So many 5th wheels to choose from!

[Andy Perreault]

Whew!! I just spent the last few hours going through this forum from the beginning (47 pages! ) looking for 5th wheel trailer topics. I also surfed some of the postings on the forums at http://www.irv2.com . When searching for a trailer, it can be overwhelming, because there are so many to choose from. Everyone has an opinion, good or bad, about each one. There is always someone who has had a horror story to tell about a particular manufacturer, and then there is someone else who gives that same manufacturer glowing reviews. Also, a potential buyer must find a balance between price, quality, and features, and of course everyone’s opinion of that balance is different. On top of that, the buyer’s choice depends on the intended use of the trailer. My use will be for it to be my home for a few years, until I get settled into my new career. I want to be able to pick up and move wherever the job takes me.

From reading the responses from 5th wheel owners in this forum, I’ve made up my mind that whatever I buy will be used instead of new, no older than a 2001. It has been said that you lose about 10 to 20 thousand on a new trailer the minute you drive it off the lot. Right now I’m leaning toward a Montana #3280RL, and I'm keeping an eye out on used RV classifieds on the net. I gave one of them a very good looking over at a lot this summer. I know that Montana's have had suspension problems that have been resolved.

From what I’ve read on this forum, the Montana, Arctic Fox, Sunnybrook, Alpenlite, and Forest River (Cardinal / Americana / Cedar Creek / Sandpiper) seem to be highly rated for their price range. The top-end ones, like Mountain Aire, Alfa Gold, Teton Homes, Holiday Rambler, Travel Supreme, and Newmar’s American Star & Kountry Star are out of my price range, and I think they’re a little too full of unnecessary luxuries for me.

There are others that I don’t know much about, and this is why I’m posting this. Does anyone have an opinion on these makes? I’m not sure which of these would be considered "top end", "mid-range", or "entry level":



Ideal

McKenzie

Jayco

Aljo

Hitchiker & Snowbird (Nu-Wa)

Wildwood

Wilderness (Fleetwood)

Sea Breeze

Sea Hawk

New Horizons



I’d appreciate your opinions and experiences with these brands. The trailer I buy will be in the low 30-foot range. I’m living in a Wanderer (by Thor) toy-box travel trailer right now. I’ve looked at toy-box 5th wheels, but I get the feeling the manufacturers don’t want to make a "higher up" fully-winterized toy-box trailer for full time use. They seem to be more made for summer weekend use. That’s jusy my opinion though, based on what I’ve seen.



BTW, the specs on the Montana that I’m leaning toward, the 3280RL, are:

GVWR: 14,100

Gross Dry Weight: 9807

Carrying Capacity: 4293

Hitch Weight: 2100

Length: 34’ 4"

Height (top of a/c): 12’ 8"



Thanks,

Andy

 

[RBales]

I own a 2001 Montana 2955. Slightly shorter than the one your lookin at, but built the same way of course. We looked for 2 years befor e we decided on this model & manufacture. First we picked out the floor plan we liked, second we decided on the price range we wanted to be in, and 3rd we checked into the weight capacity of our truck. The 2955 fit the bill. It is a great trailer as we see it with actually more options than we ordered. One thing I did notice in our search was that all the models we looked at, the appliances were they same. It didn't make any difference how much we were paying. So we decided to go with the Montana. Our dealer is local and we've done business with him before. He's always treated us well without regards to how much we did or didn't spend, that's 80% of whatever model or make you buy. We know if we have a problem, it will be taken care of in the least amount of time and no hassles. Peace of mind is worth a lot to us. Good luck on your search. just make sure that the used unit you pick out has everything you would want on a new one, and nothing you don't want on a ew. Otherwise, down the road you could be dissapointed.

Bob

 

[Larry Willard]

Andy

Mckenzie is a Holiday Rambler(Monaco Coach), I think the first ones were built to fall between the Alumascape, and Alumalite, now they have models that match the Holiday line.



Wilderness is fleetwood, and my past experience is Fleetwood wouldn't end up in my drive again.



Don't have experience with the others, but have heard a lot of good things about the Nu Wa's. We almst bought a Jayco befoe deciding on Holiday Rambler.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I don't know that much about these things, but my friends and I were looking for something to do in Vegas last year, and we looked at some trailers. See my other thread if you want some more details. They where McKenzie Medallions- model 34RLT. We walked in and where amazed with those things. The salesman said that they where about 55 grand. I will get one some day.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Hi Andy, Another one you might look at is Yellowstone by Gulfstream. Really a nice unit. There web site is www.gulfstreamrv.com Good luck in your search. Jeff

 

[Cummins Corvette]

P. S. It looks like the Holiday Rambler 34rlt is the same thing. That thing is so sweet, so much room.

 

[yogibear]

What about King Of The Road, they make a real nice 5er. Really worth looking at. They are heavy, but thats because they are well made.

Larry

 

[chuck3]

Trailers, I've been looking for a while myself no hurry, just want to upgrade to a 5th wheel with a slide and a little more room in the next year or so. I've read everything I can get my hands on and talked to owners of numerous brands. I now own a Jayco TT it is a great TT just a little small to be spending months at a time in. IMO. From what I've found I think the Holiday Rambler is about as good as any out there, and that will be my choice but may buy used as they are pricey. I think Jayco is my 2nd choice. just my 2cts.

 

[FParisi]

I lived in my 32ft Alfa See Ya for 21/2 yr (the wife thinks that is camping). You didn't mention it - but go for the slides! If you are going to be in cold country check some of the better insulated ones- mine wouldn't be real comfortable in prolonled cold weather.

Frank

 

[Andy Perreault]

Wow, 7 replies in an hour and 48 minutes! You guys are great! Thanks for the info. Thanks Jeff for the link to Yellowstone/Gulfstream, I've never heard of them.

Andy

 

[Andy Perreault]

Make that 8! Frank, the Montana I'm eyeing is a triple slide, and they come with an "arctic package". I learned my lesson about insulation from buying this Thor Wanderer Wagon that I'm living in, now. It's not really made for full time use, and it's not suited for cold climates. It's perfect for people in the southwest to take their dirtbikes out to the desert, though.

Andy

 

[merryman]

Andy,

If you can work it out, touring a few assembly plants might be of help in your efforts.

We found it most interesting to watch the diff. construction practices and methods. There really were some objective differences in not only the materials used (i. e. wood vs metal) but also in apparent quality standards in assembly.

It really helped us make a decision.



Vaughn

 

[cwsoules]

Automate RVs

Andy since you are on the West Coast I suggest you consider an Automate. They are made in Los Banos, CA and are assembled in a semi custom manner to the requiremenrts of the customer. See automaterv.com for more details.



We saw an Automate at a show and knew that when we purchased an RV we would want an Automate. When we did buy, we found a 1995 29 foot rear kitchen model with one slide which we liked. A year after we purchased our unit we ended up living in it for 8 months as we assisted our daughter fight breast cancer. We went thru a winter living in the rig in Columbia South Carolina with no problems.



On the way home in an RV park in Texas we met a construction worker who owned an Automate trailer. He lived in his rig full time and had seen an Automate while working in California and decided to buy one because he had never met an Automate owner who did not like their trailer. I agree.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Thanks for the link, Chuck. I do hope your daughter won the battle.

Andy

 

[Tim1]

Andy, my brother is a small at home dealer in used large 5th wheels, I know he has a 34' King of the road year 2000 i think and he can sell them right as he doesn't have any overhead. Honest as the day is long and damn picky as he is a certified tech in the rv field. If you want, you can e-mail me and I'll hook you up. Oh yeah, it has 3 slides. He's in Boring, Oregon. Tim

 

[DRR-24V]

Forget The Wildwood !

Andy,

We bought the Wildwood as it comes loaded for not much money. Have had some problems and am not happy with the quality of it. Forest Rivers warrantee is a JOKE. The Sandpiper is a step lower than the Wildwood. JMO

 

[georgej]

Andy,



Check out a Sunnybrook before you buy!



George

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by Tim1

Andy, my brother is a small at home dealer in used large 5th wheels, ..... If you want, you can e-mail me and I'll hook you up... . Tim

Thanks Tim, I will keep that in mind, but I'm not ready to buy quite yet. Besides, I still have to buy a hitch for my truck, and getting a 5th wheel will require removing my shell. Now, where will I keep that thing? I don't have time to deal with all of this while working full time and going to school full time. But when I do have spare time, I'm enjoying researching and learning. That was the whole reason for posting this, was to get the opinions and hear the experiences of fellow TDR members.



THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS! I appreciate it.

I'll have to look around to see if there will be a big RV show coming up in Seattle. It would be cool to look over (and under) the new models.

Andy

 

[Paul Somers]

Sunnybrook's site if interested:

http://www.sunnybrookrv.com

We are on our second Sunnybrook and are happy with them. There have been few minor problems but doubt if any are flawless. Montana is made by Keystone and they now make a step up Montana Big Sky that has gel coat side and more insulation.

 

[RColston]

Choice of 5th wheel.

Andy,



I thought that I would toss in my . 02 worth. If you are going to use your prospective 5th wheel often, tow over rough roads, tow heavily loaded, buy a upper end 5th wheel. The used market ( try to stay as new as possible) will save you mucho dinero. Show specials are also a good way to save $$, if you want a new unit. The cheaper units typically do not hold up as well as the higher end units. My brother in law bought a new Avion Westport, $50k+, it wound up being re-purchased by Fleetwood because of major workmanship flaws. I purchased my 96 HitchHiker 36 Premier three years old, for less than $25k. I have towed it approximately 20k miles with virtually no problems other than a defective tire and a microwave that took a hike. I have owned only a travel trailer previous to this, an Aristocrat that was several years old when I got it. There are many quality units out there. Just take your time, the right one is out there just watin for ya.



Rick C.