Are you looking to become or are you already an RV owner? While looking around the dealership, seeing the various options and manufacturers can be daunting. The real question is, what is the right RV brand for you? That is not an easy question as each RV owner has different needs and uses for their recreational vehicle.
Table of Contents
- Forest River
- Keystone RV
- Keystone Fuzion Vs. Forest River Grey Wolf
- Keystone Hideout vs. Forest River Cardinal
With so many options, we’ve narrowed it down to two of the best choices, Forest River and Keystone RVs. In this article, we’ll cover these two RV brands and compare the RVs to some of the competitors in the industry to help you pick out a new RV for your journey.
Forest River
Forest River is a unique brand owned by Berkshire Hathaway that offers travel trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes, toy haulers, destination trailers, and tent campers. This brand is known for its fiberglass roofs and wide selection of models and floor plans. With so much variety, Forest River is a dream for any traveler who is looking for the perfect new RV for their next vacation.
Overall, Forest River is known for having affordable prices, an extensive network of country-wide dealers, and an overall positive rating from customers. Forest River RVs have been around since 1996 when they started making travel trailers, fifth wheels, and park models. Since the beginning, this brand has focused on creating “better recreational vehicles.” Forest River does offer a standard one-year warranty.
Forest River Customer Service
Reviews clearly distinguish between customers who purchased the extended warranty with Forest River and those who did not. If you want to make sure that your New RV is protected and comes with the best Customer Service, it’s recommended by many customers that you purchase the extended warranty. With many reviews calling these fifth wheels and travel trailers “beautiful,” you will feel at home with Forest River RVs. Forest River has better customer service reviews across review sites than Keystone does.
Keystone RV
Keystone recreational vehicles are owned by Thor Industries. Known for their travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and destination trailers, Keystone boasts of being the “Biggest RV Manufacturer in North America” on their website. With a slogan like “Camp Better,” you can’t go wrong with this company. Many of their models come equipped with solar power and fuel-efficient engines, and you can even “build your RV” on their website.
Keystone is also known for selling new RVs at affordable prices, though Forest River does offer a more extensive selection of toy haulers. Keystone does provide a standard one-year warranty, and repairs are offered through authorized repair centers.
Keystone Customer Service
Like the Forest River, many customers recommend buying the extended warranty for the best customer service experience with Keystone. Many reviewers also mentioned that contacting Keystone customer service is the best way to get optimal support instead of going directly to an authorized repair shop. While the customer service comes with mixed reviews, it depends on what repair shop is used across the country. Some customer reviews include individuals saying they were “Very Pleased with Keystone!”
Keystone Fuzion Vs. Forest River Grey Wolf
Keystone Fuzion:
The Keystone Fuzion is the perfect fifth-wheel toy hauler for high-adrenaline getaways. Known for being light with its’ aluminum framing and 13-foot garage, you’ll have abundant space for your outdoor toys. This recreational vehicle floor plan includes two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and two beds, in addition to storage and other comfortable pleasures.
The Keystone Fuzion comes with adjust-a-track tie-downs with 38 points to secure an extensive range of vehicles. With space for all your toys, room for all your guests, this open floor plan RV will surely entertain and create the perfect space for your next vacation.
Forest River Grey Wolf
This travel trailer is designed with the family and budget in mind without sacrificing necessary comfort. The Grey Wolf comes in various sizes, including a Toy Hauler floor plan for all outdoor adventures compared to the Keystone Fuzion. Some customers’ favorite features include the super-sized air conditioner and fold-out shades for outdoor relaxation.
The Grey Wolf 26DBH floor plan has rear double bunk beds and will sleep up to 8, making it the perfect family bunkhouse or group getaway space. This model even comes with a walk-in pantry! This fantastic RV comes with an outdoor camp kitchen attached to the RV, outside TV mount, and exterior speakers. With so many outdoor accessories, this RV is the perfect selection for those who want to spend as much time outside as possible.
Keystone Hideout vs. Forest River Cardinal
Keystone Hideout
The Keystone Hideout is a travel trailer in various sizes. This fantastic RV model can fit up to 10 people in the most significant model and up to 4 in the smallest model. It comes with one queen size bed and up to two bunk beds. This model is considered relatively new in the RV space and includes a deluxe kitchen with a three-burner stove and oven.
The living space floor plan includes a 50” TV and electric fireplace. With this model, you’ll feel like you’re living in luxury while on the road. If you’re looking for an affordable model without sacrificing the bells and whistles you like from a brick-and-mortar house, this RV model will come close.
Forest River Cardinal
The Forest River Cardinal is a fifth wheel known for its luxurious interiors and high-end feel. Like the Hideout, it has a fantastic kitchen that will make you feel like you never left home while cooking on the road. In addition, the Cardinal comes with a double-door refrigerator that you can stock with enough snacks for your road trip adventure.
In addition to the fantastic finishings and kitchen, the Cardinal comes with a range of sizes and slide-out options with a variety of floor plans. This model lets you choose between rear or front living with a classic den area. The Cardinal, like the Keystone Hideout, also comes with a fireplace and large TV, but the Cardinal includes a soundbar for all your music and movie needs.
Tony is an avid camper and RV traveler. He fell in love with camping on his first RV trip with his wife over 25 years ago. Tony loves sharing lessons learned and tips about RV maintenance and safe traveling.
