dav5942 wrote:

In my view the product that requires the least amount of time spent in repair(dealer or manufacturer) would have the best "build quality". Based on that it may be a ten way tie as most all RVs have issues(and many of those in the top five have crowded factory repair centers)!

Mr.Mark wrote:

After watching most of the lists here, I see Foretravel hit the top on several posts. Honestly, I didn't know if they were still in business or not. So, I pulled up their website and 'wowsie', they have some very nice coaches and even offer a mid-entry door model.

I was a little surprised that some of their nice coaches only have 2 slides and the MSRP is very north of $400K and even a $743K MSRP coach only had 3 slides with only one slide in the living area. The Nimbus CE models are in the $700K plus MSRP and the Phenix Custom can be over $1M MSRP. So, a used version of a Foretravel would seem be a good value.

One thing I found odd, is that on some models, the compartment doors open sideways where it will cover the door next to it. Like where a bus door will swing upwards and hug the side of the coach, the compartment door swings out sideways in front of the compartment door next it.

The plus would be if you are in a tight area you can get into your compartments if needed.

I learn something everyday...MM.

Mr.Mark wrote:


I was a little surprised that some of their nice coaches only have 2 slides and the MSRP is very north of $400K and even a $743K MSRP coach only had 3 slides with only one slide in the living area. The Nimbus CE models are in the $700K plus MSRP and the Phenix Custom can be over $1M MSRP. So, a used version of a Foretravel would seem be a good value.

TechWriter wrote:


In the absence of data, "quality" is certainly in the eye of the beholder.

So here's some data: I looked up NHTSA recall data from 2000 to 2005 on a number of RV brands. Then I put these recalls into 3 categories:

- Part recall: a bad part, like the Samsung microwave recall, or a defective Norcold fridge. It's the part's fault, nothing the manufacturer did except to use the part.

- Poor Workmanship recall: a recall caused by poor design and/or manufacture. Here are some examples of recalls I classified as "poor workmanship": incorrect tire pressure labels, bad welds, locating generator exhaust so that carbon monoxide could get under a slideout, LP gas hose routed so it could be severed, etc., etc. Some of these were definitely judgement calls.

-- Other: recalls I couldn't figure out.

Here were my results:

PERCENTAGE OF RECALLS DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP:
1. Holiday Rambler (71.1%)
2. Fleetwood (70.1%)
3. National RV (69.2%)
4. Monaco (65.2%)
5. Winnebago (60.2%)
6. Blue Bird (48.3%)
7. Country Coach (47.5%)
8. Damon (40%)
9. Newmar (28%)
10. Tiffin (8%)

These results are several years old and it's been awhile since I've looked at the NHTSA recalls. Try your own search.

dezertcamper wrote:

I think these list are quite flawed as your not comparing apples to apples. If you want to know quality between brands you have to set a base line price. It's hard to compare coaches that have a new MRP of $250K plus to a coach that has a MRP of $125K. Because I would expect a $250K coach to be better then a $125K coach. If they were not then the manufacture that is over charging for their product will be gone like so many we have seen.

So if you really want to know the opinions of these coaches and the quality you will need to set a price limit and start comparing brands and models that are in that range.