It’s the time of year again when we get to see which RVs, campgrounds, resorts and RV dealers came out a cut above the rest and won the big annual RV awards. We’ve just seen the 2016 results, and they’re pretty exciting! If you’ve been thinking about a new RV, or you’re starting to plan your 2017 camping and road trips, now is the time to read up on what other RVers think is the best of the best. The folks who are handing out these awards are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry, and they’ve taken the time to solicit the opinions of thousands of other RVers, dealers and industry leaders who know the RV lifestyle inside and out.
<strong>Motorhome Magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards gives motorhome enthusiasts the opportunity to vote for their favorite motorhomes and everything that goes with them, from cleaning products to dinghy vehicles. In other words, these are “simply the best” motorhomes, RV destinations and auxiliary products chosen by other RVers just like you.
The National RV Dealers Association (RVDA) is the only national association dedicated to helping RV retailers with education, member services, industry leadership, etc. They bestow their annual Quality Circle Awards to RV manufacturers that “achieve the highest rating in the association’s Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) Survey”. This award is chosen by dealers like Guaranty. We keep a close eye on the RVs that come through our inventory, looking for the best manufacturers, those who give top of the line service and build the highest quality RVs on the road today. Those are the only ones we vote for.
For the next couple weeks, we’re going to talk about some of the motorhomes and towables that won the big prizes for 2016. As we turn the corner to 2017, we’ll also take a look at award-winning campgrounds, resorts and the best states to RV, so you can start planning your next adventures!
Motorhomes: Best of 2016—Class As
The Motorhome Magazine Reader’s Choice Award voters and the RVDA DSI survey agree that Newmar and Winnebago continue to be excellent choices in the Class A division of motorhomes, and we couldn’t agree more!
Since Winnebago Industries was founded in 1958 in Forest City, Iowa, they have worked hard to become one of the foremost RV manufacturers in the nation. They’ve literally built hundreds of thousands of motorhomes, and their commitment to quality, safety and innovation has never wavered. Winnebago is the only RV manufacturer who has consistently received the RVDA Quality Circle Award every year since 1958. It’s no wonder they’ve become a household name—when America thinks of motorhomes, they think of the iconic Winnebago “W”. Whether you’re looking for a gas powered Class A like the stylish Sunstar, or a Suncruiser with high end amenities, or you’ve got your eye on a high powered diesel pusher like the opulent Grand Tour or the stunning Solei, Winnebago will give you the level of long lasting value you’re looking for.
Newmar is another iconic American RV manufacturer who has been doing things right since the very beginning. They have been building some of the best motorhomes in the industry for nearly 50 years and are widely known for their craftsmanship and innovation in design, as well as their rockstar customer service. They’ve brought innovations to RV manufacturing like a unique chassis welding process to make a quieter, smoother ride, and the Newmar Full-Paint Masterpiece™ Finish for a gorgeous exterior that lasts the lifetime of the motorhome. In the gas powered Class A division, we’ve long been fans of Newmar’s Bay Star model for its sleek livability and ease of driving. And for a step up in gas powered elegance, we also love the Canyon Star. (Note: Newmar’s Canyon Star 3911 has an excellent wheelchair accessible floorplan– give us a call if you’d like to learn more about this option.) Newmar also scores big points in the diesel Class A category with their beautiful Ventana and Dutch Star models, which bring a perfect blend of high end amenities and supreme comfort to life on the road.
Motorhomes: Best of 2016—Class Cs
Whether you’re looking for a motorhome to transport the whole family, or you want a little more fuel efficiency than you can get from a big Class A motorhome, a Class C model is a great choice. 2016’s three big winners in this category are Winnebago, Jayco and Thor Motor Coach.
Winnebago’s Class C lineup includes models built on both Ford and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, and integrates powerful body design, versatile livability and high tech electronics. So whether you’re looking for a sleek turbo diesel Navion on a Sprinter chassis, or a supremely family friendly floorplan like you’ll find in the Spirit, there is a Winnebago Class C motorhome to fit your needs. Whichever model is right for you, you’ll know that you’re getting top of the line quality that will serve you for years to come.
Jayco is another American RV manufacturer that has been around a long time (since 1968) and has shown a consistent commitment to build the best Class C motorhomes at a great value. Jayco is currently the nation’s largest family-owned and operated RV manufacturer. These family-favorite Class C’s blend old-world Amish craftsmanship with state of the art technology, and give floorplan options that sleep as many as 11 people! For high quality at a good price, we recommend looking at Jayco Greyhawk or Melbourne models, and if you want to go up a step in power, the diesel powered Seneca has what it takes to travel anywhere you want to go.
Thor Motor Coach was founded in 2010, so might look like a newcomer to the motorhome market. But this powerhouse manufacturer was actually created from a merger of Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International, so puts decades of RV manufacturing expertise into every Class C motorhome they build, and the quality shows! Today, Thor Motor Coach builds nearly one out of every four motorhomes sold in the U.S., including some of the most recognizable Class C’s on the road. The ever family friendly Winds models are a Guaranty RV favorite!
Next week we’re going to continue looking at the 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards and RVDA winners. If you’re curious about this year’s top Class B motorhomes (campervans) and towables, be sure to check back in. And give us a call if you have any questions.
