Copyright 2013 by JR Consum er Resources I nc.

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2 Published and distributed by JR Consum er Resources I nc Nicklaus Drive, Clarkston, WA Phone: (509) Fax: (866) http: / / Em ail: info@jrconsum er.com JR Consum er Resources I nc. is a consum er based com pany that offers rating guides for recreation vehicles in North Am erica. We rem ain com m itted to our readers by offering unbiased inform ation about the RV industry. We have NO hidden agendas. We receive NO com m issions or advertising kickbacks. We have not accepted any paym ents to prom ote one com pany over another. We can assure you that all of the inform ation contained in this guide is based on independent research and countless interviews and is from an objective point of view. Copyright 2013 by JR Consum er Resources I nc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication m ay be reproduced in any form without written perm ission from JR Consum er Resources I nc. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assum e no responsibility for errors and om issions. The author and publisher disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Cover design: Greg Ryan 2

3 Table of Contents Acknowledgm ents 5 Preface 6 I ntroduction 7 Chapter 1 What Type of Buyer Are You? 8 Cam per or Weekender Vacationer RV Trekking or Boondocking Working Solos Snowbirds Full-tim er Chapter 2 Construction Techniques & Methods 11 What m atters m ost? What to look for in m otorhom e chassis Diesel or gas - Which is better? Exterior wall construction - What to look for Types of fiberglass siding I nterior finish I nsulation m aterials - Which is best? What to look for in quality windows What to look for in a quality roof Chapter 3 Custom er Satisfaction 24 I nterviews with existing RV owners RV discussion forum s Additional RV Online Resources Chapter 4 Dealer Ratings 26 I nterviews with RV dealers (new and used) Chapter 5 Resale Values 28 Depreciation chart RV report service Chapter 6 Rating Charts & Param eters 30 RV m anufacturer rating chart (sam ple chart) Rating definitions Chapter 7 Class A Motor Hom es (Diesel & Gas) 33 RV Manufacturer Rating Charts rating chart Class A diesel rating chart Class A diesel rating chart Class A diesel rating chart Class A diesel 3

4 RV Manufacturer Rating Charts rating chart Class A gas rating chart Class A gas rating chart Class A gas rating chart Class A gas Chapter 8 Class C Motor Hom es (Diesel & Gas) 42 RV Manufacturer Rating Charts rating chart Class C rating chart Class C rating chart Class C rating chart Class C Chapter 9 Class B Motor Hom es 47 RV Manufacturer Rating Chart rating chart Class B rating chart Class B Chapter 10 RV Manufacturer Articles 52 List of RV m anufacturers featured in book Com pany background and history Principle target custom er List of popular m odel(s) Average MSRP of popular m odels Editorial staff com m ents Chapter 11 Conclusion 156 4

5 Acknowledgments I would like to thank Linda Dahl and Ryan Eaton who assisted m e in researching the RV industry. Their dedication and hard work is truly appreciated. I would also like to thank m y lovely wife for her m any hours of research and assistance. Because of her support, encouraging words and belief in m e, it has m ade it possible to write these resource guides. And in loving m em ory of m y father, Jam es Eaton ( ) who encouraged m e to write an RV Rating Guide to help people m ake educated buying decisions. Senior Editor and President Randall Eaton 5

6 Preface Buying an RV can be one of the m ost rewarding purchases you ll ever m ake. I m agine having the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want in a luxurious hom e on wheels. Unlike the unfam iliar setting of a hotel room, your m otorhom e allows you to bring along the com forts and joys of your everyday life such as your own pillow, favorite board gam es, golf clubs and other fam iliar com forts. There is no need to m ake hotel reservations or try to decide where to eat. Vacationing in an RV provides an excellent opportunity for fam ilies to have fun together. I t is estim ated that owning an RV reduces vacation costs by 60% to 75%, which m eans you can afford to get away m ore often. Take a weekend trip to your favorite get-a-way or visit Am erica s am azing national parks and landm arks. Your RV is hom e away from hom e and can be ready to take your fam ily on a fun-filled adventure within hours. This Motorhom e Com parison Guide was written in order to have inform ation build upon inform ation. We suggest you start with Chapter 1 and read through the entire book. Then, as tim e perm its you m ay want to reread certain sections in whatever order you desire. We also recom m end highlighting areas of interest and taking this book with you as you shop different RV dealers. The contents of this guide m ay reflect certain opinions based on research, study and experience; it is a work of advice and opinion. J R Consum er Resources I nc. is not engaged in rendering or giving any legal or professional services. As such the author and research team are not responsible for actions taken based upon the content of this guide. 6

7 Introduction There are a num ber of buying guides for RV buyers today but none offer fair unbiased ratings, until now! To fulfill this need we at J R Consum er Resources I nc. have published an RV com parison guide. We rem ain com m itted to our readers by offering unbiased inform ation about the RV industry. W e have NO hidden agendas. W e receive NO com m issions or advertising kickbacks. We have not accepted any paym ents to prom ote one com pany over another. We can assure you that all of the inform ation contained in this guide is based on independent research and countless interviews and is from an objective point of view. Our com pany is a consum er based organization and we have not been hired by the RV industry to prom ote their products or lifestyle. About the Author Hello m y nam e is Randall Eaton, President and senior editor of J R Consum er Resources I nc. I am a research analyst and a best-selling author. My specialty is uncovering the truth about a particular industry and publishing the results. I have published two best-selling books regarding m anufactured and m odular hom es. Both books were the first of their kind and have helped tens of thousands of hom e buyers. Both books did the im possible by rating individual housing m anufacturers throughout the United States. I t s ironic that m any of our readers who purchased m y housing publications suggested I write a com parison guide on RVs. This confirm ed m y initial thoughts about such a task, so with the help of m y research team, I decided to start researching the RV industry. Our goal was to rate popular RV m anufacturers in the United States and Canada. What started out as an idea has turned into a reality. There are m ore than 2,500 RV dealers in the United States, selling a variety of products from cam ping trailers to full size m illion-dollar deluxe diesel coaches. This guide focuses on RV m anufacturers that build Class A, B and C m otorhom es is when we began rating Class B and B+ m anufacturers. Over the years we received m any em ails and calls from custom ers wanting us to rate this class of m otorhom e m anufacturers. This segm ent of the industry is taking off because of high gas prices and we are pleased to introduce this classification to our Motorhom e Com parison Guide. This guide does not rate m odels or brands of RVs but focuses only on the RV m anufacturers them selves. This guide will give you an overview of the industry and rate popular m anufacturers with insightful tips and suggestions. My hope is that after reading our Motorhom e Com parison Guide you will be able to determ ine which RV m anufacturer is right for you. This guide is intended to save you valuable tim e by outlining where particular com panies fall regarding quality of construction, custom er satisfaction, dealer support and resale value. I f you have any questions or com m ents regarding this guide please em ail us at info@jrconsum er.com. We will try to respond to your questions or com m ents in a tim ely m anner. 7

8 Chapter 1 What Type of Buyer Are You? When we interviewed the m anufacturers for this guide we asked the question, How w ould you best describe your custom ers? They were able to choose from three selected answers below: Entry-level Price being the biggest factor Mid-range Quality and price both playing a big role Upper-end Quality and style being the m ost im portant Below are som e term s you m ay or m ay not be fam iliar with. The way you intend to use your RV will help define what type of buyer you are. When visiting an RV dealership your salesperson will probably ask you, How do you plan to use your RV? Som e com m on term s used today are: Cam per or Weekender Vacationer RV Trekking or Boondocking Working Solos Snowbirds Full-tim er How you will use your RV will determ ine the quality of construction, floorplan and options or upgrades you ll want to consider. I t will also have an im pact on the fram e or chassis, suspension system, size of appliances, holding tanks and other operating system s. The definitions listed above are not intended to cover every type of RVing but are com m on term s used today that reflect certain types of people and how they use their RV. You will probably be able to relate to one or m ore of the definitions listed below. This will help you understand what type of buyer you are and type of products you should focus on in this guide. Cam per or W eekender: Those who take very short trips in their RV, typically for a weekend or up to one week. This type of person would be considered a cam per or weekender. Nearly half of RVers are between the ages of 35 and 54 according to a University of Michigan study. Many are working long hours and are seeking to get away on the weekends. Whether near or far, weekend trips in a RV are getaways from the daily routine. The growing trend is not just for fam ilies anym ore, but for anybody looking to recharge their batteries by visiting a fam iliar cam pground, friends or a new destination each weekend. People that fall into this category typically spend less than 45 days com bined in their RV per year. I f this describes you and your traveling habits or desires then focus on com panies that fall into the, Econom y category in this guide. This type of buyer would be considered an entry-level buyer. Vacationer: Many purchasing an RV dream about taking the fam ily to popular destinations for a few days or a couple of weeks at a tim e. Vacationing typically involves taking week long trips during the sum m er m onths. I t's easier on the kids because there is no settling into a hotel and they have a greater sense of hom e and fam iliarity with the fam ily RV. Over tim e, an RV is well worth the investm ent instead of hotel room s, airline tickets and rental cars. People that fall into this category 8

9 typically spend less than 65 days com bined in their RV per year. I f this describes your traveling habits or desires, focus on com panies that fall into the, Econom y or Above Average category in this guide. This type of buyer would be considered an entry-level to m id-range buyer. RV Trekking or Boondocking: This describes a person who wants to get off the beaten path, spend tim e away from the crowds and enjoy the outdoors. Trekking or boondocking will require a heavy duty chassis or fram e and a good suspension system. The operating system needs to be m ade of high quality m aterials, which can support two or m ore people for a week. RV trekkers or boondockers will typically spend one to three m onths in their RV throughout the year. I f this describes your traveling habits or desires, focus on com panies that fall into the, Prem ium or Above Average category. This type of custom er would be considered a m id-range to upperend buyer. W orking Solos: This would describe entrepreneurs or salespeople who love the road and the lifestyle it offers. Working Solos consider their RVs as their m obile office for visiting clients, selling products and visiting m ultiple com pany locations. Many feel it beats high priced hotels and with all the high-tech gadgets available today, like Autom atic roof- m ounted satellite system s, I nternet access is always just a click away. On the weekends they can head back hom e or visit fam ily and friends. Working solos will typically use their RV for three to six m onths com bined throughout the year. I f this describes you and you re considering using an RV for this purpose then you want a quality product and should focus on RV m anufacturers in this guide that fall in the, Prem ium or Above Average category. This type of custom er would be considered a m id-range or upper-end buyer. Snow birds: Snowbirds like to head south during the winter m onths. They typically leave during late fall or early winter and head for the sunshine. To live in both clim ates they take their RV for an entire season and return hom e in spring or early sum m er. During the sum m er m onths the RV generally sits unused until the cold weather returns again. Snowbirds live in the RV for m onths at a tim e and consideration should be given during the RV selection process to each person's hygiene routine to ensure that the selected m odel will m eet the needs. People considering snowbirding m ust select a durable unit that can withstand up to six m onths of constant use per year. Strong consideration m ust be given to the floorplan, quality and feel of floor coverings, durable furniture and one-piece shower units with good ventilation. Kitchen appliances need to be high-end to keep up with constant use. I f this describes your traveling habits or desires then focus on com panies that fall into the, Prem ium or Above Average category. This type of buyer would be considered m id-range to upper-end. Full- tim er: Many define full-tim ing to m ean no house, condo or any other physical roost to return to. Others allow that if som eone is living and traveling in their RV up to nine m onths out of the year they are considered a full-tim er. They m ay stay in one place for extended periods or roam from one destination to another. When selecting a m odel the kitchen appliances m ust support the dem ands of year round living. Bathroom s and plum bing fixtures m ust be of highest quality. One piece tub/ showers are recom m ended and ventilation in these areas m ust be good. I t m ay becom e cum bersom e if the RV does not offer all required facilities, forcing the fulltim er to use RV park showers or other facilities, which can becom e inconvenient at tim es. The heating system needs to be of high quality with proper am ounts of insulation to keep the unit nice and toasty during cold nights. Solid wood for the 9

10 interior cabinets should be considered. The roof should be m ade of fiberglass or a quality EPDM rubber roof with a 10 year warranty or longer. Laundry is a weekly task and needs to be considered when selecting a particular m odel. Full- tim ing requires a well-built RV with attention to detail from the chassis or fram e to the roof and everything in between. I f this describes your traveling habits or desires then focus on com panies that fall into the Prem ium category. This type of buyer would be considered an upper-end buyer. 10

11 Chapter 2 Construction Methods & Techniques I n this chapter we focus on things like, what to look for in a chassis or fram e. Different types of roofing m aterials and the pros and cons with each. You will also learn about com m on construction m ethods for exterior walls and types of insulation being used, and other im portant construction m ethods. We have spoken with m any plant m anagers from various RV com panies, which has been helpful in putting this chapter together. This chapter is in no way intended to include every aspect of the construction process. I n our housing publications we incorporated construction guidelines to follow, which proved to be very popular with our readers. Having the ability to com pare brands and m odels to a set of construction standards that properly reflect a structurally sound product is very helpful and elim inates any confusion w hen trying to determ ine overall construction quality of a particular product. I personally have toured m any m anufactured hom e factories and I am fam iliar with how factory-built hom es are constructed and the various m ethods used. There are m any sim ilarities between the two industries. This gives m e and m y research team an advantage when com paring different RV m anufacturers and rating them based on construction techniques. We at J R Consum er Resources have tried to look at the big picture for each m anufacturer when determ ining com m on building m ethods used throughout their product line-up. (I f you are looking at a m anufacturer not featured in this book the inform ation below will be helpful in determ ining the quality of product.) As we conducted our research we discovered that m ost RV salespeople did not know m uch about the overall construction m ethods of the product they were selling. This bothered us and it m ade our staff look deeper into the industry to see how m uch those at the top knew about construction techniques. Surprisingly, m ost in upper m anagem ent were also som ewhat hesitant in explaining which construction techniques were best, and what to look for in a quality built RV. We were beginning to think we would never finish this section until we decided to contact individual plant m anagers to see if they could shed som e light on the subject. To our surprise, m any plant m anagers were delighted to speak with us and they had the technical knowledge we were looking for. What matters most? A com m on m isconception with m ost new RV buyers is they rate the floorplan as the m ost im portant aspect in their RV purchase. I t is estim ated that over 9 0 % of new RV buyers focus m ore on floorplans then anything else. With experienced or educated RV buyers it is estim ated that over 90% focus on the chassis or fram e, drive train, engine, suspension and exterior construction when selecting a particular brand. Bottom line, what s underneath your m otorhom e is the m ost im portant aspect and should take top priority in your decision process. Focusing on these im portant features will ultim ately determ ine how satisfied you are with your purchase. 11

12 What to look for in a motorhome chassis A m otorhom e can be divided into two m ain com ponents the body and the chassis. The chassis includes the fram e, engine, transm ission, axles, wheels, brakes, cooling system, electrical system, steering system, suspension and instrum entation. Looking at a m otorhom e chassis is like looking at a hom e that has not yet been constructed. We wish there was som e type of com parison chart or consum er guide for m otorhom e chassis but there is not. Each chassis design is extrem ely difficult to evaluate because there are so m any variables, it is also subjective depending on who you talk to. We will attem pt in this chapter to provide som e needed inform ation that will hopefully shed som e light on the subject so buyers can m ake inform ed decisions when trying to select the right chassis. Chassis: Most RV m anufacturers prefer to build their diesel m otorhom es on a chassis that they purchase from Freightliner, Spartan or Roadm aster because they are the industry s leading chassis m anufacturers. By doing so, the RV m anufacturer can focus its efforts on building the m otorhom e. Of course som e produce their own proprietary chassis platform s, while others m ix it up and build their own custom chassis for higher end products and purchase the platform s from Freightliner or Spartan for less expensive products in their lineup. W heel Cut and W heelbase: As you research the various diesel m otorhom e chassis designs, it is im portant to identify the two m ost critical chassis com ponents: w heel cut and w heelbase. When com bined, these two elem ents determ ine where you need to start your turn in order for the rear of your m otorhom e to clear a corner. The wheel cut m easurem ent is the angle that the wheels will turn in either direction and range from 45 to 60. The higher the degree of wheel cut, the shorter the turning radius. For exam ple, a m otorhom e with a 56 wheel cut will turn in a sm aller circle than a m otorhom e with the sam e wheelbase and a 45 wheel cut. Wheelbase, on the other hand, is m easured in inches and is the distance between the center of the steer axle and the center of the drive axle, unless you have a tag axle. Then it is m easured between the center of the steer axle and the m idpoint between the drive and tag axles. As the length of the wheelbase increases, the am ount of room you need to turn increases because the pivot point (drive axle) is further from what is actually turning it (steer axle). You can com pensate for a larger wheelbase with a higher wheel cut. For exam ple, a m otor hom e with a 302 wheelbase and 55 wheel cut will turn in the sam e space as one with a 263 wheelbase and 54 wheel cut. Monaco RV: Monaco/ Holiday Ram bler uses a Roadm aster chassis with a 50 to 55 wheel cut on m ost of their m odels and also em ploys airbags to increase m otorhom e stability which helps avoid side-to-side sway. Roadm aster chassis are m anufactured to m atch the needs of each diesel m otorcoach floorplan. Am erican Coach: Through a relationship they have developed with Spartan, Fleetwood s Am erican Coach Division builds all of its luxury m otorhom es on the Liberty chassis. Known for its sm ooth ride, this platform consists of standard Spartan front and rear sections 12

13 coupled with a super strong Liberty bridge beam. Fleetwood, notes, We partnered with Spartan Chassis along with Dexter Chassis Group to develop a chassis that would allow us to m eet our custom ers growing dem and for superior quality and strength. The m ajority of Am erican Coach m otorhom es have a wheel cut of 55 to 60. Tiffin Motorhom es: I n recent years Tiffin Motorhom es decided to build their own chassis in addition to offering chassis built by Freightliner and Spartan. This gave Tiffin the ability to design the chassis the way it best fit their needs rather than adapting their coach to fit any available chassis. I t also gave them the ability to adm inister strict quality control and m ake quick response changes as desired when com pared to chassis supplied by others. After taking a num ber of years to properly design and engineer this new design for Tiffin, the Powerglide was eventually launched to rave reviews. The chassis is constructed with the huck bolt technology found in the heavy trucking industry; a perm anent fastener system is hydraulically installed under 27,000-lbs. of pressure so it never requires tightening. I n fact, the only way you can rem ove the chassis bolts is to cut them off. Also, in addition to incorporating a Tuthill front suspension system and custom -tuned Bilstein shocks into the platform, Tiffin s engineers m oved the fuel tank, propane tank and batteries further forward creating an even sm oother ride. Most of Tiffin s m otorhom es have a wheel cut of 55 Country Coach: Country Coach, when producing m otorhom es built a custom chassis, known as DynoMax. The hallm ark features of the DynoMax chassis include 100% steel construction with no alum inum or wood fram ing. I t offered independent front suspension with double wishbone construction, large bus-style air springs, ABS disc brakes and an I PD anti-sway bar. Each chassis was designed to provide plenty of power to take on the m ost challenging m ountain grades and was coupled with superior chassis perform ance features that offered excellent steering, acceleration, shock absorption, braking and high weight ratings. W innebago RV: Designed with the help of Freightliner, Winnebago I ndustries offers two types of chassis the Evolution and Maxum chassis. The Evolution design features one-piece, precision-form ed chassis rails that provide increased center section clearance for an im pressive am ount of basem ent storage without com prom ising the integrity of the chassis. The Evolution chassis also allows for greater floorplan flexibility, so you are sure to find a Winnebago or I tasca perfectly suited for your tastes. The Maxum Chassis offers up to 220 cubic feet of exterior storage so you can load up with everything you need for weeks on the road. The secret is its revolutionary lowered-rail design. This all-new feat of chassis engineering repositions the chassis fram e rail, increasing the cross-coach storage height for the m ost efficient use of space. Com bined with Winnebago I ndustries Sm art Storage philosophy, you get taller com partm ent openings, larger pass-through com partm ents, and a storage capacity that no other chassis in its class can m atch. The Maxum chassis also elim inates m uch of the road vibration with a com bination of innovative structural design and shock-absorbing com ponents. The Tour and Ellipse for exam ple offer a 55 wheel cut for im proved turning radius. This link provides som e additional inform ation about the Maxum chassis by Winnebago: http: / / / key_features/ 2013/ m axum _chassis/. 13

14 Another chassis m anufacturer for sm aller Class A diesel m otorhom es is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis, which com es with a powerful Mercedes-Benz turbo diesel engine. Winnebago uses this chassis for their Via Class A diesel m odels and their Class C diesel View m odels. Fram e Rail and Sem i- Monocoque: The chassis under all Class A m otorhom es today starts out as a basic Fram e Rail, as this picture show. 99% of all RV m anufacturers will take the basic fram e rail chassis and incorporate cross braces and bridge-like construction in the bottom half of the chassis, so the strength lies not in the narrow center of the fram e, but throughout its weight distribution. By doing this, the steel structure absorbs and resists the twist and turns of the road ahead without relying on non-load-bearing com ponents to do the work. This advanced engineering is challenging and tim e consum ing but results in a safe, reliable and high-perform ance m otorhom e. This type of chassis is referred to as, Sem i- Monocoque. Sem i-m onocoque construction technique is like that of a steel bridge with support elem ents diagonally placed between vertical and horizontal elem ents. Most upper-end coach m anufacturers use som e type of sem i-m onocoque chassis design such as; Monaco, Am erican Coach, Newm ar, Tiffin and Foretravel. Why is this im portant? I n the event of an accident or rollover the sem i-m onocoque chassis will m ost likely stay together and not crush the passenger com partm ent. Over tim e it will have fewer rattles. Cabinets and furniture have less of a tendency to com e loose. Many consider a full or sem i-m onocoque design superior to a standard fram e rail design. Custom chassis: Any chassis that is custom m ade for a particular m odel has to be considered superior. Manufacturers that own a chassis com pany and build their own chassis on-site are serious about providing the best possible chassis available. While som e m ay disagree on which design is best, a custom chassis with Sem i-monocoque construction is superior in our opinion and a step above the rest. Sem i- custom chassis: This type of chassis is a step down from a custom design chassis but still a very good chassis none the less. Som e m anufacturers will purchase a stock or standard chassis (fram e rail) from a com pany like, Freightliner or Spartan and m odify the design to im prove the overall strength and perform ance. Newm ar for exam ple will purchase a stock chassis from Spartan or Freightliner and then m odify the chassis for a specific m odel. Here is a good video by Newm ar that shows how they m odify each chassis at the factory: http: / / arcorp.com / quality/ chassis_weld_video. Stock- chassis: No real m odifications have taken place with this type of chassis system. Usually found in entry-level m otorhom es. When shopping for a diesel m otorhom e be sure to test drive the m odels you are considering. Ask your salesperson about the wheel cut ratio. Based on our research a wheel cut of 50 to 55 is good. A wheel cut ratio of 55 or better is excellent. As m entioned in 14

15 this chapter a custom design chassis is superior and a sem i-custom design is very good. Spend som e tim e researching the suspension system and brakes which will ultim ately determ ine how the coach perform s on the road. Another im portant clue when looking at a m otorhom e is the basem ent design and am ount of storage available. Finally, the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) is im portant and pay attention to the GVWR, (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) which will determ ine how m uch weight you will be able to load into your coach without overloading it. The higher the GVWR the better it will perform on the road. Chassis m anufacturers for Class A gas m otorhom es: The top chassis m anufacturers today for Class A gas m otorhom es are Ford and Chevy. The m ajority of chassis ordered today are from Ford, which m akes up over 80% of all chassis under Class A gas m otorhom es. Workhorse used to be a popular chassis m anufacture but stopped production of their platform s in Navistar Corporation which owns; Monaco, Holiday Ram bler and R-Vision acquired Workhorse about seven years ago and it seem ed to be a good fit, but decided to close the Workhorse plant to cut costs. Navistar still builds diesel chassis for m any RV m anufacturers in North Am erica. When a m otorhom e m anufacturer orders a chassis from Ford or Chevy they do som e m odifications to the fram e. Fleetwood RV for exam ple prom otes their Power Platform which is a Ford chassis. Fleetwood states that their Power Platform offers a sturdy design which is anchored by a pair of steel-i - beam s. The chassis has rugged steel outriggers extend from the I -beam s to the sidewalls to provide a firm foundation for all exterior com partm ents. The overall benefits of the Power Platform technology are increased cargo carrying capacity, superior driving, cornering and handling characteristics and a quiet ride. Class C & B+ chassis: The top chassis m anufacturers for Class C and Class B+ gas m otorhom es are Ford and Chevy. The m ajority of chassis ordered today are from Ford, which m akes up over 80% of all chassis under a Class C or B+ gas m otorhom e. Class C and B+ diesel m otorhom es will usually have a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Do your hom ework before m aking your next m otorhom e selection and spend som e tim e researching your options. As we m entioned earlier in this chapter the floorplan is im portant but should not take precedence over the m ain com ponent of any new or used m otorhom e which is the chassis. Here are som e tips to consider before you purchase your next m otorhom e: Test drive the m odel you re interested in. A proper road test will include both city and highway driving and we recom m end at least one hour per test drive. Be upfront with your salesperson and explain you want to spend som e adequate tim e test driving the vehicle. A 10 m inute test drive will not give you enough tim e to properly evaluate how the unit perform s. How does the m otorhom e stop? Are you com fortable driving it? What is the turning radius? 15

16 Does it have adequate power? How is it on hills? (Rem em ber it will be em pty however) I s it air tight? - Look for air leaks around windshield or windows. Listen for any howling or whistling. Listen for creaks, squeaks, rattles, and vibrations. Diesel or gas - Which is better? So you re considering buying a m otor hom e, Class A, B or C. Let us explore the age old question and one I get asked a lot, should I buy a gas or diesel m otorhom e? This question has fueled m any lively debates and to be honest, it com es down to personal preference. I will try to list the pros and cons for each engine and leave it to m y readers to decide which is best for them. Pros to ow ning a diesel m otorhom e: For those planning on traveling a lot, a diesel engine m ay be a good choice. One reason is that a diesel engine will last longer in com parison to a gas engine. This is a fact. I t is why large com m ercial trucks all have diesel engines in them. Another advantage to consider in a diesel engine is torque. With a diesel engine the horsepower peaks at a lower RPM, and there is m ore torque at a lower RPM com pared to a gasoline engine. This results in a diesel engine having m uch m ore power at a lower RPM. This higher torque and higher horsepower at a lower RPM equates to a longer lasting engine. For all those considering pulling a car, enclosed trailer or boat behind your m otorhom e a diesel will be a better choice in our opinion. I n addition to having m ore torque, diesel engines can be m ore fuel efficient than gas engines. (Gas engines are m aking som e headway in fuel efficiency but diesel still has an advantage). You can expect m ore m iles per gallon, but don't expect a dram atic difference. Diesel Motorhom es have a wider selection of floor plans to choose from com pared to gas m otorhom es. The chassis of m ost diesel m otorhom es are better constructed than the chassis of gas m otorhom es. The towing capacity is greater and that is this why m any full-tim ers prefer diesel over gas. Diesel powered m otorhom es tend to have a sm oother ride than gas m otorhom es, this is due to the availability of air ride suspensions and the heavier chassis in m y opinion. According to the NADA Guides diesel m otorhom es retain their value better com pared to gas m otorhom es. 16

17 Cons to ow ning a diesel m otorhom e Diesel m otorhom es cost m ore than gas and this can be a drawback, especially if you re on a tight budget. I n addition to the higher cost factor, the m aintenance cost for diesel engines is higher than for gas engines. Diesel engines are m ore difficult to work on and it is typically not a good idea to work on them yourself. Yes, you can probably replace the oil filter or air filter but diesel in general is m ore difficult. I t used to be that diesel fuel was cheaper com pared to regular gas but tim es have changed and now diesel is m ore expensive. But on the flip side, there are bio- fuels being introduced that could be used in place of regular diesel that m ay help lower overall fuel costs for diesel owners. I t has not happened yet but could be a potential in the future. Pros to ow ing a gas m otorhom e: A gas powered m otorhom e typically costs less com pared to a diesel m otorhom e. A gas engine is cheaper to m aintain and a bit easier to work on. A num ber of RV m anufacturers are introducing innovative ways to increase the horsepower and torque in gas engines which is starting to turn som e heads. Motorhom es that use gas are quieter and don t sm ell as m uch and for som e this is a big factor. Cons to ow ing a gas m otorhom e: A gas engine has a lower life-span than a diesel engine. So, when considering a m otorhom e look at how long you plan on owing it. Most gas m otorhom es are not as fuel efficient as diesel; on average they have a lower MPG rating. A gas m otor hom e does not retain its value as well as a diesel m otorhom e, Gas engines produce m ore CO2 em issions (CO2 is considered to be the catalyst to global warm ing. Gas engines lose power with altitude (going over that m ountain pass can be a problem and don t expect to pass anyone). A Gas m otorhom e chassis is generally not as hefty and has less carrying capacity than a diesel m otorhom e. Gas m otorhom es have fewer floor plan choices than diesel m otorhom es. Rem em ber it really com es down to personal preference. Try to look at the big picture when considering diesel verses gas. When shopping for a m otorhom e, test-drive both gas and diesel engines to get a feel for how they handle. Spend som e tim e looking at the chassis and basem ent storage capacity. 17

18 Exterior wall construction - What to look for? Alum inum or steel versus w ood exterior construction: Both fram ing m aterials have their good points and bad points. Wood has traditionally been the m aterial of choice for lower-costing RVs because it's cheap and easy to work with using inexpensive tools and non-skilled labor. Yet, wood fram ing can also be found in upper-end units, because it's also a good choice for RV construction. Wood fram ing can last as long as alum inum or steel fram ing assum ing it does not get wet. Generally, wood fram ing is less expensive, it s flexible, it's not a good conductor of tem perature variations and it s fairly easy to repair. The biggest disadvantage is that wood can rot when it repeatedly gets wet and that's a consideration for long-term RV ownership in m oist clim ates. Another consideration is bug infestation, which could lead to problem s as well. alum inum construction, (6-sided). Alum inum or steel fram ing has long been associated with m ore expensive RVs, at least partly because it generally costs m ore to work with alum inum or steel and requires som e specialized equipm ent and skilled labor. Alum inum and steel are com m only used for RV fram ing, but due to the extra costs involved with the m aterial and fabrication they usually apply to m id-range-and-above products. Steel is alm ost always welded, but you m ay find alum inum that s welded, screwed or riveted together. All such system s work. The picture to the left shows Most steel or alum inum walls are welded using a single or double weld, (double welded being the strongest). Many m anufacturers use a vacuum press where each wall is bonded under extrem e pressure usually between 800 to 1,200 lbs. of pressure per square inch creating a solid one-piece com posite structure. Alum inum or steel fram es leave no room for water to collect and are not susceptible to rot which destroys m any wood-fram ed structures from the inside out. Vacuum -bonded com posite walls set the highest standard for durability in the RV industry. The fram ing and vacuum -bonding process requires higher degrees of precision and at t ent ion t o det ail t han t radit ional woodfram ing processes. Alum inum or steel provides a rigid and durable base around which to build the unit while also m aking it lighter (com pared to wood-fram es). We are not opposed to using wood in RVs and we give a num ber of m anufacturers a high rating that use wood fram ing. Som e m anufacturers that use wood fram e construction tell us that wood fram es won't crack at joints and handles the stresses placed on their coaches better than alum inum or steel fram ed walls. You need to do your hom ework and com e to your own conclusions regarding type of fram ing m aterial. We have our own opinions on the subject but here again it s subjective at best. 18

19 I f you decide on alum inum or steel fram ing be sure to ask your salesperson if all sides, roof and floor are alum inum or steel. Many com panies will say their units have alum inum or steel construction but that could m ean two sides. The construction of the front and back walls for exam ple could be wood. Or, it could be all four walls are alum inum or steel but the roof and floor is wood. So, be sure to ask the question and be specific. Here is a good article about RV construction at http: / / / Articles/?id= Types of fiberglass siding 1. (Best) Filon siding with Gelcoat or Clearcoat- sm oothest surface, highest gloss, "wet look luster" and m ost expensive. 2. (Good) Filon siding with gelcoating-sm ooth, no glass fibered texture, higher gloss. 3. (Average) Filon siding-sm ooth but with glass fiber texture and lowest gloss. When selecting any siding, look beyond what the salesm an says and read the actual specs from the m anufacturer so you know what you re actually getting and paying for! Generally speaking, fiberglass is the m aterial of choice in the above average and prem ium categories. However, even som e prem ium units have alum inum siding. I t com es down to personal choice and function. Interior finish At the beginning of this chapter we m entioned that m ost first tim e buyers typically focus on floorplans when selecting an RV. I n this section we will try to point out what to look for when considering RV interiors. When people enter an RV they are typically drawn to the wood cabinetry. Quality cabinets are beautiful to look at and even better to use and enjoy. Most buyers want quality cabinets in their RV but as the old saying goes, You get what you pay for. This is true in m ost cases but there are som e econom ical products out there that do offer som e advantages over solid wood cabinets. Cabinets: All-wood cabinets and fram es are rare in m ost RVs because of the weight issue and cost factor. The best type of cabinet will be constructed of solid hardwood doors and fronts that are predrilled, screwed and glued and will have a quality stain and furniture grade finish that provides long lasting beauty and durability. The next step down is lam inated fronts which can peel or tear over tim e. The cheapest cabinets will use a paper wrap. Try wiping that clean with Windex and it will m elt. Most cabinet fram es are m ade from particle board or plywood with a lam inated, wrapped im print which looks like wood. This type of cabinet fram e, properly installed by a skilled craftsm an, is alm ost indistinguishable from solid wood. Here is a tip; open a cabinet door and feel behind the stiles for the edges of the paper or lam inate wrap. Feel the diagonal holes. I f ragged, the tools used to bore the holes were not sharp. Look to see if the cabinets were screwed or stapled together. Quality cabinets will be screwed and glued together. Look for thin, plastic bead used to cover flawed joints in cabinets and joints. Look for rub stick applied to staple and nail holes and rubbed into gaps to cover poor workm anship and fool 19

20 the eye. Consider the hinges and drawer glides. Doors and drawers that open and close sm oothly and without banging, probably have better quality fittings. Look at the num ber of hinges on the doors. Better m anufacturers use three hinges on tall doors. Also, com pare warranties. How long the cabinet m anufacturer guarantees finish, hardware and hinges speaks of the product's quality. Plum bing lines and fixtures: Copper lines were used in older RVs dating back to the 60 and 70 s. Today, plastic, (PVC) is the m aterial of choice for RV water lines. Plastic is lighter and m ore flexible then copper and is used with a high degree of success. The key when looking at plum bing lines in an RV is to see if the connectors are m ade of m etal or plastic. Metal band connectors are m ore durable and provide a better seal com pared to plastic connectors in our opinion. Now, som e high end m anufactures use plastic connectors and claim they work as well as m etal band connectors. Metal connectors do require a special tool which m akes it a bit m ore com plicated to repair any leaks yourself. When looking at plum bing fixtures, take som e tim e to look under the kitchen sink to see if there is a shutoff value. Quality RVs will usually place shutoff valves at each fixture. I s the shower a full size unit? I s it a one-piece shower? We hear a lot of com plaints when it com es to showers in RVs. I f the shower is too sm all you re not going to be a happy cam per. So, take tim e and step into the shower area to see if the size is adequate for you and your fam ily. I s the toilet raised? I s it m ade of porcelain or plastic? A close exam ination of the plum bing fixtures will give you som e idea of the overall quality of the unit. A good rule of thum b to follow is if the plum bing fixtures being offered are cheap you can be sure the other m aterials being used are of average to poor quality. Light fixtures: Light fixtures can also provide som e clues when trying to determ ine the overall quality of an RV. Look to see where the light fixtures are m anufactured, China. We have received som e calls from RV owners with problem s concerning poor quality light fixtures being used that were not m anufactured in the U.S. and m ay not m eet U.S. standards. One custom er said his light above his kitchen sink which was close to a window curtain alm ost caught on fire because the light fixture was too large and used regular 60 watt light bulbs which were too hot for such an application. A num ber of quality m anufacturers are using incandescent m ini lam ps, LED and florescent lights. Check the light fixtures and bulbs to determ ine overall quality and avoid RV m odels using standard light bulbs and cheap fixtures. Carpet and Upholstery: A standard carpet will typically have around 25 ounces of yarn per square yard. A quality carpet will have 35 to 50 ounces of yarn per square yard. Ask your salesperson about this to determ ine the quality of carpets being used. Som e com panies treat the carpets and upholstery with a fabric protector, which is always a good idea. Most RV m anufacturers offer options or upgrades when it com es to carpets and upholstery. We recom m end this upgrade to those of you that will be spending six m onths or longer in your RV per year. Check the warranty to see how long the carpets and upholstery are covered. This will give you som e idea of the overall quality of the products being used. 20

21 Insulation materials - Which is best? R-value is the m easurem ent of how effectively a m aterial resists the transfer of heat via conduction. The higher the R-value, the less heat transfer can take place. Som e m aterials are m ore resistant to heat transfer than others, giving them higher R- values. RV insulation com es in two prim ary types: glass fibers, and synthetic foam s. Most of us are fam iliar with the R-value placed on these types of insulations. Thickness does contribute to reduction of heat loss through the m aterial. Glass fiber, also referred t o as fiberglass t ends t o have bet t er R- values than synthetic foam s due to its heat penetration ratio relative to thickness. However, the R-value to weight ratio favors synthetic foam s. Another type of insulation is fluffy granular or blown in glass fibers which can settle over tim e and is not recom m ended. Most synthetic foam panels are precision cut and fitted into the alum inum, steel or wood fram ework. This adds additional structural security. Another im portant advantage of the synthetic foam panels is that they will not shift or settle. This keeps the insulation in place during the life of the unit. Ask your salesperson, which type of insulation m aterial they use and how it is installed. We are not opposed to using glass fiber insulation and in m any entry-level units it s com m on place. But if you re considering an above average or prem ium RV, then we recom m end high-density synthetic foam versus glass fiber insulation. What to look for in quality windows When shopping for an RV you have a lot to consider. One such feature is single or double pane windows. Most inexpensive RVs will provide a single pane because they are affordable. I f a window breaks, a replacem ent pane will be relatively inexpensive. I f you are a weekend warrior and don t plan on traveling m uch during the winter m onths a single pane will be adequate. Double pane windows can com e standard in deluxe m odels or offered as an upgrade by the factory. Double pane windows are insulated and the cushion of air m aintained between two panes of glass keeps heat in during the winter and AC inside during the sum m er. Double pane windows will save you m oney by lowering your energy cost and is worth the extra investm ent in our opinion. One of the biggest benefits of double pane windows is their noise reduction qualities. Two layers of thick glass elim inate a m ajority of outside noise. They re great for m aintaining peace and quiet inside your RV, especially in a noisy RV park setting. While the single pane 21

22 option gives you affordability, double pane delivers energy savings, noise insulation, security and good looks to boot. Double-pane windows are created by taking two separate pieces of glass and joining them at the perim eter to create an air space between the sheets of glass. A com bination of heat, adhesive and pressure creates an airtight seal, sealing in 1/ 16 to 1/ 2 inches of air space between the two panes of glass. Buying clues: I f you are considering double pane windows look to see how m uch space is between the panes, m ore air space m eans better insulation. Another feature offered by som e m anufacturers is tinted/ safety glass windows with a UV inhibitor, which helps reflect the sun s rays and they are stronger com pared to non-safety glass. Window fram es can be m ade from alum inum, vinyl or plastic. Check to see how easy the windows open, do they slide effortlessly or are they difficult to open. What to look for in a quality roof When shopping for an RV, one m ust start with the chassis or fram e as discussed in the beginning of this chapter, but, don t stop there. One m ust understand the different types and m aterials being used in today s roofs, along with various construction m ethods and techniques. The sky won t be the lim it to your newfound travels if you experience problem s associated with leaks, as they ll becom e the greatest of threats to the sanctity of your recreational vehicle. Of the four types of roofing available, alum inum, vinyl, rubber, and fiberglass- whichever one you choose (or which chooses you), always understand how vital proper repair and m aintenance is, not only to the life of your investm ent, but to the quality of your travels. Annoying leaks can be im possible to track causing hundreds of repairs and hours of frustration. Once upon a tim e, alum inum roofs were king. For som e people they still are. Alum inum is tough and lightweight, and, for the m ost part, low m aintenance. You ll spend little tim e washing and rem oving stains, which isn t true of rubber. You d have to do som ething horrendous to tear an alum inum roof, and denting is possible but fixable. A quality-m ade alum inum roof can last and last. Just install it and forget it. On the other hand, of course, som e believe it s m ore prone to dam age from the elem ents of Mother Nature--wind, sand, hail, and various road debris. Others dislike the sound of every raindrop tinkering overhead. The one-piece thin alum inum roof sounds good and is used by salespeople as a selling feature to get you to buy. Many in the industry that w e talked to are not im pressed w ith alum inum roofs because of the tendency for expansion and contraction from heat and cold w hich in turn causes leaks around the vents and seam s. Alum inum roofs were popular until EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monom er) cam e along in EPDM has becom e the norm since Manufacturers say rubber roofing offers low m aintenance, ease of repair, clean appearance, noise insulation, and better insulation from tem perature. I t s not only popular with new construction, but with roof replacem ent also. I t s capable of withstanding tem perature variations from -62 degrees F to 300 degrees F without cracking or deteriorating. EPDM is not only easy to work with, but is com patible with other m aterials used in m ost roofing applications. I t s essentially one of the best water resistant products known. The sam e rubber has been used with superior results in hoses, tires, and other m olded products. At the center of the battle between alum inum and rubber is the fact that rubber can tear. A low hanging tree branch, for exam ple, can rip or m ar a rubber roof. Stains from a variety of 22

23 sources can be tough to rem ove, and oxidation caused by the sun is a problem. Chalking, flaking, and streaking can also be a factor over tim e. A num ber of RV dealers we spoke with told us rubber roofs don t last as long as the rubber m anufacturers claim and RVs with rubber roofs take a hit on resale value when it s tim e to sell or trade in. Most agree that with the proper care, rubber roofs can last upwards of 10 to 15 years. Another type of roofing m aterial being used today is vinyl or T.P.O. What is T.P.O. anyway? I t stands for, Therm alplastic Polyolefin. T.P.O. or vinyl roofs are relatively new in the industry but those we spoke with seem to think vinyl offers m ore advantages com pared to rubber. Vinyl m anufacturers claim that vinyl roofs are lighter com pared to rubber roofs and they do not chalk like som e rubber roofs. Most vinyl roofs are installed as one solid piece and should not streak or stain the sidewalls of your RV according to vinyl m anufacturers. I t seem s vinyl is gaining in popularity with RV buyers and dealers across the country. The rarest of the bunch is fiberglass, which definitely has som e benefits over the others already m entioned. Fiberglass roofs are heavier and m ore expensive, but m ake up for it by m anaging to hold their good looks over tim e. Where rubber is susceptible to dingy streaking, an occasional wash and wax is usually all it takes to keep a fiberglass roof looking great. There are a couple of options with fiberglass roofs. One is Filon, which is used in the exterior sidewalls of newer RVs. The second is a m olded fiberglass shell of sorts. I t s tough but quite heavy and is usually offered in the upper-end Class A, B and C m otorhom es. I f we had to rate each type of roofing m aterial and the longevity of product, it would go som ething like this: 1. Fiberglass m olded shell Excellent 2. Fiberglass Filon Great 3. Vinyl/ T.P.O Good 4. EPDM rubber roof Good to Average 5. Alum inum Average When evaluating each m anufacturer concerning, Quality Construction the inform ation above and in this chapter is useful in the overall rating and placem ent of a particular RV m anufacturer. With each RV m anufacturer we tried to look at the big picture and determ ine who they are appealing to and com m on building m ethods used throughout their products. For m ore research check out this popular website regarding RV construction: http: / / / Articles/?id=

24 Chapter 3 Customer Satisfaction While interviewing m any RV m anufacturers m y research team and I asked the question, How w ould you rate your com pany regarding custom er satisfaction? With 10 being the best, inevitably each m anufacturer said 8 or 9 and som e even said 10. Som e were honest and said it is im possible to be perfect, which I agree with. We live in an im perfect world and to expect perfection regarding custom er service is unrealistic. But, in every industry there are those that strive to m ake the best product possible with custom er satisfaction being a high priority. Many RV m anufacturers conduct their own surveys regarding custom er satisfaction. This inform ation is closely guarded and usually will not be shared with others outside the com pany. But, after talking with each m anufacturer and asking direct questions pertaining to custom er satisfaction we were able to com e away with som e valuable inform ation. The problem is; trying to determ ine which m anufacturer has a high degree of satisfied custom ers is difficult. As a salesperson for alm ost 20 years, I will tell you that when a custom er was happy and satisfied with their purchase I rarely heard from them again. Som e sent thank you notes but for the m ost part, people that are satisfied typically don t take the tim e to fill out surveys. Now, on the other hand a custom er not satisfied with their purchase will usually go out of their way to m ake som e noise and m ost will take the tim e to fill out surveys, m ainly negative. I say this to m ake the point that custom er satisfaction is objective depending on w ho you talk to and it s tough to nail dow n. My research team and I have included custom er satisfaction as a rating param eter in this com parison guide. We have tried to be as fair as possible rating certain m anufacturers and we hope this inform ation will be useful to you when trying to select a particular RV com pany. Interviews with existing RV owners My research team and I have also conducted m any interviews with existing RV owners from around the country. We have spoken to m any owners at RV shows we have attended. RV owners are typically very easy to talk to and want to share their experiences with anyone that will listen. Talking with RV owners has played an im portant role in our research. We also receive valuable feedback from those that have purchased our books. This inform ation has been very helpful and does provide additional inform ation norm ally not available to the public. RV discussion forums Another good source of inform ation regarding custom er satisfaction is the m any, RV Discussion Forum s, online. A person can ask questions and read what others have to say about a particular product or concerns one m ay have about a com pany or m anufacturer. We have spent m any years following these forum s and it has proved to be tim e well spent. Reading what RV owners have to say about their particular product is insightful and accurate for the m ost part. 24

25 Additional RV Online Resources There are a num ber of excellent RV related websites from ; blogs to chat room s, survey polls to online review sites. The following are just a sam ple of websites that offer insightful reviews, ratings and industry news: Roam ing Tim es: http: / / ingtim es.com / consum er/ RV- Coach Online: http: / / / RV USA: http: / / / forum / m bbs22/ category-view.asp Trailer Life: http: / / / RV Netw ork: http: / / / index2.asp RV Forum Com m unity: http: / / SMF_forum / index.php RV.Net: http: / / forum / RV Motoring.com : http: / / rv.theautochannel.com / index.php Motorhom e Magazine: http: / / otorhom em agazine.com / Travlizm o.com : http: / / o.com / rv.search.com : http: / / / RV Business: http: / / / Changing Gears: http: / / changingears.com / 25

26 Chapter 4 Dealer Ratings Would you like to know what RV dealers on a national scale think of certain m anufacturers? Anybody serious about purchasing an RV would probably answer, YES! Well you re in luck, the RVDA (Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association), asked dealers from around the country to express their level of satisfaction with their m anufacturers. The program is called, Dealer Satisfaction I ndex, (DSI ). The DSI is a tool to help im prove dealer/ m anufacturer relations by identifying how dealers perceive the strength and weaknesses of their m anufacturers. RVDA is quick to point out this is not a scientific study. I ts purpose is to m easure dealer attitudes toward their m anufacturers, products, policies and procedures. The DSI survey asks the dealers to list the m anufacturers of the products they sell and rate them in four m ain categories; sales, product, m anagem ent and service-warranty support. This survey by RVDA is very helpful and plays an im portant role in determ ining our top picks. When looking at our rating charts you will see a category called, DR, (Dealer Ratings). This category counts for 1/ 4 of the total score and should be part of your decision process when selecting a particular m anufacturer. Interviews with RV dealers (new and used) While the RVDA s results were helpful to our research we decided to conduct our own research by contacting dealers across the United States. One of the questions we asked RV dealers was, W hich m anufacturers perform best regarding w arranty issues? Our results were som ewhat sim ilar to RVDA s: 1. Tiffin 2. Newm ar 3. Airstream 4. Coach House 5. Winnebago/ I tasca 6. Triple E 7. Entegra 8. Am erican Coach 9. Foretravel 10. Lazy Daze 11. Born Free 12. Nexus RV 13. Roadtrek 14. Jayco 15. Rexhall 16. Bigfoot 17. Pleasure Way 18. Fleetwood 19. Dynam ax 20. Monaco 21. Holiday Ram bler 22. New Horizon 23. Four Winds 24. Dam on 25. Gulf Stream 26. Forest River 27. Thor Motor Coach 28. Coachm an 26

27 Please note: Not all RV m anufacturers are represented in above list. Ultim ately, dealers need to take responsibility for servicing your RV and treating you right. This is why selecting a quality RV dealer with a good reputation and professional service departm ent is so im portant. This being said, a dealer who is selling products from m anufacturers that have a high custom er satisfaction rating will have a positive effect on custom ers, resulting in fewer com plaints. 27

28 Chapter 5 Resale Values When rating each RV m anufacturer we use the N.A.D.A. Guides and other resources to determ ine the overall resale value of products being m anufactured. We realize a factory can produce entry-level to luxury m odels and everything in between. When evaluating a RV factory regarding resale value we try to look at the overall products they produce and determ ine resale values based on data we have collected. This is not a scientific study but it does allow our readers to see how each m anufacturer preform s overall in this critical area. A com pany building m otorhom es that has an average depreciation of 35% to 40% from their original MSRP in five years is considered to have EXCELLENT resale values. 41% to 45% from MSRP in five years is considered to be GOOD. Finally, 46% to 55% from original MSRP in five years is considered to be Average to POOR. Using these calculations allows us to determ ine how well a RV m anufacturer preform s in this area. When purchasing a new RV m ost buyers are concerned with the resale value. Buying a new RV has m any advantages like better financing options with longer term s and lower interest rates. Another advantage is the ability to pick and choose your colors and options. Based on our research and statistics from the N.A.D.A. Guides and other resources, we have produced a depreciation chart (below) that should be helpful when trying to determ ine the depreciation value of an RV. Please keep in m ind this is a general overview and percentages m ay vary depending on location, equipm ent, options and overall condition of an RV unit. Starting with MSRP the norm al depreciation is usually 2 0 % to 3 0 % percent in the first year of ownership. Now, to be fair, m ost RV buyers are not going to pay full retail for their RV, therefore 30% depreciation is not likely. Most RV buyers will receive a discount of 15% to 25% off MSRP on average. I n the exam ple below we are showing the MSRP to be $125,000, for a m otorhom e. The MSRP does not include sales tax or dealer fees. Assum ing you successfully negotiate a 20% discount, the sale price would be $100,000; a $25,000 savings. The chart below shows what your average depreciation would be in eight years. MSRP: $125,000 Model Year Fair Retail Value in Average Condition Avg. Depreciation from Retail 2013 $100, % 2012 $93, % 2011 $87, % 2010 $77, % 2009 $68, % 2008 $62, % 2007 $52, % 2006 $46, % 28

29 The inform ation contained in the chart on the previous page is based on our research and is in no way 100 percent accurate all the tim e. Resale values can change and are based on a num ber of factors, supply and dem and being the m ost im portant factors in the pre-owned RV m arket. I f a particular pre-owned m odel is in high dem and the chances of negotiating a huge discount is highly unlikely. This being said you should be able to use this chart as a good reference point. The chart is showing a depreciation of 45% in five years, which is considered good. Most all of us have heard of the Kelly Blue Book and N.A.D.A. Although the Kelly Blue Book is a widely recognized appraisal guide, we recom m end the N.A.D.A. Guides to evaluate the resale value of any type of RV. The N.A.D.A. only provides low and high retail values on their website, but it is a good indicator. Most lenders base their RV loan value on N.A.D.A to evaluate their equity position Our RV Reports will help you m ake an inform ed purchase decision with: Construction ratings Dependability ratings Customer satisfaction ratings Payload ratings Design & style ratings Intended use Safety ratings Warranty issues or recalls 15-year deprecation chart Dealer s invoice, new models Real wholesale values, used models To learn m ore about our RV Reports Click Here 29

30 Chapter 6 Rating Charts & Parameters Many considering an RV are overwhelm ed with all the choices and m odels being offered today. Our guide will help you learn who s who in the industry and how RV m anufacturers stack up to one another. By understanding how RV m anufacturers com pare to each other is the first step in deciding which m odels to consider. This guide focuses on: Class A Motorhom es Class B & B+ Motorhom es Class C Motorhom es I t s also im portant to note that we do not rate every RV m anufacturer. As we update this guide we will try to include as m any RV com panies as possible. RV Manufacturer Rating Chart ( R) = Ranking: The first category at top of the chart is, (R). Each m anufacturer will be placed according to total points received within each classification. Class: The second category called, Class is broken up into three separate parts: (P) Prem ium (AA) Above Average (E) Econom y Most buyers have a budget or set am ount they are willing to pay for a particular product based on perceived value. An RV buyer will typically fall into one of the three categories listed above. Whether you re an upper-end buyer, above average buyer or an entry-level 30

31 buyer this guide will help you focus on com panies that m eet your expectations and com fort level. I n the exam ple above Com pany A is # 1 in the prem ium category. Com pany B and C are also in the # 1 position based on their classification. I t would not be fair to com pare Com pany A to Com pany C because both are appealing to different types of buyers with construction differences and prices. ( P) = Prem ium : Denotes that the product is well-appointed, offers excellent perform ance and utilizes quality m aterials. This type of product is priced accordingly and is considered top of the line or the best of the best. Manufacturers that fall into the prem ium category are appealing to upper- end buyers with quality and style being the m ost im portant. ( AA) = Above Average: Denotes that the product offers m any popular features, perform s well and uses quality m aterials at a price below the top of the line products. Com panies that fall into the above average category are appealing to m id-range buyers, price and quality both playing an im portant role. ( E) = Econom y: Denotes that the product offers satisfactory perform ance with basic features only, at an affordable price for those on a tight budget. Com panies that fall into the econom y category are appealing to entry- level buyers, price being the biggest factor. Type: The third category called, Type, refers to a specific type of RV being featured: (AD) Class A diesel m otor hom e (AG) Class A gas m otor hom e (C) Class C m otor hom e (B+ ) Sam e chassis but sm aller then Class C s (B) Conversion van Manufacturer: The forth category is the nam e of the particular RV m anufacturer being rated. Categories 6, 7, 8 and 9 com prise the ratings for each m anufacturer. While there are m any different approaches or criteria we could use to rate each com pany, we decided to focus on: (C) Construction (CS) Custom er satisfaction (DR) Dealer rating (RV) Resale value Within each category a m anufacturer receives a rating based on our research and data collected. Each category C, CS, DR and RV has a possible 25 points, a 100 being a perfect score. ( C) = Construction: Most, if not all, RV buyers are concerned with the construction of the unit being considered. Category 6, Construction is an im portant factor in the overall rating of each m anufacturer. To learn m ore about how we arrived at our conclusions regarding construction, please see Chapter 2, (Construction Methods & Techniques). 31

32 ( CS) = Custom er Satisfaction: We spoke with m any RV owners and listened to what they had to say. Their experience and insight was especially helpful regarding the area of custom er satisfaction. We have spent hundreds of hours speaking with different individuals both in and outside of the industry. We have also read a num ber of studies that have been conducted by universities and other non-profit organizations, which have been helpful. Chapter 3 goes into m ore detail about how we arrived at our conclusions regarding custom er satisfaction. ( DR) = Dealer Rating: I n category 8 m any different RV dealers and salespeople were interviewed to arrive at our conclusions. Both perspectives are im portant and help paint a broad overview of the industry and how RV dealers view the different m anufacturers. We did not stop there; we spoke with other im portant groups and organizations like RVDA, (Recreation Vehicle Dealer Association) or RVI A, (Recreation Vehicle I ndustry Association) who work in conjunction with the industry. Their thoughts and com m ents also helped bring into focus the way we were going to approach this topic. Please refer to Chapter 4, (Dealer Ratings), which goes into m ore detail about this subject. ( RV) = Resale Value: Many we spoke with were concerned about resale value which is category 9. Chapter 5 takes a m ore in-depth look at this topic and how we arrived at our conclusions. Total Points: All four categories, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are totaled to determ ine overall ranking and position within each classification. Rating: My staff and I decided to use a point system for rating individual RV m anufacturers points Superior Product (Best of the Best) points Excellent points Above Average (Good Value) points Good point Fair 5.5 or below Poor 32

33 Chapter 7 Price Range: $85,000 to 1.5 m illion Length Range: 23 to 45 feet Class A Motorhomes (Diesel & Gas) Class A m otorhom es are at the top of the list when it com es to luxury, style, and perform ance in the RV world. Units range in weight from 20,000 to 50,000 pounds and stretch from 26 to 45 feet in length. Describing them as "m otorhom es or m otorcoaches" is no exaggeration. Class A units com e with alm ost every com fort one would expect in a hom e. At the very top of this list is an alm ost separate category of luxury, Class A diesel m otorcoaches or diesel pushers, costing $155,000 to 1.5 m illion or m ore. Both gas and diesel m otorhom es are usually constructed on sem i-custom or custom chassis. Many Class A m otorhom es feature autom atic slide outs or full slide-outs. The basem ents are becom ing m ore efficient with increased storage space and better sliding m echanism s. The kitchens are becom ing m ore elaborate with full size appliances and better use of space. The plum bing fixtures are residential size in m ost units including full size showers and washer/ dryer units. Most Class A m otorhom es can sleep up to six people, depending on the m odel, and floorplan. The driver's seat in a Class A usually sits high and slightly outboard of the conventional driver position in a car, with the windshield stretching the full width of the m otorhom e for better visibility. I n chapter 10 we feature all the RV m anufacturers we have researched. Most have been interviewed by us and each com pany is listed in alphabetical order. Please rem em ber that we have not researched every m anufacturer and it is our hope to include m ore m anufacturers in future publications. To learn m ore about how we arrived at our conclusions regarding construction and rating param eters, please review chapters 2 through 6 of this book. I t is our hope the inform ation contained in this chapter will help you m ake inform ed decisions regarding Class A m otorhom es with fair and balanced inform ation that has been com plied over a num ber of years. The charts below are separated first by RV type; then by year. You will notice that som e m anufacturers ratings change from year to year; this is typically due to changes within the industry. I m portant Note: Monaco is ranked # 7 in the PREMI UM CATEGORY in the cart on the following page, with a total score of 86 and a rating of 8. I n the ABOVE AVERAGE CATEGORY in the sam e chart Winnebago/ I tasca is ranked # 1 with a total score of 91 and a rating of 9. Does that m ean Winnebago/ I tasca is better than Monaco? The answer is NO. Monaco is still the better m anufacturer during these m odel years because Monaco is in the Prem ium Category, even though they don t have a higher score than Winnebago in the Above Average category. This m ay change from year to year. You want to look for trends to see how m anufacturers perform over m ultiple years. 33

34 Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AD Foretravel The best of the best, very high end P AD Country Coach High quality & great customer service P AD Beaver (Monaco) Best interior wood work, high end P AD American Coach Nice coaches, good quality P AD Tiffin Great Co. Overall high ratings P AD Newmar Top craftsmanship, good CS P AD Monaco Good quality, excellent handling P AD Travel Supreme Last year of production AA AD Winnebago-Itasca High CS ratings, solid Co AA AD Holiday Rambler High quality, good CS from dealers AA AD Western RV Good company while in business AA AD Kind of the Road Good quality, high resale value AA AD Triple E Quality produces, Canadian Co AA AD Rexhall Good quality, mixed ratings on CS AA AD Safari (Monaco) High dealer rating, good resale value AA AD Mandalay Luxury coach, average CS AA AD King of the Road Good quality, CS average AA AD Alfa Leisure High ratings overall, good value AA AD Airstream (Thor) Solid Co. Average quality E AD Fleetwood Good selection, high dealer ratings E AD Damon Nice coach. Avg. CS & dealer support E AD Georgie Boy Good value, poor resale value E AD Gulf Stream Avg. customer satisfaction E AD Sportscoach Mixed reviews, financial problems E AD Forest River High volume producer, mixed reviews E AD Four Winds Average quality

35 Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AD Country Coach Very high reviews, top quality P AD Tiffin Motor Homes Quality improving, loyal following P AD Foretravel High end custom coach Co P AD Beaver (Monaco) High end coach, out of bus P AD Newmar Top-notch Co. Good quality P AD American Coach Quality product, loyal following P AD Monaco High quality, good CS AA AD Holiday Rambler Good value, high quality AA AD Safari (Monaco) Having financial problems AA AD Winnebago-Itasca High CS & strong dealer ratings AA AD Triple E Quality improving, loyal following AA AD Rexhall Good quality, average CS AA AD Fleetwood Quality improving, high CS AA AD Jayco Above average quality new AA AD Mandalay Decent coach, average reviews E AD Georgie Boy Good value, stop building late E AD Damon Mixed reviews, good price point E AD Gulf Stream Quality improving, poor CS E AD Sportscoach Purchased by Forest River E AD Forest River Mixed reviews, poor CS E AD Four Winds (Thor) Avg. quality, mixed reviews E AD Alfa Leisure Out of Business as of May

36 Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AD Foretravel High quality & CS. Custom coaches P AD Tiffin High quality & CS. Great value P AD Newmar Good quality, High ratings overall P AD American Coach Recovering from BR, high quality P AD Monaco Recovering from bankruptcy P AD Rexhall Recovering from bankruptcy AA AD Holiday Rambler High quality, recovering from BR AA AD Winnebago- Itasca Good quality & CS, mixed dealer reviews AA AD Triple E Stop building Class A Motorhomes AA AD Fleetwood Popular despite BR, high dealer reviews AA AD Forest River Quality improving, mixed reviews AA AD Jayco Quality Co. stopped production in AA AD Gulf Stream Mixed dealer reviews, average quality E AD Sportscoach Mixed dealer reviews. Avg. CS E AD Damon (Thor) Good value, purchased by Thor E AD Mandalay (Thor) Average dealer ratings, good quality E AD Four Winds (Thor) Avg. quality and poor performance

37 Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AD Tiffin Popular with consumers, high quality P AD Foretravel High quality & loyal customers P AD Newmar High ratings across the board P AD American Coach High customer ratings P AD Entegra (Jayco) Family owned, strong dealer support P AD Monaco (Navistar) Bought out again by ASV P AD Rexhall Good quality, unique design. Bright future AA AD Winnebago- Itasca Good quality & loyal customers AA AD Fleetwood Improved quality & popular with dealers AA AD Holiday Rambler Bought out by ASV. Future unknown AA AD Forest River Ratings improving but still mixed reviews AA AD Sportscoach Quality improving, good dealer support E AD Damon (Thor) Quality improving, good value E AD Gulf Stream Good selection, fair pricing E AD Four Winds (Thor) Avg. quality, improved dealer ratings

38 Class A Gas Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AG Newmar The best of the best P AG Tiffin Great coach, good value P AG Triple E Good value, high quality. Canadian Co P AG Monaco Strong sales, good quality P AG Holliday Rambler Good quality & high CS P AG Safari (Monaco) Good quality, reputable Co P AG Airstream (Thor) Good quality & high CS AA AG Winnebago-Itasca Strong sales, solid reputation AA AG Rexhall Unique design, good quality AA AG Fleetwood Good selection, high dealer ratings AA AG Four Winds Quality improving AA AG Coachmen RV Mixed reviews, financial problems E AG Georgie Boy Good solid Co. High quality E AG Damon Good value, decent reviews E AG Gulf Stream Avg. customer satisfaction E AG Mandalay Mixed reviews E AG Forest River Volume producer, low ratings

39 Class A Gas Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AG Newmar High end, good overall ratings P AG Tiffin Quality coach, high ratings P AG Monaco Good quality, strong dealer support P AG Holliday Rambler Good quality, financial problems AA AG Triple E Overall good ratings. Good Co AA AG Winnebago-Itasca High ratings, good CS AA AG Safari (Monaco) Good quality, financial difficulty AA AG Rexhall High quality, mixed CS ratings AA AG Fleetwood Recovering from bankruptcy, improving AA AG Four Winds Avg. quality, good price point E AG Damon Good value for money E AG Georgie Boy Good quality, stop building in E AG Forest River Large producer, mixed reviews E AG Coachmen RV Purchased by Forest River E AG Gulf Stream Poor customer service

40 Class A Gas Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AG Tiffin High quality - Good value P AG Newmar Good quality, high ratings P AG Monaco Recovering from bankruptcy P AG Rexhall Recovering from BR, good quality P AG Holliday Rambler High quality, recovering from BR AA AG Winnebago-Itasca Good quality, solid company AA AG Fleetwood Good quality, high dealer reviews AA AG Forest River Good quality & selection AA AG Triple E Stopped building Class A's AA AG Four Winds (Thor) Average dealer ratings, poor quality E AG Damon (Thor) Good value for price E AG Coachmen RV Mixed reviews, average quality E AG Gulf Stream Mixed dealer reviews, average CS

41 Class A Gas Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P AG Tiffin High quality & good value P AG Newmar Good quality & strong dealer support P AG Winnebago-Itasca Strong sales & good ratings P AG Monaco Future unknown with ASV buyout P AG Rexhall Good quality, unique design AA AG Fleetwood Good quality & popular with dealers AA AG Holiday Rambler Future unknown with ASV buyout AA AG Forest River Popular with dealers & CS mixed AA AG Four Winds (Thor) Improved dealer ratings, avg. quality E AG Damon (Thor) Good value & improved ratings E AG Coachmen RV Mixed reviews, but improving E AG Gulf Stream Average CS & dealer ratings

42 Chapter 8 Class C Motorhomes (Diesel & Gas) Price Range: $65,000 to $450,000 Length Range: 22 to 40 feet Class C m otorhom es are som etim es referred to as m ini-m otorhom es, which are scaled-down versions of Class A m otorhom es. They range in weight from 12,000 to 35,000 pounds and stretch from 22 feet to 40 feet in length. Class C m otorhom es are generally constructed on a van chassis. The driver com partm ent is sim ilar to a van, with a large box in the back. Class C m otorhom es are usually equipped will a sleeping bunk above the cab, in addition to a bedroom in the rear of the unit. Like Class A m otorhom es, m any Class C units feature a slide-out to quickly extend the m otorhom es living space. Class C units usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, a separate volt electrical system, and a full array of appliances and entertainm ent features. Class C m otorhom es can sleep up to ten people depending on the m odel and in our opinion is best suited for large fam ilies as com pared to a class A. Class C m otorhom es are built on cutaway chassis with a m anufactured cab that has driver and passenger doors. Those that have driven a Class C m otorhom e com m ent on how it feels m ore like a car com pared to driving a Class A m otorhom e. Many Class C m anufacturers have updated their exteriors to be m ore efficient and lighter to increase gas m ileage. With unique aerodynam ic V-Cap fronts (less wind resistance), tire pressure system s, six sided alum inum fram ing and fiberglass exteriors. These im portant features have a dram atic effect on gas m ileage and consum ers are taking notice. I n chapter 10 we feature all the RV m anufacturers we have researched. Most have been interviewed by us and each com pany is listed in alphabetical order. Please rem em ber that we have not researched every m anufacturer and it is our hope to include m ore m anufacturers in future publications. To learn m ore about how we arrived at our conclusions regarding construction and rating param eters, please review chapters 2 through 6 of this book. I t is our hope the inform ation contained in this chapter will help you m ake inform ed decisions regarding Class C m otorhom es with fair and balanced inform ation that has been com plied over a num ber of years. The charts below are separated first by RV type; then by 42

43 year. You will notice that som e m anufacturers ratings change from year to year; this is typically due to changes within the industry. I m portant N ote: Jayco is ranked # 5 in the PREMI UM CATEGORY in the cart below, with a total score of 84 and a rating of 8. I n the ABOVE AVERAGE CATEGORY in the sam e chart Born Free is ranked # 1 with a total score of 87 and a rating of 8.5. Does that m ean Born Free is better than Jayco? The answer is NO. Jayco is still the better m anufacturer during these m odel years because Jayco is in the prem ium category, even though they don t have a higher score than Born Free in the Above Average category. This m ay change from year to year. You want to look for trends to see how m anufacturers perform over m ultiple years. Class C Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P C Coach House The best of the Best in overall ratings P C Dynamax Unique design, high-end P C Triple E High quality, good company P C Holiday Rambler Good quality, high dealer ratings P C Jayco Solid company, large selection AA C Born Free Smaller Class C's, quality built AA C Lazy Daze Factory direct, good quality AA C Bigfoot High quality, average CS AA C Winnebago-Itasca Good quality, mixed reviews AA C Georgie Boy Good quality, solid Co AA C Four Winds Mixed reviews, average quality E C Fleetwood Good selection, popular with dealers E C Safari (Monaco) Good quality E C Gulf Stream Average CS & mixed reviews E C Coachmen RV Mixed reviews, financial problems E C Forest River Average to poor ratings

44 Class C Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Price Range C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P C Dynamax High-end, unique design P C Coach House Loyal following & high rankings P C Born Free High quality, great CS P C Bigfoot Industries Stopped production in P C Triple E Canadian Co. Good quality P C Holiday Rambler Good brand recognition AA C Winnebago-Itasca Quality improving, strong Co AA C Jayco Family owned good quality & price AA C Lazy Daze Good quality, style is dated AA C Safari (Monaco) Quality of construction good AA C Fleetwood Recovering from bankruptcy E C Georgie Boy Affordable & good quality E C Coachmen RV Purchased by Forest River E C Four Winds Mixed reviews, dealers like product E C Forest River Improving in quality E C Gulf Stream Quality improving, average CS

45 Class C Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P C Lazy Daze Factory direct, high quality & CS P C Dynamax Expensive but high quality P C Triple E Quality Co. main focus Class C's P C Born Free Good quality, good dealer ratings AA C Winnebago-Itasca Good quality, mixed dealer ratings AA C Holiday Rambler Recovering from BK, still popular AA C Jayco Nice floor plans, loyal following AA C Fleetwood Improved quality & high dealer ratings AA C Forest River Large producer - good selection E C Four Winds (Thor) Quality improved a bit, but mixed reviews E C Coachmen RV Avg. quality, mixed reviews from dealers E C Gulf Stream Quality improving, good selection

46 Class C Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P C Lazy Daze Factory direct & high quality P C Triple E Strong ratings & high CS P C Dynamax Unique design, CS has slipped AA C Winnebago-Itasca Good quality & loyal customers AA C Fleetwood Popular with dealers, quality improving AA C Jayco Good quality & loyal following AA C Holiday Rambler Having financial problems E C Gulf Stream Good pricing & average CS E C Forest River Rating are mixed, but improving E C Coachmen RV Avg. quality, mixed reviews E C Four Winds (Thor) Avg. to poor quality, good price point

47 Chapter 9 Class B & B+ Motorhomes (Diesel & Gas) Price Range: $65,000 to $160,000 Length Range: 16 to 32 feet Special Note: We started rating Class B and B+ m otorhom es in This is a new addition to our RV guide. We are excited to offer ratings for this growing segm ent of the RV industry. Please read our definitions of Class B and B+ below. Class B and B+ m otorhom es are sm aller than Class C m otorhom es. I n addition, Class B m otorhom es, som etim es referred to as Conversion Vans are constructed on a sm aller van chassis, but B+ m otorhom es are built on a larger chassis and som etim es even the sam e chassis that sm aller Class C s are built on. Class B m otorhom es can range from 17 to 25 feet, and B+ m otorhom es can stretch all the way up to 32 feet but m ost of the tim e they are under 30 feet. Also, these m otorhom es range in height from 7 to 11 feet. The lightest Class B m otorhom es are around 6,000 lbs. but som e of the larger B+ m otorhom es can get up to 14,500 lbs. depending on size of unit and options that are included. The evolution of Class B motorhomes The Class B m otorhom e concept was born in the early 1970's when the RV industry decided to classify van cam pers as a new m otorhom e type. Production of Class B m otorhom es doubled from 9,000 in 1971 to 23,000 by The fuel shortage of the early 1970s m ay have contributed to this increase because by 1977, over 40,000 had been built. As gas prices decreased and the econom y started to rebound in the 1980 s RV m anufacturers started pushing Class A and Class C m otorhom es as the trend towards bigger RVs becam e m ore popular. This new trend for larger m otorhom es had a negative im pact on sales for Class B s and sales and production declined. Many RV m anufacturers building Class B s either stop producing them or went out of business all-together. Class B m otorhom es have com e a long ways since the 1970 s. Today Class B m otorhom es are m ore aerodynam ic looking built on a VAN CHASSI S produced by; Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Dodge. Most have a top extension to provide m ore headroom and som e even include basem ent storage as seen in this photo which shows a Great West Class B. Safety is a big concern with m ost RV buyers and Class B m otorhom es rate very well in this area. With driver and passenger air bags, 47

48 tire pressure m onitoring system s and rollover protection features built into m ost Class B s, it all adds up to a safe driving experience. Class B m otorhom es have sleeping space for two, though som e can accom m odate up to four people, which is tight fit. They are best suited for weekend trips and are not intended to be used for full- tim e use. Today, Class B m otorhom es sales are on the rise because of high gas prices and advancem ents in technology and better use of space. Another im portant selling feature is m aneuverability they drive m uch like a truck or SUV. Just like a Class A m otorhom e a Class B is a selfcontained unit in which the driver's com partm ent flows contiguously into the living area. Class B m otorhom es include sleeping, kitchen and toilet facilities, 120-volt hookup, freshwater storage, and city water hookup. Most Class B m otorhom es contain a sofa that converts to a bed, a dining area (often with a dinette that converts to an additional bed). These sm all m otorhom es m ay also boast built-in televisions and stereo system s. As an added benefit, Class B m otorhom es com e equipped with a powerful gasoline or diesel engine that enables them to tow sm all trailers loaded with recreational toys such as jet-skis, m otorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Class B motorhome pros & cons The average length is 16 to 21 feet and the average height is 7 to 8 feet. Towing capacity is 6,000 to 8,000 pounds on average. Class B s are versatility while providing self-contained m otorhom e attributes. They are easy to drive, park and can fit in sm aller off-road spots that are too hard or im possible to get to with larger Class C m otorhom es. Class B's offer great gas m ileage and are nim ble on the road, and easy to find parts and m echanics for. Here are som e m ore pros: Easy to drive on highway and around town. This RV is constructed from a van, so it is just as easy to drive. Driving and living com partm ents are connected. No need to get out of the RV during stops. Living area accessible even while m oving. I t can be used as local transportation. Can tow a sm all trailer, boat or support a carrying platform on hitch receiver. Can be used as a second fam ily car when not traveling. Requires no special storage when not in use. Fits in standard driveway and lower m odels m ay fit in the garage. Can go off road if equipped with four wheel drive. 48

49 Class B Motorhome Cons: Lim ited space, practical only for short trips. Accom m odates a sm all num ber of travelers; usually two, but not m ore than four. Based on square footage costs they are the m ost expensive RV s to own. What is a Class B +? Class B + : This type of RV m ore closely resem bles a Class C m otorhom e, with a cab-style front. The cab-style front does not have a sleeping area above cab like all standard Class C m otorhom es. The area above the cab in a Class B + is used for storage and room for a TV in m ost cases. Class B + is built on a larger chassis com pared to standard Class B van chassis, which is sm aller. The chassis under a Class B+ is usually the sam e chassis used in m ost Class C m otorhom es. Class B + m otorhom es are a bit easier to drive com pared to a standard size Class C m otorhom e. Basically a Class B + is a m ini version of a Class C m otorhom e. Class B + m otorhom es offer aerodynam ic body styles - often m ade of a single fiberglass shell. Many consum ers find this type of RV a better fit, especially if you want to stay longer at your favorite cam ping sites. Class B + m otorhom es can accom m odate up to 4 adults but not recom m end for extended trips. Most m anufacturers define a Class B+ m otorhom e as not having a sleeping space above the cap, but instead they have an entertainm ent center usually with a TV and som e storage. However, there are som e m anufacturers that have m otorhom es that fit this description perfectly, but they still call them Class C m otorhom es. I t is the m anufacturer s choice to call them whatever they want, but we classify any m otorhom e under 30 feet that doesn t have a sleeping area above the cab as a Class B+ m otorhom e. I n chapter 10 we feature all the RV m anufacturers we have researched. Most have been interviewed by us and each com pany is listed in alphabetical order. Please rem em ber that we have not researched every m anufacturer and it is our hope to include m ore m anufacturers in future publications. To learn m ore about how we arrived at our conclusions regarding construction and rating param eters, please review chapters 2 through 6 of this book. I t is our hope the inform ation contained in this chapter will help you m ake inform ed decisions regarding Class B m otorhom es with fair and balanced inform ation that has been com plied over a num ber of years. 49

50 Class B & B+ Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P B+ Coach House Family owned, best of the best P B Airstream Long history, solid reputation P B Dynamax High quality & top-notch construction P B+ Roadtrek #1 selling in North America P B+ Leisure Vans 45 year old company. High quality P B+ Born Free High quality & dependable P B Pleasure Way #1 selling in Canada - High CS P B Great West Vans Long history with the same ownership AA B / B+ Winnebago Large company with a long history AA B+ Phoenix USA Good ratings across the board AA B Great West Vans High quality, loyal following & reliable AA B GTRV Popular van conversions. Strong CS AA B Sportsmobile High customer support AA B+ NeXus RV Newer Co & factory direct pricing AA B+ Monaco Coach Luxury at a fair price E B+ Jayco Family owned, reasonably priced E B+ Holiday Rambler Mixed reviews. Quality improving E B+ Four Winds (Thor) Lots of standard options E B+ Forest River Affordable prices. High dealer ratings E B+ Coachmen Mixed reviews, average quality E B+ Gulf Stream Good quality, many awards

51 Class B & B+ Motorhom es Rating Chart for Model Years R Class Type Manufacturer Status/Info C CS DR RV Points Rating 1 P B+ Coach House Family owned, top quality P B Roadtrek #1 selling in North America P B Airstream solid reputation P B+ Dynamax Great construction P B+ Leisure Vans 45 year old company P B+ Born Free High quality & affordable P B Pleasure Way #1 selling in Canada P B Great West Vans Long history, good reputation AA B+ Phoenix USA Good Co. quality product AA B+ NeXus RV Factory direct, top-quality AA B / B+ Winnebago good reputation AA B GTRV Popular van conversions. Strong CS AA B Great West Vans Loyal following & reliable AA B+ Monaco Coach Having financial problems AA B Sportsmobile Factory direct, good overall E B+ Jayco Family owned, good selection E B+ Holiday Rambler Having financial problems E B+ Four Winds (Thor) Mixed reviews but improving E B+ Forest River High dealer support E B+ Gulf Stream Quality improving E B+ Coachmen Mixed reviews, average quality

52 Chapter 10 RV Manufacturer Articles Within this chapter there are over 42 different RV m anufacturers featured. Each article provides im portant inform ation with helpful facts and insight about each com pany. All articles are listed in alphabetical order. Overall the RV industry has been open to speaking with m e and m y research team. As expected, a few com panies declined to speak with us but m ost welcom ed the chance to get their inform ation out. Please rem em ber that we have not researched every m anufacturer and it is our hope to include m ore m anufacturers in future publications. Each article has inform ation in these key areas: Com pany background and history Principle target custom er List of best-selling m odels when available Com m ents from editorial staff 45 Manufacturers Featured in Book Airstream Four Winds Phoenix USA Alfa Leisure Georgie Boy Pleasure Way American Coach Great West Vans Rexhall Beaver (Monaco) GTRV Roadtrek Bigfoot Gulf Stream Safari Born Free Holiday Rambler Sportscoach Coach House Itasca Sportsmobile Coachmen RV Jayco Thor Motor Coach Country Coach King of the Road Tiffin Damon Leisure Vans (Triple-E) Travel Supreme Dynamax Lazy Daze Triple-E Entegra (Jayco) Mandalay Western RV Fleetwood Monaco Coach Winnebago Forest River Newmar Foretravel NeXus RV Com pany Background and Hist ory: Our goal was to give you a brief description or, Snap Shot of each com pany based on interviews and research. This is in no way intended to be an in-depth analysis but sim ply to put forth som e basic facts about each com pany. This gives you som e insight into how the com pany got its start and the m ain focus or direction the com pany is heading. 52

53 Principle Target Custom er: This is an im portant piece of inform ation. Whether you re an upper-end, m id-range or an entry-level buyer, this guide will help you focus on com panies that m eet your expectations and com fort level. By listing the types of custom ers that RV m anufacturers are m arketing to, you will be able to concentrate on products that are within your budget. Chapter 1, W hat Type of Buyer Are You? goes into m ore detail about this topic. List of Popular Model( s) : With each RV m anufacturer we try to list the com pany s m ost, popular m odel(s) based on sales volum e in each classification. I f a m anufacturer does not have any popular m odels listed it m ay be due to the fact that they are a new com pany with no track record to show which m odels have done well. While a m anufacturer m ay list a certain m odel as their m ost popular that does not m ean it is the only m odel available. Editorial Staffs Com m ents: During our tim e researching the RV industry we have learned a great deal about each RV m anufacturer featured in this guide. Som etim es, we say what we like and don t like about a particular com pany. Many of our com m ents will reveal what previous owners have said about a particular com pany or product. Other tim es we will offer som e suggestions or constructive criticism. Our com m ents are opinions and only serve to add additional insight. I n the end - each buyer m ust m ake his or her own buying decision based on research and due diligence. 53

54 Airstream Inc. 419 West Pike Street P.O. Box 629 Jackson Center, OH Phone: w w w.airstream.com Airstream has celebrated over 81 years of Airstream ing history. Starting in Los Angeles, California in the early 1930s, founder Wallace Byam created the first Airstream for his wife who loved cam ping but did not want to sleep on the ground. During the 1930s Wallace experim ented with aircraft type construction m ethods to lessen wind resistance and im prove the trailer s strength-to-weight ratio. His designs began taking on a m ore aerodynam ic and contem porary look. On January 17, 1936, the Airstream Trailer Co. introduced the Clipper, and an Am erican legend was born Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect I n the early years Airstream produced a trailer under the nam e Argosy and used that nam e for their first m otorhom e, The Argosy. From 1974 to around 1979 they m anufactured 20 and 24 foot Argosy Class A m otorhom es. I n 1979 Airstream cam e out with The Classic, a new, updated and m odernized m otorhom e. The Classic featured riveted alum inum construction and a m onocoque body like the travel trailer, and brought a new level of aerodynam ic superiority unavailable in any other m otorhom e. I n the 1980s the introduction of the Land Yacht m otorhom e featured lam inated fiberglass construction and had front and rear end caps so innovative that a patent was granted for them. Airstream continued to produce the Class A up until I n 2009 Airstream introduced the Airstream I nterstate 3500, considered a Class B m otor coach. The I nterstate is the perfect solution when you don't want to tow a trailer and don't need a full-sized m otor hom e. While still m anufacturing their iconic travel trailers, Airtream is now focusing on sm aller and m ore fuel efficient Class B conversion vans for their m otorhom e division. These m odels are classified as Touring Coaches and nam ed the I nterstate and the Avenue. Airstream continues this focus with the I nterstate; the Avenue being shelved, though m any of these vans can still be found at dealerships. Currently, the I nterstate is the only m otorized RV that Airstream is producing. The coach is all new for and m anufactured in two brand nam e m odels, The I nterstate and the I nterstate EXT. Airstream s I nterstate ranked No.1 for 2012, (the second year in a row) as the top selling Class B m otorhom e m odel, according to Statistical Surveys, I nc. I n fact, Airstream announced that the year 2012 was the com pany s best year for overall sales of all products since its beginning, over 81 years ago. 54

55 Class B/B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B/B Class B/B Class B/B+ Each I nterstate touring coach is built on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 chassis with a 3.0 liter/ V6 turbo diesel engine. There is plenty of strength with 188 horse power/ 325 lb.-ft. of torque, and a five speed transm ission. This coach delivers exceptional fuel m ileage and up to 6,400 pounds of towing capacity. The touring coaches are extrem ely luxurious and offer flexibility with their floorplans. The I nterstate has several plans from a twin bed floorplan to a lounge plan that adapts into a large sleeping area. The I nterstate EXT coach is an expanded design of the Airstream Class B I nterstate m odel, and called EXT due to the extended lounge in the rear of the coach. This rear lounge area in the EXT is a sofa lounge space that changes to a sleeping area by way of a rear power sofa that coverts to provide sleeping for two. The I nterstate and the I nterstate EXL m easure 23 1 and 24 5 respectively, have heights of 9 8, and provide GVWR of 11,030 pounds. Each van has a sm all galley kitchen with a 2 burner stove, refrigerator, m icrowave, sink, and cupboards. The coach has a wet bath with toilet, sink and shower. There is a lot of storage put into this sm aller m otorhom e, with flush m ount cabinets, under bed storage, and rear thru-floor storage. The cockpits have ultra-leather heated driver and passenger seats, wide heated windshields, front & rear defrosters, an AM/ FM/ CD/ DVD/ navigation panel, a 7" color touch screen control panel, rem ote control, and m uch m ore. Furtherm ore, m ost Class B vans have two air bags, however the I nterstate has six and the I nterstate EXT includes front and rear parking sensors. Exterior color choices are white, silver or black with chrom e grills and an electric power awning I nterstate MSRPs range from $135,900 to 143,549. Popular Models from Previous Years I n 2011 VP of Marketing Sue Dooley announced a new Airstream touring coach, The Avenue, which cam e out in July of this year. I t has a brand new Chevy Chassis and is loaded with luxury. Multi-use, m ulti-passenger floorplans, leather chairs, pedestal m ounted rem ovable table, flush lam inated cabinetry, fiberglass wet bath, m arine toilet, awning, and tinted glass are just som e of the basics for this coach which is loaded with lots of standard features that would be considered extras in other coach lines. MSRP is $96,429. Likewise, and newly updated, is the ever popular I nterstate touring coach which is built for the first tim e with a Mercedes Chassis. The I nterstate has 4 swivel captain s chairs, belted seating for 8 and com fortable sleeping for 2. MSRP is $123,000. Airstream m arked its 75th anniversary in 2006, which is a great feat for any com pany. I n the Class A gas category the com pany s best seller is called Land Yacht and starts at $130,000. Airstream s m ost popular Class A diesel m otorhom e is their Land Yacht LX starting at $235,000. Last year the 55

56 com pany only sold 100 Class A m otorhom es. Their W estfaila Sprinter, a Class B m otorhom e, was im ported from Europe for 2005 and I ts price tag of around $75,000 m ay have led to the lack of support for this sm aller, yet versatile m otorhom e. Com m ents: A recent European m arketing tour by an Am erican m edical com pany consisted of high profile clients and several thousand m iles of travel. The choice for their m obile exhibition unit was an Airstream travel trailer. Due to the high profile of the client and the dem ands of the program, we really couldn t settle for anything less than the very best, said Martin Cranshaw, who heads up the com pany which was touring throughout Europe. This is consistent with the continued popularity of the Airstream. I t is used in m ovies, m agazines, com m ercials and m usic videos. There continues to be several top-nam e celebrities and icons who are leaving their buses behind, living and traveling in Airstream s. Airstream owners continue to offer high praise and satisfaction of their Airstream products. The only place ratings drop is in cost of m aintenance and overall value com pared to price. Price verses value continues to be a debate, even am ong satisfied owners. Yet owners are loyal and as one satisfied owner stated you get what you pay for. I love the quality and m ost people who com plain about the price are com plaining because they cannot afford one. The resale value for an Airst ream is excellent based on our research, one reason being t he allalum inum structure that is very resistant to corrosion. Airstream s website is full of inform ation, galleries and details that answer any possible question you could have concerning their products and service. Airstream rates high in all areas: quality, perform ance, and custom er service. Owners and dealers love them. 56

57 Alfa Leisure, Inc. (As of May, 2008 Alfa Leisure is no longer in Business) Out of Business Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect NA NA I n 1950 John Crean founded Fleetwood Enterprises, one of the largest RV m anufacturers in the nation. John Crean would travel across the nation year after year in his prototype trailers and m otorhom es visiting his m anufacturing facilities to check their perform ance, often with little Johnnie at his side absorbing all that he could about the RV business. I n 1973, with a little help from his father, Johnnie Crean founded Alfa Leisure (A Loving Fam ily Affair). The com pany started with sm all trailers and over the years progressed to building upper-end fifth wheels and m otorhom es. Every Alfa was designed and built to be m ore livable, m ore functional, have greater capacities, have the finest com ponents and appliances, and have the best value. Alfa considered Monaco, Winnebago, Tiffin, Keystone, Newm ar and Fleetwood to be their closest com petitors. According to our research the m ost popular diesel m otorhom e for Alfa is the See Ya. This m odel offers five floorplans with a Freightliner chassis and either a Cum m ins or a Caterpillar engine. I n 2008 the com pany upgraded the interiors of the See Ya series with an average MSRP of $226,000. The See Ya is fully equipped for both com fort and luxury, including a whole list of standard features not norm ally found in com parable brands. On the road the coach is quite agile and m aneuverable for its size, with only m inim al body roll based on our research. Com m ents: These com m ents m ay be helpful if you are looking at a pre-owned Alfa Leisure. Alfa Leisure spent som e tim e as a top producer of 5 th wheels and diesel pusher m otorhom es in the industry. Based on our research Alfa was a quality com pany with innovative products appealing to upper-end buyers. Alfa owners that we spoke with were satisfied with their purchase and said that they would probably have purchased another Alfa product. I n 2008 the com pany changed from light oak interiors to a dark m aple and they upgraded to flat panel TVs that lift up providing storage behind them. Som e dealers we spoke with said the com pany was slow at tim es on warranty claim s, but these sam e dealers indicated that the com pany did a good j ob overall in resolving warranty issues. The com pany received high m arks for custom er service, quality construction and resale value. 57

58 American Coach (Fleetwood) 1031 US 224 East (Fleetwood s Corp Address) Fleetwood Owner Relations - Am erican Coach Group 1420 Patterson Street Decatur, I N Toll Free: w w w.am ericancoach.com Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Am erican Coach is the luxury division of Fleetwood RV, I nc. and a leading m anufacturer of recreational vehicles. I n 1987 a new Fleetwood plant was opened to build high end gas and diesel coaches. By 1991 Am erican Coach was established as a m anufacturing division and was launched to produce additional diesel coaches. Origins of Am erican Coach began with The Lim ited, an upscale coach, Fleetwood s first m ove into high end coaches. The Am erican Eagle was the first coach produced by Am erican Coach and featured a new diesel chassis from Fleetwood partner, Spartan Motors. I t is still thriving today with the Liberty Chassis, which is considered one of the best in the industry and is featured on all current Am erican Coach m odels. I n 1997 Am erican Coach enhanced their popular lines with its first ever slide-out floorplans. The popularity of Am erican Coach led to a Fleetwood and Am erican Coach affiliation with NASCAR, as Am erican Coach products were used for On-Track Hospitality Suites. After Fleetwood Enterprises, I nc. filed for bankruptcy in 2009 it was sold to a private com pany, Am erican I ndustrial Partners ( AI P). Out of that purchase cam e a brand new m anufacturing nam e, Fleetwood RV, and Navistar becam e its parent com pany. Then in 2013, Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) purchased assets of Navistar, including Fleetwood m anufacturing products. Faced with a host of organizational and engineering challenges, ASV is working on their com pany s strategic plan to consolidate the building of four high-profile m otorhom e brands at its cam pus in Decatur, I nd. These brands are Monaco, Holiday Ram bler, R-Vision, and Am erican Coach. For further details on specific m odels, see the Holiday Ram bler and Monaco articles in this guide. Monaco and Tiffin are considered by Am erican Coach to be their closest com petitors. Am erican Coach has four m otorhom e coaches, the Tradition, Heritage, Eagle, and the Revolution, which is the newest of the coaches to be added to Am erican Coach s lineup. Each is a Class A luxury m otorhom e built on a Liberty Chassis. This Chassis is a result of a partnership with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, parent com pany to Mercedes- Benz and provides an integrated engineering chassis solution for the Liberty Chassis design. This chassis construction for Am erican Coach m otorhom es includes Huck bolts, perm anent 58

59 fasteners that are vibration-resistant and are considered the strongest, m ost reliable aerospace fastener available. The chassis has an e-coated bridge which creates a corrosion barrier, bonding to the steel bridge structure of the chassis. Each chassis fram e has up to a 15,000 pound integrated hitch allowing you to have your towing needs m et. Furtherm ore, the construction of each Am erican coach includes Vacu-bonded floors, sidewalls and roof. The cockpit of each Am erican Coach is designed specifically with both the driver and passenger in m ind. Multi-adjustable seating, a dual dash m onitor, and m ore than a dozen specific details and innovations such as a GPS system and rear and side view cam eras m ake this a true luxury coach. The Am erican Coach Revolution has three floorplans available, each with a full-wall slide-out, a bath and a half, and an increase of the pass-through storage. The m odels include choices of a walk-in closet plan, a large L-shaped sofa plan, or two large sofas. 39 to 43 feet in length, each Revolution has two HDTVs, full galley kitchens, private baths, and hardwood fram es, cabinets, cupboards, and drawers MSRPs begin at $ 343,486. The Am erican Tradition is another high end line of the Am erican Coach brands. Despite just two floorplans, there are so m any num erous variants and options to choose from, you can find any design to m eet your needs. Seating, sleeping and storage is at a m axim um, with private queen bed rear sleeping areas, and private baths, as well as a m id-ship bathroom. The 2013 MSRPs for the Tradition begin at $453,850. The Am erican Eagle has four unique floorplan designs and offers a king bed with m em ory foam m attress, rem ote control, 2 full bays, satellite dish, 40 flat screen TV, power shade package and m any, m any m ore luxurious perks such as a heated tile floor. The floorplans each have a full-wall slide, bath and half, and spacious, full kitchens and living areas. One floorplan offers a curb-side slide- out dinette, another has a walk-in closet, and a third provides com fortable living area by m eans of a large L-shaped sofa and euro chair updates to the Eagle included (and continue) with an Xite-G2 dash radio with navigation, side m ounted Girard patio awning with wind retraction, and fram eless flush-m ount windows. The Am erican Eagle is the com pany s best-selling m otorhom e based on our research MSRPs begin at $529,800. The 2013 Am erican Heritage presents one of the industry s largest floorplans with a 45- foot full-wall slideout and 30-inch deep slide boxes. 96-inch interior widths, 84-inch interior heights, and a powerful 600-HP, Cum m ins 15.0L I SX engine, this is one enorm ous and powerful m otorcoach. The three Heritage floorplans provide upgraded window valances, LED ceiling lights with dim m ing capabilit ies, and redesigned backsplashes. Each 45 foot coach has a private king bed sleeping area with a private bathroom in the rear of the coach. The living areas of each Am erican Heritage coach continues with luxurious am enities that feature hardwood cabinets, woodwork, 12 volt LED lighting, power privacy shades, two 46 inch LED HDTVs, and an im pressive hom e theatre system. I f any of the Am erican Coach floorplans don t quite fit your needs or desires, Fleetwood RV is proud to announce the recently released m obile tablet application called the Build Your Own. This application allows users to construct and design a Fleetwood m otorhom e to their own personal specifications. The app can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store and 59

60 Google Play. I n a press release, John Draheim, President and CEO of Fleetwood RV, spoke of the announcem ent saying, The m obile tablet application provides our custom ers the ability to explore our full range of am enities and options while they build their own unique m otorhom e. The app is an ideal exam ple of how our brands continue to em ploy innovative m arketing techniques that engage our owners and dealers. After users have designed their custom ized m otorhom e, they can com pare the suggested retail price of the vehicle to the price as it s been configured. The application is available for Am erican Coach m odels and offers a selection of inviting exterior graphics, interior décor, and cabinetry options to choose from. I t also provides an even greater level of custom ization, by way of a m ultitude of additional optional features in categories such as the galley and appliances, living room and furniture, electronics, bedroom s, and exteriors. Marketing Director Am y Colem an is excited about the new direction Fleetwood RV, I nc. is taking. We are now a sm aller com pany, m ore agile, spending our m oney m ore efficiently and able to focus m ore on m arketing, dealers and our custom ers. Am y tells us what m akes Am erican Coach unique is their VI P delivery service. Custom ers can com e to the plant and learn how to use their Am erican Coach first hand. With all the bells and whistles Am erican Coach m otorhom es have to offer, this is a valuable service. Popular Models from Previous Years The 2011 Am erican Coach Am erican Eagle was introduced featuring Girard Awning auto valance, electric cook top with / dishwasher, freight, power shade package, exterior 32" TVsidewall, satellite dish upgrade, king air m attress, heated tile floor, a 1st full bay with a 90" slide-out tray, and a 2nd full bay with a 36"/ 54" slide-out tray. 44 feet in length, we found it priced at $621, was not a good year for the com pany, as with m ost RV m anufacturers during this tim e period. Despite the Fleetwood bankruptcy, Fleetwood continued to m anufacturer m otorhom es and enjoy very high custom er service ratings. Dealers were very supportive, especially because Fleetwood honored all warranties under the previous com pany. Fleetwood introduced the Am erican Allegiance for its 2009 line with an MSRP starting at just over $300,000. Debuting two innovative floor plans, a triple-slide, full-wall slide floor plan (42G) and a triple-slide m id-ship TV floor plan (40X), the Am erican Allegiance featured opposing 30-inch deep flush floor slide boxes. Though the com pany is no longer m anufacturing the Allegiance, this Am erican Coach m otorhom e is still popular am ong used m otorhom e dealerships. I n 2008 Am erican Coach s m ost popular selling brand was still the Tradition which continued to be produced in six floorplans and a long list of interior innovations. Com m ents: All 2009 and newer Am erican Coach products com e standard with one year of Coach-Net Service, available 24/ 7, 365 days a year. The new changes in the com pany have been very good for Am erican Coach. They have an im pressive website, very detailed, with excellent inform ation, videos, and access links to dealers, service and support. This really is one of the better RV websites, answering all your questions and providing in-depth inform ation. Am erican Coach owners continue to be im pressed with their coaches, rating them at the top in everything from perform ance, safety, and reliability, to support from the m anufacturer and overall quality. The ratings drop, though not a large am ount, in the area of cost of m aintenance and overall value com pared to cost. However, owners were significantly less satisfied in regards to dealership support. Regardless, reviews found were 60

61 filled with very satisfied owners, enjoying top of the line com forts, the best of luxurious travel ~ via Am erican Coach. It has been said Am erican Coach has a VERY powerful engine with a chassis that is considered one of the best in the industry. We have not received any negative feedback from our readers over the years pertaining to Am erican Coach and based on our research this is a solid com pany with a good reputation in the industry. 61

62 Beaver Motor Coaches (Monaco w w w.beaverm otorcoaches.com Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect NA NA Monaco filed for Chapter 1 1 bankruptcy On March 2 it term inated about 2,000 em ployees in Oregon and I ndiana, m ost of whom had been on furlough since m id- Decem ber. The com pany said it has been hurt by the decline in financial and real estate m arkets, the erosion of consum er wealth and confidence, and tight credit. Monaco stated it had negotiated forbearance agreem ents with lenders who agreed to withdraw existing repurchasing dem ands and stop m aking new ones until April 6. I n its filings Monaco laid out a tentative budget for the next 12 weeks. Monaco asked the judge to allow it to re-establish an incentive program for dealers and their sales representatives so they can sell Monaco s existing inventory and authorize Monaco to continue paying em ployee wages and benefits while the com pany is in bankruptcy. Furtherm ore, Monaco asked to be allowed to hire professionals such as lawyers, accountants and consultants, as needed, in connection with Monaco s ongoing business operations, prohibit utilities from stopping service to the com pany, and authorize it to pay sales and use taxes and regulatory fees, authorize it to use cash collected from the sales of assets, to keep the com pany operating. Started in a sm all town in Oregon in the 1970 s, Beaver focused on creating a sm all line of luxury m otor coaches for the custom er who wanted to travel in style and com fort. I n 2001 the com pany was acquired by another Oregon-based luxury coach m anufacturer, Monaco Coach Corporation. A few years earlier Monaco had expanded into the towable RV m arket by purchasing Holiday Ram bler. With the purchase of Beaver, Monaco Coach Corporation becam e a force in the RV I ndustry. Now a few years into the m erger, Beaver is still synonym ous with quality, luxury and style. Marketing Director Ryan Lee says, Beaver has always been known for its outstanding craftsm anship and trem endous design. Lee says Beaver sells strong in the Southwest. Beaver continues to attract upper-end RV custom ers who are looking for quality and style when purchasing a deluxe m otorhom e particularly those in the age group. Their coaches all have a custom -tailored feel that live up to the description of a deluxe m otorhom e. All coaches feature the single glass panaview windshield for full access of vision. Beaver s closest com petitors are Country Coach, Newm ar, Am erican Coach, and Travel Suprem e. Beaver rates high in both custom er service and custom er satisfaction and continues to im prove its product yearly. Their m ost popular m otorhom es are the Contessa and Marquis. Com m ents: I f you are looking at a pre-owned Beaver then these com m ents m ay be helpful to you. The woodwork is exquisite and m akes you feel like you re in a well-m ade coach with attention to detail no m atter where you look. Talking with Beaver owners m any say the driving experience is rem arkable and m any are repeat custom ers, purchasing another Beaver product when upgrading. We give the com pany a high rating because of their quality construction, custom er satisfaction and resale value. I f you are looking for an older Beaver m odel, you will want to know that the prices have fallen dram atically because the com pany is no longer in business. 62

63 Bigfoot Industries RV, Inc Crozier Road Arm strong, B.C. Canada V0E 1B6 Phone: w w w.bigfootrv.com / Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C 0 0 NA NA Bigfoot I ndustries, I nc., once known as Bigfoot RV, has been under new active ownership since 2010 and has been producing new Bigfoot truck cam pers and travel trailers to the RV m arket from their m anufacturing facility in Arm strong, BC Canada. President and new owner Grant Bilodeau brings over 23 years of experience to Bigfoot RV, having started on the Bigfoot shop floor and working up to several years as Productions Manager for the com pany. The Bigfoot Staff also com es with num erous com bined years of experience, all to provide Bigfoot loyal owners with continued service and products. Bigfoot continues to m anufacture truck cam pers and travel trailers, the 2500 series. Bigfoot is no longer m anufacturing the once popular Bigfoot 4000 Series Motorhom e and currently the com pany is only producing one travel trailer series, yet with five different floorplans. The Bigfoot Series Truck Cam per is available in both long and short box floorplans. A total of four floorplans to choose from ; the 1500 series have an im pressive list of standard features, high quality appliances and three different interior choices. The 2500 Series is considered a basem ent m odel truck cam per. I t has unique and extensive am ounts of interior and exterior storage com partm ents. There are six floorplans to choose from and four different interior select ions. Bigfoot stopped m anufacturing their Class C m otorhom e in They now focus on truck cam pers and light weight travel trailers. Before Bigfoot stopped production on their Class C m otorhom es their m ost popular m odel was the 3 0 MH2 9 SL in the Series due to its layout which was practical and functional. MSRP for this series started at around $101,440. Constructed with the Patented Fibercore Wallsystem and built on the Ford E-450 chassis, it has seven interior floor plans to choose from. Com m ents: Bigfoot tells us they are still continuing to strive for success after recovering from bankruptcy. Bigfoot also stated they are focusing on just 3 products, their 2 cam per m odels and one travel trailer, with no future plans for new m anufacturing. While the bank shutdown of Bigfoot RV forced new ownership, the com pany has held together and appears to be m erging from the new ownership with successful reviews from buyers. I t has such a sm all staff, everyone is doing a bit of everything, and that is reflected in the poor ratings when it com es to m anufacturer and dealer support. These areas have signification drops when it com es to custom er satisfaction. Cost of m aintenance and overall value ratings are not very m uch higher. Nonetheless, Bigfoot is doing som ething right because ratings 63

64 continue to hold at the top for perform ance, reliability, and safety for m ost Bigfoot m odels. I nterior and exterior design, as well as overall quality, is at the top of the ratings with Bigfoot owners and they continue to express loyalty in recom m ending Bigfoot to potential RV buyers. We also found m any owners, though satisfied, who stated the overall value of their m odel to be average com pared to price. Based on our research people that purchased older m otorhom es from Bigfoot were happy with their purchase and the com pany did have a loyal following when they were m anufacturing m otorhom es. Prices have fallen dram atically because the com pany is no longer building m otorhom es, therefore be sure to negotiate near wholesale values or below when purchasing an older m odel. 64

65 Born Free Motorcoach Dodgen I ndustries I nc th Street N. Hum boldt, I A Phone: Fax: w w w.bornfreem otorcoach.com We rated this com pany as a Class C m anufacturer since 2006, but have changed our param eters and now classify them as a Class B+ coach m anufacturer. Please see Class B rating charts for m odel years For previous years, they are rated as a Class C m anufacturer in rating charts Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class B Class B+ When you see a Born Free coach cruising down the road you cannot help but notice it. Born Free s unique design m akes it stand out am ong the other Class Cs on the m arket. We are known for three things quality, safety and drivability, says a representative for the com pany. We have two inch steel roll bars throughout all our coaches, the insides are built with real wood, not pressed woods and we have an all fiberglass body with a lifetim e warranty on the fiberglass. Our shape is different and we have won awards for drivability. Our design is unique and our com pany is unique. Born Free Motorcoach is a com pletely owned subsidiary of Dodgen I ndustries, I nc. and is one of the older com panies in the RV business today. Born Free coaches are sold factory-direct in the U.S. and Canada, and as of 2012 the Born Free coaches are available through Lazydays RV. Born Free Motorcoach now sells their line of luxury Class C m otorhom es at the Lazydays dealerships in Seffner, Fla., and Tuscon, Ariz. This Factory Direct Plus partnership m akes Lazydays the only RV dealership in the country from which custom ers can purchase Born Free products. Lazydays CEO John Horton added, This partnership gives custom ers the expert service of Lazydays RVI A and RVDA certified and m aster certified RV technicians, as well as all the am enities that have m ade Lazydays one of the m ost beloved RV destinations in the country. Born Free is proud of their coaches safety record and they also have one of the best resale values in the RV industry. These are the factors that set Born Free apart from its com petitors Coach House, Dynam ax, Winnebago, and Lazy Daze. What's m ore, Born Free has a unique custom er base, with popularity due in part to the size and that it s a step up from a Class B. I n fact, it handles m uch like a van. Added to that is the floor plan which is ready to go, and you don t have to m ove things to m ake a room here and there like in a Class B, yet it s still a sm all coach, says Born Free. 65

66 Born Free coaches are built on an E-Series or an F-Series chassis, Ford V8 or V10 gas or diesel engine. Construction includes a m olded fiberglass body, fiberglass running boards and floor, LED lighting, rear ladder and roof rack, and an exterior shower. The diesel pushers allow you to upgrade to the Ford F-450/ F-550 Chassis to diesel engine. Cloth Flexsteel Captain s Chairs with power lum bar 6-way adjustable driver s seat provide a com fortable ride. Further drive-ability is provided by the cabs touchscreen AM/ FM/ DVD/ CD receiver with Bluetooth, ipod connectivity, integrated navigation, and a back-up cam era. Born Free has five different m otorcoaches ranging from 23 to 31 feet in length. The m odel brand nam es are the Born Free Majestic, Splendor, Freedom, Spirit, and Trium ph. The 31 foot Majestic floorplan is the newest m odel for the Born Free coach lineup. I t is the largest of the Born Free m otor coaches, with a full-size living area featuring a U-lounge or two chairs and pull-up table. The Majestic has a 76" x 60" walk around bed, galley kitchen with a 3 burner stove, sink, m icrowave, and refrigerator, and a full sized bathroom with a separate shower. We found the 2013 Majestic Rear I sland 31 priced at $157,400. The Born Free 2 4 Spirit m odel continues to be one the com pany s m ost popular m odels and is now available in a queen size cab-over bed or an oak entertainm ent center. The floorplans feature private rear baths and several living area arrangem ents to choose from. The Born Free 2 5 Trium ph is another popular m odel due to its slide-out that opens to create a com fortable and spacious living room. The Trium ph has several floorplans with one being a sofa/ bed located in the slide room that opens into a com fortable 60" X 76" bed with a queen-sized, baffled air m attress. We found the Trium ph for $128,700. The Born Free Motorcoach com pany provides a strong warranty; a Ford 36 m onth/ 36,000 m ile bum per-to-bum per lim ited warranty and a 10 year fiberglass warranty against corrosion or hail perforation. Manufacturing Class C m otor coaches for over 40 years and gaining a reputation as one of the best in the business, Born Free also m anufactures m obility-m odified RVs for those who need to use m obility aids, such as wheel chairs or scooters. Previous Years Popular Models from I n 2012 Born Free Motorcoach introduced a new floor plan for the m ost popular units, their rear-bath m odels. The 2 5 Rear Bath unit com es with a slide-out sofa bed in the lounge area which m akes into a 60 x 76 queen bed with a baffled air m attress. I n addition to the sofa/ bed slide, the new floor plan features residential quality cabinets and 4 different furniture options, resulting in a warm and hom ey feeling. I t features a kitchen that works very well, giving you m ore space than you would expect in a Class C m odel. The unit also features a very spacious rear bath which Born Free is well known for. The rear bath layout in the 25 unit has also been updated to m ake it even m ore spacious and useable. A double wardrobe includes hang-up shelves and m ore drawers allowing for efficient and accessible organization of your personal item s. I n 2010 Born Free stated that their Mini is " a Class C m otorhom e priced lower than m ost Class B units. The com fort of the drive, park ability, and fuel econom y of this coach are unparalleled. I t handles m uch like an SUV or Minivan." I n 2010 the 20 Mini was the sm allest m odel of the Born Free Motorcoach fleet, but the Mini was available up to a 27 with a rear slide bed. No longer being m anufactured, this unit is still found for sale under the Born Free used product inventory. 66

67 I n 2009 the com pany revam ped their fiberglass m olds to provide for a stronger unit. The com pany s two m ost popular m odels during that tim e period (and through ) were the 24 ft. and the 26 ft. rear bath (which is actually 27 ft. when set-up), with a rear side bed. The average MSRP for these m odels was $78,000 to $146,000. Since its introduction the Born Free tells us the 24' Rear Bath has stolen the hearts and im agination of Am erica's m ost discrim inating m otorcoach enthusiasts. Com m ents: When buying a class B+ one of the m ost im portant features you need to look for is chassis capacity and wheelbase. This is som ething Born Free pays close attention to. Furtherm ore, Born Free tells us they are pleased with the feedback they have gathered from their new custom ers; it has been very positive. President John Dodgen says, Over 97% of our custom ers indicated they would recom m end a Born Free Motorcoach to others. The ratings continue to agree with that statem ent. Born Free has consistently achieved the highest ratings also in the independent RV ratings and reviews. Their RV ratings and reviews include use, tem perature range, wheelbase to length ratio, payload, value, reliability, and highway control. Custom er satisfaction and m anufacture support are also rating right at the top. Their website continues this dedication to qualit y with a great website, including pertinent inform ation, custom er testim onials and detailed warranty and service inform ation. I t appears that Born Free has a loyal following and they intend to keep it that way. 67

68 Coach House, Inc Technology Drive Nokom is, FL Phone: w w w.coachhouserv.com We rated this com pany as a Class C m anufacturer during , yet recently we have changed our param eters and now classify them as a Class B+ coach m anufacturer. For previous years they were rated as a Class C m anufacturer in rating charts. Coach House, I nc. celebrated their 25 th anniversary, recalling their hum ble start out of a converted warehouse. The Gerzeny Fam ily has been designing, engineering and building m otor hom es in the Venice, Florida area since 1985 when the first Coach House van conversion rolled out of that converted warehouse. Now locat ed in a 30, 000 sq. foot st at e- of-the art production facility, their decades of m anufacturing experience, attention to the sm allest details, and build-it-right, build-it-to last philosophy, converge in the design and construction of every Coach House Platinum. Coach House has carved out a niche in the RV m arketplace with its patented, one-piece solid fiberglass body. This type of construction was the first in the industry and it m eans no leaks, fewer repairs, and a m ore peaceful driving experience. Steve Gerzeny, Coach House VP tells us, As far as the integrity of the m otor hom e, it will last a very long tim e. There are no seam s that can fail. Gerzeny adds, We use the best of everything inside our m otor hom es the best appliances, the best cabinet m aterials. We choose the best vendors and shave no expense at all. We always try to find the unique and special. Coach House also m akes their own cabinetry and has an upholstery shop where experienced upholsterers m ake throw pillows, upholstered valances, drapes and bedspreads for their m otorhom es Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class B Class B+ The average Coach House custom er is high end, with quality and style being the m ost im portant aspect of the decision-m aking process. Often our custom ers are downsizing who are com ing out of a larger m otor hom e and want som ething sm aller, but don t want to forego luxury, says Gerzeny. Coach House sales are strongest in the southeast and the m ain com petitors for the com pany are Dynam ax and Born Free. Coach House states they have been working very hard the past two years; with upgrades and changes in exterior construction for the Coach House m otorhom es, known for their brand nam e Platinum. Exam ples are a wider, m ore secure, heavier duty side entrance door, a wider entrance step (to m atch the door), and a 15,000 BTU ducted roof A/ C with Heat Pum p for greater heating and cooling capacity. 68

69 I n 2012 Coach House added to those upgrades by im proving the cockpit interiors with new Ford dashboards that are ergonom ically designed for better visibility to all storage com partm ents, radio controls and clim ate settings. Coach House also cleaned up the interior by adding a central control station that houses m ost of the controls for the holding tank m onitor system, HWH slide-out and jacks, water pum p and generator switch. Storage has been increased on all m odels by m axim izing space under all bunks, in the galleys, and throughout the interior. Hinges were also upgraded in The new hinges allow you to open the cabinet doors to any position and they will stay in that position until you close them. Coach House will custom ize the Platinum to fit your personal taste or circum stances. Coach House m anufactures the Platinum Series in five m odels ranging in length from 23 to The com pany produces the Platinum I I in two different m odels, both 25 9 in length. The Platinum I I coaches share m uch of the sam e am enities of the other five coaches, but are built as a sm all Class C m otorhom e. The Coach House Platinum s are offered in several different exterior paint options and two to three interior color choices, depending upon the m odel. The trucks of the Platinum coaches are built on a Ford Super-Duty chassis, with a 6.8 liter Triton V-10 engine and autom atic 5-speed TorqShift transm ission. Power steering, tilt wheel, power windows and door locks, power side m irrors, keyless rem ote, cruise control, 55-gallon gas tank, air conditioning and a AM/ FM CD stereo system round out just som e of the features. The Platinum I I Series coaches are built on a Freightliner Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Chassis, with a 188 horse power diesel engine. That m akes this coach able to boast clean com bustion with low em issions. All coach House m otorhom es have kitchens, bathroom s, and all-weather interior/ exterior plum bing. The com pany s sm allest m otorhom e is the Coach House Platinum XL. I t is a downsized Class C m otorhom e that has two floorplans - one with a slideout. The galley features a two-burner stove, 6 cubic ft. refrigerator, m icrowave, a built in coffee m aker, sofa and dinette. 221XL has a sofa/ bed, dinette, and the swivel front passenger seat that can provide seating for up to six adults. The sofa/ bed and dinette provide sleeping for up to three adults. The slideout on the 221XL unit allows for a m otorized sofa/ bed that goes from daytim e living space to a com fortable double bed with just the touch of a button. The Coach House Platinum XL is one of the larger coaches and is available in four floorplans. Called The Entertainer by Coach House, the 261XLs have room for additional sleeping areas for fam ily or friends. Coach House describes it as including features that have never been used before in a Platinum m otorhom e. For starters and for the first tim e, we are using a m anually operated queen-size hide-a-bed for the m ain sleeping area. This allows the sheets to be kept on the bed when it is closed. The hide-a-bed is contained in a slide-out that extends a full 32 inches, farther than any previous m odel. I t com es with the sam e galley features as the 221XL, yet a larger bath area and three floorplans, all with a slideout. The 261XL has som e great use of space with the different floorplan options, in particular the sleeping area options. One plan offers twin beds; another has a queen dinette with a hide-a-bed sofa, and a third has twin beds in addition to a queen bed sofa slideout. The Platinum I I Series continues with the sam e luxurious, well thought out interior spaces as their sister ship Platinum s. The galleys have the sam e features and am enities, it also 69

70 includes a 32" flat-panel front HD TV with DVD player, and they each have a private shower, sink and toilet. Both Platinum I I coaches have a rear queen bed; one plan has a queen sofa slideout, the other has a queen sofa. We found one 2013 Platinum I I floorplan available for $119,900. Popular Models from Previous Years During m odel years The Platinum series was a popular m odel and one of the best-looking m otorhom es in its class. They are a bit sm aller com pared to other Class Cs, but spacious enough to contain all the am enities of hom e and include slide-out m odels. A luxurious queen bed, expansive overhead cabinetry, wardrobe closet and standup shower are just som e of the standard features. The Platinum is built on a Ford E-450 Super Duty Chassis with 6.8-liter Triton V-10 engine, the Platinum I I series is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Chassis. Coach House placed the sleeping area and bathroom in the rear of the Platinum I I, producing a wide-open living/ entertaining area in the front of the unit. The unit features 6-foot, 4-inch ceilings throughout. Both products are offered in 3 choices of paint design and a variety of floorplans, depending upon which m odel and length. The Platinum series m odels range in size from 23 to 26. Com m ents: "Not too big, not too sm all - that is the com pany s philosophy when it com es to their m otorhom es. Based on our research the com pany is successful in that approach because it continues to receive high m arks in m any categories; safety, construction, custom er satisfaction, m anufacturer support and resale value. Perform ance and reliability dropped to 4 out of 5 points, yet nonetheless overall value rem ains high and Coach House receives som e of the highest ratings in the RV m otorhom e industry category. Com pared to m ajor m otorhom e m anufacturers Coach House is a sm aller com pany, focusing on a few products and doing a great job with those products. The com pany has also instituted Coach House Today, a new publication designed to keep their custom ers inform ed about Coach House, I nc. I n their newsletter Coach House shared, Our corporate structure is different. Coach House is a fam ily-owned com pany. And we like to think of our custom ers and em ployees as part of an extended fam ily. One area in which Coach House passes on the extended-fam ily goal is their Passport to Savings program that will reim burse you for your travel expense should you decide to buy a new Coach House Platinum. We are confident you will not be disappointed with Coach House. The com pany is definitely a very luxurious brand that has well-m ade m otorhom es. 70

71 Coachmen RV P.O. Box North Main Middlebury, I N Phone: (800) w w w.coachm enrv.com I n 1964 Coachm en RV I ndustries was founded by three brothers: Tom, Keith and Claude Corson. Now Coachm en RV is a Division of Forest River I nc. having been purchased by the Warren Buffet Com pany in Decem ber of Forest River paid 42 m illion for Coachm en I ndustries which m ade big news within the RV industry. Financial difficulties plagued the com pany well before the crash of and the com pany was in serious trouble. Since the purchase by Forest River, Coachm en have m ade som e big im provem ents. They have stream lined their operations and are focusing on what the custom er wants. The com pany s prim ary m anufacturing facilit ies are headquartered in Middlebury, I ndiana on nearly 120 acres with approxim ately 11 acres under roof serving as a dedicated m anufacturing facility for Coachm en branded Class A Motorhom es, Class C Motorhom es, Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, and Toy Haulers. After being purchased by Forest River, Coachm en RV was restructured as a system s-built housing com pany with a specialty vehicle business. The com pany s housing division, called the Housing and Building System s Group, is one of Am erica's leading producers of m odular hom es. Recreation vehicles were m anufactured under the Coachm en Recreation Vehicles, LLC, Sportscoach RV, Georgie Boy Manufacturing, LLC and Viking Recreation Vehicles, LLC brand nam es. Coachm en RV produces Class A m otorhom es, Class C "m ini" m otorhom es, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, toy haulers and folding cam ping trailers. Coachm en s website tells us, The integration of Coachm en RV into Forest River I nc. has provided countless value propositions to Coachm en RV owners, dealers, suppliers and em ployees. The Coachm en RV brand has been reborn. Our product advantages are significant, our quality is leading, our value is unparalleled and the Coachm en Brand rem ains one of the m ost recognized brands throughout the RV I ndustry! I n a press release Coachm en states, There are six divisions within the new Coachm en, each headed by a general m anager with a dedicated plant, sales team, and each operates under its own profit and loss. There are no vice presidents in our divisions. No layers, only doers. Coachm en has not introduced any new products as of this update, however their popular Prism Class B+ m otorhom e was redesigned in The Prism is luxurious with European styling, built on a Mercedes diesel chassis. I t has four different floorplans, each with a GVWR of 11,030 lbs., 26 Gallon fuel capacity, and 25 foot lengths. The Diesel Prism CB includes a single slide, rear corner full bath, rear corner double bed, U-shaped 71

72 dinette, full kitchen, lounge seat with a pull-out extension, and lots of storage. We found a MSRP of just over $93,000, but it was available for $70,000. They also have a Concord Class B+ Motorhom e that is available on a Ford or Chevy chassis. Please see Class B rating chart. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Popular Models from Previous Years I n 2011 Coachm en rolled out their new Pathfinder and the all new Cross Country series, (Sportscoach) a Class A diesel m otorhom e which turned som e heads. The Pathfinders has a well- appoint ed kit chen, resident ialstyle bathroom s and very com fortable bedroom s. One unique feature about the Pathfinder is the true flat-floor bedroom which provides up to 10 of additional headroom around the bed. You don t have to worry about hitting your head in this coach Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas The Encounter, a Class A gas m otorhom e was introduced in The Encounter has a long list of standard features which includes; full body paint, electric patio awning and Corian kitchen counter tops. The Encounter is built on a Ford 22,000 lb. chassis with custom interior decors one would expect to find in a high quality coach Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C General Manager Mike Bear tells us that Coachm en RV, through standardization, is now able to offer m idline products, lowering prices and yet keeping quality high. We are very conscious of the econom y and want to offer respectable products at a lower price point. This is seen in their Class C m otorhom es. The Freelander added lots of floorplans during , with slideouts and a front kitchen floor plan. I t went from m id-line to entry level, but with a m uch nicer look. Standard equipm ent included a powerful Triton V-10 Ford engine, patio awning, 1-piece windshield, side bath and large pass through storage area. The MSRP ranges from $72,493 to $97,792. During m odel years , in the Class C division, the newly designed Leprechaun topped the list of popularity with an average MSRP of $96,000. I n the Mirada Class A m otorhom e was the com pany s best-seller and the Class C Freelander was a big hit during this sam e tim e period. 72

73 Com m ents: Earlier reviews for Coachm en were m ixed. As with any com pany in business for over 43 years, and with several lines of products offered, there is bound to be som e dissatisfaction am ong custom ers. These range from warranty issues to workm anship m alfunctions. Overall ratings rem ain close to the sam e as the previous year. Perform ance and safety are above average, yet reliability and overall quality are just barely above average. I t is worth noting that in the area of com fort Coachm en only rates just barely average. As this does not specify whether it is the living area or cab, you will want to do som e investigating. Motorhom e Magazine also lists a m ix of reviews from loyal to stay away reviews. More recently we have found owners who love their Coachm en products. The dealers we spoke to stated they feel the quality is good, if not a little better after the Forest River purchase, and that they have found a significant im provem ent in the area of warranties and service. One dealer tells us, Their floorplans, the fit and finish, structural integrity and prices; for what is out there, Coachm en products are hard to beat. Another said, We are a fam ily owned business and have sold Coachm en since we first opened. That shows what pride and faith we have in Coachm en products. With such m ixed reviews, our advice is to do som e detailed hom ework on a specific m odel you m ight be considering. 73

74 Country Coach Corporation P.O. Box East First Ave. Junction City, Oregon Phone: w w w.countrycoach.com / Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect I n 1973 Country Coach was founded by RV pioneer Bob Lee. Beginning with two em ployees in a sm all garage, Lee built the com pany from its beginnings to its present day facilities spanning nearly 500,000 square feet over several city blocks in Junction City, Oregon. Lee retired from Country Coach in Lee then returned when a gloom y econom y affected the RV industry, im pacting Country Coach and causing bankruptcy which was followed by the com pany going out of business. I was here in the beginning when we were called Country Cam per, and I just have this, I guess it s a passion for this com pany, states Lee, who purchased the com pany in 2010 and started operations January 3 rd, Lee declares his aim for the com pany is to assure owners that Country Coach will be there for them long after he is gone. With plans for new goals and a new purpose, Lee cam e back as the new owner of Country Coach to rescue the com pany. Now Country Coach is building coaches on an order basis. Lee tells us, We now can build any part of a Country Coach, including doing it totally, but we still have excess space. I have re-hired 16 of the original em ployees, giving Country Coach a com bined total of over 400 years of RV experience. Country Coach tells us they now have 22 em ployees and are continuing to bounce-back strongly, including in the areas of parts m anufacturing, parts shipping, and sales which has picked up dram atically. Lee adds, I f you have som e sort of faith in m ankind and especially this Am erican spirit, you have to know that it s (Country Coach) going to com e back. By m eans of innovation, ingenuity and a lot of perseverance, Country Coach is shaking off the effect of the recessions and re-building. On March 19, 2009 Country Coach announced the re-opening of its m anufacturing and sales operations in Junction City, Oregon and Country Coach is very optim istic about the quality of coach they will be able to sell now that they are a factory-direct m anufacturer. While the com pany did not introduce any new lines for 2010, as they focused on re-establishing them selves and hiring back the workers they had lost the eight m onths ago. Lee hopes for Country Coach to start building coaches by early His business plan calls for a m odest start with 25 coaches m anufactured in the first year and an increase of 80 em ployees. Keeping Country Coach strong and keeping jobs are the com pany s m ain objectives. Lee has been instrum ental in creating som e of the RV specifications we take for granted today such as a m otorcoach system s m onitor with speech processor, air leveling for 74

75 the m otorcoach, I nfotronics HVAC control technology, and hydronic heating coach system s. He also introduced the first code-com pliant custom bus conversion built on a production line. Lee was inducted into the RV/ MH Heritage Foundation, I nc. Hall of Fam e in The com pany is still recovering from bankruptcy and trying to get its feet on the ground as a new com pany, Country Coach has yet to m anufacture m any new m odels. Despite the foreclosure, we did find the 2012 Country Coach Magna 630 offering new floorplans. A diesel pusher, with a length of 40, tow capacity of 10,000 lbs, four slides, the Magna sleeps four com fortably. While the MSRP is $768,995, we found it for under $599,000. Bob Lee says the com pany is currently in the design phase for an electric-diesel hybrid RV, which should double or triple the m ileage com pared to a traditional coach. Lee also tells us Country Coach now has a full coach service center, their Dyno center, capable of com plete chassis and m echanical services. I n addition, Country Coach has begun a newsletter, Country Coach Destinations, in order to keep you up with the latest happenings at Country Coach. Country Coaches m edia tells us that the Country Coach Lexa was used in a m ove that will placate both Dem ocrats and Republicans, as Sarah Palin chose to travel across the nation in a uniquely Am erican recreational vehicle product. The Lexa Coach is available in six floor plans with a double or triple slide out configuration (galley, bedroom and living room ). The diesel pusher motorhome was produced by Country Coach in both a 42 and 45 version. When it first debuted, the Lexa s futuristic design, full-height windshield, awning styled windows and a sleek European look both inside and out, was enthusiastically received by m otorhom e owners. Popular Models from Previous Years The m ost popular Country Coach m odel for 2008 was the I nspire With a MSRP $385,000 it featured an 82 interior ceiling height and a one piece panoram ic windshield. I n 2007 the com pany unveiled several m odels; the m id-range Tribute in 2007 retailing for about $250,000, an upper-end Rhapsody priced in the m illion-dollar range, its 2007 I ntrigue 5 2 0, the Magna and the Affinity Com m ents: Earlier reviews for Country Coach provide satisfied feedback from owners. After 2009 satisfaction started to drop sharply, specifically in the areas of repairs, paint, and m echanical problem s. The com pany was going through som e difficult tim es financially and as a result com pany support started to drop. Yet m any reviews praise the way the coaches handled on the road, com paring it to a luxury autom obile. Nonetheless, the latest com bination of reviews from both then and now put Country Coach back up high on the charts for overall quality and owners who would recom m end the product to others. Com fort, design, interior and exterior appearance, perform ance and safety all rate at the top of the charts. Reviews drop in satisfaction when it com es to reliability, cost of m aintenance and m anufacturer support. Though we do not see this as a huge red flag, (the drops are significant but not ext rem e), it is som et hing im port ant t o consider when purchasing a preowned Country Coach. Their website shows they take used coaches on consignm ent and have a parts departm ent and service center at their facility. The com pany offers a wide variety of services to owners such as a full rem odel of an older Country Coach. I t seem s they are trying to m aintain a good reputation in the industry until they are able to get into production again. 75

76 Damon Corporation (Thor Motor Coach) 701 Country Road Elkhart, I ndiana Phone: w w w.thorm otorcoach.com Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Dam on Corporation is now a product of Thor Motor Coach, the result of the 2010 m erger and purchase by Thor I ndustries of Four Winds I nternational, Dam on Motor Coach and Mandalay RV. All inform ation and products once m anufactured by Dam on Corp. are now directed to the Thor Motor Coach m anufacturing com pany. This includes the website and contact inform ation. Though Thor Motor Coach is a relatively new nam e to the industry its parent com pany, Thor I ndustries has been around for decades. Jerim iah Borkowski, Director of Thor Com m unications, tells us the m erger went especially sm oothly because the facilities were right next to each other. The m erger also resulted in a strong Class B product (Four Winds I nternational), with a strong diesel and Class A product (Dam on). Jerim iah points out; with these m ergers Thor is connecting the dots to becom e a better product line and offer m ore services. Thor Motor Coach m anufactures both gas and diesel Class A and C, and Class B+ m otorhom es, in several different product lines and floorplans. You can even work with Thor Motor Coach and design your own m otor coach. Last year Thor I ndustries had announced their Concierge Connection, which is a personal service advocate for Thor owners. Concierge Connection offers new retail owners of any Dam on m otorhom e a personal service advocate who is responsible for facilitating any service needs. Within days of your purchase the Concierge Connection is m ade, offering assistance for warranty and retail registrations, assistance with the m otorhom e operation, follow-up phone calls all welcom ing you to the Thor Motorhom e Fam ily. Thor Motor Coach also introduced a new SS Thor Dam on Daybreak floor plan with an innovative exterior kitchen. For 2013 it is the 3 4 KD with an easy clean Aussie stainless steel LP grill and a 4.6 cubic foot m ini fridge. Or if you prefer you can skip the kitchen and keep the over-sized MEGAStorage that com es standard. Built on a Ford Chassis, with a 6.8-Liter Triton V-10 engine, the Daybreak has a 5-Speed TorqShift autom atic transm ission with overdrive. Autom atic leveling jacks with touchpad controls, side-m ounted power patio awning, side cam eras, ergonom ic dash, and back-up m onitor system (includes touch screen in-dash radio-am/ FM/ CD/ AUX/ ipod/ MP3/ USB) are standard. The Daybreak features a spacious living area with a m edia center and well-equipped galley. Based on our research the Daybreak series continues to be the com pany s best-selling gas 76

77 m otorhom e, prim arily due to its entry level price. For further inform ation please see Thor Motor Coach article. Popular Models from Previous Years During m odel years , Dam on featured six Class A m otorhom e products. Brands include the Astoria, Tuscany and Avanti diesel pushers and the gas-powered DayBreak, Challenger and Outlaw m odels. Am ong those six products is the Outlaw, Dam on s Toy-hauler which features a loft for sleeping two over a garage. Lengths range from 37' 4" to 38' 11" and a MSRP beginning at $131,600. Based on interviews the Avanti is declared to be the m ost fuel-efficient Class A m otorhom e in the industry, boasting a perform ance of 14.5 m iles per gallon. The Avanti was the first m otor hom e to be built on the Workhorse W16D front-engine diesel platform. The W16D also m arks the first appearance of the MaxxForce 5 V6 diesel engine in a m otor hom e. The MaxxForce 5 is m ated to an Allison 1000 Series transm ission and produces 200 horsepower and 440 ft.- lbs. of torque. Leading edge technology m akes the MaxxForce 5 a clean diesel engine that im proves both em ission levels and fuel efficiency. Those features, along with the relat ively light weight of the Workhorse chassis, contribute to Avanti s fuel econom y and payload capacity. The Avanti features a Freightliner Chassis, one-touch fully autom at ic 4 point leveling jacks, Cum m ins Turbo Diesel, GPS Navigation, U dinette, and rom an-style day/ night shades for privacy, and sleeps four easily. I t also has full body paint and dual pane windows. The Avanti com es with a single slide and two floorplan lengths ranging from 28 9 to MSRP begins at $143,500. Com m ents: Despite the Concierge Connection owners are m ixed on quality and workm anship. We found som e very loyal owners and others who would not recom m end the product at all. Reviews put the Dam on products at only an average of points out of 5 for overall ratings, with cost of m aintenance being one of the poorer ratings. Support from the m anufacturer was a little higher than last year and perhaps the introduction by Thor of the Concierge Connection, which we feel is a great asset to any purchase, has helped im prove that rating. Because m any owners are adam ant they love their m odels and others are adam ant they would not recom m end Dam on products, it will be im portant to research reviews on specific m odels when considering a Dam on purchase. The price point for m ost Dam on coaches is very reasonable which has resulted in strong sales over the years. While m any owners are pleased with their Dam on purchase, there are a num ber of com plaints regarding workm anship over the years. Our advice is to purchase from a reputable dealer who is known for strong custom er service and one that has been in business for a long tim e. I n our opinion the purchase by Thor Motor Coach has helped im prove quality issues and the overall custom er satisfaction is m oving in the right direction. Nice entry level coach! For m ore inform ation please read the Thor Motor Coach article. 77

78 Dynamax Corporation (Forest River) 2745 Northland Dr. Elkhart, I N Phone: w w w.dynam axcorp.com Dynam ax Corporation was acquired by the well-known Forest River RV m anufacturing com pany in January of Dynam ax Corporation is a m anufacturer of m otorhom es, including Super C style units used by SWAT team s and law enforcem ent, as well as upscale travel trailers and fifth wheels. The com pany was founded in 1997 and that sam e year the curvaceous Class A Motorhom e I sata Touring Sedan rolled off the line with revolutionary radius curved sidewalls, som ething not seen in the RV industry. I n 1999 the I sata Sport Class C Motorhom e entered the m arketplace with favorable reviews. The ensuing years produced m ore tradem arks, products, and new upgrades for the fast-growing recreational vehicle com pany Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Partnering with Forest River, I nc. Dynam ax feels it can m aintain a solid reputation with a strong recreational vehicle product line up and a series of custom Specialty Vehicles and RVs, all designed for a variety of lifestyle needs. Dynam ax Corporation produces Class C m otorhom es on two different Ford chassis, the E450 and F550, with lengths ranging from 23 to 31 feet. The com pany also builds m otorhom es on three different Freightliner chassis from a 26' single axle, on up to a 45' tandem rear axle. The Dynam ax m odel brands are nam ed the I sata, the DynaQuest, the Grand Sport, and the DX3, one of the com pany s newest brand of Class C m otorhom es. Dynam ax Corporation also produces a luxury fifth wheel recreational vehicle. The Dynam ax DX3 is considered one of the m ost luxurious Class C m otorhom es on the m arket by dealerships. DX3 has two floorplans that offer layout designs of booth dinettes with bed conversions, leather furniture, hide-a-beds, king size beds, bunk beds, sofa beds, and wardrobes. The Dx3 m otorhom es are powered by an 8.3L Cum m ins 350HP diesel engine with 1,000 lbs. of torque and a m assive 33,000 lb. Freightliner M-2 chassis with 20,000 lb. hitch. These coaches have a Sm okey Topaz full body exterior 4-color package. The all-new Dynam ax DX3 DX 3 7 BH sleeps up to eight, is 39 2 in length, and has two large slideouts. This coach has a private king bed rear sleeping area with a wardrobe and a bunk bed slideout across from the private bath. 78

79 Both DX3 coaches feature large kitchen and living areas, a 40 LCD TV in the hom e theater system center, and a 32 TV in the bedroom. They have flush m ounted LED ceiling lights, solid surface countertops, a m icrowave, Frigidaire 23 cu. ft. residential french door refrigerator, and stackable washer dryer options. The DX3 cockpits have a touch screen prem ium AM/ FM/ CD/ DVD radio, GPS with color m onitor, color back-up cam era, two color side view cam eras and a 1,800 Watt inverter. The Dynam ax DX3 3 7 TRS has three slideouts, is 39 2 in length, and has a MSRP of $285,264, but we found dealers pricing it at $213,900. Dynam ax was featured on the cover of MotorHom e Magazine (January 2011) calling the Dynam ax Grand Sport a Driver s Dream Machine. You can chose from six unique Grand Sport GT Class C m odels ranging in lengths from 34 to 45 feet, each with a prem ium OEM chassis and up to twenty tons of towing capacity and 37,600 to 54,000 lb. GVWRs. Dynam ax designed the Grand Sport GT for those wanting to bring the com forts of indoors to an outdoor cam ping lifestyle. Dynam ax tells us, This touring coach m otorhom e boasts a very room y living area, which can offer a variety of furnishings such as a Flexteel EZ Bed, or a hide-a-bed with air m attress. You can relax indoors with entertainm ent features such as the cable-ready/ satellite-ready flat screen TV, and a Bose DVD/ Surround-sound System, offered on som e m odels. The Grand Sport GT kitchen is well equipped and m any m odels feature a spacious work area. Expansive cabinets on m ost Dynam ax Grand Sport Motorhom es also provide plentiful storage. MotorHom e Magazine adds, Owning a coach that turns heads is just part of the fun; sitting behind the wheel and rolling up the m iles is the real payoff. The cab is obviously designed for truckers who spend a lot of tim e behind the wheel. The new GT floorplan, nam ed the Dynam ax Corp Grand Sport GT diesel coach, has a MSRP of $553,000; however we found it listed at $414,900. The Dynam ax Grand Sport is also produced in Dynam ax Grand Sport Ultra luxury diesel m odels. With several exterior paint options, sealed with six clear coats of Ultra deep protection, and five interior décor options, the Grand Sport Ultras have two floorplans with a new plan to soon be announced. The Grand Sport Ultras are built on a Freightliner Cascadia Cum m ins I SX L engine with 525 horsepower at 1,800 RPM and 1,850 lb. ft. of torque at 1,200 RPM. They have a 37,600-54,000 lb. GVWR. The all-new Dynam ax Grand Sport Ultra UL tag axle Super C luxury diesel m otor coach is the first custom built bathand-a-half m odel of its kind. I t is built with three slideouts, including one which is a full wall slide, and is just under 45 feet in length. The I sata, a popular product from the first year it rolled off the production lines, is back for 2014 in both the E Series (gas engine) and F Series (diesel). Both the Dynam ax I sata E- Series and F-Series Class C m otorhom es are referred to as Dynam ax s Touring Sedan. Each I sata m otorhom e is constructed of a heavy duty 3" E-Coated steel fram e floor, radiused and lam inated side walls, square tube alum inum fram ed side walls, a steel cage connecting the cab to side walls and the roof, and panoram ic bonded and dark tinted windows. These I sata m otorhom es have R-11 solid block foam insulation in the floor and R-8 solid block foam insulation on the side walls and roof. 79

80 The I sata E-Series Class C Motorhom e is built on a 305-HP 6.8L Triton V-10 gas engine on the Ford E450 chassis. One of Dynam ax s sm aller coaches, ranging in length from 24 to 28 feet, the I sata E-Series is easy to drive in city traffic, yet has enough power for m ountain driving. The I sata F-Series is a sm aller and m ore m aneuverable touring coach, with larger storage areas and an even larger selection of options. The floorplans range in length from 27 to 31 foot floorplans, with designs that offer m ore sleeping areas for full-tim e sleeping. The Dynam ax I sata F Series F3 1 0 diesel pusher is a custom built m otorhom e, the first Dynam ax unit to feature a Glazed Regency Cherry wood package. Luxurious and spacious with two slideouts, the coach has ceram ic tile throughout the entire coach, an additional drop down LCD TV in the cab over bunk area, and custom ordered steer hide ultra-leather. Other features include a back-up cam era and m onitor with 2 additional side view cam eras, a GPS navigation system, outdoor entertainm ent center with CD player, a 32 inch flat screen TV in bedroom, a U-shaped booth dinette with table, and a box style patio awning. The I sata F Series 310 is built on a 6.7L power stroke 300-HP turbo diesel engine with 660 ft. lbs. of torque and a Torque-Shift 6-speed autom atic transm ission on a m assive Ford F-550 chassis. MSRP is $270,100. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect For Dynam ax s sm aller m odels we have changed our param eters and now classify them as Class B+. Please see Class B rating chart for Class B Class B Class B Class B+ 80 Popular Models from Previous Years The 2012 I sata E and F Series continue to be popular m odels for Dynam ax. With a fully autom atic leveling system, the I sata Series are built with a gas engine or a diesel powered engine. Sm aller, m ore m aneuverable than the larger Dynam ax m otorhom es, the I satas are popular for their abundant storage and am enities often found only in Class A coaches. I n 2011 Dynam ax released their brand new DynaQuest XV (Extrem e Value) which the com pany felt would enhance their line of DynaQuest units as the brand continues to be one of their best-selling lines. Built on a 2011 Freightliner M-2, 33,000 lb. GVWR chassis, it features a Cum m ins I SC 8.3L diesel engine. A few highlights include: flat side wall construction with a 7 foot interior ceiling, 20,000 lb. optional hitch, four point sem i- autom atic leveling jacks, and an exterior three color full body paint. I nterior highlights are a Lexington com fort leather lounge with an optional hide-a-bed feature, three burner cook top stove, wooden dinette with Lexington cushions, hardwood wardrobes, and Lexington driver and passenger captain chairs in faux leather. MSRP in 2011 for the 34' DynaQuest XV (Extrem e Value) was $239,960. Com m ents: Dynam ax m otorhom es are eye catching. With the distinctively contoured cab design, the wind is channeled up and away from the cockpit, which m ake for a m uch sm oother and easier drive. While m ost m otor hom es are of a traditional style, Dynam ax continues to think outside the box, blending the unparalleled durability of the best over-theroad truck chassis with bold styling and im aginative engineering. The com pany received high m arks from the RV dealers we spoke with and rated very high for perform ance, safety, and design. However, Dynam ax has drops significantly in custom er satisfaction ratings,

81 especially when it when it com es to cost of m aintenance, overall quality and overall value. Dynam ax also dropped, though just slightly, in reviews by owners who stated whether or not they would recom m end Dynam ax to potential buyers. The com pany does offer floorplans for those wanting to bring their ATVs, m otorcycles or other toys along. And Dynam ax presents another great website! The com pany gives full specs and pictures of all of their m odels with detailed options outlined. Dynam ax offers unique designs that you won t find anywhere else, high end Class Cs and B+ m otorhom es inside and out; it will turn heads when you pull into your favorite vacation destination. 81

82 Entegra Coach Inc. 903 S. Main Street PO Box 460 Middlebury, I N w w w.entegracoach.com I n the spring of 2008 Entegra Coach becam e a m em ber of the Jayco fam ily as the luxury m otorhom e division of Jayco, I ncorporated. Jayco is a fam ily-owned m anufacturing com pany with decades of experience behind them and so it is not surprising that the Entegra is advancing as one of the top m otorhom e brands in the industry. The hallm ark of Entegra s m otor coach is their structural integrit y, exceptional quality, their old-world craftsm anship, and excellent after-sales service. The com pany builds each coach one at a tim e and they back their products with a strong com m itm ent to custom er service. According to Entegra Coach, We are owned and operated by people who know and understand RVs. You can be rest assured that when you invest in a product from Entegra Coach, you will join a fam ily that has an abiding com m itm ent to quality and service. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Entegra has three luxury m otorhom es; Aspire, Anthem and Cornerstone. The Aspire and Anthem are built on a Cum m ins I SL 450 HP 8.9L turbocharged diesel engine with 1,250 lb. ft. of torque. The Entegra Cornerstone has a Cum m ins I SX 600 HP 15L turbocharged diesel engine with 1,950 lb. ft. of torque. Entegra Coach s exclusive X-Bridge chassis helps prevent flexing throughout, averting cracks in tile and grout, and reducing windshield m ovem ent and noise. The Entegra s have features and am enities too num erous to cover and we suggest you go to their website for great views of these m agnificent m otor coaches. You ll find very specific details on their standards links and excellent details of the num erous floorplans available for each Entegra m otorhom e. Space is well-thought out and every nook and cranny is used in order to provide as m uch storage as possible. One recent blogger took the Entegra 43 foot for a drive and gave it a thum bs up, especially regarding the storage and space of which he said, Two slides provide a space bigger than som e New York studio apartm ents; four slides, enough room for Octom om s brood. LCD televisions are placed throughout the coaches; in 82

83 the cockpit, the entertainm ent areas, and in the private sleeping area. They range in sizes from 26 to 42, depending upon the m odel and the floorplan. The Anthem m odel is the Entegra m otorhom e with the m ost floorplans of any of the Entegra coaches, five in all. They range in length from 43 feet to 45 feet, have m ultiple slideouts, and a private rear sleeping area, with a king bed. Solid hardwood passage doors, glazed m aple solid hardwood cabinetry, full extension slider drawers, a high gloss porcelain tile floor, and power day/ night roller shades are just a few of the am enities that add a luxurious interior décor to the coach. Standard features that are often options in other coaches include the electric fireplace and stackable washer and dryer. Entegra has an im pressive warranty; a two-year m anufacturer s lim ited warranty, five year lim ited structural warranty - from the original date of purchase or 24,000 m iles - against defects in m aterials and workm anship. MSRPs range around $360,000 to $597,000, but we found these 2014 prices slashed by as m uch as $100,000 by dealerships. For instance, the new 2014 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ with four slideouts is a popular unit. MSRP is $451,419, but we found it price slashed by num erous dealers, with the lowest price at $338,564 A couple of big events for Entegra should be noted. One is their all-new website. I t is specifically designed for custom ers who use sm art phones, desktops, and tablets. With alm ost 50% of these owners using their devices to research products, Entegra Coach wanted to provide a website that m ade the search experience user friendly for m obile devices. The website is a very good, with lots of interactive tools and links. The other event worth m entioning is due to the popularity of the Entegra m otor coach which has led Jayco to invest in a $2.9 m illion, 77,000-square-foot extension to an existing facility. The new addition should be com pleted in May 2013 and will be designated for the production of the Entegra Coach. Com m ents: While we haven t rated Entegra prior to 2012, these luxurious m otorhom es look to be a quality coach and with Jayco behind them, there are m any years of experience behind the m anufacturing of the Entegra. Entegra was one of just six m otorized RV brands/ m anufacturers receiving the Recreat ion Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) Quality Circle Award for Based on our research Entegra builds quality m otorhom es and custom er feedback has been positive. There are overall high ratings across the board for Entegra, and it looks to be a very good choice for those searching for a top-notch coach backed by Jayco RV. Entegra s m ain com petitors are Tiffin, Newm ar and Am erican Coach by Fleetwood. Even though the com pany is fairly new to the industry - we would have to place Entegra near the top in quality of construction, custom er satisfaction and looking at resale values their products seem to be doing very well with NADA Guides. My research staff and I recently attend a large RV show in Washington State and we toured one of Entegra s coaches, the Anthem and were im pressed with the fit and finish of the interior and overall quality. I t is nice to see the RV industry starting to com e back with newer com panies like Entegra em erging as a contender in the Class A diesel m arket. 83

84 Fleetwood RV Inc US 224 East PO Box 31 Decatur, I N Toll Free: w w w.fleetw oodrv.com Fleetwood RV is here to stay and according to Fleetwood RV, W e are back... and stronger than ever. After Fleetwood Enterprises, I nc. filed for bankruptcy in 2009 it was sold to a private com pany, Am erican I ndustrial Partners ( AI P). Out of that purchase a brand new nam e for the RV industry was introduced; Fleetwood RV, I nc. Just 4 years later, Fleetwood RV m ight be a fairly new com pany, yet it has a 62 year old icon nam e and lots of experience behind it. This includes newly nam ed Director of Operations, John McKibben, who com es t o Fleetwood with over 17 years of plant m anagem ent experience. According to President and CEO, John Draheim, Fleetwood RV is m uch m ore stable than its predecessor and the com pany is focusing on being a leaner organization with updated product designs and an im proved way of filling orders Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect This focus going forward m eshes with the 60 years plus that Fleetwood has in leading the way in the RV industry with its products, innovations, warranty, and custom er service. One of the m ost well-known nam es in the RV industry, Fleetwood has been m anufacturing recreation vehicles since Though no longer producing fifth wheelers and travel trailers, Fleetwood s line is still designed to offer som ething for everyone. They specialize in both Diesel and Gas Class A and C m otorhom es, and look at Winnebago, Monaco and Thor Motor Coach as their biggest com petitors. The Fleetwood Bounder and Discovery are one of the m ost recognized and iconic brand nam es in the industry. Last year John Draheim told us, we focused on separating our diesel brands and adding m ore high-end, high-value features. Providence is at the higher-end of the price spectrum, so we added features like polished porcelain floors, a m olded fiberglass roof and enhanced interior design with wall art and countertop edge detail upgrades. That focus is continued with the features for Fleetwood s high end products, the / Discovery and the / Providence. The Providence has two floor plans, both 43 6 in length and offers 84 inches of interior height. Constructed with a fiberglass roof and alum inum interlocking floor, wall, and ceiling fram es, the Providence is built on a Power Bridge Chassis, 450 HP Cum m ins engine. I t includes a m id-ship living area with LCD TV, a dual reclining sofa, bath and a half m odels, luxurious m aster suites, and large L-shaped galleys. The Discovery has seven floor plans and m any of the sam e luxurious features as the 84

85 Providence. Plans can include a quad-slide, triple or full wall slides, and m aster suite floorplan. Lengths range from 37 7 to The Fleetwood Discovery features full body paint exteriors and is built on a Power Bridge Chassis, 8.3 L I SC Cum m ins engine. Fleetwood RV has a total of twenty m odels to choose from between their gas and diesel lines. Top-selling diesel m otorhom es for Fleetwood are the Class A Discovery and Bounder Classic. The Bounder Classic is an entry-level diesel coach and inherits m any of its predecessor s innovative features and conveniences, while shedding som e added-cost décor to provide a coach loaded with am enities, yet at a m ore affordable price. This coach provides a fully equipped kitchen galley and sleeps up to seven com fortably. Two floorplans m easure 35 7 and 37 7, and the starting price for the Bounder Classic is around $161, Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas stream lined and focusing only on m otorhom e production. I n the Class A gas category the Bounder is Fleetwood s top selling m odel with an average MSRP of $130,900 and three floorplans to select from. I n recent years Fleetwood has lowered the MSRP of the Bounder to be m ore com petitive and has added m ore standard features, which, in our opinion, m akes this Fleetwood brand a good value. Quality and reliability are im proving as the com pany is m ore For a Class C diesel coach, the Fleetw ood Jam boree DSL has so m any standard am enities that we want to note it. The Jam boree has two floorplans, along with its sister coach, the Jam boree Sport DSL, and both are 25 2 in length. Designed with com fort and conveniences in m ind, these Class C diesel m otorhom es have few options because they are loaded with standard features that m ight be options in other Class C coaches. Both Jam boree m odels are both built on a Mercedes Sprinter Chassis, 3.0L CDI 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine, with 188-HP, and an autom atic 5-Speed transm ission. MSRPs start at $104,160 for the Jam boree and $90,580 for the Jam boree Sport. The Jam boree brand is produced in a Class C gas unit too. The Fleetw ood Jam boree Searcher has the sam e extensive list of standard features, two floorplans to choose from, and is built (depending upon m odel) on a Ford E L V8 or E L V10 engine. For 2013 Fleetwood added a fifth, updated floorplan to their popular Class A Fleetw ood Storm. The com pany wanted to offer a product that had the sleeping capacities of a Class C coach, yet kept the am enities of a Class A m otorhom e, at an entry level price. The Fleetwood Storm s are built on a Ford Chassis, 6.8-L V10 gas engine. Lengths range from 28 8 to 33 5, GVWRs are 18,000 lbs., and MSRPs begin at $84,280. The five floorplans have several designs that have been produced with well thought out use of space and am enities. The 2013 Storm has great specs such as 110 cubic feet of interior storage and 132 cubic feet of exterior storage space, and two plans offering an 82 inch dinette area, allowing for an entire fam ily or group to dine together. Bunk beds, queen or king bed, and sofa sleeper plans provide a fam ily-friendly coach. Fleetwood s m otorhom es are so luxurious, filled with so m any lavish and com fortable features, too m any to nam e here, that you will want to look at all the details through Fleetwood s website. 85

86 Popular Models from Previous Years Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Fleetwood rolled out the Jam boree Searcher and the Tioga Montara, products introduced in 2011 and updated for Last year both m odels were considered best-sellers for the com pany in the Class C gas category. They have a variety of floorplans and all m odels feature a spacious dinette, full bath with shower, and a cab-over bed. Both brands appeal to entry-level buyers and each has a MSRP beginning at $65,000. Added to Fleetwood s Class C Gas m odels are the Tioga, Tioga Ranger, Jam boree, and Jam boree Sport. I n 2011 Fleetwood introduced a brand new m odel of The Storm. This fam ily friendly m otorhom e, a cross over between a Class A and a Class C m otorhom e, continues to be popular and was introduced in a 28 foot single slide m odel in This floorplan has bunk bed options, a hide-a-loft feature, and includes a queen sized, electric drop down bed. The Storm has a one-piece windshield and a height interior of 82. MSRP begins at $82,000. The Terra has becom e Fleetwood s fastest growing brand and the result is new floorplans and designs which Fleetwood tells us they believe will appeal to the Terra buyer and potential new buyers. The Terra offers a 31 dual slide, m id-ship TV floorplan with a rear bedroom or a 34 dual slide with a side aisle floor plan and a m id-ship TV plan. The Terra has a one-piece windshield, hardwood cabinet doors, and full basem ent storage space. I t includes a queen sized, electric drop down bed, which is located above the driver/ passenger captain s chairs. Com m ents: Fleetwood continues to be one of the leading producers of Class A and Class C m otorhom es. Quality and value for Fleetwood has increased since last year from average to above average and we like the fact the com pany works closely with their dealers to resolve any warranty issues. Fleetwood does rate well with the dealers we interviewed regarding custom er service. Though ratings are a just a little lower for overall quality and value, the ratings in the areas of perform ance, safety and com fort, and custom er satisfaction were well above average. Everywhere we looked we found positive reviews for Fleetwood m otorhom es and the Forum s are filled with loyal custom ers. We found m any products ratings right at the top with custom er satisfaction. Fleetwood unveiled a brand new website in 2011 and the site reflects the solid ground Fleetwood is on after filing for bankruptcy and gaining new ownership in Fleetwood s website is one of the best we have seen, with drop down buttons for their products allowing you to see specifications at a glance. Fleetwood s new website not only has a whole new look and feel, but it also provides clearer product inform ation, larger product im ages, and is very easily to navigate despite a vast am ount of inform ation. Overall Fleetwood is a good product. Their solid brand recognition with added standard features m akes them a great choice for buyers on a budget. 86

87 Forest River, Inc. PO Box CR 1 Elkhart, I N Phone: / w w w.forestriverinc.com / RV/ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas Forest River was founded in 1996 by Peter Liegl and is headquartered in Elkhart, I ndiana. The com pany has grown considerably in the last few years to include production facilit ies throughout the m id-west and west coast. I n addition to m anufacturing recreation vehicles, Forest River I ncorporated also has a m arine and boat, and a bus division, a com m ercial truck and trailer business, a m anufactured housing division, including park hom es, and a cargo trailer division. Forest River s m otorhom e division produces Class A diesel and gas m otorhom es, as well as Class C m otorhom es and their Class B+ luxury line. Their towables include lite-travel trailers, fifth wheelers, hybrid and popup towable cam pers, and toy haulers. The Forest River website states, I t is our m ission to help all our custom ers enjoy their RV experience to the fullest. This appears to be evident as this year Forest River, I nc. continues to be on the list of the top three m anufacturers and for m otorhom e registrations, according to Statistical Surveys, I nc. This includes both the Class A and Class C brands produced by Forest River, I nc. Coachm en, Palom ino, Shasta, Prim etim e, and Viking are all divisions of Forest River I ncorporated. Forest River s com petitors are Fleetwood, Jayco, Gulf, and Keystone. Forest River has five m odel brand nam es for their Class A m otorhom es and are produced as diesel or gas powered coaches. The Berkshire is their top of the line Class A diesel m otorhom e. I t has four floorplans built on a Cum m ins I SB 340HP Engine and four built on a Cum m ins I SB-XT 360HP Engine. Each m otorhom e has an Allison 2500MH 6-Speed autom atic transm ission and a 5,000 lb. receiver hitch. GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) ranges from 27,910 lbs. to 29,410 lbs. and GCRV (gross com bination weight rating) range from 32,910 lbs. to 39,410 lbs. The Berkshires are literally a hom e away from hom e and are all about com fort when it com es to features, am enities and size. Exterior lengths range from 37 9 to 39 9 and they have a 100 gallon fuel tank. The m odels include four slides on each m otorhom e, a one-piece panoram ic 87

88 windshield, and wrap-around dash controls which help you m anage your m otorhom e within easy finger-tip reach MSRPs begin just over $245,000, with the new Berkshire 390BH (with four slides) starting at around $273,000. I n the Class A gas m otorhom e category the Georgetow n has been the com pany s bestseller for a num ber of years, and the Georgetow n XL is currently the num ber one selling Class A m otorhom e in the country. This honor is attributed to several factors, including the panoram ic windshield which is the largest in the industry and the pass through, underneath storage area; again, the largest of any Class A m otorhom e. Forest River states that the Georgetown is designed to give owners a, true hom e on the road. I ndeed, that is what both m odels, the Georgetown and the Georgetown XL, deliver. The Georgetown was designed for people who want to live on the road, entertain as if at hom e, and still enjoy luxury and com fort, all in coach. What sets the Georgetown apart is that these m otorhom es, found for less than $100,000, include standard am enities usually only found in coaches a lot m ore expensive. The units also include several specifics that are often only found in a diesel m otorhom e. The 84 inch soft-touch ceilings are easy to clean and cut down on noise, while still looking very high-end. A few of the standard features are a full-coach water-filtration system, a rear-vision backup cam era, soft-touch L-shaped sofa in the living area, a fireplace, a 40-inch LCD TV, flush m ount ovens and 30 inch m icrowaves, solid-surface countertops, and a one-piece fiberglass shower. One of Forest River s newer products, the Forest River FR3 gas powered coach was designed to be a com bination of Class A and Class C m otorhom es, taking advantage of all their am enities. The FR3, currently produced in one floorplan, has a panoram ic windshield, fully galley, wrap-around booth dinette, queen bedroom, bath with shower, a 32 TV, and a powered fold-away overhead bunk. The 31 4 FR3 has two slideouts, an awning, and is built on a FORD V10 6.8L gas engine MSRPs for the Forest River FR3 begin at around $105,100, though we found it priced as low as $101, Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C 88 Forest River builds three Class C brands; the Forester, Solera and Sunseeker. The Sunseeker is the com pany s best-selling Class C brand, with the sm allest coach retailing around $54,900. The Sunseeker has twelve floorplans built on a Ford Chassis engine, one floorplan built on the LE Ford Chassis, and five floorplans built on Chevy Chassis, and one built on a LE Chevy Chassis. Forest River provides a 12 m onth/ 12,000 m ile basic (lim ited) warranty, a 3 year/ 36,000 m ile bum per-to-bum per lim ited chassis warranty, and a 5 year/ 60,000 lim ited powertrain warranty on this Class C m otorhom e. All Sunseeker m otorhom es are filled with all the necessary am enities and beautiful m aple or cherry wood cabinets with coordinating decor to m ake life on the road as com fy and cozy as possible. The Sunseeker m otor coach has a floor plan unique from other Class C m otorhom es; a split level design that delivers m axim um headroom in the living space, yet still providing pass-through storage on every

89 floorplan. I n addition, the Sunseekers are loaded with am enities that are seldom found in coaches averaging around $100,000 in price. One exam ple of these am enities is the large kitchen countertop that has a flip-up extension allowing for plenty of prep space. Another feature is the 32-inch, 12-volt DC LED TV over the galley area which provides easy viewing throughout the front of the m otorhom e, and seven foot ceilings Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ Forest River m akes a Class B+ m otorhom e called the Lexington which offers all of the am enities and features that are available in larger m otorhom es, yet providing a coach that is easier to drive and far m ore affordable. The four floorplans for the luxury Lexington were recently upgraded with new features and design interiors, including a large pantry slide-out that allows you to have plenty of room for all of your food storage. The Lexington m odels include a full dry bath with a shower, solid oak raised-panel cabinet doors and drawers, large two door refrigerators, oak-edged countertops and dinette table, and an abundance of overhead storage. The Lexington floorplans range in length from 28 ft. to 32 ft. with a variety of different slide-outs in each m odel. They have fuel capacities of 55 gallons and GVWRs of 14,500 lbs. Considering the size and quality of the vehicle, the Lexington Class B+ is priced rather affordably with MSRPs beginning at $68,990. Northwest RV dealerships say they like Forest River because of the quality of the products for the specific needs of the Northwest. Forest River continues to give us products that sell well here in the northwest. Specifically in part due to the insulation packages rating an R-15 and a ground clearance that m atches the needs for off the highway use. Com m ents: Custom er service and satisfaction are very m ixed whether referring to Forest River s m otorhom es, fifth wheels, or travel trailers. Many custom ers expressed disappointm ent in the quality of workm anship by the m anufacturer, yet were overall pleased with the product. Many owners stated they love their m odel, while other owners were firm in stating they would never buy another Forest River product. Som e of the reviews were very specific in regards to m odels having consistent problem s. Other owners found a product to be very good when it cam e to quality and satisfaction, while another owner of the sam e product, but of a different year, did not rate it very high at all. I t was the dealerships that the custom ers seem to have the biggest grievance for, expressing trouble getting warranties honored and services rendered. Our advice; check out your dealership before purchasing and check the specific m odel closely. As there are m any satisfied custom ers, one can only say that m ixed reviews are com m on when there is such a large am ount of m odels and products being m anufactured. We have received a num ber of negative com plaints from people about Forest River and poor workm anship. The best advice we can give is deal with a reputable RV dealer and dealership, and try to stay clear of their inexpensive entry-level products. The com pany is im proving on overall quality of product, but m ixed reviews on custom er service and workm anship continue. 89

90 Foretravel Inc N.W. Stallings Drive Nacogdoches, TX Phone: w w w.foretravel.com The business of building m otorhom es cam e about not due to prior planning by the Fores, yet by the traveling they did in their self-built m otorhom e. From that m odest beginning in 1967 with the 29 Speedy Marie m otorhom e produced in the backyard of C.M. & Marie Fore, Foretravel continued to set the standard. Weathering the oil em bargos of the early 1970s, Foretravel introduced the first diesel-powered m otorhom e in I n addition to the num erous conveniences of a Foretravel, i.e.; flat screen TV s, central vacuum cleaners, icem akers and trash com pactors, Foretravel was am ong the first to use fiberglass instead of alum inum, real hardwood, and a full air bag suspension. With the aerodynam ic structure the Fores wanted even m ore for their custom ers, so they developed the first unibodied chassis in 1986 and the Unihom e was introduced. The new Unihom e offered incom parable drivability and handling, and a sleek new design. I n 1995 the Unicoach was born. I t resem bled a bus with a front entry, com fort am enities, a big engine and the Allison World 6 Transm ission. Foretravel s innovation is evident in it s exclusive TravelRide chassis. The newly designed chassis provides m axim um storage and superior ride and handling which is one of the m any characteristics that sets Foretravel apart from other m anufacturers. Foretravel s website tells us, The Unihom e chassis stood the test of tim e for twenty years and it was not until late 2006 that it was re-engineered and the TravelRide chassis was born. For the I H we have taken the TravelRide chassis a step forward. The I H rides on the new TravelRide I I chassis, the best handling, m ost stable chassis we have ever produced Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Foret ravel coaches have vacuum - bonded and insulated steel fram es in all sidewalls, floors, sub-floors and storage bay walls. The roof is a vacuum -bonded, insulated, alum inum structure and is m ade of one fiberglass piece for greater strength and lower weight. Foretravel coaches house custom -crafted all wood cabinetry m ade of the finest m aterials available, high-quality designer furniture using the choicest of fine leathers and fabrics, topped with luxurious countertops and filled with the latest appliances and audio-visual technology. Foretravel puts their focus on deluxe diesel coaches with quality being the m ain goal of the com pany. Foret ravel is definit ely wort h checking out if you re in t he m arket for an upperend deluxe diesel coach. Our research determ ines they do very well in all categories and they are now available through their Foretravel Texas sales operation, adjacent to the production plant in Nacogdoes Texas. The com pany has authorized centers around the country as well as at a select num ber of independent dealers. Foretravel considers Monaco, 90

91 Country Coach, and entry level bus conversions to be am ong their closest com petitors. Foretravel s custom ers are upper-end with quality being the m ost im portant aspect of the decision process. Foretravel produced several new coaches for 2012 and have continued to produce them for They all com e from their Foretravel lines; the I H, the Phenix and the Nim bus, and m any of these m odels are selling before they com e off the production line. The Foretravel I H- 4 5 Quad Slide is the peak of luxury. Built on a Cum m ins I SX 650 hp, engine and an Allison 4000MHR transm ission, it has a length of 45 feet and four slideouts consisting of a living room and bedroom. The roof is a one piece Fiberglass roof with a sub floor and a full body paint with a clear coat finish. With custom floorplans and luxurious am enities too num erous to nam e here, check the Foretravel website for all t he specific details. The MSRP is $1,200,250. Foretravel Nim bus has four slideouts providing bedroom s and a living area. Built 40 feet in length, on a Cum m ins I SL 425hp engine and a Allison 3000HR transm ission, the Nim bus also features the Foretravel easy view one-piece windshield, one piece Fiberglass roof with a sub floor, and a full body paint with a clear coat finish. Backup cam eras, antilock air brakes (with autom atic slack adjuster), electric patio awning, 5/ 80R22.5 Michelin tires, and a com puterized leveling system are standard. Once again the lavish interior am enities are too num erous for this sm all space, so visit the Foretravel website for great photos and details of this high-quality coach. Foretravel tells us that Foretravel of Texas and Oregon Motorcoach Center, Eugene, OR. have form ed a service alliance. Oregon Motorcoach Center, a prem ier service and rem odeling center in the Pacific Northwest, and Foretravel's highly regarded factory service center in East Texas, have entered into a service agreem ent involving Foretravel Motorcoaches. Oregon Motorcoach Center will offer Foretravel Motorcade Club Mem bers the sam e 10% parts and labor discount for service work as Foretravel does. Oregon Motorcoach Center will also be a factory authorized warranty service center for Foretravel. This m akes servicing easier for Foretravel owners living outside of the Texas service area. Popular Models from Previous Years For 2010 Foretravel produced new updated m odels of their Nim bus Bus 45 Triple Slide and Nim bus Quad Slide, as well as their Phenix 45 Quad and Phenix 454S. The 2010 Nim bus had MRSPs beginning at $804,360 and the Phenix at $1,051,000. New for 2010 Foretravel chose the MCD Am erican Duo Shade System as original equipm ent in their m odels. A quality-built m otorcoach m ust be equipped with quality-built com ponents and MCD shades are the only shades which Foretravel m otorcoaches are equipped. This high-tech total privacy window shade solution, their dependability, styling, and ease of use m akes for an easy choice in window shades, Curtis Fancher, sales m anager for Foretravel of Texas I nc., stated in a news release. I n 2009 the Nim bus was m anufactured with double, triple or four-slide m odels powered by either Cum m ins 425-hp I SL or 500-hp I SM diesel engines. Nim bus Foretravel Straight Forward Pricing ranges from $499,000 to $800,000. Their top of the line coach is the Phenix which is a com plete custom coach and with the 45 Phenix challenged the likes of Newell Coach and entry level bus conversions for the ability to build to the custom er s needs and desires. The 2009 Phenix ranged from the $ K on Foretravel s Straight Forward Pricing list. 91

92 The best-selling Nim bus was redesigned in 2007 and is still the one of the com pany s bestselling m ot orcoaches. The Nim bus was increased in height, with a one-piece windshield, new features and five new floor plans. "One of the unique things about the chassis is that you can drop the airbags and still fit the coach under m ost 12-foot garage doors," said Terry Nabours. Com m ents: Overall the Foretravel Com pany receives very high m arks and quality of construction is superb, with resale value being exceptional. With a rating scale of 1-5, and 5 being the top, Foretravel rates in areas such as perform ance, safety, design, com fort, m anufacturer support and overall value. Only rating lower in dealer support and cost of m aintenance, Foretravel owners were happy with their purchase and would overwhelm ing recom m end the com pany to others. Foretravel m ainly builds custom coaches and is a low volum e producer. Not one of the better websites we have viewed, Foretravel s website is a bit tricky to navigate, and product inform ation is not easily available. However there are a lot of details once you find the right links. Foretravel does offer factory tours and they do provide pictures on their website showing the various stages of construction. Rated at the top, Foretravel is considered one of the best brands for full-tim e use. We have not received any negative feedback from people and we at J R Consum er Resources can highly recom m end this com pany. They m ay be a bit on the pricey side, but for those seeking a top-quality coach, Foretravel delivers. 92

93 Four Winds (Thor Motor Coach) 701 Country Road Elkhart, I ndiana Phone: w w w.thorm otorcoach.com Four Winds is now a product of Thor Motor Coach, the result of the 2010 m erger and purchase by Thor, I ndustries of Four Winds I nternational, Dam on Motor Coach, and Mandalay RV. All inform ation and products once m anufactured by Four Winds are now directed to the Thor Motor Coach m anufacturing com pany. This includes the website and contact inform ation. Though Thor Motor Coach is a relatively new nam e to the industry, its parent com pany, Thor I ndustries, has been around for decades. Thor I ndustries traces its history back 70 years and is listed on the NY Stock Exchange. I t is the parent com pany of Four Winds. Today Thor is the largest m anufacturing brand of m otorhom es in North Am erica, with Four Winds being part of that production. This includes Class A, B and C m otorhom es, as well as m anufacturing both gas and diesel m otorhom es. Known for its innovative products, Four Winds was first to introduce the Funm over and the garage m otorhom e. The com pany takes pride in knowing that they are on the m arket edge when it com es to new products, new floor plans and new and bigger chassis for m ore power and strength. We have an edge over our closest com petitors; Fleetwood and Winnebago because we have som e unique products that fill a niche, which they don t concentrate on, says John Krider, Director of Marketing. Our m anufacturing structure and lower overhead m akes a lot of difference. Thor has announced their Concierge Connection a personal service advocate for Thor owners. Concierge Connection offers new retail owners of any Four Winds m otorhom e a personal service advocate who is responsible for facilitating any service needs. Within days of your purchase the Concierge Connection is m ade, offering assistance for warranty and retail registrations, assistance with the m otorhom e operation, follow-up phone calls; all welcom ing you to the Thor Motorhom e Fam ily. Four Winds products include travel trailers from 18' to 40', destination trailers, Class A m otorhom es, contem porary Class C m otorhom es, Class B+ m otorhom es, and the all- in-one Fun Mover Sport Recreation Vehicle Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect The 2013 Tuscany TAG diesel pusher by Four Winds is the com pany s flagship line. This brand of luxury m otorhom e offers the ultim ate in beautification, styling, and power with all the high-end am enities. The refreshing wide-open floorplans are com plim ented by prem ium Com fort-fit custom furniture, 24" x 12" polished porcelain tile, built-in fireplaces, and hand crafted solid wood cabinetry. There are two floorplans available to choose from with a MSRP of around $270,

94 Class A Gas Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class B Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class C Class B Class B+ 94 The 2011/ 2012 Hurricane is a Class A gas m otorhom e and currently the bestselling brand for Four Winds. The Hurricane com es with m any of the previous am enities including slide-outs with and the popular bunk-house feature. The 34B - W/ 3 Slides New Bunk House RV has a Brazil Wood full body paint on a Ford 22-Series Chassis with a Triton V-10 gas engine. The interior includes a Chestnut and glazed Maple interior, full kitchen am enities, private shower and toilet area, surround sound entertainm ent center, booth dinette, and captain swivel chairs in the cockpit. MSRP is $137,138; however we found this particular m odel offered for just under $104,000. I n the Class C category the Chateau is the com pany s m ost popular seller, gas or diesel with an average MSRP of $75,000. The com pany is also excited about their new Sprinter series which is a fuel-efficient Class C m otorhom e. With European inspired interior and elegant full body paint exteriors, it is easy to see why RV buyers are taking notice of this new design. Four Winds is com peting with the View by Winnebago and the Prism by Coachm en, hoping to capitalize on high gas prices and consum er dem and for m ore fuel-efficient and aerodynam ic products. The new Four W inds Siesta B+ Touring Motorhom e is luxury all through. Available in lengths from 22 8 to on a Ford or Chevy chassis, the Siesta line is also available with a Sprinter diesel chassis. The four floorplans options include full body paint, slide-out room, leather cab seats, back up cam era, heated power m irrors, 3500 lb. hitch, night shades, leather booth dinette, heated tanks, fiberglass running boards, ducted roof A/ C, Onan generator and a patio awning. The Four Winds Siesta 24SA sleeps six, and has a Mercedes diesel engine offering 17 MPG. I t has a MSRP of $117,876. I n addition, Four Winds has another brand of m otorhom e called the Citation and includes the Citation B+ Touring Motorhom e and the diesel Citation Sprinter B+. The Citation is sim ilar to the Siesta and it has m any of the sam e options. I t has two floorplans to choose from with all of the extra storage you will need. The 25 Citation Sprinter is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and it has a turbo diesel Mercedes-Benz engine offering an option of 1 or 2 slide-out. For further inform ation and 2012 products see Thor Motor Coach article.

95 Com m ents: Four Winds I nternational could do better when it com es to the RV ratings. With only average ratings, Four Winds did especially poor in the area of perform ance (handling, acceleration, braking, etc.). Ratings for support from the dealer and m anufacturer support have risen, perhaps due to the introduction of the Concierge Connection, which we feel is a great asset to any purchase. Many owners are adam ant they love their m otorhom e and others gave Four Winds a would never buy another rating. Thus we at J R Consum ers suggest you check reviews for the specific Four Winds product you are considering purchasing, speak with dealers who have sold previous m odels, and visit with Four Winds owners. I t seem s the com pany is strongest in the Class C category with a num ber of m odels and floorplans to choose from. Affiliation with Thor has helped the com pany som ewhat and sales are im proving for Four Winds, but ratings are st ill lagging behind. Quality is average at best. For com parisons Fleetwood, Coachm en and Winnebago would have sim ilar products. Price seem s to be the m ain selling point and resale value is poor overall. Maybe Thor can help turn the com pany around which needs to focus m ore on quality then just price. For m ore inform ation on reviews and ratings of Four Winds products, see the Thor Motor Coach article. 95

96 Georgie Boy Manufacturing (Coachmen) I n 2010 Coachm en RV was purchased by Forest River who chose to drop the Georgie Boy brand. The Georgie Boy website now directs you to Coachm en RV. Coachm en I ndustries I nc. announced that it finalized the sale of nearly all of the assets from its RV business to Forest River in Decem ber The com pany has restructured as a system s-built housing com pany with a specialty vehicle business. Forest River has agreed to retain the m ajority of Coachm en s RV work force. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Georgie Boy looked at Winnebago, Thor and Dam on as its biggest com petitors according to our research. The com pany appealed to the entry-level and m id-range buyers with price and quality both playing an im portant role. I f you re looking for a bit m ore luxury you m ay want to consider the Cruise Master. The Cruise Master nam e has a lot of history as a touring coach, and we thought a m otorhom e built on the UFO chassis was perfect for rekindling this great brand," said Mike Scheetz, vice president of m otorized product for Coachm en RV Group. Georgie Boy takes advantage of the Workhorse platform that m any are praising for its ride, handling and quietness. One of the things we like m ost about the UFO platform is all that it does to im prove driver and passenger com fort. With the engine in the rear, there is m uch less cabin noise and less cabin heat. Also, because we don't have a drive shaft running the length of the coach, there is less vibration; and we can build in m ore pass through storage." Popular Models from Previous Years For 2009 the Cruise Master was equipped with the Workhorse UFO chassis and powered by GM's Vortec 8.1L V8 rear gasoline engine. Average MSRP began at $180, Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas I n the com pany s m ost popular m otorhom e was the Pursuit, an entry-level Class A gas m otorhom e. The Pursuit was com pletely redesigned in 2007 and is perfect for those wanting to take short trips or weekend getaways. You will find lots of am enities in the kitchen, bathroom s, and entertainm ent centers. The Pursuit features centrally controlled heating and air conditioning. When new it had an average MSRP of $101,983 and you would think the coach would be lacking in quality and style, yet surprisingly the coach is well appointed with an im pressive list of standard features. 96

97 Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C During m odel years 2006/ 2007 Georgie Boy produced a Class C m otorhom e called the Maverick. The Maverick provided m ore outside storage than m ost Class Cs produced during those years. Four of the six m odels have in excess of 100 cubic feet of exterior storage, which is plenty of room to pack bicycles or other toys necessary for a fam ily outing. The large rear storage com partm ent on m ost m odels can be accessed on three sides, m aking it easier to find everything stowed inside. This rear storage bay also houses an integrated table that you can unfold and use for a barbeque or picnic. When it com es to bedtim e, Maverick m akes sure the whole fam ily gets a com fortable night s sleep. Most floorplans are fitted with a residential sized queen bed (a full 80-inches long), which is up to six inches longer than traditional RV queen beds. For additional sleeping capacity, the 290 QB and 315 SS have child-friendly bunk beds as an option and all m odels have a full sized cab-over bunk. I n m ost cases the Maverick com fortably sleeps five or six people, not including the dinette that can also be converted into a bed. Com m ents: As of late 2008 this line of m otorhom es is no longer being produced. Georgie Boy was a sm all com pany focused on providing quality entry-level m otorhom es at affordable prices. They didn t m anufacture hundreds of different m odels spanning every classification. They only built two Class A gas m otorhom es and one Class C m otorhom e. Their resale value is average to above average. Georgie Boy provides a good quality for the price and higher than expected custom er satisfaction ratings. I f you re considering an older entry-level Class A gas m otorhom e (2008 or older) the Georgie Boy brand would be a good option. Resale has dropped because they are no longer being built, but if you can purchase one near wholesale prices or below that would be a good investm ent in our opinion. We at J R Consum ers were sorry to see this line dropped by Forest River. I t was a decent, reasonably priced Class A gas m otorhom e during its tim e. 97

98 Great West Vans 8 & 27 GD Stn L, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3H OY6 Phone: Toll free: w w w.greatw estvans.com Class B Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B 98 Great West Vans was founded in 1976 by Martin Geurts and since that year the com pany has been m anufacturing som e of the best engineered recreational vehicles on the m arket. April 2012 brought changes to the fam ily com pany when the David DeBraga bought Great West Vans and m oved the com pany to Winnipeg. DeBraga brought his experience from another com pany he owned, Sterling Group; one that built running boards, doors and other fiberglass com ponents for the com panies involved in the transportation industry, including Great Vans West. Now Great West Vans and DeBraga s Sterling Group com pany are m anufacturing in the sam e building. When speaking of the m ove, DeBraga said, The previous owner wanted to retire so we decided to buy the com pany and m ove it to Winnipeg. With over 37 years of RV experience, Great West Vans is the oldest Class B m anufacturer and m ost of the staff has been involved with the com pany for over 15 years. With so m uch knowledge and skill they can produce a high quality product with efficient floorplans and flexible solutions to both their custom ers and dealers. Great West Vans has a good dealer network and tell us they would be happy to help you in any way possible. After speaking to the com pany, it is evident that the em ployees at Great West Vans enjoy building m otorhom es, so you can rest assured that your vehicle will be built with the best quality attention to detail. Great West Vans continues to build their Class B m otorhom es on the 11,500-pound GVWR Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis powered by a 188-hp diesel engine with 325 ft. lb. torque at rpm. The com pany tells us they use only the highest quality com ponents, advanced m anufacturing techniques, and skilled craftspeople to build their m otorhom es. Great West Vans has also been a good leader in innovation. They were the first to design a wide body Class B m otorhom e and the first m anufacturer to offer slide-outs in a Class B coach. Their Legend m odel had the first floorplan with a dual zone layout that integrated the front seats into the living space. The com pany tells us they put high value on personal service and although they build their m odels according to the specified floorplan designs, they understand that different people have different needs. Through taking the tim e to get to know each custom er and their needs, they can alm ost always fulfill special individual requests.

99 The three Class B m otorhom es Great West builds are all considered luxury Class B coaches and are nam ed the Legend, the Legend SE, and the Legend EX. Stainless steel appliances, a 6 cubic foot refrigerator, LED lighting, and a solar panel system are part of all Great West Vans coaches. Working to design m ore storage and cabinet space, the com pany is producing their Great West Vans with a large am ount of storage above and below m ost every area in their coaches. New for all 2013 Great West coaches the com pany added a built-in Keurig brewing system to every Legend m anufactured. This brewing system allows you to m ake flavored coffee, tea, cappuccino, or hot cocoa, all with just the push of a button. Base MSRPs for the Great West Vans run from approxim ately $133,000 to $165,000, depending upon which Legend you choose. The Legend SE recently debuted with several upgrades, including a new exterior design. The sides no longer have pin stripes, instead giving the coach a long, sleek look. Part of the luxurious look is due to diesel hedonic heating system that has no exterior holes, just an exhaust pipe for the hot water and the heater. The Legend SE is 22 9 in length and sleeps 2 with a 74 x68 tri-fold sofa bed or twin bed layout. The SE bathroom has been redesigned for m ore room and functionality. The interior has m any upgrades and am enities. One great feature is the brackets on the rear couch. They are placed on the sides of the couch which allow for extra storage underneath the coach. You will also find two 12 volt batteries and additional storage space underneath the floor of the couch. You can m ove the couch forward and backward electronically providing so m uch storage that there is room enough to store a kayak or bicycles. Great West Vans owner Dave DeBraga tells us it is the m ost rear storage of any Class B on the m arket. The Legend SE has som e fantastic options too: GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, a cell phone booster for better service, and satellite radio. The Legend SE has a diesel hydronic heating system for heating and hot water, elim inating the hot water tank, allowing for continuous flow of hot water and heating to the coach. The system runs off diesel fuel, not propane. The coach s lam inate hardwood flooring (with carpet) has a 25 year warranty. The Legend EX also sleeps two com fortably and is 24 6 in length, built on an extended Sprinter chassis. Like the Legend SE, the Legend EX has a diesel hydronic heating system for heating and hot water and offers an 85-watt solar panel. Previous Popular Models Up through 2012 Great West Vans had 3 different m odels of Class B m otorhom es; the Legend, the Classic, and the Titan. They like to keep their vehicles up to date and safe, thus each m odel has top of the line safety equipm ent. The Legend m odel, known as their luxury coach, is built from the steel uni-body of a Mercedes Bens Sprinter van, which is known all over the world for their safety innovations. I t has a roll stability program that always keeps the driver in control. The Classic m odel has a double layer, double strength fiberglass roof that can easily hold a roof rack and it s even strong enough to walk on. The van has Ford s AdvanceTrac roll stability and traction control system that keeps the van in control at all tim es. The Classic is a sm aller m ore traditional Class B that can also be used for daily transportation, if needed, and it s great for those tight com m unities or property that don t have room for bigger m otorhom es. The Titan is the biggest m odel that Great West Vans offers and is built on a steel roll cage, reinforced fiberglass body that is very sturdy. I t has great towing and cargo capabilities that 99

100 are better than m ost wide body Class B m otorhom es. The Titan can tow up to 7,500 lbs. while still m aintaining control because of its dual rear wheels. Com m ents: Great Vans is one of the best Class B m otorhom e m anufactures in the industry. At least that is what owners and reviews are stating. Great Vans is very popular with its custom ers, whether it is in the forum s or the ratings. Owners rate Great Vans right at the top for m ost every category, including recom m ending the m anufacturer to others. This com pany also rates high in the categories of reliability, com fort, and interior and exterior design. Only perform ance on road and safety rate a little lower, but still well above average. Support from the m anufacturer is not at the top, but still above average. While not every Great West Vans review is void of problem s, the owners who had troubles or com plaints are very, very few. Great West Vans is a superb com pany and they have the history to prove it. 100

101 GTRV 1833 Cooper Road Sebastopol, CA Phone: w w w.gtrv.com GTRV s m otto is The Drivable, Garagable, Pop Top Cam per! and that is exactly what they have been building since After seeing the need for an affordable, high-quality pop-top cam per van, GTRV began m anufacturing these vans and serving custom ers in both Canada and the U.S. I nitially, the com pany started production by using a full-size van or m inivan and then adding t heir cam per designs in order t o creat e a highquality Class B RV conversion van. GTRV knows that owners use their vans for a lot m ore than just cam ping and that is why they design each and every van with m ulti-use in m ind. GTRV vans can be used for anything and can go m ost everywhere. GTRV says, "Wherever you go, you're always hom e! Being factory direct and elim inating dealers the com pany saves a lot of m oney, which they can pass on to the consum er. This factory direct process also allows them to build the best possible custom conversion van, specifically for the individual custom er Class B Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B GTRV tells us, GTRV converts new and pre-owned vans into m ulti-use, pop-top, Class B RV's. Our cam per vans offer m ulti-purpose convenience and com fort without the expense and inconvenience of bigger less practical hom es-on-wheels. They're perfect for discrim inating adventurers seeking out-of-the-way, off the beaten path unrestricted access to locations rarely available to larger units. GTRV s garageable, com pact, fuel and space efficient designs serve equally well in all arenas of your life. For the sportsm an and the m ore adventurous we also offer 4WD or AWD versions with a variety of engines and towing options. While GTRV specializes in m anufacturing handm ade, top quality conversion vans, they realize there is a dem and for sm aller, m ore efficient recreational vehicles; vans that can be used by the everyday driver, and yet still fulfill its m otorhom e and traveling purposes. Therefore the com pany continues to build full-sized vans, m id-sized vans, and m ini vans. GTRV has standard m odels that you can choose from, but they will custom build a conversion van just the way you want it. You sim ply choose the van chassis and design and GTRV will do the rest. You can begin your design plans right from the GTRV website. GTRV offers a Ford-E Series van chassis (their m ost popular m odel), Chevy Express, GMC Savannah, Ford Econoline, and Mercedes Sprinter chassis for their full-size vans. For their m ini and m id-size vans, GTRV uses the Toyota Sienna, which is their m ost popular m ini-van chassis. GTRV also builds their custom built vans from the Dodge Grand Caravan, Plym outh Grand Voyager, Chrysler T&C, the Chevrolet Uplander/ Venture / Pontiac Montana, Chevy 101

102 Astro, and the GMC Safari. The Chevy Astro/ Safari van is one of the m ore popular choices for custom ers seeking to convert a pre-owned m id-sized van. When it com es to plans, GTRV will help you design or you can bring in your own ideas and needs. The m ost popular van design is GTRV s W esty, a nam e is taken from VW Vanagon Westfalia, featuring a floorplan that offers the ultim ate in m ulti-use space. The Westy is built on the popular and reliable Ford Econoline van chassis. I t is designed to be used for everyday driving or travel, com plete with a two burner stove, refrigerator, portable toilet, stow-away table, A/ C, an outside shower, and a convertible seating bench bed along with a rear bed. GTRV uses a pop-top design for their vans which provides m ore interior room when stationary and yet the unit will still be the sam e size as any other van on the road. The pop-top on GTRV vans only adds ¾ of an inch to the existing height of the van (when closed). This allows a GTRV van to be m ore versatile in use and they can be taken m ore places than m ost other m otorhom es. GTRV offers two different tops, the V-Top and the T-Top. The V-Top is the m ore popular of the two and it extends upward, around the van s side doors, allowing approxim ately 7 ft. of room. The T-Top extends the whole roof of the van to around 6 ft. 4 in., adding room all the way to the rear of the van. GTRV vans can be used in alm ost every situation from daily driving to full-tim e living. The com pany has great custom er service and a 3 year warranty that covers all of the equipm ent that they m anufacture. As GTRV m ainly m anufacturers custom vans, it is hard for them to have a basic price range, but they are fairly affordable and price com petitive. Com m ents: GTRV is one of the few pop-top conversion van m anufacturers in the industry and they seem to be one of the best. They provide a full 3-year warranty, with parts and labor included. GTRV also backs up the warranties of all the appliances they install, m aking certain these com panies are carefully selected from international nam e brand m anufacturers who likewise honor their warranties. Furtherm ore, GTRV states that the base m otor vehicles all have m anufacturer warranties in addition to roadside assistance throughout North Am erica. GTRV has a very good custom er service record due to working with their custom er s factory direct and they will do their best to build the custom van that is perfect for you and your needs. 102

103 Gulf Stream Coach 503 South Oakland Ave. Nappanee, I N Phone: w w w.gulfstream coach.com ( As of Gulf Stream is no longer producing m otor coaches) Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Stream was born and the first m otorhom e was the 1983 Sun Stream. Gulf Stream Coach has been m anufacturing recreation vehicles for over 20 years. The com pany was founded by Jam es F. Shea, Sr. who was looking to branch out after starting a m anufactured housing com pany in an old sauerkraut factory. At first, Shea considered acquiring an existing RV com pany, but then decided to start from scratch so he could build RVs the way he thought best. Gulf Today, Gulf Stream is one of the top m anufacturers in the country, however while Gulf Stream continues to produce travel trailers and fifth wheels, the com pany is no longer producing m otorized RVs. Gulf Stream s newest gas powered m otorhom e brand, the Montaj, is m ore econom ical than your standard Class A with 94" width com pared to 102" and a height of 10' 4" com pared to 12'. The Montaj has a 30% lower center of gravity than a standard Class A and even lower than a standard m ini hom e. This low center of gravity assures the driver a stable and a sm ooth ride. The Yellow stone and Sun Voyager brands are the other Class A gas m otorhom es Gulf Stream m anufactured when producing m otor coaches. The Yellowstone brand was also produced as a Class C coach, built on a Ford super duty E350/ E450 Chassis, Triton V10 engine. I n the luxury Class C diesel category the Gulf Stream Super Nova is built with the new MAXX Force DT466 engine which can tow up to 18,000 lbs. The Super Nova offers an air ride, air brakes and an air driver side seat which m akes driving this Super Nova like driving any Class A m otorhom e. The 2012 Gulf Stream Super Nova 6400 diesel sleeps up to 12, has 2 slides, 2 bunk beds, power windows, power m irrors, power pilot seats, and an AM/ FM/ CD player. Living area features include: U shaped dinette, leather pull out couch bed, full kitchen, fire place, 3 HD TVs, 2 DVD/ TV s in bunks, power king bed, washer/ dryer, glass shower, French doors, weather pro power awning, fiberglass fuel tank covers, slide top awnings, solar charging system, back up cam era, therm o-pane windows, and so m uch m ore. 103

104 I n 2003 Gulf Stream started seeking a new vehicle for consum ers who wanted a sm aller coach, yet keep the am enities of the larger m otorhom es. They cam e up with the B Touring Cruiser, known as the BT Cruiser. The BT Cruiser is a top of the line Class B+ m otorhom e that is slightly sm aller than m ost Class C m otorhom es. When BT Cruiser was being m anufactured, it had som e of the best custom er satisfaction ratings, brought hom e num erous awards, and was awarded the Consum er Digest Best Buy for I t has better aerodynam ic design, value and functionality than all of its com petitors. Gulf St ream envisioned t he BT Cruiser for t ravelers who love all of t he am enit ies of a fullsize coach, but still want to get into those great spots where full-size coaches won t fit. The BT Touring is excellent for the weekend trip, golf outing, soccer gam e, and a cross-country fam ily vacation. Special Note: Ow ner s m anuals can still be dow nloaded from the com pany s w ebsite. Com m ents: A recent discussion am ong Gulf Stream custom ers at RV Forum led to reports of som e positive custom er satisfaction am ong Gulf Stream owners, but for the m ost part there is a lot of dissatisfaction, especially in the areas of support from the dealer and/ or m anufacturer. Frustration with the lack of custom er support from dealers and the m anufacturers was very prevalent. This poor perform ance also carried over to the RV ratings where Gulf Stream has som e of the lowest ratings in the industry when it com es to Dealer and Manufacturer Support and Overall Quality. Therefore we can only report a very m ixed response of custom er satisfaction from across the board. Our advice, do your hom ework when looking for Gulf Stream Coach m odels, researching the specific m odel carefully. The com pany s website is a bit dated with old news regarding achievem ents, which is a little concerning. From our research it seem s the com pany does better in the Class A diesel and C category with im proved workm anship and quality over the years. Only tim e will tell if custom er service im proves. When purchasing a Gulf Stream Coach focus on reputable RV dealers that have an excellent track record regarding custom er service. 104

105 Holiday Rambler (ASV) 606 Nelson's Parkway Wakarusa, I N w ill be changing Toll Free: (800) w w w.holidayram bler.com Holiday Ram bler, a product of Monaco RV and Navistar, introduced its first travel trailer in I n 1996 the com pany was purchased by Monaco Coach Corporation, a m anufacturer of m otorized and towable recreational vehicles. Over the years Monaco RV has grown to becom e one of the world s leading RV brands. Holiday Ram bler is one of Monaco s producers of Class A and Class C m otorhom es, a Class B+ coach, and towable recreation vehicles Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Com ing out of bankruptcy in 2009, Monaco was purchased by Navistar. This purchase reorganized the com pany as Navistar RV and acquired the RV product brands of Holiday Ram bler, R-Vision, and Monaco Coach. Then in 2013, Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) purchased assets of Navistar, including the m anufacturing operations of Monaco, Holiday Ram bler, and R-Vision. Faced with a host of organizational and engineering challenges, ASV is working on their com pany s strategic plan to consolidate the building of four high-profile m otorhom e brands at its cam pus in Decatur, I nd. These brands are Monaco, Holiday Ram bler, R-Vision, and Am erican Coach. For further details on specific m odels, see the Monaco and Am erican Coach articles in this guide. I n 2012, then Monaco s parent com pany, Navistar RV announced it will now offer the Cum m ins I SX15 engine on certain diesel Monaco and Holiday Ram bler m otorhom es. This new engine option provides one of the m ost popular heavy-duty engines in North Am erica and will allow the com pany to offer high-end diesel products with m ore horsepower. Now Monaco brands such as Holiday Ram bler can introduce larger vehicles with exceptional levels of luxury, power, and perform ance. Holiday Ram bler m arked the end of 2012 with a 60 year anniversary celebration. These 60 years of m anufacturing was spotlighted by the introduction of three new m odel year products, two of them m otorized - the 2014 Vacationer SE and the 2014 Augusta B Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas The updated Vacationer SE is the com pany s newest Class A m otorhom e m odel. Speaking of the new coach, Holiday Ram bler stated in a press release, Our gas products were previously on the higher end of the price segm ents. These new products allow us to offer custom ers a gas Class A unit with deluxe am enities, and because 105

106 they re affordable, first-tim e buyers and part-tim e enthusiasts can now enjoy a great, luxury coach. The new Vacation SE addresses the changes the com pany is m aking in this area by supplying the high-end features of a full-size diesel coach in a lower priced gas coach. The Vacationer has five floor plans, two with full wall slideouts, one 30 foot single slide unit, and a plan that is a 34 foot coach with two slides. Each of the five plans has a private rear queen bed sleeping area. Sleeping options for the floorplans include hallway bunk beds and hide-a-bed sofas. I nterior heights are 84 inches; interior widths are 96 inches. Beautiful cherry hardwood raised panel cabinets, a 3 burner stove, a 30 m icrowave, refrigerator, and lots of counter space is found in the open, m id-ship kitchen. Built on a 362 horsepower, 457 lbs./ ft. torque Ford Triton V10 engine, the Vacationer SE GVWRs are 18,000 to 20,500 pounds, and 2014 MSRPs begin at $95,165. Holiday Ram bler has one Class B+ m otorhom e m odel called the Augusta B+. The gas powered Augusta has three floorplans, 25 to 29 feet in length, with one slideout plan and two triple slideout coaches. Holiday Ram bler has not introduced a new m odel for this brand in quite som e tim e; hence the com pany is pleased to announce the new Augusta Class B+ 2 9 PBT. With the choice of a beautiful exterior three-color paint finish or a partial paint with graphics, the coach has a luxurious look. Constructed with fully welded tubular alum inum roof, sidewalls, and floor, the roof is fully lam inated, as are the sidewalls and floors, and are insulated with high-density block foam insulation. I t is built on either a Ford E350 or E450 gas engine. The interior has all the am enities of the other two Augusta B+ floorplans, yet this coach provides a Murphy bed from the booth dinette slideout, presenting a larger living area, com plete with a skylight. The Augusta B+ 29PBT has a pop-up TV enhancing a counter space work area when the TV is tucked away. As with the other Augusta floorplans, there is a lot of storage in this Class B+ unit, including a m ega-locker that can be accessed from either the inside or the outside. GVWRs are 11,000 to 14,500 pounds and 2013 MSRPs begin at $87,150. Popular Models from Previous Years Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C 106 Laura Fry, Sales and Marketing Specialist for Monaco RV, tells us of updates and features for Holiday Ram bler in For their m otorized line these updates include equipping Class A m odels for floorplans with a second slideout, a full walk-around bedroom, and increased seating. The Alum a- Lite A features two new 32 foot floorplans. There is also redesigned front and rear caps for the Am bassador and the Endeavor. Holiday Ram bler Monaco is now m anufacturing vertically integrated m otorhom es with the chassis, engine, and house built by one parent com pany, Navistar. Monaco pointed to the successful integration of Navistar s MaxxForce engines with Monaco RV s Roadm aster chassis, representing the first fully designed and integrated m otorhom e platform in the industry in which engine, body, and chassis are all m anufactured by the sam e OEM. I n addition, Laura told us one of Holiday Ram bler s m ost popular products, the Vacationer, has a new m odel design for This m otorhom e is designed with m ore functional features and fam ily friendly am enities like bunk bed options. The Vacationer has four floorplans in lengths from 30 to 36 feet, including two double-slides, a triple slide, and a full-wall slide, along with m ultiple furniture options and configurations. With a six way

107 power pilot seat, the 2012 Vacationer 34SBD includes all the luxuries of hom e, from a full bath and bedroom / wardrobe, to a living room with am enities that include a hom e theatre system Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ According to Adam Gudger, Regional Sales Manager for Monaco, the com pany was focusing on lots of im provem ents and m aking sure their products are well-built, yet com petitive. Holiday Ram bler focused on the Neptune, packing a lot of value into the coach; all new floor plans, ceram ic tile standard throughout the living area, kitchen and bath, and upgrading the horsepower to a 360 horsepower engine with 1,050 lbs.-feet of torque. The cabinetry was im proved considerably; all with solid hard-wood, European style hinges, and glazed cabinetry (for an antique look) that is popular with hom e owners and RVers. The Neptune, once priced at entry levels, was presented as a refined product, raising the standard for When the new Neptune unit was introduced in 2011 it had a MRSP range of $220,000 for the 36 foot and on up to $260,000 for the 40 foot coach. Holiday Ram bler continued to be popular am ong RV custom ers, especially in the Class C m otorhom es during The Alum ni Lite cam e out with a new design, a sign that the com pany is indeed concentrating on quality, not quantity. Developed for today s new price points, the easy-to-m aneuver Alum ni Lite is fam ily-friendly and m ileage-friendly. Though sm aller in stature, the Alum a-lite is built with large size features and im proved fuel econom y due to the Alum a-lite front cap which is aerodynam ically designed to reduce wind turbulence and drag. The towables will be all- new designs. Adam also told us, Our Chassis system has been upgraded. The Roadm aster Chassis system has a special suspension system Air ride Suspension System s. With 8 outboard m ounted airbags, (the industry standard is usually 4), our Roadm aster Chassis does not have the body roll that our com petitors do. We feel these upgrades give us the best chassis in the industry, in that m otor hom e price range. Com m ents: The buyout of Holiday Ram bler from Navistar left som e previous owners of Holiday Ram bler discovering their previous warranties were not covered by Navistar. However, dealers are stepping up. Many we spoke with feel very confident in the Holiday Ram bler line and are providing warranties they them selves offer to cover previous lines of Holiday Ram bler s that were m anufactured before the Navistar takeover. Now with news that ASV is buying Monaco and Holiday Ram bler the future is unknown at this tim e. ASV states they will continue building products but with all the problem s with Monaco/ Holiday Ram bler and Navistar we are som ewhat hesitant and have adjusted our ratings accordingly. We will keep a watchful eye on ASV to see how things turn out. Holiday Ram bler products com e with m ixed reviews. There were som e discontented custom ers weighing in, as well as the opposite; owners who are extrem ely pleased with their Holiday Ram bler. Even the earlier m odels rate very well am ong owners and the ratings have com e up som e this past year. Safety and perform ance (handling, acceleration, braking, etc.) rate right at the top and reliability ratings are not far behind. Support from 107

108 the RV dealers continues to rate just above average. Owners rate overall quality above average and these sam e owners say they are very pleased with the com fort and design of their Holiday Ram bler m odel. Forum s are filled with m ore owners loyal to Holiday Ram bler m anufacturing and products than those who are dissatisfied. Itasca (Winnebago) P.O. Box West Crystal Lake Road Forest City, I A Phone: w w w.goitasca.com / A division of Winnebago I ndustries, I tasca m anufactures Class A and Class C m otor hom es. The I tasca lineup includes 11 distinct m odels designed for the way you live. Each I tasca m otorhom e offers a variety of Key Features and a style all its own. I tasca was created with a com bination of style and com fort with Winnebago I ndustries over 50-year history of perform ance and innovation. To learn m ore about the com pany, its m anufacturing and production, please see the W innebago article for m ore inform ation. 108

109 Jayco, Inc. 903 S. Main Street Middlebury, I N Phone: w w w.jayco.com Jayco, I nc. is one of the largest m anufacturers of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and Class A and C m otorhom es. Located in Middlebury, I ndiana, Jayco was founded in 1968 by Lloyd J. Bontrager who felt he could build a better RV and a better RV com pany. He started Jayco on the fam ily farm in two chicken houses and a barn by developing a prototype cam ping t railer and an original lift er syst em for folddown cam pers. This design was patented and is still in use today. By the end of the first year Bontrager had 15 em ployees and the com pany had sold 132 cam ping trailers. Today the com pany is still owned and operated by the Bontrager fam ily and alm ost 1,600 em ployees are part of the Jayco fam ily. Jayco, I nc. is the largest privately-held m anufacturer of recreational vehicles in North Am erica. The com pany m akes and m arkets Jayco RVs under the Jay Series, Baja, Select, Jay Flight, Jay Feather, Eagle, Octane ZX, Designer, Greyhawk, Precept, Melbourne, Seneca, Em bark, and I nsignia nam eplates. I n addition, the com pany m arkets Starcraft, R/ T, Centennial, Travel Star, Rock Star, Hom estead, and Lexion RVs through its Starcraft RV division Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Within Jayco s m otorhom e division is a large num ber of m odels produced under the Jayco brand nam es of Redhaw k, Greyhaw k, Melbourne, and Seneca. These m otorhom es, with the exception of the Seneca, are built on a Ford E-450 chassis, Triton 6.8 liter/ V HP gas engine. The Seneca is Jayco s diesel pusher m otorhom e and has a Freightliner Cum m ins I SB 6.7 liter/ 340-HP engine. The Class C Seneca s have four floorplans; cab over queen beds (or bunk bed/ entertainm ent center options), slideouts, hide-a-bed sofas, full kitchen galleys, and a full bath with shower provide a very com fortable RV experience. Exterior lengths are , with GVRWs of 26,000 pounds, and lots of exterior storage up to over 144 cubic feet. The Redhawk is Jayco s entry level gas powered Class C m otorhom e. The Redhaw k is all-new, with a focus on a fam ily friend design. I t has 3 floorplans with queen to bunk bed options, slideouts, and two plans that convert U-dinettes into additional sleeping areas. The Jayco Greyhaw k continues to be a popular Class C m otorhom e with white fiberglass exteriors and graphics. Available in six floorplans that can sleep up to nine, the Greyhawk features m ore high-end features and am enities than m any coaches in its price range. The Jayco Greyhawk 29KS continues to im pres with its double slides, outdoor kitchen, door-side dinette, and a sofa area that has a 32 LCD HD/ TV. New, and enriching the interior décor, 109

110 are features such as new wallboards, Chocolate Chip solid countertops, window valance designs, entry doors with a touch pad entry, wider shower doors, and m any, m any upgrades to the Greyhawk s already num erous standard features. Solid real-wood cabinetry and residential-style furniture deliver the décor and com fort custom ers look for. A brand new product for the com pany is the Jayco Class A Precept m otorhom e. Originally debuting as a sm aller Class C coach, The Precept is now com pletely redesigned and being introduced as Jayco s newest Class A m otorhom e. The com pany wanted to com bine the strong aspects of their Class A and Class C coaches into one unit, and provide a coach for the m any Jayco custom ers who wanted to step up from a Class C, yet keep the Jayco features they preferred. Jayco prides itself in lim iting options; what would be norm ally be delivered as options in other m otorhom es, Jayco features as standard am enities. The Precept continues that trend with features such as awnings over the slideouts, fram eless windows, and an outside entertainm ent center with 40 LED TV & CD stereo. The kitchen has plenty of standard features to m ake life away from hom e convenient, such as an 8 cu. ft. Norcold refrigerator/ freezer, plenty of cabinets and drawers, a tankless gas water heater, a water purification system, and m ore. The Precept has a padded vinyl ceiling interior height of 84 and a seam less crowned fiberglass roof. The MSRP for the new 31 foot Precept begins around $112,000. The next floorplan for a Jayco Precept will be a 29 foot coach Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ While Jayco nam es their Melbourne as a Class C coach on their website, m ost dealerships classify the Melbourne as a Class B+ m otorhom e. Jayco too speaks of it as a class B+ when it boasts on its features, stating, The Melbourne is raising the bar for Class B+ m otorhom es everywhere, while it s luxurious interior com plete with Washington Glazed Maple cabinetry, Optim a leather com fort lounger, and Cloud Ten pillow-top m attress ensures you ll get there in style. There are three floorplan m odels to choose from, but only one m odel is are less than 30 feet in length, which we would consider class B+. The other two m odels, the 28F and 29D, are 30 feet and 31 7 in length. Both coaches provide slide outs for extending the living area to a very open space. Other standard features include a rear cam era with LCD touch screen, an outside grill, powered heated m irrors, tow haul m odes, and touch screen sound system. The exterior has a diam ond shield front to protect from bugs and rocks, power side m irrors with built-in cam eras, outside speakers with rem ote, outdoor shower, keyless entry, and a power awning that can be controlled from the inside. Jayco stated average MSRPs begin at about $85,000 for a Jayco Class C, to a top of the line MSRP of $600,000 for a diesel m otorhom e. Unlike m any m otorhom es that offer only a one year warranty, the Jayco coaches com e with a two-year basic m anufacturer s warranty. 110

111 Previous Model Years Jayco did enter the Class A diesel m otorhom e m arket briefly starting in 2009 by introducing their new I nsignia diesel pusher. Sale results were poor and the com pany ended up dropping the brand in At the tim e the I nsignia brand offered everything you expect to find in a highend diesel pusher. Built on a Freightliner chassis, with six-speed Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ autom atic transm ission and a 360 HP Cum m ins I SC turbocharged engine, the m otorhom e had the power and m aneuverability needed to handle whatever obstacles the road presented. Jayco is now focusing on their Entegra Coach line, which is a top quality, luxury m otorhom e. For m ore inform ation on this m otor coach m anufactured under the nam es Aspire, Anthem, and Cornerstone, see our Entegra article. Com m ents: We like the fact that Jayco is fam ily-owned and m any in the fam ily are still actively involved in the day-to-day operations. Dealers are pleased with the com pany and tell us, They are independently owned so everything is done through them (Jayco). They are fantastic to work with. Jayco dropped slightly from last year s ratings in som e areas, m ost significantly in the area of perform ance on the road (handling, acceleration, braking). Safety and reliability could be a little better as well as overall quality and value ratings. Nonetheless, despite ratings that only are average or just a little above average and with issues of support from the m anufacturer and dealers, Jayco still continues to have a very loyal following. Reviews are filled with a large num ber of owners stating they are pleased with their Jayco product. Overall, Jayco has a solid reputation in the industry. Jayco is strongest in the Class C and B+ category with agreeable prices being the big factor for consum ers. Jayco also has a large dealer network with m any m odels to choose from. Resale value is average to above average. We give Jayco high ratings because of this and for those of you that are entry-level or m id-range buyers Jayco is worth checking out. 111

112 King of the Road (Chief Industries) w w w.kingoftheroadrv.com / King of the Road closed its doors in The inform ation contained in this article was taken from the com pany s website when in business. Over the past 20 years, the reputation of the King of the Road fam ily has grown stronger with every new design feature and every new m odel launched. We reign as a leader in the industry, well known for our uncom prom ising dedication to quality, ingenuity, and superior custom er service. We also provide a 5 year unitized structural warranty, which is unique in the industry Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect King of the Road states, Owning a Royalite is not just a dream com e true, it s a sm art investm ent. Every unit is built with im peccable quality and attention to detail. We ve worked hard to create a unit that can withstand the rigors of the road while delivering a luxury fifth-wheel experience unlike any other. With R-23 insulation values in both the ceiling and the basem ent and R-16 values in the endwalls and the bedroom floor, Royalite owners can enjoy their fifth wheel throughout the four seasons. Our unique vacubonding process helps create the strongest sidewall on the m arket. Com bining high-perform ance glue and an exclusive vacuum process, King of the Road s walls offer the durability you d expect from a luxury fifth wheel. The com pany m anufactured a deluxe diesel pusher starting in 2004 called the Genesis, with an average MSRP of $320,000. Com m ents: We were not able to talk with anyone that owned a King of the Road product. According to RV forum s and other resources it seem s the resale value is above average to excellent. Quality construction is good but custom er satisfaction was average. 112

113 Lazy Daze Inc E. Mission Blvd. Montclair, CA Phone: w w w.lazydaze.com Lazy Daze began designing and m anufacturing recreational vehicles in I n 1966 the com pany built and com m ercially m arketed the first Class C m otor hom e in Am erica. From the start Lazy Daze set itself outside the pack by selling their vehicles directly from their factory. No dealer involvem ent, m eaning very com petitive prices and a one-on-one relationship with their custom ers. Just about everyone who purchases a new Lazy Daze com es to our Southern California factory. We want custom ers to visit our factory showroom to inspect our quality first hand, as well as take a test drive in our latest coaches. This allows custom ers shopping for a new coach to see what a quiet, great handling m otorhom e is all about and then com pare our coaches to the com petition, says Steve Newton owner of Lazy Daze. You can t be the biggest and still be the best, Newton adds. We are a sm all com pany which allows us to hand build quality coaches. We sell direct from the factory so we have no dealer m arkup, no sales com m ission, and we don t play gam es with prices. Their true factory direct process is one elem ent that m akes Laze Daze very unique in the industry. I t allows them to offer an exceptional value in prem ium Class C coaches by elim inating the retail m ark up. Newton continued, We don't m anufacture m e too coaches. Our unique design and engineering separates us from the industry. We have designed our latest coaches to handle well by m aking them m ore aerodynam ic, low, distributing weight between the axles and m aintaining a good wheelbase to length ratio. Com bine this with excellent occupant and cargo carrying capacities, standard features such as full body paint, therm al pane windows and very high build quality and frankly there is no com petition in our price range! Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Lazy Daze is exclusively a Class C m anufacturer only, producing a relatively sm all annual volum e each year. The com pany explains their production by adding, Our prim ary objective is to build the best possible RV, not the greatest num ber. We produce less than we used to, but they (the units) are m ore com plex, Newton adds. This allows us to m aintain higher quality standards. Newton also tells us, Many of our owners spend m onths extensively shopping and com paring units. We invite this challenge because we know that custom ers who do thorough research end up buying a new Lazy Daze. They know they're buying the best Class C in the m arket! Laze Daze states, We provide a com prehensive 125 page owners' m anual at the 113

114 tim e you order your new Lazy Daze. At delivery, a Lazy Daze factory trained technician spends up to one half-day dem onstrating and checking out your m otorhom e with you. After reading our m anual and going through our delivery orientation, you should leave our factory with a thorough understanding as to the operation and care of your brand new Lazy Daze. Newton says that the Lazy Daze service record stands on its own. We send out surveys after every sale and alm ost always the com m ents com e back, Exceptional. I n an industry where alm ost everything is m ass produced, we stand out because we don t m ass produce and we continue to offer quality products. Lazy Daze custom ers tend to be m id-range buyers, with price and quality both playing an im portant role. The 2013 Laze Daze m otorhom es have an MSRP of $102,250 - $117,500. The factory direct wholesale pricing begins at $82,250 for the 24 foot m odels and goes up to $97,500 for the 31 foot units. The com pany is entering its 57 th year of production and continues to offer three different m odel lengths each with different floorplans for a total of seven floorplans. Lengths for 2013 m odels range from the 24 with twin beds that can convert to a king or a front lounge m odel, to a 27 with m id or rear bath and rear kitchen m odels. The 31 m odels feature a floorplan with a rear island bed or rear twin beds. All of the Lazy Daze m otorhom es have a long list of standard features, including conveniences such as a porcelain toilet, LED interior lights, a 100-watt solar panel, and a four-kw A/ C generator which keeps the coaches com fortable, as well as heating or cooling them efficiently. The Laze-Daze m otorhom e is built with a Ford E-450 cab on a Super Duty chassis system with a heavy duty 14,500 GVWR. The 6.8L V10 gas engine has an autom atic five speed transm ission. The Lazy Daze exterior coach walls are covered with sm ooth, sectional, replaceable aircraft alum inum panels, not the unpainted fiberglass that is com m only used in the RV industry. These durable lam inated panels can be individually replaced, if needed, or if substantial body dam age occurs. Alum inum is lightweight and non-flam m able, as com pared to fiberglass. The structure of the coach is reinforced steel and the walls, floor, sidewalls, and roof are all fully insulated. Even the skylights and roof vents utilize insulated double dom e covers. Laze Daze m otorhom es are a full body paint; painted with aircraft type two-part polyurethane enam el, providing an attractive, easy m aintenance exterior finish. The Laze Daze roof covering are rugged, sun and tear resistant, one-piece painted alum inum - not rubber. As we noted, Laze Daze is proud of their custom er service and coach repair service reputation, and rightfully so when it com es to the ratings in these areas. Laze Daze tells us they work hard to get any necessary repairs com pleted prom ptly by offering support through the owner s local independent RV repair shop, if a Laze Daze owner cannot com e to the com pany factory. As a result, Laze Daze can offer a national warranty program for your m otorhom e -- which includes a one year parts and unlim ited m ileage warranty. Previous Models: Laze Daze previously m anufactured 26 and 30 foot coaches. Their 26 foot coach boasted a rear kitchen floorplan that was touted as, the likes of which we haven t seen in a m otorhom e in a long tim e, by RV Business News. The rear street-side kitchen was placed 114

115 opposite a curbside dinette, a self-contained bath is m id-ship, and up front there is a pair of opposing sofa beds that m ake up the lounge area. The 26 has the traditional cabover bed is located up front, above the driver and copilot seats. There is not a lot of basem ent storage; the exterior storage com partm ents are generally sm aller, although large enough for firewood, lawn chairs, or cam ping supplies. Sleeping is provided for six, very generous for a coach of this size. When new the 26 MSRP was $64,950, giving you an idea of what you should pay for if you are considering a used m odel. Com m ents: What is unique about Lazy Daze is that they are one of the few factory-direct com panies left. The m ain consum er benefits are price and quality. There are no transportation or dealer costs. This m eans they can sell a less-expensive, higher quality Class C product because they can elim inate dealer costs. "People who buy our m otor hom es have researched rather extensively, whether they have talked to owners or com pared our units to others out in the field, Newton said. "We have som e local people who will com e in here four or five tim es before they m ake a purchase. The m ore they look at som eone else, the better we look, because there is no com parison on quality and price when it com es to purchasing an RV." Most RV buyers are probably not fam iliar with Lazy Daze because they are sm all and don t spend a lot on advertising. Most of their advertising, according to Newton, is word of m outh. Ratings charts, MotorHom e Magazine and other RV reviews gave Lazy Daze high m arks in every area, only falling just very slightly in the cost of m aintenance category. The com pany receives high m arks from owners in all categories, including the allim portant, perform ance, safety, and reliability categories. Overall, Laze Daze is a great com pany if you re interested in the best of the best without paying a prem ium retail price. 115

116 Mandalay Luxury Division (Four Winds) 701 Country Road Elkhart, I ndiana Phone: w w w.thorm otorcoach.com / Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Mandalay Motorhom es is a subsidiary of Four Winds I nternational, now a product of Thor Motor Coach, the result of the 2010 m erger and purchase by Thor, I ndustries of Four Winds I nternational, Dam on Motor Coach, and Mandalay RV. All inform ation and products once m anufactured by Mandalay RV are now directed to the Thor Motor Coach m anufacturing com pany. This includes the website and contact inform ation. Though Thor Motor Coach is a relatively new nam e to the industry, its parent com pany, Thor I ndustries has been around for decades. Thor traces its history back 70 years with the founding of Airstream, an icon in the RV industry. Mandalay produces m otorhom e products. The Mandalay m otorcoaches com e with luxury cockpits, easy to reach controls and added safety features. A steel cage construction and floor, one piece windshield, and all alum inum fram ed sidewalls and roof offer safety and fuel-friendly features. Jerim iah Borkowski, Director of Thor Com m unications, tells us the m erger went especially sm oothly because the facilit ies were right next to each other and it resulted in a strong Class B product (Four Winds I nternational), with a strong diesel and Class A product (Dam on). Jerim iah points out that with these m ergers Thor is connecting the dots to becom e a better product line and offer m ore services. Thor Motor Coach m anufactures both gas and diesel Class A and C, and Class B+ m otorhom es in several different product lines and floorplans. You can even work with Thor Motor Coach and design your own m otor coach. Com m ents: The Presidio line was the com pany s best-selling brand during m odel years A nice looking m otor coach, luxurious, and full of classy features. Overall, custom ers seem ed happy with their purchase, but did com plain about m inor issues, which is to be expected with any coach. The com pany was placed in the above average category in previous years but because of m ixed reviews from dealers they have m oved into the entrylevel category. Four Winds rates rather poorly in m any areas but we did find som e very satisfied owners. Dealers we spoke to stated that although they have sold Mandalay to satisfied custom ers, the previous year seem ed to bring in m ore com plaints and less cust om er sat isfact ion, in regards t o t he Mandalay line- up, specifically issues wit h t he slideouts. Another dealer told us they dropped Mandalay all-together due to poor quality and sales. We at JR Consum ers can only offer this advice - be sure to do your hom ework on a specific m odel and try to be under fair m arket value because resale values have dropped significantly in recent years. For m ore inform ation on Mandalay products, see the Thor Motor Coach article. 116

117 Monaco Coach (ASV) 606 Nelson's Parkway Wakarusa, I N w ill be changing Toll Free: (800) w w w.m onacocoach.com Monaco is a large m anufacturer of m otorized and towable recreational vehicles under the parent com pany Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV). The Monaco Coach line is a luxury recreational vehicle m anufacturer, one that has grown over the years to becom e one of the world s leading RV brands Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas The roots of Monaco Coach Corporation run back to 1968 with the form ation of Caribou Coach Corporation. The com pany soon evolved into Monaco Motorhom es, I nc., and out of that reorganization the Monaco Coach Corporation was born in Com ing out of bankruptcy in 2009, Monaco was purchased by Navistar. This purchase reorganized the com pany as Navistar RV and acquired the RV product brands of Holiday Ram bler, R-Vision, and Monaco Coach. Then in 2013, Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) purchased assets of Navistar, including the m anufacturing operations of Monaco, Holiday Ram bler, and R-Vision. Peter Guile, CEO of Orlando, Fla.-based ASV stated, The ASV team is com m itted to providing our custom ers and dealers with exceptional product, service and support, and we are fully com m itted to re-establish the product leadership and extraordinary reputation for innovation, quality and service for which the Monaco fam ily of brands has been known. Faced with a host of organizational and engineering challenges, ASV is working on their com pany s strategic plan to consolidate the building of four high-profile m otorhom e brands at its cam pus in Decatur, I nd. These brands are Monaco, Holiday Ram bler, R-Vision, and Am erican Coach. For further details on specific m odels, see the Am erican Coach and Holiday Ram bler articles in this guide. Currently Monaco Coach produces seven different Class A Monaco luxury m otorhom es, m anufactured with both diesel and gas engines. All of the Monaco coaches have a choice of four different color-paint finishes for their exteriors. These finishes have a blend of four-five colors and include graphics and signature chevron front and rear cap accents. The structures have lam inated sidewalls, lam inated, high-density block foam insulation in the floors, fiberglass front and rear end caps, one-piece windshields, and a one-piece fiberglass roof. 117

118 Navistar RV announced it will now offer the Cum m ins I SX15 engine on certain diesel Monaco and Holiday Ram bler m otorhom es. This new engine option provides one of the m ost popular heavy-duty engines in North Am erica, and will allow the com pany to offer high-end diesel products with m ore horsepower. Now Monaco (Navistar) can introduce larger vehicles with exceptional levels of luxury, power, and perform ance. Monaco introduced its new Monaco Dynasty, a m odel designed specifically for full-tim e RVers who want a luxury coach. The Monaco Dynasty is a result of the com pany s focus on m ore of the m iddle m arket for its production lines. Monaco Coach tells us, Now, we re expanding at both ends to satisfy the needs of the entry-level and the top-end custom er, with even m ore luxury and sophistication planned for the com ing year (2014). The new Dynasty has two floorplans and is built on either a Roadm aster RR8R or RR10R Chassis. This coach is powered by a 475-HP MaxxForce 13 engine which supplies 1,700 lbs./ ft. of torque, and a three-stage engine brake. Like m ost Monaco coaches, the Dynasty has a large kitchen and living area, both designed for entertaining and com fort. The entry door is air-sealed and has an illum inated handle with a num eric key pad. The exterior m irrors are heated and power controlled, with cam eras. The Dynasty s living room has a 40- or 46-inch Sony LCD TV and Blu-ray for a hom e theater system, and there is an outdoor entertainm ent center too with a Sony LCD TV and DVD player. MSRPs begin at $433,000. A w ord on Roadm aster Chassis: We like the design and construction features found on a Roadm aster Chassis system. I n Chapter 4 we outline different chassis m anufacturers and what to look for in a quality chassis. Roadm aster s website has a page called, Construction Highlights. The inform ation contained in this page is excellent with colorful diagram s explaining the features and benefits of their chassis system. To learn m ore about a Roadm aster please visit their website at w w w.roadm asterchassis.com Monaco Coach has introduced another 2014 m odel, the Monaco Monarch SE gas powered m otorhom e. The Monarch SE has five floorplans to choose from ranging in length from to 35 5, with a large variety of décor and furniture placem ent designs. These floorplans have two slideouts and full wall slides plans are available. Rear queen beds and sofas or booth dinettes that covert to sleepers provide lots of room for fam ily travels. The Monarchs SEs are built on a Ford 6.8L Triton V10 gasoline engine and GVWRs are 18,000 to 20,500 pounds MSRPs begin at $95,165. Monaco also builds a Class B+ m otorhom e nam ed the Monaco Montclair B+. This coach is produced in three floorplans and the lengths range from 25 to 29 feet. The Montclair B+ is a gas powered coach, built on a Ford chassis with 6.8L Triton V10 engine or a Chevy chassis with a Vortec 6.0L V8 gasoline engine. The Montclair s have galley kitchen, full baths, queen beds, and booth dinettes that have floorplans converting the dinette into a hide-abed or a m urphy bed. Am enities include a 26 LCD living area TV and an optional 19 LCD TV in the bedroom, and an exterior entertainm ent center MSRPs start at $97,

119 Popular Models from Previous Years I n 2012 Monaco unveiled what they called The Next Generation of RVs. These included a new Platinum interior of the Knight Diesel m otorhom e and the redesigned Cam elot m otorhom e. I n addition, Monaco redesigned front and rear caps for the Knight and the Diplom at. Laura Fry, Sales and Marketing Specialist for Monaco, tells us of other updates and features for They included upgraded interior packages featuring I talian Sienna cabinetry, Corian countertops, Porcelain tile, and Villa Ultra-leather furniture. Monaco is now m anufacturing vertically integrated m otorhom es with the chassis, engine, and house built by one parent com pany; Navistar. Monaco pointed to the successful integration of Navistar s MaxxForce engines with Monaco RV s Roadm aster chassis, representing the first fully designed and integrated m otorhom e platform in the industry in which engine, body, and chassis are all m anufactured by the sam e OEM. Models include the Vesta, the Knight, and the Diplom at. Speaking of the Knight, Monaco adds, that along with the Roadm aster RR8R chassis, the Knight has the power of a MaxxForce 10 engine with 350 horsepower, 1,150 lbs./ ft. torque, and 3-stage engine brake. Built from the ground up with total luxury in m ind, the all newly designed 2012 Knight 36PFT has a full wall slide-out and features an autom otive style dash. Full and fully equipped bed, bath and living areas, the Knight includes a washer, dryer, rear bed, and a sofa bed/ daveno. The sm ooth air ride suspension, overdrive transm ission, transm ission cooler, alum inum wheels, and diesel generator are all backed by a 5 year/ 100,000 m ile lim ited warranty. I n 2012 MSRP started at $259,450. Laura pointed out the Dynasty Palace, nicknam ed the 45 foot Palace and nam ed accordingly as this coach exudes the royalties in which you have dream ed. Laura tells us it has new floorplan features, four slides, a bath and a half floorplan, and is built on a sem i- m onocoque Roadm aster chassis. The Palace offers a m id-ship half-bath that leads to a spacious bedroom and a full rear bath with a superb residential shower. Constructed with a nine layer roof, five individual layers of insulation, and fully insulated lam inated sidewalls and flooring, the Dynasty Palace will stay cool in the heat and rem ain cozy and warm in the cold tem peratures Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ Monaco Coach has one Class B+ m odel, the Montclair B+, which has a new m odel in 2012, the Montclair B+ 29PBT. I t is built with a full body paint package, Gelcoat fiberglass, diam ond shield, patio awning, electric entrance step, fiberglass running boards, heated holding tanks, 3 slideouts, and m uch m ore. And that is just the outside, the interiors are loaded. Warranties include a 12 m onth/ 24,000 m ile basic lim ited warranty and a 5 year/ 50,000 m ile lim ited structural warranty. The 2012 MSRPs began at $72,570. Com m ents: The buyout of Monaco from Navistar left som e previous owners of Monaco discovering their previous warranties were not covered by Navistar. However, dealers are stepping up. Many we spoke with feel very confident in the Monaco line and are providing warranties they them selves offer to cover previous lines of Monaco s that were m anufactured before the Navistar takeover. Monaco m otorcoach products com e with m ixed 119

120 reviews. Many owners are extrem ely pleased with their m otorhom es, others adam ant they will not purchase in the Monaco line again. The ratings have com e up som e this past year however. Safety rates right at the top and reliability and perform ance (handling, acceleration, braking, etc.) are not far behind. Support from the dealer and m anufacturer continue to rate just above average and owners rate overall quality sim ply average. Forum s are filled with m ore owners pleased with the Monaco products than those who are dissatisfied. The com pany is m oving in the right direction and we at J R Consum er Resources expect to see Monaco regain m uch of the losses they have suffered in overall ratings. Now with news that ASV is buying Monaco and Holiday Ram bler the future is unknown at this tim e. ASV states they will continue building products but with all the problem s with Monaco/ Holiday Ram bler and Navistar we are som ewhat hesitant and have adjusted our ratings accordingly. We will keep a watchful eye on ASV to see how things turn out. 120

121 Newmar Corp 355 N. Delaware Street PO Box 30 Nappanee, I N Phone: w w w.new m arcorp.com Newm ar was founded in 1968 when Marvin Newcom er and Marvin Miller left their jobs in upper level m anagem ent at a different RV m anufacturing com pany to start their own recreational vehicle com pany. The nam e Newm ar is a com bination of their nam es and this m akes their com m itm ent to courtesy, integrity, and reliability particularly personal. The first location was an old fire station in rural Five Points, I N. and the Kountry Aire travel trailer was their first recreational vehicle product. By the early 1970s Newm ar was at the forefront of the fifth wheel revolution and the Kountry Aire led Newm ar to becom e one of the leading m anufacturers of a fifth wheel trailer. Twenty-som e years later several products had been introduced and Mahlon Miller becam e the sole owner of Newm ar Corporation. Today, his son Matthew is President of the com pany Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Over the years Newm ar has continued to add to its product line, expanding and im proving as the m arket and the industry grows. Newm ar was founded by and is owned by Mennonites and its m ission statem ent states, Newm ar applies Christian principles of honesty, courtesy, m orality, fairness, reasonableness, reliability, and integrity in dealing with its custom ers, em ployees, suppliers, and financial institutions. Newm ar's excellence in quality was recognized nationally in 1996 when the Recreational Vehicle Dealer's Association gave Newm ar their very first Quality Circle Award. Newm ar has continued to win this award m any tim es since that first honor. Two Newm ar executives, Mahlon Miller and the late Virgil Miller, have been inducted into the RV/ MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fam e. Newm ar s closest com petitors are Monaco, Tiffin, Fleetwood, Gulf Stream, and Travel Suprem e. Newm ar s custom er service ranks am ong the best in the RV industry overall. I n spite of this, Newm ar continues to strive even higher, im proving in the area of service and parts support for its custom er and dealers. Presenting a custom er service national award to one of their dealers recently Matt Utley said, Service is even m ore im portant today than it was five years ago the way the m arket has been custom ers have becom e savvier on the serviceability of a dealership. They re not buying just based on price, they want to know if the dealership can take care of them after the sale. As stated, reliability is a foundation of Newm ar Corporation and so the com pany was very happy to enter into a partnership with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation recently. 121

122 Newm ar m anufactures m any of their diesel m otorhom es with this chassis. The com pany also produces Class A luxury m otorhom es and Class A gas m otorhom es, with several brands and m odels of each Class to choose from. One of the popular coaches for Newm ar is the Bay Star Sport line, one of Newm ar s three gas powered m otorhom e brands. The Bay Star Sport m otorhom es now offer m ore user friendly am enities and features in their four floorplans. The sturdy construction stays the sam e; gel-coat fiberglass exterior and front and back caps, a Brite Tek roof, and a onepiece windshield. The windshields have a heavier-duty windshield-washer system which significantly im proves visibility. The Bay Star Sport interiors have m itered glazed cabinet doors, concealed cabinet hinges, and im proved decorative paneling in the living room and slideouts. The four m odels range in length from 27' 10 to 33' 11" and are built on a gas powered Ford engine with 362 HP/ 415 CI D. The Bay Star Sport is Newm ar s least expensive product line with 2013 MSRPs beginning at $94,808. Newm ar unveiled their all-new 45-foot King Aire Class A luxury diesel m otorhom e. Newm ar President Miller stated, One of our approaches with the King Aire is to actually take business away from the bus conversion m anufacturers. I t has a bus look, but it s half the price. We have provided a better drive with Com fort Drive. With its axles and suspension, it s a better ride than bus conversions. And when you look at the inside and everything that s on the unit, it s a trem endous value. One of three luxury diesel coach brands for Newm ar, the 2014 Class A King-Aire is not a bus conversion, despite the m any am enities and features you find in one, and is built on a Spartan Chassis. The coach is luxurious, all the wood work is hand crafted, hand finished and sanded, one piece at a tim e. Villa Furniture is standard on all King Aire coaches. The kitchens are spacious, com plete with a Residential refrigerator in an electric unit and include a dishwasher. These King Aires have a 46 LED TV that tucks away for com pany, yet com e up on a power lift directly above the m ain sofa for a great viewing angle. Additionally, for the 2014 King Aires, Newm ar created a new bath entry door; a unique design that folds the door half in, half out so you can use the half bath without having to put the slides out to use it, as so m any m odels require. The lights and power shades all run off electric touch pad panels. So easy to use, with a single touch or one switch at door, you can shut the entire light system off/ on as you enter or exit the coach. Note: The Newm ar website has a link dem onstrating how easy these coaches are to drive with the Newm ar Com fort Drive system. I n addition to their luxury Class A diesel m otorhom es, Newm ar m anufactures three lines of diesel pushers nam ed the Ventana, Ventana LE, and the Dutch Star. These Class A m otorhom es all have newly updated plans, including two new Ventana LE 34 foot floorplans that offer a split, m id-ship bath. The Ventana LE is built on a 340 HP Freightliner Cum m ins Custom Chassis, with a full-paint Masterpiece finish. The 2013 Ventana LEs now have a rear vision m onitor system, side view cam eras standard on all m odels. 122

123 Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas Newm ar is also unveiling several new 2014 floorplans and m odels for m any of its brands, including a new full-wall slide variation of Newm ar s popular 3 9 foot Class A Canyon Star toy hauler. This Canyon Star plan is one of the com pany s top-selling floorplans and has a MSRP of $138,852. There are nine floorplans available ranging in length from 34 to 40 feet, with five new floorplans recently added to the 2013 Canyon Star line. These new, redesigned and upgraded plans have added features to choose from, including a flat floor slideout. The Canyon Star has som e of the m ost versatile plans of any coach to choose from, such as office m odel, garage unit, and a floorplan with two bedroom s. These gas powered m otorhom es are built on a Ford chassis, with a Ford 362 HP/ 415 CI D engine. There are several other changes and upgrades for Newm ar s 2014 lineup, including several full-wall slide m odels and the com pany s return of the well-known Detroit Diesel engine brand. This brand is found on the new Class A Essex diesel m otorhom e, equipped with Freightliner SLR chassis, Detroit Diesel DD13 engine. Newm ar states the coach com es with a steerable tag-axle and a Virtual Technician on-board diagnostic system through which enables drivers to com m unicate with qualified tech support when experiencing engine trouble. The 2014 Essex coaches have four floorplans, each at a length of and three of which have a full-wall slideout. The Essex is also available on Spartan K2 chassis powered by a 500-HP Cum m ins I SX 12L engine MSRPs start at $ 782,975. Popular Models from Previous Years Newm ar RV introduced a new wheelchair accessible floorplan, designed exclusively for the Canyon Star gas m otorhom e. According to Newm ar they have engineered the new Canyon Star 3911 floorplan based on num erous conversations with retail custom ers about their desire to purchase a wheelchair accessible m otorhom e. The 2012 Canyon Star 3911 features include a 48-inch wide power wheelchair lift with a wired rem ote control, a 30-inch wide path from the front of the coach to the bed while the unit is in travel m ode, slide-room s in for wheelchair access, and a large open floor area on the front side of the bed for easy access. The Canyon Star offers a wheelchair accessible bathroom with a large 48 x 37 roll-in shower with seat, a lavatory that is open under the bowl for use with a wheelchair and a m edicine cabinet with m irrors that are placed lower, and grab assist bars have been placed in the shower and around the stool. I n the kitchen Newm ar incorporated a new cooktop and m icrowave com bination that places the convection m icrowave below the cooktop for easy access by a wheelchair occupant. Other new features included m oving all the switches, m onitor panel, and EMS panel from the top of the entrance door cabinet to a cabinet just behind the passenger seat for access while sitting in a wheelchair MSRPs started at $156,492. in 2012 Newm ar updated som e am enities on their three luxury diesel Class A m otorhom e products; Mountain Aire, King Aire, and Essex. I n late 2011, Newm ar introduced a new, fully re-designed floorplan for the Mountain Aire, one of Newm ar s m ost powerful and luxurious m odels. The Mountain Aire offers a new floorplans, including a three quad-side plan, and new dual full-wall slides floorplan with a rear bath. Additional standard features 123

124 include a dom inating Cum m ins 425 HP engine, hydraulic leveling jacks with single-touch control, and a fiberglass roof with walkable decking. I n 2012 Newm ar introduced the Bay Star Sport entry level Class A gas m otorhom e, using the Ford F-53 chassis with the Ford Triton V-10 engine. Standard features include gelcoated fiberglass side walls with vinyl graphics, Dom etic 6 cu. ft. refrigerator, 32 LCD TV in the front living area, patio awning, and a one piece tinted windshield. The Sport was introduced in two stylish interior packages along with two wood finishes. The Bay Star Sport starts at a base MSRP of $93,450 for its 2702 m odel. Newm ar s com plete line of Class A gas and diesel m otorhom es offers Bay Star, Canyon Star, Ventana, and the well-known Dutch Star, and all were redesigned for The Dutch Star diesel pusher showed off new exterior colors, sleek new graphics and all new interiors. Featuring eight distinct floorplans, the Dutch Star debuted with a new 37 quad slide floorplan and two new bath-anda-half designs. An exam ple of Dutch Star s luxury is shown when you tour the 40' Diesel pusher with its four slideouts, sofa-dinette-refrigerator slideout with hide a bed sofa and air m attress, built in dinette, and residential refrigerator. I ts am enities include a sofa- galley slideout with jackknife sofa, m id-ship TV, a walk through bath with radius corner shower with seat, enclosed stool, two bedroom slideout with king bed, rear wardrobe, and window awnings. I n 2011 the Bay Star rem ained the top selling gas m otorhom e for Newm ar. The Bay Star put quality construction within reach as the average 2011 MSRPs began at $120,000. I ts stylishly appointed interior is m atched by its handsom ely designed exterior. You'll find that the Bay Star's durable construction is translated into the sm allest details, such as the redesigned sofas and window treatm ents. The Bay Star gives you the choice of six floorplans, including a new m odel that is only 27 feet in length. All but one of the floorplans offers a double slide. The new full-wall slide 3205 is also an outstanding choice. Com m ents: Based on our research we can assure you Newm ar is a top-notch com pany with quality craftsm anship and innovative designs, all which give them very high ratings. Recent custom er reviews put Newm ar near the top in all areas, including Perform ance and Reliability, to Overall Quality and Value. Cost of Maintenance, Support from Dealers and Manufacturer Support have im proved in custom er satisfaction ratings. Though those areas at not at the very top, they have im proved from last year s poorer ratings, now com ing in at a solid above average. Previous custom er satisfaction reviews were average, but it appears owners are becom ing m ore and m ore satisfied with Newm ar products and overwhelm ing state they would recom m end a Newm ar product to potential buyers. What sets Newm ar apart is they will accom m odate special requests at alm ost every price point. Our m anufacturing process allows us to do that. We build in volum es of one, says Sam m ut (VP of sales and m arketing), m eaning that the production line will have a high end diesel followed by a fifth wheel and so on. We are not a m ass production shop; we are basically a custom shop. Newm ar has a nice website, easy to navigate with very detailed specifics on all its products. Model product pages are filled with inform ation, bright colored photo galleries, and links for everything from warranties to paint finishing inform ation. 124

125 NeXus RV 3400 Reedy Drive Elkhart, I ndiana Phone: w w w.nexusrv.com When Claude Donati and David Middleton, two good friends who are both professionals in the recreational vehicle field, decided that they wanted to m anufacture and sell m otorhom es, the result was NeXus RV. The new RV m anufacturing com pany m ade its announcem ent into the RV industry in October of Their facility has 86,000 sq. ft. of m anufacturing space and a 25,000 sq. ft. indoor showroom t hat is clim at e- controlled. NeXus has perim eter outdoor hookups that allow new custom ers to test drive their new m otorhom e for 24 hours or longer. This assists the custom er to m ake sure that they are com pletely satisfied before they drive away. The NeXus RV website tells us, We build your dream by revolutionizing the way Class C and Class B+ m otorized vehicles are sold Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ Located in the heart of RV country in Elkhart, I ndiana, it is the intent of NeXus to elim inate all areas of waste in the selling process and deliver the highest quality exclusively built m otorized product directly to you, the retail custom er. NeXus RV is a factory direct Class C and Class B+ m otorhom e m anufacturer, elim inating dealerships and m any unnecessary costs. This allows the NeXus custom er to save m oney and deal directly with the builders of their m otorhom e. NeXus RV strives to give you a very pleasant buying process and one of their m ain goals is to provide all of their custom ers with the best buying experience through quality, value, and service, all while saving m oney. NeXus will also take trade-ins such as cars, m otorcycles, and other classes and brands of m otorhom es, from custom ers who want to buy a new NeXus m otorhom e. NeXus has a certified pre-owned inventory where all of the vehicles have to pass a 100-point stringent test that is perform ed in the NeXus facility. NeXus RV has a certain set of values that they follow when building their m otorhom es: Custom ers are # 1: We will deliver products that are recognized as the standard in quality and value. Com pany Success: We are com m itted to growth and financial success of the business. Respect: We treat everyone with dignity. Team work: We believe our success will be built on the platform of team work. Learning: We will educate our em ployees to enhance our quality through lean principles. I ntegrity: We com m it to excellence and stand by our word. Leadership: We will lead the industry with a new business m odel for selling RVs. Com m unity: We are leaders and we are active in the com m unity. Spirit: We will fight for every deal and we will not be satisfied unless we earn it. 125

126 NeXus tells us they receive several inquiries, both online and at RV shows, asking why a Class C is a better buy over a Class A. The com pany answered with five m ain points: Drivability, Safety, Serviceability, Sleepability, and Price. Each NeXus m otorhom e is constructed with a high strength, light weight steel cage, lam inated steel fram ed floors, radius tinted and sealed windows, rear windows, undercoating, and a fiberglass front cap. NeXus RV produces one m odel brand of Class B+ m otorhom es called the Viper. Four different Viper m odels range in lengths from 24 feet to 30 feet. The sm allest Class B+ m odel is the Viper 24V and it is 25 feet long with one slide-out. The next m odel is the Viper 27V which is 28 feet long and it has 2 slide-outs. The largest m odel is the Viper 29V which is close to 30 feet in length and has 3 slide-outs. The Viper is built on a Ford V-10 gas engine with a GVWR of 14,500 and seam less fiberglass side walls, running boards and roof. The Viper s cockpits feature a touch screen panel with a stereo/ CD player and USB hookups, back up cam era, and a DVD player. Models include a bunk bed floorplan and over-the-cab sleeping accom m odations. The Viper was recently chosen by the HGTV RV 2012 show due to m any of the unm atched upgrades offered in the unique design of the NeXus Viper units. I n 2012 the Viper Class B+ 28V was introduced. I t offered two double beds in the rear instead of a walk around queen. The new Class B+ Viper 2 8 V continues to offer that unique floorplan, is 28' 5.5" in length, and sleeps four com fortably. The Viper 28V has the sam e standard features as all the Class B+ NeXus Viper m otorhom es. Som e of these am enities include a Norcold double door refrigerator, m icrowave, flip-up counter extensions, sofa, booth dinettes that covert to beds, and enclosed baths with shower, sink, and toilet. The Class C m odels are called the NeXus Phantom and are produced in five floorplans ranging in lengths from 25 to 34 feet. The NeXus Class C coaches have a Ford front; a van front end that is the sam e used in shuttle buses and am bulances. The driver is placed equal with the traffic, behind the front axel, with all the readings and accessories easily reached and at your fingertips. Furtherm ore, the cockpits are designed for excellent visibility. The 2014 NeXus Phantom s are built on a Ford V10 gas engine with either a Ford E-450 Series Chassis with a 14,500 GVWR or a Ford E-350 Series Chassis with a 12,500 GVWR. The floorplans have options of rear queen beds, sofa or both dinette slideouts, bunk beds, or wardrobe slideouts. They sleep four to six and have enclosed bathroom s and galley kitchens. Another note about the NeXus Class C Phantom Motorhom e - it was selected by the focus fam ily for the HGTV RV 2012 show for their high quality com ponents and construction, functional floor plans, and the huge savings they offer verses the com petition. 126

127 Early 2013 NeXus announced their all new m otorhom e, a Super Class C coach called the Ghost. I t is diesel pusher Class C m otorhom e built on the Navistar I nternational Terra Star chassis Maxx Force 7 diesel engine, with a 300 horse power rating. Two floorplans are available for 2014, one is a double slide, one is a triple, and they range in length from 34 to 36 feet. When introducing the NeXus Ghost, NeXus President and Co-founder Dave Middleton stated, As we planned when we started NeXus RV, we were going to offer other products that we felt could save our custom er s thousands of dollars while enhancing the entire buying process. Our decision to introduce a Super C m otorhom e is based on our vast experience with this type of product. We were part of the team that created the category nearly a decade ago. Both m odels will start with a MSRP at $139,999. The NeXus Super C Ghost is a toy hauler that has a 10,000 lb. hitch which im proves your towing capacity so you bring your toys with you. The Ghost has a full bath, galley kitchen, hardwood cabinets, U-shaped dinette, king bed with a 26" LED TV in the bedroom, and a cab over bunk with a 32 LED TV. Com m ents: New to the RV industry, NeXus RV does not have a long history of custom er ratings, reviews and forum s on which to judge their products. This being said we have found a num ber of blogs and survey sites that do offer som e insight into com pany and quality of products. Most custom er reviews we have found are very good. NeXus also prides it s self in quality control and they m aintain each m odel is scrutinized before it is allowed to be shown to custom ers. NeXus tells us the Factory direct business m odel is working well for them and custom ers seem very pleased dealing direct with factory. NeXus does point to their online custom er testim onies which guarantee 100% satisfaction once the product is out the door. The com pany also has a Facebook page with additional inform ation. NeXus does have knowledge and experience behind them, and they have a passion for the industry. We have found that factory direct com panies like NeXus are usually sm all com panies that have a good handle on quality control issues. They also go the extra m ile in m aking sure the custom er is satisfied with their purchase. Overall, NeXus RV is a great com pany in our opinion and we will probably include them in the prem ium category for

128 Phoenix USA Marina Drive Elkhart, I N Phone: w w w.phoenixusarv.com I n 1996 a group of em ployees had a vision to m anufacture the m ost revolutionary Class B m otorhom e on the m arket and hence they started Phoenix USA and began to live out their dream. By 1997 the com pany, located in Elkhart, I ndiana, realized there was a need for a m otorhom e that was a little larger than a Class B and consequently they began to m anufacture their line of Class B+ m otorhom es. I n the spring of 2009 m any RV dealers were not able to get bank financing during the recession and this led Phoenix USA to becom e a factory direct m anufacturer and sell their m otorhom es directly from their factories. This m ove allowed Phoenix to be m uch m ore personal with their custom ers and to help those sam e custom ers save up to $10,000-$15,000 on each m otorhom e. Phoenix tells those considering their product, At Phoenix USA, we take a lot of pride in setting a standard of excellence for com pact m otorhom es. We go the extra m ile in providing standard equipm ent not found on com petitive units. We pay attention to the sm all details as we craft each unit. This creates a superior product and is one reason why we have one of the highest custom er satisfaction ratings in the industry. To this day we are com m itted to providing unm atched quality and value to our custom ers directly from the Elkhart factory, and our select Factory Direct Dealers around the country Class B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ Phoenix USA has a wide variety of Class B+ m otorhom es to choose from, ranging in lengths of 21 feet to 31 feet. The Phoenix Cruiser is what the com pany calls their line of m otorhom es and they have nine 2013 floorplans, offering one to three slideouts. Most of the Cruisers are built on a Ford chassis, the sm aller m odels built on a Ford E-350 engine and the larger m odels are built on an E-450. Although Ford is the m ore com m on option, Phoenix also offers their 2350 and 2400 m odels on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis which has a 3.0 V-6 turbo diesel engine instead of the 6.8 V-10 gas engines that are in the Ford chassis. All Phoenix Cruiser interiors have Maple or Cherry cabinetry, a spacious wardrobe closet, day/ night shades, solid wood tables and countertop extensions, an oversized solid-surface sink, a large double door refrigerator, and a 30,000 BTU furnace. They have a sm ooth vacuum bonded lam inated gel-coat fiberglass exterior. Construction includes a one-piece fiberglass roof, weather-shielded fiberglass running boards, fram eless awning-type crank-cut windows, 2-1/ 8" thick floor, tubular steel construction, a durable 1/ 4" plastic fluted sheet underbelly, a 1-1/ 2" thick wall, and block 128

129 foam insulation in the roof, floors, and sidewalls. The Phoenix Cruisers are also m anufactured using rubber pucks between the floor and fram e which provides for sm oother ride and reduces road noise. The Phoenix m odel is the only unit available in two choices; either a double slideout floorplan or the option of a third slide-out, and it is Phoenix s only m odel with 3 slide-outs. This triple-slide Cruiser 2910T has a spacious living area, the am ount of space generally found in a Class A coach. The 2910T has a large m aster bedroom with a walk-around queen bed, dual wardrobes, and a TV stand/ desk. There is a good am ount of overhead storage too, along with a sofa bed and a convertible dinette. The Cruiser 2910 is 30 6 in length, built on the Ford E-450 chassis, with a GVWR of14,500 lbs. Base 2013 MSRP for the 2910T is $99,970. I n addition, Phoenix USA offers a 4X4 option for those who like to travel the back roads. The Phoenix Cruisers also have several different exterior color paint options you can choose from and four new interior décor color them es. Their basic m otorhom es range from $60,000-$80,000, but if you would like your Phoenix to com e fully loaded with all of the best options then you will pay a little over $100,000. The Phoenix USA website has a great feature a Build Your Custom Phoenix Cruiser page where you can fill in your wish list and design preferences, with or without options, and then you have a factory discount price subm itted to you right on the webpage. There is no com m itm ent to purchase; this feature just gives you an idea of what a Phoenix Cruiser would cost. Com m ents: Phoenix USA is a com pany that rates very high with their custom ers in every single rating category. Safety, reliability, perform ance, interior, and exterior design all would recom m end a Phoenix USA m otorhom e to others. Their website has excellent links for everything from photos to forum s. Phoenix has a wide selection of m odels to choose from, m aking it possible to find one you like. They are a great m iddle of the road Class B+ m anufacturer with very reasonable product pricing. Phoenix USA is definitely one of the better Class B m otorhom e m anufacturers with reasonable pricing. 129

130 Pleasure Way 302 Portage Ave Saskatoon, SK S7J 4C6 Phone: w w w.pleasurew ay.com Pleasure-Way I ndustries Ltd. began m anufacturing in 1986 with just 12 em ployees building about 60 units per year out of a 5,000 sq. foot facility. Over the years Pleasure-Way has grown m uch larger and now they are the second biggest Class B m otorhom e m anufacturer in North Am erica. Now Pleasure-Way operates out of an 85,000 sq. foot building with over 170 em ployees who m anufacture over 800 m otorhom es per year. They are a fam ily owned and operated com pany who possess a hard work ethic, striving to put the custom er first. The com pany has worked very hard to develop a dealer network and currently have over 60 dealer partnerships around North Am erica. Pleasure-Way is always focusing on expanding their dealer network in hopes that one day there will be a dealer near you, wherever you are Class B Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B Pleasure-Way has always believed in highest quality craftsm anship and that is why all of their interiors are hand crafted piece by piece. They believe in doing things the right way and they never cut corners or take the easy way out which is why they are Canada s # 1 selling Class B m otorhom e. Pleasure-Way doesn t use an assem bly line like other big com panies do. I nstead they have work stations and as the chassis m oves from one station to another; each station m anaged by skilled team s who work together to construct the m otorhom e. Pleasure-Way says, Moving away from the strict assem bly line m entality that perm eates the m anufacturing industry did not just happen without careful research and developm ent. Pleasure-Way looked at the quality of work that cam e off of assem bly lines and found that quality suffered as a result. Casting farther out and using in-house data, the assem bly line concept was re-defined as construction in a logical order by team s of skilled craftspeople. As a result of these techniques, quality is im proved dram atically over straight assem bly line products. I ncidentally, Pleasure-Way's assem bly techniques are sim ilar to the ones used by Rolls Royce and Bentley. Pleasure-Way is keenly aware of the im portance of the safety of their m otorhom es and that is why they guarantee that their van m otorhom es either m eet or exceed all of the safety guidelines within the RV industry. Every single van m otorhom e in Canada m eets the strict C.S.A. guidelines, and in the U.S. their m otorhom es bear the R.V.I.A. seal. 130

131 Pleasure-Way has 8 different m odels of Class B m otorhom es and 3 different brands of chassis are used on their m otorhom es. The Lexor, Lexor MP, and Basis m odels are all built on a Chevy 3500 chassis. The Plateau, Plateau MP, and Plateau RB m odels are all built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis. The Excel and the Traverse m odels are both built on a Ford chassis. The Lexor, Plateau, and Excel m odels offer two different floorplans, the TD and TS. The MP in the m odel nam e stands for m ulti-passenger; hence the MP m odels can drive m ore people and sleep m ore people. The RB stands for rear bed, and the Plateau RB has a perm anent full size rear bed. The Traverse is Pleasure-Way s only pop top van m otorhom e and it is also their least expensive m otorhom e with an MSRP of $60,000. The Basis is Pleasure-Way s basic m odel and it is m uch m ore sim ple and affordable than their other m odels. With their large variety of different m odels, Pleasure-Way m otorhom es has a price range (of approxim ately) between $60,000 and $120,000. Com m ents: Pleasure-Way is definitely one of the best Class B m otorhom e m anufactures in the industry. This com pany rates high with their custom ers in every single rating category. Safet y, reliabilit y, perform ance, com fort, design all t hese areas rat e very high. Pleasure- Way owners have no hesitation in regards to recom m ending a Pleasure-Way m otorhom e to others. Not only are they Canada s # 1 selling Class B van m otorhom e, Pleasure-Way has m any options to choose from including their pop top van. Their website provides a lot of details, specifics and photos of each m odel. Owners and forum s also speak highly of the support they receive from the m anufacturer. This is a great attribute for any com pany. 131

132 Rexhall Industries, Inc th Street West Lancaster, CA Phone: w w w.rexhall.com I n 2009 Rexhall filed Chapter 11 and William Rex, President and CEO of Rexhall I ndustries I nc., assured consum ers it Won't Disrupt Business. I t appears Rex was correct as Rexhall RV continues to have a strong place in the RV industry. Rexhall has been producing Class A m otor hom es since 1986, with Founder William J. Rex. Their com m itm ent as a com pany has always been to provide a product that em phasizes value. Rexhall RV tells us they have a superior safety record, which they credit to their 100% welded uni-body construction. They weld the entire floor to the chassis m aking for an extra solid foundation. Rexhall products also have welded front and rear-end cap and sidewalls, which m eans no screws or bolts loosening. Rexhall is proud to state, I n 2002 Rexhall patented our T-Rex Full Body Slide Room s. We are the first and only m anufacturer to put two full body slide room s on RVs, and our slides are stronger than the industry standard. And our Class A m otorhom es are the only gas or diesel s on the m arket which feature our patented dual TREX, full body slide room s Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Their website states, The Aerbus is Rexhall s prem ier entry level Class A m otorhom e. Our # 1 seller, the Aerbus com es with a bevy of standard equipm ent such as Guardian 6.5 KW Quietpac Gas Generator, m onitoring system and flush m ount electronic awnings that are easy to use and don t take away from the body lines of the m otorhom e when on the road. Luxuries com e standard on the Aerbus as well including a Dom etic side/ side refrigerator, solid surface countertops, two LCD televisions and surround sound system with dvd player. Every Aerbus also includes two full body T-Rex slide room s which create the m ost spacious interiors you can find. When you com bine this with over ten innovative floorplans to choose from, the Aerbus is your best choice. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Rexhall tells us, Rexhall I ndustries, I nc. was founded on a belief that safety 87 com es first when building a 86 m otorhom e, and service after the sale com es second. That is why we have our own service center and that is why we allow you, the custom er, to use any Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas independent service center. I f your local dealer is too backed up or if you didn t purchase from them or you don t feel you are getting the service you deserve, then find one yourself and call us for approval. 132

133 Or we will direct you to an independent service center. Rexhall I ndustries, I nc. is changing how m otorhom es are serviced. At Rexhall, we recognize that our reputation is only as good as the m otorhom es we build. That is why we ask you to com e and take a plant tour and see for yourself why we say Rexhall s are the safest m otorhom e built! Com m ents: Rexhall has som e unique designs and can create a custom coach for your particular needs. They work with a num ber of industries such as health care, dental, veterinary and police departm ents. They also have built som e m obile library units. For those with a handicap and still want to travel, Rexhall offers handicap assessable units. Quality of product rates high based on our research. Unfortunately, despite their strong m anufacturing m ethods, Rexhall does not rate as high as one would expect. While their product m odels rate high in quality, perform ance, safety, and reliability they could do better in custom er service. Cost of m aintenance and reliability ratings also need to be raised to be worth the cost for their products. This past year there were workm anship/ m anufacturing issues being presented to the com pany, however there were also forum s filled with loyal owners. Thus, the reviews are filled with a m ix; dedicated owners who state they would absolutely recom m end Rexhall, others stating they had nothing but problem s, and then som e owners who found the quality not equal to the higher price. Furtherm ore, Rexhall did not respond to repeated requests for contact, thus it is hard to give their input as to the custom er satisfaction issues. Rexhall is a sm all com pany with em phasis on building Class A diesel and gas m otor hom es. Rexhall seem s to be working hard at fulfilling a niche by custom izing their coaches to m eet the needs of their custom ers and certain industries. I f you live near a dealer that carries Rexhall products and you re looking for som ething a little different, a m otorhom e that stands out from the crowd, then a Rexhall m ay be what you are looking for. Their website has a lot of great full-page photos that give you a clear view of their products. 133

134 Roadtrek 100 Shirley Avenue Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, N2B 2E1 Phone: w w w.roadtrek.com Living in Kitchener, Ontario since 1953, Jac Hanem aayer has been involved in a variety of different businesses involving residential and com m ercial land developm ent and hom e construction. I n 1974 Mr. Hanem aayer was interested in buying an RV for his own personal use. He enjoyed Class A and C m otorhom es because of the com fort and space that they had, but he wanted som ething sm aller and easier to drive, a m ore m obile and convenient vehicle. When Hanem aayer could not find a m odel that had all of the am enities of a larger RV, he designed one him self and had it built by fledgling Hom e & Park Vehicles. When he received his finished m odel, Hanem aayer was so im pressed wit h it t hat he bought t he com pany. I n 1980 Roadt rek was born when Hanem aayer redesigned his units with Roadtrek s now fam ous low profile roof, lowered floor and innovative three section floor plan. The result is the Roadtrek m otto, Fuel Efficient Motorhom es You'll Love to Drive. Jac Hanem aayer s son Jeff started working with the com pany, learning the products and industry inside and out. Jeff becam e president of Roadtrek, guiding the com pany from 1985 to 2000, and now Jeff oversees the Roadtrek as Chairm an Class B Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B em ployees and over 100 dealers all over North Am erica. I n 1983 Roadtrek began selling to the U.S. and for the rem ainder of the 80s the com pany grew rapidly. By 1990 Roadt rek becam e t he bestselling Class B m otorhom e in North Am erica. Roadtrek s # 1 selling position required a bigger facility and in 1993 the com pany m oved into a 120,000 sq. foot building, im proving m anufacturing. They now have over 200 full tim e Over the 4 year period from 2002 to 2006, the em ployees at Roadtrek had worked over 1,500,000 hours without having a single injury that would keep the person from at least working part of the next day. I n 2006 Roadtrek rolled their 20,000 th Class B m otorhom e off the line and sales are still increasing every day. There s a reason why Roadtrek is the # 1 North Am erican selling Class B and it is because of their high-quality products, advanced dealer network, technologically advanced factories, and extraordinary people. From their website Roadtrek tells us, All the com fort of a larger RV or m otorhom e. All the convenience of driving a van or SUV. Whet her you re going cross- count ry or j ust crosstown, why not take along all the com forts of hom e? Enjoy the convenience of your own 134

135 bathroom, change room, kitchen, living room and bedroom. All with the fuel econom y and driving and parking ease of a van or large crossover. Discover why Roadtrek recreational vehicles are the # 1 selling class B m otorhom es (cam per vans) in North Am erica since 1990! One of the reasons why Roadtrek is so popular is the wide variety of m odels that they produce. They have 9 different m odels; the 170-Versatile, 190- Popular, 190-Sim plicity, 210-Popular, 210-Sim plicity, N6-Active, RS-Adventurous, SS-Agile, and the SS-I deal. With so m any m odels to choose from custom ers will be able find a m odel to suit them. Roadtrek s newest m odel is the Roadtrek N6 - Active and it can seat up to 7 people and sleep up to 5, unlike any other m odel that they m ake. The N6-Active can tow up to 9,000 pounds and get up to 18 MPG. I t has a versatile center console and when rem oved it allows for extra space between the front seats or easier access from the front seats to the rear. The pop up top of the van allows full standing height inside the vehicle. The price range for Roadtrek s Class B m otorhom es is between $70,000 and $120,000, depending on the m odel and options you choose. Com m ents: Roadtrek rates as one of the better Class B m otorhom e m anufactures in the industry. Roadtrek rates high with their custom ers in m ost every category, specifically in the areas of safety, reliability, perform ance, com fort, and design. Support from the m anufacturer rates a little lower than som e of the top rated Class B m otorhom e com panies but it is still above average. Roadtrek owners highly recom m end their products to potential buyers and the com pany has a loyal following. Based on our research this is a quality com pany with a bright future. 135

136 Safari Motor Coach (Monaco) - No Longer Being Manufactured Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect I n 2009 Monaco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, term inating about 2,000 em ployees in Oregon and I ndiana. The com pany said it has been hurt by the decline in financial and real estate m arkets, the erosion of consum er wealth and confidence, and tight credit. During the bankruptcy process Monaco asked the judge to help with several specifics that would authorize Monaco to use cash collected from the sales of assets to keep the com pany operating. Com ing out of the bankruptcy, Monaco was purchased by Navistar. Then in May of 2013, Monaco RV becam e owned by Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV). However, the past few years have been a struggle and Safari Motor Coaches has not been brought back to production. I n a news release an ASV com pany spokesm an spoke of Monaco s struggles stating, Navistar tried to change the product through its engine strategy. They tried to m ake Monaco som ething it s not. However, if you are considering purchasing a used Safari Motor coach, this inform ation will be beneficial. Safari began building coaches in 1986 in Oregon. The goal was to m ake an outstanding RV for good value. Safari soon becam e well-known and popular in the RV world and in 2001 becam e a part of the Monaco Coach Corporation, also in Oregon, and still strives to give the m ost coach for the m oney. Safari m otorcoaches strove to stand out from the rest, especially against its m ain com petitors Winnebago and Fleetwood, with great attention paid to fit and finish. The am enities we put in the hom es, the quality and construction, are second to none, says Monaco VP Craig Wanichek. Our diesel is built on its own chassis and all units have 84 height and one-piece windshields. I t s all about the best value for the dollar. The Cheetah was a popular line for Safari. With a one-piece Panaview windshield and custom -built Roadm aster chassis that has the power of a Caterpillar C7 350 HP engine; the Cheetah com bined luxury with power for a sm ooth ride. I n 2011 the Cheetah debuted in a 42 ft. length, with a tag axle. The Cheetah 42 cam e standard with a Cat C9 400 HP. Com m ents: The quality of construction was above average to excellent on m odels that are three years old or newer. The resale value was average to above average and dealers across the country gave Safari high m arks while in business. Sportscoach RV (Please see Coachmen Article) 136

137 Sportsmobile North, Inc. 250 Court St Huntington, I N Phone: Sportsmobile Texas, Inc Gray Blvd Austin, TX Phone: Sportsmobile West, Inc S Bagley Ave Fresno, CA Phone: w w w.sportsm obile.com Charles Borskey founded Sportsm obile in 1961 and the com pany im m ediately began converting vans into m otorhom es. They are now the oldest Class B m otorhom e m anufacturer in North Am erica and the com pany is entering into their 57 th year. Over the years Sportsm oblie kept adding options to their van conversions m aking them one of the best van cam pers available. I n 1974 they introduced the Penthouse roof and in 1989 an optional 4x4 system was available. Today the com pany is converting Ford, Chevy, and Mercedes-Benz vans into pleasant m otorhom es which can serve m any other purposes. The m anufacturer gives the custom er an outstanding am ount of choices, designing the van to the sm allest detail at the custom er s request and arranging for sale and pickup at one of their three factory direct locations. Despite the m any am enities, Sportsm obile vans are not like owning a larger RV. Sm aller, easier to m aneuver, the vans provide com fort and convenience, without the hassle of a larger m otorhom e. Designed to be a quality m otorhom e, they are also capable of being used for the everyday driver. Sportsm obile tells us their surveys shows that 98% of Sportsm obile owners also use it as a fam ily car because (they state) these vans are com fortable to drive, easy to park, econom ical to operate, and have very good resale value Class B Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B 137 Sportsm obile has three m ain van m odels that they use; Ford, Chevy, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The Mercedes-Benz is a 6-cylinder, diesel engine with 188 hp at 3,800 rpm. The Ford vans are built on an E-150, E-250, or E-350 gas engine with GWVRs of 8,600 9,500 pounds. All Sportsm obile units are available in a regular body, rear body, or an extended body m otorhom e van. Sportsm obile has four different choices for their van tops. The fixed tops have upper storage com partm ents over the cab and rear, tall cabinets and baths that can reach ceiling height, full-length shelves on each side, and side window options.

138 Sportsm obile also builds a unique, rugged, outdoor appropriate m otorhom e van. Models can be designed and built not only living out doors, but navigating tough off-the-path roads. These specialty vehicles include the Ultim ate Adventure Vehicle, the Sportsm obile 4 W D Vehicle, and the W.A.V.E. (Wheelchair Accessible Van for Expeditions). These vans are four wheel drive conversion vans, especially designed t o handle t he challenges of offroad travels, yet still providing plenty of headroom, large windows, and num erous am enities for outdoor living or cam ping. The W.A.V.E. has been endorsed by Disabled Explorers, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose purpose is to expand the horizons and possibilities of the physically challenged, m any of those back from the wars in I raq and Afghanistan. Sportsm obile inform ed us that Ford announced the Econoline will have a 2014 m odel year. The 2014 and 2015 m odel years will m anufacture the Econoline van series and the new Transit van at sam e tim e. The Econoline van series will then be discontinued once the new Transit van is in full production. Sportsm obile offers three options for ordering the basic van. The m ost popular process is the com pany can order one for you, at a discount. A second option; custom ers can arrange for Sportsm obile to custom ize a van you already own. The third option; the com pany can order an in stock van for you and you can arrange your own purchase and designs. For this Sportsm obile has an easy process for custom ers to select the van conversion of their choice. First the custom er selects their preference; a Ford, Chevy, or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Next the custom er will choose one of four van tops. A custom er m ay then choose a standard floorplan, or build a floorplan from a tem plate plan. Sportsm obile will work with you to design the van just as you want it, from the layout of the standard features and additional options, even down to where you want a cupboard placed. I n fact, the Sportsm obile website has an excellent Design Your Own feature that provides exam ples, plans, and designs you can scan, review, and then choose. After you are finished with your choices and designs, Sportsm obile will build it exactly as you specified. The average Sportsm obile vans can seat up to five and sleep 2-3 com fortably, though a lim ited few m odels will seat up to six and sleep four. Each van is fully contained with a large variety of am enities and additional options to choose from. Sportsm obile has a lim ited warranty that is one of the best in the RV industry 50 m onths or 50,000 m iles. Appliances, furnace, hot water heater, and air conditioners are warranted by their respective m anufacturers. For the vans the Sportsm obile warranties are as follows: for the Chevy/ GM, Mercedes-Benz each has a 3 year/ 36,000 m ile "bum per to bum per" with roadside service warranty; an outer body rust-through warranty; a 5 year/ 100,000 m iles warranty on the Mercedes-Benz; a 5 year unlim ited m iles warranty on the Ford, and a 5 years/ 100,000 m iles warranty on the Chevy/ GM. Previous Year s Models For 2012 Sportsm obile rolled out the Nissan RB (regular body) van which is the first Nissan platform van in the U.S. and was produced to com pete with Mercedes, Ford, and Chevy. The Nissan RB has a high roof or a low roof m odel powered by an efficient V6 or V8 engine. Custom ers have a choice of a powerful and efficient V6 or a V8 engine, riding on a fulllength, full boxed fram e. The Nissan RBs are fully contained and available only at Nissan dealers. Sportsm obile West builds specify vehicles and received a m ilitary contract from Qatar to 138

139 build 17 custom ized search and rescue vans. The vans served as first responders to m any of the world's catastrophic events as part of Qatar's "Hum anitarian Mission to the World" program. Receiving such an im portant contract is s a tribute to Sportsm obile s high quality. The Sportsm obile Ultim ate 4 x4 debuted with great interest. So m uch so that when MSN news featured the Sportsm obile van as one of the "10 coolest recreational vehicles roam ing the roads today, the Sportsm obile website crashed, due to enorm ous am ount of visitors to the site. The Sportsm obile RB5 0 4 W D was designed with the rugged outdoors in m ind. Not for the tight budget, this van is custom built on a 6.0-l turbo diesel engine, regular body m odel and available with the signature Sportsm obile Penthouse fold-down-roof hardtop featuring fabric side walls. Travel m ode offers a low profile and is aerodynam ic for reduced wind resistance. When cam ping, the roof lifts easily with the assistance of the optional electric top feature to provide 6 feet 8 inches of interior headroom. Fully contained, the Class B RB50 4WD also offers a feature for those RVers who like to cook outside. This includes a foldaway cabinet/ work shelf/ storage unit on the side door that supports a portable stove and som e kitchen supplies. Com m ents: Sportsm obile has a lot to offer custom ers in the way of variety of m odels and options. Their website m akes choosing your van very easy with their step by step Planning your Sportsm obile online service. You can m odify a standard floorplan and design or m ake your own. Ratings for Sportsm obile are above average. While not at the top for Class B m otorhom e com panies in ratings, Sportsm obile does rate at the top for safety and perform ance. The com pany rates very high for the extrem ely im portant support from the m anufacturer category. The com pany specializes in building custom vans to m eet their custom er s wants and needs. For those wanting to explore the outdoors and m ay require an off-road 4-wheel drive unit, Sportsm obile could have what you re looking for. 139

140 Thor Motor Coach 701 Country Road Elkhart, I ndiana Phone: w w w.thorm otorcoach.com / When well- known RV m anufacturers Dam on Motor Coach, Four Winds I nternational, and Mandalay RV were consolidated with long standing Thor I ndustries, a new m otorhom e division was created and nam ed Thor Motor Coach (TMC). Thor I ndustries has been aggressively buying RV com panies and taking advantage of the slowing econom y. TMC took over the production of the popular brands of m any of these com panies and Statistical Surveys. I nc. soon nam ed TMC as The # 1 selling Motorhom e Com pany. Thor Motor Coach still holds that honor today. Jerim iah Borkowski, Director of Thor Com m unications, points out, With these m ergers Thor is connecting the dots to becom e a better product line and offer m ore services. You can even work with Thor Motor Coach and design your own m otor coach. TMC has a diverse product selection which varies substantially from high-end to entry level m otorhom es. Construction is solid, built with a fully welded tubular steel floor, a fully welded tubular alum inum roof and sidewall cage, and a vacuum bonded lam inated one piece roof with high-density block foam I nsulation. Here are the brands Thor Motor Coach is currently producing: Category: Astoria, Avanti, Palazzo, Serrano & Tuscany Class A Gas Category: A.C.E, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Outlaw & Windsport Class C Diesel/ Gas Category: Chateau & Four Winds Class B+ Category: Citation, Citation Sprinter, Siesta & Siesta Sprinter The Thor Daybreak Class A gas m otorhom e series has been one of m any brands m anufactured by TMC with recent reviews rating as favorable, including ratings of perform ance, quality, and overall value. Each Thor Class A Daybreak Motorhom e is built on a Ford Chassis, Ford Triton 6.8L V10 engine with a 5-speed TorqueShift autom atic transm ission, overdrive, and GVWRs of 18,000 lbs. - 22,000 lbs. Previously a high-end Dam on product, the Tuscany Class A diesel m otorhom e is now m anufactured by Thor Motor Coach. This coach is a # 1 sales leader in Canada and is rising to the top am ong the leading RV m anufacturers as a Motorhom e m odel in the U.S. The Tuscany TAG diesel pusher is the com pany s flagship line. This brand of luxury m otorhom e offers the ultim ate in décor, styling, and power with all the high-end am enities. There are currently three floorplans to choose from with MSRPs beginning at around $300,000. Recently TMC added a new addition to the 140

141 Tuscany series nam ed the 34ST. The Thor Tuscany 3 4 ST m odel is the newest m odel to the XTE line and m easures 35 feet in length. The all-new 34ST joins the other two Tuscany XTE m odels, the 36MQ (37 6 in length) and the 40EX (40 in length), and is the m ost com pact floorplan thus far in the Tuscany line. National Sales Manager Adam Gudger said the Tuscany 34ST is a result of the requests TMC receives for sm aller coaches, yet a coach that still provides the high-end am enities of the diesel pushers. Powered by a Cum m ins I SB- XT engine that rates 360-HP and 800-lb.-ft. of torque, TMC states their Tuscany 34ST has 75% m ore hill-busting torque than gas powered m otorhom es of the sam e size. The Four Winds Class C m otorhom e has been a popular and well-known brand for over 22 years so it was logical for TMC to continue to produce this brand of gas m otor coach. The Thor Four W inds Class C gas m otorhom es are built on either a Ford or Chevy Chassis, depending upon the m odel, and powered with a 6.8L V10 (Ford) or 6.0L V8 (Chevy) engine. Fiberglass exterior graphic packages are standard on all coaches, however recently Thor Motor Com pany introduced the new Thor HD-MAX exterior packages. This exterior option is a line of full color exterior décor packages that give the coach the look of a full body paint package, but costs thousands of dollars less. Class B m otorhom e sales were up 31.4% in 2012 and Thor Motor Coach was a part of that sales increase with their two brands of Class B+ m otorhom e coaches, the Siesta and the Citation. Both m odels are m anufactured with a gas powered engine and a diesel engine. While Thor classifies their Citation as a Class C Touring m otorhom e, they designate the Citation m otorhom e coach as a Class B+. This is a gas powered 6.8L V10 Ford engine built on a Ford E-450 Chassis, available in two floorplans m easuring 29 9 and The m odels have either a double or triple slideout and can be ordered with a full-body paint exterior or TMC s new HD-MAX color decor and graphics package. I f you prefer a diesel m odel yet still want the benefits of the sm aller sized coach, com plete with what the Citation Class C Touring Coach has to offer, the Citation Sprinter Class B+ m ight be a good choice for you. The Citation Sprinter is the diesel m odel of the Thor Citation brand. I t is has two floorplans m easuring 24 6 or in length, the newest being the Citation Sprinter 24SR. This m odel has a rear slideout walk-around queen bed, slideout sofa dinette, and bath with a shower. The Citation Sprinter B+ is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis m uch like the Citation. I n 2012, Statistical Surveys, I nc. announced the Outlaw Toy Hauler as the # 1 best-selling Class A toy hauler m otorhom e on the m arket for that year. The Thor Outlaw Class A Toy Hauler has three floorplan m odels all built on a Ford Chassis engine with GVWRs at 22,000 to 24,000 lbs. and m easuring 37 4, 38 4, and The gas powered Ford engine is a Triton 6.8L V10 and has an 80 gallon fuel capacity. The Outlaw has a full garage, one so big that it fits not only dirt bikes, but ATVs and golf carts. The garage also has a sleeping loft which can accom m odate two com fortably. 141

142 Com m ents: I t is difficult to rate such a large com pany like Thor Motor Coach because of their diverse product selection which varies considerably from high-end to entry level m otorhom es. TMC is a fairly new m anufacturer to the industry (2010) and thus is it a bit difficult to rate in term s of long-standing custom er reviews and satisfaction. Nonetheless, the com pany itself is the bi-product of icon m anufacturers such as Dam on and Fours Winds, as well as an affiliate of Thor I ndustries; all of which have decades of experience in the RV industry. Previous reviews for the Daybreak and the Windsport had very favorable reviews, including perform ance, quality, and overall value. Other brands, such as the Serrano, barely m et average in the sam e rating categories. Then there is the issue with previous m odel years. Many Thor brands did not fare so well in the ratings under their previous RV m anufactures; others rated above average. Best advice; thoroughly explore the individual m odel you are considering. Speak with owners, visit dealerships. Thor Motor Coach offers personal factory tours, no appointm ent necessary, along with their scheduled tours Monday Thursday. Thor Motor Coach also has hundreds of authorized Service Centers, enabling service and m aintenance to be accessible from all around the country. I n Novem ber of 2010, Thor Motor Coach launched a new website and it is nothing less than fantastic. Take the tim e to view all the extensive details and inform ation. 142

143 Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc nd Street NW Red Bay, AL Phone: w w w.tiffinm otorhom es.com Tiffin Motorhom es is truly a fam ily run business. Started by Bob Tiffin in Red Bay, Alabam a, Tiffin runs the com pany with his three sons, Tim, Van and Lex. I n a converted cotton warehouse in 1972, Bob Tiffin set a m odest production goal of two m otorhom es a day focusing on quality and custom er service. Thirty-three years later the 50,000 th coach rolled off the Tiffin production line. Those early coaches, about the length of a m inivan, bear faint resem blance to a present-day Zephyr. The Zephyr is 45 feet of state-of-the-art electronics including the huge LCD TVs (living room, bedroom and outside), global positioning and satellite dish. The four slides alm ost double the width. Three A/ C units, a king-size bed, exquisite cabinetry and other crafted woodwork, plus tile and carpeted floors are features. Tiffin s products, the Phaeton and Allegros, also boast m any of the Zephyr's features Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect one of the oldest m odels ever m ade, you can still find parts you need. Twenty years ago a delayed shipm ent of windows caused the plant to close down and Tiffin decided right then and there that wouldn't happen again, so he bought a local glass plant and turned it into his own window and windshield m anufacturing factory. He did the sam e for fiberglass and for all the woodwork. Alm ost everything in a Tiffin Motorhom e is m ade by the com pany. That is why even if you have While Tiffin counts Fleetwood, Winnebago and Monaco as its m ain com petitors, Director of Sales Jerry William son says the attention paid to the custom er really sets Tiffin apart from the rest. Along with listening to custom ers com es innovation, the Tiffin sons not only work for the com pany, they are RVers them selves. When they take their own Tiffin m otorhom es out on the road, they com e back with new ideas and ways to m ake the units as usercom fortable as possible. One of Tiffin s taglines is Just ask som eone who owns one and Tiffin adds, Service is som ething we don t just talk about, we do it. We just treat people like they want to be treated. I n fact, a high standard of m orals and values are what m otivates Bob Tiffin and his crew. His reputation is such that folks who have m et or purchased from him will tell you Bob is one of the nicest, m ost fair of all the businessm en they have ever m et. Keeping with that desire to provide the very best custom er service possible, Tiffin provides the Allegro Cam pground, located in Red Bay, AL. where the Service Center is located. The cam pground is j ust a few steps away from the service center, allowing owners to have their Tiffin taken for services during the day and returned to them in the evening, enabling them to stay in the com forts of their own hom e, whether the service takes one day or one week. 143

144 Once again Tiffin has im proved their Phaeton, the nation's top-selling diesel pusher for the past three years. Tiffin adds, Since 2011, we have added two floor plans to Phaeton line up, a 40 QBH bath and a half floor plan and a 40 QKH, a bunk m odel. The Phaeton, like the Allegros, has side cam eras integrated into the VelVac rearview m irror, a redesigned driver s console for added convenience, a distinctive wood and wrought iron ceiling trim ring, Rustic Canyon - a new exterior color schem e, and two new interiors, the Capri and Palm etto. While Phaetons com e in 36, 40 and 42-foot lengths, the longest of the trio now boasts an I SL 400hp engine. The 40-foot, 380-hp diesel pusher com es with bunk beds in addition to a bedroom with either king- or queen-size bed. The bunk beds are on one of the four slides, allowing plenty of space to m ove around and are on the driver s side opposite the bed in the m aster bedroom, providing a unique front-to-rear open coach view. A m ore functional bath layout adds to the appeal. The Phaeton 40QKH is available on either a Freightliner or Tiffin s own PowerGlide chassis. I n addition for 2012 Tiffin states; Considering Allegro Bus, we added a 40 QBP, bath and a half floor plan. The Allegro gas m odels 30 GA and 32 CA replaced the old 30 and 32 m odels. The new m odels include im proved larger fresh water tanks, holding tanks, and pass through basem ent storage. For our newest brand, the Allegro Breeze, we have added a 32 BR m odel which includes 2 slideouts, a full bedroom, bathroom, and galley area. Allegro Breeze is our fuel efficient rear engine diesel brand designed for ease of handling and driving, while still delivering a luxury coach. We are alm ost ready to introduce our 2013 Zephyr m odel. I t will be the best of everything we know or have done; all in a 45 foot luxurious coach. I t features 165- cubic feet of basem ent storage and a bath-and-a-half floorplan. The Phaeton series is still the best-selling diesel m otorhom e in the United States according to Tiffin. A Cum m ins I SC engine is used in the Phaeton and has a one-piece, m oisture resistant m olded fiberglass roof cap provides insulation and strength and prevents water intrusion. Tiffin also offers the Allegro (front engine gas m otorhom e), the Allegro Red (rear engine diesel), and the Allegro Bus. The Allegro still rem ains Tiffin s m ost popular gas m otorhom e Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas 144 For 2012 Tiffin s Jerry William son tells us, We continually im plem ent im provem ents to our production processes. This past year we added m ore com puterized m achinery which im proves our fit and finish. And we have added and im proved m any floor plans since 2011 m odel year. Of the Allegro RED Tiffin says, "The advantage of the Allegro RED is right there in the nam e: the Rear Engine Diesel (RED). The RED shares the sam e quality, value, and affordability as the Allegro, and then adds som e im portant benefits: Quieter ride, increased torque and horsepower, and better fuel efficiency. And with the engine located in the back, it allows for a m ore spacious cab. The 2012 m odel pays special attention to the kitchen, with newly redesigned elem ents, the cooking area now functions better than ever. The Allegro RED features a Cum m ins I SB 6.7-liter electronic diesel, turbocharged engine,

145 340 2,600 RPM. With four available floorplans, exterior lengths range from 34'10" to 38'9". The one-piece, m oisture resistant m olded fiberglass roof cap provides insulation and strength, as well as preventing water leakage. With 5½ " of form ed insulation, the sidewalls are approxim ately 2 thick. A full kitchen, skylight shower with optional bathtub, booth dinette, sofa with sleeper, and king and bunk bed are som e of the options this Allegro RED offers, including m any m ore feel at hom e features. William son adds, We added a new floor plan to our Allegro RED brand, 38 QRA. This floor plan is a nice bath and a half m odel. Popular Models from Previous Years All new for Tiffin s 2011 production year was the Allegro Breeze. The 28-foot Allegro Breeze was as Best of Show by the RVBusiness staff during the recent 47th Annual National RV Trade Show. The Breeze debuted with one floorplan; a very unique product as it features air ride and air brakes. The Breeze is built on a 21,500-pound GVWR chassis equipped with a 215-hp Navistar MaxxForce 7 V-8 engine. I nterior features are so num erous we can only sum them up as luxurious. Com m ents: According to Statistical Survey (retail registration) Tiffin rated # 1 for Class A m otorhom e m anufacturing in the US through the second quarter of However, as Jerry William son tells us, While we at Tiffin are proud of that rating, ratings are not what m otivate us. We prefer being num ber one with our custom ers. We do not m easure ourselves against other m anufacturers; we m easure ourselves against our custom er s expectations. The industry seem s to agree as Tiffin excels in custom er service and satisfaction in the area of m anufacturer support. Tiffin consistently rates at the top in surveys sent out by the RVDA (Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association) and independent reviews. Though the latest ratings put reliability (m echanical, I nterior, exterior, etc.), cost, and dealer support a little lower (4 out of 5 points) in custom er satisfaction, owners overwhelm ingly vote it high for overall quality and value, and state they would recom m end a Tiffin. One dealer told us, They (Tiffin) actually care about people. We at J R Consum er Resources like the fact that the com pany is sm all enough to be concerned with details, yet large enough to provide excellent service. Factory tours are available and Jerry noted, We offer two tours a day and we have a trem endous am ount of folks take these tours as they want to m eet us and see what they are investing in. Tiffin has one of the better websites in the industry. The specifics include very detailed, clear photos and charts, including construction diagram s and photos, virtual tours and owner s inform ation. I t is also worth noting that for the 13 th tim e the com pany was nam ed one of the few m otorized RV m anufacturers to receive the Quality Circle Award by the RVDA. 145

146 Triple E Recreational Vehicles (Leisure Travel Vans) 301 Roblin Boulevard Winkler, Manitoba, Canada R6W 4C4 Phone: w w w.tripleerv.com w w w.leisurevans.com Triple E Recreational Vehicles began m ore than 45 years ago with a sm all 13-foot travel trailer. Today the com pany is located in Winkler, Manitoba Canada. The plant in Winkler is highly integrated, m eaning that m ost of the parts, fit, and finish are m ade on site to Triple E s exact specifications. The factory includes a welding shop, paint shop, fiberglass and m old shop, sewing, and cabinet m anufacturing departm ents. Triple E did produce Class A m otorhom es starting in the m id-1990s, however production stopped in Sales were sluggish after the recession of 2008 and it was then that the com pany decided to focus entirely on their Class C, B, and B+ lines. Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas I n 2008 Triple E RV acquired long tim e Class B van m anufacturer Leisure Travel Vans and has since consolidated production into the Winkler facility. Next Triple E followed through with a plan to exit the towable RV m arket. Triple E RV was the first RV m anufacturer in North Am erica to build a Class B m otorhom e on a Sprinter chassis, the Serenity, and they were also the first to have a Murphy bed in a Class B+ m otorhom e. Today Triple E RV continues to shift from the large Class A coaches, focusing on the Class B/ B+ / C m arkets, producing high quality, sm aller m otorhom es, yet with am enities found in the larger coaches. Triple E is dedicated to their custom er service before, during, and after the sale, and they will m ake sure you are satisfied in every area of your purchase. They pay attention to all of the little details and go beyond the norm when building their m otorhom es. Triple E and Leisure Travel Vans use only the best com ponents that will m eet and exceed their custom er expectations. Owning one of Triple E s Class B or B+ m otorhom es has m any advantages, including (often) better fuel m ileage, easier to drive, and m ore m aneuverability and versatility. This allows for their coaches to travel places others cannot access. The Triple E 146

147 fam ily has a wonderful staff that is highly com m itted to the com pany and its lineup of topquality m otorhom es Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Ryan Elias, Assistant Manager for Triple E, says that it is the quality of the vehicles that m akes Triple E RV s stand out. We prom ote our quality and craftsm anship which is second to none. Our com m itm ent to quality and custom er service is also second to none. For this reason the Triple E custom er tends to be a m id-to-high range custom er one who is looking for quality and a value-added price. This custom er also tends to becom e a loyal Triple E custom er once they buy their first RV. We see a lot of repeat buyers, three, four and five tim e buyers, says Elias. We have top quality custom er service and we think we are the best in term s of quality and custom er satisfaction. And it shows with our repeat business. Triple E also tells us, With the extrem e tem peratures the Canadian clim ate brings, you can be sure your RV is built with all types of clim ates in m ind. Triple E RV prides itself in going the extra m ile to ensure your RVing experience is the best it can be, regardless of the weather Class B+ Award for Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B Class B Class B+ The popularity of Triple E RV Leisure Vans is confirm ed with Leisure Vans being awarded runner-up for the 2013 Reader s Choice Award and honor voted on by owners for top recreational vehicles. The high quality and custom er service is confirm ed with the com pany being one of just six m otorized RV brands/ m anufacturers to receive the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) Quality Circle Triple E RV produces the Regency GT B+ and the Regency GT24 B+. The Regency GT has 3 floorplans with 3 slideout options and is built on a Ford E-Series Chassis. LED lighting, easy to clean vinyl floors, full kitchen galleys, and bathroom s with sink, toilet, and shower give you the am enities needed for com fortable travel and/ or cam ping. MSRP ranges are - Canada: $117,523 - $127,953 / US: $119,763 - $130,193. The Regency GT2 4 is built the sam e as the Regency GT, on a Ford E-450 Series Chassis and has a powerful 6.8L V10 engine with 305 HP and 420 lb./ ft. of torque. The GT24 has m any of the sam e am enities and is of the sam e construction as the Regency GT, yet it is set apart by the unique queen-size Murphy bed in the slide-out. The GT24 has an exceptionally large bathroom, com plete with a wardrobe and interior storage area, accessible from the outside as well. The fully galley kitchen provides a slide out pantry and right beside the kitchen is a U-shaped dinette/ lounge where you find access to the Murphy bed. 24 feet in length, 147

148 the Regency GT24 has 30 cubic feet of exterior storage. The base MSRP is - Canada: $115,353 / US: $117,593. For both Triple E and Leisure Vans, the Class C and B brands are Unity, Libero, Serenity, Free Spirit, and Free Spirit SS. Each unit is diesel powered. The Triple E Leisure Van Unity is a Class B+ built on a Mercedes Benz 3500 Sprinter Chassis that also has the Murphy bed feature. The five floorplans have plenty of layout options including plans with a rear 54" x 74" I sland Bed sleep area that includes a dresser and m ake-up center, a 22" LED TV, and wardrobes on both sides of the bed. As with m ost Triple E m otorhom es, there is a private bath providing a shower, and private toilet area with sink. The coach interior has a 26" pull out LED TV, pantry, refrigerator, 2 burner stove, sink, a dinette that converts to a single bed, and front swivel seats. MSRP ranges are - Canada: $118,027 - $126,035 / US $115,050 - $122,720. Recently Triple E RV launched an innovative idea on their Class B Leisure Travel Van Free Spirit SS. I t is a street-side slideout that is m ounted behind the driver s seat across from the screen-equipped sliding entry door, increasing the living space and yet still containing a fold-down m em ory-foam sofa-bed. The Free Spirit SS is built on a 11,030 pound GVWR Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. This 22-foot 9-inch m otorhom e has a large storage com partm ent, big enough for two golf bags or other toys and/ or cam ping equipm ent. This large space is accessed through swing-out rear doors. Another convenient feature is the 22 inch LED TV that is m ounted on a swing arm for viewing eit her inside or out. The interior is com pleted with European-style curved wood cabinets, ultra-leather furniture, Corian countertops, and wood-look vinyl flooring. The com pany boasts an estim ated m pg fuel tank for the Free Spirit SS and a base MSRP of $119,470 for US custom ers and $124,241 for Canadians. Popular Models from Previous Years The Triple E Regency GT2 4 is truly a luxurious m otorhom e, with m ore updates and exclusives than there is room to write here about. Built on a 6.8L V10 Ford E-450 Series with one slideout, the Regency s speed transm ission features overdrive and tow-haul m odes, ideal for pulling a sm all vehicle behind it. I t is m anufactured with five fully body coats of paint on an all fiberglass body - no decals, and a full walk around roof, sealed seam s, and a 30,000 BTU furnace for all clim ates. Features like dual pane windows, rear auxiliary heater, sidewalls with therm al break, and vacuum bonded walls, are unique to Triple E, preventing cold transfer from the alum inum into the coach. Go to the Triple E website and take a video tour and you will see why this is full of great features and an incredible am ount of insulated storage. For 2012 Triple E tells us their Unity continues to be Triple E s m ost popular product in their Leisure Travel Van RV line. The Murphy Bed m odel floorplan brings in the highest sales. At the push of a button, the U-Lounge folds down, form ing a residential-style queen size bed. I t also has one of the largest bathroom s in its class, 27.5 sq. feet. The corner bed m odel follows close behind was when Triple E RV introduced the new product, Unity, into the Leisure Travel Van brands. The Unity first debuted as a 24 B+ RV built on a Mercedes 148

149 Benz Sprinter cab chassis. The floorplan offers an extrem ely large bathroom. However, Triple E tells us their new and recently introduced I sland Bed m odel is becom ing a close contender for m ost popular. Built on a Mercedes Benz chassis, the Unity has quality built into every unit and gets great gas m ileage. I n 2011 Triple E RV told us their top selling product was the Regency GT, available in Class B+ and Class C m odels. With the Regency, Triple E has put all of the am enities of a Class A m otorhom e in a sm aller unit, easier to handle, and better fuel econom y. Here are just a few reasons this is a popular m odel for Triple E; the triple slide all-season fiberglass coach, full body paint with a fiberglass roof, and a back-up m onitor. Solid Cherry wood cabinets, rear queen bed with sofa bed and dinette, the Regency sleeps six and has lots of extra storage. Com m ents: Triple E RV is very popular with its custom ers, whether it is in the forum s or the ratings. Owners rate Triple E RV at the top for m any categories, including recom m ending the m anufacturer to others. This com pany also rates high in the categories of safety, reliability, perform ance, com fort, and interior and exterior design. Only cost of m aintenance drops a little in the ratings, yet still com es in above average. Due to the fact Triple E RV is located in one of the m ost severe weather clim ates in North Am erica the com pany knows how to build a product that is well- insulated and ready for all four seasons. Once you purchase your Leisure Travel Van or Triple E RV you becom e part of a bigger fam ily with the opportunity to m ake lifelong friends. Triple E RV products appear to have a great resale value, potentially m aking them a good investm ent. They are a little m ore pricy than other Class B+ m otorhom es, but good quality doesn t com e cheap and we feel assured that you will be satisfied with your purchase. 149

150 Western Recreation Vehicles w w w.w rv.com As of April, 2008, Western RV is no longer in business Western Recreation Vehicles, I nc. was founded in April of 1971 by Bill and Suzanne Doyle as a fam ily owned business. After 22 years of sound leadership, Bill Doyle retired as President of WRV. On that date Ron Doyle was nam ed com pany President. Western RV was a national m anufacturer of m otorized and towable recreation vehicles located in Yakim a, Washington. Corporate and production facilities extend to over 57 acres and surpass over 400,000 square feet under one roof. The com pany m anufactured Alpenlite fifth-wheels, travel trailers and truck cam pers as well as Alpine Coach, a prem ier diesel m otor coach Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Western RV took the basic fram e rail design and im proved it by adding additional supports which are bolted on and not welded to strengthen the overall fram e. This provides a com fortable ride without the squeaks and rattles once associated with a basic fram e rail design. I ts superb handling and road m anners are accented by high quality living areas in an expanded offering of floor plans. Apex's Sm artbed Storage System is a quantum leap forward in the design of m otor coach storage space...and an Apex exclusive! The four Sm artbeds, each are independently operated by an electro-hydraulic m echanism, enabling the entire storage bay to glide in and out at the touch of a button! No m ore kneeling in the dirt, straining your back or banging your head on extended slide room s when handling your cargo. Western s m ost popular diesel coach for was the Alpine Coach Apex, MSRP $396,508 to $405,596. The Apex was the epitom e of luxury for Western RV. I t takes the basis of the Apex Lim ited and goes a step further. I t offers the Peak Chassis and a Cum m ins 8.9 liter, 400 hp I SL m otor and m akes standard the LCD Flat-Screen HDTV, Kingdom e Satellite TV, Keyless Entry and the patented Sm artbed Storage System. Western s 2006 Alpine Coach Apex had the MSRP at $325,000. Com m ents: Western RV was a m odel com pany in the recreational vehicle industry. I ts com m itm ent was to quality and custom er satisfaction and it had a decent reputation within the industry. While in business we did place them in the above average category. They built quality coaches and custom ers were pleased with their purchase. I f you find an older Western RV m otorhom e for sale be sure to negotiate a great price because the com pany is no longer in business. 150

151 Winnebago Industries 605 W. Crystal Lake Road PO Box 152 Forest City, I A Phone: w w w.w innebagoind.com Winnebago I ndustries is one of the oldest and m ost well-known nam es in the recreational vehicle industry. The com pany is headquartered in Forest City, I owa and m anufactures m otorhom es, travel trailers, and fifth wheel RVs for leisure and outdoor recreational use. The com pany was started in 1958 when John K. Hanson and other local businessm en convinced a California com pany to open a travel trailer factory in the then econom ically depressed rural area of Forest City. Soon after, the factory was purchased by five Forest City residents and John Hanson becam e its president. The nam e Winnebago I ndustries cam e into use in At that tim e the com pany was prim arily m anufacturing travel trailers and furniture and accessories for these trailers. By constantly updating, Winnebago developed innovative products such as a wall construction process called Therm o-panel that provides a strong, lightweight, insulated sidewall. This is still a Winnebago I ndustries exclusive Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect I n 1966 Winnebago I ndustries built its first m otorhom e. I t was a 19-foot m odel that had everything a fam ily needed for cross-country adventure. Yet Winnebago did not stop there. The com pany s growth continued through the 1970s and 1980s. I n 1986 it was the first RV m anufacturer to celebrate 20 years of production and to reach the 200,000 m otorhom es produced m ark. Today Winnebago I ndustries operates the largest RV production facility in the world, m anufacturing m otorhom es, travel trailers, and fifth wheel units. The com pany m akes the m ajority of its parts and accessories thus increasing their availability and overseeing product quality and control. As stated on their website, Dies and m olds are kept on hand. So, if you need a holding tank 10 years from now, you can get one. The tank was m ade by us, not by som eone else who has long since gone out of business or shifted production. Statistical Surveys I nc. nam ed Winnebago I ndustries as the leading m otorhom e m anufacturer in overall growth and volum e for 2012, and Winnebago announced sales continue to rise significantly in 2013 as the dem and for m otorhom e products increases. These statistics includes all Winnebago m otorized products. Winnebago m anufactures three m odel brands of m otorhom es: Winnebago, I tasca, and Era. The Winnebago and I tasca brands have several nam e m odels all produced as Class A and Class C gas or diesel m otorhom es. The Era is a Class B m otorhom e and is produced as one m odel, built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter diesel chassis. All three brands have won Gold or Silver for Motorhom es Magazine s Reader s Choice award. Class A m otorhom es are generally large and pricey; however Winnebago just released their Vista 2 6 HE Class A m otorhom e that is a budget friendly and has a no-frills floorplan that will fit into alm ost any budget. The 26HE is shorter than m ost Class As, m easuring 26 11, 151

152 yet is still loaded with storage room and am enities. I t contains a forward lounge area with one slideout, a full galley, a split, walk-through bathroom, and rear queen bed sleeping area. The Winnebago Vista is a line that has been produced for several years and has five floorplans ( including the 26HE) which are to 35 3 in length, and offer a full-body paint coat. The Winnebago Vista is m anufactured with a Ford F53 Chassis 362-HP 6.8L Super Duty V10 SEFI Triton engine, TorqShift 5-speed autom atic transm ission, and GVWR ranges of 16,000 to 22,000 pounds. The current MSRPs for the Vista 26HE are released at a special introductory price of $69,999. The other Winnebago Vista floorplan m odels have MSRPs that range from $108,290 to $123, Class A Gas Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class A Gas Class A Gas Class A Gas Winnebago m otor coaches sell strongest in the warm weather regions of the United States, in particular the southwest and the southeast. Thor I ndustries, Forest River, Coachm en, Tiffin, Fleetwood Enterprises, Jayco and Monaco Coach are its closest com petitors. According to Kelli Harm s, Not only are our products top-notch and quality built, we also have the m ost recognized nam e in the industry all of these things set us apart from our com petitors, she says. Winnebago I ndustries is also the only m anufacturer to receive the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association s (RVDA) Quality Circle Award every year since its inception. New and or updated m odels for W innebago are num erous: The popular Class A W innebago Journey and I tasca Meridian 3 4 B this new floorplan for these diesel pushers features an extendable sectional sofa sleeper that adds enorm ous space due to it triple slideouts. The sleeping area slide has a queen or king bed option and a MSRP of $246,736. The Journey coaches have storage com partm ents that provide up to 246 cubic feet of storage capacity. Class A W innebago Sightseer and I tasca Sunova 3 5 G a brand new floorplan for these nam e brands, the gas powered 35G coach has an extendable u-shaped sofa that converts to a sleeper and three slideouts adding lots of extra space to the units. The 35G features a new Winnebago exclusive, the I ntable which is an end table that can also be a dining table, work area, or a desk. Class A W innebago Tour and I tasca Ellipse are Winnebago s top-of-the-line coaches, now with a new design for the 4 2 GD. I t is m anufactured with four slideouts instead of the previous three and built on a ZF I ndependent front suspension, a 450-HPO Cum m ins diesel engine. The 42GD has an enorm ous am ount of pass-through storage, a full front kitchen galley, and a large living area with a 55 LCD TV and an extendable L-shaped sofa. 152

153 Class C Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class C Class C Class C Super-Duty V10 SEFI Triton engine, with TorqShift 5-speed autom atic transm ission (31K, 31H floorplans). Measuring 26 6 to 36 6 in length, the Minnie Winnie coaches are available in one or two slideout plans and have 2014 MSRPs ranging from $64,500 to $76,800. Class C W innebago Minnie W innie has been so popular that Winnebago has introduced all new 2014 floorplans for the three existing units. This coach is built on either a Chevrolet Express 3500 Chassis/ 324-HP 6.0L GM Vortec engine, with 6-speed autom atic transm ission or a Ford E450 Chassis 305-HP 6.8L Ford Class C W innebago I tasca Spirit these gas powered m otor coaches are incredibly spacious with three floorplans to choose from, each with one or two slideouts. The new Winnebago Spirit 31K has an abundance of sleeping areas, including a private bedroom, bunks over the cab, and a sofa sleeper bed. For a Class C this m otorhom e has a room y living area. MSRP is $74,000; however dealers are already slashing prices on the 2014 m odels Class B/B+ Overall Rating Score 100 Being Pefect Class B/B Class B/B Class B/B+ The I tasca Navion and Navion iq are Winnebago s Class C diesel coach built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a 3.0L 6-cylinder, 188-HP turbo-diesel engine. Each m odel has a choice of two floorplans with one slideout and this coach closely com pares to a Class B+ when it com es to size, am enities, and fuel efficiency. The new 24G Navion iq has an extralarge rear storage com partm ent. The Navion and Navion iq have a low-profile front cap styling, aerodynam ic exterior with deluxe graphics or full-body paint, and an electric patio awning. Statistical Surveys announced W innebago s Class B Era m odel as the top-selling Class B m odel for The Winnebago Era has two floorplans, each 24 feet in length and is built on a 3L Mercedes-Benz chassis, 6-cylinder, 188-HP, turbo-diesel engine with GVWRs of 11,030 pounds. The high sales for this coach are due, in part, to the m any am enities put into this sm aller m otorhom e, while still providing exceptional fuel efficiency. The floorplans have a lot of thought and planning put into them as they provide m ore living area than m any of the other Class B+ coaches on the m arket. One exam ple is the Era 70X floorplan which has four ultraleather captain s chairs that swivel and can face a m obile table in the center, offering a dinner area or gam e table. The MSRPs are just over $101,

154 Popular Models from Previous Years I n 2012 Winnebago introduced several new floorplans and num erous new am enities and features. Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Kelli Harm s told us why Winnebago is very popular, a best seller, an explained, Our fuel efficient Class A Winnebago Via/ I tasca Reyo, Class C Winnebago View and View Profile/ I tasca Navion/ Navion iq and Class B Era and I tasca Reyo are popular because of their innovative design, fuel econom y and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The interior is European-inspired and full of rem arkable features. The exterior features eye-catching graphics, with full-body paint also available in som e m odels. Our diesel offerings the Winnebago Tour/ I tasca Ellipse 42QD is the hottest diesel floorplan in the industry! Built on the 450-hp Maxum chassis, this spectacular threeslideout floorplan takes zoned living to a whole new level. Up front, our exclusive extendable sectional sofa anchors the lounge area and provides perfect seating for the hom e theater, conversation with friends or contem plation by the optional fireplace. Midcoach, the spacious, fully equipped galley m akes creating m em orable m eals a joy, while just past the half bath you ll find the m aster suite, luxuriously appointed with king bed, large wardrobes, retractable 32-inch LCD TV and its own private m aster bath. I n 2011 Kelli Harm s told us, The 2011 W innebago Tour and I tasca Ellipse are our Com pany s top-of-the-line m otor hom es, and we are proud to introduce another Winnebago industry exclusive in these luxurious coaches - the Rest Easy Sectional Sofa. The sectional easily expands to create additional seating space that s perfect for entertaining. Plus, with Rest Easy the couch converts into a com fortable recliner or cozy lounger with pull-out ottom an by the flick of an electric switch. Press the switch again, and the lounger turns into a bed. Features include such am enities as Ultra-leather seating, hardwood cabinets with a new Coffee Glazed finish, central vacuum system, and a fully equipped galley. The new 2011 Tour 42QD is joined by another tag axle m odel, the 42AD, which has two floorplans with full-wall slideouts that are spacious beyond com parison. Winnebago had eleven products all new for 2011, including Class A and C Gas and Diesel m otorhom es. Leading the way for 2010 was the introduction of their all-new Winnebago Via and I tasca Reyo, t he first and only Class A diesel m ot or hom es built on t he Dodge / Mercedes- Benz Sprinter Chassis that features a 3.0L, 154-HP Mercedes-Benz diesel engine. According to Winnebago, More fuel efficiency. More features. More fun. The Winnebago Via and I tasca Reyo also led the way in 2012 as the only Class A m otor hom es to achieve up to 15+ m pg. These m otorhom es rated high for superior handling and m aneuverability and quickly becom e popular because of their innovative design, fuel econom y, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Other features for the Via and Reyo include: a new drop down studio loft that is integrated into the ceiling of the cab area and has a low point of entry for easy access, twin beds that easily turn into a larger bed, and European-inspired interior with lightweight curved cabinetry. The Via and the Reyo are perfect coaches for RV owners wanting to down-size, first tim e buyers, or weekend travelers. I n 2010 Winnebago began offering a front-engine diesel chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. and t he Workhorse Cust om Chassis LLC as opt ions on all of it s 2010 gaspowered m otorhom es. The Ford F-53 chassis will continue to be standard on m ost of Winnebago s gas Class A lineup. Taking an aggressive stance in 2010 towards research and developm ent, Winnebago introduced its first-ever tag axle on a foot floorplan plus a bath-and-a-half floorplan in the W innebago Tour/ I tasca Ellipse diesel pusher. Built on the com pany s 154

155 44,320 lb. GVWR Freightliner Maxum chassis, the base MSRP ranged from $311, ,278. The com pany also introduced two 34 and 39 foot floorplans for their all-new value-priced W innebago Journey Express/ I tasca Meridian V Class A diesel pusher m otorhom e. Built on a 27,910-pound GVWR Freightliner XCS straight-rail chassis and equipped with a Cum m ins I SB 340-hp diesel engine, the base MSRP ranged from $205,419 to $210,837. The m ost popular Class A m otorhom e during m odel years was the Winnebago Adventurer. The Adventurer was totally redesigned in 2009 to include four floor plans ranging from 32- to 38-feet. Featuring an abundance of am azing features like Rest Easy theater seating - which includes a center storage com partm ent, flip out cup holders, seat backs that recline separately at the touch of a button, it even converts to dual twin beds! The W innebago View 2 4 P debuted with a front sofa slide and bunk beds in the rear. Built on a Dodge Sprinter chassis, the fuel efficient Winnebago View also boasts a powerful Mercedes Benz diesel engine. The 2009 W innebago Journey unveiled a new 34Y floor plan that offered a bigger living area in a sm aller size; with a full wall slide on the driver s side, a sofa/ Euro chair with ottom an and king bed slideout on the passenger side of the coach. New in late 2007 for Winnebago was the redesigned W innebago Journey, a favorite am ong diesel enthusiasts. The Freightliner XC Chassis boasts a 29,410 pound GVWR and a 350- HP Cum m ins diesel engine that can tackle any road challenge. The chassis also provides im proved storage with large com partm ents and side-hinged doors. Top it off with a classy interior and user-friendly features, the Winnebago Journey is great for full tim e Rvers. Com m ents: Winnebago has long been a respected nam e in the industry. After interviewing a num ber of Winnebago owners and following Winnebago reviews, it becam e clear there are m any happy owners, and yet just as m any dissatisfied ones. Nonetheless, RV ratings for Winnebago have im proved slightly from last year. With ratings of 1-5, 5 being the highest, Winnebago owners rate the com pany on an average of 4 for everything from perform ance (m echanical, interior, exterior, etc.) and com fort, to safety and overall quality. Reliability dropped however, rating only 3 out of 5 points by owners. These reviews were not directed to a specific product/ m odel of Winnebago, so we at J R Consum er Resources suggest you do your hom ework when considering a Winnebago purchase. There are m any good Winnebago products out there and Winnebago has been in business for m any years with a loyal following. Winnebago has one of the very best websites of the industry. Not only does it have the usual overviews, photos galleries, and floorplans, it has quick and easy links to Winnebago specifics, com parison charts, and key features. Extrem ely detailed and yet easy to navigate, each product and m odel also features pricing som ething not all the m anufactures provide on their websites. 155

156 Chapter 11 Conclusion The RV industry is slowly recovering and m any predict 2013 to be good year com pared to the last three years. Larger com panies like Thor I ndustries and Forest River have been on a buying spree, gobbling up sm aller RV com panies. We predict som e RV m anufacturers will have financial problem s in 2012 but it is becom ing apparent that m ost of the dam age has been done and those still standing will be around for m any years. While it has been difficult to see m any com panies close their doors in the end it will prove to be a healthy im provem ent with less com petition and im proved quality control. More affordable RVs are becom ing a trend within the industry as m anufacturers try to figure out ways to reduce their overhead and bring down the price of their units to m ake them m ore attractive to RV buyers. Many factories are including m ore standard features, better designs and using light weight com posite m aterials to reduce the overall weight of their units. Going Green is another popular trend within the RV industry. Being environm entally conscious and living in an environm entally responsible way is of interest to m ore people than ever. The RV industry is not one that you would norm ally think of as being green, but TRA-Certification, I nc. is working to change that m indset. TRA-Certification, I nc. is an independent, internationally accredited, third-party green certifier that has been in the housing m anufacturing industry since 1967, and is a leader in the field of system s-built engineering, certification and inspection services. They are a com pany that lets RV buyers know whether their purchase is truly green and not just green washing, or advertising as green without actually living up to green standards. TRA has provided Green Certification to a num ber of m anufacturers of recreational vehicles in categories such as resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environm ental quality, and operations and m aintenance. Their green certifications are awarded in four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Em erald. Forest River received TRA s certification rating their Forester, Solera, Sunseeker and Lexington m odels. Additional RV m anufacturers that have received TRA s certification rating are Coachm en, Gulfstream and Airstream. Our goal at J R Consum er Resources is to continue to provide updated ratings for our com parison guide. I f you would like to contact m e or m y staff about a particular RV com pany in this guide please em ail us at info@jrconsum er.com, or if you have a question or suggestion we would like to hear from you. I hope this guide has assisted you in your search for the right RV m anufacturer and I want to wish you all the best in your search, God bless. Senior Editor and President Randall Eaton 156

157 Our RV Reports will help you m ake an inform ed purchase decision with: Construction ratings Dependability ratings Customer satisfaction ratings Payload ratings Design & style ratings Intended use Safety ratings Warranty issues or recalls 15-year deprecation chart Dealer s invoice, new models Real wholesale values, used models To learn m ore about our RV Reports Click Here RV Buying Secrets What the Dealers Don t Want You to Know? The key to getting the lowest price on a new or used RV is to know how m uch negotiating room you have. Our E-book will em power you with the inform ation you need to negotiate the best deal possible. To learn m ore Click Here. Here is w hat is included in our in our E- book: What is a fair profit for the dealer? Top 10 biggest buying m istakes! 8 Steps to follow when shopping for an RV. How to determ ine m y RV dealer s invoice. Tips for securing the best RV loan. How to negotiate an awesom e deal. 157

158 RV Extended Warranties For som e, an RV is a m ajor investm ent; costing as m uch as a hom e or even m ore! Extended RV Service Contracts - or "W arranties" as they are com m only referred to - can be an excellent way to protect your investm ent. Discover which warranty com panies provide the best coverage at the lowest price. There is a huge profit m argin for RV dealers and m any buyers end up spending a lot m ore for this service. To learn m ore Click Here RV Buying Service For those wanting personal assistance when shopping for a new or used RV, Mr. Eaton does offer his services as a RV Buying Consultant. I f you would like to know m ore please click on the im age to the left and com plete a sim ple form, which asks som e basic questions. Each buyer has different needs and the questionnaire form helps us determ ine which service is best for you and cost associated with service. There is no obligation to purchase service and all inform ation stays with us and will not be sold or distributed. We Appreciate Your Feedback Tell us about your RV buying experience. Were you satisfied with your dealer? Did you have any problem s with your dealer? We would like to know which RV dealer you purchased from and why. You can em ail us your feedback at: info@jrconsum er.com JR Consumer Resources I nc. DBA: RVReviews.net Phone: