Opinions on mfg/model to consider

[jbb]

Hey all newbie here.  After the recent birth of a child, it looks like I am going to have buy a pu to continue our camping and hiking hobbies until the little man can handle himself.  I am looking for opinions on mfg/model that best suits my needs.  

I am looking for a pu that would have a toilet and indoor shower, ac, furnace, ref., trustworthy roof and tent and probably a slide out dinette.  Towing will not be a problem, I have an 04 Landcruiser with the V8 and towing package.  It would have to accomadate, me, wife and 9 year old, and baby.  


Thanks for your insights and opinions.

[Hackker]

I looked around and pretty much realized that we couldn't go wrong with a Fleetwood.  For us, the Highlander Niagara pretty much offered everything that we could ever want in a PU.  Fleetwood also seems like it has the biggest market share, so that seems like support, help, and resale would be better in the long run.

I also checked out Starcraft, Forrest River, and Jayco - but Fleetwood had everything we wanted, only Starcraft came close.

[AustinBoston]

I have only had good luck with dealers, but many here will tell you, and I think it is sound avice, that the dealer can be more important than the brand or model, especially if you buy new.

If you have a warranty issue, and many of us have, you are not going to deal with the manufacturer, you are going to deal with the dealer.  A dealer with a 6-week service backlog can wreck a season, while one with a two-week backlog only a couple weekends.  A dealer that will push warranty stuff back on the manufacturer is better than one that sees warranty work as non-revenue (i.e. a necessary evil).

Like most things, there are some real horror stories w/r/t dealers.

I'm partial to Fleetwoods, but as they send more and more U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico, I look more and more at Jayco and Starcraft for our next trailer.

Austin

[jbb]

I looked around and pretty much realized that we couldn't go wrong with a Fleetwood.  For us, the Highlander Niagara pretty much offered everything that we could ever want in a PU.  Fleetwood also seems like it has the biggest market share, so that seems like support, help, and resale would be better in the long run.

I also checked out Starcraft, Forrest River, and Jayco - but Fleetwood had everything we wanted, only Starcraft came close.

Based upon my limited research I have come to the same conclusion regarding the fleetwoods!  But they seem to be fairly expensive.  My inlaws just bought a new sunnybrook 28 foot travel trailer for 19K and it seems like the fleetwood i need is around 17k

[Hackker]

Based upon my limited research I have come to the same conclusion regarding the fleetwoods!  But they seem to be fairly expensive.  My inlaws just bought a new sunnybrook 28 foot travel trailer for 19K and it seems like the fleetwood i need is around 17k

Yep, relatively expensive.   And like you pointed out, you can probably get a normal trailer for around the same price (or even cheaper).  But the ease of towing and the ability to store it in my garage was worth the cost to me.  

And I learned a long time ago that you usually get what you pay for.  Go the cheap route to save a few bucks and it usually comes back to bite you in the a**.    

[harleywolf]

I just bought our 1st PUP yesterday and I did extensive research. I looked at everything from 25 year old PUPs to brand new from $1500 to $17,000. A good resource I found was RV repair shops. Since they are not dealers they

[sewserious]

Don't own a PUP yet, but one thing I have noticed when researching is that Fleetwood offers lots of things as standard equipment on their campers that the others make you pay extra for, like brakes!  

Some of the standard features wouldn't really matter to me, but some would.  Look at not only quality of construction, but the list of features available on each brand, both standard and as options.  That may also help you decide what to buy whether new or used.

[SPXTrader]

For us, it came down the the Highlander or the Starcraft Gemini.  Both would fit the bill and the floor plans, while different, offered the same amenities and space.  After further research, I realized Starcraft's main business was boat building, and a boat hull takes a pounding year after year.  So I checked into Starcraft's construction, and sure enough, just like the boats:  Marine grade plywood, then fiberglass (both sides of the plywood), then a final outer topping of Gel Coat.  The Gel Coat's even underneath the bunk ends.

So, for the tank-like construction we went with the Starcraft.  But man, these things are HEAVY!

To each his own, there is no right or wrong answer on such a subjective question.  Try em out...you'll find what's right for you.

[fritz_monroe]

Now I'm a bit biased on this since I really like our Fleetwood Bayside.  But I agree that you usually can't go wrong with Fleetwood.  Fleetwood has made some mistakes in the past.  Do some searching and you'll find out about some of those mistakes, like ABS roofs.

While I also feel that the Fleetwoods tend to be higher quality that some others, there are other manufacturers that are higher quality also.  The Fleetwoods are more expensive, but as others have said, some of that is in the extra standard features.  But Fleetwoods are usually heavier as well.

It looks like that Land Cruiser has a 6500# tow rating, so that should handle just about anything out there, but don't lull yourself into not worrying about the weight of the pup.  Still keep an eye on the weight of the pup.  You may not want to tow with that Land Cruiser at some point, and many other vehicled don't have that high of a capacity.

I say take a look at everything that you have available in your area.  Don't rush into your decision.  If you find something you like, take it for a test tow.  Go back home and find out everything you can about that model.

[mountainrev]

Boy, talk about a loaded question!  Most people think the best popup is the one they own.  I don't really think there is a great deal of difference in quality of construction among the different mfg's.  I've owned a Starcraft, a Coleman/Fleetwood, and now a Viking.  All had their good points; all had their bad.  In general, popups are not necessarily built to the most exacting of standards, IMHO.  

As important, or perhaps more important, than the mfg. is the floorplan.  Find one that suits your family.  Look at all the companies.  Kick tires at local RV places.  Talk to families in your neighborhood who have one.  Maybe even consider renting one.

As some have already noted, Fleetwoods command a premium price.  We chose our current Viking because they tend to be less expensive.  We like the floorplan in our Viking.  We only have one year under our belt with it, but so far, we like it very much.

As far as cost, are you set on a brand new one, or would you consider a gently used one?  Going with a used model can save you thousands.  Buyer beware, of course, but purchasing from a private party will always be cheaper than a dealer.

[jbb]

I am really interested in the many options that would meet my needs.  What models does viking or starcraft that would meet my demands.

Also, what is preferred btw cassette toilet versus regular.  I assume that the cassette does not drain into a blackwater holding tanK.

[JimS]

What kind of camping are you going to do?  For how long?  Will you tow the camper off road to get to some campgrounds?
I have a 2007 Starcraft 11RT that has a shower, cassette toilet, forced air heater, hot water and a two burner stove.  It also comes with two propane tanks.  The thing I don't like about it is that it has a makeshift dining arrangement rather than a dedicated dinette.  I know that Jayco and Fleetwood have similar models.  Also, check the build quality, mine seems as if it was assembled by a highschool shop class on a field trip.  Plus, I just got a recall on the hitch mount!
Also, go to a dealer and look at the various models, walk inside, inspect and get brochures and compare the features and options.  This is how I setteled on the 11RT.
Hope this helps,
Jim

[harleywolf]

I had the same question regarding toilets when I was looking. What I learned was that even in models that don

[jbb]

Went yesterday to a couple of dealers.  One was a fleetwood dealer and that had the highlanders.  Just beside fleetwood dealer was a starcraft and jayco dealer.  both were closed, but the fleetwoods were unlocked.  very nice inside and what I think I am looking for.  

I did have one question.  The underside of the fleetwood was uncoated particle type board while the underside of the jayco and starcraft appeared to be coated.  

How does the underside of the fleetwood's hold up?

[Hackker]

I did have one question.  The underside of the fleetwood was uncoated particle type board while the underside of the jayco and starcraft appeared to be coated.  

How does the underside of the fleetwood's hold up?

From reading the warranty info, the floor & bed platform wood has a 25 year limited warranty.  So, I'd think that it would hold up pretty well.  

I've also read that sealing it can cause problems with moisture buildup, so being left uncoated might actually make it last longer.  

We were getting our new Niagara packed up this weekend and had a few family members check it out.  They couldn't believe how well equipped it was and were blown away by the solid walled bathroom.