RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Fifth-Wheels: ALPENLITE FIFTH WHEELS
RV Community | RV News & Reviews | RV Sales | Plan a Trip | RV Clubs & Services | RV Camping DealsRV.net
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > ALPENLITE FIFTH WHEELS

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Prev
ol Bombero-JC

USA

Senior Member

Joined: 06/24/2004

View Profile


Posted: 10/09/08 04:28pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Agree with everyone - Alpenlite is / "was" a quality mfgr.
Have friends that have (and do) own/ed them = trouble free.
Also - as indicated - "lite" is a misnomer!

As to a warranty - you indicate it's a "used 2005".

The only warranty you would get on a used 2005 of/for any brand would
be an aftermarket warranty you purchased from a third party.
Many on here would say *not* to purchase same. (Me too.)

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a nice used Alpenlite.
If in doubt - have it inspected by someone other than you or the dealer.

~
JC

sirdrakejr

Las Vegas, Nevada

Moderator

Joined: 11/18/2001

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/09/08 08:38pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ask the seller for a "history" on it. They may have records of all and any work done on it. If the unit is sound then I would check with a local dealership and see if they work on them if you ever need to. If they do and you are satisfied the unit is for you, I would not let the fact the company is gone deter you. Many older units are still going strong long after the companies that made them are in the history books. Good luck.
Frank


RV.net blog

For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank

rchonly

Kingman, Arizona, USA

Senior Member

Joined: 07/12/2001

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/10/08 08:37pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Last fall we bought a 1995 Alpenlite / 33' / St Andrews - RK unit and have been very happy with it.

So far the most expensive failure we've had was replacing the furnace thermostat at $15.95.

I've towed it on a few short trips of around 1,000 miles each with ease and we are now on the return leg of a 4,000 plus mile run up into and around the Pacific Northwest. We have a habit of running the "Yellow" highways as much as we can and periodically end up traversing some fairly rough roadbeds and everything inside seems to stay in place.

I was looking for a four seasons 5th wheel and had pinned it down to Alpenlite, HitchHiker II, Artic Fox or Carriage Cameo when I ran across the one we bought and have no regrets. Those four brands were on the final cut list.

The above comments about repair is true as most everything on all these units are pretty generic and can be replaced just about anywhere. For body specific parts on this unit we may all be in trouble, but looking at what's going on in the industry it appears it's not only going to be with the Alpenlite line.

My vote is, if you like it and the price is right, go for it.

Roger


1995 Alpenlite - St Andrews 33RK
2001 Dodge CTD-2500 Quad Cab,4x4,AT,LngBed,w/B&W-GN & Companion


CREATO

Beautiful Harvey N.D.

Senior Member

Joined: 12/17/2006

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/11/08 08:59am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I went to Yakama Washington to the Western rv auction and bought a new 2008 Limited Bellagio interior 34RLR loaded with things I am still learning how to operate. Although it has no factory warrenty in the opps manual there is a list of all the manufacturers and phone numbers to them from apliances to who made the decals and they are warrented through the manufacturer. I thought I had a problem with the Xantax freedom inverter charger I called them an they sent me a new unit no charge when I received it I noticed a reset button that I could not see because of the location in the 5ver I pushed the reset button and every thing works properly now. The guy at the Xantax tech line forgot about the reset button it had kicked out as I was not operating it correctly my bad. we had looked at Alpenlite and Carriage Cameo and decided one of these would be on our wish list for the future. We could not be happier with the unit the quality, layout, workmanship, creature comforts and detail are hard to beat. It is unfortunate that Western RV is out of business but it allowed us to buy new and go first cabin at a fraction of what we would of had to pay. I only wish I would have bought a couple more of them. In my opinion if the unit is in good shape, and the price is right you will never be dissapointed in quality.
Best Reguards


I DON'T RENT OUT SPACE IN MY BRAIN


FordDiesel250

I.P. Texas

Senior Member

Joined: 01/31/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/11/08 12:33pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We bought a used 2003 29 foot Valhalla in 2006. Great quality and a great trailer. It weighs 10.000lbs and pulls like a dream. I searched for a long time before I bought the unit. The previous owner used it only 3 times and decided to sell it because they built a 2 seater airplane and couldn't keep both. It was kept inside a airplane hanger and was almost brand new. We have still not completly figured out have to use everything. It has solar panel installed and is set up for dry camping using the solar panel to recharge the batteries. Great unit and we purchased it for a great price. Good luck and have fun with the trailer you will love it.

Alpha Mom

Durham, NC

New Member

Joined: 09/10/2007

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/13/08 02:35pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We bought a 2000 29RK last year in anticipation of traveling in all seasons and for extended periods of time. Our first excursion was a two week vacation and we really found this rig to be comfortable and accommodating of all our needs. Because we bought this second hand, we did have a laundry list of maintenance items to take care of - all things that we could get parts for and fix ourselves. We think this is a well built and thoughtfully designed fifth wheel. Good insulation, good storage, nice woodwork, great kitchen, general good layout. And, we love the windows and sky light. It is a pleasure to be inside - comfortable and bright. I think you would be pleased. Good luck!

Bill61

Grant Pass Oregon

New Member

Joined: 10/13/2008

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/13/08 03:50pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

True, you should not use upper case. It means you are shouting and some consider it rude.
Bill

BeeTee

Raleigh NC

Full Member

Joined: 05/30/2005

View Profile

Offline
Posted: 10/13/08 05:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Like a lot of other responders you've already heard from, Alpenlite is a top quality brand which makes for a good "used trailer" purchase. We bought a used Valhalla one year ago and have taken many trips in it. The longest was a little better than 3000 miles through New England this past summer. Everything in the trailer worked well . The layout is great and with the large windows and skylight it's extremely bright inside which we like.

Loaded for the long trip we took this summer,the trailer weighed in at 11,800 lbs. with a pin weight of about 2600 lbs.Gross weight for the trailer is 13,800.

I've recently run into some leaking problems with the skylight and the street side external storage area in the slide. Nothing that can't be fixed .

To echo what everyone has said, if you can get a good price, I'd jump on it. You won't regret it.

Bill

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Prev

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > ALPENLITE FIFTH WHEELS
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2008 RV.Net | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS