Class A Gassers and The General Quality of Products

[vfrmarc]

Alright, this could be a loaded question.

We are selling our 5th wheel and coming back to a Class A. Haven't purchased yet, still looking will be a gasser this time. My question is we had a Tiffin before (FRED). Not perfect, but basically a good quality motor home.

I have been limiting myself to considering Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago. But wondering if I should give the resurrected manufacturers and the older poorer quality manufacturers a good look this time?

Looking for something with newer Ford V10 w/6spd tranny.

[doxiemom11]

We had campers next to us with a Winnebago (2016) and the lack of insulation was very apparent when they closed their door, a storage bay door, played music or talked. Seemed cheaply made. Electronics didn't work, auto levelers didn't work right , outside entertainment center, nothing worked etc. Would not want one.

We have a 2000 Monaco Monarch gasser and are extremely happy with the quality of workmanship and all the options that came as standard equipment. We would rather remodel the interior of this than have one of the newer, cheaply made ones. Have had it 7 years, full-time 6 years and very very few problems. Has the V-10

[irishtom29]

In a gasser Tiffin has the best basic bones---longer wheelbase and usually a heavier chassis. For instance in a 34 footer Tiffin uses the Ford 24,000 pound chassis while Newmar and Winnebago use the 22,000 pound chassis. The Tiffin has a longer wheelbase than either, 228". Some competitors make 34 footers with a 208" wheelbase, not cool.

[vfrmarc]

Great replies, I knew this would spark opinions and experiences.

I thought we would stick with the 5th Wheel path, but spending the winter (our first) in Florida opened my eyes a bit. Watching others with fairly new and expensive fivers have problems and manufacturers ignoring them. The last straw for me was one of the holding tanks in a 2016 $80-100K fiver fall out on the ground and local shops unwilling to come to park to deal with it because manufacturer won't reimburse was a wake up call.

We were going to upgrade our 5th Wheel and truck, but after watching these owners deal with quality issues plus the need for me to spend $60+K on a truck and probably that much on a 5th wheel I reset my sights back to a Class A. Wife and I also realized that as true "new retirees" we have some traveling to do and a Class A is just easier to get around with, boondocking, Walmarting and just being more spontaneous at when and where we spend the night.

In my Class A search I have noticed that Holiday Rambler, Georgetown, Jayco seemed to have upped their quality and that is why I started this thread, to get other opinions.

[jfskeet]

We have a Winnebago 35f gasser, good decent motor home. A few stupid issues is all, the steel wheel wells are flaking off the paint and as
well as the storage compartment frames that are steel. All flaked off their underneath paint. and you could see it was never primed.
An also noisy while driving. We just order a Tiffen gasser. Ride was far superior and was alot quieter. Especial the engine compartment.
Real liked the features of the Tiffen

[AllenTC2]

Effy wrote:


Not sure where you are looking. Been seeing quite a few posts in the past 6 months about Winnie issues. Some are pretty dramatic like the roofs peeling off. I don't recall seeing too many Newmar complaints.

I don't recall either.....just Googling and clicking links on the first page.

Still, thanks for the thoughts on the matter. I'm pretty overwhelmed with all the stuff to learn about RVs and RVing.

[Goldencrazy]

I have had five Winnebago's and currently a Suncruiser 38Q. I love the floor plans in their gas units. The designs are great. Build quality has declined. I hope they get quality control improved. On the plus side they have been very good about fixing things. Find a dealer you trust and with a good reputation and then the floor plan you like and go from there. I do like the new 6 speed tranny very much.

[crasster]

I like your foundation. Tiffin is a great coach. If you liked it before go for it. I think they are way better than average and are a good price.

[Effy]

There is a general theme to the hierarchy of brands, Newmar and Tiffin usually bubble to the top. I know a lot of Winnie owners love them, but frankly I have never been really impressed, especially given their comparative price point and unwillingness to bend much on the pricing. They make a decent coach but not without their share of issues, which brings to light the overarching theme of most RV's. It's a **** shoot. They can produce a lemon the same day they produce a rock solid unit. There is very little - if any - quality control in the RV world. You would think the quality gets a little better at the top of the food chain but it really doesn't. Newmar touts that the King Aire rolls off the same assembly line as the Bay star Sport. Personally this makes me cringe as I've seen a few Bay Star Sports and I wasn't overly impressed. You would think paying more would ensure better build standards, not the same as their bottom tier offering. There are better questions to ask rather than overall quality ranking of brands and it's in the how and what. Examples; how are the walls designed? Newmar as example uses a hung wall design and I've heard it's better. Newmar also uses a proprietary slide mechanism. Not without it's issues but my bet would be a far better gamble than Schwintek rails which many brands still use. Those are the things to concern yourself, not based on "quality" because frankly you could be splitting hairs. I have been lucky with Thor and some have been unlucky with Newmar. It tells you that any brand can have it's share of issues, some pretty dramatic. Pick the one that has the "feel" you want, in the price you want and then decide if it has components and manufacturing methods you feel are worth your money. Perception is reality though and most people pick a few brands above others. Whether it's factually true is almost irrelevant in value because the perception will drive value - accurate or not.

[rgatijnet1]

Personally I would not have a Winnebago only because of the design of their fiberglass roof and how it is attached to the sidewalls. I feel it is a poor design and can cause future problems that Winnebago will deny, as evidenced by several posts by owners that have had their roof peel off.

[Effy]

AllenTC2 wrote:
Quick thread hijack.....

I am a noob when it comes to this, but for the past week or so I've been Googling reviews on two of those manufacturers; Newmar and Winnebago (Bay Star, Vista and Via). Between Newmar and Winnebago, it was far easier to find positive reviews on Winnebago and I had to look harder to find good things about Newmar.

Is that probably to do more with those specific models?

Not sure where you are looking. Been seeing quite a few posts in the past 6 months about Winnie issues. Some are pretty dramatic like the roofs peeling off. I don't recall seeing too many Newmar complaints.

[AllenTC2]

Quick thread hijack.....

I am a noob when it comes to this, but for the past week or so I've been Googling reviews on two of those manufacturers; Newmar and Winnebago (Bay Star, Vista and Via). Between Newmar and Winnebago, it was far easier to find positive reviews on Winnebago and I had to look harder to find good things about Newmar.

Is that probably to do more with those specific models?

[Dale_Traveling]

I'd stick to your list and personally preference in order listed.

[AllegroD]

IMO you have stated the 3 top mfgr of gassers. Others will be of lesser quality.