Forrest river hierarchy

[Kenny kustom]

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

[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

[DDC]

Chevy//GMC with Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Quality is nondescript

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by jeff64

I'm thinking more the latter. It's a distribution thing.

+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...

[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.

[grumpy0374]

Cheap
Cheaper
Cheapest

[dcheatwood]

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.

That's how I see it too.

[Kenny kustom]

So, what's the general order?


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[Markiemark]

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

[Vern]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

So, what's the general order?


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

...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.

[whj77372]

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

[BamaBob]

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.

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

That's how I see it too.

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.

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

So, what's the general order?
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

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)

[breezyhillfarm]

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

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)

[CWSWine]

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.

So the question would be does the quality increase keep up with increase in price or does the price increase faster than the quality.

[Kenny kustom]

Price increases vs quality increase is far far from equal.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Price increases vs quality increase is far far from equal.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

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

[Evo2700]

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.

[trbomax]

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)

From what Ive seen,the cherokke wolf pack fwth is made out of left over parts and pieces.

[ependydad]

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.

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

That's how I see it too.

Same here.

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

So, what's the general order?

I'd say, look at the cost and rank them that way.

--

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...

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Same here.

And I'm going to go oogle the New Horizons RVs again...

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.