JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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just like the Mercedes vs a KIA or standard built vs ultra light. You get what you pay for either way.
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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bobmeel 65
Petal, Mississippi
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Joined: 05/12/2008
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I got a Grand Surveyor made by forrest river I have had it for 2 years only had 1 prob. the awning was too long I called the factory and they had a support install in the middle at no cost to me.
It is a ultra lightweight I pull it with a 2500 dodge diesel and get almost 15 miles to a gal went to mountains in Tenn from gulf coast got 14.1 adv. I pulled this camper with a dodge 1500 for a year.
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Kennedycamper
Algoa, Texas
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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That's a cool website for the ratings of the different RV's. I haven't seen it before. I would look at least a 3/4 ton for a 30ft fifth wheel. 9K lbs is pretty light for one though. Check out the new Open Range brand. My neighbors have one, and are happy with it.
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coachman05
Minnesota
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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We have a Rockwood Ultra lite which is also made by Forest River and so far we are very happy with it. We had a coachmen before and I have to say that the interior quality is much better on the Rockwood.
2008 8244 Rockwood
2003 1500 5.3 liter Silverado
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quarque
Seattle, WA
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Joined: 07/10/2008
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I found a website once that had people posting their experiences with TT and 5ers. I was surprised that even the "top names" in quality had some bad units. I think build quality is half 'design/materials' and half 'Bob-the-builder' on the assembly line. If he doesn't give a **** about his work then you'll get a lemon. But there is some definite trending if you sift through all the data. Jayco is highly rated by many yet gets so-so ratings on sites. I went with a Forest River Surveyor 241RK because the floor plan was what I wanted and they were not at the bottom of the ratings list. I think it is somewhat of a crapshoot no matter who you go with.
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cdrcos
St. Paul, MN
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Joined: 12/13/2001
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There is a "consumer reports" for RV's. As I have in the past on this forum, I would urge you, or anyone else planning to buy an RV, to get a copy of the RV Consumer's Group ratings guide (CD). The will give you some objective information and ratings on the different models out there. Yes, the guide costs about $80, but that is pretty insignificant when you're going to spend $40,000+ on a fifth wheel. (You may be able to find the guide in some libraries). The RV Consumers Group website is: www.rv.org
We have used the guide to purchase our last 3 RV's and found the ratings to be pretty accurate. The RV before we discovered the ratings was a piece of junk and we wish we had known about the guide then. (The guide accurately predicted it was poor in quality.) There are models out there that are better rated for the same money with the same features. Unless you're an expert on RV's (which we are not), think about it.
Don't believe anything that RV salespeople tell you and only about half of what RV owners tell you about their rigs. They are not objective after having made a decision and sinking $35,000+ into their rigs. They want to believe they got the best.
Good Luck! 
Joe & Barb
2002 F-350,PSD,Crew Cab
2003 HH II LS 32.5 UKTG
*finally retired! *
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kwilkins
Media, PA
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Joined: 06/27/2008
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This is really helpful, thanks so much for passing it on.
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kwilkins
Media, PA
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Joined: 06/27/2008
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cdrcos wrote:There is a "consumer reports" for RV's. As I have in the past on this forum, I would urge you, or anyone else planning to buy an RV, to get a copy of the RV Consumer's Group ratings guide (CD). The will give you some objective information and ratings on the different models out there. Yes, the guide costs about $80, but that is pretty insignificant when you're going to spend $40,000+ on a fifth wheel. (You may be able to find the guide in some libraries). The RV Consumers Group website is: www.rv.org
Good Luck!
Thanks for the suggestion and I have purchased the CD.
I feel a bit uncertain about how they come up with these ratings though. They have so many ratings for so many models it seems they would need an huge staff doing research to have this information be credible.
Do you have any insight on how they actually come up with the ratings and how reliable they are?
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UpNorthFam
Up North
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Joined: 06/14/2008
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We just went through the same thing you are going through. We started out looking at 30 foot travel trailers and quickly switched to fifth wheel plans because we couldn't get the floor plan we wanted in a travel trailer. We decided on a KZ Spree Ultra Lite 305 bunkhouse. This plan met our needs with the bunkhouse in the front for our three kids and dog. It has a U-shaped dinette and tons of storage. What I liked best is the dry weight of 7700 lbs for a 30 foot camper. However, we aren't able to carry much cargo, only about 1500 lbs. Take a look at it. We love it.
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portablevcb
Tijeras, NM
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Joined: 05/04/2006
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We had a slight advantage as our family has had numerous MH and trailers. We also looked at quite a few units on the lots before choosing our current one. FWIW, almost every unit in our family was a different mfg, ranging from very cheaply made to very well made.
Look at materials used for the different parts. You can quickly get an idea as to quality of various pieces. The very light stuff will look and feel 'cheaper', but, 1/4" plywood instead of masonite means better quality (in most cases). Look at how stuff is assembled, a couple of loose staples, or, a few well placed screws. Does everything work the way it should. Doors open and close properly, drawers slide and lock smoothly, appliances fixed in place well, etc, etc.
Bottom line is, if it looks/feels like it will fall apart, it probably will
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
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