Owners opinions, please.

[bp_mp_tx]

We are going to trade our "C" for an "A". DH does not want a diesel. We really like the floor plans offered by Thor, especially the 36TL Challenger. We hope to 'most time' for 2-3 years. I have read some negative opinions about Thor products, but they rarely came from owners. Would love to hear from Thor owners, especially if you own, or have owned, a Challenger. Thank you!

[Mr_Mark1]

Georgia Popcorn wrote:

jpmihalk wrote:
We purchased a 2016 Thor Hurricane in April 2016 and have been very happy with Thor and our dealer. There were a few issues, but they have all been handled quickly and professionally. Thor has been quick to respond to questions and they provided all kinds of schematic drawings upon request. We would gladly buy a Thor again. The Challengers are nice... just out of our price range.

Amen on the PRICE RANGE! My opinion is, (just like a lot of us gaser's) a lot of folks get trapped into buying the big Diesel's and are strapped or at least overly concerned with how many dollars it continues to cost them, fuel, maintenance and just overall up keep. From the price of labor now a days $135.00 an hr +, I can sure understand it, We, like you bought a 2017 Hurricane and are enjoying it immensely! My retirement money was just too hard to get...

How do people get trapped into buying a diesel pusher? And, get strapped/overly concerned about maintenance?

There is certainly nothing wrong with a gasser as they fit perfectly into the RVing lifestyle. Diesel coaches are a totally different animal (chassis, weight, comfort).
Diesel coaches have a purpose as you wont' find a 45 ft., 45,000+ lb. four slide gas coach.

If RV buyers do their homework, there are no trapping or maintenance concerns.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Georgia_Popcorn]

jpmihalk wrote:
We purchased a 2016 Thor Hurricane in April 2016 and have been very happy with Thor and our dealer. There were a few issues, but they have all been handled quickly and professionally. Thor has been quick to respond to questions and they provided all kinds of schematic drawings upon request. We would gladly buy a Thor again. The Challengers are nice... just out of our price range.

Amen on the PRICE RANGE! My opinion is, (just like a lot of us gaser's) a lot of folks get trapped into buying the big Diesel's and are strapped or at least overly concerned with how many dollars it continues to cost them, fuel, maintenance and just overall up keep. From the price of labor now a days $135.00 an hr +, I can sure understand it, We, like you bought a 2017 Hurricane and are enjoying it immensely! My retirement money was just too hard to get...

[mc_cc]

I had a 2007 Damon by Thor. I just traded it last year for a 2016 Fleetwood bounder. You did not mention what year Challenger you are looking at. I would make sure you check your rail system on those slides before you buy. There were one or two years that the larger slides were being installed with a two rail, rather than a three rail slide system. There were problems. If you have not checked into the newer Fleetwood bounders, I would highly recommend it. There were a couple of selling points for me over the Challenger. The bounder comes with a 100 gallon fresh water tank and a 10 gallon hot water heater. The Challenger only comes with a 6 gallon standard hot water heater. The difference is night and day. Your husband will appreciate the **** pit area of the newer bounder rather than that of the Challenger. One other thing to think about. In 2016 we have a newer overdrive gear in the transmission. This does help to alleviate a lot of noise issues associated with the previous years noise complaints, but only when driving on mostly flat terrain.

[Sooner_Schooner]

I've been a fulltimer and a workamper for over 10 years and I can tell you I have spoken with owners of nearly every model you can think of. They ALL can have issues. Just check your coach over very well BEFORE you leave the area and have any issue addressed immediately. Good luck and congratulations on your new coach.

[JD38]

My 2 cents....we had a structural side wall problem, they sent a driver out to drive the rig back to the factory and replaced the entire RH sidewall and reinforced the Ford frame. I am kinda luke warm on them

[Playtime_II]

FWIW, the longer Gas Class A's had a reputation of being pushed around on the highway by winds and passing trucks. Spend some time behind the wheel before you commit. We test drove a New Winnie 37' and did not like its handling on the Interstate. So we flipped to the used DP market. Now we do the pushing.

[becker]

You said your DH really does not want a Diesel (pusher).... we upgraded from a gas (front engine) 454hp.... it was the first time my wife and I had a casual interesting low-toned conversation from the drivers seat to the passenger seat.... that alone was worth the difference between gas and diesel.... there are other features that make the diesel worth the difference but to us the no-noise of the diesel (engine in the rear) and the pleasurable conversations on the long highway trips makes all the difference in the world.... no yelling to get above the roar of the front engine.... just a comment concerning your new rig: "the world is yours".... go see it.

[AJR]

I had a Challenger and now a Chateau, both used. The three times I called Thor customer support they were very helpful.

[hohenwald48]

bullydogs1 wrote:
On paper yes, but Thor has left Jayco alone (similar to Airstream) to run on their own. at least for now.

So they say anyway. I've been involved in a lot of corporate mergers and purchases and I've never seen the buyer actually leave the "buyee" to conduct business as usual. Like I said, "for what it's worth".

[et2]

Owned two Thor products. Never again.

[bullydogs1]

On paper yes, but Thor has left Jayco alone (similar to Airstream) to run on their own. at least for now.

[hohenwald48]

For what it's worth, Jayco is owned by Thor.

[bullydogs1]

As you see, it is hot and cold with Thor, as it is with just about every product...I would make sure you do a complete, thorough and exhausting PDI before you hand over any money, but one thing people did not mention is the Schwintek Slide system...Thor taxed these to the limit and has had many band aid fixes to them. While Thor offers some attractive price points, I'd consider Jayco gassers too as the warranty is 2 yrs. (jayco is now held by thor but not run by them)...I'd look as much as you can and examine materials...Winne and Tiffin seem to put out good quality gassers...although Winne Forza is now offering a 3 yr warranty (tempting to look at)

[jpmihalk]

We purchased a 2016 Thor Hurricane in April 2016 and have been very happy with Thor and our dealer. There were a few issues, but they have all been handled quickly and professionally. Thor has been quick to respond to questions and they provided all kinds of schematic drawings upon request. We would gladly buy a Thor again. The Challengers are nice... just out of our price range.