I'm not convinced one lasts longer than the others or has fewer problems. You hear more problems with Fleetwoods, but then again, they sell more units than most of the other brands combined. You'd EXPECT to hear more if they all have the same RATE of problems.
I advise you to NOT buy any brand until you've actually popped up several brands by yourself. IMO, that is where the Fleetwoods shine. Attached bunk poles, waist level crank, swing level galley (w/ no-stoop storage space and good working height), one piece doors, redundent lift system (1 cable at EACH corner), wdh-compatible box frame, no rubber suspension components to wear out, roomy bunkend headroom, dual kings on 12 footers. Did I mention I was personally biased?
Guest wrote: I'm not convinced one lasts longer than the others or has fewer problems. You hear more problems with Fleetwoods, but then again, they sell more units than most of the other brands combined. You'd EXPECT to hear more if they all have the same RATE of problems.
I advise you to NOT buy any brand until you've actually popped up several brands by yourself. IMO, that is where the Fleetwoods shine. Attached bunk poles, waist level crank, swing level galley (w/ no-stoop storage space and good working height), one piece doors, redundent lift system (1 cable at EACH corner), wdh-compatible box frame, no rubber suspension components to wear out, roomy bunkend headroom, dual kings on 12 footers. Did I mention I was personally biased?
I too will admit I like Coleman/Fleetwood over the other brands although we just purchased a Starcraft HTT so now I like that the best.
I think it all boils down to the dealer and warranty. I choose Jayco due to their warranty and reputation for taking care of the customer (plus the dealer down the road carries Jayco).
I never knew I would test this out as much as I did! I had many problems with my Jayco both minor and major. This included an out of camber frame, a staple head poking through the top of the roof, furnace problems, and a list of minor items that I fixed.
Luckily my dealer admitted defeat after looking at the roof and frame and got Jayco involved. Jayco picked up the trailer in the off season at their own cost replaced the roof and re-cambered the frame, and delivered it back within three weeks. I've heard other manufactures are not that generous with their warranty work.
Would I buy another Jayco even after all the problems I had?
GREAT post Mike Up ! I've been looking for a long time and
you listed a lot of the selling points the SOUNDED good to
me. It's good to read them from someone with experience.
It sounds like you have a great PUP and a nice ride for a TV!
Right now, I'm looking at a Starcraft 2108....well, looking
online anyway. I'm in WV and it looks like the closest one to
me is in Tucker, Georgia...although a dealer in Cincinnati, OH said
they could get one fast if I want it. I would really like
to see it in person before I decide to buy though.
When we looked at PU's, the Coleman was very comparable to the Jayco in terms of floorplan, fit and finish, etc. But the dealer for the Coleman was much more willing to negotiate and work with us and ultimately gave us a much better price than the Jayco. So we ended up with a Coleman. We didn't have a Starcraft dealer nearby, so we didn't look at them, although they seemed comparable. So I would also look at the dealers as well. For example, our price was less than the Jayco, and the dealer threw in a brake controller, wiring, porta potti and a few other things that the Jayco dealer wanted as a extra charge. I don't think you will go wrong with any of the 3.
No matter what dealer you go to, make sure you try out the setup and breakdown of each.
I looked and looked and kept going back to the Rockwood or the Fleetwood simply because of the fold down sink. I just couldn't get past the flip over sink, I know it's minor, but it was my little "thing".
Everything else seemed pretty much equal except the final decision for me... the WD hitch. Fleetwood supported WD hitches and Rockwood didn't. There were other things I could like without, but I really am happy with my Fleetwood.
It may not effect other people, but it might effect you, so be sure to try them all before you buy. There is a happy owner of every brand out there.
Agfadoc wrote: No matter what dealer you go to, make sure you try out the setup and breakdown of each.
I looked and looked and kept going back to the Rockwood or the Fleetwood simply because of the fold down sink. I just couldn't get past the flip over sink, I know it's minor, but it was my little "thing".
Everything else seemed pretty much equal except the final decision for me... the WD hitch. Fleetwood supported WD hitches and Rockwood didn't. There were other things I could like without, but I really am happy with my Fleetwood.
It may not effect other people, but it might effect you, so be sure to try them all before you buy. There is a happy owner of every brand out there.
I'm thinking setting-up each brand under consideration is a key thing. Narrow in on a couple models you like, and then see what it's actually like to operate. And not have them just show you - do it yourself if possible.
In reading various threads, several people have commented on the Fleetwood, and how they incorporate certain features to make the setup easier. Anybody else think so?
Mighty 4Runner Sport V8 4x4 Hensley Hitch
McKesh Mirrors, Revo Tires
Jordan 2020 Brake Controller
AirLift 1000 rear Suspension Tranny: Hayden Cooler/Fan & CyberDyne Gauge
Mobil 1 Full Synthetic fluids Rockwood 2502 (3600 lb. dry)!
Haven't set up the others so I can't compare, but I can set up our Fleetwood Niagara pretty darn quick by myself. Everything is convenient so you don't have to run back and forth at all. Best advice, go to a show where you can see them all under one roof. We ordered ours at a show and picked it up at Peco in Georgia. They spent about 2 hours going over every little detail in set-up and take-down. Came in handy last trip when we had a propane problem and had to switch the water heater over to electric. Regardless of which you go with, you will occasionally need service. That should figure into your final decision.
Since the talk of setup came up, let me bring this up. I don't know how Fleetwoods are with their 2 pole system since I wasn't interested in them. However I do know how Forest River PUPs are, specifically my old 2005 Rockwood, with their 2 pole bunkend setup. One word, TUFF. Honestly, I'm a bigger guy so it wasn't a hassle to me, but I can see where it could trouble others.
My old Rockwood had 2 steel bars for the bunkend pole system. That's it. You had to lift the bunkend and hold it while you pulled it out. Otherwise it would bind, and it did bind, making pulling it out harder. The reason it would bind is that the bunkend would sag under it's own weight because it had nothing holding it up. To keep it from binding, you had to hold it "level" while pulling it out. Hold it to high or to low and it would bind. Like I said, I'm bigger so I could muscle it with little problem but I know many that it would be a hassle for.
Now my Starcraft has 4 poles for each bunk. I know Jayco is the same, and some Viking models as well. The first set up hinged poles (ring for the front, separate poles for the back) clamp or lock over the front and rear wall of the camper and then the hinged section poles fit into the frame. They offer a pole platform for the bunkends to slide on. Hence, you don't have to hold the bunkends up. You simply pull and slide them on the platform support poles. After the bunkend is pulled out, you simply add the other 2 support poles.
Not only are the bunkends a piece of cake to pull out now, but you also get double support from the double poles.
Here's some pictures of what I'm talking about.
Front Bunk
Rear Bunk
Getting back to the Rockwood, it came with a 1 piece door. It was the hardest part of the Rockwood to setup. It was simply a bear to get it lined up in the frame and attached. The Starcraft 2 piece door is attached with pins and clamps and it's as solid as a one piece. Actually it's more solid as the bottom half is more solid than the Rockwood door I had. The 2 pieces are so easy to attach it takes no effort or time.
I know for a fact that I hated the Rockwood's door and am delighted to have the different design of the Starcraft door, for much easier setup.
So as people have suggested, perhaps you should setup up the campers to find just how they compare on ease of setup.
Hope this helps, have a good one.
* This post was
edited 06/17/08 09:48pm by Mike Up *
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