Are you planning to invest in a recreational vehicle? Whether for retirement or family excursions, careful preparation is necessary to find the most suitable brand, make, and model for your needs.
With camping becoming increasingly popular among American families, there’s no telling how many choices you have to narrow down.
If you’re torn between buying one (because it’s expensive and high maintenance) and sticking to the conventional tent-based camping method (because it’s cheaper and requires less work), here are some reasons why the former is more lucrative.
Traveling in an RV is more convenient. It may be heavier and more challenging to drive, but it has all the amenities you would normally wish you had whenever you camp out for days in a tent.
An RV provides a safer and more comfortable sleeping area than a tent. You can relax and not worry about animal attacks, extreme weather, and other forms of danger.
You can stay outdoors longer. With nothing but your truck and tent, you can only last three to five days in the wilderness because you’ll run out of supplies.
But with an RV, you have a fridge that can store a couple of weeks’ worth of food. If you run out of supplies, you can drive to the nearest town to buy some more.
More people can tag along. Camping is fun when you’re with more people who share the joy of traveling. You don’t have to travel in separate vehicles and burn more fuel.
There’s no reason to hold back if you have the budget. An RV is a worthwhile investment. Also, while it seems already popular, the campground industry is still nascent, meaning it has yet to explode.
When it does, and the demand for RV shoots up, expect the prices to skyrocket. Therefore, now is the best time to buy.
But which one should you buy?
We already have dozens of RV brands out there, but two that stick out are Keystone and Grand Design. These brands are known for their vast catalogs featuring RVs of different sizes, capacities, and amenities.
But before we get into detail, let’s first discuss the things to consider when investing in an RV. This way, you can tell which of these two brands outperforms the other and in what aspects.
- How big is the RV? Size matters when it comes to RVs because it’s one of the reasons you’re buying one in the first place. Plus, your choice of size also depends on how many you plan on inviting every time you go road-tripping.
- How big are the tires? While you can replace the existing tires if you think they don’t provide your RV with enough ground clearance or they are not thick enough for the terrains you’re planning to take on, it pays to have the right tires the first time.
- How much fresh water can it store? This is often a follow-up to the question, “How long do you plan to stay at your destination?” You’ll need fresh water for many things, from cooking to dishwashing to showering. And you’ll need a big storage tank, especially if traveling with friends or family.
- What amenities can I install? The RV must have enough space for a residential fridge, standard kitchen appliances (oven, microwave, and stove), sink and countertop, etc. If you consider this aspect, you’ll want a unit with slide-outs because that’s the only way you can fit all the things you want on that limited floor space.
- How much? Remember to factor in your budget. RVs are expensive for obvious reasons. A smaller and cheaper model will do if you’re only using your RV two to three times a year whenever you need to take a break from work. But if you’re considering traveling full-time, a Keystone or Grand Design RV might be your best option.
Keystone vs Grand Design
Using what we’ve learned, let’s compare some of the standard features of Keystone and Grand Design RVs. First, it’s important to note that just because one is bigger or better in some aspects doesn’t mean it’s the better choice. Buying an expensive product like an RV often involves multiple trade-offs.
| Features | Keystone | Grand Design |
|---|---|---|
| RV Types Offered | Travel trailers, destination travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers | Travel trailers, fifths wheel, and toy haulers |
| Unloaded Weight | 1,004 to 3,795 lbs. | 6,400 to 16,800 lbs. |
| Gross Weight | 3,396 to 16,205 lbs. | 11,000 to 20,000 lbs. |
| Hitch Weight | 485 to 3,625 lbs. | 920 to 3,600 lbs. |
| Dimension | 21’5” x 10’02” to 44’11” x 13’06” ft. | 26'11" x 12’01’ to 44’11’ x 13’05’ ft. |
| Fresh Water Capacity | 27 to 94 gal. | 100 to 140 gal. |
| Grey Water Capacity | 30 to 120 gal. | 74 to 156 gal. |
| Black Water Capacity | 30 to 44 gal. | 39 to 52 gal. |
Unloaded and loaded weight
The weight of your RV affects your speed and wheel control. Unlike a standard SUV, a heavy vehicle like an RV takes extra effort to steer. So when it gets shaken by another heavy vehicle passing by, it might be hard to stabilize.
That’s why some RV users install stabilizers underneath their vehicles, next to the tires. It keeps them in control of their RV in similarly dangerous situations.
Keystone and Grand Design have at least 20 different RV models, each smaller or bigger than the rest. Keystone RVs are much lighter than Grand Design RVs. But it’s not a bad thing.
Weight could mean more amenities and space, which are vital to your overall user experience. That 5,000+ lbs. difference in weight between the smallest models of the two brands speaks volumes.
Keystone will be a good choice if you want something light enough for your tow vehicle. But if you’re looking for more capacity and space, go for Grand Design. It all depends on your taste and needs.
Sleeping capacity
One of the deciding factors for most RV buyers is the sleeping capacity. They want everyone in their family to sleep comfortably at night throughout each trip. You need something big if you’re traveling with four to ten people.
Check out Keystone’s biggest RV model, Raptor. It has a king-bed suite on one end of the RV and an average-sized bed on the other. This means four people can sleep in this RV, or five to seven if they agree to sleep on the recliners.
Grand Design’s Momentum 410TH, on the other hand, has a queen bed (which you can replace with a king bed), a space for a Happi-Jac rollover sofa with a top mattress, and an overhead bed.
There’s even a supersofa you can set up in place of the pull-out couch and freestanding dinette. All in all, it sleeps up to 10 people, which is remarkable.
Construction
The longevity of an RV heavily depends on its construction. Most RV owners don’t know this, but most of the value they get from their investment comes from things they don’t see.
For instance, both Keystone and Grand Design RVs have drop frame chassis made of 10″ and 12″ steel I-beams with numerous cross beams for added strength. The frame also has outriggers to keep the RV stable.
Above the frame are several layers of insulation and waterproofing elements, including fluted polypropylene and a 5-inch thick Durospan. This insulation can keep the inside of the RV warm during winter and fresh during summer.
The walls are outfitted with thick insulation, but the outer covering is high-class fiberglass. Only with this construction can you consider your RV your home away from home.
Customization
Keystone, Grand Design, and other RV manufacturers gain a competitive edge by adding new features that make people’s lives easier or cozier. They understand that with so many features available, it’s likely that their customers will have a different preferred combination.
So, instead of only offering fixed packages, they offer an option to customize. Keystone, in particular, allows customers to add or modify parts to ensure their RV is unique.
Grand Design does not offer this option directly, but they encourage sharing your ideas and preference so they can personalize your RV.
Excellent in their own rights
Keystone and Grand Design may have similar financial goals, but it’s evident that they have different targets. This shows in their products’ sizes and weights.
Keystone RVs are lighter and smaller, ideal for smaller families looking for budget-friendly options. On the other hand, Grand Design RVs are bulkier and have more luxurious amenities.
In conclusion, buying an RV requires research and shouldn’t be decided overnight. Think about it carefully. Ask for advice from friends who have RVs or know a lot about RVs.
Reading reviews from independent sites also helps because people who leave reviews on those sites most likely own RVs and speak from experience.