Dutchmen 5er, Good or Bad

[DMcCutcheon]

I am considering buying a used 2004 Dutchmen fifth wheel model 27B-M5 and was wondering if they are a good model and what problems I should be looking for. It has a dinette, sofa bed slide and bunkbeds. It appears to have been well cared for.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Dutchman is a lower cost trailer. They are more of an entry level unit. I see quite a few of them around and have not heard of any particular problems. You might want to look at a few other makes and compare quality of constuction and then make your own decision. It also depends on what you want to use it for. Weekend and vacation camping almost any trailer will work fine. Full timing or extended use requires a trailer designed for that type of use and you will pay quite a bit more.

 

[BimmerAgent]

I have a buddy on this sight that had a Dutchman, and he had some probs. The siding on his unit was aluminum, and more than once was peeled off by the wind. Also, a weld failed on an axle shackle, and had to be re-welded. I'd check it out thoroughly. Bruce

 

[TowPro]

I saw one down in VA where the header over the slide was broken, and the roof almost had a valley above the broken header causing all the rain water to drain onto the top of the slide, then run into the inside of the camper.



I saw another where the stud next to the door (latch side) was broken, everytime you closed the door the wall would bend in the middle!

 

[SBettencourt]

Its like buying anything used. Check for soft spots in the floor or signs of waterleaks on the ceiling or walls. Look up under the wheel wells to check for blowout damage. If the wheelweels are ripped up it could allow a LOT of water to enter the trailer when towing in the wet. The appliances and such are industry standard so as long as everything works you should be good there.

Try to find out why its for sale. It might be to upsize or downsize or it could be to dump a problem. If you can get the brakes and bearings checked that would be a plus, too.

I have a '94 22' Dutchmen that I got used 2 years ago. It had some minor issues that I fixed myself and the Norcold fidge was replaced under their recall. I got my at Fretz RV in PA and PA requires yearly safety inspections of all trailers so the mechanics were well maintained. I really like it but my next one will be at least a mid height so I can stand in the bedroom.

 

[RustyJC]

If I were looking at that price point, there are a number of other brands (Jayco, for one) that I would pick over a Dutchmen. They've historically had more than their fair share of water leaks (death to an RV) and other problems.



Rusty

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

My advice is to RUN AWAY from the Dutchman as fast as you can. I am the one that Bruce is referring to. I had a 2001 (?) 27' Classic 5th wheel, purchased new that was the biggest piece of junk I have ever had. Twice the aluminum siding peeled away while I was towing through moderate wind. The repair center said that it was from poor factory installation. Two different times the welding that holds the axle to the frame broke. I had one of the interior pannels near the fridge pull away from the wall. The wiring on the furnace was installed incorrectly, rubbed a nail, shorted out so that you could not use the thermostat. A window was bad when I purchased the unit. It took Dutchman three months to get the correct window to my dealer. There were other problems as well but I have blocked them out.



We had the p. o. s. for two years. We camp regularily, and EVERY time we returned home, something else was wrong. The thing towed like a brick. My new trailer is about 1500 lbs heavier, and much easier to tow.



Every manufactur makes a lemon every now and then, but this was beyond belief. Maybe it was an isolated incident, but I do know of another person who had severe problems with the frame of his Dutchman 5er.

 

[Buffalo]

If you decide against the Dutchman, you may want to consider looking into the Nash line of trailers. They are on the higher level of the low priced trailers & seem to be built well. I've had two of them, so far. A 19' & a 25' which I now own.



In our group, we've had five Nash products, so far. All have been great except for one that had a short in the wiring that was corrected.



In looking at your signature, I noticed you have an "Espar". Assuming that's the engine heater, you probably live in a colder climate. Nash trailers are built in Eastern Oregon (cold) & are designed for colder climates (good insulation). They are also designed more for off-road use. They have a bit more ground clearance for backwoods camping.



The Arctic Fox line of trailers is Nash's "top of the line". There is an Arctic Fox/ Nash Owners website (AFNash.com) that you may find interesting & may answer some of your questions, if any, regarding their products.



I'm very happy with my 25-S & would buy one again, in a heartbeat!!!



I took a tour of Nash's factory in 1997 & was impressed with the construction of these trailers.



Nash now has a factory somewhere in the Carolina's, I believe, also.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[RNash]

A good word for American Star (Newmar)

A have a 96 American Star made by Newmar. Its an entry level unit but is very well built. Its had no problems other than normal maint.

 

[rweis]

I had a Dutchman that the frame from the main frame to the hitch pin failed. caused a crack from the lower front window drivers side to the frame corner. Factory tried to stop drill it 3 times. Of course that did not work.



Off the hitch the crack was almost invisable, on the hitch it would open up to about 1/8".



I managed to trade it in on an Alfa and actually got a good trade in for it. Know it all salesmen know everything EXCEPT the facts Oo. and I did tell them about it and they wrote it down then ignored it :-laf .



All the mechanicals worked fine, just (JUST, ha) a broken frame.



Bob Weis

 

[DBF]

We've towed (actually moved, not just sat around) our 2000 Jayco 5er (269RD) over 50,000 miles (Alaska three times, Newfoundland once). Only one on-road problem, a snapped leaf spring. The refrigerator had to be replaced after five years. No leaks.



Our total time living in it over this period is about a year - far more than any "vacation" trailer is meant to stand. Other, much more expensive, trailers are built for full-time use.



If any other trailer can take the beating we've put this trailer through, buy it.



DBF

 

[DMcCutcheon]

Thanks for all of the replies. The trailer is on a dealers lot. It is not a Dutchmen dealership. After reading what everyone had to say I decided to ask for the name of the former owner so I could contact him and find out if he had experienced any problems with it, but the dealer refused to give me his name. We decided it would be best to look for something else. We currently own a 1993 Jayco 265RK and would like something with a slide and bunks.