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10-01-2015, 08:15 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Forrest river hierarchy
Are the brands under the FR brand of different quality?
Or is it more of a Chevy/GMC deal...
Just so different dealers can have " exclusive " brands?
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
__________________
2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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10-01-2015, 08:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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I'm thinking more the latter. It's a distribution thing. That line about Amish craftsmanship is just that...a line. Some brands appear to have different levels of creature features and comfort, stick and tin construction vs. smooth side etc
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2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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10-01-2015, 09:06 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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Chevy//GMC with Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Quality is nondescript
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"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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10-01-2015, 09:21 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 2,958
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff64
I'm thinking more the latter. It's a distribution thing.
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+1 Here is a recent example: By retiring the Solera brand name and adding the MBS chassis to the Forester / Sunseeker lines FR added dozens of "new" dealers for their MBS products. Other than minor trim, interior upholstery colors and paint colors there is no significant difference in a Solera / Forester / Sunseeker MBS. They are all made on the same line by the same folks out of same parts bins. Now my local dealer, where I bought our "W", has a MBS product without carrying another brand.
Now Dynamax is coming out with their version of the "W" floor plan MBS. Looks a bit like the "Badge Engineering" as developed to a fine art by the "old" GM...
__________________
Wayne
2024 Sunseeker 2150SLEF / Ford E-350 Off-line 15 April 2024.
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10-01-2015, 09:24 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,453
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Of course there is a hierarchy. The build quality and materials used in construction of a Cedar Creek vs. Salem or Flagstaff or most other FR brands is completely different. There are also major differences between Forest River and the subsideraries it owns, Dynamax, Coachmen, Shasta, Palomino, and Prime Time.
You are only fooling yourself if you think a $100,000+ fifth wheel is the same as a $35,000 fifth wheel.
Having said that there are some FR brands that are the same such as the Flagstaff/Rockwood line.
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Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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10-01-2015, 09:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,452
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10-01-2015, 09:37 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakman
Of course there is a hierarchy. The build quality and materials used in construction of a Cedar Creek vs. Salem or Flagstaff or most other FR brands is completely different. There are also major differences between Forest River and the subsideraries it owns, Dynamax, Coachmen, Shasta, Palomino, and Prime Time.
You are only fooling yourself if you think a $100,000+ fifth wheel is the same as a $35,000 fifth wheel.
Having said that there are some FR brands that are the same such as the Flagstaff/Rockwood line.
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That's how I see it too.
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2018 Forester 3011 DS
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10-01-2015, 09:47 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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So, what's the general order?
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
__________________
2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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10-01-2015, 09:53 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 63
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I know in the Class C category -- Sunseeker & Forestor - The Forestor has upgraded "FEATURES" - so a little higher quality, there.
From Forest river rep on the Forest River forum.
"same coach, no difference other than features. they are built on the same chassis down the same line."
A few of the features Forester:
Skirt Paint (Standard)
Raised Wood Refer Panel (Standard)
Vinyl soft-touch ceiling
Recessed glass LED light fixtures
Fiberglass running boards
Memory Foam Mattress (Standard)
LED Floor Lighting
Hidden Hinges
Cedar Lined Closets
Outside Security Light
Solid Surface Galley
Fantastic Fan w/ Rain & Temp Sensor
Upgraded Sprayer faucet
MArkiemark
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10-01-2015, 09:54 AM
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#10
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Alleged curmudgeon
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 558
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I will leave the answer to those much wiser...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
So, what's the general order?
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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...but I suspect such quality comparisons are easier and more effectively made between two or three manufacturers of roughly comparable floor plans than to try to establish an overall quality caste system.
__________________
Lee
2013 Windjammer 3008W
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0L w/Equalizer 4
Nights camped: 2012 (29); 2013 (26); 2014 (40); 2015 (43); 2016 (35); 2017 (34); 2018 (39); 2019 (30); 2020 (16); 2021 (14); 2022 to date (12)
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10-01-2015, 01:40 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Splendora, Texas
Posts: 1,314
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I have had a 32 foot V-Cross fiver, $29,000 and a 38 foot Wildcat fiver, $49,300. There is no comparison, the V-Cross was made cheaply and the Wildcat has impressive appointments. Almost every thing in the Wildcat is of higher quality. Good Luck
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10-01-2015, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakman
Of course there is a hierarchy. The build quality and materials used in construction of a Cedar Creek vs. Salem or Flagstaff or most other FR brands is completely different. There are also major differences between Forest River and the subsideraries it owns, Dynamax, Coachmen, Shasta, Palomino, and Prime Time.
You are only fooling yourself if you think a $100,000+ fifth wheel is the same as a $35,000 fifth wheel.
Having said that there are some FR brands that are the same such as the Flagstaff/Rockwood line.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheatwood
That's how I see it too.
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Completly agree. Unfortunately there are a few folks out there who get a base unit and expect it to have the quality build of a Riverstone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
So, what's the general order?
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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In what class? Motorhome, Class C, Travel Trailer, 5er Toy Hauler or...?
This is what I know from our research:
MotorHome
Charleston
Berkshire XLT (Tag Axle)
Berkshire XL
Berkshire
Georgetown
5th Wheel - full size
Rivrstone
Cardinal - Cedar Creek (Almost a tie)
Blue Ridge - Cedar Creek Silverback
(Not enough research to rank the rest)
5th Wheel - Ultralight
Rockwood
Flagstaff
Toy Hauler
Vengeance - XLR Thunderbolt AMP (almost a tie)
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 2014 - 42 2015 - 56 Jul 2016 - Fulltime
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10-01-2015, 02:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff64
I'm thinking more the latter. It's a distribution thing. That line about Amish craftsmanship is just that...a line. Some brands appear to have different levels of creature features and comfort, stick and tin construction vs. smooth side etc
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When we were in Goshen at the national rally we saw lots of Amish craftsmen working on units, including ours.
2014 XLR27HFS
2006 Ford F450 Diesel Dually
2015 Harley Freewheeler Trike (Tara)
2004 Harley Road King Custom (Gemma)
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10-01-2015, 08:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakman
Of course there is a hierarchy. The build quality and materials used in construction of a Cedar Creek vs. Salem or Flagstaff or most other FR brands is completely different. There are also major differences between Forest River and the subsideraries it owns, Dynamax, Coachmen, Shasta, Palomino, and Prime Time.
You are only fooling yourself if you think a $100,000+ fifth wheel is the same as a $35,000 fifth wheel.
Having said that there are some FR brands that are the same such as the Flagstaff/Rockwood line.
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So the question would be does the quality increase keep up with increase in price or does the price increase faster than the quality.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
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10-01-2015, 08:31 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Price increases vs quality increase is far far from equal.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
__________________
2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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10-01-2015, 08:35 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Price increases vs quality increase is far far from equal.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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The question we get ask all the time - is 100.00 bottle of wine that much better than 10.00 bottle of wine. My answer is yes but not 90.00 better
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
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10-01-2015, 09:06 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SoNV
Posts: 277
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The Salem 27TDSS is the same floorplan as my Evo. When I looked at the Salem I could instantly tell the Evo had higher quality materials. So I would say yes, some sub-brands of FR are higher quality than others.
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2015 Evo 2700
2017 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi 4.10
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10-01-2015, 09:31 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBob
Completly agree. Unfortunately there are a few folks out there who get a base unit and expect it to have the quality build of a Riverstone.
In what class? Motorhome, Class C, Travel Trailer, 5er Toy Hauler or...?
This is what I know from our research:
MotorHome
Charleston
Berkshire XLT (Tag Axle)
Berkshire XL
Berkshire
Georgetown
5th Wheel - full size
Rivrstone
Cardinal - Cedar Creek (Almost a tie)
Blue Ridge - Cedar Creek Silverback
(Not enough research to rank the rest)
5th Wheel - Ultralight
Rockwood
Flagstaff
Toy Hauler
Vengeance - XLR Thunderbolt AMP (almost a tie)
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From what Ive seen,the cherokke wolf pack fwth is made out of left over parts and pieces.
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10-02-2015, 01:04 AM
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#19
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakman
Of course there is a hierarchy. The build quality and materials used in construction of a Cedar Creek vs. Salem or Flagstaff or most other FR brands is completely different. There are also major differences between Forest River and the subsideraries it owns, Dynamax, Coachmen, Shasta, Palomino, and Prime Time.
You are only fooling yourself if you think a $100,000+ fifth wheel is the same as a $35,000 fifth wheel.
Having said that there are some FR brands that are the same such as the Flagstaff/Rockwood line.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheatwood
That's how I see it too.
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Same here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
So, what's the general order?
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I'd say, look at the cost and rank them that way.
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But why? There are issues and lemons in every brand (within FR and within the entire industry). There are also great units.
Why worry about a ranking? You bought what you like- no sense in feeling inferior to your neighbor or looking down your nose at the other. Who freaking cares? We all buy what we like.
And I'm going to go oogle the New Horizons RVs again...
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10-02-2015, 01:40 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
Same here.
And I'm going to go oogle the New Horizons RVs again...
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I live about 30 miles from where they are built... If you need info I can try to find out for you or get pictures.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
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