MCrankyPants
Dayton OH USA
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Joined: 04/17/2003
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Long post...bear with me, need opinions 
We've been fulltiming with our jobs for 11 years (we do Renaissance fairs), and have been through two mid-range trailers, and are looking to do a serious upgrade.
We haul a fair bit of tools and supplies with us, so we have a toyhauler now.
Unfortunately my better half made the mistake of looking at some "normal" fifth wheels today, I made an offhand remark about how nobody makes a fifth-wheel with big enough storage to replace the toyhauler.
Unfortunately (bigger one this time) the dealer was a Teton dealer 
Showed us some of the smaller, lighter units with the dual 40" high storage compartments.
Needless to say, we're both hooked.
Trying to rationalize it by saying why pay 60 grand for a nice toyhauler that we might only get 6 to 8 years out of, when we can pay 80 or so for a Teton that could last us 15 years.
Here's the question...are there any fifth-sheels out there slightly less high-end aka. a bit cheaper with close to that amount of storage?
Thanks!
2007 Teton Experience Sunrise pulled by 2003 Dodge 3500 Cummins HO 6-spd. 4x4
'61 VW Double-Cab
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Larryonearth
North America
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Joined: 11/14/2004
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It is definitely not foolproof (but neither is buying new) but we bought a used fulltimer rig and are very happy with it. The advantage is you can get a used high quality rig for a lot less, even if you have to put some $ in it. There are some Tetons, Travel Supremes and Mountain Aires out there. You might look over www.pplmotorhomes.com to see some different models.
We were able to remodel ours, add a generator, solar panels, HWH hydraulic levelers and a bunch of other stuff for less than a new unit of lower quality would have cost us.
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marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
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Joined: 04/19/2003
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Your class 3 (1 ton) Dodge dually may be working hard to pull a Teton. That fiver can easily weigh 20K# to 24K#, more than your truck will easily pull.
We too are long-time fulltimers looking for more storage (and places to bunks grandkids), but we aren't ready to make the move. We've been looking at higher end toy haulers, but haven't found anything with the quality and features we now have. We could go to a Teton because our class 7 truck (in sig below) will pull anything, but they cost more than we can afford.
I know I haven't answered your questions, but we are quite interested in the answers you will hopefully get. If you got a bigger truck, you could store many things in it rather than in the fiver (just a thought). We can now take much more with us than when we had a F550.
JMHO
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
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et2
MI.
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Joined: 10/31/2007
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Try looking at Grand Junction by Thor. They have a split frame that gives a huge basement. Nicely equipped ... and it will save you probably $15,000 - $20,000.
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MCrankyPants
Dayton OH USA
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Thanks guys...on the Teton, I'm sticking with a Prestige or Experience 33' to stay within weight rating.
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woodburner
Mentor Ohio
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Joined: 12/03/2004
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MCrankyPants wrote:Thanks guys...on the Teton, I'm sticking with a Prestige or Experience 33' to stay within weight rating.
No other 5th offers the kind of basement storage the Teton does; they hold several patents on it and nobody comes close to duplicating it! I don't think you'd regret getting a Teton.
http://www.everest-owners.com/
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Joined: 03/19/2004
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We have a Teton and would not trade  The amount of storage is incredible !! Factory service cannot be beat. Needless to say, we love ours. We have had it nearly 4 years and it is as good as new, if not better...all the little bugs are gone (Including the swarm of Asian beetles  )
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
HAM WB6N (Terry)
2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
2003 Freightliner FL60
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Bluefreight
upstate NY for the winter
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Joined: 06/03/2006
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You will want "wet bolts" as a minimum on the suspension of your Teton for your application. Mor/ryde "IS" will give you a better suspension. The smaller Tetons look good and they seem to be in great demand ( we just left the factory). If you do get one, be sure to join the club.
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Well, I think right now you are in real trouble. In order to save you some grief, I am going to say "Buy it!" Of course I wouldn't want the payment if I were full timing. But beyond that, I would be sure the truck you use is up to hailing that heavy weight around. Good luck. Personally, I love the Teton too. But my Alfa is a great 5th and I will stay with it.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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Jan_Newt
Concord, NC
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Joined: 03/08/2008
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You might want to have a look at the Keystone Raptor 3600. It has a half-garage area for storage (in addition to some under-unit storage) but way more living room than a regular toy hauler.
Here is a shot of the garage area in ours.
Jan & Newt, Concord, NC
USCG-Ret in '94
Will be retired, retired real soon now and full timing it
2007 Keystone Raptor 3600
2001 Ford F-550
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