Top Travel Trailer Brands

[ddrueckh]

We are in the market for a new travel trailer. What would you say are the top brands. I am looking for a well built trailer with double wide bunk beds and under 30'. Would love a generator. Weight is not an issue. We have a 3/4 ton diesel. Thanks for your suggestions.

[drsteve]

As fast as they churn them out in these days of record breaking RV sales, it's basically the luck of the draw whether you get one that's put together more or less right, or one that looks like it was assembled by poorly trained monkeys. The biggest problem with them all is they rely on the dealers for quality control. The Coachmen in my sig had more little things, like missing caulk around a taillight, screws driven crooked or loose, and protruding carpet staples...

Pre delivery inspection is more important than ever.

[rbpru]

I think as Scott pointed out, those models that almost always receive high marks are more expensive. Lance, Northwood/Arctic Fox, Airstream come to mind there are others.

If you are new to TTs I always suggest you rent one similar to what you want, so you know what you are getting into before you spend the big bucks.

[ScottG]

Northwood Actic Fox. Higher quality but you are going to pay for it.

[LVJJJ]

We've had several new TT's, both "cheapo" and "high quality" manufacturers. We've been real lucky that they were all decent, no lemons. But, a couple of the less expensive ones were built better than the more expensive ones. I don't think it matters at all what brand is "better" or not. It's how carefully that unit was manufactured that day it was built (the old don't buy one made on Friday or Monday) We've always liked the less fancy ones, never liked all the foo foo stuff some brands stick on their units. Gotta look 'em over real careful before buying and you need to know what to look for and what you're doing. If you don't know, take a known mechanic with you. Pay him, it's worth it.

Have had: Prowler, Lynx, Road Ranger, Frontier Flyer (probably the best), Arctic Fox (2), Trail Lite, Trail Cruiser (current), Nomad, Tahoe, Wilderness, Rainer, Komfort .........

[Doncom]

We have a Jayco Eagle 284BHS that we love. Sounds close to what you're looking for.

[Lwiddis]

“Would love a generator.” As a back up for a solar system you should buy a small quiet one.

[BizmarksMom]

donn0128 wrote:
I would have to say Northwood Mfg and Lance are probably the top two manufscturers here in the far west. For non conventional style it would probably be Airstream.

+1

[dalenoel]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

bobndot wrote:
Find an independent rv repair shop and ask the mechanics who repair them.

That is hard to do in many places.

After the Recession, there are very few RV dealers and I could not name ONE independent repair shop in SE MI.

Best repair, honest, quick, service in SE MI.

Camper Trailer

[donn0128]

I would have to say Northwood Mfg and Lance are probably the top two manufscturers here in the far west. For non conventional style it would probably be Airstream.

[theoldwizard1]

bobndot wrote:
Find an independent rv repair shop and ask the mechanics who repair them.

That is hard to do in many places.

After the Recession, there are very few RV dealers and I could not name ONE independent repair shop in SE MI.

[bobndot]

Find an independent rv repair shop and ask the mechanics who repair them.
Pick a floorplan that will work for you and a reputable dealer that will be there for you, after the sale.

After i bought a very popular brand that people said was very well built, i realized why the customer service was so good. They acquired a lot of experience fixing things that should been built better in the first place.
After having the pleasure of taking it apart numerous times to make repairs myself, i realized how poor and sloppy it was built. Therefore i question the opinions of what's best. Most owners don't take their rv's apart themselves to really know and you'll end paying 2-3x as much for it.

Go to the owners forums of various brands and you can read the good,bad and ugly on ALL the brands.

[old_guy]

tough call, it's like chevy or ford. one thing I can only say is building rv's is not rocket science, you will find problems with them all