Higher end brands, what do you get?

**Overtaxed** · 12-05-2021, 03:05 PM

My wife and I are going to take a look at a DRV (JX450) this week just out of curiosity. It's around 2X the list price of our current RV, a GD351M. Similar floor plan, so I'm really curious to see what doubling of the price gets you.

Some things I noticed immediately; IS suspension, 17.5in tires, bigger propane tanks, dual pane windows.

However, that said, all that stuff is available now (not when we bought) from GD. The layout is a little different, but, I guess the fundamental question, is there really that much different between a DRV/Luxe/Spacecraft and the next tier down (where I'd put GD)? Seems like it's all the standard Moryde stuff throughout the coach; same awning, same steps, same axles (or IS).

I'm sure many would say "better built" but that's a hard thing to pin down. Our 351M has been pretty darn good as far as build quality. Sure, things have broken, but nothing huge, and frankly, most of it was non-GD stuff (Moryde/Furrion/etc), same stuff everyone else is using.

For those who've owned or looked at the "next level up" RV's, what did you see as the biggest differences? And if someone owned one than then went to GD (or vice versa) love to hear what you perceived as the biggest differences.

**huntindog** · 12-05-2021, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Overtaxed

My wife and I are going to take a look at a DRV (JX450) this week just out of curiosity. It's around 2X the list price of our current RV, a GD351M. Similar floor plan, so I'm really curious to see what doubling of the price gets you.

Some things I noticed immediately; IS suspension, 17.5in tires, bigger propane tanks, dual pane windows.

However, that said, all that stuff is available now (not when we bought) from GD. The layout is a little different, but, I guess the fundamental question, is there really that much different between a DRV/Luxe/Spacecraft and the next tier down (where I'd put GD)? Seems like it's all the standard Moryde stuff throughout the coach; same awning, same steps, same axles (or IS).

I'm sure many would say "better built" but that's a hard thing to pin down. Our 351M has been pretty darn good as far as build quality. Sure, things have broken, but nothing huge, and frankly, most of it was non-GD stuff (Moryde/Furrion/etc), same stuff everyone else is using.

For those who've owned or looked at the "next level up" RV's, what did you see as the biggest differences? And if someone owned one than then went to GD (or vice versa) love to hear what you perceived as the biggest differences.

Step inside one and the difference is obvious. I would have bought one, but their garage wasn't big enough.

**geotex1** · 12-05-2021, 05:33 PM

HUGE difference from the mass produced models! Frames are outrageously more robust, walls thicker, real wood cabinetry, appliances can be real residential, and so-on. Visit the factories and it will be clear as day to you.

**traveldawg** · 12-05-2021, 05:36 PM

Nice holding tank arrangement too. Be sure to look at that.

**WhittleBurner** · 12-05-2021, 07:11 PM

DRV was bought out by Thor and they are not nearly as well built from before Thor. Our neighbors here in Florida have one from the last year before Thor. We all went to the Tampa RV show 2 years ago and they went to the DRV units to see how they are now. They noticed right away that Thor has cheapened them up. Fit and finish for one thing is not as good as what they used to be. There was many things they had commented on that they were quite surprised at that had changed.

**Overtaxed** · 12-06-2021, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by geotex1

HUGE difference from the mass produced models! Frames are outrageously more robust, walls thicker, real wood cabinetry, appliances can be real residential, and so-on. Visit the factories and it will be clear as day to you.

Well, I'm not going to a factory, but I'm hopefully going to see a new DRV in person this week, so I'll report back. I'm willing to pay more to get more, but if the "more" is all trims and finishes, that doesn't have the value to me. If it's instead, as you said, more robust frames/walls, better running gear, better serviceability; that I'd pay more for.

**JKellerJr** · 12-06-2021, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Overtaxed

IS suspension,

However, that said, all that stuff is available now (not when we bought) from GD.

Just one correction so no one gets mislead. You cannot get IS from MorRyde through GD. You could for awhile from what I understand, but no longer. They will help facilitate the transfer over of your unit after it rolls off the line and prior to delivery to the dealer, if you want. You will still need to deal with MorRyde directly to purchase the suspension. I just did mine this past summer. I will say that both the people from MorRyde, and at GD were fantastic at making it happen pretty seamlessly.

As to the subject at hand, My parents had one prior made prior to the buyout and it was a very well built unit. I have heard the same about a decline after the buyout

**attaboy** · 12-06-2021, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Overtaxed

My wife and I are going to take a look at a DRV (JX450) this week just out of curiosity. It's around 2X the list price of our current RV, a GD351M. Similar floor plan, so I'm really curious to see what doubling of the price gets you.

Some things I noticed immediately; IS suspension, 17.5in tires, bigger propane tanks, dual pane windows.

However, that said, all that stuff is available now (not when we bought) from GD. The layout is a little different, but, I guess the fundamental question, is there really that much different between a DRV/Luxe/Spacecraft and the next tier down (where I'd put GD)? Seems like it's all the standard Moryde stuff throughout the coach; same awning, same steps, same axles (or IS).

I'm sure many would say "better built" but that's a hard thing to pin down. Our 351M has been pretty darn good as far as build quality. Sure, things have broken, but nothing huge, and frankly, most of it was non-GD stuff (Moryde/Furrion/etc), same stuff everyone else is using.

For those who've owned or looked at the "next level up" RV's, what did you see as the biggest differences? And if someone owned one than then went to GD (or vice versa) love to hear what you perceived as the biggest differences.

I found this video helpful when looking at the top brands.
The Audio is good, the video is non sensical.
Hope this helps:
Bob A.

https://youtu.be/WKU2BaArwok

**traveldawg** · 12-06-2021, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Overtaxed

Well, I'm not going to a factory, but I'm hopefully going to see a new DRV in person this week, so I'll report back. I'm willing to pay more to get more, but if the "more" is all trims and finishes, that doesn't have the value to me. If it's instead, as you said, more robust frames/walls, better running gear, better serviceability; that I'd pay more for.

More robust frame. Thicker walls (and, therefore, insulation). A lot of things done differently (like the holding tanks, inverter).

I'd suggest you check out their website to check out their construction. Also maybe visit https://www.5thwheelforums.com/forums/
and ask some questions there about DRV.

**Overtaxed** · 12-06-2021, 05:40 PM

So, went and saw the DRV tonight. Overall impressions were mixed, I took some pictures and I'll give you the pros/cons I saw compared to our 351M. We toured the LX455, 12' garage, 44' overall, 20K unloaded

Pros:
Double paned windows, significantly quieter
Cabinet faces very pretty (see cons for more discussion on cabinets though)
Layout of the unit we say was very well done
Quad slides added enough room to notice to the bedroom
17.5in Goodyear tires
Disc brakes
Equalizers have suspension on them (similar, but not the SRE4000's that I installed on my GD, not sure what system is it)
The basement space was HUGE compared to our 351M
All the panels to access the wiring/plumbing are slide panels (instead of pulling screws like our rig)
Ducted AC (didn't run it, but suspect it's quite a bit quieter than our unit, even with the RV Silencers on it)
Toilets were a marked step up from the GD. In fact, so much so, I'm wondering if I could get them for our unit. Didn't look or feel like an "RV toilet"
No bunk! Some would consider this a con, but the additional headroom is really nice and the space utilized really well in the garage. I'd love this, my bunk over the garage is just wasted space and lost headroom today
The shower was pretty spectacular, no way to deny that!
4 golf cart batteries, inverter already on board
2 heat pumps! I'd love to have this on my 351M (honestly, I'd like 3!) for cool weather camping
Power cord reel; the rig didn't have power running, so I couldn't test it, but looks really nice
Easier service on some wear out parts; the fuel pump for the toys, could change it in 10 mins on this thing. Also, the access panels, mentioned above, would make service easier
The paint/gelcoat was really pretty
Many of the walls had a "soft" feel to them. Kept the noise down, but also just felt nice to touch (not hard and thin like my GD). Not all the walls though, some of them were identical to GD, some of them were the nicer/thicker walls

Cons:
No OneControl?!
No way to control the RV remotely. I REALLY like this on the GD, and honestly, I think this alone may be a deal breaker. We leave our cats in the unit when we hike during the day, I need to be able to see and adjust if something is wrong
Drawers were butt jointed. Again, at this level, I expect dovetails, especially in an RV, where things are rocking/rolling and the extra strength of the dovetail would really help
Some of the wiring was just.. Wow, really type stuff. Just awful, open wires with caps on them under the bed, huh??
Circuit breakers were labeled with a ball point pen? Again, really guys, get the stickers for the breakers!
Table in the rear was freestanding, no holes in the floor for it
Few nails fired in wrong/coming through, again, in pictures below
This will be hard to see in pictures, but the TV, has the power cord coming through the wall and then into a plug. Plenty of room behind the TV, I have no idea why they would do it like this?!
All the gutters had the same problem my GD did, where 2 sections come together, no sealant used, so water drips down. An easy fix with a tube of silicone, but, at this price?

And now for the kicker. I talked to the sales guy and asked, "what's the "sell it today" price". He wanted to talk about my trade, but I said, forget about that, I'll sell it privately, I'm looking for the get it gone today number. Hold on to your hats boys and girls. "The best we can do is list". Well, list on this unit is 232K. I paid 72K for my 351M. That's ~3X the price. After I laughed at him, he did come back and say "Let me talk to the manager" to which I said "yeah, probably a good idea" and he's going to call me back tomorrow with a "better" number. He wants to roll the 351M into the deal too, probably because he knows he can sell it for darn near "new" price, especially with all the upgrades we made, and make out on both sides of the deal.

To my eyes, at "mid 100's" I'd consider it. At "mid 200's", no way. Unless you'll give me 100K for mine. Then maybe.

It is a very nice unit, and it would work well for my wife and I. I'd like to see the JX450 as well (slightly smaller garage) and I'll keep my eyes open for one to tour. But if they seriously think there're getting almost a 1/4 mil for of these things with wiring that looks like what I saw.. Well, good luck I guess? Not from me when the first thing I'd have to do is spend a day or two running conduit. And no OneControl, that's a total "dead deal" to me, honestly, I hate the app, I hate how buggy it is, but I also can't live without remote control of the RV when I'm leaving pets in there, not gonna happen.

Oh, one final HUGE pro. No StepAbove on the main entrance!! Just a standard RV drop down step. That almost makes it work 1/4 a mil to me, we hate that system on the 351. HATE it.

Sorry for the length, hopefully someone finds this useful, and love to hear other opinions or questions, I looked pretty hard at this thing so I may have missed things I took note of but failed to mention above.