Enterprise Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 Have seen a 2013 DRV Tradition and wondered what comments members have about its quality. We were looking at Bighorn and Landmark but came across this fifth wheel and wondered what thoughts are about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 I really don't see where it is much better than the others in it's price range. It is a scaled down DRV to compete with that market. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmac28 Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 There is a big difference between the Tradition and the Landmark, the Tradition has a heaver chassis, better insulation and the Tradition does not have laminated sides. But Thor has decided that those two trailers will cut into each other profits, So Tradition is gone and Landmark 365 will be Heartland's top trailer and of course Bighorn is a step down from Landmark. Personally I think there was more money to be made in the Heartland trailers, but they are all good trailers so pick the one that you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missourijan Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 Why don't you ask Drv owners? There are 2 sites, www.suitesowners.com and there is a Drv thread on the Thor owners website. Jan & Thomas 2012 Drv Mobile Suite 5'r 2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enterprise Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Thanks all for the replies. Tried joining the suites owners forum and have not been able to post. But will continue to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enterprise Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 We bought the 2013 Tradition which was in very good shape and well cared for. Have been camping in the yard to learn the systems, electronics as well as make trips to local store to personalize, i.e. Command hooks, shelf liner, small plastic baskets to hold various items, etc. Than camped at campground with full hookups to really test drive the unit. Very happy with our choice. We did go to Elkhart and toured Drv, Jayco, Grand Design, CedarCreek and Heartland. Noticed very different construction methods/materials. Learned the workforce starts at 5 am and workers either done after eight hr day or by the number of units completed that day. Most are 11 to 15 units a day, Drv was two a day. Some plants do a Pdi on all units like Drv, some do 2 of 5, some are random. Tours were well worth the time to understand the industry and the market each manufacturers cater to. Now in the countdown to retirement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 There is a big difference between the Tradition and the Landmark, the Tradition has a heaver chassis, better insulation and the Tradition does not have laminated sides. But Thor has decided that those two trailers will cut into each other profits, So Tradition is gone and Landmark 365 will be Heartland's top trailer and of course Bighorn is a step down from Landmark. Personally I think there was more money to be made in the Heartland trailers, but they are all good trailers so pick the one that you like. I would question your statement on chassis. Tradition does not use the same as MS or ES. Construction is different. Not necessarily better. A good laminated dense foam wall is superior to hung batten. I have had both so I can vouch for this. DRV uses the same as in houses and compress it due to it is thicker than walls. You loose a lot of r value when you compress batten. Anyone that has installed insulation knows this. And yes, Tradition was created to compete with Landmark and others. So now that Heartland owns DRV it had to go 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I would question your statement on chassis. Tradition does not use the same as MS or ES. Construction is different. Not necessarily better. A good laminated dense foam wall is superior to hung batten. I have had both so I can vouch for this. DRV uses the same as in houses and compress it due to it is thicker than walls. You loose a lot of r value when you compress batten. Anyone that has installed insulation knows this. And yes, Tradition was created to compete with Landmark and others. So now that Heartland owns DRV it had to go A big differences was I I the frame. Tradition had an eye beam and the other suites are full boxed frame. 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmac28 Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 I would question your statement on chassis. Tradition does not use the same as MS or ES. Construction is different. Not necessarily better. A good laminated dense foam wall is superior to hung batten. I have had both so I can vouch for this. DRV uses the same as in houses and compress it due to it is thicker than walls. You loose a lot of r value when you compress batten. Anyone that has installed insulation knows this. And yes, Tradition was created to compete with Landmark and others. So now that Heartland owns DRV it had to go I question your statement on chassis, I did not compare Tradition to an MS or ES I compared it to a landmark. A laminated wall is not better than a 2 1/4" wall, built with aluminum studs at 16" on center welded and bolted. And wool insulation is by far better than Styrofoam, and after owning two DRV's the insulation fits very well in the wall. I have owned both types of trailers to and that's why I have own DRV's and Cedar Creek's Glenn I know you don't like DRV's and you take every opportunity to put them down, but they are a good trailer. Enterprise, good luck with your Tradition you are going to love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 And I am a past owner. Most will agree a good laminated dense foam wall is superior to hung walls. Had both. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveh Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Saw a Tradition on the road today and we have one in our park right now. I have never been in one but they sure are beautiful. Dave and Lana Hasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 And I am a past owner. Most will agree a good laminated dense foam wall is superior to hung walls. Had both. Don't assume everyone agrees with you. You know what they say about opinions. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 Well my Teton is draft free and easy to heat and cool. My drv was drafty. What does that say? 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 The DRV Tradition is in the same line as the Heartland Landmark series. DRV has dropped the Tradition line so it doesn't compete with the Landmark series that Thor already owned. Many of the were the same, same materials, same fit and finish. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinbob Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 yes there a big difference in Teton and DRV............Price !!! 2006 Elite Suite 36TK32001 F-550 Starhaulerwww.mytripjournal.com/elitesuitestravelsIN GOD WE TRUST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 Well my Teton is draft free and easy to heat and cool. My drv was drafty. What does that say? All that says is that, in your opinion, your DRV was drafty and hard to heat and cool. It does not mean that all of them are nor does it mean that "most will agree". Your sample opinion consists of exactly one trailer. I'm sure that you will find others that will agree with you and others (myself among them) that will disagree. I know that I have had ours in zero degree weather and was very comfortable. Another thing to remember, Teton might be the best trailer in the world but if you are wanting to buy one be prepared to buy a trailer that is at least 8 years old. DRV is still here, still selling trailers and still supporting them for warranty work. ANY RV on the market today will have issues and that includes the 3 big custom builders. Some units will have more issues than others but no RV company builds the perfect RV. I know that you have been happy with your Teton and I am proud for you but you also need to realize that some pour soul ahead of you more than likely fixed all of the issues that were preset when the trailer was built. You are enjoying the fruits of their pain. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 As I said before, Only warranty done on it was to stabilize fridge. It was "rocky". Original owners words. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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