Best Quality Travel Trailers

[Kampfirekid]

Is there such a thing? Is the RV industry capable of delivering such a product with the same construction practices, materials, and appliances?
If the answer is “No”, is it reasonable to find what one considers the best for their needs, and one that has the construction and details they find most desirable, and have it air tested and then the roof coated with a hard shell for a good starting basis, and then just maintain the remaining trailer caulking as needed?
I’m not new to travel trailers. I walk the roof bi-weekly, to once a month, depending on use, weather, etc. I have no concerns with my required maintenance, but it seems the new standards are just garbage. I’m not so sure if I should expect more out of a Lance or Arctic Fox. The components, construction, and appliances are the same. I’m mot hearing from many that 2 and 3 year warranties mean much as manufacturers try to pass the buck. Just curious what others consider the hierarchy in selecting a new RV, and what they expect as normal for maintenance and upkeep.

[aftermath]

There is no question that a slide will provide great space. The OP asked about quality build and the discussion was about that. To me, quality means a minimal amount if things that need fixing over a certain period of time. Take a box trailer and put it on a frame. Cut a few large holes in it for slides and attach them to some aparatus that brings them in and out with the push of a button. This concept is fantastic but it does produce issues that need addressing. Now take a fiberglass shell with no seams, cut a few small holes for windows and a door. The chance of leaking seams is greatly reduced. So is the amount of "space" inside. Now, look at an Airstream that is made like an airplane. The shell and frame are one. There a few holes and no slides. So back, to the topic. The larger the trailer, the more chance that issues will come up. Space is great, size has its advantages but it comes at a cost. And, we will celebrate our 49th anniversary this fall. Been camping and traveling in our small trailers all the way. Hasn't been an issue yet. 😉

[Lantley]

“Room indoors” just means more to clean and more to heat & cool. For the rest of us — where camping isn’t driving somewhere to watch TV in nicer weather — space utilization was perfected almost 60-years ago. We have an unmatched view of the outdoors.

Room indoors means you have space to spread out and enjoy your family. The entire family can come and have and extended stay. There is no substitute for space.
With slides you have ample space and seperate rooms.
Because there is more space you can do more than enjoy the outdoors. You can also enjoy the indoors! You can also use the RV as a rolling condo and takes trips that don't involve camping.
We often vist relatives and use the RV as a hotel vs. staying with others or staying in a hotel.
In our current covid world having the abilty to have you own rolling condo has found new meaning.
As mentioned ealier Airstreams are king in terms of longevity and towabilty.
They are not at the top when in come to interior space, modern conveniences and exterior storage. Nothing wrong with an Airstream they have a very loyal following. But they are certainly not for everyone. The masses want more space, and more convenience. In general the masses are not looking for their lifetime camper.

[kellem]

We've never considered an airstream even once , build quality is certainly there but no open floorplan when extended stays in inclement weather is a consideration.
We're on trailer #4 and quickly realized a slide is a must for longevity of marriage.
Been married over 35 years and not sure 2 slides are enough to maintain peice.

[BackOfThePack]

A 10-15/year old Airstream is better than other trailers when they’re brand-new.

Depreciation done. “Might” need cosmetic upgrades.

Use the savings for a 3P hitch and anti-lock disc brakes.

Airstream was the entry-level choice at the premium end. The other builders lost their buyers as Americans took a 55% pay cut since 1971. AS was best aero design and had fully independent suspension. Marketing genius founder (died 1963).

Other trailers aren’t comparable per design & construction. Not in road performance, longevity, or overall quality.

My parents bought theirs new and kept it thirty years. It’s still on the road. Mines 31-years old this year (different brand than AS).

1). How long will you keep it?
2). How far will you travel?

The average RV’er owns it 5-years and travels 60k miles.
It’s not by accident design life on a box is 8/80.

An AS is 250k before re-build and lifespan is indefinite.

“Room indoors” just means more to clean and more to heat & cool. For the rest of us — where camping isn’t driving somewhere to watch TV in nicer weather — space utilization was perfected almost 60-years ago. We have an unmatched view of the outdoors.

Being outdoors is rather the point.

.

[jimh406]

They are built one at a time. Sometimes by the least experienced/quality focused person. Any can have problems, but better companies stand behind them. In general, I think you are better off buying used to pick one up that has had the major problems already fixed.

There are far too many new RVs sitting at the dealer waiting to be fixed during the first year.

[Skibane]

There are no "guarantees" of build quality - only product reputations, based on the experiences of other customers.

[Kampfirekid]

After the **** I’m going through now, I’d gladly pay more for a quality built travel trailer, but where’s the guarantee there? I realize A/C units, refrigerators, water heaters, etc. are the same in most all of these units, regardless of price and “quality”, but just getting a well-built trailer that the manufacturer took time to ensure its built correctly and right, is what I’d pay for. But, how do you guarantee that? No trailer manufacturer is going to guarantee a rig more than 2-3 years. Oliver seems to be the only manufacturer I can find that reasonably can assure a customer their unit will be “morel” trouble free. Let’s face it… structure is the main failure with leaks in most of these units. Leaks develop because of the quick slam together, poor caulking, and many joints to develop leaks. These are things Oliver does not have to deal with in their build.

[aftermath]

Turn The Page,
I think you just made my point. "Go big or go home". Indeed.

[TurnThePage]

I wish that was the case. As I and others have said, I would be very willing to shell out a couple grand more if I knew the glue and screws were where they belonged. But as far as I know, I don't have that option. It's kind of a go big or go home thing right now. If I could convince my wife, I would be very happy in a Bigfoot RV trailer.

[aftermath]

I agree with Skibane. There is quality out there but you have to look hard. Oliver is a very good example. The issue is that, with the trailers you listed, you will have to give up some things and that is the problem. I also agreed with the Walmart reference. The bottom line is that we want the best but refuse to pay the price. The RV industry is making large trailers, with important things like, slide outs, big screen televisions, kitchen islands, surround sound systems for both inside and outside, automatic awnings and even fake fireplaces. We as a nation, are not ones to cutback. While we want big trailers, we do not want to pay big prices. And, "lightweight" trailers are the result. Lots of good stuff while keeping weight down so that we might save a gallon or two in the long run really doesn't focus on quality and durability. RV manufacturers know all of this and that is why there are many trailers out there that meet the "needs" of the public. Don't see this changing anytime soon.

[Skibane]

I see very few QC complaints about the more popular manufacturers of small, traditional fiberglass-shell RVs - Bigfoot, Escape, Casita - and maybe Scamp.

Several possible reasons for this:

1. Each of these manufacturers has been building the same basic trailer for decades - and thus has most of the design and production bugs worked out.

2. Each of these manufacturers isn't associated with a large RV conglomerate - which means that it isn't subject to the massive cost-cutting measures often associated with large RV conglomerates.

3. Fiberglass shell trailers tend to be quite minimalistic - they don't have a lot of trouble-prone features (e.g., slideouts and toy-hauler configurations).

In the same vein, Oliver also makes an excellent (albeit somewhat pricey) trailer.

BOTTOM LINE: There are still some decent-quality trailers being built - You just have to look beyond the big names to find them.

[rbpru]

Thor industries pulled a lot of butts out of the fire during the last deep economic down turn, otherwise you would have a half a dozen established TT companies and a lot of start-ups.

The TT and 5th wheel industry sells about 500,000 units a year, and has for the last 5 of 6 years. They make what sells.

[TurnThePage]

Actually there seems to be little choice for the average consumer. It's just like the big 3 automakers in the '70s. They had you over a barrel...

Until they didn't anymore. Quality has vastly improved in every category since competitive options became available.

I know I would, and I think most others would be willing to shell out a couple grand more for a unit that actually had all the glue and screws in all the right places.

[nickthehunter]

Lwiddis wrote:
When the public stops buying poorly assembled RVs quality will improve.

You can buy quality if you choose to; manufacturers make what buyers buy, they don’t make what buyers wish for but won’t pay for.