5th wheel pointers

[mr.wilson]

This was surly covered some where in here but I am looking for some pointers about buying a fifth wheel camper. We are upgrading this year and I am looking for:



Best brands, construction, build materials, tires, wheels, accessories for a camper. I think we are looking for something 30 feet or less.



There is a large RV show coming the last weekend of the month, so I am looking to arm myself with information. The web is OK but difficult to weed out the good from the bad.



Thanks in advance,

Craig

 

[Garlic]

After up grading 3 times and working on most everymake of RV out there. The suggestion would be to be an informed comsumer. You may not find everything you want in 1 model, there will be some give and takes as to what you feel is important. For my personal rig I needed under 30', under 12,000 pounds and the ability to haul with a 4X4 truck. I looked at lot of units and by chance came across KZ. I feel it is a well engineered unit that had most of what I needed in a 5'er. I enjoyed enough that I traded in an '04 for an '06 of the same model and had the factory install and add some things that I needed and remove a few items that were just bling that would fall off any way. Had a 3" factory frame lift and upgraded tires to 16's, had a special bedroom slide out and configuration installed. All of this came with a price, but My wife and I use it every chance we get. I still work 50 -60 hours a week and own 2 small businesses, we still manage to stay in it 45 to 60 nights a year. The frame, axles and slide out components would be first on my list, then comforts like insulation, holdingtank capacities, AC, furnace. Lay out would be a factor in the whole program aswell. how many people, how often, where do you plan on going? Be an educated buyer. Enjoy the 5'er life style and good luck.

 

[Grizzly]

Best bang for the buck are 4 star rated Nash and Arctic Fox by Northwood RV Manufacture. Other good 4 star rated 5er, but more $$$ are Excel and Hichhiker. There are many other well made 5er. Not as good, but more affordable units, are anything made by Fleetwood and Forest River. The worst part of any 5er are the original equipped China ST tires. I would consider getting rid of the China ST tires and get American made LT tires or have the RV Dealer changed them out. Remember, this is a buyers market for a large RV such as a 30' 5er due to the high cost of fuel.

 

[mr.wilson]

I have run across a few of those brands in my internet surfing. I will continue to narrow the features that I want. I mean the wife and I want. I think a big consideration is the extra space for my girls. (13 and 6)

 

[CharlesHoward]

From what I've read on Rv.net and other boards, Fleetwood and Forest River have more than their share of detractors.
Jayco and Keystone are likely better bets for good/mid-priced Fifth Wheels. I ended up choosing a Keystone Montana Big Sky simply due to great availability but would have easily chosen a Jayco Designer as an alternative. The Keystone Montana line is considered a solid value. PS, I bought used and saved a great deal vs. new.

 

[oneshotkyle]

hit the rv show and try out as many floor plans as possible something will be better matched for you. when i bought my 40ft keystone rapter i never looked at the tires till i was 8hrs from home and discovered 5 out of 6 where ready to blow. look for good tires not the Chinese brands. most trailer manufacture's make many different brand names. for example keystone makes the montana and raptor along with many others.

 

[E2360]

I have a 30 foot Keystone Cougar with rear bunk beds in a seperate sleeping area for my 2 kids. This set up works great. affords privacy for all involved. It has been trouble free over the last 4 years and over 8000 miles but I did change the tires or piece of mind.



Hope it helps

 

[Kvic]

5th Wheel

We have a Carriage Carri-Lite 2004 34KS3, triple slide. We have had the normal small issues,(find one that does'nt), and have been very happy with it. Find a dealer that has a good service department, and that you are comfortable with.



Kris

 

[JRBurton]

I have a 2008 Travel Supreme 36 SATSO , love the quality of the unit, used to have a 1997 31 FT. Terry travel trailer. I was at an rv show and didnot see anything that impressed me. Thought the quality stank on most of the units there, even fleetwood was disapointing.

 

[Troubleshooter]

As was mentioned previously, how many people, how often and for how long a stay, and where (i. e. , RV park or boondocking)? Your initial post doesn't really say. Determine your requirements and let that narrow down the choices. Everybody's needs are different. For example, my "29" (actual length 31'-8") was perfect for me while I was traveling and working from it fulltime for 15 months; lots of storage space etc. But now that I've settled in a stick house again, it is probably too big for my needs, and it had too much rear overhang for a lot of true "backcountry" areas (think unimproved trails in some of the western national forests). But when I retire again in a few years and get back on the road 6 months of the year, it will be the right size again.



I notice that you're in KC. Suggest that you stop by Jayhawk RV over in Shawnee and look at the Crossroads brand, which is what I bought and am very pleased with. Didn't buy from them but have dealt with them on warranty repairs while I was traveling through your area a year ago. The old guy there is a bit cranky, but all of the guys are very knowledgeable and they do great service work (which you will need eventually with any brand that you buy).



Hope that helps!

 

[Scottyg1]

If not already, you'll find there are so many different brands, models ect that it becomes mind bloggling. In addition, the real answer is what meets your needs, what you'll willing to pay, etc. After owning five RV's I've found that if you're buying new, service, service, service, is the real key. Plus almost everyone will give you comments on the brand they own. Take your time, find one you like, can afford, and can easily tow, and go for it. As to good and bad, they all seem to have issues, so again service is the real key. BY the way I do like my current Crossroads Crusier, and mainly because Crossroads has a superb rep for customer support. I've been lucky and have not had any problems.

 

[icman95]

Ditto Garlic.



Love my KZ. Haven't seen one RV short of the $250,000 ones that are perfectly built or with the best materials, but I think I got a great value for my money. I bought a 33 ft toyhauler to take my bike with us, but they build other ones too. I might even suggest getting a toyhauler even if you don't need it because the garage area is so versatile. We use it as a sunroom when the bike's not in there. They offer optional bed/couches back there and we open the back door, let the sun it and nap on the couches. Great lazy afternoon! I would also go with as big a freshwater setup as possible. Mine came with 55 gals and offered optional 55 additional. Get it. You may never use it all, but if you don't get it and want it later, what a pain to retrofit!



Also, KZ seems to be very customer friendly. They will do just about any custom job you want, just ask the dealer, even if it's not on the menu.

 

[KSears]

I have a KZ also, has the same ammenities or more than most and much more affordable. Mine is a 37' toyhauler and so far no issues. They have wide variety of floorplans, sizes, and price ranges. I looked at many units and shows before buying one, I am glad I decided on this one.

 

[mr.wilson]

I am finding out the the sea of RV's is a little overwhelming, the one common factor is the majority of the RV's are all built by 4 major players.
Thor company like 15 or 20 varieties
Fleetwood another 15 or so different makes
Forest River, and someone else cant remember right not, the rest are all smaller players in the big game. Not that they are or have any less quality or service.

I have started to narrow the field a bit but it is very time consuming.
I appreciate all the input on this project, I'll let you know what end up with.

Craig

 

[puller]

So far everyone has given you good suggestions. That said you have to make the final decision. Here are a few hints that we had on our list.



1. the height in the rooms had to be high enough so we did not hit our heads.

2. there should not be a step in the bedroom. ( for those late nite visit to the bathroom)

3. check to see what tires they put on the rig.

4. storage space should be large enough to handle what you need to carry.

5. check for ease of setting up, ie. . slide in/out, hook up for water, elec, and sewer.

6. layout should be something that you can work with and feel comfortable in.

7. check the shower get in and pretend that you are washing your self, can you do it without bumping you elbows and or knees. This goes for the commode room also.

8. fiber glass and alum siding your choice.

9. service center close to your home also should be a dealer that looks to be reputable. talk to other folks who have purchased from them.

10 there are some very good units being produce now days and unfortunately even more poorly constructed ones.







These are just a few suggestions to look for it is no way a complete list as you have your on ideas. we looked for nearly 2 years before going forward.



good luck in your search

puller

 

[Grizzly]

You may want to purchase the RV Consumer Guide. Besides rating of all 5th wheels and TT made, it contains much information about how to negotiate the best price on a new RV and much more. I believe it's well worth the price. Their web site is RV Ratings for motorhomes, fifth wheels, trailers, toy haulers.



Good luck.

 

[mr.wilson]

Is it really worth the $50, can they really tell which ones are good and which ones are going to be bad. I all most wish they had a consumers report for the RV industry, some way to quantify quality, reliability, easy of use, MFG warranty, and many other things that are now becoming importing to the Family.

Wow my head is starting to hurt from all this thinking.

 

[Grizzly]

Is it really worth the $50, can they really tell which ones are good and which ones are going to be bad. I all most wish they had a consumers report for the RV industry, some way to quantify quality, reliability, easy of use, MFG warranty, and many other things that are now becoming importing to the Family.

Wow my head is starting to hurt from all this thinking.

If you're talking about the RV Consumer Guide, I think it's well worth it.



By the way, the cost is way more then $50. The Guide has a 5 page report on every RV made, which are rated on Reliability, Quality and Roadability. In addition, you get other CD's and Paperback books on Negotiating technics and much more information that will make your head hurt. If you are going to lay down a lot of cash for an RV, you might as well be best informed. If you wind up with a pile of junk RV, you'll spend a lot of your time at the RV dealer trying to get it fixed or worst yet it could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.



I don't work for RV Consumer Guide nor do I get any kickback from them, but I do believe in being well informed when making a large investment.

 

[hhranch]

We have had great luck with our 2002Hitchhiker II LS We are now in Florida on what will probably be a 7000 mile trip No problems so far. We replaced the original tires which were five years old with 235/85/16 XPS LT. Other great brands we understand are up there with NUWA are Excel, Arctic Fox, Sunnybrook, Carriage, Travel Supreme, Teton, New Horizons and many others but it is importnat to do some research.

 

[DValentine]

I have a 04 Forest River that I have pulled about 15000 miles. Previous to that I had a 67 Air Stream that did its job for a few years. I live in them when working on the road. I had looked at a few, talked with dealers and the rest. I just happened on the Forest River. As stated before you will not find all you want in one trailer. I have learned a great deal more, trying to upgrade some things to make the trailer suit my needs. I have been in the thing at 25 below zero. There is nothing fun about that. If you are going to use it in cold weather the tank drains need to be in the under belly. Good luck. Ask questions and go sit in them and play house. Remember when you get all your stuff in them they will look a lot smaller than you first thought.

Dave