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RE: HDT/5er vs Class A MH
I've read that 5er's are preferred by movie stars and motorhomes are used by rock stars. The difference being how much and how often you move around. Movie stars park for months at a time, while rock stars move every few days.
It's quite a premium you pay to be able to use the ameneties while the vehicle is in motion.
That is true, but the cost is all worth it, at least to me.
Imagine driving on a 2 week trip and NEVER stopping for a bathroom break, NEVER stopping because someone is hungry, NEVER stopping because someone is bored (Motorhome has 2 TVS, can play video games while moving).
Then, when you want to stay somewhere for the night, you pull into a parking lot/boondock spot, touch a button to level your rig, touch another button to have the slides come out, then touch another button to start the generator.
You never have to leave the motorhome for anything except fuel (75 Gallon tank in gassers, 150+ gallon tank in Diesel) or water (100+ gallons in most Class A's)
All true, but some of us prefer to go outside. I sold the stick house so I could move around outdoors, staying inside except for fuel would defeat my purpose in going full-time. And although I do not have a generator, I can push one button to level the 5ver and other buttons for slides, previous motorhome only ammenities are now available in 5th wheels.
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Camps with Critters
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12/08/09 06:31am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Wanna be full timer
Personnally I think very few people get it right the first time on rig choice. Consider buying a used mid to upper level unit with a floor plan that works for you and try it for a couple years while keeping a list of things you like/dislike and things you would do differently. We lived for 3 years in a Cardinal (that we could have continued to live in for a long time) while we made our list. Then we went to a custom builder and drew up an entirely new unit equipped exactly as we wanted it. We now have paintable walls and colors we like as with a truely custom builder you pick everything from fabrics to window treatments to drawer pulls. It's big, it's heavy, and it's home and we love it.
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Camps with Critters
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12/04/09 12:32am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Your Rig
Yes it is nice & lots of room to ramble around, but then again it is our home 24/7 for 365 per year. I am jealous of the fuel economy the rest of you get, and there are some parks I cannot get into. Over all though I love it!
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Camps with Critters
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12/03/09 11:48pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Your Rig
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h232/campswithcritters/South%20Fork%20Delivered/DSC00196.jpg width=640
Please! limit pictures size to width=640 . Some are getting tired of seeing my rants/posts! :B
Frank
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Camps with Critters
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12/03/09 09:40am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: GVCWR and a Freightliner FL60
While not an FL 60 I do have a M2 licensed GVWR is 19,500. With my rather large camper hooked and full of fuel I am about 100 lbs over that on the truck but under the axle ratings. The GCWR is 60,000 so I am way under that with a combined 37,840 lbs. The truck weighs 14,400 with all my tools etc and full fuel. My camper weighs 23,400 and change loaded for the road with 5,400 of that on the pin. It is plenty of truck for your intended use and will control that camper even if something goes wrong. I recently had the trailer unplug itself and was easily able to stop the rig without trailer brakes. Make sure you get enough hitch for any future rig upgrades, no use having a hitch limited MDT. I use a trailer saver 30,000 lb hitch with a 7500 lb pin lift kit installed, you will not need the lift kit if under 5000 lb pin weight.
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Camps with Critters
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12/02/09 09:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Custom Fiver
Hey Bruce--you need to update your photo with a picture of your new rig.
Thanks Jim, done now.
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Camps with Critters
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12/02/09 08:13am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Custom Fiver
These folks will also hook you up with total custom or one of their existing designs http://www.spacecraftmfg.com/
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Camps with Critters
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11/30/09 03:30am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: MDT owners
I guess I have the odd combo here. My 2008 M2 has an 8.3 330hp Cummins (DPF) with an Allison TRV trans and 2 stage engine brake. I love the power, but admit it is a bit noisy and rides stiff without a load on it. It is thirsty with the DPF but then I did not buy it for luxury or economy, I bought it to tow a huge load wherever I want to go safely. For that it does a fantastic job!
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Camps with Critters
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11/28/09 12:53am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Durango 355BH by KZ or Cardinal 38BHQS LE
Lived in a Cardinal for 3 years with minimal problems. Had over 80K miles on it during that time and it held up great. Do opt for options like dual pane windows and heated tanks to be more comfortable in winter and with a trailer that long a second A/C would be on my list also for days above 95 deg F.
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Camps with Critters
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11/27/09 11:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: I'm out of touch... what 5th wheels are the best these days?
As fulltimers with a capable truck, we would look for a large, sturdy, well insulated fiver. We've looked at Doubletree, New Horizon, SpaceCraft, Carriage, Excel, Teton and Newmar - all currently in business. We wouldn't rule out any other brand that met our requirements. Now we have to come up with the money - or we just keep the rig we have and love. Our current rig has held up very well and looks to last many more years.
Marv
I will second this vote, all good units that will serve well!
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Camps with Critters
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11/13/09 08:54pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Montana Lug Nuts AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Time for a new torque wrench or another brand of 5ver.
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Camps with Critters
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11/12/09 09:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal
Full timer post here:
Truck total 14,320 with 6,280 on drive axle & 8,420 on steer axle GCWR 60,000
Trailer total 23,460 with 5,480 on pin & 17,980 on axles GVWR 24,000
Trailer empty 20,420 with 4,940 on pin & 15,480 on axles (cargo capacity 3,580)
Complete rig ready to roll with full fresh water & propane 37,780 with steer axle at 7,960 drive axle 11,840 and trailer axles (3) at 17,980
All axles are within their ratings and yes I can stop it with huge air brakes on truck & elect/hyd disks on all 6 trailer wheels.
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Camps with Critters
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11/12/09 08:27am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Crazy progressions?
Started out with tents etc then 10 yrs ago pop-up, next was a Hi-Lo, on to 2 different 36 ft 5ers one toy hauler and one not that we full-timed in for almost 4 yrs, now in the big one full-time and loving it!
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Camps with Critters
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11/10/09 08:47pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: New 5th wheel
We lived in a Cardinal 5th wheel for 3 yrs and it is a comfortable unit and suitable for fulltiming. Any mid level unit will need reinforcement of drawers etc as they are built lightweight. Opt for little items like the insulated windows to keep it easy to heat and cool. Mine had over 80K miles when I traded it in and could have kept it going for years easily. Can not comment on Montana as I have never owned one. If you can wait and save a few more years I highly recommend the brand in my signature now, It has more than double the storage of any 5er I've seen. Not light but mine is also very large, it is sturdy and custom built so you choose everything that goes into it instead of a designer in an office somewhere.
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Camps with Critters
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11/10/09 07:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Need quick advice on 5th hitch
You will get a lot of buy this or buy that comments to this one, but Husky makes a good product and has a good reputation. Be sure to get or download instructions and maintenance info so you can inspect it for wear. Parts replaced are cheaper than dropping a fiver. Enjoy!
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Camps with Critters
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11/06/09 08:58pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Space Craft mfg fifth wheel?
I like a good looking rv. So, these are out for me. I will stick with my stylish 2010 Montana.
To each his own. That is why they make both kinds, in my case I was sick of what everybody else (interior designers & such) thought my home should look like. A Spacecraft is custom built and if you like fancy they will do it, if you want simple, functional, and easy to live in they will do that also. It is all about personal choice, we picked everything from colors & graphics to upholstery & drawer pulls and are overjoyed with the finished product for our needs and tastes.
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Camps with Critters
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11/04/09 03:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Space Craft mfg fifth wheel?
I just took delivery of a new Spacecraft. It is a fine unit and very happy with it, but if you want lightweight it is not your best bet. If you want quality and exactly what is in your mind then it is the way to go. They are heavy, mine weighs in at 20,420 lbs empty at 44.5 ft long, but could not be happier with the finished product. It is a truly full timers unit with unmatched quality.
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Camps with Critters
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11/01/09 09:26pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 2001 Cardinal 29RLB LX for $11,000?
The artic pac switches are for the pad heaters on the holding tanks to keep them from freezing. Use them only in temps below freezing and be sure to have some liquid in each tank as they have been known to warp the tanks if used when empty. Sounds like a reasonable price for the camper.
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Camps with Critters
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10/29/09 06:31am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Biggest? Fanciest?
Spacecraft will convert a 53 foot semi trailer for you and build about anything up to that length. They are currently building my own 44.5 foot 5er. And they will make it as fancy as your wallet can stand or just a simple as you want too. Total custom builders.
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Camps with Critters
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10/15/09 10:46am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: New Cameo on Order: Disc Brake Upgrade?
Best upgrade I ever had done! I am also having them on the rig being built for me now. My Kodiaks installed by Mor-Ryde use Buick pads unless they changed recently to a different caliper. That said I have not needed to replace pads yet and have over 40K miles on these brakes. They are much more solid and responsive than the drums and they are quiet (no clicking and chunking).
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Camps with Critters
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09/30/09 10:58am |
Fifth-Wheels
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