WE NEED HELP...
Tom and I have recently became full timers and we've decided to upgrade to a 5th wheel.. Anyone have any ideas on how to narrow the search. We need a rig that will last for some time in both hot and cold places.. We have realized that the floor plan is not as important as the frame. So far we like the Heartland and Open range residential... and the Keystone... and the Carriage... and the the the..........
LORD HELP US Their so many out their.
* This post was edited 02/18/12 02:18am by TomMichelle *
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4x4 Duramax Diesel
Tom n Michelle
Numerous RV's to choose from. Some on the forum say to make sure they can be used as full timing rigs. Some of the most important things to remember, Dual pane windows, Enclosed, Insulated, Heated belly, total insulation package, and quality manufactured unit, like all steel drawer tracks, and screws in lieu of staples for construction.Last make sure your tow vehicle exceeds what is required for the coach you choose. Don't use the close enough thought process. I can't really say what unit I would purchase now, seems like there is no pride in workmanship anymore that's why we purchased a slightly used unit with documented miles.
Now, all I am going to add right now is just a few name brands that most consider full time capable rigs.
This is not a complete list, I am sure others can add or detract from this with their own opinions.
Newmar
Carriage
Jayco
Hitchhiker
New Horizon
KZ Escalade - they have replaced this model with new name version, and I cannot think of it now.
Mobile Suites
Excel by Peterson Industries
I am getting serious brain fade, so will leave it at this for now. Some of these (Carriage for one) are no longer in business, but a good used unit should be able to be found.
Also remember that within each manufacturer, they build different levels of fifth wheels. And some of these are HEAVY, so much so that even a dually cannot handle them.
OK, I'll leave it for other folks to comment.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan, Korey & Rocky
2011 Ford F350 Power Stroke dually
RV'ing since 1991
We never know where we're going till we get there!
Full timers for almost 14 years in all sorts of weather. Wore out Our King of the Road and went to the Open Range 393RLS. With the winter package and two AC's we love it. Not high end but a wonderful lay out. Light weight and tows perfectly with our 2001 F250 diesel. Oh Oh here come the weight police gotta go.
If you are looking for a full time fifth wheel, please consider DRV. I have owned 3 fifth wheels. The first was poor quality, the second was a Jayco Designer that we put 50,000 miles on & now we have a Select Suites by DRV which we have put on about 10,000 miles in 17 months. There are many reasons I like it such as the quality of the product, great insulation with no drafts, & dual pane windows which block out a lot of noise. DRV only makes about 15 trailers a week & they will work with you to give you the features you want. In addition, they take care of their customers. PM me if you want me to give you more info about why I feel this way
I did a lot of research and ended up getting the 5th wheel in my signature. It is not real heavy (has aluminum frame), is insulated for very cold weather, has a great layout and has a lot of amenities I was looking for. I bought mine through the RV Station in Nacadoches, TX and got a great deal (36% off MSRP). They are on the internet if you choose to look at their inventory. I highly recommend them as they are not high pressure, the manager is an RVer himself and did not try to sell me on anything but asked what I intended to do with it and what kind of amenities I was looking for. He also pointed out some things I had not thought of. He never lied to me about anything, including if I could pull it with different vehicles (I was testing him some here but he passed with flying colors). Once I settled on the 5th wheel I wanted, I went looking for the truck size he recommended but I bumped it up one level because I had owned a dually before and liked the towing capacity being much more than the weight of the trailer.
Take a look at their web site or do a Google search for dealers near you and check out the Montana's. I think you will be pleasently surprised.
I hope this helps you some.
Jim
RV:2012 Montana 3625RE Quad Slide SKP#108921 TV:2004.5 Dodge Dually 3500 HD Favorite Quote:''Life's tough, pilgrim, and it's even tougher if you're stupid.''-- John Wayne
All 3 units very well made and I would recommend getting the dual pane windows for noise reduction as well as they will not get loaded up with condensation when using in cold weather. I have owned a 2004 Kountry Star before my current Mobile Suites. I can heat both units with 2 electric heaters in temp down into the mid 20's. Furnace will cycle colder than that but you need furnace to run some to keep basement warm to protect tanks and water lines. Randu
2004 GMC 2500HD 8.1 Big Block gas
2008 Mobile Suites 36TK3
jetenbu wrote: I did a lot of research and ended up getting the 5th wheel in my signature. It is not real heavy (has aluminum frame), is insulated for very cold weather, has a great layout and has a lot of amenities I was looking for. I bought mine through the RV Station in Nacadoches, TX and got a great deal (36% off MSRP). They are on the internet if you choose to look at their inventory. I highly recommend them as they are not high pressure, the manager is an RVer himself and did not try to sell me on anything but asked what I intended to do with it and what kind of amenities I was looking for. He also pointed out some things I had not thought of. He never lied to me about anything, including if I could pull it with different vehicles (I was testing him some here but he passed with flying colors). Once I settled on the 5th wheel I wanted, I went looking for the truck size he recommended but I bumped it up one level because I had owned a dually before and liked the towing capacity being much more than the weight of the trailer.
Take a look at their web site or do a Google search for dealers near you and check out the Montana's. I think you will be pleasently surprised.
I hope this helps you some.
Just for the record, the chassis frame is not aluminum, it is steel. The sidewall frame is aluminum. According to Montana's website, your trailer weighs 12,000 plus lbs. Montana is the best selling fifth wheel in the country & is a great product but it is not a full timers rig & Montana does not warrantee it for fulltiming.
A new Fifth Wheel that is advertised for full time is the Redwood. It has been getting some good reviews. You might take a look. Talk to Tom Montague at Redwood.
Go to www.rv.org and get their ratings of the RV's out there. Most are not rated for full timing.
BTW layout is important for the most enjoyment of the RV.
For more of that go to www.rvknowhow.com and read the Kieva's suggestions on how to select an RV for the best daily living.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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