Forest River vs. Grand Design

TexasGolfBum · 05-17-2019, 08:56 AM

We have been hearing more and more negatives about Forest River. Many say Grand Design is better. Also many say that Forest River doesn't have good customer service from a factory standpoint in regards to comments or issues with the product. They state Grand Design is involved if contacted instead of a dealer. We have owned our Forest River Cedar Creek for 3 years with no issues. Next few years we will be looking for a replacement and like your advice. Thoughts?

dblr · 05-17-2019, 09:29 AM

We went from a Cedar Creek to a River Stone Legacy and are very pleased with the factory support from both brands. I will not knock Grand Design as I have heard good and bad things about them but have also heard they offer good factory support as well, I did have a dealer selling Grand Designs and he said a Solitude would be a latera move from a Cedar Creek as far as quality went. Good luck but check out the River Stone line to step up from your Creek or even the Champagne from Cedar Creek

whj469 · 05-17-2019, 09:31 AM

How did you like the Cedar Creek? You said that you had no issues? Why change? I have had 3 Forest River fivers and was happy with all of them.

Jim34RL · 05-17-2019, 09:35 AM

In my very humble opinion you get what you pay for. I base this on my experience with a Thor Product a Keystone Cougar. This was a low cost unit compared to my current 5er a Cedar Creek.

I never have had any issues with my dealer and or Cedar Creek resolving my issues on my 2016 34RL Cedar Creek unit. Last fall Cedar Creek division worked with my dealer in getting the end caps repainted on my unit. No cost to me at all just sometime without the trailer. Cedar Creek division has step up several times when I needed service and or warranty repair when the unit was less than 2 years old.

I am not sure you will get the same service out of Grand Design, now that it is own by Winnebago. Also like any product you will have there cheerleaders and detractors on said product. I think there are more pluses with the Cedar Creek line than negatives.

Just my $0.02.

spock123 · 05-17-2019, 09:44 AM

The Cedar Creek factory just paid to have my front cap repainted, my Cedar Creek is four years old. The factory has been very good to us. Just saw the plant manager yesterday. The factory may be coming out with shorter campers, I will definitely look

TexasGolfBum · 05-17-2019, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock123

The Cedar Creek factory just paid to have my front cap repainted, my Cedar Creek is four years old. The factory has been very good to us. Just saw the plant manager yesterday. The factory may be coming out with shorter campers, I will definitely look

This is what I was hoping to hear. On a Facebook forum, I had so many states that Grand Design was the only way to go. We love our Cedar Creek but was just curious to other FR comments. We have looked at both but they seem to not be as nice as our FR Cedar Creek. They look more like cheap Mobile Homes. Our RV was right at 89K. Thank you again for your comments and especially no rude and mean comments for a simple question.

Cowracer · 05-17-2019, 10:33 AM

Its your money. Don't let internet whiners decide what you spend it on.

tim

whj469 · 05-17-2019, 11:24 AM

We just got a 2018 Cardinal 3825 FL and I can't think of what else I would want? It listed for $116,500 and we paid $67,997. It was in September 2018 and the 2019 were already out and had changed quite a bit and we really didn't like the new ones. They, Camping World, had two of the 2018 Cardinals and they wanted to get rid of them.
We have not had problems with Camping World except long wait for repairs or warranty work
They are busy most of the time

bryanteddie0924 · 05-17-2019, 01:25 PM

Have owned Forest River and currently own a Grand Design. I like the GD product better. Have owned a Solitude and now a Momentum. Customer service with GD is fabulous. Product is fantastic. Did not have good luck with Forest River. Both have good and bad and you will hear good and bad. Just go with your heart

tomkatb · 05-17-2019, 02:27 PM

We bought our Hathaway last year.

Being engineers the DW and I found our comparison of different models had grown to several pages.

The structural engineer preferred the Hathaway. Substantially. Exploded diagrams of the units.

The GD was prettier.

In the last decade the deck chairs on the Titanic have been shuffled. Hard to say who owns what or who. Nothing from 2 or 3 years ago means anything in my opinion.

You are sort of on your own.

The majority of fivers never see the dealer again.

We thought the Hathaway and any CC was a tougher unit. We thought better value for the $. however not as pretty.

TexasGolfBum · 05-17-2019, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomkatb

We bought our Hathaway last year.

Being engineers the DW and I found our comparison of different models had grown to several pages.

The structural engineer preferred the Hathaway. Substantially. Exploded diagrams of the units.

The GD was prettier.

In the last decade the deck chairs on the Titanic have been shuffled. Hard to say who owns what or who. Nothing from 2 or 3 years ago means anything in my opinion.

You are sort of on your own.

The majority of fivers never see the dealer again.

We thought the Hathaway and any CC was a tougher unit. We thought better value for the $. however not as pretty.

Thank you this is great information.

Mewcasa · 05-17-2019, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanteddie0924

Have owned Forest River and currently own a Grand Design. I like the GD product better. Have owned a Solitude and now a Momentum. Customer service with GD is fabulous. Product is fantastic. Did not have good luck with Forest River. Both have good and bad and you will hear good and bad. Just go with your heart

Me too! I haven’t had any issues or discrepancies with my GD. Owned it now for 15 months. We liked our FR Vibe, but love our GD RLTS. Only things I’ve done is replace the King Bed mattress and swapped the bathroom/vent switches. I like the light switch closest to the door opening!

CaptnJohn · 05-17-2019, 05:27 PM

Just saying things happen on the way home from the dealer with a new 5er,,,

RET.LEO · 05-17-2019, 05:47 PM

In all honesty........at least my opinion for what it's worth. All companies can make a bad unit depending on who was putting it together at the factory. Most RV's are a collection of components from the same manufacturers.
Grand D is getting quite a well deserved following. They do go through a good quality control check at the factory BUT I'm sure a lemon can slip through.
I do like that GD uses Dexter axles. I don't like their overstated insulation R Values though.
G.D. is owned by Winnebago.
Our new trailer will be either a Grand D or a Winnebago Minnie Plus because of reputation for good quality and Dealer service

BandJCarm · 05-17-2019, 05:52 PM

It wouldn't matter what fifth wheel I bought next, if I ever do........and probably won't. But if I did, I'd immediately get:

MorRyde Independent Suspension

Tire/wheel upgrade to H rated, LT tires (Probably Goodyear 611's)

TrailSaver BD5 hitch

Custom full body paint

Assuming Levelup and Res. Reefer are 'standard' and already on it.

Do that, and many of the supposed flaws will disappear on any of them.

Just my opinion.

TexasGolfBum · 05-17-2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Just saying things happen on the way home from the dealer with a new 5er,,,

Oh my gosh not good.

Mewcasa · 05-17-2019, 06:00 PM

��. A little info about that picture would be appreciated...

hollandsam · 05-17-2019, 06:12 PM

I have owned a Hathaway CC for the past two years. No problems whatsoever. Of course I have not had to deal with any dealer thank goodness. I did extensive research before purchase and got several owners recommendations about the CC line. I have a friend that has a Class A diesel pusher built by Winnebago. It was in the shop for almost four of the first six months he owned it. Also had very unsatisfactory service from Winnebago in solving the warranty issues. Just proof that you can have problems with any line and any style. I have seen and read of many satisfied customers with CC. Now that GD is owned by Winnebago, I am not sure I will pursue that line myself. Just my .02 as they say.

Splashes3 · 05-17-2019, 06:21 PM

WE are on our second CC. We had our first one for 10 yrs and it was in excellent shape when we traded it in.

We have owned our signature CC for 11 months now....the only issue, was a leaking wheel assembly (tire repair facility could not find it leaking, it only lost air when it was on the trailer)......CC sent us a new wheel assembly, no cost, and this one holds air.

The CC factory and Denise Davis has treated us VERY well over our 10+ years...We hope our new 5ver lasts 10 more years.

MikeRP · 05-17-2019, 07:25 PM

I’ve had only Forest River products my whole camping life. I had two Rockwood Popups, One Rockwood Hybrid, a Class C Sunseeker and now the Cedar Creek. I like FR, they feel like home to me. Very predictable in quality, the ones I had were good but not great but I usually was able to do all the needed repairs.

This Creek I have is a beautiful unit, delivered to me almost perfect. Good Luck!

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