Which is better: Keystone or Forest River?
In this article, we will discuss: Which is better: Keystone or Forest River? We will review both RV brands and discuss their pros and cons.
Which is better: Keystone or Forest River?
It is difficult to say whether Keystone or Forest River travel trailers are better. Both are great brands that offer high-quality RVs at decent prices. Nonetheless, to help you decide which RV brand is better for you, we have compared them in the table below:
| Criteria | Keystone | Forest River |
| Pros | Sofa beds, Murphy beds, Queen beds and bunk beds… you’ll have plenty of room to keep everyone sleeping! Plus, their sizes ranging from 21’3 “to 32’4” (and weighing between 3421 and 5743 lbs) make them towable by many utility vehicles and all pickup trucks! | The floorplan and general RV layout, more spacious. Connection for WiFi/phone/ cable/satellite/up to four TVs. |
| Cons | Poor quality materials used in the RVs finishing (according to customer reviews) | Customer service and product quality could improve (according to customer reviews) |
| Quality and reputation | Great quality with up-to-date features. | Among the highest amount of complaints from customers (about 1 in 10) |
| Model variety and Price | Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up trailers, Class C and Class A motorhomes. Price: under the $30,000 mark | Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up trailers, Class C and Class A motorhomes. Price: under the $30,000 mark |
Are Keystone RVs a good choice?
Keystones make good quality RVs, camper trailers, fifth wheels and miniature trailers. Founded in 1996, Keystone RV is the leading manufacturer of fifth wheels in North America and a leading manufacturer of caravans.
Keystone RVs are available in many types and sizes of towable products. From ultralight trailers that can be towed by newer fuel-efficient cars and smaller vans to luxurious fifth wheels, Keystone RV has the right trailer for you.
As one of the largest manufacturers of towable RVs in the world, their incredible volume allows Keystone to offer more high-quality equipment for your money than any other brand on the market today. When it comes to giving you more for your money, no other brand compares to Keystone. With manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Oregon, they are able to better meet your needs.
When choosing a new RV, it’s important to work with the right RV trader. Keystone has you covered with over 1,000 merchants across the United States and Canada.
Which Keystone RV is right for you?
Buying a trailer or any other RV is a significant investment, and that is why our advisors are there to guide you in choosing the best vehicle for your needs. Want to buy a small, lightweight trailer that can be towed with an SUV or even some sedans?
The Passport model is a great choice! Available in several versions, this trailer offers you all the amenities you will need, such as a bathroom with shower and toilet, a queen-size or wall-mounted bed (Murphy), an equipped kitchen, a dining area, a living area with a TV and more. And to increase interior space, several models have one or more extensions while outside, you will find an electric awning and a kitchenette, among others.
- Passport SL and Passport GT – Passport is one of the most popular trailer lines, the Passport 239ML model is one of the bestsellers, although it was recently renamed 219BH! This line of trailers offers two ranges, the Passport SL which combines convenience, lightness and good value for money, and Passport GT offering a few more features.
- Keystone fifth wheel trailers – Keystone’s Cougar fifth-wheel line is well known, but did you know it also offers classic trailers? We find the same characteristics that have built the reputation of this brand which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019. If fifth-wheel trailers interest you, our inventory of Cougar and Cougar Half-Ton fifth-wheel trailers!
The Cougar trailer is built to offer strength and lightness, as indicated by the Half-Ton mention, the trailers of this line can be pulled by a half-ton pickup truck.
- Cougar and Cougar Half-Ton – Cougar is one of the best-selling and recognized brands of fifth-wheel trailers. This Keystone line is well established and has already celebrated its 20th anniversary and they took the opportunity to revisit the exterior and interior appearance of their products.
Here are the main elements that have contributed to the reputation of the Cougar line! If you are interested in a classic trailer, check out our article on the Cougar HT trailer! If you’re looking for a lighter fifth-wheel trailer, the Cougar HT range might be right for you.
Are Forest River RVs a good choice?
Forest River trailers are a good deal for their price and a popular choice in the United States, sometimes due to the huge number and models that there are on the market.
The best-selling Forest River vehicles are the very popular Georgetown or the C-Class Sunseeker, vehicles that are built with an arched fibreglass monocoque roof having an R-18 insulation ratio.
The advantages of this choice of construction are numerous and important for a future buyer:
- Longer lifespan;
- Greater weather resistance;
- Does not require annual maintenance (roof);
- Fewer joints create possible water infiltration in the future;
- Double windows for better insulation and therefore a longer period of use;
- Greater soundproofing in the vehicle;
- The higher resale value of the vehicle;
- 2-inch Vacuum-Bond Laminated exterior walls;
- Block foam insulation;
- Superlite composite named AZDEL;
- Plastic-coated fibreglass exterior;
- One-piece Beauflor coating in certain vehicles;
- Aluminium frame.
Forest River makes travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, pop-up trailers, Class C and Class A motorhomes, with a price under the $30,000 mark.
Which Forest River RV is right for you?
- Forest River Flagstaff Micro-Lite: An option that provides luxury and convenience would be the Flagstaff Micro-Lite Travel Caravan. The many floor plans provide some comfort in knowing that you can find something to your liking. Floor plans differ in how much your caravan will weigh.
These floor plans are unlikely to be too heavy for your caravan. The highest rate floor plans are Flagstaff Micro-Lite 23LB and Flagstaff Micro-Lite 25FBLS.
- Forest River Sunseeker MBS 2400B: The popular Forest River Sunseeker can hold up to 6 people. You can travel and live in it due to the presence of all facilities – a shower, a stove, a toilet. The driver’s seat is located directly in the van, so there is no need to take an extra car with you.
The MBS 2400B motorhome has a large 120 l tank, which is especially important for long, uninterrupted journeys away from cities.
The bottom line
When looking for a recreational vehicle it is very important not to make mistakes and therefore to seek sound advice on the vehicle that interests us. This purchase is in many cases a vehicle to keep for several years in order to fully benefit from it.
This is the reason why it is essential to observe the quality of the product we acquire and this quality can be observed by simple facts such as the material used for the roof or the thickness of the manufacture of the walls etc.
When the time comes to choose between Keystone or Forest River RVs, take into consideration the comparison criteria, as well and the pros and cons of each RV brand.
What matters more? What are some features you cannot live without while on the road? What would you choose? Feel free to share your opinion!
FAQ on Which is better: Keystone or Forest River?
Are Forest River trailers any good?
Forest River trailers are a good deal for their price and a popular choice in the United States, sometimes due to the huge number and models that there are on the market.
Are Keystone RVs any good?
Keystones make good quality RVs, camper trailers, fifth wheels and miniature trailers. Founded in 1996, Keystone RV is the leading manufacturer of fifth wheels in North America and a leading manufacturer of caravans.
What are the worst RV brands?
The worst RV brands are considered the Forest River, Fleetwood, Winnebago, Gulfstream brands.
Which RVs have the best resale value?
The Jayco Rvs have the best resale value. There are many reasons for this, but we must mention the high-quality materials, strong foundations and longest warranty.
What is the most reliable travel trailer brand?
The most reliable travel trailer brands are:
- Airstream.
- Winnebago.
- Forest River.
- Jayco.
- Keystone.
- Oliver.
- Happier Camper.
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