RE: Help us make up our minds. Kiwi or Bantam?

[alan]

 
I believe that we will be upgrading to a hybrid.  We have narrowed it down to the Kiwi 21C and the Bantam 21B.
 I would like to hear any and all opinions comparing the two.  I am mainly interested in a quality comparrison.  Any comments are welcome.
 
 Again, thanks for all of the help.
 
 Alan.

[PopUpTrio]

 alan
We narrowed our hybrid purchase down to Kiwi and Bantam/TrailCruiser also.  Bantam and TrailCruiser are basically the same (both R-Vision).  We found the quality of both manufacturers very good.  We ended up with a TrailCruiser. I made a pros/cons list of each and then prioritized the lists.  One of the main differences was ground clearance.  Other factors were small tub vs shower, slide vs no slide, 8  width vs. 7 6"  width,  weight, and price.  Kiwi has actual drawers in the galley and Trail-lites have pull out plastic bins behind cabinet doors.  I didn t like the shower hooked up to the sink in the bath in the Kiwi but those who have it are ok with it.  I also liked the interior color of the Trail-lite better than the Kiwi.  So basically what swayed our decision was a lot of cosmetic issues.  Maybe the pros/cons lists will help you decide.  Also, include the dealer reputation as a pro/con as this will be important in the future.  Good luck with your decision.
 
 Also, keep in mind we were comparing different models of each...Kiwi 23B, Bantam B823S and TrailCruiser C23.

[Camper Dan]

 alan
alan,[]
 
 Speaking generally about the quality of Bantam & Kiwi...they are both great products.  I ve had no complaints about our unit...and I haven t heard any complaints from any Bantam owners, either!
 
 Beyond quality, we chose the Kiwi because:  we liked the floor plan/features/construction of the Kiwi 23D (better than any brand/model we saw), really good dealer only 6 miles from home, our TV could safely tow it, the Bantam dealer was 35 miles away, we could afford it.[]
 
 We had been looking at popups, and then hybrids, since 1997.  We knew Jayco had good quality RV s.  We looked and looked and looked...![]  We saw the then new 23D model at the dealer and we knew or search was over.  We felt very confident we were making a good choice.

[fivegonefishing]

 PopUpTrio
Hmmm, choices, choices, choices...got a coin?[]
 
 Seriously, I would make sure you are very compfortable with the floor plan.  We chose the Palomino because of the triple bunk beds, [link=http://community.webshots.com/photo/65697889/65698677mtEqrz]shown here [/link] with three smaller kids, it fit our family great.  Each kid has their own space and we won t have to sacrafice our living space to sleep.  
 
 After being in some pop ups and hybrids with a slide out, we knew that we really wanted a slide out.  Plus the Palomino seemed to to use sturdier construction material and we liked the cupboard closing mechanisms, Jayco changed theirs after 2002 cuz the 2001 were terrible!  We also liked the pass through storage area, in some models the exterior access was obstructed due to interior storage.
 
 Good luck, let us know what you decide!
 
 Tammy[]

[SheBantam]

 alan
Both Jayco and Trail-lites are good. I have no complaints about my Bantam, that has not been addressed in newer models. We still have out Jayco 1006, no complaints about that either.
 
 It is easier to coordinate with the Bantam theme thanit would be that strange New Zealand/ Australian what ever it is.[8D][]
 I have rooster/hens all over, newes aquisition is a rooster clock.
 
 The dictionary definition of Bantam is one of several breeds of small chickens OR a Small, feisty or argumentative person.  If you fit any part of this definition...well I would say that you are a good candidate for a Bantam.[]

[campertime]

 alan
We did look at the Bantam models but there isn t a dealer very close to our house so we decided to look at Rockwood Roo s. Our pop up was a Rockwood and I have a friend who is a salesman at a dealership that carries Rockwood. So we thought we would stick with what we knew we were happy with. Then we saw the Kiwi s and decided they were a little better engineered.
 
 The thing we liked about the Kiwi over the Roo was the storage space. Everywhere you opened a cupboard there was storage. In the Roo you open cupboards and find pumps, wires, water lines, etc. Another thing we liked about the Kiwi was the 2003 model used a vacuum formed lamination process for forming the exterior walls. That leaves NO exposed edges anywhere. Both the Rockwood and Bantam had laminated exterior walls but the edges were open and then covered by sealer & trim. Still quality just not 100% sealed like the kiwi.
 
 There are many things great about all three of the products I mentioned above. Just make sure you look them over and make the decision thats best for you []
 

[Peter and Sue]

 alan
We are awaiting delivery of a 21C.  Went thru all mentioned steps.  We ve had a Jayco Popup for the last 4 years and have had noting but good trailering with it.  If you have two comparable choices, make your choice based on the Dealer.  The 1 that we have has made all the difference.  Great deal of information over the phone or just by stopping by knowing that I wanted to do any maintainence by myself.  
 Any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
 Enjoy

[dee106]

 alan
so did you decide yet alan?  the other thing you should look at is the warranties they give you on the unit, and the extra s.  having a good dealers is great, but warranty coverage is better!

[Gone-Camping]

 alan
I ve seen the Kiwi, but to be honest, haven t really pursued them. I ve narrowed my choice to the Trail Cruiser C23B, and if for some reason that one doesn t materialize, then I might settle for a Rockwood Roo 23. The Roo has a sofa slide-out but not as much inside cabinet/storage space as the Cruiser. All in all, I like the fit & finish in the Trail Cruiser better than the Roo.
 
 As for Trail Lite, I understand they widened them to 8  also, which means the Lite and Cruiser are pretty much clones, too bad the Cruiser doesn t have the slide-out version available that the Lite series does?!?!