Own a MH....Interested in 5th wheel

[AABEN]

I think you should check around on it auto insurance is not as good as a compy that does RV. Look at a Goodsams policy and check with the people that sales your trailer they know who will take care of every thing that is in the trailer. My trailer was insured for 5years if I totaled it i got a new one gest like. So do some checking on it. ==Good luck

 

[CROW]

I agree with Mr. Barlow, the lady of the house cannot see past the floorplan, frills, color and size. They have absolutely (and I mean absolutely zero) appreciation or comprehension of factors such as weight, construction, frame, running gear, tires, brakes. When we look at new fifth wheels, my wife will always, and I mean always, pick the one with the most slides and that is the largest. Mr. Barlow has it right, let the lady of the house make a selection within the choices you have approved. That way it becomes a joint decision.

 

[BBeck]

Some dealers simply aren't very smart but have looked good and made money during the good times and are unable to change their business practices when times get tough in the industry as they are now. Many are gone, bankrupt, and selling trailers at other dealerships or used cars now. Some are simply very stubborn, perhaps stupid, even when faced with the present harsh realities.



I told a local dealer I would order a new one from him if he would price it at a percentage or fixed dollar amount over invoice that I would accept and back it up with a copy of the invoice. He refused so I went home and got on the phone. The second dealer I called agreed and made me an offer better than I really expected and thousands below the local dealer's offer.



The great thing about buying travel trailers (or MHs, cars, trucks, etc. ) is they are portable or self-propelled and there are dealers selling the identical products all over the country. There is no reason to buy from a guy who won't work with you. Lots of smart buyers order by telephone and make it a vacation to go to another state to pick up their new unit. A friend of mine here recently drove to Michigan to buy a leftover big fifth wheel at a huge discount. He and his wife made it a vacation trip and a shake-down cruise for their new fiver.

I had a similar experience when I was looking for a trailer last month. Every large RV dealership had prices 10-50% over NADA for used trailers. When I mentioned this, they would tell me that NADA is worthless and means nothing.



When I then pointed out that banks and Credit Unions use NADA to determine a loan, one salesman's response was that most people come in and pay cash for the trailer instead (uh, yeah right). Another said they have in house financing.



So I did the logical thing and bought from a private party. Had the trailer inspected by a Certified Master Tech. Trailer was priced more than $2,000 under the NADA for average retail and was fully optioned, including extended dinette and recliner hide a bed and in near mint condition.



Unit was used eight times (2004 Jayco Eagle) and still smells new. Because of the lower price, I was able to get a loan with no downpayment, 100% financed at a lower interest rate as well.



Couldn't be happier...



Brad

 

[AMink]

Just remind your wife that the bigger the RV, the longer it will take her to clean it. :-laf Seriously, if you're not full timing, anything over 30 or 32' will become a chore. Sometimes I wish we had a 19' for weekending and our Wildcat for the week long trips. Luckily, my wife is very practical. She insisted on more storage space (keep in mind that stuff expands to fill the available space) and a bed that you can access from both sides. I'd do without carpet if I could find one and just use area rugs. Aluminum siding is lighter than fiberglass and offers dent vs. crack on those "oops" moments. If the trailer doesn't come with 16" rims with LT tires, make sure that you can upgrade, i. e. have the space. I wish mine had a bigger fresh water tank because we dry camp as much or more than we hook up.



I think we have our trailer insured separately, but I'm not sure.



BTW, we drove past a big RV place on I-5 near Eugene the other day. They have very nice, high-end bus conversions. One was marked $250,000 off MSRP! Two hundred and fifty thousand! I missed it, but my wife saw it. She laughed so hard I thought stuff was going to launch out her nose!

 

[HBarlow]

I had a similar experience when I was looking for a trailer last month. Every large RV dealership had prices 10-50% over NADA for used trailers. When I mentioned this, they would tell me that NADA is worthless and means nothing.

When I then pointed out that banks and Credit Unions use NADA to determine a loan, one salesman's response was that most people come in and pay cash for the trailer instead (uh, yeah right). Another said they have in house financing.

So I did the logical thing and bought from a private party. Had the trailer inspected by a Certified Master Tech. Trailer was priced more than $2,000 under the NADA for average retail and was fully optioned, including extended dinette and recliner hide a bed and in near mint condition.

Unit was used eight times (2004 Jayco Eagle) and still smells new. Because of the lower price, I was able to get a loan with no downpayment, 100% financed at a lower interest rate as well.

Couldn't be happier...

Brad

Brad,

What you did is called being a smart buyer. In this buyer's market there are probably hundreds of clean, barely used units available around the country in the hands of motivated, even desperate sellers.

More than twenty years ago I sold cars in San Diego for a few months. My manager was a savvy and realistic guy who had everything in perspective and was fun to work for. He told me once that the most expensive "item" on an auto dealer's lot is a stupid salesman.

Unfortunately, there are many of them. Many are not smart enough to recognize and understand when they meet a smart and informed prospective buyer. They try lying to the smart buyer and telling him (or her) nonsense like they tried on you thinking they could fool you. You recognized bs when you heard it and walked. He could possibly have sold you a trailer if he'd been honest, sincere, and gone in and told his manager you were an informed buyer, that bs and inflated prices wouldn't work. That's what I did when I sold cars and my manager would work differently with the informed prospects.

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ..... Seriously, if you're not full timing, anything over 30 or 32' will become a chore. Sometimes I wish we had a 19' for weekending and our Wildcat for the week long trips... ... ... ... ... ...

That is absolutely true! The bigger ones are great if you LIVE in it but for vacations, weekending, and part-time use bigger is generally not better.

My HitchHiker is 33' 9" long and very comfortable for travel or parked but not one you can zip around without being aware it is behind you. I would not (did not) choose to pull one any longer or heavier. 34' and 14,000 lbs. is a good load, possibly the maximum load, I would want for a 3500 series truck.

Yep, I've pulled them a LOT longer and a LOT heavier but not for enjoyment. I only pulled them because I was being paid to do it.

 

[AClayton]

Found a couple more trailers on Craigslist. I keep expecting to see some deals and not seeing them... . there is a 03' Holiday Rambler 5th wheel that seemed to be a good deal until we got some pictures e-mailed to usPets and/or kids is all I can say!!



The Arctic Fox is at the top of my list and the owner is calling me twice a day now for a week..... better half is not even remotely interested. Floor plan is no good to her. She is hung up on the front LR idea and I just cannot get her out of it. Hoping Hershey will have something to look at!!



You guys have this much trouble with the wives picking out a floorplan?I'm thinking about keeping the MH now..... FRUSTRATING to say the least!







Alan

 

[BBeck]

Just remind your wife that the bigger the RV, the longer it will take her to clean it. :-laf Seriously, if you're not full timing, anything over 30 or 32' will become a chore. Sometimes I wish we had a 19' for weekending and our Wildcat for the week long trips. Luckily, my wife is very practical. She insisted on more storage space (keep in mind that stuff expands to fill the available space) and a bed that you can access from both sides. I'd do without carpet if I could find one and just use area rugs. Aluminum siding is lighter than fiberglass and offers dent vs. crack on those "oops" moments. If the trailer doesn't come with 16" rims with LT tires, make sure that you can upgrade, i. e. have the space. I wish mine had a bigger fresh water tank because we dry camp as much or more than we hook up.



I think we have our trailer insured separately, but I'm not sure.



BTW, we drove past a big RV place on I-5 near Eugene the other day. They have very nice, high-end bus conversions. One was marked $250,000 off MSRP! Two hundred and fifty thousand! I missed it, but my wife saw it. She laughed so hard I thought stuff was going to launch out her nose!

AMink:



That dealer is the same one I was at last month. Guaranty RV was their name. The sales guy there told me that all RVs are the same, so you just need to pick out the layout you like and he'll see if he has one on the lot.



Of course I said, then what is the difference between all the manufacturers. Why choose one over the other. He didn't have a good answer. And since I know there is a big difference, I moved on.



BTW: when I asked about Fleetwood, he told me that they are just reorganizing and that they aren't building trailers right now. Of course he didn't tell me that their business model is to no longer build trailers and only build motorhomes.



I stopped by there namely because one of their saleswomen was interviewed in the DVD called, "How to Buy an RV", which is provided by the BBB. Let's just say that my experience was the exact opposite of what this woman had stated in the DVD.

 

[AMink]

Which Sunnybrook model is it your wife likes, AC?

 

[AABEN]

If you are looking for a ins that will cover you like a home ins you need to go to GOODSAMS and get it or some one that sells ins that will cover you all the way. Auto in is not a good RV ins!!When I bought my trailer NEW I got an ins that would replace it if totaled in the first 5 years. You need to look around!!

 

[AClayton]

Yeah... . so basically it is the same to own a trailer or MH as far as Insurance goes. I guess I was just lucky when I owned my 1st RV... . a 24' Coachmen TT. I had no extra Insurance on that all..... but it was paid for and had no real value anyhow.





AMink



The Sunnybrook model is a leftover 08' 39FLR. I'm assuming it stands for front living room. But it is ONLY 37' but weighs 14K unloaded. It has 2 8K leaf sprung axles with 8 lug wheels and drum brakes. Not a bad trailer but doesn't seem to have the build quality and the greatest selection of appliances. I have always been satisfied with Norcold Fridges and Coleman/Mach A/C's and this manufacturer uses all Dometic. I'm convinced it is too heavy for my truck unless for short trips or even maybe the occasional 4hr drive ones. It is way too long and if I'm needing to gain experience with 5th wheel travel,it would be wise to start out with my favorite... . the Arctic Fox 30':-laf

 

[mberry]

As to your original question, we have a separate policy for the RV. Since we have all of our cars and home with the same insurance company, the RV insurance costs us an additional $8 per month for full coverage.

Please, PLEASE find a way to convince her that the Arctic Fox is the better and safer coach!!! If you let her talk you into purchasing this, and you already know it's beyond your trucks reasonable capabilities regardless of your performance mods, and something happens to you or her in an accident I'm sure it would devastate the other person, assuming one or both of you survive. Or worse, hurting someone else and/or their kids because she liked the dust ruffle and the corner shower. I personally would not advise anyone to go this big of an RV that requires practice pulling it. I don't mean that personally, I mean that generally.

The fact of the matter is you know you shouldn't buy it. You KNOW you shouldn't tow it with your current truck. You also know that if and when the time comes, you'll get more for resale/trade-in out of the AF than the Sunnybrook. You also know that considering the running gear, construction, and materials of each coach, and your motive is to eliminate some maintenance costs the AF will save you money in the long term. You also know that the most important part of towing is not getting your load moving, it's stopping it. Especially in an emergency situation. Have you upgraded the brakes on your truck at all?

As far as convincing the wife, simply refuse to tow it and make sure she understands you aren't fooling around. If she insists on buying it anyway, refuse to sign any paperwork. If she still insists on buying it after all this, stop shopping for an RV and start shopping for a new wife.

 

[Grizzly]

Alan, the best advice I can give you is to purchase the latest copy of the RV Consumer Group Guide. It is well worth the money and it is loaded with much helpful advice on how to negotiate a good sale.



Harvey is correct in saying that you can get 25% or better on a new 5er. I got 27% off MSRP on our 08 Arctic Fox and that's before the economic downfall. One dealer almost had my wife convinced on a Keystone Cougar, well a Cougar may look fancy with all the foo foo, but if you look at the fit and finish behind the cabinets you'll find they are cheap. Carefully look inside the basement storage and count missed staples and other sloppy workmanship. Look at the frame work, axles and brakes. Are they American made frames or China frames? Are they Dexter axle or brand X? Yours and your families safety may depend on the quality of 5er you get.

 

[HBarlow]

Front living room models are very rare. I don't think I've ever seen one or even a floor plan diagram of one. Where's the bedroom on a front living room model?

Anything that is rare is often either very valuable or much in demand at time of resale or ... ... . unwanted, devalued, and difficult to sell. If I had to guess I'd guess a Sunnybrook, which is not a real high volume seller, in front living room floorplan, is probably a white elephant at resale time.

A trailer that weighs 14,000 lbs. empty according to manufacturer's printed material prbably weighs 14,500 or more on a scale and surely has a gross loaded weight of 16,500, or 17,000. Fifth wheels put 20% to 25% of gross weight on the kingpin. Towing that trailer you should expect close to 4,000 lbs. on the hitch.

You're not talking about a disagreement about draperies, color choices, floorplans, or appliances here, you're talking a major safety issue as in hazardous and risk of potential injury or worse. I would NOT tow that thing with a srw truck and would't buy it to pull with my 3500 DRW chassis cab. I know, many do it but I can only decide for myself.