looking at new 5er

[mbrolin]

Ok TDR members. You think that Bombitis is bad. Try the need to get 5er syndrome. Seriously,Im looking at a 01 30ft Holiday Rambler Presidential. It has a GVW of 12500lb. Empty weight is 9900lb. I feel that this load capacity is plenty and I will be within the GCVW of my truck. The layout is the best Ive found in any 5er. I do have a couple of questions. Are there any members out there who own or have owned a Holiday Rambler? Also,even with all the looking Ive done it has been hard to find an ideal hitch weight which would keep the truck GVW below the 8800lb limit. This 5er has a 2000lb hitch weight so Im estimating,with passengers,I will be over about about 500lb with the truck GVW. With this in mind does anyone see any problems with this setup?I do not foresee any problems but it never hurts to ask. Thanks in advance. I might add that a 01 5er would go good with my 01 truck. #ad
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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges(more to come)

[This message has been edited by Michael Brolin (edited 02-08-2001). ]

 

[Ramboy00]

I had a 36' Holiday Rambler Imperial double slide before buying my present 5'er. I don't know what the loaded weight was but the GVWR was 14,000. The HR was a good quality trailer and towed well. I had a lot of trouble with the large slide-out. In my opinion, it was much too heavy for the little motor that was trying to move it. That was a '94 model so they probably have corrected that problem by now. I looked at HR's before buying my Alfa and felt that they did not have the same quality of my '94. It probably had to do with weight and other factors though. If you have more questions, e-mail me.
Phil

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'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 55 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er

 

[Happy Camper]

I towed a 30' Alpeblite 5vr with my 97 2500. The 97 grossed out at 7400lbs and the 30' Alpenlite put me over weight. Do not remember how much but considerably. I went to the 3500 because my Lance slidein put me several tons over. Never had a problem with the 97 towing the 5vr (10,000 dry weight). Went over Montrose Pass in and Red Mountain in Co. I had the Camper package as well as the Trailer tow group. Had to watch the speed as the faster you go with the Cummins the more it wants to go.

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Bert
2001. 5,3500 QC 4x4, HO/6spd,limited slip,BD brake,60 gal Aero tank.

[This message has been edited by Happy Camper (edited 02-08-2001). ]

 

[Barry]

Michael, this past summer we pulled a 97 34ft double slide Alpenlite to Colo. and back. We crossed the scales at 19,960#. The rig ran and pulled like a dream. Up the passes in 6th and down them in 5th with the Ebrake. You have plenty enough truck to do your job. Caution: I love HR products. Buying new is a big commitment. I sell 3 year old coaches for 50 cents on the dollar of what they sold for new. If you want it, buy it. But make sure that is what you want to do... ... ... . Happy Camping.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI) Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 25,000 Miles on 01/30/01(RV Dealer)

 

[Larry Willard]

Mike
I am now on my 2nd Holiday Rambler, its a 98 Almalite 5er with 2 slides. We love the quality of it. We pulled it with a '96 2500 at a GVW of 9800 and a GCW of 20000+ lbs prior to getting the '01 3500. It did great and the main reason I swithched to the 3500 was to be more in line with tow ratings. No slide out problems except an adjustment so it didn't drag coming in.
Larry

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Ram Rod
'01 3500 white quad cab sport 4x4 ETH DEE SLT+ 4:10s posi Pac brake combo gauge tow/camper pkg. 20k reese 5th hitch
35' holiday rambler 5th wheel

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Some dealer told a first time buyer to just load more stuff in the back of the 5er and that will reduce the pin weight.

Some dealers need to be shot!

Personally, 500 over wouldn't bother me. Two Load Range E tires are good for almost 6,830 lbs. With 1,700 lb. pin weight, my rear axle weighs 4,380 lbs.

I hauled 2,500 lbs. in the back of a 1964 D100 1/2 Ton Dodge LWB for thousands of miles. 225 Slant Six. Push button automatic. Abused that truck for 5 years. Bought a 1968 Dodge D100 with 318 and big knob/handle shift on dash and abused it for 3 years hauling 2,500 lbs.

 

[Don D]

I've owned a 1991 HR Alumalite Free Spirit 27' w/slide and a 1997 Alumalite Limited 34'double slide. Both 5er's were absolutely a dream to own and use.
Since HR was bought by Monaco Coach Corp. in 1998 I feel that they have cheapened the product somewhat. The current 2001 Presidential replaces the previous Alumalite models. They are not offering a new version of the top of the line Imperial this year.
Overall, I think HR still puts out a great coach but they have had to cut some corners lately to stay price competitive.
Check out Alpenlite by Western RV before you take the plunge. Comparable price and a little heavier but they have remained dedicated to keeping the quality and value at the same level as always. (high) #ad


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'93 W250, LE, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , Cummins, K&N, 16cm turbo, Power Wagon injectors, Professionaly rebuilt and calibrated pump, straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch, Aluminum everything. My Rigs

 

[Don D]

One other thing to consider... .
The McKenzie Medallion is built by Monaco in Oregon and is an identical twin to the HR Presidential. Same parent company, same blueprints, different name.
The McKenzie usually is sold a little cheaper than the HR because it doesn't have the name recognition and loyal following as the HR even though they are identical designs. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[mbrolin]

Thanks for the input. I should add that I am presently pulling a TT and Im well aware of the problems/maintenace required for upkeep. I think this is why there are a lot of one time used TTs for sale. I have done a lot of looking even after I bought the TT so Im comfortable with what Ive selected. Don,I know that Monaco bought Holiday. The Medallion floorplan identical to the Presidential was $2k more. Also the Medallion color schemes leave a lot to be desired. There is also a 29ft Alumascape I want to look at as well. All the slideouts are ratcheting versus the old pulley system so Im assuming its a rack and pinion setup of some sort. Will let you all know whats decided. Im taking the wife down Saturday to have a look. She will help withnthe final decision if you know what I mean. HeHe

 

[mbrolin]

Well,we are close to getting a 5er. Its a Lakota 29ftw/triple slideout. The manufacturer is Monaco who also bought Holiday Rambler. Monaco/Holiday Rambler build the Presidential,Medallion,Alumascape and the Lakota. It is a well built 5er. Has a 10" ibeam frame,smooth siding,etc,etc. They will have to build mine when I decide to finalize the deal. The one they have in stock didnt have all the items I would have liked and the wife didnt like the interior color scheme. I may know for sure by the end of the week. Im still thinking things through.