For whoever thinks there are no rigs built for full time in RV industry..
In the Carriage brochure, it states, "Carriage exclusive warranty, the best warranty available, period. 2 yr/ 5 yr warranty. This is the best warranty in the RV industry. Benefit: No exclusions for full timers, unlike our competition, we want you to enjoy our coaches year round."
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie, pressure pro. RBW hitch 22K.
2008 Carriage Carri-Lite, 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
WTTCS wrote: Name one manufacturer that has refused service due to fulltime living?
I agree with WTTCS ! I recently had an insurance claim, and even though the agent never asked if we were fulltime, we did discuss our situation. I told him we sold our home in Okla and we were touring the country until we purchase our next home.
2006 32' Keystone Everest
2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel
1971 Camaro in storage
In the mid 40's and again in the early 50's I work camped in a 16ft. Alma TT. I got along just fine in it mainly because they didn't have big trailers then. In the 70's, when I retired, I full timed in a 24 ft. stick and tin Pathfinder TT. I thought it was heaven compared to my old alma It lasted nearly 15 years and it would have lasted longer but I was in situation where I couldn't use it and it deteriorated because I wasn't being used. My wife died last year so I decided to sell my Class C and get a Trailer for full timing. At first I wanted a 5'er and even went as far a buying a tow vehicle. A F-350. I had picked out a 5'er that was rated for full time living and had dickered with the sale place to get the price down to 73% of MSRP ($47K). But then I found that the F-350 was 58 inches high at the tail gait and the bedroom floor of the 5'er was only 57 inches from the ground. Having to leave 6 inches clearance would have made me pull the 5'er with it's nose in the air all the time. I got thinking, I'm 80, I don't need a rig that is going to last 30 or 40 years. So I found a stick and tin job with a good chasis that gave me 3600 lbs of net Carring Capacity. I paid $17K for it. I invested in a Hensley Arrow Hitch $3K which makes it pull better than a 5'er. I equiped it with solar and a 2000Watt Full signwave inverter. (Nearly $4K) and still have a bunch of money left to do anything I want with the rig. I just spent a few week at the SLABS in California boondocking and then went up to Quartzsite, AZ for another month of boondocking. I ended up getting something I like better than the $47K 5'er I had picked out for my dream home on wheels. There are pros and cons about every Rig out there when it comes to full timing in it. It all depends on what makes you happy with it. I personally don't want all my Cargo Carring Capacity used up with fancy marbel sinks tops and other glitz. I want it left for me to put my Stuff in.
THE ROLLING TURTLE
2005 Dutchmen Express 28A Chevy chassis
2005 Saturn Vue toad Photo's in and of my Rig
patterpusher wrote: In the mid 40's and again in the early 50's I work camped in a 16ft. Alma TT. I got along just fine in it mainly because they didn't have big trailers then. In the 70's, when I retired, I full timed in a 24 ft. stick and tin Pathfinder TT. I thought it was heaven compared to my old alma It lasted nearly 15 years and it would have lasted longer but I was in situation where I couldn't use it and it deteriorated because I wasn't being used. My wife died last year so I decided to sell my Class C and get a Trailer for full timing. At first I wanted a 5'er and even went as far a buying a tow vehicle. A F-350. I had picked out a 5'er that was rated for full time living and had dickered with the sale place to get the price down to 73% of MSRP ($47K). But then I found that the F-350 was 58 inches high at the tail gait and the bedroom floor of the 5'er was only 57 inches from the ground. Having to leave 6 inches clearance would have made me pull the 5'er with it's nose in the air all the time. I got thinking, I'm 80, I don't need a rig that is going to last 30 or 40 years. So I found a stick and tin job with a good chasis that gave me 3600 lbs of net Carring Capacity. I paid $17K for it. I invested in a Hensley Arrow Hitch $3K which makes it pull better than a 5'er. I equiped it with solar and a 2000Watt Full signwave inverter. (Nearly $4K) and still have a bunch of money left to do anything I want with the rig. I just spent a few week at the SLABS in California boondocking and then went up to Quartzsite, AZ for another month of boondocking. I ended up getting something I like better than the $47K 5'er I had picked out for my dream home on wheels. There are pros and cons about every Rig out there when it comes to full timing in it. It all depends on what makes you happy with it. I personally don't want all my Cargo Carring Capacity used up with fancy marbel sinks tops and other glitz. I want it left for me to put my Stuff in.
Great story. Sorry about the loss of your DW, but sounds as though you have re-bounded very well. It really does a soul good to see folks like you, still living their dream, and doing it on their terms. I agree with the CCC as it is needed to carry your stuff, and I'm sure that the "stuff" grows as we go along. Best of travels to you and ENJOY.
We had a 34 ft Airstream, then a 40ft 5er, then a 27ft 5er, now a 27ft with slide 5er. I would very much like to get something with a driver seat, but they cost too much.. so until wealth overtakes me, I will stick to 5ers, and my Dodge pickup.
40ft Sooner Cargo/Horse trailer,somewhat modified, towed by a Dodge 3500 4x4 dually crew-cab with a Colibert 18k convertible fifth wheel, Jake exhaust brake and Predator Fuel computer.
Eventually we will get it right!
Plumber1...I know, aren't the 2010's amazing??? Love my current rig, but the new advances Heartland has added, i.e., laminated floors, roof and those great new baggage doors, have me drooling. I also like that they're now giving us options for the interior wood finish. They keep stepping things up a notch every year...trying to hold out and see what they come up with in 2011...just don't know if we'll make it that far...LOL!!! Good luck with your choice and hope to meet you sometime at a Heartland rally.
BTW...if you want more info check out the owners forum at www.heartlandowners.org/forum.
Just came back from the St. Louis RV show. We are planning to fulltime in 2 years. After looking at all the units there, we were still in love with the 2010 Bighorn 3055RL fiver. Nothing else came close. Didn't want to leave it. Great quality, comfort and the right size for us. Priced at $41,000. Wish I had more experience to share, but I don't see how you could go wrong with a Bighorn.
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