New member - RV toy hauler brand advice?

[jhsellers]

Hello all.  

I'm new to the forums, but not new to RVing - been camping since childhood, in all portable homes, from tents to pickups, to trailers.  Wanted to say hey and ask for general advice for toy haulers. 

Wife and I are looking at toy haulers.  It's been a while since I've investigated travel trailer manufacturers, and I don't know which brands are better.  We looked at Work and Play a few years ago, but now we've become more serious about a potential purchase.  

A local dealer has a couple of models available that we like - similar floor plans that appeal to us. (Camping World, for other advice for dealer preference - I've read a bit about potential pitfalls with this particular retailer?)  The two that interest us are Work and Play 30WRS and Dutchmen Endurance 3706.  

I know that new Work and Play models are not built the same as previous units, without a full metal roof, and without full metal trim and million-mile bolts.  Thus we've been searching for a used unit, with the previous build quality.  The Camping World network has access to a used Work and Play, but it's several hundred miles away, and so we can't inspect it personally.  

This particular dealer also has a new Dutchmen (Keystone) Endurance 3706, which has pretty much the same features and floorplan, with one additional slide out.  From my initial investigations, it looks like this Dutchmen Endurance lineup may not be but a couple/few years old.  

Can you guys help with suggestions about the build quality of Dutchmen/Keystone travel trailers vs. Forest River Work and Play models?   

I like the idea of a new unit - Dutchmen - with warranty, and non-used, plus I'm leaning toward the Dutchmen, as it appears to have better finishing that other Work and Play units I've seen previously.  (I also like the second slide out, even though the kitchen island doesn't give that much more living space than the Work and Play 30WRS.) But I don't know anything about the build quality of Dutchmen trailers, even though I do know the name has been prevalent in camper manufacturing for many decades.  

I have looked at Forest River Work and Play models for several years, so I know that prior year models have had good reviews about the trailer construction.  However, getting serious about a used unit that is several states away has me concerned.  

I welcome any and all advice and comments.  

Best regards,
John
 

[Kirk W]

Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are happy that you have joined us here and we will help all that we can.

I have little knowledge of the Work n Play line other than that I do see them in areas with many construction workers who seem to think well of them. I do have some knowledge of the Dutchman line & Keystone products. Both of those brands are now owned by Thor Ind. Both companies build a range of price/quality units. Montana by Keystone has a very good reputation for quality and reliability and I think that the Raptor is pretty much the same unit but in a toy hauler configuration. The Voltage by Dutchman seems to be growing in popularity.

As dealers go, Camping World has a very checkered history for service and support. I have never bought an RV from them, but based upon the stories that I hear I never will. 

[FL-JOE]

I have never owned one, but friends of ours have a Keystone Impact toy hauler (fiver) and have been very happy with it.  They downsized from being full time for over 10 years in a Tiffin bus.  If I recall correctly they said the initial factory warranty was either 2 years or 3 years on the Impact.

I have never purchased an RV from Camping World.   I have had a couple different CW stores do washer/dryer installs over the years with mixed results.  The last time I had to re-install before getting more than 500 miles away plus they broke a wall mirror and kitchen table.

I think you will find that 90% of the folks that purchase an RV from CW are first time buyers.  They probably never go back when they buy their second RV.