Build Quality

SoonerWing03 wrote:
With a budget of ~$20 K obviously Airstream isn’t an option. With all of the brands seamingly making roughly the same floor plans, which brands should I consider... or does it really matterThe floor plan we like is one like the Apex Ultra Lite 245BHS.

With a budget of just $20K US for the size & type of trailer you're looking for I'd suggest your question is pretty well moot anyway. If you can buy that Apex 245BHS with your planned budget it's probably as good (or bad) as anything else out there in that price range. That said, regardless of what you buy keep in mind that's just the beginning as there will be endless other expenses you'll want to budget for as well. ;)

SoundGuy has summed it up nicely..
For what you are looking for with your budget you are going to be taking your chances....



When owning any RV, it really helps to be handy with tools.

If it has wood in it run and don't look back. Try finding an older camplite or egg shell fiberglass such as casita.

Picture a see-saw with price on one end and quality on the other.
There might be another see-saw with Lite on one end and Rugged on the other.
Chuck Woodbury recently commented about how RV's are made; some with staples and some with screws.
Just my $.03 adjusted for inflation.

Nothing built today is 'quality'. When you are running behind and shoving them out willy nilly, quality is second fiddle...maybe third.

Most brands are owned by two companies Forest River and Keystone (Thor) with a small handful of independent mfgs. The independent mfgs don't have the purchasing power of the two big mfgs and thier prices are generally higher.

I always wanted a Northwood Artic Fox but the price was twice as high and getting a lot of people saying their quality isn't much better. Airstream is owned by Thor along with a page of other brands.

The key to any RV regardless of price is maintenance for longevity. Water intrusion is the Arch-enemy of any RV. My dealer told me when I ordered in my new 5th wheel that there were two types of RV'S (Those that leak and those that will leak).

colliehauler wrote:
Most brands are owned by two companies Forest River and Keystone (Thor) with a small handful of independent mfgs. The independent mfgs don't have the purchasing power of the two big mfgs and thier prices are generally higher.

I always wanted a Northwood Artic Fox but the price was twice as high and getting a lot of people saying their quality isn't much better. Airstream is owned by Thor along with a page of other brands.

The key to any RV regardless of price is maintenance for longevity. Water intrusion is the Arch-enemy of any RV. My dealer told me when I ordered in my new 5th wheel that there were two types of RV'S (Those that leak and those that will leak).

Exactly and most owners don't have a clue (or want to have a clue) about seal maintenance so most used units either leak or have leaked in the past and behind the wallboard lurks an evil agent... rot, mold and spores.

That especially applies to units stored outside in climates where you get snow and rain regularly.

Wood. Its the elephant in the room. Our new 04 airstream safari has soft floors in 4 years. That was it. Metal top to bottom for me or done with this hobby. a Oliver or Casita design is innovative and durable. Elkhart should be ashamed, a perfect example of American monopoly and greed with no foreign competition. History repeats itself. Cars in the 70s. Motorcycles as well.

I guess your starting to see a recurring theme. And yes there is a reason for it.
About the best you can do is to find the floorplan you like/want and then determine what features and build level.
It follows a similar pattern to other stuff.
Interior;
Particle board with shelf paper on it to look like wood for doors and drawers, with particle board sides, stapeled together is the cheapest, and will fall apart the fastest,
from there the progression is roughly
Wood doors and drawer fronts and glued nailed plywood,
to hardwood screwed and glued.
Appliances are similar along the lines until you get to the top end.
Countertops are a good telltale, Solids being the better, particle board with a formica type covering being cheaper
Plumbing, plastic fixtures are standard and will be among the first things changed by new owners (showerhead especially)
Tank sizes determing length of dry stays/ boondocking, large tanks mean weight, which means heavier frames and suspension.
Exteriors, You seem to have already leaned toward azdel sided which is generally seen as preferable to tin and wood,
Single pane windows are the standard with insulated being a less common preference item.
Enclosed underbelly if you intend to camp in possibly sub freezing weather, or are concerned with travel in a lot of long term wet weather.

Insulation will be poor in all, you can only insulate 1.5 - 2" so well and still keep it light. (pick up a yeti cooler, it works well but isnt light)

So pick your floor plan, decide on usage, always with hookups, frequent dry camping, and then start narrowing down the cost and qualities you value the most and match that to the product line most closely matching it.

There are minor variations, but I think you will find this to be close with most.

A little higher than $20,000, but Keystone Outback is pretty good. But they average (MSRP) around $35,000. Outback (at least use to) use real wood cabinets, not composite or saw dust glued sides and doors covered with self-sticking shelf paper. Construction is all aluminum with foam board between for insulation. All the appliance are standard RV appliances though. But, for longevity, my Outback has been the best so far. They have walkable roofs, porcelain toilets, standard sink faucets, not the plastic RV types. I think Outback is one step above the rest of the Keystone brands. But, they are more than $20,000 too.

As with any brand, diligent maintenance and upkeep are key to keeping any of them in great shape! If you just use it and forget it, any RV will be junk in 6 months.

RV ownership is a lot like having a new baby. They take constant attention and money as long as you own them. Otherwise, like kids left unattended, they become derelicts very fast. That's why RV ownership is called "a lifestyle". An RV dominates your entire world (that is if you want to keep them in great shape for longevity).