Manufacturer's and their Multiple sub-brands

[thejrod]

Is there any easy way to wade through the bazillion sub-brands that each manufacturer seems to offer?

For example, Forest River must have 15 different sub-brands or model lines (whatever you call them), but they all basically appear functionally identical. Is there a way to tell them apart? I.e. is one particular line good for dry camping (bigger tanks, etc), and one line is better for park camping? Cold weather vs hot weather? More open interiors vs. sectioned? Budget vs. high end? I can't tell a damned thing from looking online, and my googlefu is at least brown belt...

[rbpru]

Your question really has no answer because it is based on opinions. Some would swear that laminates are superior to stick and tin, or metal studs are better than wood etc. etc.

In my opinion the floor plan is the most important, followed by weight and of course cost. Every dealer will tell you what they do to improve their product over the competition. It is up to you to decide of their “improvements” are all that important.

I like my Dutchmen because of the trim and appliances, other may think that the frame or the windows are the most important features.

In the end, you have to look and decide what you like.

[93Cobra2771]

*Edit - wrong thread, whoopsie.

[goducks10]

Look at Northwood or Outdoor RV. They make TT's with good tank capacities as well as most have higher cargo capacity.

[thejrod]

So even if I go in person, I still can't tell how they are constructed.

What brands are recommended? I'm lookin for decent quality construction (doesn't have to be super light), 27-30ft, 3-slides, $25-35k street price.... My current Eclipse is pretty spartan, I'd like to get something with a nicer feel to it. Seen some Forest Rivers that look nice, as well as Heartland. But fresh tanks all seem too small for that size of trailer for dry camping.

[rbpru]

It is doubtful that any one brand is going to let another get a jump on them in such a highly competitive market. The model differences reflect construction methods such as wood vs. metal studs, stick and tin vs. laminated, laminate A vs. laminate B etc.

The same supply base and labor force is used by almost all manufacturers and they manage to sell 300,000 unit a year.

For those who want higher quality, it is out there. I saw a 28 ft. Air Stream for a paltry $94,000.00 or one of those tiny houses for $65,000.00.

For the rest of us mortals we need to look at each companies selling points and decide which we like best.

The dealer is also part of the mix; and yes he is going to make a profit.

[deltabravo]

I see the same thing with RVs I transport. One factory makes multiple "name brands" with the same floor plans... brand X might be a lower end style of brand Y.
Dealer A sells brand X, dealer B, located 15 miles away sells brand Y.

Examples I see are Springdale and Hideout.

I also think it has to do with maximum dealer exposure.

[chr_]

On the comment about dealers:
It all has to do with exclusivity. One dealer may have "Nomad" trailers exclusivity in a city, but the guy down the street sells "Aljo" trailers. Same trailer, made in the same Skyline MFG plant, with the same interior trimmings, even the same model number.

At least you can see they are the same, unlike mattresses...

Ya just gotta go out and look and touch them, get the brochures, then do your research online.

[Oasisbob]

It is all a shell game. You had bad quality with brand X? Sales person directs you to brand Y fully knowing they were both made at the same plant by same folks. It is just another example of the RV idustry and how they treat the consumer. Real problem is we keep buying this stuff. Shame onus

[hawkeye-08]

It is not uncommon to keep brands as consolidation happens. They want to keep the brand equity and maximize it. Other companies that have not acquired others seem to want to have sub brands also... then you have new companies that have sub brands and they are supposedly different levels of luxury, but all made on the same manufacturing lines by the same workers with the same skills... if their workmanship is poor, then it carries across brands...

Agree, they also do it to have more dealers as others have said..

[dbbls]

Just compare the specifications of each. They do this so they can have more dealers.