others

[gswcgi]

We had an early Winnebago, 1972, it was a nightmare! My wife nick named it a "Winnegriefo" and it was. Massive electrical and interior problems. I am on my 4th class A now with a 2003 Monaco Safari DP, very pleased with it. Had a 1985 Allegro, 454 engine. The coach was OK but the engine was terrible.

[janstey58]

We love our Bounder, great mid-priced gasser with loads of features. Owned it for 5 years now.

[xctraveler]

We owned a 2004 Southwind on a Workhorse chassis and ran it 110,000 miles over 8 years. Would have kept it and spent bucks to refurb the interior if wasn't worried about the next 100,000 miles on a gasser.

Current coach (see signature) is Diesel so no help there, but Tiffin owners are generally happy with their rigs, can get factory service and are treated far better by the manufacturer than I ever was by Southwind. But Southwind has been through a couple of ownership changes since I owned one. If I wanted a gasser Southwind would be high on my list along with Tiffin.