Best Quality RV Manufacturers to Look For

[BrianJ]

Seems like the propane fueled generator would be hard on a relatively small propane supply. Just my $. 02 worth.

I have a 30 gallon gasoline fuel station on my toyhauler to feed the 5500 watt generator as well as a pump for the toys/ATV's.

 

[Grizzly]

Seems like the propane fueled generator would be hard on a relatively small propane supply. Just my $. 02 worth.

Not too small. The Arctic Fox 27-5L comes with two 10 gal propane bottles. Plus, I've never noticed that mine uses very much propane.

 

[Grizzly]

Way to go Jim!

 

[JimLarsen]

THolz_New trailer comes with overgrown tanks. Two in fact. Fact sheets don't show a really large downdraw, but I'll let u know after the Alaska trip in June. Jim

 

[AHarris]

Hitchhiker?

I looked at a 2008 Hitchhiker 33' 5er yesterday. The dealer said it's a $70K coach but he said he'd let me have it at cost fot $44K. Yeah right. It was very nice, but it was not really set up right for a family with two kids and a dog. I was impressed with the quality inside and outside of this fine coach.

We're thinking of upgrading from our present camper (a 25' tow behind Fleetwood trailer) and, based on what I've seen and heard, I'm kind of leaning towards a Hitchhiker 5er if they have one at a good price (my ceiling is $30K) and set up for a family with kids.

I've had the Fleetwood for about 6 years now, moderate use... bought it new in '03. On a scale from 1-10 I'd give it about a 5. The quality of the cabinets and overall construction is mediocre, the slideouts don't seal well when opened, the refrigerator is finicky, and the countertops are starting to warp (love that particle board junk). I won't buy another one of their products. We've taken good care of this coach, and for $19K I expect a coach to hold up better than this over 6 years.

 

[HBarlow]

NuWa (HitchHiker) builds a great product. The HH is one of the best insulated fifth wheels made due to the extremely dense Dow Corning blue foam wall material.

If, in fact, the HH you looked at has a factory suggested retail price of $70k, and I would assume it probably does, $44 is a very attractive price and probably is dealer cost. $44k is about 62% of $70k or about a 38% discount.

HH models range from a loaded Champagne which could have a suggested retail of well in excess of $100k to the smallest HH II or HH LS which is still probably well above the $30k limit you set.

If you are genuinely interested in a HH see the NuWa website. All the various models, prices, standard equipment, features, and optional equipment are displayed on the website.

NuWa is one of the finest companies I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Every single person at NuWa from CEO Mike Mitchell, engineers, interior design and fabric manager, regional sales managers, parts, service, office staff will take your calls or answer your e-mails and will sincerely help you like an old friend.

 

[JimLarsen]

My understanding is, Fleetwood closed up shop. The stuff they have now is used and what they built before shutting down. So you probably would want to buy anyway now. Jim

 

[Grizzly]

I looked at a 2008 Hitchhiker 33' 5er yesterday. The dealer said it's a $70K coach but he said he'd let me have it at cost fot $44K. Yeah right. It was very nice, but it was not really set up right for a family with two kids and a dog. I was impressed with the quality inside and outside of this fine coach.







Yes, Hitchhiker's are a great unit. Maybe the best one out there. I certainly considered one, however even the smallest unit, the Hitchhiker LS 29. 5 LKTG is still 31 1/2' long, they have too much fancy foo foo stuff, sorry Harvey and they're spendy.



With all due respect to what Harvey said, who I agree with, if you're on a $30K budget, consider a Northwood product. Arctic Fox, Nash and Desert Fox Toy Hauler are all 4 star rated just like a HH. They don't have all the fancy foo foo, but they do have top notch quality at a much better price. One downside to Northwood 5er is that they still use ST China tires. I got to know a few of the factory reps and I tried to convince them to use American LT tires with no success. I switched mine out to Michelin XPS Rib LT. I believe Nash makes one with bunk beds if that what you need. It worth checking out their web site. Northwood Mfg

 

[THoltz]

THolz_New trailer comes with overgrown tanks. Two in fact. Fact sheets don't show a really large downdraw, but I'll let u know after the Alaska trip in June. Jim

I guess it depends on how much you run it and how much it is loaded. My Lance camper has a LP fueled generator and it can suck down some propane.



The Onan website says for a 3KW Onan at about half load, the LP fueled generator uses . 6 gallons/hr, gasoline and diesel fueled both use about . 3 gallons/hr.

 

[Grizzly]

I guess it depends on how much you run it and how much it is loaded. My Lance camper has a LP fueled generator and it can suck down some propane.



The Onan website says for a 3KW Onan at about half load, the LP fueled generator uses . 6 gallons/hr, gasoline and diesel fueled both use about . 3 gallons/hr.

I have no way of metering the fuel consumption on my 5. 5KW Onan, but I never see that it makes a dent in my 2 - 10 gal tanks. We may use it a few times a day, but not for very long periods at any time.

 

[THoltz]

Well, the onboard generators are certainly more convenient and do add a level of comfort and luxury. And besides that, they are just plain nice.

 

[Grizzly]

Well, the onboard generators are certainly more convenient and do add a level of comfort and luxury. And besides that, they are just plain nice.

Agreed... ...

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly-I pulled plug, and went ahead and ordered the 27 AF. Didn't order a generator. So tell me why you chose the large one and 50 amp plug. I was of the understanding I would not need 50 amp. service. The more I think about the generator, the more I lean to having one. The plus side as I see it, there is no gas to go bad. Also it will always be there and available. I was surprised to hear you have been to the North Country so often. I am planning to go this year in June. Thank you for pushing me over the edge, I am quite excited to see the new AF. Jim

Jim, have you taken delivery of the the new 27-5L Fox yet?. If so, send pictures. What RV dealer are you getting it from?

 

[JimLarsen]

Grizzly-I happen to be in Portland right now. The Northwood Plant is just up I-84 and so I went over to plant to see what is going there. They are building my trailer right now! It will be delivered to Utah Trailer Source about May 11th. I will have to learn how to post the pictures on this site before I can send them. If you got my last e-mail let me know, because I can send pictures that way, without having to learn something new. You know, old dogs take longer to train. Jim

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly-I happen to be in Portland right now. The Northwood Plant is just up I-84 and so I went over to plant to see what is going there. They are building my trailer right now! It will be delivered to Utah Trailer Source about May 11th. I will have to learn how to post the pictures on this site before I can send them. If you got my last e-mail let me know, because I can send pictures that way, without having to learn something new. You know, old dogs take longer to train. Jim

Jim, that's great news. I never got your email for whatever reason. I'll send you a PM with my email address.



For the benefit of others that may want to see pics of the new Arctic Fox I'll make an attempt to describe the procedure to attach them on a TDR Post. First you must reduce the file size, then scroll down to "Manage Attachments", click. Then click on "Browse". Find your pictures on your Documents. Double click on the picture(s) you reduced the file size on that you want to upload. Click on "Upload". Wait until the Manage Attachments tell you the picture(s) are uploaded. Click on "Preview Post' to see your picture and if it is the one you want. If you get a message that the file size was too large, reduce the pictures more. I reduce my pics with my Microsoft Digital Image Software. There are many other software to do this.



I believe I can walk you through it easier on email.



I attached a pic of my Arctic Fox at Wolf Creek Pass.

 

[JimLarsen]

Grizzly- I was on top of Wolf Creek Pass once. I went there just because of the song about the place. There was snow then also. I can't get the picture to attach because it wants a URL address and everything falls apart at that point. Strange looking truck, what are the growths at the drive axle? Jim

 

[JimLarsen]

Grizzly-I was on top of Wolf Creek Pass a couple of years ago myself. The reason I went there was to see the place, just because of the song about the place. There was snow when I was there also. Nice truck, but what are those growths on the rear axle? I can't get my picture I to send to attach. It asks for a URL address and I can't make anything work. I'll keep at it. Jim

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly-I was on top of Wolf Creek Pass a couple of years ago myself. The reason I went there was to see the place, just because of the song about the place. There was snow when I was there also. Nice truck, but what are those growths on the rear axle? I can't get my picture I to send to attach. It asks for a URL address and I can't make anything work. I'll keep at it. Jim

Growth on the rear axle? Aah, do you mean the duel wheels on my truck?



I click on "Browse, Upload files from your computer", from there I go into my documents. I don't use, "Upload file from URL".



You may want to get together with another TDR member in the SLC area and have them walk you through the procedure. Two members that come to mind are EricBu12 in SLC and Wayne, amsoilman, in Roy.



That's a pic of downtown Telluride on our trip last fall in Southern Colorado.

 

[JimLarsen]

grizzly-If this works, fine

 

[NStates]

It all depends on how you are going to use the RV. For serious high quality I have owned several fifth wheels including Carriage, Teton and now Mobile Suites. I have found the Mobile Suite to be the finest quality and the best towing vehicle I have owned. I have found all components to be the best and they stand behind their product.



ROVOL





2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.