looking for a fiver

[Pine Sap]

Am looking to buy one in the next year. I would like tostay well under the 9900 lb tow limit and how much tongue weight as I can in order to take care of my delicate little wimpy slush box (thought I'd get that in before the hand shifters do). #ad


Any and all advice, makes, models, sizes, etc are requested.

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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

[JohnB]

When I was looking, weight was also a concern. Of the lighter trailers I liked the Alumascape 26' by Holiday Rambler and the Sunnybrook 27". I ended up buying the Sunnybrook because of final finish and appointments. Both are very good trailers. Mine is a 27rkfs that has a slide out for the dinnett and sofa. Wet weight is 9000lbs with 1800 on the hitch. My shortbed pulls it great and I have been very happy with the trailer.
Good shopping

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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

[C Schomer]

I traded for a Sunnybrook 24 CKFS last summer - best RV I've ever had! Sunnybrook is one of the best quality Rv's for the money. Hardwood, Corian and entertainment centers are nice but that stuff is heavy! Go to rv.net and click on 'Buyers Guide', then click on RV MGFRS and you can see almost all the Rv's. This 24 CKFS has a great floorplan for a small RV and some fulltimers buy this one. Craig

 

[Don D]

My advise would be to stay away from the entry level stuff. I've already been to that rodeo! Those things will fall apart right in your driveway. It's true that the higher end trailers have lots of foofy stuff that is rarely neccesary for the average camping trip, but I'm convinced that these brands are also long lasting and tough. They also have fairly good resale value as opposed to almost none on the cheapie brands.
You might consider a used higher end unit instead of a new piece of junk. It's amazing how much they all look alike with such a huge difference in price, but after you own a few, the price difference is almost always reflected in quality.
Good Luck.

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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

 

[Pine Sap]

Originally posted by Don D: My advise would be to stay away from the entry level stuff. I've already been to that rodeo! Those things will fall apart right in your driveway. It's true that the higher end trailers have lots of foofy stuff that is rarely neccesary for the average camping trip, but I'm convinced that these brands are also long lasting and tough. They also have fairly good resale value as opposed to almost none on the cheapie brands.
You might consider a used higher end unit instead of a new piece of junk. It's amazing how much they all look alike with such a huge difference in price, but after you own a few, the price difference is almost always reflected in quality. Good Luck.

Don D... thanks! That a sweet looking setup you have. I really like the looks of that Camper. As far as quality, any brands besides Holiday Rambler?

To the other post... I notice your in the 26'ish range which is what I was thinking I would wind up at. How many people do you normally take with you for that size fiver... ?

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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

[Don D]

I've noticed on other boards that most folks will tell you to buy the brand that they did. #ad
I've been very satisfied with my Holiday Rambler. Not the newest, but a fine product. I also had a bigger 1997 HR 34' with double slides and all the bells and whistles. Fantastic trailer and top of the line but it was too long and heavy for what I like to do, and I made a nice profit on it. Ended up hanging on to the old 27' and am looking for a newer 31' right now.

I would highly recommend looking at Alpenlite. I think they have the finest construction offered today in the mid to high end units. They are pretty scarce in the Eastern US, but #1 in sales in the West. How many RV salesmen can say to a customer "Go ahead, hit this wall as hard as you can". (hurts bad too!) #ad


There are other fantastic 5ers out there like Travel Supreme, Newmar, Teton, and others, but most of these are built for full time use, only available in 32+ft. , heavy pigs, and big $$$.

My top five picks would be...
Alpenlite
Alfa
Holiday Rambler
McKenzie
Jayco

Happy hunting.


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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

 

[Barry]

Don D. Good picks! But remember, the Alfa and the Alpenlites get a little thin east of the Miss. All the Nuwa units ( Hitchhiker,Snowbird) are good units.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, VA Magic Box, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag- Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. (RV Dealer)

 

[Don D]

Agreed. Forgot about Nuway.

 

[JimP]

Don D I could'nt agree more. I have owned Jakco's,Terry's,and came cloose to owning a coachman. The one I have now is an American Star by New Mar. If your only use week-ends and two week vacations there fine. We live in ours for three month's every winter and I can tell you there is no comparison.

2001 quad cab 4x2 patriot blue & lower silver
American Star fiver


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[Gonzo 1066]

I am very happy with our Alpinlite truck camper. We use it commercially. Lots of miles and nights a year. We had a lesser camper at first and agree go with a higher end proven unit dont be a test driver for some cheep light weight rig.

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1995 2500 5 spd bombed. 2001 ETH 3500 stock. 1972 1066 International Harvester 414 ci diesel pulling tractor.
GONZO

 

[pwr2tow]

See signature, slush box gooooooooooood. Just use your head when towing.

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[RColston]

First time post. Realy enjoy the site and info. Have '96 2500 CA 5spd with no mod's, YET, and pull a 1996 Hitchhiker Premier 36RK 2 slide. MY ADVICE-BUY USED IF U CAN!!! Hitchhiker makes a great product, tow's great even at the 13k max GVW. Good luck.

 

[Pine Sap]

Originally posted by JohnB:
Wet weight is 9000lbs with 1800 on the hitch.

something that is a bit confusing to me is the 1800lb on the hitch. I assume my DC 2500 is appx 7000lb (??) empty with a GVWR of 8800. This leaves me with maybe 1800lbs of which the fiver takes all of it. What do I do about passengers, fuel, tool box, luggage, food, etc... ?



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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, Brolin CB Bracket, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

[JohnB]

You are correct if you go by the book. My truck weighs 6700lbs full of fuel, some tools. You add the 1800 to it and your right at rated max for the truck and way under for GCVWR. All I can say is that the truck is no way near rear axle max, sits above level and handles great. I think that DC is looking at the hauled load on the truck which could affect the stability and stopping of the vehicle. The trailer weight is stable due to it's own axles and is stopping it's weight with it's own brakes. Works for me anyway.

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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

[Pine Sap]

A lot of folks are going to the SunnyBrook line in this area. I supoose they must be nice rigs. I will try to go eyeball the 24 and the 27 soon...

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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, Brolin CB Bracket, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

[Bob Wagner]

check for answers here www.irv2.com

 

[Forrest]

I think next time I look for a 5'er, I'm going for certain features amongst the top models.

1. Living room & bed room slide.
2. Bed room closet across the front.
3. Corner shower with the sink closest to the bed. It makes the bedroom/bathroom bigger. #ad

4. Rear lounge with 2 rockers.
5. Entertainment center on the wall that separates the living room from the bathroom. That way, it's straight away from the rockers.
6. Lots of storage. The basement models win big there & the added storage under the floor helps keep the pipes from freezing & the floor warmer. #ad

7. Try to keep all that in the 27 to 29' range. Easier to park on my side of the Sierras. #ad


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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, HX40-16, TST #11/280 slid 3/4 way, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD Governor kit.
4" CATless turn down straight out back.
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, RE-0880, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Clutch days are numbered, McLeod on the way.
#11 plate days are numbered, custom grind on the way.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[merryman]

Pine Sap

My frustration when looking at new fivers (we have bought three over the years) is that there is a LOT of the trailer you really can't see. While the first two worked out O K, on the last one I checked out the RV rating groups.
Supposedly, they rate based on more than meets the eye. I can not remember the name of the groups, but any Nash/Artic Fox dealer can give you the name of one of them,since they were rated best overall in the vacation class.

Based on that rating, we bought an Artic Fox. We have not used it enough to give a good report, but felt it worth while to rely on an independent rating group that hopefully could evaluate the various offerings more completely than I could.

Vaughn