We have a 2013 Hallmark Ute purchased in October 2012 so we are coming up on ten years. We have probably explored our way around the western states for about 75,000 miles, many on gravel roads.
We had several issues, several of which happened within several days if purchase. The first was a leak under kitchen sink which they repaired onsite, the second was losing the hardware which attached the Fast Guns to the rear bumper (we found a better part in Grand Junction and although Hallmark said they would cover the cost, it never happened), and the third was the privacy curtain catching on the bars that raise the top.
The biggest issue, thankfully, happened within the warranty period for the mechanism that raises the top: it started raising just one side. I always watch outside so was able to cut the power. We had to drive from Page Springs campground (south of Burns, Oregon) to the factory for repair. The problem was faulty installation. They also added the door stop which they forgot and the insulation curtain for the door.
Since then, we have had no issues and we have travelled on some gnarly roads like Jumbled Rock Gulch and the road to Delamar ghost town, both in Nevada.
I think the RV industry has trouble attracting quality workers because they pay so poorly. Americans want cheap so….. I can see the appeal to build your own, especially if you have the skills.
All in all, we are happy with our camper and have travelled in relative comfort to some amazing places. For us, it is nimble enough to go off road to secluded areas without listening to the big rigs and their obnoxious generators who have bigger quality control issues. They couldn’t go where we go without rattling something loose. Photo is from a few weeks ago at McLaughlin Canyon south of Tonasket, WA.
