BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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We narrowed our search down to the Montana, Cedar Creek, and Cardinal. Then found a dealer that sold all 3. That made it easy to compare each for what WE wanted. We spent a lot of time going from one to the other and finally decided on the Montana. Something about it just kept pulling us back to it. And a lot of searching on the web it appeared that all the above had about equal customer satisfaction. That was a little over a year ago, 6000+ miles, and 50 nights in it. One trip back to the dealer for a minor warranty item. A few minor things I have done myself such as tightening loose screws. I am very happy with our choice.
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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sdagro wrote: Been researching Cardinal by Forest River, Montana by Keystone, Bighorn by Heartland or Jaycos' Designer.
My Opinion FWIW...Considering quality, resail value
1. Montana, Jayco Designer
2. Cardinal
3. Bighorn
Other opinions may vary.
I too would consider the dealer as part of the equation, for after the sale, and waranty service. And some dealers may have better resources for Financing if you need it. Not that financing should change your mind on the trailer. But in this day and age, banks are very demanding when it comes to qualifying loans. And unless a large down payment, some may not be able to get attractive financing.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
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sdagro
Independence,LA
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Joined: 01/21/2006
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BB_TX wrote:We narrowed our search down to the Montana, Cedar Creek, and Cardinal. Then found a dealer that sold all 3. That made it easy to compare each for what WE wanted. We spent a lot of time going from one to the other and finally decided on the Montana. Something about it just kept pulling us back to it. And a lot of searching on the web it appeared that all the above had about equal customer satisfaction. That was a little over a year ago, 6000+ miles, and 50 nights in it. One trip back to the dealer for a minor warranty item. A few minor things I have done myself such as tightening loose screws. I am very happy with our choice.
That sounds almost too good to be true. I've never found a dealer that has more than 1 brand that I'm interested in. That would definitely save time, fuel and the "what did that other 5ver have in it" syndrome. Thanks for the comments and keep'em coming. Steve A. Dagro
G-E-A-U-X T-I-G-E-R-S
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cruz
Prescott, AZ
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As you're finding out, opinions are like ... well, you get the idea.
Our choices when we looked (for over a year)
1. Jayco Designer / Bighorn
2. Cardinal
and a distant 6th. Montana
Reasons we picked what we did ... Quality/Comfort and Floorplan.
Reasons we did not pick the following ...
Bighorn ... comfort and floorplan. (couch and lounge chairs not as comfortable)
Cardinal ... Floorplan
Montana ... Quality/Comfort/Floorplan and dealer.
Again ... just my opinion.
CRUZ
HR & Beth
2006 Chevy Silverado LT3 3500HD, DRW, D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and RED
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS
Cassie - pure Black Giant Schnauzer
Mollie - pure White Mini Schnauzer (the boss)
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Sounds like good choices to me. What the heck, we are looking at much the same. 
IMO:
1 - Bighorn
2 - Cedar Creek
3 - Jayco
4 - Montana
5 - Cardinal
I am surprised like someone else posted that you didnt include Cedar Creek if including Forest River line. Perhaps you dont have a local dealer?
Someone mentioned the Heartland Forum - here is a link.
http://www.heartlandowners.org/forum/
Their site:
http://www.heartlandrvs.com/products.html
Ask around what the ranking within a single mfg is where they have more than 1 offering that you are interested in.
Ask the dealer with several lines which one the feel is the best value.
The new Camping World at I81 at Exit 146 Carries Montana and Cedar Creed/Silver Back. Just opened 2 weeks ago. Their push is Cedar Creek indicating better trailer frame, 100% Gelcoat exterior, etc.
We are close to selecting from our first 2 - Bighorn and Cedar Creek.
We have pretty much removed Jayco because to get what we want we have to upgrade to the Designer which is very expensive to us.
Good luck on your search.
* This post was
edited 08/24/08 04:03am by wittmeba *
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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Camping Dutchman
NJ
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Our cedar creek has been great and is a step over cardinal. Hung walls vs. Laminated. We looked at the same ones as you and chose the Cedar Creek.
2008 Chevy 3500 cc DRW Duramax
2009 Cedar Creek Silverback
2004 United Specialties Sold
Member:Good Sam Club Haulin Highlanders
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davonelson
Pensacola, FL
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I would strongly suggest that you may be limiting yourself by only considering these few better known models. First of all go to www.rv-coach.com/rv/manufacturers/survey and see what owners say about them and then take a look at one of the best values out there in Sunnybrook. After studying and comparing for over a year I was told to check out Sunnybrook and I am glad I did. After two years and two cross country trips, I well satisfied.
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Karen 'n Tom
Bay City, Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2003
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We love our Cardinal, and it seems to be a step above Cedar Creek. Look at the specs... ;-)
Whichever model you choose, just make sure it's the one YOU like, and not the one all of the rest of us owners are touting just because we want to justify our purchases!!
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Karen 'n Tom
2007 GMC Sierra HD2500, extended cab, 6000 v8
2008 Cardinal LE 30RK
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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Id really like to know for sure as Cedar Creek is still in the 1-2 of choices.
I always thought Cedar Creek was the top of the line in this level.
Cedar Creek here:
Cedar Creek
Corrected Cardinal here:
Cardinal
* This post was
last
edited 08/27/08 01:47pm by wittmeba *
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Aktravler
Retired from Alaska, On the road
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Joined: 05/16/2002
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Good Point!
Most of the manufacturers have several lines that are similar but with quality differences.
For example:
In the generally known as the "Montana" line there is the Mountaineer, Montana, and Big Sky at the top. Be aware that the manufacturers change their "quality builds" regularly. It must be to keep us on our toes!
With Heartland, its the (which is their entry model?), Big Horn followed by the Landmark. Designer is Jayco's top "build quality" model.
You have to watch comparing entry level, mid level and top level builds. You sort of need to figure these out and try though, to really compare. It gets real complicated to compare apples to apples though. In many/most of these "build quality's" you will find the same/similar floor plans spanning the range.
Then you just have to sit there and bond with the rig...
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