Best 5er ????????????

[Big Puppy]

Looking to buy a 5er ! What are you hauling and why is yours the best? I am looking at the Montana. Comments?



Thanks Jim

 

[chuck3]

Montana

That Montana is one good looking trailer. I really like the front cap on it. I think they only been made for two or maybe three years, i might be wrong. I had a chance to talk with a guy in Las vegas who had a 2000 model, said he had quite a few proplems with it, but i dont know what they were.

 

[Ed Sigman]

RV America

Hello,



I found a very a informative site that you may want to investigate concerning RV quality and owner reviews. It is called RV America and the web site is: http://www.rvamerica.com.



I have owned a Terry, very poor, and will not buy another; a Jayco, very well made for the money and now I have a King of the Road which is, in my opinion, an outstanding quality fifth wheel.



In that class, you might want to consider Newmar products which have an outstanding quality reputation like Kountry Star and the Mountainaire. Also, Carriage makes some very fine models especially the Cari-lite edition.



You can find web sites for all of these manufacturers via search on Yahoo or another search engine. You should consider that whatever they, the dealers, quote to you on list price, you have a margin to play with and should try to get 20 per cent off of list.



Hope that this helps a little.



regards,



Ed

 

[lhend50]

I have a 2000 Newmar Kountry Star and love it. Quality is excellent. I looked at Montana because the same dealer also sold them. They were nice, less expensive, and had some nice floor plans. This is my second 5th wheel and I have found that there are about 3 price ranges. Montana seemed to fall into the upper end of what I consider the entry level units. The Nemar is in the upper end of the next group, better overall quality and some other nice features and then the third group is basically the full time trailers that are quite expensive. It is tough making a decision. My first 5th was similar in quality to the Montana and after some first yr problems it turned out to be a great trailer, we were just ready to upgrade. Good luck in the search. I also looked at the jayco designer and was not at all impressed. I liked the NuWa, but the bedroom area was considerably lower than the rest. By the way, Newmar makes an American Star that is in about the same price range as the Montana. Newmar also has a 3 yr warranty, better than most.

 

[Hokey]

Re: RV America

Originally posted by Ed Sigman

Hello,



I found a very a informative site that you may want to investigate concerning RV quality and owner reviews. It is called RV America and the web site is: http://www.rvamerica.com.









Great site !! thanks

 

[RustyJC]

If money is no object, you're into the Alfa's, Teton's, Travel Supreme's, etc. - the "full timers'" rigs.



If you're looking for the best value for the money, I would suggest at least looking at the Jayco Designers. We've owned two (a 1996 3030RKSS and our current 2000 3610RLTS) and felt we were getting the most content, quality and resale value for the price. They have both been sound 5vers that have given us a lot of enjoyment. JM2CW.



Rusty

 

[Champane Flight]

Alpenlite *****

I would highly recomend Alpenlite. I have been looking at fifthwheels for years and the quality of the Alpenlite stands out. Not as many frills and just one solid unit... .

 

[COBRAJET]

We purchased a Montana 3670 about 4 months ago. We have had it out twice. We have had no problems and are very happy with it. We really enjoy the three slides. I have been averaging a little better than 1 mpg better towing than we did with the old 30" Dutchmen. We did have a second A/C unit installed above the bedroom. 37' is a little much for one in TX. We are leaving for three weeks in Co. here in a month. That will be a good test... CJ

 

[BigMike]

Best 5er

We purchased a 2000 Terry Manor 30. 5EG last fall. This is one of the top of the line Terry's and we paid about $30k. Have had it out several times and everything works great so far. Did have a recall over the winter to fix some frame issues. My dealer took care of me just fine. I like the electric hot water heater option. Saves on gas. Slides work fine. Workmanship appears excellent. Has a two year full warranty.

Time will tell as we use it more. IMO, I think 5er's are like anything else. No matter how hard you try and find the right one, they are all made by low paid people and people make mistakes.



If you are like everyone else, you will trade your first one in on an upgrade before it is out of warranty. Good luck in your search.

 

[Champane Flight]

Last years.

I would never buy a brand new model. You loose at least $10 to 20,000. 00 when you drive it off the lot. There are plenty of year olds or even two year olds out there. Most still have warranty left and were used very little. A fifthwheel gets used only a few times a year(unless fulltimers) and does not get a lot of miles. Always check for damage,warped panels,leaning to one side,ect.





Some of your topend Fifths are Alpenlite,Holiday Ramblers,Avion,King of the road,Mountainaire,Hitchiker,and Teton. I know there are many others out there,enjoy your hunt and don't take the first thing you look at. Salesmen will all tell you thier models are the best!

 

[Dieselnerd]

I've owned a number of RV's over the years. (seven to be exact) I currently own a HitchHiker triple glide and it is one of the best I've owned. Got it new in '98 and had only a couple of very minor problems that I fixed myself. Never needed any warranty work at all.

 

[Midnight]

Big Puppy, you may want to ask @ IRV2 .com , you may get an even bigger opinion. My 2 cents.

 

[Andy Perreault]

good point!

Originally posted by Champane Flight

I would never buy a brand new model. You loose at least $10 to 20,000. 00 when you drive it off the lot. There are plenty of year olds or even two year olds out there. Most still have warranty left and were used very little. A fifthwheel gets used only a few times a year(unless fulltimers) and does not get a lot of miles.

Good point. I never really considered that. I guess I'll start keeping an eye on the classifieds.



I'm kicking around the idea of buying a new trailer. I'm living in a 27' Wanderer "toybox" type trailer right now (bumper-hitch, not a 5th wheel). It's the first RV I've ever bought, and I have learned a lot about what I want in a trailer! For one thing, this trailer was built in SoCal, and it's primarily intended for weekend use by people who take their ATV's, etc. , out to the desert. It's very poorly insulated!

The worst thing about it is the bed, it's very uncomfortable, made of two halves of thin foam rubber. It's a major pain to make the bed or put new sheets on it, because I have to crawl around on the bed as I make it. The trailer's big enough for me, it's just me and Charlie the cockatiel, and it's paid for, but I'd like something nicer. I have made up my mind that the next trailer will be a 5th wheel, mainly because I want a "normal" bed to sleep in!



I checked out a beautiful Montana "Big Sky" 34' model 3280RL at a dealership near where I live. Man, I was about to whip out my checkbook right there! It had a full winterization package, lots of storage, and a really nice floorplan. This particular trailer had one unique custom feature: above the big "driver's side" slideout, it had a window near the ceiling, about 15" high by 4' wide or maybe wider than that. I was telling the salesman that they ought to put a window like that on the opposing slideout, too. He told me the story behind that window, it seems that a forklift driver ran into the trailer when he was raising up the a/c unit to be installed in the roof. Instead of repairing the damage, they put a window there. I told the salesman that they ought to give that guy a promotion. That window really made a big difference in the amount of lighting inside the trailer, and I think it should be a standard feature. There are no storage cabinets up there, it's just a wall, so why not make use of it?

Anyway, I enjoyed reading all your comments on this topic, and I will continue my research. Keep the info coming!

Andy

 

[Bob Ellithorpe]

I'll second the vote for the Newmar Kountry Star !! We have a 30 footer and I can't honestly find any fault with it. One thing that I do like is the enclosed bottom,makes for much better towing. This trailer is heavier than our previous one and tows much better because of the bottom being enclosed and bigger wheels and tires.

We take our trailer to southern Ala. and live in it for four months. If you can live in your trailer for four months and still like it,that says alot.

 

[JSoloman]

If you are gonna buy used, I'd be weary of the 98-99 Montanas. I have a suspension friend that has done well over 60 suspension repairs on these in the last year. Seems the weight causes a break in the frame just behind the axles.



Anyone of you guys owning one of these out to crawl under and check it out.

 

[Bob Stephens]

Look at Alpenlite

We've had our Alpenlite for 2 months now. Fit and finish is excellent. Insulation is so good we have to open windows in 50 degree nights to keep it from getting too warm. Have had two absolutely minor items for warranty. Trailer tows like a dream and at 35 feet it only weighs 12000 empty.

 

[Fireman]

my 2c

The Montana is manufactured by Keystone, and is one of their better models. I have owned one of their lower end trailers, and was very pleased with the quality and features for the money. I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my second Keystone next month. It is a Tailgator, a specialty fith wheel for hauling, that has many standard features that are options on other trailers and is very reasonably priced. So you could probably do alot worse.



Fireman

 

[midnight1black]

5ER

Montanas are a very nice looking trailer almost purchased one , But went with the Artic Fox instead, I wanted something that I feel was more

offroad when I wanted to ruff it. . Ha Ha. pick the one you want and don't let anyone talk you out of it.

 

[klenger]

I have an Artic fox on order also. Can't wait to get it. I was impressed by all of the top of the line fixtures they included as standard, large capacity heated storage tanks, and for their willingness to work with me on custom requests. The floor plan is excelent and they did a great job with the storage space and cabinets.



Note: I don't think that Artic Fox is sold on the east coast at this time. I heard that they bought a Fleetwood plant somewhere on the east coast, but haven't started production their yet.



Link to Artic Fox is in my signature.

 

[SlyBones]

Like Rusty said, if ya got the money Alpha Golds. My favorites by far. Live on RV row. 5 dealers within 2 miles of my house. Been in hundreds. These are it. -- Way out of my league. But if I could have my pick of any, its an Alpha.