Based on Quality and service who would you pick?

[Outoftheratrace]

Based only on quality of build and customer service who would you pick, and why?

1. Winnibago
2. Pleasure way
3. Thor
4. Airstream
5. Some one you don't have listed

[tomquinn03]

Originally Posted by Outoftheratrace

Based only on quality of build and customer service who would you pick, and why?



1. Winnibago

2. Pleasure way

3. Thor

4. Airstream

5. Some one you don't have listed

I own a Winnebago Era, but had looked at the similar floor plans in the Airstream. From simple appearances, the Airstream was overall nicer build quality (finishes) and had some higher end touches - air ride suspension - that’s not offered on the Winnebago. That all comes at a premium price though, $20-$30k more for the Airstream.

What I can tell you about the Winnebago (ours is a 2015) is the build quality is lacking. They use low end components, very little insulation and there’s obviously zero quality control. Hopefully some of that’s changed in the past few years, but if you’re not willing to “upgrade” a brand new coach, keep looking. Although my overall RV ownership experience (travel trailers, Class A, Class B) is they all have some things you wonder why they used the components they did.

I’ve gone through the Winnebago and upgraded things I felt needed done, and should have been done from the beginning. With all those things complete I’m otherwise quite happy with the unit.

There are so many videos on YouTube on every model you’re probably considering that you can see reviews of each before ever stepping foot on a lot to look in person. Decide what features are most important to you - floor plan, electronics, etc, and of course your budget.

Good luck and have fun shopping!

Tom

[rowiebowie]

Tom gave a very good synopsis of rv ownership. Regardless of the brand (yes, including Airstream) be prepared to scratch your head at some of the things you see. Most importantly, be prepared to tighten, fix, and upgrade a few items yourself to avoid taking to back to a dealer for every little warranty thing. One benefit is you'll learn a lot about your rig.

I bought a used Airstream Avenue Suite (5 yrs. old at purchase). I believe the prior owners used it mostly for a travel van and rarely camped in it. I first took it to a local rv dealer to have them fix things the previous owner neglected. They were incompetent, crooked, and more expensive than an auto mechanic ($130/hr. labor). But they inadvertently did me a big favor. I have since that time done all my own repair work including a lithium battery upgrade. With that has come an intimate knowledge of my rig, which gives me confidence that I can trouble shoot my own problems going forward.

Now, for my observations of Airstream build quality circa '2012:

- The cabinetry is first rate, thick solid plywood with dove-tail joints and screws covered in a durable wood-look formica.

- Nice curtains, countertop, comfy rear seat that reclines into a bed.

- Great & functional layout, however, it's just a Roadtrek 190 with galley and bath sides reversed.

- But now for several buts.

- Cabinet and drawers with positive-lock hardware, but with the positive-lock often disabled in favor of hidden non-positive-lock latches in critical areas necessary to keep contents from flying out. They didn't.

- Reading lamps positioned where they were not suitable for reading.

- Insulation so poor I figured Airstream gave their insulation guy half of what he needed then told him to "Do the best you can".

- A bunch of interior rattles. Why Airstream thought they could leave unsecured runs of metal LP pipe, hard pex water tubing, or stiff wiring harnesses laying 1/8th of an inch from a metal stove top, stainless backsplash, or heater box and expect it wouldn't bang against it on rough roads is beyond me. All secured or padded now.

The above are more head-scratcher items that complaints as I'm retired and took it as a challenge to get things right. Each dive behind cabinets or components added to my knowledge of things.

[Jon in AZ]

If price is no object, why not a custom build?

I would put at least as much thought into what chassis works best for you: old-style Chevy, Ford, Dodge versus new-style Sprinter, Transit, Promaster. Very different, and each has pros and cons.

[Brad1998RD]

Winnebago for their quality ,service and their community

[DUTCH in Atlanta]

Coachmen Galleria or Beyond.

[Layton100@gmail.com]

From personal experience I’d take Thor off the list. Terrible build quality. As for the others there will be issues as have been mentioned.

Currently we have a Coachman Galleria which so far seems to have been built quite well. MB DIESEL engine and chassis is another story.

[DUTCH in Atlanta]

Originally Posted by Layton100@gmail.com

From personal experience I’d take Thor off the list. Terrible build quality. As for the others there will be issues as have been mentioned.

Currently we have a Coachman Galleria which so far seems to have been built quite well. MB DIESEL engine and chassis is another story.

My Galleria and the Sprinter Diesel and Chassis have been A-OK for me for 15,000 miles, so far.

[Dja06422]

2020 Pleasureway Plateau FL. Build quality is top notch as well as components. To new to know much more. Only time will tell.

[Davydd]

Advanced RV (ARV) is by far the best quality with the most advanced features and little known fact the best service that I can tell. Who else sends out a technician overnight to replace a BMS in the Excalibur Casino parking lot on the Las Vegas strip?

[Brad1998RD]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Advanced RV (ARV) is by far the best quality with the most advanced features and little known fact the best service that I can tell. Who else sends out a technician overnight to replace a BMS in the Excalibur Casino parking lot on the Las Vegas strip?

For the kind of money they want for those I'd expect them to get their butts out there no matter what the time is

[GeorgeRa]

Short definition of quality is to meet or exceed customer expectation (Joseph Juran). If someone’s expectation is for a technician to fly to wherever to fix whatever than servicing anywhere defines a product quality. My expectation would be different, nothing fails within product intended life and routine maintenance would address potential future repairs. Customers’ expectations needs to be clearly stated to define quality.

[jrobe]

One thing we learned quickly looking at almost everything in the RV industry is that the build quality is pretty marginal, often shockingly so. I think it is because the vast majority of RV buyers are not willing to pay a premium price for quality. We also learned that it helps a lot to be handy and willing to fix things on your own.

That being said, Pleasureway is probably the best one on your list although some of their build decisions wouldn’t work well for us.

[Scottbaldassari]

I would remove Thor and Airstream from my list just from what I've heard on multiple online and owner sources.

Pleasureway is a good rig, and I've read very few complaints about their quality. If you can find a floorplan that works for you, I'd guess they would be a safe bet.

I don't believe I can EVER remember reading a single complaint about ARV, however, at about double the price of production B's, I would hope any problem one DID encounter could easily be "covered" by the manufacturer.

Of all these rigs, I have only personally owned a Winnebago. Currently, a Winnebago Travato; which upon introduction, was considered an "entry-level" motorhome. At this point, WGO offers several "levels" of Promaster builds from the entry level Solis, through several levels of the Travato, and many superior builds on the Mercedes Sprinter. My experience with Winnebago has been excellent. I have had very few problems, and the couple small component malfunctions I have had, were immediately made right by the component manufacturer. Though I have read about hundreds of (mostly inconsequential) "issues" with Winnebago owners (I monitor an owners FB page), that would make sense, as Winnebago has sold THOUSANDS more class B's than the other manufacturers mentioned. WGO is the leading class B manufacturer for a reason, I believe they represent a great value.

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by Brad1998RD

For the kind of money they want for those I'd expect them to get their butts out there no matter what the time is

Well of course and I expect the exceptional service. If you don’t want to pay that kind of money then don’t complain. You do pay for what you get.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Well of course and I expect the exceptional service. If you don’t want to pay that kind of money then don’t complain. You do pay for what you get.

Another example:

https://www.businessinsider.com/adva...wer-bed-2020-2

Bud

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by Bud

Another example:

https://www.businessinsider.com/adva...wer-bed-2020-2

Bud

To my knowledge every 144 Sprinter ARV has built are totally different in design based on customer desires. They haven’t settled on a base design to start from as they did with the 170 models. I am going totally different than anything they’ve done yet as I have designed my own van.

[Beachlife]

Originally Posted by Outoftheratrace

Based only on quality of build and customer service who would you pick, and why?

1. Winnibago
2. Pleasure way
3. Thor
4. Airstream
5. Some one you don't have listed

I have a new Travato 59K and really like the layout as well as handling. This RV is build on a Dodge Ram Promaster 3500 van chasis. Priced well and gets good gas mileage (non diesel). The service was very good at the major Dodge dealer (had two minor items repaired very well) I went to in Florida, and found that if the dealer has the lift capability of handling the vehicle as well as parts on hand, then that was my consideration for choice. I believe Ford would be about the same, but seems like Dodge is taking over the Mercedes models. I have read stories of people waiting days for parts with higher service fees. Our second choice was Pleasure Way. We really loved the Wonder by Leisure, which is on a Ford chassis and does come with gas or diesel motors. It was a bit higher price. This RV is rated as a Class B+ (or what I call dealer BS LOL) which is a Class C registered.
I hope this helps, but I recommend you test drive and maybe even rent at RV share before putting down a lot of money. I will never go back to what I call a "white knuckle" travel trailer ever. LOL

[Brad1998RD]

So who was complaining. Just stating what I expect for the kind of money spent.
I know service, I've been in the RV and automotive field as a tech up to a service manager for over 30 years. As far as quality of service the way I looked at it I didn't care if you spent $50,000 or 500,000 the quality of service should be the same for everyone. Yes you don't take a Lincoln customer and put him in a focus loaner and vice versa. But you treat all owners the same and give quality service to everyone not a you get what you pay for.
Just because a customer doesn't pay $500,00 for something doesn't mean he should get any less quality of service.

[paddy]

Originally Posted by Layton100@gmail.com

From personal experience I’d take Thor off the list. Terrible build quality. As for the others there will be issues as have been mentioned.

Currently we have a Coachman Galleria which so far seems to have been built quite well. MB DIESEL engine and chassis is another story.

Have heard Thor was not the best but research more.

Pick from brands with good reputation.
Find the interior layout that you like best.

Three years and 25,000 miles and MB Sprinter has been flawless.

We went with Pleasure-Way because they had the interior layout we liked.
No problems with build quality.
Very happy.