luberhill,
IMO, Phoenix Cruiser , Pleasureway RV and Leisure Travel Vans are worth a look . A little better care might go into it ? But I would research the M/Benz chassis as far as having a network of dealerships or repair shops with necessary software to make repairs. A few models are built on the Ford Transit which offers VG fuel economy in both gas and diesel but payload needs to be watched. Some units of certain mfg's are only (SRW) single rear wheel axles.
Try viewing the 'FIT RV reviews videos ' for info and good in depth user reviews on the above brands.
Many youtubes of factory build process of these brands as well as viewing the owners forums of each brand.
Not that they are trouble free, they all can have issues and these companies do change ownership from time to time. But the track record might be a little better in those more expensive brands do to possible better quality methods and care ? Maybe ?
As far as other brands , Sorry to say, no, they kind of build them the same basic way. View the youtube of the Jayco 7 hour travel trailer build process.
Sometimes some of us get lucky and get a unit that works fine but then others have issue after issue.
RV's are often assembled by young assemblers not high tech mechanics demanding high wages. There is poor quality control, units get pushed out the door, especially during good economic times.
The reason it continues this way is us, the rv consumer. We all want and keep buying these inferior products, supporting this industry, myself included, I'm guilty .
It's the nature of the beast, Its the unregulated rv industry.
Re the 2014 unit you were looking at. If a repair was done correctly then it could give you many years of trouble free service. Many times, a good dealer can do a repair and make the rv better than new. When performing warranty work, the mfg will offer him 1/2 his hourly rate. That's how it this system operates. The dealer accepts it to stay in business.
While under warranty , many times it's best to return the rv to the mfg. because the dealer can't perform the expensive bonding, the expensive equipment like the factory has to offer. They will send a transporter to pick it up. Yes you have down time and loss of use.
Today, some rv walls are built as one unit, one wall sandwich construction that includes an exterior fiberglass gel coat wall, solid core insulation and a bonded interior wall. Some brands like Winnebago use this method as well as others. That might be a basic difference between brands that build this way. I do not know who does and who doesn't as far as new 2019 units.
RV's are like a box of chocolates :(.
As Forest Gump said " You never know what your gonna to get".
