If you’re in the market for an RV and wondering whether Brinkley is the right choice, you’re not alone. After living full-time in our Brinkley fifth wheel for an entire year, we’ve put this rig to the ultimate test—traveling over 12,000 miles, experiencing different terrains, and calling various campsites home. In this detailed review, we’ll share everything we’ve learned about our Brinkley RV, from the quality of construction to customer service and everything in between.
So, is Brinkley a good brand? Keep reading for an honest and personal review based on our experience.
The Journey to Brinkley RV: Our Backstory
Hi, we’re Victoria and Craig—a couple of adventure lovers who decided to swap traditional living for the RV life. After selling our home in 2022, we jumped into full-time RV living with a 6-year-old 2014 Dutchmen Denali. However, after countless repairs and maintenance issues, we knew it was time for a change.
Enter the Brinkley RV Model Z—our new home on wheels. We upgraded to this luxurious fifth-wheel after researching numerous brands, and after living in it for a year, we can confidently say it was a solid investment. But we’re not here to just share the good stuff. We’ll also cover the challenges we faced, the repairs we’ve had to make, and how the company has handled it all.
Our Brinkley RV Model: Specifications and Features
Image Credit: The RV Hunter YouTube Channel
We currently live in the Brinkley RV Model Z3100, a 35-foot luxury fifth-wheel designed for full-time living. It’s a modern unit with everything you could need for extended travel.
Key Features of Our Brinkley RV Z3100:
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Dimensions: 34′ 11″ x 8′ x 13′ 2″
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Holding Tanks: 75-gallon fresh, 90-gallon gray, 45-gallon black
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Weight: UVW of 11,923 lbs; GVWR of 14,995 lbs
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Sleep Capacity: 4 people
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Warranty: 1-year limited base warranty; 3-year structural warranty
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Fuel Economy: 10-12 mpg when towing with our 2020 Ram 3500 SRW
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Other Features: Modern design, king-size bed, gourmet kitchen with island, heavy-duty chassis, solar panel, and full-time living features.
Who Makes Brinkley RV? The Brand Behind the Rig
Founded in 2022, Brinkley RV is an independent manufacturer located in Goshen, Indiana. While a new player in the RV industry, Brinkley is backed by seasoned RV veterans. The brand focuses on offering long-lasting, high-quality RVs for full-time living.
With a commitment to innovation, Brinkley has focused on eliminating common RV issues and creating better-built units. They have several production facilities, with cutting-edge equipment and dedicated teams focused on improving RV construction and customer service.
The Brinkley RV Experience: Our 1-Year Review
1. Interior Quality and Layout
When we first stepped inside our Brinkley RV, we were immediately struck by the sleek, modern aesthetics. The design features Euro-style frameless windows, which, in our opinion, gave the rig a contemporary look that no other RV at the time could match.
Highlights:
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Residential feel: The layout is spacious and functional, offering more open space than we anticipated, despite the RV being 3 feet shorter than our previous rig.
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Smart storage: With clever features like pull-out trash bins, pet dishes, and multipurpose benches, Brinkley has truly maximized the usable space.
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Comfortable living: We love the theater seating, large fridge, and king-size bed that offer the comforts of home while on the road.
Minor Complaints:
While we love the modern design, the Furrion appliances (microwave, fridge, etc.) are not our top choice. However, we understand that Brinkley opts for these appliances to maintain an affordable price point without sacrificing the overall quality of the unit.
2. Exterior Durability and Build Quality
The exterior build was one of the major reasons we chose Brinkley. We had dealt with issues of poor construction in our previous RV, and Brinkley’s promise of a more durable, automotive-grade exterior was exactly what we needed.
Positives:
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Sturdy construction: No water intrusion or damage after 10 months, even with varying weather conditions.
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Sleek design: The modern lines and exterior storage capacity (130+ cu.ft.) are great for our gear, including a Christmas tree and paddleboard.
Challenges:
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So far, no complaints here—everything has held up as expected.
3. Suspension and Chassis: Smooth Travel
If you’re an RV traveler, you know how important the suspension and chassis are to the overall driving experience. Brinkley has made significant upgrades here, using a heavier-duty chassis with high-quality tires and suspension systems to make travel smoother and more reliable.
Why We Love It:
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Sturdy chassis: Custom-designed in-house by Brinkley’s engineers, the chassis is built to handle the stress of full-time travel. We’ve never felt concerned about the frame or suspension.
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Safe and reliable tires: Equipped with H-rated 16-ply tires, we’ve had zero issues on the road.
Customer Service: Brinkley’s Strongest Suit
In all our years of RV travel, we’ve never encountered a company as committed to customer satisfaction as Brinkley. We had a motherboard issue with our leveling system during a holiday weekend, and Brinkley overnighted the part to us—no questions asked.
What We Love:
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Exceptional customer service: Brinkley’s team is responsive, friendly, and dedicated to solving any issues that come up. They kept us informed every step of the way.
Complaints:
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Honestly, we have no complaints in this department. The entire process, from purchase to support, has been top-notch.
Repairs and Common Issues: What We’ve Encountered
Image Credit: Big Truck Big RV YouTube Channel
Every RV, no matter how high-end, comes with a few bumps along the road. But overall, our Brinkley RV has been durable, and most issues we’ve faced have been cosmetic.
Here’s what we’ve dealt with (all covered under warranty):
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Broken bathroom fan
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Issues with cabinet doors
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Bubbling in dining chairs
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Minor water leakage (fixed by Brinkley)
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Lippert brake recall
For 10 months and 10,000 miles, the number of issues has been minimal, and Brinkley has quickly resolved all of them.
Brinkley RV Factory Tour: Behind the Scenes
One of the coolest parts of our journey with Brinkley was visiting their factory in Goshen. We got a full tour and saw firsthand how their units are made.
Key Takeaways:
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Cutting-edge facilities: Brinkley’s 175,000-square-foot plants are state-of-the-art, with advanced equipment that ensures precise construction.
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Innovative designs: From upgraded chassis frames to waterproofing with Eternabond, Brinkley is revolutionizing RV manufacturing.
What We Love Most About Brinkley RV
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Modern design: It’s everything we wanted in an RV—stylish, functional, and made to last.
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Heavy-duty build: We’ve traveled through all types of conditions, and our Brinkley RV has held up perfectly.
What We’d Change
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Size: Sometimes we wish we had a smaller rig for accessing more remote areas, but that’s more of a personal preference than a flaw in the Brinkley design.
Final Thoughts: Is Brinkley RV Worth It?
After living in our Brinkley RV for a full year, traveling across 21 states, and pushing it to the limit, we can confidently say that this rig is worth every penny. It has exceeded our expectations in terms of quality, design, and performance. The attention to detail, customer service, and overall experience make it a standout in the RV industry.
We’re excited for the next leg of our journey—Alaska, here we come! And yes, if we had to do it all over again, we’d buy our Brinkley Model Z in a heartbeat.
FAQ
1. How much does a Brinkley RV cost?
Brinkley RVs start at around $100,000, depending on the model and features.
2. What’s the warranty like on a Brinkley RV?
Brinkley offers a 1-year limited base warranty and a 3-year structural warranty.
3. How does Brinkley compare to other RV brands?
Brinkley stands out for its high-quality build, modern design, and exceptional customer service.
4. Are Brinkley RVs good for full-time living?
Yes! Brinkley’s RVs are designed specifically for full-time living with heavy-duty features and residential-style interiors.
Feature Image Credit: Big Truck Big RV YouTube Channel
