Fifth Wheel Brand Quality

[Moterhead]

I've been looking around for a good deal on a used 5th wheel toy hauler. Found one that seems like a good deal & isn't too far away. I'm a real newbie when it comes to campers. This 5er is a Wildwood Sport 30 foot. What kind of quality rep does Wildwood have? I've read that Fleetwoods are pretty bad. What brands do have a good quality rep? I've got a new truck to pay for (if it ever gets here!!!), so need to keep the 5er cost at a reasonable level.

 

[DPelletier]

Moterhead,

Sorry I can't coment on the Wildwood, but I also have heard numerous Fleetwood stories. My suggestion is to also post this question on IRV2.com under toy haulers. You will get lots of feedback there. I intend to look at a used Kit Patiohauler if I decide to switch from my slide-in/cargo trailer arrangement.

Cheers

Dave



ps. I have been following your truck ordering "ordeal" on some of the other threads and I hope you get your truck soon. I don't have the patience of some of you guys, so I just had my dealer search for a truck with my exact criteria. I ended up with a truck that had all the options that I wanted and none of the ones I didn't as well as a few that i didn't care about one way or the other.

Anyway good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Dkevdog]

You should get in touch in with Barry (moderator) here. He is the resident RV guru and has scouts all over the place and might be able to find you a much better coach for an even better price.



Kev

 

[Moterhead]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

You should get in touch in with Barry (moderator) here. He is the resident RV guru and has scouts all over the place and might be able to find you a much better coach for an even better price.



Kev

So, are you trying to say you don't think much of Wildwood's quality?



How do I get in touch with Barry?



When talking about a great deal, expense to go and get the unit is a big consideration. I'm in the Florida keys, 25 miles from Key West. A great deal in California isn't so great if I have to drive 3,000 miles to pick it up. One of the attractions of this unit is that it's only about two blocks away! Needs a bit of TLC. Some rotted wood in the floor replaced. Price is well under $10,000.

 

[phoekema]

fifth wheel quality

Just my opinion (like noses and other unmentionables, everyone has one)... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

For the money, Jayco makes a very good unit.



If you get one prior to 1998, Holiday is of high quality. Since Monaco took over, their towable line has gone down the white porcelain receptacle.



At this point I would vote for Travel Supreme as one of the best.

 

[ropinfool2]

I would shy away from any trailer that has a rotten floor. I had a buddy who owned an RV repair shop, saw him replace several floors, had to take the whole body of the trailer off as they put the floor on first and then build the walls and roof, not a cheap way to go. Now of course my brother just peeled up the vinyl and cut the bad spot out and pounded a new piece in, not very pretty but works. Good luck. John

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by Moterhead

So, are you trying to say you don't think much of Wildwood's quality?



How do I get in touch with Barry?

I have no experience with Wildwood, so I can't comment on them specifically, but there are usually only subtle differences between any of the "entry" level weekend trailers. Look at the how the trailer is built- Are there staples poking throught the back of the cabinets? How are the cabinets built? What are they made of? Solid wood? Plywood, or worse yet Particle board? How solid does the floor and roof feel? Look at how the plumbing and electrical systems are laid out. Is it nice and neat? Is it a hack job? Did they take the time to do a clean job? Look under the trailer and see how things are done down there. Not many people do. Are wires neatly tucked and things finished off well?



Reason Is, is if a manufacturer takes the time to finish off the things you can see (like under and behind), then chances are that manufacturer isn't one to cut corners where you can't see it.



I had a nightmare experience with a Fleetwood Product, and I know others have as well. Mine spent close to 4 of its first 8 months in a service, for major defects in the build. That's not to say that everything they build is junk, it just seems to me that they are more concerned with being the biggest than the best. I know Weekend Warrier seems to make a decent coach, I have been very happy with Sunnybrook, and others are just as happy with Nash products, but I don't think either make a toy hauler.



Barry is a good guy to talk to period. He has an RV/TRuck business in Granbury, TX, and while I didn't buy from him, he gave me a lot of good advice. You can get in touch with Barry by going Here .



Kev

 

[mgonske]

Originally posted by Moterhead

I've been looking around for a good deal on a used 5th wheel toy hauler.

CW,



What are you looking to do with it? Having finally concluded that mine just isn't up to hauling the weight of my Jeep as is, I'm faced with a choice of selling it or upgrading the axles and going to 8-lug wheels and load range F or G tires. (Actually, when I got back from Colorado in August, I declared to myself that I was just going to sell it)



PM me, and I'll give you a phone number to call me. If I can't unload, er, sell you mine, I'd be happy to just talk pros/cons and what I've learned about them over the last four years. I'm just North of Titusville, so only a weekend's excursion away

 

[bombero]

Well my thougth are: !. Make sure it has 8 lug 16 in wheels. 2. When you are loaded and pull into a overnite camp ground, you dont have to unload the stuff so you can be happy.

 

[Hunter1]

I would not touch a trailer that had any rot whatsover, once you get inside you might find that all the floors and many walls will need replaced, that is a HUGE concern with trailers, the leaks that have gone undetected and the rot



JMHO



Hunter1

 

[Tony T.]

Water and the Sun is a trailers worst enemy. From experience I would inspect it with a fine tooth comb, Especially in the corners and around skylights. You can tell right quick if the floor is rotten, or not when walking through it. Also I don't care what manufacture brand, there all subject to leaks. A 5ver or TT has to have (inspection) maintenance pretty often so a good covered awing, or shop will just make it last a whole lot longer. Fleet wood is not the only manufacture, that some may consider junk. What it boils down to is the way the person before you took care of the TT or 5ver.















Oo.

 

[RobertBolinger]

I worked at at Coachman/Shasta dealership in the late 80's. I thought Coachmen's were pretty good then. One thing they did then(not sure now) that Fleetwood did not do was use a one piece OSB floor, which was somewhat resistant to rot. I always heard that Fleetwood used plywood, because they had their own plywood plants. Fleetwood is huge-into RV and Mobile Homes... I think a lot of what you hear about Fleetwood is because they are so big, and there are so many out there. I think some of the smaller companies, like Jayco (I have one!) for instance are better than Fleetwood, but the biggest thing on a used unit is what happened to it before you got it-like Tony T said, water and sun are an RV's worst enemy-once the water is let in the damage is done.

 

[RustyJC]

Reputations (good or bad) are usually earned for a reason. Our current 36' triple slide 5th wheel is our 3rd Jayco - it wouldn't be if we were dissatisfied customers.



Rusty

 

[zari]

I guess this is almost like with trucks - ask three people, and you'll get three different answers



We're happy with out current Montana 5er. Well-built and nice pulling.

 

[Barry]

Part of the problem here is there is a differance between a 5th wheel and a 5th wheel "Toy Hauler". Most of the toy haulers are low to mid range mfg. They are not like looking at a Jayco Designer or Newmar or Nuwa.



If I were looking for a toy box, I would just rely on inspecting the overall condition and construction of the unit. I do know this. I can wholesale every one I can find. Those things are hotter than a depot stove... ... ... ... ..... mi dos pesos

 

[Berrigan]

I just sold my Wildwood travel trailer. Had it 5 years and bought it new. Quality was ok in my opinion but not great. I think interior quality was good, but the aluminum siding would creak when you stepped up on the entrance step. I never liked that. Also all the cheap plasic parts start breaking after a few years. The roof never leaked. frame seemed ok but as others have said it is not a high end trailer and held up as good as any ive owned. Also it was not a toy hauler.



I bought a Weekend Warrier 5th and I think it is better than most. When you look hard at the Warrior you can see features that most others dont have. 120 gal fresh water, large gen set, triple axles, better approach angles on the ramp, extremley strong floors for weight, 39 gal fuel station, oversized brakes etc.



I like mine cause I can tell it was engineered by someone who would probably use it themselves and knows the weakspots of the competition.



Quality wise it may be no better than the others, time will tell



Bill