Older Nash 5th wheel?

[BLMills]

Looking for opinions from those out there with Nash trailer experience.



Stumbled across a 1996 Nash 25. 5 5th wheel that a nice couple own and just don't use anymore, for around $6k. Spoke to them on the phone and they are emailing pictures, but sounds like it is in good shape.



Anyone out there with this model and experience? Goods/Bads?



Maybe pictures of the floorplan?



Nash's reputation around the mid 90's?



After some good feedback (earlier thread) on a newer 30' toyhauler that thankfully I didn't purchase, I've decided my truck would be better suited to a smaller 5er. I lost alot of sleep over being overweight and the expense. I'll sell the Harley and forget the toyhauler.



I'm transferring to San Diego and plan on living in one for awhile (just me) till my family joins up. I don't need anything fancy, so now I'm thinking a smaller, older (but reliable?) 5er like this Nash would be good to temporarily live in, and a good trailer for family camping and a cushy base camp for hunting. :-laf



Thanks for the input.



Cheers,

Gunny

 

[abdiver]

Gunny check out
http://www.afnash.com/forum/

Lots of nice folks there and experience and knowledge

 

[Buffalo]

Gunny,



I've had two Northwood Ind. products (Nash, Arctic Fox, Desert Fox, etc. ). A 19-1/2' AF, which, I sold for my '98 25-S. I really liked both trailers (both, bumperpull). I, also, bought both, used.



The '98, 25-S was only 7 months old when I got it. Still smelled new, inside.

I've had the 25-S all over the country & into Ontario, Can. . Spent the majority of two summers in it & found it to be quite comfortable.



The Nash line was originally designed to serve as an off-road, rough camping type of trailer. It has more ground clearance than many other trailers so that you can take it back into the woods without bottoming it out. It certainly has worked out well for me.



My Nashes have been VERY reliable. No serious problems. Three of my friends have them, also, & really like them. One guy did have some elec. problems when the treailer was new & those were fixed under warranty.



I would check the bushings on the suspension shackles. They are plastic or nylon & do have a tendency to wear out. Mine did. The symptoms are a metalic "popping" sound when driving out of the driveway. I thought it was the trailer hitch but, read on "AFNash.com" that it was the bushings. Dexter Axles sells a "Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit" that corrects this problem with brass, greasable bushings. They work, in my opinion.



I'd, also, check out the rubber (EPDM) roof. Mine was OK but, it would be something to check.



I've been very pleased with my Nashes & would/will buy another one when the time comes.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DeezelDood]

I've got a 2005 27F TT and love it. Best built coach for the money there is, in my opinion. They add the little things as standard, like a 10 gallon HW heater, shock absorbers etc. Top of the line fridge and a/c unit. Nice cabinets and hardware. Roof ladder is standard. Very well built. Fit and finish top rate, no loose screws, squeaks. This is a true 4-season coach. I looked up 1996 Nash FW in my "rv consumer group" (rv.org) rating CD.

Found a 1996 25-5M on the CD.

Price new (1996) : about $16,800

Current retail value: about $7,300

Reliability: 4 stars out of 5

Value: 4 stars out of 5

Safety: 3 stars out of 5 (3 or over is fine). Safety is basically towability.

Loaded curb wt: 6103 pounds

Loaded hitch wt: 1193 pounds

Ratio: 20%. Good ratio for a FW, easy loading.



If I was lookng for a FW I would buy this one without any hesitation.

 

[BLMills]

Thanks all for the replies. Exactly the input I was looking for. So far, sounds like Nash has a great reputation among TDR members. Hopefully the folks will email pics and the trailer is in as good a condition as they describe. Might be a great 3-day weekend to take a drive to go view it.



Seems like my 2500 w/3. 55 should handle this gross wt/pin wt with ease.



Thought about a one of those fifth wheel to goose neck adaptors, since I'm already set up with a Draw-Tite GN removable ball. But, after some reading, sounds like a no-no, due to torque. (not meaning to start any Goose-5er wars) I guess a Husky slider will do the trick.



Gunny

 

[Grizzly]

Check it out thoroughly as Joe Buffalo said, especially the running gear. Northwood builds good and reliable units and most are 4 star rated. If the tires are original and/or ST, I would change them out for new LT tires.

 

[klenger]

My Fox in my sig has been good to me.

 

[AABEN]

It is hard to hook up to a goose neck if you are using a in bed fuel tank. I run a 100GL tank could not see in bed to hook up tool box does the same.

 

[BLMills]

Klenger,



That is a fine looking 5th Wheel. I'd love to get an Arctic Fox someday, but unfortunately, with the expense of moving to San Diego, I'll gladly cut my teeth on a used Nash in good shape. BTW, I think I saw your name being tossed around on the AFNash website. (In a good way)



blackbear,



Good point about the fuel tank/box.



I have a pretty tall and deep box that I guess I might have to take off and find other places for all my tools, extra oil, filters and such.

 

[John - K5AWO]

A rear view camera can fix the gooseneck hitch viewing problem. My sister did that to her ranch tow truck because she was tired of waiting until her hubby was around to hook up the horse trailer. (she's a tad bit independent )

 

[GAmes]

It is hard to hook up to a goose neck if you are using a in bed fuel tank. I run a 100GL tank could not see in bed to hook up tool box does the same.

A rear camera is nice, but I have a system that costs less than a dollar. An old magnet out of a radio speaker with a hole drilled thru the center and a piece of dowel rod about 2 ft long. Insert the rod into the hole, put the magnet on top of the ball. Back up till the rod hits the gooseneck in the center. I use the same setup when hooking up a TT or cargo trailer. Works for me.

 

[Fireman]

Check it out thoroughly as Joe Buffalo said, especially the running gear. Northwood builds good and reliable units and most are 4 star rated. If the tires are original and/or ST, I would change them out for new LT tires.

Grizz, they have had a recent poll on ST tire failures on the Nash/AF forum the results were surprising. 0 tire failures on the smaller trailers, all failures (8)were on the larger trailers. There was alot of speculation as to why, my guess was the larger trailers were pushing the design limits of the tires and axles. Like my 33 footer with a 15,000# GVWR and 6,000# axles.



Even given that, I would replace the tires on the trailer in question based on their age.

 

[abdiver]

Grizz, they have had a recent poll on ST tire failures on the Nash/AF forum the results were surprising. 0 tire failures on the smaller trailers, all failures (8)were on the larger trailers. There was alot of speculation as to why, my guess was the larger trailers were pushing the design limits of the tires and axles. Like my 33 footer with a 15,000# GVWR and 6,000# axles.



Even given that, I would replace the tires on the trailer in question based on their age.

Tires should be replaced when they are 4 to 6 years old make sure when you buy your tires they are not more than 6 months old. Tires that are stored inside a warehouse for 2 years and then placed on your rig are still 2years old and would or should be replaced in 2 to 4 years so get fresh tires.



been some good discussions about ST/LT tires on rv.net, which are worth a look. check out the sites below may help



http://www.afnash.com/forum/view_topic.php?id=5522&forum_id=9&highlight=schwab



http://www.afnash.com/forum/view_topic.php?id=6037&forum_id=9&highlight=schwab

 

[Grizzly]

Grizz, they have had a recent poll on ST tire failures on the Nash/AF forum the results were surprising. 0 tire failures on the smaller trailers, all failures (8)were on the larger trailers. There was alot of speculation as to why, my guess was the larger trailers were pushing the design limits of the tires and axles. Like my 33 footer with a 15,000# GVWR and 6,000# axles.



Even given that, I would replace the tires on the trailer in question based on their age.

I started a thread on AFNash forum on 25 Aug 07 about LT vs ST tires for 5er and TT. There were many accounts of ST tire failures and a surprising support for LT tires. I also conducted a survey of RV manufactures and asked the same question. The upper end and heavier trailer manufactures use LT tires. Northwood Mfg still uses ST tires. I spoke to everyone except Mr. Nash, who wouldn't return my calls, at Northwood about using LT tires as standard equipped. They won't do it. Look for grizzly1 in the AFNash forum.