Purchasing an RV is a significant investment, but not all brands are worth the high price tag.
How can you prevent making a costly mistake when shopping for an RV?
Follow this guide to learn about which RV brands to avoid. Inside, you’ll find the makes and models that give buyers the most problems, both short and long-term.
The RV lifestyle is full of excitement, adventure, and relaxation when you can count on your RV performing as it should. So, keep reading to learn from RV owners and mechanics what brands to avoid and why!
RV Brands To Avoid
While no RV brand is perfect in every way, the best brands understand the actual dynamics of pulling a home down the highway for thousands of miles and building the vehicle to withstand the abuse.
Other brands tend to focus on design over durability, so the “wow” factor overrides your questions about long-term maintenance issues.
Who cares if the slide-outs leak when you can cook on the incredible kitchen island?! You get the point.
Don’t be the buyer who has to take his new RV into the shop for repairs a few days after purchase by avoiding the brands below.
NOTE: I’d like to highlight that the information you read here comes from years of personal experiences living full-time in RVs as well as fireside banter with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Nonetheless, I encourage you to do your own research and evaluate the brands listed in this article yourself. Remember, each person’s journey is unique, and you may well experience wholly positive encounters with some or all of the companies and campers presented.
So, enjoy the following read — hopefully with a toasty marshmallow around a campfire — but remember to treat this article as entertainment only. If you disagree with any of its content or spot any inaccuracies, give me a nudge, and I’ll joyfully set the record straight.
Top 8 Worst RV Brands
Before we get into specifics, let’s address the elephant in the room.
The consolidation of RV manufacturers under large parent companies has led to a significant portion of the market being dominated by a few key players. Thor Industries and Forest River, for example, are particularly dominant, with Thor owning brands like Airstream and Tiffin and Forest River being a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which also has a strong portfolio of brands under its umbrella.
It’s important to recognize that each brand still operates with a degree of independence, leading to significant variations in quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Here is a table that displays the major RV manufacturers and the brands they own:
| PARENT COMPANY | OWNED BRANDS |
|---|---|
| Thor Industries | Airstream, Heartland RV, Hymer, Dutchmen, Jayco, Starcraft, Keystone RV, Thor Motor Coach, Crossroads RV, K-Z, Redwood RV, Postle Aluminum, Tiffin |
| Winnebago Industries | Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Chris-Craft, Newmar |
| Berkshire Hathaway (Forest River) | Coachmen RV, Dynamax Corporation, East To West, Forest River RV, Palomino, Prime Time Manufacturing, Shasta RV, US Cargo, Elkhart Coach, Berkshire Coach, Champion Bus, ElDorado Motor Corp |
| REV Group | American Coach, Fleetwood Enterprises, Monaco Coach, Holiday Rambler, Renegade RV, Midwest Automotive Designs, Lance Camper |
1. Hurricane by Thor
Issues with Our 2021 Thor Hurricane (Video)
The Thor Hurricane has a reputation for being a consistent mish-mash of bad reviews for poor quality and recalls on parts.
Why? The main reason is that the company is known to use reconditioned or salvaged parts on a “new” build, leading to faster breakdowns.
Recalls run the gamut from failing parking brakes to bad seals on the hydraulic jack system, both dangerous situations while parked at a campsite.
Charging issues with the house batteries are also common, which causes failure of the 12-volt system that runs appliances like the refrigerator and lights. Replacing the four to eight batteries inside a large motorcoach is expensive, to say the least.
Interior fabrics on furniture and driver and passenger seats wear down quickly and often need replacement after only a year or two. With over 50 recalls over the years, this brand is a no-no on both new and used models.
2. Forest River
Forest River RVs are everywhere, and the consensus is the brand has gone way downhill in the past decade in both quality of materials and customer service.
Once the company snags you with a sale, expect to find trim work and cabinet doors shimmying loose after a few trips. Particleboard underlayment on countertops can swell when wet or in a very humid climate. Flooring on the Forest River models also has a myriad of complaints about sinking or waviness.
The real dilemma is the inadequate attention to detail on exterior caulking and trims that allow leaks during rain. Even after several visits to the dealership for repairs, many customers still report issues with water leakage, especially in the slide-out areas.
Water leaks mean rotting wood, rusting metal, and mold in your walls. Please pass on this brand, no matter how much lipstick they put on the pig.
Forest River Issues, Problems, and Quality Control (Video)
3. Gulfstream
Gulfstream may as well offer an open roof on all their RVs, as this brand is notorious for leaks with its newer-year models.
While leaks are a serious matter, other problems include locks on doors and hatches not staying secure. Stopping for gas to find out the basement door is wide open, and your camping gear has fallen out is a real concern.
The heating and cooling system within the RV is another continual battle, as the thermostat fails to read correctly, which leads to overly warm or cold conditions.
Poor air circulation and indoor humidity from breathing and propane heat allow frustrating condensation to form on ceilings that drip, drip, drip.
There’s no need to waste time looking at this brand when better-built options are available for the same price.
4. Keystone
Pre-2001, Keystone built decent RVs, but the quality was lacking in both trailers and fifth-wheel models once Thor acquired the brand.
Interior cabinetry uses a pressboard with a thin veneer that initially feels weighty and nice but will quickly lose strength at the joints and screw attachments from travel vibrations.
Customers complain of doors falling off and “buggy” electronic components. The control panel configuration is another point of concern that makes getting accurate readings of your propane, black or grey water tanks, or other levels difficult.
Unless you are looking to buy a road-tested vintage model, pass on the newer Keystone brand RVs.
Keystone Bullet 243BHS RV Review – 1st Year Issues (Video)
5. Fleetwood
Fleetwood is another once-reliable brand that offers one of the worst interior builds in both craftsmanship and materials quality.
Within months, customers complained of loose trim work, popped seams, delamination of walls, poor wiring, broken fans, lifting flooring, or torn or very worn upholstery.
As each small issue grows into realizing that the RV isn’t worth the money, the warranty has lapsed, and you’re stuck with the full repair bill.
Even worse, owners who encounter severe manufacturing defects within the warranty window are often given the run-around by customer service, who try to avoid making the repair.
Detour around the Fleetwoods on the RV lot and save yourself a lot of hassle and money.
Fleetwood Jamboree Class C RV 1-Year Review (Video)
6. Coachmen
Coachmen has been around for over fifty years, but as the saying goes, “They don’t make ’em like they used to.”
Bought out by Forest River, the new models feature low-quality workmanship on plumbing connections, which cause leaks both inside the walls and under sinks. Another problem that causes concern is the particleboard shelving inside cabinets that quickly warp and bend under the standard kitchen gear’s weight.
Leaks around the roof edges and slide-outs are common, and ceiling panels can work loose and sag after getting some miles on the RV.
With so many issues, you would think customer service would bend over backward to please their customers, but you would be wrong. Most owners are dissatisfied with follow-up service, so take a pass on this brand.
Forest River Issues, Problems, and Quality Control (Video)
7. Coleman
Coleman is the name behind all kinds of reliable camping gear, so why should you avoid their RVs? The company has rushed into the RV market without the skills to build a sturdy, livable unit.
Customers find the overall layout of the RVs to be odd or uncomfortable to navigate in real-life use. The finishes are flimsy and loosen up after a trip or two and need constant reattachment.
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The worst part is the appliances that act up randomly with no notice. The showerhead can suddenly spray water out the side, the toilet valve won’t shut completely (letting the lovely smell of sewer gas into your RV), or the refrigerator won’t cool down.
The wiring shakes loose and creates shorts or flickering lights, and even the decals on the exterior fade and crack quickly.
With so many possibilities for things to break, don’t bother with this brand until they improve on both the build’s design and quality.
8. Winnebago
Not every Winnebago model is terrible, with the big problems centered on the finish of the interior and exterior walls of motorhomes.
The attachment to the underlying structure is weak, and wall panels can pop loose and look wavy or uneven.
It’s easy to add a nail or two to an inside wall to fix the problem, but the delamination of the outer walls is a time-consuming and expensive repair.
Electrical problems are another common thread among customer complaints and RV mechanics. Sometimes pinpointing the issue is difficult, as most RV wiring is complicated and hidden from easy access.
Watch for these specific areas of concern when shopping for a Winnebago brand.
Winnebago RV Factory Tour (Video)
Why You Should Consider Used RVs
People love to purchase shiny, new products, and RVs are no exception. Being the first to fill the cabinets, stock the fridge, top off the gas tank, and drive off on a new adventure is satisfying!
Then, a few months later, you find that you are spending a lot of time and money fixing things, which turns your purchase into something not so fun.
This problem is the reason RVers with experience opt to buy a used recreational vehicle. Not only is the price much lower than a new RV, but it’s hard to detect what is going to shake loose once you take that new RV off the lot.
A model two or three years old with some miles on it will have many of the “issues” identified and fixed, so you won’t have to mess with it. Hopefully, honest sellers will point out what problems the RV has or had so you know what to watch out for.
Most people selling a personal used RV, or those found on commercial lots, are not because the vehicle was a lemon but because it doesn’t fit into their lifestyle. Either they don’t care for RV travel; they are too old to drive around safely, it’s not big enough for their family, or they need to move to a place that doesn’t have space to park the rig.
Combining a good brand of RV, such as Newmar, Tiffin, Jayco, or Northwood, with a lower, used RV price is a win-win!
Final Thoughts
Few people are making their first RV purchase fully understanding the long-term consequences of their decision. Many choose on price or interior design alone.
You’re buying a house on wheels. These motorhomes, fifth-wheels, or travel trailers are expressly framed, clad, and run with different electrical, heating, and plumbing systems than you have in a typical residential home.
RVing should be fun. Staying clear of brands that lack proper builds or use inferior parts lowers your risk of costly hassles and helps maintain a good resale value.
When you start with a reliable, well-built, low-maintenance RV brand, you will avoid years of headaches down the road!
Check out this article if you’re curious about which RV brands are the best.
What Brand of RV Should You Buy? (Video)
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
-- Andre Gide
Sooooo…. what’s left? Any recommendations for solid companies to buy new?
The consistently best brand of RVs (in my opinion) is Jayco (owned by Thor since June 2016)… with many of the other Thor brands also top contenders. Over my years talking to real-life owners at campgrounds, it seems people with Jayco Jay Flight trailers are most happy with their purchases. They hold their resale value well, even older models.
What really sets them apart is the affordable pricing and that the things that do go wrong (ALL campers will have problems) are typically an easy DIY fix without the need to take the RV into a repair shop and waiting weeks for it to be done.
I hope this is helpful, but keep in mind that these are just my opinions. Other folks may have different views based on their experiences.
Thank you, I am enjoying your articles… very informative… keep up the good work again. Your advice is very helpful.
I’ve worked in the RV industry for over 35 years. I’ve sold Forest River products since the early 90s. They have plenty of decent brands plus they make up over 35% of the industry. I’ve also sold Winnebago products since the late 90s and found them to be a real step up from their competition. One thing I find concerning is this article makes no mention of the dealers prep. 99% of the RV owners key to happiness is purchasing from a dealer that does a good prep. Keystone Winnebago and Forest River are all good brands. But they don’t come off the Assembly line completely finished and it is the dealers responsibility to verify all the systems and the build quality are done correctly
I agree. I too work on new and used RVs. There isn’t a manufacturer that really finishes a unit. The Dealer can make a great experience or a really bad one. Select the right dealer and you will be far better off even with the brands mentioned in the article
Warren Buffet. More than likely he is responsible for the “lack of” in quality control. Mr Buffet owns nearly 50% of the RV market.
I’m a tick over 80 and my wife is nearly there. We enjoy the RV life. Our new (’21 Keystone Bullet Crossfire) had developed an overheating brake issue the moment we left the dealership unknown to us until I brought it home. Touch the rim and your finger blistered. I had to disconnect the electrical brake feed to transport the camper. Scary.
Fast forward one year to the day. Our local dealership repaired the brake problem (or so I thought) at my cost. Keystone refused to acknowledge or pay for the brake repair. Not their problem they said in written statement to me. Their “warranty counsel” blamed a faulty brake controller, my tow vehicle and me for riding the brakes. Not so. I purchased a new brake controller, towed it with another vehicle, and as for riding the brakes – hardly. I’ve owned five travel trailers and even wrote a book about RVing long before I purchased the Keystone. They listened not.
By the way, the brakes still overheat to fingertip blistering.
Good ole cheap azz Warren Buffett. Owns Berkshire Hathaway which owns nearly 90% of USA operated shoe factories. And is diversified in a lot of other areas but didn’t know about RVs. ( Not surprised)Also owns or runs CSX railway which has had numerous issues with derailments because of lack of maintenance to couplers on their cars.Talk about doing things on the cheap. I worked at one of his factories for 9 years. Soooo many safety issues and violations. Every time the OSHA man came to the factory they hide the red tag fork trucks in a different part of the factory so he didn’t see them.
Warren doesn’t own CSX, he owns Burlington.
Definitely doesn’t own CSX, he owns BNSF railroad.
Check out the intech product line. Attention to detail.
STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING UNDER THE THOR BRAND.. WE HAVE A KEYSTONE MONTANA 3610 RL WITH THE LEGACY PACKAGE.. IT HAS BEEN ONE NIGHTMARE AFTER ANOTHER.. THE REAR AXLE BOLTS BUSTED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, ALL TIRES WENT FLAT AND EXPLODED, THE CEILING FAN FELL DOWN, THE SHOWER DOOR HANDLES CAME OFF, THE BLACK WATER TANK EXPLODED IN A NICE PARK.. THE BIG SLIDE HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES FOR A COST OF 5000.. THE BEDROOM SLIDE NEEDED TO BE FIXED 2 TIMES… THE MOLDING ON THE OUTSIDE DISINTEGRATED IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS.. THE FRIDGE QUIT WORKING AFTER A RAIN STORM.. NO HELP FROM NORCOLD… THIS IS THE BIGGES POS EVER.. STAY AWAY.. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED..
We have a Heartland product which is under Thor, it has been a very good coach. On our 7th season and about 30,000 miles.
My husband and I can relate to your nightmare story with your RV made by Thor. We just unloaded our Thor Palazzo Class A Diesel motor home 11 months ago, without regret. We purchased it brand new in 2013 and from day one we started discovering defects. Things fell apart so bad, that we didn’t travel at all with it the last 3 1/2 years. I think the first year, we had 21 issues repaired. One of the worst issues was the 21’ slide not closing up correctly. The dealer worked on that slide three times and it never got fixed properly, thus, when it rained heavily, we would have a leak behind the driver’s seat. I had to put towels on the floor, when I knew it was going to rain. I could write a book on all the problems we had with this RV and the Fleetwood Diesel Pusher that we owned before the Palazzo. Hope you can find some relief with your RV soon.
Airstream products served me well. How many RV’s from the 60’s are still rolling down the road?
Airstream products are built very well. Probably above industry standards.
Apples and oranges, people here are talking about the Airstream brand NOW, not the awesome vintage ones. Just like the current Montana brand, which is Montana only in name since Keystone got so bad. Used to be one of the best lines, now it’s just a relabeled Keystone.
We purchased a new 2023 Keystone Outback 328rl in March of 23. It’s Been in for repairs since May of 23. Had problems from day one. Still making payments while it sits at the dealership. NEVER buy anything from Keystone or from camping world ! We have acquired an attorney, wish us luck.
Shasta! One of the oldest and best campers out there. Love mine.
I traded my brand-spanking new (2021) Keystone Bullet for a nine-year old travel trailer. Keystone refused to honor their warranty. It was delivered to me with NO BRAKES. Unbelievable, I know. They overheated to a point where one side disintegrated. The dealer tried for months to compel Keystone to honor the repair. Keystone’s “warranty council” refused. I finally towed it very carefully to a horse trailer dealership. They repaired the brakes at my expense (nearly $3000).
Jayco is not what they used to be either. Grand Design is a good one.
I would beg to differ with you. I have a 2020 2970RL. Have had a number of problems with it-but probably the biggest problem is the dealership. First 3 months of my warranty was used up by the dealership adding on my auto levelers. That don’t work. That Holiday World in League City, Texas, cut the bolt on underbelly, and then used black duct tape to repair the cuts. That fell off on our first trip. They refuse to answer my calls. I have given up on that. Now, the unit has been recalled. They still do not return my calls. Now I am asking Grand Design in Indiana to do something. I had to get them to send me the parts to repair the refrigerator mounting-which was noted on the walk through, and not repaired, along with the fireplace that has to be taken apart when on the road, the drawers that don’t stay shut, the master bedroom window escape that flew away on the first trip, the stove glass that was installed upside down that I had to fix, the mattress that was drilled through when they installed the Litton TT Auto levelers (that I previously stated don’t work, anyway), and I could go on and on about little things that don’t work. For something that cost 44 grand, plus the add ons-I would definitely not recommend this company-either Grand Design, or Holiday World in League City, Texas
Grand Design WAS good when they first hit the market. At this point it’s the same hit or miss crapshoot of “might be junk” as every other manufacturer. Middle of the road quality at best. Just about everything built in the last 2-3 years is crap compared to years prior. There were supply issues and manufacturers having to use different/untested products just to finish jobs. Then you have the labor shortages where the crews showing up each week (if at all) were completely different from week prior and half of them having no skills or being hopped up on meth…or both. Definitely have a thorough PDI done and I highly recommend a 3rd party inspection with ANY RV.
Pretty much all brands have issues. I have had two Keystone Cougars that were pretty good. I now have a Grand Design that has had water heater issue but overall I am pleased with it. They all use cheap materials and you have to maintain them regulary.
My husband and I puchased a brand new 2019 Shadow Cruiser, in 2018. Right off the bat, the heater vent in the bathroom was’t connected. Then the doors started falling apart. A year later the furnace broke completely. And we cannot use the microwave and any other appliance like the A/C, blow dryer, or space heater at the same time. As of right now, there is no heat, the builder left holes everywhere so we have been inundated with insects and rodents. The plumbing leaks, the shower cracked on the bottom, and we can’t have anything against the exterior walls because it creates condensation and mold. That last might be because we had to get a humidifier for health reasons. Needless to say, when we move into our house, this is being gutted down to the frame, and rebuilt after being thoroughly cleaned and dried out.
Your thoughts on Entegra Qwest 24a?
Entegras are great — great for campgrounds w/their smart generator system, metal cabinet pistons instead of plastic ones, good insulation w/6 inch think roofs. This luxury does come at a cost though.
We bought a new Sunset Creek in 2007 and it was the absolute best purchase! We still have it and it’s still like new. We use it every year. I wish they still made them, incredible quality for the price!
We have always had North woods Arctic fox and never disappointed
We bought a 2019 Winnieabgo 27bhss. Is this a good travel trailer.
Thanks.
It’s all a matter of opinion, I live close to Elkhart Indiana the RV capital of the world….talk about something to see you can even go on tours of all the factories and you’ll sure be surprised who owns who! And they all have lower end models and higher end, and YES they pay their workers different on what type of model they are working! There is a nice museum too! Too hard to stereo type, buy what you like
We own a Thor. Worse motor home in the world. Has been issues since the day we bought it. Stayed in shop for 2 months when we first bought it. Electrical, no sealant on any of doors windows or lights. Has leaked since we had it. Don’t ever buy anything that says Thor. Slides are torn up now.
We bought a 33 ft sunny brook travel trailer new in 2005. At 16 years old now have only spent about $150 on repairs till this year. Replaced awning fabrics and resealed the roof and polished off the oxidation this spring. Never a water leak or a problem with cabinets. Best $$ spent
I am the 3rd owner of a 1994 Jayco 300 Eagle Series FK. My parents purchased it from the original owner. I inherited it from them. They kept it under a shed when not in use. I checked the current value online to be $4,000.00. For a 27-year-old RV, it was in great shape. I have made around $2,000.00 worth of upgrades. The only problems I know of, that I haven’t addressed yet, is the decals and stripes on the outside. The best thing about it, is the property taxes and the tag are less than $30.00 per year. A good argument against buying a new RV. So far, haven’t been turned away from any campgrounds because of the age of the RV. Might be worth looking into having the exterior professionally painted with an updated paint scheme.
We have owned Coleman, Forest River, and Coachman (from 5-12 years each…yes, we’re old) with relatively few problems, the Forest River with NO problems for the last five years. We actively camp several weeks a year and travel thousands of miles. Are there bad rvs out there? Of course. But to write an article about the eight worst models that cover the majority of units out there is unfair and simplistic. And just not our experience. So don’t be discouraged.
I’ve tried really hard to express that the content in this article represents my opinion alone. I’m happy to read you’ve had a different set of experiences, but I disagree that what I wrote was unfair. In fact, I wish more folks would write content like this so people could make more informed purchases — especially given that RVs are so expensive.
Our 2016 Forest River (top of the line) Cardinal had problems from delivery. Though the factory was helpful, we had over 52 items that had to be repaired. From seals, electric, refrigerator, flooring, black tank, shower pan, slide motors, slide cables, door locks, etc., all was constantly breaking. Though advertised as full time fifth wheel it never lived up to expectations.
Same here! We have a 2018 Forest River Cardinal. The electronic panel quit working properly from the start. It would just disappear, not allowing us to put the slides out, check the tanks or anything else that required the electronic panel. All the fake wood decor fell off, the door became unlevel and would not close properly and just too many other things to mention. It was a $67,000 mistake! We still have it and my husband has fixed all of the problems but it is definitely an expensive money pit!
Same here. Nothing but problems with the lippert electronics
We’ve been RV’ing for over 20 years starting with a Coleman (Fleetwood) tent trailer. Since then we have owned:
Open Road 5th Wheel – complete garbage. Traded it after only 3 months.
Montana 5th Wheel (Pre-Thor) – One of the best RV’s we have owned.
Hampton Park Model – Nice layout, traded it after 5 years. Not without its own problems (Thor).
Grand Design Reflection (Pre-Winnebago) – Best RV of them all. Purchased because it’s not a Thor product.
This is a really good overview of bad RVs, thanks for the article. How do you feel about Forest Rivers?
Bought a 2021 Forest river 21 Ozark 1800qsx. Love the layout. Everything we wanted. But in 6months, roof completely split. Obviously a defect. Forest river would not honor their 1 year warranty. Then motor on awning won’t work. Had 2 cheap China tires that blew out 2nd. Time using camper. Forest river has gone way downhill. Will not buy another one!
We bought a forest river sierra in 2005, about a year and a half into ownership the 5th wheeler had to be taken back to the factory to have the complete front end rebuilt because of poor workmanship. At about 6 years we pulled in to a campground and friends asked what happened to the back of the camper, at the factory the windows and lights never got sealed so that meant tearing the whole back wall out and replacing all the rotten wood.
All I have to say is stay away from Winnebago there workmen ship and quality control is nonexistent we bought a new 2022 Minnie 2500 FL and had 20 issues right from the beginning! Not only was Winnebago not responding to the issues so was the dealership Fritz RV in Pennsylvania. Make sure every thing works as advertised before buy and leaving the dealership!
We have a 2019 Lance 27′, purchased new. Been on several trips for several months at a time. Now on the road already 1 yr- 9 months. We move often, weekly typically. Home is Nevada and we have been to the east twice. Few problems with Lance trailer. Heater & water heater some issues, now fixed. These are components common with many brands. Components are install by Lance, not made by them. Anyway, been great and 4 season trailer.
I have a 2017 Lance 1985. No problems at all. Best trailer that I have ever owned.
I have a sportsman classic kz 2020 and it’s in plain words JUNK. The interior is breaking apart at the edges because it’s put together with staples on particle board not even a spot of glue. The so called wallpaper is coming apart, and the awning has three or four cuts in the fabric. The trailer has only been used for three nights. CRAP.
Never buy new, that’s my take on the RV industry. I have owned several motor homes from Diesel to gas, trailers and fifth wheel. Starting in 2005 the industry went downhill. I only have one big complaint concerning refrigerators. Never I mean never buy one with a Norcold, if you like the coach or trailer then replace the frig with a residential refrigerator. In all my RV’s with Dometic I never had a problem.
If no one buys new then how can anyone buy used?
After reading how poorly dealerships service their own new sales of supposedly great brands, I chose a 2 yr old Sun Lite by Classic. Never heard of it before, but the first 3000 mi have been great.
The rush for campers during Covid created a shortage on many lots, then companies rushed to manufacture and quality up and down the line lessened.
Absolutely love our Sun Lite Classic, bought it used in 2023, it’s a 2020 model that still looks new on the exterior and interior.
I have a 2019 Forest River trailer and it has been pretty good. Every camper you buy has things that could be improved upon. They aren’t made to last. With folks wanting bigger rigs with less weight the manufacturers skimp on material quality.
everything basically built 2020 and up has been junk. Pandemic crap. I’ve got a 2019 Apex Nano by Forest River has been great so far. The window in the front had a small leak but got it fixed and haven’t had anymore problems. I work 120 miles from home and live in mine 4 days a week.
We had a new Forest River Grand Surveyor a few years ago. Lemon. Water tank fell out while driving and dragged on the ground. The rear mounted spare tire holder broke and tire almost fell off into car behind us. Door was too small. Weatherstrip was installed backward. Finally the dealer replaced with a new one of a different make, a Trail-lite, and then we were fine. Now too expensive.
We bought a KZ 382mbq in 2021 and love it. They are hard to fine but are wonderful.
we own a KZ also. And I found out Thor owns them also!
We have a Hide Out don’t know who makes them. We have enjoyed it so very much. Not a fancy unit but a beloved second home. Cool in the Summer warm in the Winter. Many enjoyable outings. It takes care of us and we care for it. My husband just said Keystone made our trailer.
We’ve got a Keystone Alpine 5th Wheel and have been very happy with the build quality compared to Forest River. I’ll never buy a Forest River product again.
I have a Thor 22hec Came off the line 12/28/2019 Have had small issues mostly cosmetic Recently had the unit resealed ( it is outside 24/7 and I boondock mostly on very back dirt roads) I can’t complain it has worked well for me and my needs And the price was good at the time
We have a 2016 Forest River Rockwood ultra lite 2906 we and ABSOLUTELY love it. We had a couple minor issues but nothing major and have been asked if we want to trade it in for newer model. NO!! Love our Rollie
We have a Hurricane and it is junk. We have replaced the 2 a/c’s, the jacks circuit board has been replaced. We cant keep the battery charged for inside electronics, the refrigerator doesn’t work and needs replacement, the seals around windows leak, toliet has been replaced, faucet for kitchen sink has been replaced. Numerous batteries. The seats have all peeled and crumbly. The hallway floor is wavy. We have spent over 6k on repairs in addition to the things that have been replaced or fixed under the warranty we bought. Still have 7 more years of payments and cant use it. Cant figure out why the radio won’t turn off.
Have a 2018 Hurricane 29m. Have had zero issues that weren’t maintenance issues or our errors. Just my .02. Gordon.
Even the high end ones breakdown. I was told by a dealer that it’s like your home rambling down the road with a 7.0 earthquake going on. We bought the extended warranty and we’re glad we did.
This is why I have a 1979 Shasta Class C, it’s old but well built. Can I stay in the fancy RV parks nope but I don’t mind I like to boondock. Every RV will have issues but regular maintenance is required for years of enjoyment.
Sometimes it’s the care you give your unit . Ours is 2009 Hide Out and we have had a few things to fix over these years. It’s like us when we get older stiff here and there. Once toilet seat broke the first day of camping. My husband didn’t think that was a big issue but I thought it was very important. Ended up duck taping it to the toilet. It worked until we got the new one!!!! Some things aren’t that easy to fix. Just so it doesn’t end up destroying a great camp out! Happy Trails
Everything new is crapola. Buy something pre 2016
It’s almost more important who you buy from as what you buy. The dealer we used was not a national brand name and basically has 1 location. They took about 2 weeks to go through our new TT and fixed all the factory defects before we took ownership. They had a list of about 27 items from the factory they repaired. Some as small as trim work and as large as cabinets coming dislodged. Just picked up today a new switch for my tongue jack that failed. No charge.
My dealer and my camper have done well.
Brand new Jayco = piece of junk!. Bought it in Minnesota.
Moved to Florida with it.
Ac died, drawers fell apart .Whole list of things to be fixed. Been sitting @ Dealer for 3 weeks. Now they have to call factory about soft spots in floor. I think it’s a water leak somewhere.
Such a dissatisfied customer!
Sadly anything manufactured during the pandemic is going to be less than stellar. RV sales hit an all time high causing a huge backlog at every manufacturer. Not only do they have shortage of parts and materials, the parts they finally receive are not quality due to supply and demand. Let’s talk employees. People don’t want to show up for work. New hires aren’t trained properly because who has the time to train them between being short staffed and trying to meet daily quotas. Who knows how long those new hires will last. Most don’t stay long enough to train. So yes it’s a domino affect and quality will show it. I know this because my husband is employed by a high end RV manufacturer and although he cares about quality and shows up to work daily not everyone follows suit. So yes sadly you’re not getting the quality you expect.
As we say, due to issues with a brand new motorhome, we had to fix ourselves, if its a Thor walk out the door..then they all buy each other out and quality is gone in the newer models
They all suck, then they quality when down about 2008-2009, then the quality went down again around 2021. Most of them share the same parent companies. Same components, same build practice.
Grand Designs and I believe artic fox both have models they are confident enough to warranty for full time users to live in
Pretty much, they are all crap. They don`t have any standards like home builders or auto manufactures. Most have issues right out of the box and all will fail sooner than later. With the tens of thousands (or much more) of dollars you spend on the rv, tow vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and campground fees, you could rent nice cabins or hotel rooms for the rest of your life without the aggrevation.
First step in buying an RV is to be honest with yourself about how you are going to use it. If you’re a weekend warrior and are only going out 6-8 times a year, you don’t need Country Coach quality. All new units are going to have bugs and that’s not avoidable. Most dealerships are terrible at best and completely dishonest at worst. Go on local forums and talk to people. You’ll find out who is who.
The RV manufacturers are the most incestuous bunch. They are all interconnected and use the same vendors for the same crappy parts and components.
They all suck, and I’ve owned six different ’brands’.
Very true…bought a 2020 Keystone Passport SL 219BH and have had tons of issues… from the battery disconnect not actually disconnecting anything…to cheap built woodworking…the benches for the table come to 90 degree corners where your knees slide in and out…scratching you if your not careful. Rear door was installed crooked and wouldn’t stay latched…rather than fix it they shimmed the latch catch. COVID was not good on camper production!! Luckily I can fix most anything!!
Had a used 1983 18’ Terry Taurus. Never a problem. Great !! Got a 2017 23’ Micro lite by Forest River. Nothing but problems from the start. A big problem first time we brought it back to fix a few things, including changing out front window, they asked if we need to go camping in the coming 2 weeks. We said no, thinking that was the time frame they would keep it. After many many calls and 4 months later we get it back. Still problems, kept another 4 or 5 months. Shoddy workmanship and the repairs no better. Then roof leaks. I would not take it back to dealer. Had an independent fix it. I will never used the dealer to fix again. And I would never buy another RV. It’s fun but the problems are not worth it.
We got a 2020 wild wood camper. As soon as we got it Covid-19 went nuts… we couldn’t even use it the first year we got it. Then we got to use it in 2021.. the door was sticking… the GFI in the bathroom keeps popping… that gfi controls my island my outside outlet. My outlets by the couch… that’s like half the out let’s in the camper. And the Refrigerator stopped workingTook it back extended warranty… with a 200.00 dollar deductible. They had my camper for 7 months and counting. summer is just about done. I called to see how it’s going get there the door is not fixed. And trying to charge me 217.00 for a door that is still in bad shape. I truly hate campers would. Custom service the worsts I ever seen.. no return calls at all. They want me to pay 765.00 not happen. I thing we need a lawyer.
You might want to dig a little deeper before you make these decisions
Avoid Alliance my 2022 does not heat nor cool adequately. Not counting all the poor quality issues. In fact in shop now for another page of repairs
Is there such thing as a lease for four years on RVs, they are a bundle of maintenance problems. I guess I’ll have to rent one or go to a cabin.
I sold my aging Jayco and traded into a 2021 Gulf Stream Envision. Lo and behold it seems to me the roof has been leaking since it was bought new (my best guess…) I have attempted to seal every where I can but it still leaks when it rains… I have an appointment with a local service outfit (not a dealer) with a decent reputation to perform an air pressure / soapy bubble test in 3 weeks… does anyone have any advice for me on where these leaks are likely to be found? Thanks!
Look to see if there is a gasket around the a/c
RUN don’t walk away from any Jayco 5th wheel from 2016 onward. We owned a 2001 Jayco Designer Legacy – went coast to coast 3 times – only problem was a fracture in the black water tank that we replaced. It was roomy, comfortable and we recoated the roof ourselves and replaced the tires with heavy duty H (not made in China) tires. We then traded it in (BIG MISTAKE) for a 2016 Jayco Pinnacle. because it had a bath and a half. PURE JUNK. Thor took over Jayco and it has been downhill since. Our problems included: fixing the largest slide 3 separate times (Schwintek slide motors are HORRIBLE, underpowdered, get out-of-sync easily and should NEVER be place on a slide that contains a residential style frig (which had to be replaced because of leaks on the inside of the frig that couldn’t be replaced (at our cost), fireplace, stove and televator. The automatic electrical wind up cord broke – twice, the furnace had to be worked on – twice, the roof had to be replaced (we went back to the old style rubber roof that is glued down, the plether furniture was garbage – replaced the uncomfortable jack knife sofa and theatre seating with furniture from Macy’s – much better quality, replaced the hard-as-wood mattress, replaced the entire push/pull valve that opens/closes the black water tanks – of course they broke when the forward black water tank was full. Replaced all four tires – cheap China crap. The LED lights on one of the awnings broke and fell out. Needless to say, we sold it in the summer of 2022. Sad. We have camped over 15 years and had owned 3 previous Jaycos (2 travel trailers and the Designer 5th wheel) and felt they were of good quality with minimal issues. The Jayco Pinnacle – is the pinnacle of garbage. Buyer beware – any RV with any hint of connection to Thor – shoud NEVER be purchased.
I have a 2018 Forrest River REI and have not had any issues. As far as my door latch if it totally breaks can go thru my outside storage, lift up the bed and climb into the bedroom to get the entrance door open from the inside. A door latch is a vendor item. If I get a bad tire and it blows on my vehicle, I dont blame Dodge. If a light bulb in a lamp quits, I dont blame the lamp manufacturer. On my camper my wiring is good. Everything works correct and has since it was new. Noting this, I will say this was a pre- Covid. To say dont buy these brands is not a correct nor fair statement.
I totally agree with the author. Don’t buy new, buy used. For many reasons. A camper devalues by half as soon as you purchase it. I had the lady at the dealership tell me the joy of owning a new camper, is working out all the bugs. And finally probably the worst thing I had said to me, during the tour of my new camper, by the maintenance/inspection guy who was showing my husband and I all the things about our new camper was, all it is is sawdust and glue. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about your purchase doesn’t it!
We have a Forest River Salem hyperlink and love it! Have had none of the issues mentioned. Decide for yourself and don’t let anyone charge your mind.
We have a 2019 Gulf Stream Conquest MH and it’s been a solid motor home. Bought it about 2 years ago (2nd owner) and it been a dependable unit. So far, the only thing we have replaced is a new freshwater pump and general maintenance items. Also, even with the slide in, the unit is still 100% usable. The only complaint so far is that bad mattress, it will be replaced soon. We did purchase a bumper tp bumper transferrable warranty for 60K miles when purchased, because of everything you hear and read. It gets thoroughly cleaned at the end of every trip, be it 3 days or 3 weeks. At this point, we would consider another Conquest again, but as with anything else a good inspection.
Stay away from Keystone junk and Camping World!!!