Forest River trailer hierarchy

[TCinCO]

Forest River is obviously a giant organization in the travel trailer market. As I have started looking at trailers, I notice their name on all sorts of units and different model lines. One thing I haven't been able to easily discern with internet searches is what their hierarchy of quality is on their various offerings, meaning, which lines are more entry level with lower grade materials vs mid-range or those units which are considered more high end. While it could easily be considered that if you pay more you get more, I don't want to get ina position where I have a trailer with really nice interior materials that could have frame and suspension problems or needs regular visits to teh shop during my ownership.

On the Forest River website alone I see Aurora, Campsite, a whole collection of Cherokees, Evo, Flagtaff, Surveyors, Ibex, Puma, Rockwood, Salem, Wildwood....and a whole bunch more I haven't listed as well as the acquisitions of Starcraft and Coachman. How do I divide these up into quality ranges that will allow me to narrow my search down with a few product lines? What products are going to have more robust construction that will prevent more serious problems on the road. Or has design and construction reached a level of parity that the only differences are fit and finish of materials?

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Kirk]

Forest River is obviously a giant organization in the travel trailer market.

Based upon 2024 unit sales, Thor Ind. is the largest RV manufacturer, then Forest River (which is owned by Berkshire-Hathaway), and Keystone is third. The key to what is best is in the reputation of that particular line of RVs. A good hint is in the weight of the RV compared to it's length. Higher quality usually weighs more.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Look as Lance, Artic Fox, Nash, Outdoors RV (Northwood mfg), and smaller companies such as BigfootRV and Escape Trailer, for quality products.

Charles

 

[8Muddypaws]

We had a Northwood Trailer. ‘Arctic Fox’ That thing was built like a tank. Not much bling but great quality.

 

[TCinCO]

Thanks for input so far.

I'm seeing a difference in wood vs aluminum frame construction between different brands and models. I assume aluminum frame models don't flex as much as wood, would that be true?

My concern with looking at some smaller manufacturers is their sales network. If these aren't found within a half day's trip of my location, it's difficult to see them in person. While the 3D walk around video is certainly helpful, it doesn't do a good job of sitting in a seat and taking in the view. I've noticed some seating in some units is really uncomfortable and some layout look good on paper but aren't as open or functional in person.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

These days a wood frame model is used only in the cheap models. The RV industry calls them "stick & tin", i.e. metal strip sidewalls over a wood frame. You should expect that all other components have been selected for low cost and labor costs were similarly minimized. Stick to metal frame and composite walls (fiberglass, PVC, etc) for better grade units. Or metal frame with aluminum sheet walls, e.g. Airstream.

MSRP price is an indicator of the time invested in design, workmanship, and materials such as flooring & upholstery. A lot of the expense in building an RV is not very visible - you can have a lot of bling & features and still get shoddy construction where it doesn't much show.

Keystone is another mega-manufacturer of towable RVs. Bullet, Passport, Alpine brands, to name a few.

 

[Kirk]

I assume aluminum frame models don't flex as much as wood, would that be true?

It used to be that there were high quality RVs with wood sidewall framework but those used oak for strength and wood because it doesn't conduct heat, but that was a long time ago. Modern RVs of higher quality today usually have walls that are laminated with layers of interior material, insulation, and then some type of fiberglass exterior. Inside of that lamination will be metal framework for structural strength and to frame each of the windows. Most of the better quality RVs have a steel chassis frame and some type of metal wall framework. The highest quality RV walls have thermal breaks in that metal wall framework. What some people call stick & tin construction is still found on some of the lowest priced RVs and there is a legitimate market for them with the occasional, fair-weather only user. You can also find what appears to be very similar construction in some of the ultra-lite RVs but usually an aluminum wall frame with at least some wood parts and aluminum siding because they are the lightest weight materials available but those are also pretty much fair-weather RVs. If you look at the aluminum side Airstream, they do have an aluminum skin, but they are quite heavy due to the steel structure. Generally, if you look at the weight & price of new RVs, that combination is a hint but there is no simple rule that will tell you which is quality and what isn't. In many years of RV experience, I have found that there is no manufacturer of RVs that is so good that they have no unhappy customers and there is also none that is so bad that they have no happy customers. How you plan to use the RV and the size of your budget tend0 to set the parameters of most purchases.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I'm seeing a difference in wood vs aluminum frame construction between different brands and models. I assume aluminum frame models don't flex as much as wood, would that be true?

There are a couple drawbacks to wood frames:

• Wood is highly vulnerable to rot if there is ever any water penetration to the interior (and that's a common problem in RVs).
• Wood is heavier than aluminum and weaker than steel.
• Wood joints are more susceptible to flex than metal.
• High quality hard woods are now very expensive, so cheaper grades get used to hold prices down
• It takes skilled workmanship to build a high quality wood frame but a good metal frame can be assembled on an assembly line.

 

[Cat199]

Delamination is not something that you have to worry about aluminum sided, and if you do have damage to the walls or frame, its fairly easy to remove siding and repair. I have "stick and tin" Forest River EVO. We have had it for 8 years and 35,000 miles and are very happy with it. We have used in hot and cold climates right now we are coming back from spending 6 weeks in Colorado and headed back to Spokane. We've been in Temperatures -9f and pretty constant temperatures in the teens. Yes I add some insulation to the exposed gray/ black drains lines and valves, and added a small 700 watt infared heater to the bath room. And we stay very comfortable.
We have had no major issues, roof looks perfect. So don't count a stick and tin out. Spend some time looking at them and how and where water lines run, walk on the roof how does the floor. Just find one you like.