RV Consumer Group

[MilesAndSmiles]

Does anyone have experience with the RV Consumer Group (RV.org)? They say they offer unbiased ratings of new and used RVs, and sound similar to Consumer Reports. But are they reliable and helpful? It's a paid subscription service so any feedback will be helpful.

[2gypsies]

We've heard from many that the information is just gotten from the manufacturers. The units aren't actually tested and compared. At one time, and don't know if this is still true, but the owners didn't even own a RV. Again, we haven't used it...just what we heard from others.

 

We chose our Newmar manufacturer based on many talks with actual owners and attending a Newmar rally with many owners in attendance. We also toured their factory. We chose correct. We were extremely happy with it.

 

Good luck in your choice!

[Zulu]

I used the service when I was looking for my first Class A. Found it kinda-sorta helpful. Unlike Consumer Reports which actually buys every vehicle it tests, RV Consumer Group has to rely on manufacturer data.

 

However, because purchasing a Class A might costs many thousands of dollars, paying a few bucks for RV Consumer Group info doesn't seem like a bad deal -- even if it was a total rip off.

[Daveh]

I do not know how they get their information. I did use them in deciding what to buy together with forum recommendations. They break their ratings down by proposed usage categories from vacation to full timing and by type of RV. They rate them each year but generally the ratings are the same each year. They do note ownership changes etc. They helpfully provide manufacturer list price, average street price and data on resale value. I did not look at the ratings for anything but fifth wheels where they tended to rate the smaller independent manufacturer brands higher.

[filthy-beast]

It's good info for someone new to class A, gives you feel for each manufacture and model. The only real problem I see is they base handling off of wheel base and do not take into account how a tag improves it.

[Clarkie46]

From my one time membership with the RV Consumer Group I learned a lot of good generic information about the construction of RVs, maintenance issues, the kinds of things to look for in an RV depending on how you plan to use it, etc. That alone was worth the price for me. As to the objectivity of their rating system, I don't personally know enough to say with certainty (I'm not an engineer or a mechanic, etc.), but after several years of RVing and noticing different rigs, I have observed that the rigs they rate highly do seem to hold up pretty well.

[LindaH]

I've used their information for selecting all of the RVs we've ever owned.

 

The information won't tell you which RV to buy, but it will go a long way in separating the wheat from the chaff.

[Kirk W]

 

We've heard from many that the information is just gotten from the manufacturers. The units aren't actually tested and compared. At one time, and don't know if this is still true, but the owners didn't even own a RV.

This Statement is not true and never was true, If you make such a statement, let me suggest that you document it, or at the very least list your sources.

 

I first became aware of them when shopping for my first motorhome and used the information from them in that successful purchase of our first used class A. I joined the organization in the 90's and remained a member for about 10 years. The founder is a fromer RV dealer and before that was in RV sales for a number of years. At last count I believe that they had owned about 10 different RVs over the years but don't quote that number as it is working from an unreliable memory.

 

The organization does not buy and test one of every RV rated as that would require an impossibly large budget and staff. What they do is to use trained volunteers to visit the factories and rate those, then to use the manufacturer's specs and the chassis manufacturer's specs to come up with generalized figures for what they should be. Members also have access to a wide range of reviews of specific models that have been actually tested and inspected as well. It also supplies a great deal of information not available to nonmembers. New members also receive a wide range of educational information that is very helpful especially to the newer RV owner.

 

I am no longer a member but do highly recommend them to anyone buying an RV. I have owned various RVs both new and used since 1972 and am a retured electrical/mechanical service tech who has done the majority of my own repairs and maintenance, yet I still went back and used the materials from the RVCG in purchasing our latest RV just 3 years ago.

[Dave O]

Hi Kirk

 

Thanks. I have been watching this thread and all the hearsay quoted as facts. Debating whether or not to post.

 

I also was a member for about five years and learned a lot. Probably the most important thing I learned was the importance in wheelbase as equates to handling of a motorhome. Also how some manufacturers will try to fool the buyer by adding a tag to a totally unstable platform to begin with.

 

We were planning on going full time, though at the time we had a weekend coach. We confined our research to both full time and snowbird rated coaches. Also limited it to wheelbases in the mid 50% range. We have a Snowbird rated coach and have full timed in it or similar since 1997.

 

For the cost of RVCG, when considering an RV purchase, it is a no brainer.

 

Dave O

[RBH]

If you are new to the RV world and considering a purchase it is definitely worth it. You'll learn a lot and be able to eliminate the junk right off the bat. The biggest mistake that beginners make is falling for the glitz without investigating the structure. RV consumers group stresses safety i.e. CCC, wheelbase to overall length etc. It'll get you looking for the right stuff.

[wtmtnhiker]

I bought the guide a while back. While I believe it has been very helpful there is some contradictory info as it pertains to wheelbase ratio and handling issues. I started a thread on it this week here:

 

http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=120008#entry801459

 

It has been helpful for us while we continue to look for a motorhome but in our case we really need to get out and drive a few more. I would recommend getting the guide. It's a little quirky to use.

[theeyres]

It is a great resource and I highly recommend it. I found the accompanying info about build quality and how they rated Rv's for different uses very useful. For a few hundred dollars, or less, you won't go wrong in digesting their material, in detail.

[Pappy Yokum]

No experience using it for MH - might be great !

 

However, I found it to be of zero value for a 5th wheel.

 

My own research resulted in much better (accurate) info.

 

YMMV.

 

.

[whj469]

I used them, and lots of others, when I got my first two fivers and they were useful. If I had to do it again I would use them.

The second poster stated that others gave him that information, given that I wouldn't give that info much

validity. Good Luck