Looking for a new 5er next year

[JCasper]

So next spring I think we will be upgrading from the TT we bought last year to a new Fifth wheel.



Some requirements. It needs to have bunks in it for the kids, preferably 3 or 4 of them. That brings me to a Keystone Cougar and ??????? IDK what else. I have just seen a floorplan of theirs that we like.



Here is the other thing. I tow mine quite a bit, not just the weekend trip 100 miles away. After this trip I am on I will have about 7,000 miles on my Springdale I bought last year. It is showing a few signs of the mileage. Nothing terrible yet, but you can tell it's a cheaper trailer and has been on the road a bit.



What do you all recommend? I know Arctic Fox is supposed to be well built, but what else.



It seems that alot of these Highways and Interstates are very rough and I know that it is really hard on the trailers. Is there something out there with a good frame, axles, bearings, etc that can handle all this better then others? Some of these highways can really beat them up.



TIA, Joe





Oh yeah, this is the plan unless we find a motorhome that my wife really likes that we can afford. My wife is really thinking motorhome is the way to go now.

 

[mberry]

Very good questions. Personally, I really like the Arctic Fox but Keystone makes some nice products. It all depends on your budget. We will be upgrading next year (hopefully) to a 5th wheel with a (some) slide out(s) since there will be 4 of us now.

 

[Slow Six]

We are upgrading our unit and we have been looking since last fall. As of right now our choice is the Carri-Llite from Carriage. For the most part I have found that you get what you pay for. The higher end products seem to have better suspensions, frames and overall better construction. These features are important to us as this is going to be home for the duration. We have tried to take in as many RV shows as possible. There is usually a lot of different products at a show and it is easy to do comparisons without a lot of travel plus factory reps may be there to answer questions. I find a lot of RV sales people are the same as the ones selling us our trucks. All they can tell you is their unit is the best, they never have a problem and it costs this much. Also if you have time there are sites on the net with discussion forms etc. where you can gather information. I have been watching threads such as this to try and get a feel from some of the hopefully more will add their experience.

 

[Grizzly]

We looked at Cougar and found them to be very nice inside and out. Good designs, but if you look closely at the construction, such as in the storage areas you'll see a lot shotty workmanship. The running gear was not very impressive. They are 2 to 2 1/2 star rated. Arctic Fox have very good workmanship, excellent running gear and are 4 star rated. Just as good and still 4 star rated, at a much lower price are Nash made by the same manufacture, Northwood. Nash are wood frame construction with corrugated aluminum sides and front and back caps. Not a thing wrong with wood frame. They are just a strong as an aluminum stud frame. They have the same 12" frame and running gear, the same insulation and the same workmanship as a Fox. If you want a durable, well built, well insulated but not too fancy 5er, consider a Nash. They're made in Eastern Oregon and I believe the best place to order one is from Pinehurst RV in Idaho near Coeur d'Alene.

 

[PaulWatkins]

Check out the Jayco 31. 5 FBHS. Really nice trailer. My good friend wants one of these and we've looked at one over and over(you know how that goes) If I were looking for a bunk house this would be the one. Jayco 2008

 

[AClayton]

So next spring I think we will be upgrading from the TT we bought last year to a new Fifth wheel.



Some requirements. It needs to have bunks in it for the kids, preferably 3 or 4 of them. That brings me to a Keystone Cougar and ??????? IDK what else. I have just seen a floorplan of theirs that we like.



Here is the other thing. I tow mine quite a bit, not just the weekend trip 100 miles away. After this trip I am on I will have about 7,000 miles on my Springdale I bought last year. It is showing a few signs of the mileage. Nothing terrible yet, but you can tell it's a cheaper trailer and has been on the road a bit.



What do you all recommend? I know Arctic Fox is supposed to be well built, but what else.



It seems that alot of these Highways and Interstates are very rough and I know that it is really hard on the trailers. Is there something out there with a good frame, axles, bearings, etc that can handle all this better then others? Some of these highways can really beat them up.



TIA, Joe





Oh yeah, this is the plan unless we find a motorhome that my wife really likes that we can afford. My wife is really thinking motorhome is the way to go now.

I started with TT's and bought a used motorhome back in 99'. I have upgraded twice since then and now have a Winnebago 35U with two slides. Many traveling advantages over pulling TT's or 5th wheels. My wife will never return to RV trailers because of the convience of using the bathroom while traveling as well as preparing snacks and the ease of keeping children entertained while on the road. Just tow a small vehicle behind you and you're ready to go..... just plan on averaging much less mileage when compared to your truck and trailer. I only get 8mpg towing a CRV... . anything over 65 drops that figure by 2- 3 mpg.

 

[LRutigliano]

Joe, we have a Cougar 314EFS and love it. Its not perfect, but it suits our needs. It has one slide in the main living area and a back bedroom with 2 sets of bunks for the girls.



My best friend and his family bought the exact same 5er and year. His was manufactured in Pendleton, OR and ours was manufactured in Indiana.



Initially, when I found out ours was manufactured in Indiana, I was a little upset, because I thought OREGON made would be best.



I was WRONG... We have had 0 issues with ours and my friend has had some problems. So far, we have approx 6000 miles and have only had to replace the cheap Mission tires.



We also considered a Montana 5er that had 3 slides, but basically the same floorpan and also liked it. However, it was $14k more than the Cougar and about 3k lbs heavier.



Go to an RV show and look at everything. Since you already have a trailer, you will know what you like and dislike and will find what you are looking for...



I'm keeping a running list of things I think my next 5er needs... With every trip, the list keeps getting longer.



Louis

 

[JCasper]

Joe, we have a Cougar 314EFS and love it. Its not perfect, but it suits our needs. It has one slide in the main living area and a back bedroom with 2 sets of bunks for the girls.



My best friend and his family bought the exact same 5er and year. His was manufactured in Pendleton, OR and ours was manufactured in Indiana.



Initially, when I found out ours was manufactured in Indiana, I was a little upset, because I thought OREGON made would be best.



I was WRONG... We have had 0 issues with ours and my friend has had some problems. So far, we have approx 6000 miles and have only had to replace the cheap Mission tires.



We also considered a Montana 5er that had 3 slides, but basically the same floorpan and also liked it. However, it was $14k more than the Cougar and about 3k lbs heavier.



Go to an RV show and look at everything. Since you already have a trailer, you will know what you like and dislike and will find what you are looking for...



I'm keeping a running list of things I think my next 5er needs... With every trip, the list keeps getting longer.



Louis

That's the cougar I was looking at, but I think I like the Jayco floorplan better.

 

[BrianJ]

I have been hearing good things about Jayco on several forums lately, and not a bad comment among them. That floor plan looks interesting as well. We just bought a new toyhauler last year, but if I was in the market for a bunk model I would definately look at that floor plan.



The only thing I can see that I would take a good look at is the viewing angle of the TV. (after owning a few RV's, I notice all of those "little things").



You also may want to take a look at the Cardinal by Forest River. Forest River makes a quality unit and the Cardinal is their upper line, but still priced decently. Not sure if it's a concern or not, but the Cardinal is rated 4 season (heated & enclosed tanks/valves & upgraded insulation/windows), and I am sure the Arctic Fox is as well. Not sure about the Nash or Jayco.

 

[Grizzly]

I have been hearing good things about Jayco on several forums lately, and not a bad comment among them. That floor plan looks interesting as well. We just bought a new toyhauler last year, but if I was in the market for a bunk model I would definately look at that floor plan.

The only thing I can see that I would take a good look at is the viewing angle of the TV. (after owning a few RV's, I notice all of those "little things").

You also may want to take a look at the Cardinal by Forest River. Forest River makes a quality unit and the Cardinal is their upper line, but still priced decently. Not sure if it's a concern or not, but the Cardinal is rated 4 season (heated & enclosed tanks/valves & upgraded insulation/windows), and I am sure the Arctic Fox is as well. Not sure about the Nash or Jayco.

Jayco's make a good 5er, 3 1/2 star rated according to RV Consumer Group. I like the floor plan of the 31. 5 FBHS. I agree with the angle of the TV plus I don't believe there is enough counter space in the kitchen. My wife likes a lot of counter space. Another thing is that the lavatory is too little. Most RV's have gone to a full size lav. Our Lance camper had a small lav and it was a pain in the B... The bunk beds are in the front, which is a matter personal preference. I like the bedroom in the front.



I hate to rain on your parade, but before you get too excited about a Cardinal, read the current thread by MGreer, "This Sucks". Cardinal, although Forest Rivers flagship, is only 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 star rated. None of Forest River's RV are known for quality. I know, they look like the highest level of quality on the inside, but the running gear and the construction of the unit are what matters to me. Look beyond the cosmetics and all the foo foo. Look at the fit and finish. crawl under the trailer and look at the steel, welds, bolting, wheels, axles, hangers. Look to see where the tanks are located because that will effect the balance and towability. I would also purchase a copy of the latest RV Consumer Group Guide. It's the RV Dealer's bible. it's well worth the money.

 

[JJPage]

So next spring I think we will be upgrading from the TT we bought last year to a new Fifth wheel.



Some requirements. It needs to have bunks in it for the kids, preferably 3 or 4 of them. That brings me to a Keystone Cougar and ??????? IDK what else. I have just seen a floorplan of theirs that we like.



Here is the other thing. I tow mine quite a bit, not just the weekend trip 100 miles away. After this trip I am on I will have about 7,000 miles on my Springdale I bought last year. It is showing a few signs of the mileage. Nothing terrible yet, but you can tell it's a cheaper trailer and has been on the road a bit.



What do you all recommend? I know Arctic Fox is supposed to be well built, but what else.



It seems that alot of these Highways and Interstates are very rough and I know that it is really hard on the trailers. Is there something out there with a good frame, axles, bearings, etc that can handle all this better then others? Some of these highways can really beat them up.



TIA, Joe





Oh yeah, this is the plan unless we find a motorhome that my wife really likes that we can afford. My wife is really thinking motorhome is the way to go now.

Sounds like you are very certain about what you want. I have a 2003 Ragen 5th toy hauler, I love it, my wife loves it, but we do not use it. We have had it out about 4 times, dexter axle kit, 6k genset, 30g fuel station, 100 fresh water, 16k reese slider.



This unit is like new, someone make me an offer, my wife will kill me later!



Jess

 

[JCasper]

Jayco's make a good 5er, 3 1/2 star rated according to RV Consumer Group. I like the floor plan of the 31. 5 FBHS. I agree with the angle of the TV plus I don't believe there is enough counter space in the kitchen. My wife likes a lot of counter space. Another thing is that the lavatory is too little. Most RV's have gone to a full size lav. Our Lance camper had a small lav and it was a pain in the B... The bunk beds are in the front, which is a matter personal preference. I like the bedroom in the front.



I hate to rain on your parade, but before you get too excited about a Cardinal, read the current thread by MGreer, "This Sucks". Cardinal, although Forest Rivers flagship, is only 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 star rated. None of Forest River's RV are known for quality. I know, they look like the highest level of quality on the inside, but the running gear and the construction of the unit are what matters to me. Look beyond the cosmetics and all the foo foo. Look at the fit and finish. crawl under the trailer and look at the steel, welds, bolting, wheels, axles, hangers. Look to see where the tanks are located because that will effect the balance and towability. I would also purchase a copy of the latest RV Consumer Group Guide. It's the RV Dealer's bible. it's well worth the money.

Yep, running gear is a big concern for me. We seem to be putting a lot of miles on our trailer and I want something that will hold up to the terrible highways we seem to find ourselves on.



TV is not so important at this time. We don't even have one in our trailer

 

[JCasper]

Sounds like you are very certain about what you want. I have a 2003 Ragen 5th toy hauler, I love it, my wife loves it, but we do not use it. We have had it out about 4 times, dexter axle kit, 6k genset, 30g fuel station, 100 fresh water, 16k reese slider.



This unit is like new, someone make me an offer, my wife will kill me later!



Jess

I wish I could get a bunkhouse with a 100-120 gallon fresh water tank. Only the toyhaulers come with that size tanks.