In doing my research for upgrading, I have found that I want at least a 34' or up,3 or better slides, an enclosed bath area, or at least a big enough toilet closet so you do not feel so cramped. I would like a real door (be it sliding solid door NO accordian style) to close off bedroom from bath and coach. I would like a kitchen with enough counter space, whether it be with an added island or wrap around style. I think I would prefer to have a rear living 5er. I would like to have a big enough closet to stack washer and dryer (not an all-in-one washer and dryer). It would be nice to have a coat closet as you enter the coach. I would like a universal docking station, and I would like the capability to open door side compartment and be able to hook up TV to watch the games outside. I would like a 5 er that at least is advertised as extended living or full-timing unit. I would like to have generator prep for incase I would add a gen. later. This is what I am basing my decisions on. However, I did see on here someone talking about the RV consumer ratings guide and cd's...so I went there and I truly think I will invest the little amount to further my research. The question....YOU SAY FINALLY is this... What options do most people really like or want or have and would not do with out....Corian countertops, granite countertops, are they really better than the standard solid surface countertops that most 5er's come with today? Soft touch ceiling panels...they look nicer as you are sitting in your leather lazy-boy recliners looking up....instead of seeing the nail holes covered by some compound and then painted over. Thermo-pane windows, side by side refers, slide-out awning toppers, Fireplace, the list goes on...I will , when the time comes of course, order some of these options...Just like to know what others have in options that they love and why...or what options they ended up not liking or caring about...Thank You.
I feel your pain. My best suggestion is to make a few RV shows, or visit several dealers: Look, Look and Look some more. You've spent some time here and probably undersand the value of the comments offered. Some of the extra's you ask of are VERY expensive "Corian", for example. Just my opinion: Fireplace: yes, slide covers: yes, gen prep: yes (maybe even a generator installed). Washer/dryer is your choice (we have the stack units and love them).
Again, go Look, Look, Look.
Lee
2004.5 Dodge 3500 DRW QC, 4x4 LB, CTD 600 ,auto,4.10 , Prodigy, 05 Cedar Creek 36 RLTS w/ lots of bells & whistles .Honda 3000 genset. Mrs Greentow & Missy, Shih Tzu with an attitude. USA(R). 30+ years in the Fire/EMS service. CCRVC #29, GS Life member
What you want is probably out there, be prepared to pay for all of those niceities. Remember for what you describe you will probably need a medium duty truck. Good luck.
We went thru a similar process as you. Deciding even the major issues such as floor plan and which mfg can actually be quite a challenge. We went to 4 big rv shows over a two year period and found that our opinions and thoughts changed over that time frame.
We eventually established a budget and decided not to exceed that amount. Then we established a weight limit that would be acceptable for towing with a one ton DRW. Once we had those two parameters, some of the more pricey rigs and mfg'rs were eliminated. Since we were going to be full-timing, we also placed value on the reputation of the mfg for warranty service and after sale support.
Then we settled on a type of floor plan that provided what we thought was the answer to the majority of our livability concerns. Once that was decided, the number of mfgr's that were left was really down to 2, and pricing discount then became the focus.
Only then, did we begin to think about options. As it turned out, we did do a lot of upgrading and are very glad we did a special order to get the options we felt were important. DW made the cosmetic and floor plan decisions without interference from me. I follow the sage advice that says if DW isnt happy then you will eventually have to sell it and get something that does.
In retrospect, upgrading carpet has turned out to be the best overall upgrade we made. Adding a heat pump to the ac, disc brakes, larger refrig, larger water heater, and a nicer trailer hitch would rank a close second. Numerous other upgrades help to make our trailer more likeable and comfortable, but not necessarily a necessary option.
So in summary, define your budget, find a floor plan, find a mfg, negotiate a general discount, and only then, begin to add options, and try to get a full list of possible options and upgrades prior to finalizing your order.
Not really an option, but a must have for us is access to refer and other features with all slides closed. Options/features that I consider important after owning 3 fifthwheels include fireplace (dont have yet), dual-pane windows (do have), ducted AC (do have), garden tub/shower (DW's must/do have), computer desk area not directly in front of television (do have), Z-frame giving full height basement (don't have), axles and wheels rated to only be at no more than 75% of their maximum rating when trailer is at it GVWR (no 6K lb axles on 14K lb trailer), hydraulic over electric disk brakes (don't have YET), free standing dinette with table leaf (Do Have). individual slide out controls (do have). Another requirement is bathroom counter tops and mirrors high enough that 6 ft tall people don't have to bend over to reach taps and when they look in the mirror standing up their heads are not cut off at the nose. This also applies to the shower head being high enough to not need to bend half way over to get the top of my head wet. As you can tell both my wife and I are tall and we looked at too many fifthwheel's that were designed by people under 5&1/2 ft. I agree with the other poster that said go to as many shows as possible and take lots pictures and notes of features and options.
Good hunting
* This post was
edited 08/06/08 08:20pm by gitane59 *
2001 Newmar Kountry Star 34BLDS 2001 Ford F350 CC SRW V10 4.30LS
Sounds pretty much like our Cameo 35FD3. Corian counters, we don't like leather so we got fabric sofa and recliner, wired for genset, closet as you come in door, glass doors between bedroom and bath, closet for wd in the bathroom. Check out Carriage, Deluxe Suites, Hitch Hiker, Teton, and a few of the other upscale brands.
Ps I forgot Excel's, & Escalades. Nice units also. The thing is you have a lot of research to do. So plan on a lot of RV shows and make notes of what you like so you don't forget. When we went to another show and found somthing better than we saw before we threw all the old stuff out and built on the new discovery. You can get get a lot of info here but you have to make the descisins based on whta you see and feel and whta we think. Good Luck. and have fun searching we did.
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is this... What options do most people really like or want or have and would not do with out....Corian countertops, granite countertops, are they really better than the standard solid surface countertops that most 5er's come with today? Soft touch ceiling panels...they look nicer as you are sitting in your leather lazy-boy recliners looking up....instead of seeing the nail holes covered by some compound and then painted over. Thermo-pane windows, side by side refers, slide-out awning toppers, Fireplace, the list goes on...I will , when the time comes of course, order some of these options...Just like to know what others have in options that they love and why...or what options they ended up not liking or caring about...Thank You.
My best suggestion is to make a few RV shows, or visit several dealers: Look, Look and Look some more. You've spent some time here and probably undersand the value of the comments offered. Some of the extra's you ask of are VERY expensive "Corian", for example. Just my opinion: Fireplace: yes, slide covers: yes, gen prep: yes (maybe even a generator installed). Washer/dryer is your choice (we have the stack units and love them).
