buying new 5th wheel

[Rick B]

Hi Scott, we have been looking a the cardinals also, really like. I've got an 01 4x4 dually. Did you have any problem with the height of your bed? Did you have to make any adjustments? Thanks, Rick

 

[SHobbs]

Rick B

Guess you are asking me about the height of my bed. I have a 2wd, no issues here except that I had to drop the pin box down to clear the tool box that is sitting on top of the L shaped fuel tank in the bed.

You can't wrong with the Cardinal's. I have had mine almost two years and only had it in the shop 2 times both were simple things, no structural or major. Mine has done well with the heat and cooler weather here, the insulation is great. You can get a four season upgrade as far as the insulation goes if you order it.

Pulls great, tracks great, mine is heavy but that's no biggie.

 

[Rick B]

Thanks for the reply. I had heard that many fifth wheel units had trouble clearing the higher 4x4 beds. They do look like great units. Going to get serious over the next few months. Working on install of jac brake, and gauges now. Thanks again. Rick

 

[SHobbs]

Rick B

Most 4x4 owners have the RV dealership flip the trailer axles. Gives you some extra height that way.

 

[Rick B]

Thanks, I also found some notes from an old post where they had shortened the blocks between the leaf springs and axle, which lowered the bed about 1 1/2 to 2". I've got to figure out which is the best way to go. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Rick

 

[jtsandbird]

no matter what you buy ... make sure your truck is rated to pull the weight of th trailer loaded. Too many people ignore this and get in trouble somewhere down the line.

 

[RustyJC]

I'd suggest at least taking a look at the Mobile Suites 5th wheels. What impressed me about ours is that DoubleTree RV used the best available components where possible (examples - MORryde suspension, G-rated Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST tires with compatible G-rated 16" wheels, Progressive Dynamics Intellipower 9180 power converter, multi-zone ducted A/C, etc. ) This is our 3rd 5th wheel, and we're exceptionally pleased with our Mobile Suites 36RE3 (36' triple slideout).



Rusty

 

[TowPro]

I had a 2000 fleetwood product. While it was nice for its price, quality issues were there until I traded it last month. Now I have a Titanium 31E36TBR.



Anyway, the only thing I can recomend about buying any camper is check out NADA Guides . Look up what the camper you are looking at is worth if it was last years model, or 2 years old. I feel this gives you an idea what the experts think. When I bought my Terry in 2000 we were looking at several manafactures. Much to my suprise most of the Thor products we were looking at lost 1/3 of there value in 1 year!



Even if you just look at them, check out Titanium. mine is 31' from pin to bumper, but 36' worth of camper! I gained 2mpg over my Terry the first time I towed it! I have only had it 1 month and have had 1 problem, one of the basement lights would not automaticly shutoff when I closed the door. That's it!



Will R

 

[JStraw]

Don't forget to look at insulation values. There's a big difference in a full-time rig compared to a week-ender. Tinted windows that are double pane are nice. Check out the KZ New vision line.



http://www.kz-rv.com/



http://www.toyhaulermagazine.com/kz.html



Sure wish I had one to take my toys along in.

 

[Grizzly]

I had a Holiday Rambler 5er. A little spendy, but you can't find any better quality. We now have an 11' 3" Lance cab-over camper. Now that it's just my wife and I, the 5er was just too big.

 

[K5IP]

There is an independant agency that rates alll the various RV manufacturers. I am having trouble recalling the name but the industry refers to it as the "green book"

The name is something like the consumers guide to RV buying. Our local library carries it. They give valuable info concerning cost /value, dealers cost, and a 1 through 5 star rating. (not many get 5 stars). They also give a target price you should shoot for. Typically 65 to 70% of suggested list.

The guide can also be purchased but it is not cheap. Might be worth it though. In any case, when you look at a product, ask the dealer how it rates in the "green book"

If their product does not rate well, they will deny any knowledge of it.

Rog

 

[RSeymon]

new 5ers

Well the search goes on,



The wife and I are doing as the group recommends looking at all of the units around, quite a learning experience. As many have said before you get what you pay for. Size has limited me to no longer then 32 feet 6 inches (driveway length were I can park) Does anyone in the group have any knowledge of either the open road by pilgrim, or the new bighorn by heartland any feed back on these two units would help.



Thanks in advance

 

[jjordan1]

Carriage Cameo w\ slides . Good unit

 

[jwduke]

Absolutely, get the slide (or slides, if more than 1)! You will have so MUCH more living space, plus resale is a lot better!



Enjoy, your new purchase, what ever it may be!

 

[gilliland]

Beware of Alfa

Alfa may have changed significantly since we bought our 28ft. Toyhouse, but we had the frame crack when parked at a grocery store in Colorado. We were loading up on supplies before we went out to Taylor Park. Upon investigation, it was apparent that Alfa cut part of the frame rails to install the fresh water tank. This probably weakened the structure by 30-50%. If this happened while traversing one of the passes, it could have been deadly.

Yes, this was over ten years ago, but the absolute stupidity of Alfa in doing this continues to amaze me. Buyer beware.

 

[tschwab]

Another vote for Alpenlite. Do your research and you will see that Alpenlites are an extremly well built coach and maintain a high resale value. I have owned 3 different makes and models of 5th wheels and have not had any problems with a rear kitchen, however, I would agree that you will get the most movement of things in the cabinets in the rear of the coach.



My Alpenlite is by far the best (and most expensive) unit we have owned.



Other makes have been Kit - Decent but now out of business. Wilderness (Fleetwood) very cheaply made & Komfort - Best of the three listed here (not including the Alpenlite).

 

[RSeymon]

Carriage or cardinal

Well the wife and I have got it down to two different units. A 30 triple slide 05 model year Cardinal, or a 05 carriage cameo lxi 32 feet two slides.



What say ye one and all need to know which unit everyone likes or dis likes. Price of both units about 7,000. 00 apart. Its not a question of the money just want to know which unit is better.



Thanks in advance

 

[rubberneck]

Alfa may have changed significantly since we bought our 28ft. Toyhouse, but we had the frame crack when parked at a grocery store in Colorado. We were loading up on supplies before we went out to Taylor Park. Upon investigation, it was apparent that Alfa cut part of the frame rails to install the fresh water tank. This probably weakened the structure by 30-50%. If this happened while traversing one of the passes, it could have been deadly.

Yes, this was over ten years ago, but the absolute stupidity of Alfa in doing this continues to amaze me. Buyer beware.

Nope, still garbage, my inlaws 2000 35 triple slide is a POS.

 

[jwduke]

If I were in your shoes (Got 20 years to go!) I'd look at either a Holiday Rambler or Hitchhiker (NUWA), are both fine models to retire in, as is Excel (Peterson Industries). You can get into one of these in the mid 30k's. Hitchhikers are REALLY nice for the money, plus you can go to the factory (Iola,KS?) and see them built.

 

[RSeymon]

Search is over

Greetings one ans all.



Well we finally did it, Found a 1 year old 5er like new throughout. 32 foot 32rls by carriage dull slides. Hope to post some pics next weekend after we pick it up.



Thanks to one and all that took the time to answer my many questions.



Just another reason to keep ones membership up to date.