I love the idea of making videos about RV's quality but I'd like to make a suggestion. Instead of discussing the quality of RV brands based on popular demand in the comments, I'd love if you'd start this series by presenting a list of the RV manufacturers that have impressed you the most over the years. What features make these RV manufacturers / brands a better quality product than the average? If you prefer to go by popular demand, then I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following RV manufacturers: Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox (Northwood), Amber, Lance, Coachmen Freedom Express or Apex, Rockwood. Thanks!
Not meant as a "stick in the mud"... 7th tip... DON'T BUT AN RV!!! Okay that's a little strong, but this is why I said it. I retired 2 years back, but got bored after getting the Honey Do list complete, so I hired on as a RV Tech in training. I asked each of the other Techs who makes a good RV and each one said independently, "They are all JUNK, BUT you get to decide how much money you want to spend on your pile of junk!!!" At first I thought they all had conspired to make that claim, BUT... after a year of working along side them I now understand their claim is pretty much true. Yes, some brands make better quality than others, but they all build similarly at each different level, Good, Better, Best. Tiffin/others may make the "best" but.... they still use many products designed for RVs that are used in lower quality RVs.... OF COURSE the higher end brands use Corian C/tops rather than Formica type c/tops, and yes they may have a better model toilet, AC, Appliances, ETC. So the point I have is.... if you had a TRULY "custom home" made, of course you would expect Corian tops, top of the line appliances, etc. BUT... if you looked closely and saw they had hollow core doors instead of solid wood, or fake wood vinyl flooring instead of real wood floors, or a low line of appliances... IF you had done your homework you would immediately see you were buying high and getting low. Someone could say.... the they both are built out of the same wood construction, BUT many of us understand there are better grades of lumber, plywood, cabinet quality, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, electrical quality and..... wait for it... QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP in the two different types of home builds, TRUE Custom vs. Tract Shacks. So my point is... DO YOUR HOMEWORK and realize since about 2017-ish the labor quality in many builds are slapped together by few who care about quality. And with the covid crap years 2019-2023 the quality plunged to even lower depths do to a shortage of "qualified" labor (whatever that means). Here's the last example. After observing the construction of many, many, MANY med to higher end models (NOT top of the line) I realized to upgrade the interior paneling from 1/8 thickness to 1/4 inch in a 30 ft travel trailer would add approximately 150 lbs +/- and the purchasing price difference to the Manufacturer would be trivial. The weight/price difference to go from CHEAP waferwood/OSB in floors, cabinets, elsewhere to a much better quality plywood would be similar as above. Manufacturers in the low to high middle range seek out the CHEAPEST products that give the illusion of "quality" full well knowing most people do NOT do their homework and are easily mislead and taken advantage of.... in most industries they are known as SUCKERS and since they are born every minute, well... you get my point if you've read this far!!! Lastly, when you see it say ULTRA LIGHT/SUPER LITE/EXTREME blah blah balh... that should scream back at YOU... ULTRA CHEAPLY MADE WITH CHEAPER/THINNER/JUNK LIGHTER WEIGHT materials. And if you do decide to buy a RV, remember... YOU get to decide how much money YOU want to spend on YOUR pile of junk!!!
Good to know. I've been thinking about buying an RV as my first home due to the "wonderful" housing market right now. I'd rather buy used cuz of instant depreciation. And hoping any issues have already been fixed, though I don't have much hope for that. An old friend used to travel quite a bit for work so he started taking his travel trailer with him for more comfort rather than a bunch of hotels. Sometimes it seemed like he was running to the parts store every other day to fix something that broke. It makes me nervous to move into one if I'll be stuck doing the same. But it may be worth it as a starter home if i can pay cash for it. Long term RV parks in my area are reasonably priced compared to housing or rent.
@@GatorsRock0219my friend bought one last year and had to bring it back to the factory after about 2 months (and he hardly used it in those 2 mos) for repairs on a BRAND new Tiffin. Shame shame
Thanks for the 1st hand info. I've been researching RV and campers for years. So a lot of what your saying rings true. Ever watch Liz Amazing channel? She echoes much of what you're saying I did buy a teardrop to get my feet wet. A 2018 Runaway RangeRunner. It's what I can safely tow and I managed to find a reasonable price ($5,000). Had it for a year now. Overall I'm happy with it but you can see how they cut some corners. Did some of my own mods to improve quality of life but thankfully no defects to repair. I've been thinking of upgrading. Getting a larger vehicle to tow something self contained. So far I'm seeing a lot of lemons. Shoddy materials and sub par craftsmanship. I stopped looking at anything made post 2019 because of the huge drop in quality due to the pandemic. Now I'm in limbo bouncing around used RV apps and ads. It's bad enough these things arent made well and made even worse by the many owners who didnt take care if them. Yet they still ask top dollar.
Great information !!! As a RV Technician , the very first thing I do is climb up top & check the roof . I find the majority of people get caught up in all the bells & whistles . If the roof hasn’t bee serviced on a regular basis , good by bells & whistles .
I found this out on my first big 5th wheel. Lucky for me, I was able to restore the roof before it was to far gone. Not cheap to do. But I saved my investment.
I am (and maybe a lot of other people too) primarily interested in looking a reviews of entry level budget starter trailers. The ones that sell new for about $15 -24, 000. single and dual axle., about 17-25 feet. This market is where the compromises come up. Great channel, by the way. Keep up the good work!
We have owned three fithwheels but always learning. We'd like to see additional videos on what to look for in used RVs, both towable and Class C. One issue I have seen a lot of are stress fractures and cracks on fifthwheels. It is such a widespread problem I don't know why MFGs do build them right the first time. Good call on inspecting the underside of slidouts and seals. In CO the UVs are killers for RVs. I always ask a selling owner "Where was this stored".
We were thinking about an Alliance, Grand Design or Brinkley but after watching your videos we’re re-thinking the 5th wheel and going with an A class. Back to the drawing board 😂
I bought a 11 year old travel trailer last year and because of very helpful experts like you who are educating us consumers. I believe I got a good deal. I followed all but one of your guidelines and I'm happy with my purchase. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Yes please part 2😎 I’d been interested in a series on best camper for retirees. Including price points and quality. We’d love to have an Airstream.. but that’s price prohibitive 😌 We have a 1/2 ton 01Silverado pick up truck that has a tow package and is well maintained 140k. Also may series on suggesting upgrades to tow vehicles that you may have seen that would make the vehicle more tow ready. Thank you!
Is there a list available to download that an RV inspector would use to go over not only a used unit but also a new one of the things to look at and pay attention to? I’d love to see the series on which manufactures have the best quality as well as the least component issues. Your videos are so informative. Please keep it going. God bless.
There are MANY insurance adjusters in the USA who respond to catastrophes quickly and often far from home. They need an RV that can be self-contained (since there is likely no power and often no water after a hurricane or tornado), secure, and mobile. It's also a nice bonus to have room for a spouse (and sometimes family), a pet, and a proper office with internet connectivity to process claims quickly. Using those guidelines to rate RVs and manufacturers would help a lot of people who are helping a lot of other people! :)
Our first class A sat a lot with very little use with the previous owner. When we started using it every appliance had an issue - small D.I.Y. fixes. Our second class A got a lot of local use and has been fine. It appears that lack of use can be a problem just as much as lived in.
It is also worth noting that a low amount of hours on a generator can actually be problematic. If a generator doesn’t get used for months or years on end, you may have a pretty bad engine on your hands.
I have money for a down payment, what I’m looking for is a motor home and I may need financing to cover the balance. I have used your comments about a used one. My budget is around 100000 and I have half of that down
Forest River Cedar Creek. Had it in storage for 3 months till we bought a truck that would haul it. Took it out for the first time on the road and 5 miles later we were heading to the repair shop!
I bought a 2011 kz TT in 2019, 4 years later zero issues, just maintenance. Tires and new taps just because I wanted a newer look. 18,000km and going strong😊
I am so glad I found your channel. We are hoping to live in a 5th wheel when we retire, for as long as we can. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you for doing them.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to towable trailer purchases. I've owned a Rockwood travel trailer, a Montana 43 foot 5th wheel, and now a 30 foot Cougar 5th wheel. Each of these purchases turned out to be solid with no major issues. I will say that the reason we're in the Cougar now is because we couldn't get the Montana up our driveway because the driveway is sloped and from the back of the rear wheels of the trailer to the back wall of the trailer was 15 feet. There was a loft in the trailer which we loved because it provide a huge extra storage space. The problem was, in order to keep the trailer height at 13' 4" so it could make it under most overpasses, they had to lower the floor. Doing this caused the back wall of the trailer to hit the slope of the drive way long before the wheels of the trailer started going up the driveway. We only used the Montana 2 times before we traded it in for something much shorter. We definitely took a beating at trade in. We paid $88K for it brand new and only got $60K trade in. Camping world turned around and sold it within the month for $94K. We didn't even get enough in trade to cover the cost of the Cougar. We're in the market for a Class C RV now because the Mrs doesn't want to deal with having to back a trailer into the driveway anymore. From what I'm seeing on youtube now, it's definitely worth looking into a used one rather than buying a new one because the manufacturers and dealers alike almost refuse to stand behind their products and think it's ok to sell a product that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars in many cases and think it's perfectly acceptable to say "you bought it, you own it, we're washing our hands of it and it's all on you once you drive it off the lot". This is ludicrous, I'm sure if they purchase a high dollar item they expect it to work for years to come without breaking after reasonable use, why should it be any different for the customer buying their products? I'm just curious how many billions of dollars are enough to line their pockets. I do plan on hiring a reputable RV inspector when we decide to make a purchase. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we've been very luck with all of our trailer purchases. I did inspect each of them looking for things I had seen in videos but I'm by no means an RV expert. I figure the law of averages is bound to catch up with me at some point so it will be money well spent to hire an inspector.
We found that having a moisture indicator would have been great to have in buying our used RV. Wood rot was concealed very well but fortunately didn’t go into the floor. We check our 5th wheel regularly with this device.
Tip number 5 is garage kept. I’d say that’s the biggest tip. I took that a step further by limiting my search to an unpainted (gelcoat) Chinook or a Born Free Class C. I ended up with a Born Free with unpainted gelcoat and then did the steps a good boat detailer does to make it look brand new. I’ll never be fighting peeling clear coat. Then of course factor in all the things you’ll want to do, like oil change, transmission fluid change, brake fluid change, maybe brakes, spark plugs, tires, resealing everything, perhaps a new quieter rooftop ac, new Fantastic or Maxxair fan, flushing tanks until they run clear, sanitize the fresh water, replace sinks and shower head, LED headlights, new serpentine belt (and alternator in my case), new batteries, a CTEK battery maintainer, generator oil, spark plug and filter change. I didn’t stop there, also got new Alcoa wheels and a Weldtec Design 4” lift kit and front stabilizer and then an 11” drop hitch. Oh, and Reflectix (found at Lowe’s not the cheaper knockoff insulation at Home Depot) for your interior windows, so your engine ac can keep up with the sun when driving and leave it up on the side the sun is on when parked. If you can’t do most of this yourself, bring money.
I like to see some hours on the generator. At least that normally means they go out each month and run it for a while. The ones I have bought with real low hours have given me the worst trouble.
I'd love to! I know the NOBO series is very popular. I hope to film that this summer. In the meantime you can check out my free RV shopping course and learn how I assess RVs. Here is the link, undercoverrvshopper.com/mini-course/ Thanks for watching!
I really appreciate what you are doing. Keep up the good work! I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on some of the smaller travel trailers including the Casita Spirit Deluxe, the Scamp and the Airstream Bambi. Thank you! 😊
Can you make a video of the top travel trailers with year and model that you have graded “A” ? That would help me with shopping for a used travel trailer. Thanks
Really appreciate your professional wisdom on all things you have discussed already. I find your channel very informative! I am not buying and RV anytime soon but continue to research. I am personally interested in RVs that are live-in vehicles up to 20 feet long, that one can stand up in and that are solar powered as much as possible. Thank you again!
I’m a bit late to this one but I’d love to see a quality review of Jayco RVs especially the Jayflight series since I see those everywhere and have had a few pop up in my preliminary used EV searching
Thanks for this! I'm in the early stages of shopping for a travel trailer for fulltime, off-grid boondocking. I'm looking at almost anything from 17-21' (not including the tongue). Grand Design Imagine travel trailers 17-21ft range. Jayco Feather Micro Also, comment on wood vs. aluminum frame for off the grid boondocking with respect to traversing uneven terrain. Thanks!
Here we go, four of us each gave an answer: For Class A, Thor Outlaw 37MD/37RB/37LS, for Class B+ Winnebago Aspect/Cambria 29H and Class C would be Winnebago 24F or Trend 23B. Can't wait!
I stayed till the end and yes, would very much appreciate your observations about RV quality. My situation is likely too specific but I will mention it anyway - am currently shopping for a pre-DEF class A, DP. Any observations or guidance would be appreciated.
Great content! Thanks for creating this channel. I’m more in the motorhome market, and would like more info about Tiffin (yes, I saw the video already posted), Newmar, Entegra. Are they really the quality they’re made out to be? How do their lower end diesel pushers compare to Coachmen, Fleetwood, Thor etc. DPs?
Currently looking at 2006 nuwa hitchhiker lol with 4 sliders. Hard to find any information online about 4 slides on this model. Anyway, videos on how to care for your RV would be nice too😊
Lemon. I'm looking at Class A used. We looked at 9 in a month most all had close to the same miles most were 90k and all had 8.9 Cummins almost the exact same miles, in different dealers and i went down the rabbit hole online and found some chatter on Cummins diesels issues from a couple years ago, it did not look good. I'm sorry Garage kept is BS. I full timed for 13 yrs and never seen more than a couple garaged. It reminds me about cars at auctions back in the 90s, we found a lot of them were really nice and found out they were hurricane cars, transported to Nevada and everything hidden for the auction, we had to track registration.
I have given up on US RV manufacturers. Canadian companies seem to be much better quality and to provide what I am looking for. 11 months ago you asked for feedback on specific manufacturers or models you could review. How about reviews on Taylor trailers and Escape trailers. They look really good to me but I would appreciate an expert opinion. Thanks.
Just starting watching you videos, so this might be too exact question. I'm first time buyer and want you option on the 2019 Winnebago Travato 59 GL. This will be FL/GA area, so no real mountain driving. Thanks!
Love your information, how about doing a video on manufacturers comparison. According to what I found, forest river, keystone, grand design and heartland are the top four.
Thanks for the request! I don’t have any review videos of this out yet, but there are multiple grades of that brand in my database from myself and other undercover shoppers. If you want to view the database and learn to assess the quality of any RV like I do in my reviews, you can take my RV shopping course and use my app to grade it yourself - undercoverrvshopper.com/rv-shopping-course/
I also offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
Hi Jacob, I am so glad I found your channel, It is really helpful to have this type of insider information to know what to look for when making these big dollar RV purchases. We are just getting started on our RV education and are leaning toward the Leisure travel Van brand. Will you be doing any videos on Class B RV's in the future?
I find myself switching back and forth from a 25-27ft class C to a 26-27ft class A . It appears to be easier to handle a class C and the class A's look much taller. My plans are to go full time in remote dry camping 3-5 months out of the year with a solor backup, I will just be by myself mainly and like the slide outs but realize they are potential brake-down areas . Also right now even being summertime there are some killer deals on 2023/2024 class C from as low as $63,000 to 81,000 which is around $10-15,000 for used witch you don't know the true reason for selling. Thanks for all you do also could you do a video on the different types of security in locks/cameras, and window tenting
I was in the same boat between class C & A. Went the class A for the following reasons... Tanks are normally bigger, basement storage is larger, pricing was better in the same size, more headroom inside and no front overhang bunk to leak and rot out. We without slides but after four years upgraded to a slide rig - so much nicer for long stays. Avoid schwintek slides on large slide outs. I personally would only go with 2018 and older 2019+ pandemic bills are not built well. Lots of owner's forum research and get an inspection! Best of luck.
Thanks for sharing your experience... I am leaning towards the class A there is one locally that like Jacob suggested Barn Kept and you can tell from the personal touches( hand quilted bedspread and decor plus in the add they mention new tires and batteries so new owner won't have to worry) that shows love and attention to rig and it smells brand new still not a speck of dust or wear on appliances or seats . Also so much more storage than class C Thanks again I believe you just helped me solve my quandary...lol
@@janehargis9301 The reasons for the C would be if you had kids they would have the front overhead bunk and you really liked the idea of getting in a van/truck door up front. Sure they are narrow up front so you feel like it lower and smaller, but, they are the same width in the back so it's misleading. The A you sit up higher, great view when it's raining as you're above the spray from the cars/semi's. In the same size they both will drive the same as for parking and fuel stops. The A might be a bit taller because it has all that basement storage. The biggest downside to the A is the people up front sit far apart and the passenger can feel like they are on the edge of the road and close to the semi's. Our first A was 30' no slide; second one is 33' two slides. It fits us perfectly. Best of luck.
@@mikew2046 Sounds like a winner. Like Jacob said, get the receipts and records so you can keep up on the maintenance. I like finding them stock and original and loved our 1996 Itasca when I got it used - it looked new also. Just don't go too old or with a workhorse chassis - they are to find parts for.
For some reason I love Thor motorhomes. But I keep reading Thor's lack of quality construction is common. Maybe you could let me know your opinion. Great video BTW
Reviewing specific RVs would be great. There are a lot of rv videos about floor plans size and weight and price but none about specific models and how well they are made compared to others. I’m trying now to decide between a Fleetwood Flair 29m or a Holiday Rambler Admiral 29m. 🙄 So hard to know which is best when they are almost identical. Please do a video on those two as to which one is best in construction and will hold up better in the long run or if there are any differences really at all. Best wishes.
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU CAN PUT A VIDEO TOGETHER OF RV BRANDS THAT YOU HARDLY/IF EVER SEE IN RV SERVICE CENTERS. :) THINKING OF JAYCO GREWHAWK & NEWMAR.
RVs to Review... I would like to see reviews on the KZ Durango, Durango Gold 5th wheels as well as the KZ Durango Half ton, perhaps vs the Grand Design 150 series and the Alliance All Access. Thank you so much for all these videos and information!
![เปิดบ้าน พี่ตูน Bodyslam หลังใหม่คนแรก ที่ภูเก็ต l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/flFwcmyDQSk/mqdefault.jpg)
I love the idea of making videos about RV's quality but I'd like to make a suggestion. Instead of discussing the quality of RV brands based on popular demand in the comments, I'd love if you'd start this series by presenting a list of the RV manufacturers that have impressed you the most over the years. What features make these RV manufacturers / brands a better quality product than the average? If you prefer to go by popular demand, then I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following RV manufacturers: Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox (Northwood), Amber, Lance, Coachmen Freedom Express or Apex, Rockwood. Thanks!
I would enjoy a video with this info.
I would like to also see on New Horizons
Def rockwood/flagstaff
Agree!
Yes!!
Not meant as a "stick in the mud"... 7th tip... DON'T BUT AN RV!!! Okay that's a little strong, but this is why I said it. I retired 2 years back, but got bored after getting the Honey Do list complete, so I hired on as a RV Tech in training. I asked each of the other Techs who makes a good RV and each one said independently, "They are all JUNK, BUT you get to decide how much money you want to spend on your pile of junk!!!"
At first I thought they all had conspired to make that claim, BUT... after a year of working along side them I now understand their claim is pretty much true. Yes, some brands make better quality than others, but they all build similarly at each different level, Good, Better, Best.
Tiffin/others may make the "best" but.... they still use many products designed for RVs that are used in lower quality RVs.... OF COURSE the higher end brands use Corian C/tops rather than Formica type c/tops, and yes they may have a better model toilet, AC, Appliances, ETC.
So the point I have is.... if you had a TRULY "custom home" made, of course you would expect Corian tops, top of the line appliances, etc. BUT... if you looked closely and saw they had hollow core doors instead of solid wood, or fake wood vinyl flooring instead of real wood floors, or a low line of appliances... IF you had done your homework you would immediately see you were buying high and getting low.
Someone could say.... the they both are built out of the same wood construction, BUT many of us understand there are better grades of lumber, plywood, cabinet quality, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, electrical quality and..... wait for it... QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP in the two different types of home builds, TRUE Custom vs. Tract Shacks.
So my point is... DO YOUR HOMEWORK and realize since about 2017-ish the labor quality in many builds are slapped together by few who care about quality. And with the covid crap years 2019-2023 the quality plunged to even lower depths do to a shortage of "qualified" labor (whatever that means).
Here's the last example. After observing the construction of many, many, MANY med to higher end models (NOT top of the line) I realized to upgrade the interior paneling from 1/8 thickness to 1/4 inch in a 30 ft travel trailer would add approximately 150 lbs +/- and the purchasing price difference to the Manufacturer would be trivial. The weight/price difference to go from CHEAP waferwood/OSB in floors, cabinets, elsewhere to a much better quality plywood would be similar as above.
Manufacturers in the low to high middle range seek out the CHEAPEST products that give the illusion of "quality" full well knowing most people do NOT do their homework and are easily mislead and taken advantage of.... in most industries they are known as SUCKERS and since they are born every minute, well... you get my point if you've read this far!!!
Lastly, when you see it say ULTRA LIGHT/SUPER LITE/EXTREME blah blah balh... that should scream back at YOU... ULTRA CHEAPLY MADE WITH CHEAPER/THINNER/JUNK LIGHTER WEIGHT materials. And if you do decide to buy a RV, remember... YOU get to decide how much money YOU want to spend on YOUR pile of junk!!!
I was going to make this comment too. We bought a 2013 Tiffin motorhome and glad we did. The work quality on the newer rigs are terrible!
Good to know. I've been thinking about buying an RV as my first home due to the "wonderful" housing market right now. I'd rather buy used cuz of instant depreciation. And hoping any issues have already been fixed, though I don't have much hope for that. An old friend used to travel quite a bit for work so he started taking his travel trailer with him for more comfort rather than a bunch of hotels. Sometimes it seemed like he was running to the parts store every other day to fix something that broke. It makes me nervous to move into one if I'll be stuck doing the same. But it may be worth it as a starter home if i can pay cash for it. Long term RV parks in my area are reasonably priced compared to housing or rent.
@@GatorsRock0219my friend bought one last year and had to bring it back to the factory after about 2 months (and he hardly used it in those 2 mos) for repairs on a BRAND new Tiffin. Shame shame
Thanks for the 1st hand info. I've been researching RV and campers for years. So a lot of what your saying rings true. Ever watch Liz Amazing channel? She echoes much of what you're saying
I did buy a teardrop to get my feet wet. A 2018 Runaway RangeRunner. It's what I can safely tow and I managed to find a reasonable price ($5,000). Had it for a year now. Overall I'm happy with it but you can see how they cut some corners. Did some of my own mods to improve quality of life but thankfully no defects to repair.
I've been thinking of upgrading. Getting a larger vehicle to tow something self contained. So far I'm seeing a lot of lemons. Shoddy materials and sub par craftsmanship. I stopped looking at anything made post 2019 because of the huge drop in quality due to the pandemic.
Now I'm in limbo bouncing around used RV apps and ads. It's bad enough these things arent made well and made even worse by the many owners who didnt take care if them. Yet they still ask top dollar.
Straight forward advice that's rare and appreciated.
Thanks for watching! Glad the video was helpful!
Definitely would like to see another video (or two!) on what to look for in a used RV.
Awesome! I plan to make a part two :)
Great information !!! As a RV Technician , the very first thing I do is climb up top & check the roof . I find the majority of people get caught up in all the bells & whistles . If the roof hasn’t bee serviced on a regular basis , good by bells & whistles .
I found this out on my first big 5th wheel. Lucky for me, I was able to restore the roof before it was to far gone. Not cheap to do. But I saved my investment.
And yes. we would love a Part 2.
Glad to hear it! I plan to make a part two :)
I’d like to see you do a video about toy haulers which ones are lemons and which ones to buy
I would like to see you do a comparison of different Super C class RVs.
I am (and maybe a lot of other people too) primarily interested in looking a reviews of entry level budget starter trailers. The ones that sell new for about $15 -24, 000. single and dual axle., about 17-25 feet. This market is where the compromises come up. Great channel, by the way. Keep up the good work!
As a certified RV inspector and repair technician I totally agree with your video! Great job!
Thanks! 👍
We have owned three fithwheels but always learning. We'd like to see additional videos on what to look for in used RVs, both towable and Class C. One issue I have seen a lot of are stress fractures and cracks on fifthwheels. It is such a widespread problem I don't know why MFGs do build them right the first time. Good call on inspecting the underside of slidouts and seals. In CO the UVs are killers for RVs. I always ask a selling owner "Where was this stored".
YES! Please make another video with part 2 of how to tell if a used RV has high use or low use. Thanks.
I plan to, a lot of people seem to want more tips. Glad you found it helpful!
Your a great teacher… thanks for talent and knowledge!
Thank you! I work really hard to make these videos so I'm glad they are helpful :)
We were thinking about an Alliance, Grand Design or Brinkley but after watching your videos we’re re-thinking the 5th wheel and going with an A class. Back to the drawing board 😂
I bought a 11 year old travel trailer last year and because of very helpful experts like you who are educating us consumers. I believe I got a good deal. I followed all but one of your guidelines and I'm happy with my purchase. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Great to hear!
This is awesome! Keep giving valuable info people can use! Definitely would love a Part II!
Yes please part 2😎
I’d been interested in a series on best camper for retirees. Including price points and quality. We’d love to have an Airstream.. but that’s price prohibitive 😌 We have a 1/2 ton 01Silverado pick up truck that has a tow package and is well maintained 140k. Also may series on suggesting upgrades to tow vehicles that you may have seen that would make the vehicle more tow ready. Thank you!
Is there a list available to download that an RV inspector would use to go over not only a used unit but also a new one of the things to look at and pay attention to? I’d love to see the series on which manufactures have the best quality as well as the least component issues. Your videos are so informative. Please keep it going. God bless.
I don't have that type if list available yet, but hope to make one available in the future!
There are MANY insurance adjusters in the USA who respond to catastrophes quickly and often far from home. They need an RV that can be self-contained (since there is likely no power and often no water after a hurricane or tornado), secure, and mobile. It's also a nice bonus to have room for a spouse (and sometimes family), a pet, and a proper office with internet connectivity to process claims quickly. Using those guidelines to rate RVs and manufacturers would help a lot of people who are helping a lot of other people! :)
Our first class A sat a lot with very little use with the previous owner. When we started using it every appliance had an issue - small D.I.Y. fixes. Our second class A got a lot of local use and has been fine. It appears that lack of use can be a problem just as much as lived in.
It is also worth noting that a low amount of hours on a generator can actually be problematic. If a generator doesn’t get used for months or years on end, you may have a pretty bad engine on your hands.
That was going to be my comment too!
I first look at tire wear, especially in towables. Normal wear is expected, but uneven wear indicates relaxed axles (very common) or alignment issues.
I have money for a down payment, what I’m looking for is a motor home and I may need financing to cover the balance. I have used your comments about a used one. My budget is around 100000 and I have half of that down
Forest River Cedar Creek. Had it in storage for 3 months till we bought a truck that would haul it. Took it out for the first time on the road and 5 miles later we were heading to the repair shop!
I'm sorry to hear that, sadly I've had too many clients that has happened to. I've added it to my list to review. Thanks for the request!
I bought a 2011 kz TT in 2019, 4 years later zero issues, just maintenance. Tires and new taps just because I wanted a newer look. 18,000km and going strong😊
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad to hear what is working for people, I usually only hear about the problem cases.
I would like to see a review on the Keystone Montana 2018-2023 range. Thanks
I am so glad I found your channel. We are hoping to live in a 5th wheel when we retire, for as long as we can. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you for doing them.
Very informative and helpful as we are looking at travel trailers for full time living.
YES! Please cover more of some of these issues. It's always good information to know, especially from a tech. And thanks a ton for all your vids.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to towable trailer purchases. I've owned a Rockwood travel trailer, a Montana 43 foot 5th wheel, and now a 30 foot Cougar 5th wheel. Each of these purchases turned out to be solid with no major issues. I will say that the reason we're in the Cougar now is because we couldn't get the Montana up our driveway because the driveway is sloped and from the back of the rear wheels of the trailer to the back wall of the trailer was 15 feet. There was a loft in the trailer which we loved because it provide a huge extra storage space. The problem was, in order to keep the trailer height at 13' 4" so it could make it under most overpasses, they had to lower the floor. Doing this caused the back wall of the trailer to hit the slope of the drive way long before the wheels of the trailer started going up the driveway. We only used the Montana 2 times before we traded it in for something much shorter. We definitely took a beating at trade in. We paid $88K for it brand new and only got $60K trade in. Camping world turned around and sold it within the month for $94K. We didn't even get enough in trade to cover the cost of the Cougar. We're in the market for a Class C RV now because the Mrs doesn't want to deal with having to back a trailer into the driveway anymore. From what I'm seeing on youtube now, it's definitely worth looking into a used one rather than buying a new one because the manufacturers and dealers alike almost refuse to stand behind their products and think it's ok to sell a product that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars in many cases and think it's perfectly acceptable to say "you bought it, you own it, we're washing our hands of it and it's all on you once you drive it off the lot". This is ludicrous, I'm sure if they purchase a high dollar item they expect it to work for years to come without breaking after reasonable use, why should it be any different for the customer buying their products? I'm just curious how many billions of dollars are enough to line their pockets. I do plan on hiring a reputable RV inspector when we decide to make a purchase. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we've been very luck with all of our trailer purchases. I did inspect each of them looking for things I had seen in videos but I'm by no means an RV expert. I figure the law of averages is bound to catch up with me at some point so it will be money well spent to hire an inspector.
Very interested in NuCamp 320-400. Also fiberglass, Casita and Scamp. Enjoyed the video.
We found that having a moisture indicator would have been great to have in buying our used RV. Wood rot was concealed very well but fortunately didn’t go into the floor. We check our 5th wheel regularly with this device.
Thank you for your videos. Jayco Greyhawk 31FS…Jayco RedHawk
Please PART 2 :)
Tip number 5 is garage kept. I’d say that’s the biggest tip. I took that a step further by limiting my search to an unpainted (gelcoat) Chinook or a Born Free Class C. I ended up with a Born Free with unpainted gelcoat and then did the steps a good boat detailer does to make it look brand new. I’ll never be fighting peeling clear coat. Then of course factor in all the things you’ll want to do, like oil change, transmission fluid change, brake fluid change, maybe brakes, spark plugs, tires, resealing everything, perhaps a new quieter rooftop ac, new Fantastic or Maxxair fan, flushing tanks until they run clear, sanitize the fresh water, replace sinks and shower head, LED headlights, new serpentine belt (and alternator in my case), new batteries, a CTEK battery maintainer, generator oil, spark plug and filter change. I didn’t stop there, also got new Alcoa wheels and a Weldtec Design 4” lift kit and front stabilizer and then an 11” drop hitch. Oh, and Reflectix (found at Lowe’s not the cheaper knockoff insulation at Home Depot) for your interior windows, so your engine ac can keep up with the sun when driving and leave it up on the side the sun is on when parked. If you can’t do most of this yourself, bring money.
Please do more of videos like this
part 2 please!!! :) thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. Absolutely amazing!
We are thinking about a Fleetwood Flair 29M and a Tiffin 32SA
Excellent tips.
Excellent video! Yes, please share more signs of high/low use.
Glad you found it helpful! I plan to make a part two, a lot of people want more tips :)
Yes, definitely another video on tips when buying. Thanks!
I like to see some hours on the generator. At least that normally means they go out each month and run it for a while. The ones I have bought with real low hours have given me the worst trouble.
Can you do a review on a No Bo 19.2? Thank you! I love your content and the delivery of it. Well done
I'd love to! I know the NOBO series is very popular. I hope to film that this summer. In the meantime you can check out my free RV shopping course and learn how I assess RVs. Here is the link, undercoverrvshopper.com/mini-course/
Thanks for watching!
I would love to see you review 2023 KZ Durango Gold g383rlq 5th wheel👌
Been looking for a used RV in the $20-25 range, 22-25 ft (interior). I'd like to know which RVs to target from a quality perspective.
I'm looking for the same, just starting my research process, did you end up buying one?
Part 2 YES!
Magnitude/Omni
Accolade XT
Renegade Valencia
Love the channel!!!
Glad you find the info helpful and thanks for the requests, I've added all 3 of those to my list :)
Outdoors RV Backcountry 24KRS or any ORV. Built in Oregon.
I really appreciate what you are doing. Keep up the good work! I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on some of the smaller travel trailers including the Casita Spirit Deluxe, the Scamp and the Airstream Bambi. Thank you! 😊
Added them all to my list! Thanks for the request
I'd like to know more about the quality of the Winnebago Journey in your new series (2005-2011).
Would absolutely love to see more videos on things to look for in used RVs. Thanks for the website similar to Kelly blue book.
Great video! Thank you for the advice.
Can you make a video of the top travel trailers with year and model that you have graded “A” ? That would help me with shopping for a used travel trailer. Thanks
Really appreciate your professional wisdom on all things you have discussed already. I find your channel very informative! I am not buying and RV anytime soon but continue to research. I am personally interested in RVs that are live-in vehicles up to 20 feet long, that one can stand up in and that are solar powered as much as possible. Thank you again!
I’m a bit late to this one but I’d love to see a quality review of Jayco RVs especially the Jayflight series since I see those everywhere and have had a few pop up in my preliminary used EV searching
Well 1 more time..
I like your vids over moust..I'm looking for a class A diesel.
Please make a vid on front and rear main seles..
Please review the 2023 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1800. Thanks!
I would like to see reviews on the Lil Guy Max and the Rockwood Geo Pro. Without a slide. Love your channel‼️
Thanks for this! I'm in the early stages of shopping for a travel trailer for fulltime, off-grid boondocking. I'm looking at almost anything from 17-21' (not including the tongue).
Grand Design Imagine travel trailers 17-21ft range.
Jayco Feather Micro
Also, comment on wood vs. aluminum frame for off the grid boondocking with respect to traversing uneven terrain. Thanks!
I would like to see a video on slide in truck campers.
I’m thinking about getting a 2022-23 FR Work and Play 23LT
Here we go, four of us each gave an answer: For Class A, Thor Outlaw 37MD/37RB/37LS, for Class B+ Winnebago Aspect/Cambria 29H and Class C would be Winnebago 24F or Trend 23B. Can't wait!
Please review the Rockwood Travel Trailer. I'm looking for a MiniLite or an UltraLite. Thanks.
Added to my list, thanks!
I stayed till the end and yes, would very much appreciate your observations about RV quality. My situation is likely too specific but I will mention it anyway - am currently shopping for a pre-DEF class A, DP. Any observations or guidance would be appreciated.
I've actually gotten some other requests for pre-DEF class A reviews, so not to specific! It's on my list - thanks for the request!
Brinkley 285. Haven’t bought it yet.
Great content! Thanks for creating this channel. I’m more in the motorhome market, and would like more info about Tiffin (yes, I saw the video already posted), Newmar, Entegra. Are they really the quality they’re made out to be? How do their lower end diesel pushers compare to Coachmen, Fleetwood, Thor etc. DPs?
Currently looking at 2006 nuwa hitchhiker lol with 4 sliders. Hard to find any information online about 4 slides on this model. Anyway, videos on how to care for your RV would be nice too😊
Lemon. I'm looking at Class A used. We looked at 9 in a month most all had close to the same miles most were 90k and all had 8.9 Cummins almost the exact same miles, in different dealers and i went down the rabbit hole online and found some chatter on Cummins diesels issues from a couple years ago, it did not look good. I'm sorry Garage kept is BS. I full timed for 13 yrs and never seen more than a couple garaged. It reminds me about cars at auctions back in the 90s, we found a lot of them were really nice and found out they were hurricane cars, transported to Nevada and everything hidden for the auction, we had to track registration.
I have given up on US RV manufacturers. Canadian companies seem to be much better quality and to provide what I am looking for. 11 months ago you asked for feedback on specific manufacturers or models you could review. How about reviews on Taylor trailers and Escape trailers. They look really good to me but I would appreciate an expert opinion. Thanks.
Please review RV diesel engines vs. gas engines AND Ford chassis' vs. Mercedes or Freightliner. Thanks
Please do a review on the Odyssey steam class C motorhome. I’m very interested in buying one.
Your thoughts on the used cruise America RVs would be helpful. Thanks
Check out my recent Q&A video for the answer to your question. 😁
Just starting watching you videos, so this might be too exact question. I'm first time buyer and want you option on the 2019 Winnebago Travato 59 GL. This will be FL/GA area, so no real mountain driving. Thanks!
A video on travel trailers with bunk houses, and taller models ex Jaco Eagle 330 RSTS would be great.
Added it to my list, thanks for the request :)
Love your information, how about doing a video on manufacturers comparison. According to what I found, forest river, keystone, grand design and heartland are the top four.
Thanks for the request! I've got those 4 on my list to review :)
I would like you to review a Roadtech 170 or 190 class B
This was very helpful. I’d love another video with more tips of what to look for when buying a used travel trailer.
Would love your review of the Nexus Ghost
Thanks for the request! I've added it to my list!
I am interested on a review regarding 2024 Forest River RV Wildwood FSX 161QK.
Thanks for the request! I don’t have any review videos of this out yet, but there are multiple grades of that brand in my database from myself and other undercover shoppers. If you want to view the database and learn to assess the quality of any RV like I do in my reviews, you can take my RV shopping course and use my app to grade it yourself - undercoverrvshopper.com/rv-shopping-course/
I also offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
I would suggest you pick a make like forest River Cedar Creek 5th wheel or the average type 5th wheel units produced to give your opinion on.
Hi Jacob, I am so glad I found your channel, It is really helpful to have this type of insider information to know what to look for when making these big dollar RV purchases. We are just getting started on our RV education and are leaning toward the Leisure travel Van brand. Will you be doing any videos on Class B RV's in the future?
Leisure Travel Wonder models. Especially the new MBL with a slide out on the Transit chassis
Love your videos! Would love your take on hybrid campers 👍
I've added that to my list, thanks for watching!
Please review the Airstream Basecamp 20X. Thank you!
I've added that one to my list, thanks for watching!
Riverstone please. Love your videos, thank you for what you're doing!
Thank you, I'm glad they've been helpful to you! Riverstone is on my list to review, thanks for the request :)
I like to have a review on the Tab 320
I find myself switching back and forth from a 25-27ft class C to a 26-27ft class A . It appears to be easier to handle a class C and the class A's look much taller. My plans are to go full time in remote dry camping 3-5 months out of the year with a solor backup, I will just be by myself mainly and like the slide outs but realize they are potential brake-down areas .
Also right now even being summertime there are some killer deals on 2023/2024 class C from as low as $63,000 to 81,000 which is around $10-15,000 for used witch you don't know the true reason for selling. Thanks for all you do also could you do a video on the different types of security in locks/cameras, and window tenting
I was in the same boat between class C & A. Went the class A for the following reasons... Tanks are normally bigger, basement storage is larger, pricing was better in the same size, more headroom inside and no front overhang bunk to leak and rot out. We without slides but after four years upgraded to a slide rig - so much nicer for long stays. Avoid schwintek slides on large slide outs. I personally would only go with 2018 and older 2019+ pandemic bills are not built well. Lots of owner's forum research and get an inspection! Best of luck.
Thanks for sharing your experience... I am leaning towards the class A there is one locally that like Jacob suggested Barn Kept and you can tell from the personal touches( hand quilted bedspread and decor plus in the add they mention new tires and batteries so new owner won't have to worry) that shows love and attention to rig and it smells brand new still not a speck of dust or wear on appliances or seats . Also so much more storage than class C
Thanks again I believe you just helped me solve my quandary...lol
And I’d love to hear more on Class Cs AND Class As. We’re still waffling!
@@janehargis9301 The reasons for the C would be if you had kids they would have the front overhead bunk and you really liked the idea of getting in a van/truck door up front. Sure they are narrow up front so you feel like it lower and smaller, but, they are the same width in the back so it's misleading. The A you sit up higher, great view when it's raining as you're above the spray from the cars/semi's. In the same size they both will drive the same as for parking and fuel stops. The A might be a bit taller because it has all that basement storage. The biggest downside to the A is the people up front sit far apart and the passenger can feel like they are on the edge of the road and close to the semi's. Our first A was 30' no slide; second one is 33' two slides. It fits us perfectly. Best of luck.
@@mikew2046 Sounds like a winner. Like Jacob said, get the receipts and records so you can keep up on the maintenance. I like finding them stock and original and loved our 1996 Itasca when I got it used - it looked new also. Just don't go too old or with a workhorse chassis - they are to find parts for.
I’d love your opinion on the Meerkat travel trailer. Thank you.
For some reason I love Thor motorhomes. But I keep reading Thor's lack of quality construction is common. Maybe you could let me know your opinion. Great video BTW
Great video. I like your idea of reviewing new rv’s.
I would love to know more about Bullet and Grand Surveyor. Thanks
I've added those to my list, thanks for watching!
review on durango 5th wheels, please
Reviewing specific RVs would be great. There are a lot of rv videos about floor plans size and weight and price but none about specific models and how well they are made compared to others. I’m trying now to decide between a Fleetwood Flair 29m or a Holiday Rambler Admiral 29m. 🙄 So hard to know which is best when they are almost identical. Please do a video on those two as to which one is best in construction and will hold up better in the long run or if there are any differences really at all. Best wishes.
Please review the Rockwood 2608BS
Added to my list, thanks for watching!
I'd like to see a video about the Rockwood 2205s
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU CAN PUT A VIDEO TOGETHER OF RV BRANDS THAT YOU HARDLY/IF EVER SEE IN RV SERVICE CENTERS. :) THINKING OF JAYCO GREWHAWK & NEWMAR.
Leisure Travel Van and Winnebago Travato
Thanks! I've added those to my list!
RVs to Review...
I would like to see reviews on the KZ Durango, Durango Gold 5th wheels as well as the KZ Durango Half ton, perhaps vs the Grand Design 150 series and the Alliance All Access.
Thank you so much for all these videos and information!
Do you have a video about RV Inspectors for us beginners ?
Arctic fox towable trailers I meant
You should review the 2024 WILDWOOD 240BHXL
Check for soft spots in the floor and walls, especially in the bathroom and under windows
Good tip, thanks for sharing!
I’d love a review on Grand Design Imagine series TT. Great videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the request, it's on my list!