Columbus quality

[Charli]

We are going to start our 1st yr of Snowbirding next winter and are looking to upgrade our 5er. Lots of great new rear living floorplans with the bigger residential showers coming out so our prospect list keeps growing. Silverback 33RL, Mountaineer 331RLT, Avalanche 343RS and even a new Durango model. All websites claim they have the best quality of course but my DW has her heart set on the Columbus 320RS and from perusing various forums the quality complaints seem to be less than some other models (although could be due to being a new product).
I called up the salesman who sold us our current Cougar as they also sell the Columbus and was surprised when he told me he couldn't recommend the Columbus as they have had lots of them coming back in for service work. I'm wondering if, given that the Columbus line has only been around for a few years, if the bugs have been worked out.
Now we are back to square one and leaning to the Avalanche (love the drop frame). Just wanted to throw this out there to get some feedback, specifically on the Columbus, as well as any experience on the other brands we are considering. My main concern is quality construction and durability for longer trips.

[BigTJohn]

Our 320 RS has been wonderful. No major problems and easy to work on for the minor stuff. I find it is the best use of space and floorplan (325 would have been the one if WE would have seen) great product. We put over 7000 mi on it last year and will be over 9K mi this year.

[bikendan]

we're impressed with the Columbus quality and fit/finish, for its price point.
and i've read nearly all Columbus posts and the overhelming majority are very happy with theirs.

[SammySabre]

Lots of facebook groups are popping up for RV related things. I noticed there is one for Sabre and another one for Columbus. If Sabre had a layout like the Columbus 320RS with the movable island and big shower, it may be the perfect 5th wheel for me. Columbus has nicer woodwork inside but costs more also. There are so many brands and models to choose from it gets overwhelming for me.

[ependydad]

Sabre has a Facebook group? I hadn't been able to find anything.

[SYE]

We love our Columbus, all of my problems have been either dealer related and a result of my break-in and theft. We still love it!!

[SammySabre]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Sabre has a Facebook group? I hadn't been able to find anything.

I couldn't find anything on a Sabre Facebook group via Google search either. But then I went to Facebook and it shows up instantly in the search field at the top of the page.

To help you out, here is the shortcut.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabreRV/

All these RV forums that are out there nowadays has my cabin fever at an all time high now. This winter is a bad one! Poor snowbirds are thinking DANG, didn't drive far enough south.

[WannaBcamping]

We have the Columbus 325 model with the outside kitchen. We got it last April and the only thing wrong with it was both A/C's did not work. That was not the fault of Palomino, but of Dometic. Forest River replaced both while we were at the rally in Goshen and now all is well. I would not trade my Columbus model for another, nor do I wish I had a different brand. It is an awesome trailer with lots of great features, fit and finish. We went to the Toronto RV show recently and the only thing it did was reinforce that we have the best 5'er for us!!

[Charli]

It's nice to hear all the positive stories about the Columbus. It certainly confirms the research I had done. I know there were some issues with the brakes (grease from axles) but overall mostly positive. I would think that many of the issues would have been due to the Columbus being a new line and would expect many bugs to have been worked out by now. After all, the Sabre, another Palomino line, also seems to get pretty good comments.
Makes me wonder about the salesmans comments and his motivation. Will talk to him at an RV show in a couple of weeks and get more details. Perhaps they have decided to stop carrying that line and is steering me to alternatives they are selling. He was recommending the Cougar and Crusader, both nice units but based on my research they don't have the quality upgrades that the Columbus has. He also recommended the Mountaineer, which they also carry, which has the dropped frame and many other upgrades but my DW really, really likes the Columbus decor and layout. Happy wife, happy life, will probably be the decision maker.
We would really like to eliminate carpet to simplify cleanup and dust (we have a dog who perpetually sheds). Does anyone know if the vinyl flooring can be ordered in the bedroom as well as the bath, kitchen and l/r.
We are off to the Minneapolis RV show in a couple of weeks and then a few more shows closer to home later in Feb and March.
Thanks for all the feedback.

[amxpress]

We also have a dog that sheds, that's one reason DW likes our Columbus. The central vacuum system works great and is ideal for picking up dog hair, even
In the bedroom carpet. Besides, I hate walking on a cd hard floor when
I get out of bed.

[fairhaven]

We have had our Columbus 365RL for almost a year. We did have a few issues in our first few trips but they were promptly handled by the dealer and the coach has been trouble free since. We researched for about 1 year before we purchased a fifth wheel. Our final 2 choices were the Columbus and Montana. The Columbus won.

[Cobrafan]

We also have a 365rl that is a 2013 model that we bought used in Feb 2013. It had been sold in Dec. It had only been used 2 days camping. It has been wonderful. A little issue here and there but nothing outside of ordinary wear and tear after a year. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

[Don and Elaine]

We also have a Columbus 320rs and have not had any problems...we feel that the quality control is very good. Almost any new RV will have some problems, some major and others very minor. I say go and buy the 320 and I'm pretty sure you won't be sorry

[Goukcats]

We ordered a 320RS today. We were going to buy one from dealer stock but it had a couple things we didn't want & didn't have a few things we wanted. We figured for that much money it should be exactly what we wanted.

One thing the dealer was going to confirm...if the back up camera has night vision. Does anyone happen to know? Thanks

[SammySabre]

Rear camera with night vision...........Have not heard of that yet. If you are backing up at night or day, stop your truck. Remember one word. GOAL
Get
Out
And
Look

You need to see what is behind you night or day. Don't rely on just a back up camera. Look behind you, to the left and right, and up in the sky. Backup cameras are nice, but they are limited in what they can see. They don't see left or right. They don't see up in the sky either. Tree branches, power lines, rocks, pot holes, etc. can not be seen with a backup camera. Get off your butt, get out and look before you back into your spot. 9 times out of 10, nothing is back there when you look. The 10th time will cost you lots of dollars in damage when you don't GOAL.

[iceblaze580]

Most of the problems I have had with my 325 were quality control things that should have been caught at the factory once those things were fixed right I'm happy with it

[Goukcats]

Sammysabre, I agree with "goal". I don't want the camera for backing up. I want it for changing lanes in heavy traffic (when a small car may be too close) & watching the corners when turning & the rear swings around.

I had been considering one for my current 5er. I hope I'm not wasting $550 for the installed camera & wireless monitor, but I don't guess it would the 1st time I made a mistake.

[SammySabre]

I want the rear camera so I can keep track of the gal behind me applying makeup, texting, and playing with the radio at the same time. Executive summary = The multitasking driver that is doing everything but paying attention to driving. Those google driverless cars might actually be safer.

[tugboat369]

Have a 2014, 320 and have had no major problems. Also have spent the winter in it in My Airy NC and I will say that it is not to bad to heat. I ordered mine and got just what my wife and I wanted.

[tofun4me]

We love our 340RK. Other than dealing with the basic first time out fixes the trailer has been great. Dealer fixed the seal issue on the wheels right off the bat so that has not been a problem. Love the craftsmanship of the finish in the inside as well as the amount of space.