violinini1
Active Member
We just got back from Elkhart, IN from visiting the factories. As prospective buyers, we wanted to see the Jayco ( a joke), Grand Design (nice, but no cigar), Montana (very close), and the Big Horn.
Big Horn by far was the best for many reasons. First, Ben (last name?), the regional manager for the Indiana area, gave us the personal tour and he spent 2.5 hours with us (3 couples) and answered every question that we could think of.
The other tours did not last nearly that long and were either given by students, or had so many people that you could not ask questions. Also, it was great that the tour was given after hours so that you could go and look up close to the construction that was being made. We were so impressed with the construction of the roof and floor and how it is compressed and glued together to make a solid piece one piece unit, unlike everyone else that constructed their roofs and floors in piece parts with rafters and loose insulation in between the struts. No wonder their insulation R factors are true R factors that will be those same R factors many years down the road. You had to wonder about some of the claims of the other manufacturers as it was clear that their R factors would not stand up to time.
It was clear to us that Big Horn's experience in making Motor Homes was easily transferred to making 5th wheels. In addition, the walls were of better construction than the other 3 factories and we could see the quality in every part of the RV from the wheels up.
Loved how BH is using the G rated tires that are not made in China. What a relief, as everyone else is still using the China made E rated tires that the forums are just full of folks having problems with. Loved the quality control, as the units were clearly marked with red tape during the inspection process, and there were places that we had a hard time finding the problems that the inspectors saw. BH uses independent inspectors who are employed by Heartland so there are no issues with inspectors doing their job.
On our tour, they were making the new 3760 EL and we fell in love with it. The kitchen counter surface area and the bedroom are spectacular. And the bath is a good size with plenty of room around the toilet. It has more storage than we will ever use.
We came to Elkhart with an open mind and had not decided which manufacturer's unit we were going to buy. After this tour, there was no doubt in our minds that the BH is the best fiver that is made today. We plan to order ours in December hoping for some factory rebates at that time of the year to help save some additional money. If you ever get a chance to visit the BH factory, it will be a real good experience for you.
One other tidbit, we have found Stacy from Tiarra RV, Elkhart, IN, very good to work with and they have offered the best prices from any of the dozens of other dealers we have visited. Of course, we still have questions on some of the options that I did not think to ask during the tour, but I am sure these questions will be cleared up soon.
Don
2014 RAM Laramie Longhorn 3500 SRW, 6.7L Cummins Diesel
Soon to be happy owner of BH 3760 EL
Big Horn by far was the best for many reasons. First, Ben (last name?), the regional manager for the Indiana area, gave us the personal tour and he spent 2.5 hours with us (3 couples) and answered every question that we could think of.
The other tours did not last nearly that long and were either given by students, or had so many people that you could not ask questions. Also, it was great that the tour was given after hours so that you could go and look up close to the construction that was being made. We were so impressed with the construction of the roof and floor and how it is compressed and glued together to make a solid piece one piece unit, unlike everyone else that constructed their roofs and floors in piece parts with rafters and loose insulation in between the struts. No wonder their insulation R factors are true R factors that will be those same R factors many years down the road. You had to wonder about some of the claims of the other manufacturers as it was clear that their R factors would not stand up to time.
It was clear to us that Big Horn's experience in making Motor Homes was easily transferred to making 5th wheels. In addition, the walls were of better construction than the other 3 factories and we could see the quality in every part of the RV from the wheels up.
Loved how BH is using the G rated tires that are not made in China. What a relief, as everyone else is still using the China made E rated tires that the forums are just full of folks having problems with. Loved the quality control, as the units were clearly marked with red tape during the inspection process, and there were places that we had a hard time finding the problems that the inspectors saw. BH uses independent inspectors who are employed by Heartland so there are no issues with inspectors doing their job.
On our tour, they were making the new 3760 EL and we fell in love with it. The kitchen counter surface area and the bedroom are spectacular. And the bath is a good size with plenty of room around the toilet. It has more storage than we will ever use.
We came to Elkhart with an open mind and had not decided which manufacturer's unit we were going to buy. After this tour, there was no doubt in our minds that the BH is the best fiver that is made today. We plan to order ours in December hoping for some factory rebates at that time of the year to help save some additional money. If you ever get a chance to visit the BH factory, it will be a real good experience for you.
One other tidbit, we have found Stacy from Tiarra RV, Elkhart, IN, very good to work with and they have offered the best prices from any of the dozens of other dealers we have visited. Of course, we still have questions on some of the options that I did not think to ask during the tour, but I am sure these questions will be cleared up soon.
Don
2014 RAM Laramie Longhorn 3500 SRW, 6.7L Cummins Diesel
Soon to be happy owner of BH 3760 EL
