Ranking Class C Motorhome Brands Under Consideration

[tankertoad]

I understand brands are owned by the big 3 but I’m interested in experiences with prioritizing from best to not best on; Phoenix, Redhawk, Thor Quantum, Nexus, Gulfstream, Entegra Odyssey. How would you rate from best to worse.

 

[Kirk]

I have no significant knowledge of the Phoenix RV company. The Redhawk is a Jayco Class C motorhome series designed as a "base trim" or entry-level RV. The Thor Quantum is positioned as a higher-end, "premier" Class C motorhome built by the company that currently owns more different RV brands and models than any other company a they get very mixed reviews. The Nexus has a long history of quality and I have known 3 different people owning them and one of those has recently acquired his third Nexus while another just took possession of his second one. The Entegra Odyssey generally receives positive reviews compared to similar Class C RVs. Most owners seem to have experiences with it similar to any other mid-price class C.

While I have never owned a Class C, I have known many who do and based upon that I would rate the Nexus as my first choice if I were buying one of the RVs which you have listed.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I understand brands are owned by the big 3 but I’m interested in experiences with prioritizing from best to not best on; Phoenix, Redhawk, Thor Quantum, Nexus, Gulfstream, Entegra Odyssey. How would you rate from best to worse.

To the best of my knowledge, Phoenix, Nexus, and Gulfstream are not subsidiaries of that "big 3". Jayco Redhawk, Thor Quantum, and Entegra Odyssey are all Thor Industries subsidiaries.

Phoenix & Nexus are independents with a decent product reputation and pride in their products. Gulfstream is also a family-owned independent but more known for value than high quality.

As a conglomerate, Thor Industries has always focused on optimizing the corporate bottom line and they manage their subsidiary companies to do that without regard to individual brand reputation. Their products are largely focused at the portion of the RV market with the largest sales volumes, i.e.the entry level. Track record shows that the corporations they absorb quickly lose their identity and any prior reputation is no longer applicable (good or bad).

If you are in the market for a Class B or C, I'd lean toward Phoenix & Nexus and add Winnebagos to your list.

 

[tankertoad]

I have no significant knowledge of the Phoenix RV company. The Redhawk is a Jayco Class C motorhome series designed as a "base trim" or entry-level RV. The Thor Quantum is positioned as a higher-end, "premier" Class C motorhome built by the company that currently owns more different RV brands and models than any other company a they get very mixed reviews. The Nexus has a long history of quality and I have known 3 different people owning them and one of those has recently acquired his third Nexus while another just took possession of his second one. The Entegra Odyssey generally receives positive reviews compared to similar Class C RVs. Most owners seem to have experiences with it similar to any other mid-price class C.

While I have never owned a Class C, I have known many who do and based upon that I would rate the Nexus as my first choice if I were buying one of the RVs which you have listed.

Thanks. That’s what I was looking for. Very helpful.

 

[tankertoad]

To the best of my knowledge, Phoenix, Nexus, and Gulfstream are not subsidiaries of that "big 3". Jayco Redhawk, Thor Quantum, and Entegra Odyssey are all Thor Industries subsidiaries.

Phoenix & Nexus are independents with a decent product reputation and pride in their products. Gulfstream is also a family-owned independent but more known for value than high quality.

As a conglomerate, Thor Industries has always focused on optimizing the corporate bottom line and they manage their subsidiary companies to do that without regard to individual brand reputation. Their products are largely focused at the portion of the RV market with the largest sales volumes, i.e.the entry level. Track record shows that the corporations they absorb quickly lose their identity and any prior reputation is no longer applicable (good or bad).

If you are in the market for a Class B or C, I'd lean toward Phoenix & Nexus and add Winnebagos to your list.

Great help. Thanks.

 

[RV_Lee122]

the entegras are just redhawk/greyhawks with a different badge

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

the entegras are just redhawk/greyhawks with a different badge

Well, Thor does add some gussied-up trim and fancier decals to separate the two.

Good thread because moving on from my breakdown-prone DP highlighted elsewhere on The Forum, we are in the market for a used Class C. At the top of our list is the Jayco Greyhawk 27U, or its sister rig, the Entegra Esteem 27U. The amenities of both of these RVs rival those of our motorhome. One big plus in my book about the Jayco C's is their one-piece front cap vs most others, or all?, with the big forward-facing seam that is known to leak. I have also read that although Thor has ruined the Entergra name for their high-end luxury motorhomes, they have left Jayco mostly alone in doing many of the things Jayco was known for before selling off to Thor.

I also have heard good things about Nexus, and my view on Phoenix RVs is that they seem to be more known in the B+ or C- supervan type rigs common with Mercedes, Ford Transit, or Ram.