aquiring signal
Well-known member
After our 2011 Bighorn 3585 was declared a total loss in April we began shopping for a replacement. Prior to buying the 2011 Bighorn, we had a 2008 Bighorn 3670RL that we purchased new in 2007. So until recently, we have been living year round, full-time in a Heartland. During that time, we learned a few things I'd like to pass on.
This time around we looked at Heartland's Landmark line as well as competing brands. In the end we went with SOB. I think last time we didn't hesitate returning to Heartland because our first (pre-Thor) Bighorn was such a great experience.
My new SOB rig is much quieter than either of my two Bighorns. I know this because I'm parked in the exact same site and I can not hear the train horns in the distance. Maybe because this is the first rig I've had with dual pane windows. Maybe because this rig is better insulated. Maybe because the bat insulation in the walls is a better sound insulator than solid polystyrene. Maybe it's a combination. But it's quieter.
Speaking of quieter, ducted A/C return vents are quieter than the 14" square returns. When the A/C was running in the Bighorn, I'd have to turn up the television. I can barely hear the A/C on my new SOB. Several manufacturers are doing this now and I have no doubt that Heartland will, too.
When I first got the 2011 Bighorn I was thrilled with the hydraulic landing gear. I now would like to say that 2 hydraulic legs are great, but 6 is life changing. We became used to the rig rocking in heavy Kansas winds, but that's a thing of the past now. Like I said, life changing. Worth every penny.
I now have 17.5" wheels & Michelin load range J tires. I had the best Heartland offered on both my Bighorns, the 16" Goodyears. I like having a little more safety margin. Heartland should offer this option.
Most of the competing brands out there use a lot of the same components from the same manufacturers. Frame, axles, furnace, refrigerator, windows, air conditioner, fans, etc. My new rig shares many of these from my past rigs. The differences are elsewhere. My new rig uses T&G (tounge & groove) plywood in place of OSB (oriented strand board) for flooring and roof decking. It has solid wood & wood veneers where my Heartland had some solid wood and some photo wrapped wood products. My new rig has a nicer interior fit & finish, higher quality materials, far nicer carpet, is quieter and more stabile than either of my Heartland trailers.
Summed up I think Heartland is great when it comes to "bang for your buck", They have some of the best floor plans out there, too. I had to spend much more money to get something better, but the things that I have now I wouldn't want to give up.
This message board is great. It has helped me over the years. I've learned a lot here & would like to think I've contributed, too. Best wishes to all of you.
This time around we looked at Heartland's Landmark line as well as competing brands. In the end we went with SOB. I think last time we didn't hesitate returning to Heartland because our first (pre-Thor) Bighorn was such a great experience.
My new SOB rig is much quieter than either of my two Bighorns. I know this because I'm parked in the exact same site and I can not hear the train horns in the distance. Maybe because this is the first rig I've had with dual pane windows. Maybe because this rig is better insulated. Maybe because the bat insulation in the walls is a better sound insulator than solid polystyrene. Maybe it's a combination. But it's quieter.
Speaking of quieter, ducted A/C return vents are quieter than the 14" square returns. When the A/C was running in the Bighorn, I'd have to turn up the television. I can barely hear the A/C on my new SOB. Several manufacturers are doing this now and I have no doubt that Heartland will, too.
When I first got the 2011 Bighorn I was thrilled with the hydraulic landing gear. I now would like to say that 2 hydraulic legs are great, but 6 is life changing. We became used to the rig rocking in heavy Kansas winds, but that's a thing of the past now. Like I said, life changing. Worth every penny.
I now have 17.5" wheels & Michelin load range J tires. I had the best Heartland offered on both my Bighorns, the 16" Goodyears. I like having a little more safety margin. Heartland should offer this option.
Most of the competing brands out there use a lot of the same components from the same manufacturers. Frame, axles, furnace, refrigerator, windows, air conditioner, fans, etc. My new rig shares many of these from my past rigs. The differences are elsewhere. My new rig uses T&G (tounge & groove) plywood in place of OSB (oriented strand board) for flooring and roof decking. It has solid wood & wood veneers where my Heartland had some solid wood and some photo wrapped wood products. My new rig has a nicer interior fit & finish, higher quality materials, far nicer carpet, is quieter and more stabile than either of my Heartland trailers.
Summed up I think Heartland is great when it comes to "bang for your buck", They have some of the best floor plans out there, too. I had to spend much more money to get something better, but the things that I have now I wouldn't want to give up.
This message board is great. It has helped me over the years. I've learned a lot here & would like to think I've contributed, too. Best wishes to all of you.
