lexustech48
SoCal
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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Hi all. New to the world of 5th wheels but very excited at the possibilities they have to offer; plus the excuse to get a ridiculously huge and powerful truck! hehehe
My dad is into RVing, but with his Class A. He knows some things about 5th wheels, but admits he isnt in tune with it like he is with the Class A's.
So I guess Im here as a newb to ask about 2 brands im interested in.
Rage'n and Forrest River (Sand Storm). Both at about the 40ft length.
Im looking at the larger sizes because I want to move from living in rental apartments to a fifth wheel toy hauler (the toy hauler bit for my motorcycle......maybe a sand rail in the future.)
I live in SoCal and for the price of a studio apartment per month, I could be financing a 1 ton truck and a 40 ft 5th wheel! If Im paying that much, I cant seem to justify letting all that money go to waste.
So what are your opinions about Rage'n and Forrest River? Are they good RV manufacturers? How is their build quality/chassis construction? I was interested in the Thor Vortex, but have heard nothing but horror stories about Thor.
Thanks
-Ed
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tmm2good
Arvada, CO
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Joined: 07/21/2002
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Can't speak for Ragen and Forrest River, believe them to good brands, but for living in full time, you might want to look at a KZ Escalade or a few other top of the line haulers.
Are you going to be able to find a place to park the trailer and live in it in So Cal and really save any money in the long run? Or even break even?
04.5 GMC 3500 SRW D/A XCAB LB 4x4
02 KZ Sportster Sportman
04 Kawasaki KFX700
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03 Yamaha Breeze
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campercajun
Central Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 08/09/2007
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How about a true non-horror story? We have had 3 Thor TTs and have had no major problems with any of them, and we have 5 relatives with Thor TTs and fifth wheels, same with them. If you buy into the Thor horror stories, we also have a relative and a friend who own Forest River TTs, and they are well satisfied, also, except for the cheap tv/entertainment centers. Can't give you any feedback on the Ragin', we don't know anyone who owns one.
RV quality can differ greatly from one unit to the very next one off the assembly line, and you can get a lemon no matter what manufacturer's name is on it. Make sure you buy from a dealer with a reputation for a good service department. No matter the brand of RV you buy, chances are you will need that service department's services, even if it is just to fix minor glitches.
2003 GMC Sierra Crew HD; 6.0L; Prodigy
2006 Thor Tundra 30RL-DSL; Reese Strait-Line & Dual-cam HP
2001 Honda Elite Scooter
Jim & Gayle Bryant
Murphy's Law: "Anything that CAN happen, WILL."
Bryant's Law: "31 years of RVing? Probably already HAS."
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Mdow
So Cal
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Joined: 02/27/2007
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I know rents not the cheapest thing out here in CA, but you could be easily spending over 2 grand a month for a new truck, new trailer and rental space to park it. I pay 155 per month to just park my little 23 footer in a storage yard. If you do go this route I wish you good luck.
Matt
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ToyzRGood
Edgewater, FL
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Joined: 10/23/2007
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Have had no problems with my Thor Wild Thing!!
Jim
2003 Silverado 2500 HD EXT Cab 6.0L Reese 15K
2006 Thor Wild Thing 28SG-M5
1988 HD Electra Glide Sport
2002 Yamaha Roadstar
2002 Suzuki Telefonica GSXR
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rcchallenger
La Mirada, California
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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Ragen is probably the best supported toy hauler available. Do a search on this site. If you have a problem with a Ragen you can take it to the factory, which is located in Southern California, and get it fixed. If I were buying a toy hauler today, I would definitely go with Ragen. All brands have manufacturing problems but it's really nice to know you can get your trailer fixed without any hassles and fixed right the first time. Do yourself a favor and buy the Ragen.
2005 Ford F350 XLT 4X4 SRW Powerstroke Diesel Firestone Air Bags
2006 Keystone Raptor 3612DS
2006 Yamaha WR450
2006 Yamaha YFZ450
2005 Yamaha TTR230
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Toy-hauler
NorthWest
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Joined: 12/04/2004
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If you figure out your interest payment, your depreciation and what you will pay to park it. You are going to come out on the loosing end over your studio. And if you do not put down a big chunk of $ or do not shop hard you will be upside down for many years to come.
Side note:
If you can afford a new truck and a toy-hauler, couldn't you buy a condo or townhouse? There are first time buyer programs out there. You would be sooooo far ahead in just a couple of years or less when this housing market rebounds. It's just not as fun. Just trying to help.
08 F-450 Red Lariat 08 KZ Inferno 3912 - 24k Superglide with under bed rails sitting in garage not going to be used, what a shame.
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mike4fun
So. Cal.
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Joined: 12/02/2005
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I have to agree with Toy-hauler. Get some money into a condo or house. Great time to be a buyer if you have the down payment. You will be set to buy the truck and toy hauler before you know it with a little equity built up in the house much sooner than you think.
Ya gotta look at the big picture...best of luck with whatever you do.
Mike
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Toy-hauler
NorthWest
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Joined: 12/04/2004
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With it being a buyers market, you should be able to roll in with little money out of your pocket if you have good credit (above 720) make the seller pay while the market is on your side.
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