What about Georgetown quality?

[way2roll]

Familiar with the top tier hierarchy - usually goes Newmar, Tiffin, Winnie - or some mix of that order. As we shop for a new coach quality is one of our top priorities, along with a bunk and W/D. While we've ruled out a few brands (I won't mention), we have been taking a closer look at Georgetowns but I know very little about them. I know there is a 3,5,7 and Xl series but even the XL is pretty competitively priced. Nice drop down bunk sizes and seems to check a lot of boxes with the exception of almost no interior color choices and very few flooplans. But how is the quality?

[way2roll]

georgelesley wrote:
The devil is in the details you mostly cannot see. Such as insulation, ease of maintenance, etc. for example: a cousin of ours and his DW just bought a 2019 Georgetown. Not sure of the model but it is 38’ long on a gas F-53 chassis.

I did the predelivery inspection with him. I quickly noted a few simple things that show cost cutting. One was the house batteries were in a compartment with a fixed shelf. No easy way to check them or add water. A pull out tray would make more sense but add cost. Have fun cleaning corrosion off the battery posts oe adding water to the batteries. I suggested he put a single point water fill system on them or he will never get around to checking them. Second: At least one of the water drains (might have been the hot water drain, memory fails me) for winterizing was under the coach, requiring him to get under the coach to drain it. He has bad knees and was not impressed. I saw this because we had to winterize it immediately.

Another example was the chassis engine oil fill tube was positioned such that adding oil will be a challenge. I suggested he plan on buying an electric oil pump. I also noted the shower control knobs were on the wall just above the shower seat. Imagine taking a shower with water controls behind you. I suspect there are more such “invisible” issues.

That being said, I thought it had a great floor plan, was well equipped and the cabinets and most furniture looked pretty good.

Having RV’ed for over 40 years and bought many different ones, remember they build them to appeal to the ladies mostly. Thus the interiors will be colorful, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms equipped nicely. For us guys the drivers seat and dash will usually be nice and some outside stuff we care about will also be nice, but things you cannot see or will likely not notice may not be as nice.

Each of these issues I have mentioned could have been easily and cheaply made better during manufacture but would have raised the price modestly. To meet the desired price point cut will be made. Probably all could have been done for the cost of making the king bed into a queen instead. Guess why it is a king? BTW, the couple in question have a queen bed at home...

My final opinion from what I saw was that it was not a bad value for the money, just look closely and see if it meets your needs or whether for a bit more money another brand may be better for you.

Thanks for the detailed response. I haven't ruled them out but will take a look. I'm less swayed by glitz and more about functionality and have a pretty good eye for things that could have been done better. My wife also looks at things pragmatically. We both couldn't care less about the flashy bits that they used to sell, what we do care about is quality and functionality. If Newmar or Tiffin had the drop down bunk set up we really want, it wouldn't be a decision. But their bunk mechanisms are the worst design of any brand we looked at. We my have to shrug off that concession, but it's a going to be a huge PITA for our 16 year old to make/unmake a sofa bed every day. it's almost a deal breaker. So far, Winnie has the best mix of what we are after. I would put their quality 3rd but they check every box otherwise. And when I say 3rd, it's a pretty close race. There doesn't seem to be a huge gap in quality between Newmar, Tiffin and Winnie. However, there is a pretty sizable difference in quality between these 3 and most other brands. Georgetown seems to be teetering in there somewhere.

[way2roll]

crawford wrote:
Georgetown try to get plumping layouts or electric or anything hard to do maybe next to never. But Winnebago go on line an look up model and there you have it not chasing you tale. I got mine to a dealer they had it 2 weeks because of a slide problem and was told to live with it this was a Forest River dealer couldn't find paper work of lay out to find problem give me a break.

This is a point I actually hadn't considered. Knowing you will have some issues (hopefully minor) is one thing, but support with any issues is critical.

[crawford]

Georgetown try to get plumping layouts or electric or anything hard to do maybe next to never. But Winnebago go on line an look up model and there you have it not chasing you tale. I got mine to a dealer they had it 2 weeks because of a slide problem and was told to live with it this was a Forest River dealer couldn't find paper work of lay out to find problem give me a break.

[georgelesley]

The devil is in the details you mostly cannot see. Such as insulation, ease of maintenance, etc. for example: a cousin of ours and his DW just bought a 2019 Georgetown. Not sure of the model but it is 38’ long on a gas F-53 chassis.

I did the predelivery inspection with him. I quickly noted a few simple things that show cost cutting. One was the house batteries were in a compartment with a fixed shelf. No easy way to check them or add water. A pull out tray would make more sense but add cost. Have fun cleaning corrosion off the battery posts oe adding water to the batteries. I suggested he put a single point water fill system on them or he will never get around to checking them. Second: At least one of the water drains (might have been the hot water drain, memory fails me) for winterizing was under the coach, requiring him to get under the coach to drain it. He has bad knees and was not impressed. I saw this because we had to winterize it immediately.

Another example was the chassis engine oil fill tube was positioned such that adding oil will be a challenge. I suggested he plan on buying an electric oil pump. I also noted the shower control knobs were on the wall just above the shower seat. Imagine taking a shower with water controls behind you. I suspect there are more such “invisible” issues.

That being said, I thought it had a great floor plan, was well equipped and the cabinets and most furniture looked pretty good.

Having RV’ed for over 40 years and bought many different ones, remember they build them to appeal to the ladies mostly. Thus the interiors will be colorful, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms equipped nicely. For us guys the drivers seat and dash will usually be nice and some outside stuff we care about will also be nice, but things you cannot see or will likely not notice may not be as nice.

Each of these issues I have mentioned could have been easily and cheaply made better during manufacture but would have raised the price modestly. To meet the desired price point cut will be made. Probably all could have been done for the cost of making the king bed into a queen instead. Guess why it is a king? BTW, the couple in question have a queen bed at home...

My final opinion from what I saw was that it was not a bad value for the money, just look closely and see if it meets your needs or whether for a bit more money another brand may be better for you.

[way2roll]

A1ARealtorRick wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Anyone...Beuhler...Beuhler...

I can't help you with your question......but this is just funny! Thanks for making me smile!

🙂

[RetiredRealtorR]

way2roll wrote:
Anyone...Beuhler...Beuhler...

I can't help you with your question......but this is just funny! Thanks for making me smile!

[dodge_guy]

We have a 2012 we bought last year. It has 40k miles and is in very good shape. Whoever owned it before me really took care of it. It doesn’t rattle going down the road. Nothing is loose and everything is built well. We were looking at them new back in 2013-17. Loved the quality then too. However we looked at them at this years RV show. Were a bit disappointed. It seemed to lack the quality they were known for. Everything felt cheap, and it just didn’t feel very well put together.

My buddy has a 17 Fleetwood Bounder and it’s the same way. Driving down the road the thing is a rattle trap. The dash is falling apart, we have to rebuild and reinforce everything under the dash. They look all pretty on the surface but underneath they are piles!

With that said I would look closely at anything you are considering. Maybe it was just the one I walked through, or maybe just the one my buddy bought. But doubtful.

[way2roll]

Anyone...Beuhler...Beuhler...