Thinking about going from m MH to TT who makes quality units

[kaz442]

DW and I are looking at selling our MH and getting a TT. Would have to be max in the 6000-7000 lbs range do to the fact we have a Ford E150 already set up for towing.
My question is what manufacturers have the best quality? We would be looking at used. Do any have one piece front and rear caps? Instead of plastic angle holding corners together. Anyone with fiberglass or aluminum roofs? Or are they all rubber.
Its just the wife and I does anyone have kingsize bed?
I know layouts important but I'm trying to get a direction as to which brands I should steer towards.
Any brands to steer away from? And why?
Were not in any hurry just want to find the right TT.
Thanks JKaz

[kaz442]

Wow people thanks for the replies. Keep them coming. I now have some ideas and direction.
My E-150 is set up with tow package, air bags,10,000# hitch,WDH,bilsteins all around and a brake controller. I have used it for years to tow a car trailer.

I know I'm limited to max 26'-28'. Just don't know if many of the NW manufacturers units will make it to the east coast. A quick Craigslist search didn't turn up much. But shopping for the unit is half the fun right? Lol
Thanks again JKaz

[Snowman9000]

I'm not going to get into quality issues, because they certainly exist no matter the background of the workers. However I can say first hand that there definitely are true Amish workers in the plants in northern Indiana. They start very early in the morning, and are done by early afternoon. You'll see them on bicycles and horse carts heading down all the rural roads at the end of their shifts.

Now, are they "craftsmen"? Not in most RV factories. So "built by Amish craftsmen" is half right. 🙂

[chr_]

Skyline

[aftermath]

"Built by Amish workers". A marketing ploy to rope in the unsuspecting. As if they put trailers together with pegs and hand made nails. Like everything else, some are good, some aren't.

The fiberglass trailers like Casitas and the Aluminum Airstreams are all very good units but they are small by today's consumer standards. If you want lots of space, slideouts and built in fireplaces, go somewhere else.

My half ton Tundra pulls my 25 ft. Airstream very nicely and I do believe that there are many 26 ft or smaller trailers out there that can be pulled by a half ton. I continue to hear great things about your Ford E150 with the trailer package.

I have a cousin with an Arctic Fox and it is a very well made unit. It is also very heavy as others have mentioned. Good luck in your search.

[realladyat57]

We have a Dutchman Aspen Trail 26' TT that we have used to travel between central Florida and West Michigan (after downsizing from our 36' Fiver.) It's a bit cramped but it works. However, be careful if your 1500 pick up does not have a towing package. We ended up getting a new truck (also a 1500) WITH a tow package) and that has made all the difference on the road.

[MegaWonder]

Another one here for Evergreen EverLite especially 2012 and older.."no wood to rot construction philosophy" low VOCs off gassing materials. Or any manufacture using the composite materials such as compositek or azdel without using wood in the framing or inner/outer shells. I think after 2012 Evergreen started using wood substrate in their ceiling/roof along with Compositek /TPO. Definite more expensive trailer to make the Everlite line. I think once you get beyond the construction the appliances manufactures such as Atwood and Dometic and axles Dexter are found across the RV industry in many RV manufactures. I guess then it comes down to how well the manufac/dealer stand behind their product. Evergreen dealers around these parts are few and far between. There are a couple Evergreen owners forums out there on the net as well as on Yahoo to research.

http://www.goevergreenrv.com/

[MM49]

FrankShore wrote:
x2 on the "Amish Myth" It's all a bunch of lies, bundled up in a tidy "Midwestern feel good" package. The "Amish" that work on the RV lines aren't really "Real" Amish to begin with, so forget that.

Northwoods Manufacturing and Lance both make quality trailers. Nash/Arctic Fox are all on the heavy side. Even their advertised "lightweight" models are still heavy.

Lance on the other hand are extremely durable well manufactured TT's that use great materials and techniques.

I've owned both, having a Lance now and am very happy with it. The Arctic Fox I had was just too heavy and cumbersome to tow.

Total HS. The Lance trailers are smaller. The loads are less and the boxes are stronger. If they made a larger trailer they would have all of the same problems as the rest.
MM49

[FrankShore]

x2 on the "Amish Myth" It's all a bunch of lies, bundled up in a tidy "Midwestern feel good" package. The "Amish" that work on the RV lines aren't really "Real" Amish to begin with, so forget that.

Northwoods Manufacturing and Lance both make quality trailers. Nash/Arctic Fox are all on the heavy side. Even their advertised "lightweight" models are still heavy.

Lance on the other hand are extremely durable well manufactured TT's that use great materials and techniques.

I've owned both, having a Lance now and am very happy with it. The Arctic Fox I had was just too heavy and cumbersome to tow.

[myredracer]

BillB800si wrote:

Jim, I don't want to "rain on your parade" but those sweet little Amish workers are paid piecemeal. They make or assemble X amount of parts per day and go home. They are no better or worse than other assembly workers in other fields.
We've been through many manufacturer tours and they all look nice on the outside. There are tons of poor quality control messages on these RV Forums. That's why most of us old timers suggest your final purchase to be made through a local dealer because chances are you'll need them for warranty work.
Glad you're happy with your choice.

Spot on. I've also heard that they don't work past noon and the factory production stops dead in it's tracks. "Amish craftsmanship" is an urban myth that won't go away.

I am shocked at some of the BAD work I've seen in TTs from Indiana. The manufacturers don't seem to care at all about how bad the quality is. I've even read about a few cases where TTs were so bad that the manufacturer replaced the entire TT with a new one rather than fix anything.

I would look into Nash, Outdoors RV & Arctic Fox (all owned by the same company) which are made in Oregon - that is if you can get them where you are. Don't know about their workforce but at least it's not Amish. Any of these 3 appear to have a much better reputation than others.

[sher9570]

I watched the video of the Rockwood Windjammer, I'd be tempted to trade ours for that, mostly to get the upgrades.
I love the nose being a walk in closet, I just have to wonder how big it is. I really need to see it in person.
Our TT has never given us one bit of trouble, the only thing we have replaced is the one lounger with a zero gravity chair, we had the plastic thingys that hold the closet doors when traveling replaced, we've replaced all the bulbs with LED's. But we have not had any trouble with it at all.
Oh yeah we had to replace the slide topper and awning over our street side window...
Thanks to whoever posted that video, now you've got me thinking.

Sher

[BillB800si]

Alabama Jim wrote:
June 25, 2015
What we witnessed was outstanding. The light weight Retro RV is assembled by Amish workers who place great pride in giving attention to detail.
Thanks again to all the Riverside staff and we wish you very best success in your future endeavors.Jim Harrell

==========================

Jim, I don't want to "rain on your parade" but those sweet little Amish workers are paid piecemeal. They make or assemble X amount of parts per day and go home. They are no better or worse than other assembly workers in other fields.
We've been through many manufacturer tours and they all look nice on the outside. There are tons of poor quality control messages on these RV Forums. That's why most of us old timers suggest your final purchase to be made through a local dealer because chances are you'll need them for warranty work.
Glad you're happy with your choice.

[Alabama_Jim]

June 25, 2015


Two weeks ago my wife and I had the privilege of touring the assembly line of Riverside RV in Lagrange, Indiana. What we witnessed was outstanding. The light weight Retro RV is assembled by Amish workers who place great pride in giving attention to detail.
The owner of Riverside, Ruth Hershberger greeted us with open arms. Joy Tracey, our contact, introduced us to the staff and handled the details of our visit. Danny Yoder, Production Supervisor, showed us every step of the assembly process, beginning to end. Danny demonstrated great knowledge of RV construction and his desire to produce a high quality product was made clear by his actions and demeanor. We were introduced to a number of the folks on the assembly line and all made us feel welcome and wanted to show us their work. That team is proud of what they are doing and that winning attitude helps to ensure their success.
We need to thank Bruce Alexander, Sales Representative, for getting us in contact with the Riverside plant in Lagrange.
The experience we had with Riverside and seeing what goes into their RV’s convinced us that purchasing our Retro 195 was a good decision.
Thanks again to all the Riverside staff and we wish you very best success in your future endeavors.

Jim Harrell

[LakeN]

Check out the Evergreen TTs. Some are made without any wood and with composite materials that do not delaminate. They make I Go and Everlite travel trailers. We have the latter made with a TPO roof which is touted to be superior to a rubber roof. Our 31.5 ft. has a full length queen sized walk around bed. 2 entry doors, 1 slide.

Arctic Fox and Lance are 2 others that rank high. Personally, I am not a fan of Airstream due to the high price, no slides and minimal space in their holding tanks.

[Triker33]

Airstream You may need at least a 30' in a TT to have the same inside as your present C