Who makes the good and who makes the crappy 5er's?

[Cummins Corvette]

I've been looking at used fifth wheels and don't remember what ones you all have said were good and which ones were bad. If ya could, please make a couple of short lists of what not to buy, and what ones are good. One of my primary conserns is wind drag. I don't want a big tall one, but I'm 6'4" and need to be able to walk around without hitting my head. A titanium by glendale would be perfect if not for the price. Thanks



Chris

 

[Driftwood Ram]

"I don't want a big tall one, but I'm 6'4" and need to be able to walk around without hitting my head. "



Ya can't have it both ways if you want to walk around in the bedroom. Oo. Oo. I am 6'2" and have only found a few that you do not have to stoop in the bedroom. Oo. Oo. Also need to think aboth the height in the living room slide. Most of them are good head bangers.

 

[nopowerforme]

Used RV's 5ers

HI Chris, I have a 1998 prowler 5th wheel with a front living room head height 6ft but all the rest much higher It has a rear bedroom and the shower is over 7feet My wife is 6ft 1" and does well in it.



It has two slides, two doors a gaucho couch that pulls out not one with the bars in it.



It is up for sale I can send Pics if your interested and can deliver if needed.



It weighs 12, 600 lbs loaded.



-- email address removed --

 

[jpolston]

I've got one of the best and it's for sale; very reasonably priced. Check around and get back with me, you won't be dissappointed.

 

[Dkevdog]

There are alot of used for sale, I have one too. When looking used, I have found it pretty easy, especially in four or five year olds to tell what is made well and what is not. Everything looks good when its new. AS far as being 6'4" and walking in a bedroom... ... ..... good luck. My bedroom is 6" 1" and tapers down toward the front. Not bad. But it is 11'7" tall too. You can't have both. I have a checklist of things to look for in a new/used rv, kind of a walk around list. Email if interested.



Kev

 

[TPCDrafting]

I don't have one, but if you've got the bucks and can find one used, Teton are supposed to be pretty good. I guess Arnold Schwartenegger has one. The factory is in Casper Wy. I hear they are good for hunters as they are extra insulated. Just what I heard.

 

[cwsoules]

Our 5er is a 29 foot Automate. I'm only 6' but know that the majority of the rig would be OK for you. I duck my head when getting in the bed, but do not find it to be too difficult. Our Automate tows like a dream.

 

[Jammar9082]

We have a 1990 Carri-lite that is about 76 inches at the entrance of the BR. and remains that height for about 16-18 inches and then starts to taper down toward the front of the RV. Carriage made an optional roof in years past and this is one of the higher units. I am 75 inches tall and I can stand up comfortably in it. The rest of the coach including the shower is high enough for me to use without hitting my head. At the Air conditioner I have about an inch of clearance. The maximum outside height is 11 Ft 6 inches.



The higher units do pose some problems and I just have to be more aware of old overpass heights, tree limbs and strong winds. When the wind gets strong then we slow down and it works out fine.



We opted to go with an older unit in a better quality brand than one of the cheaper brands in a newer model. There are lots of differences and it is obvious once you are familiar with the various quality levels. We have had two older Holiday Rambler's that we thought were of a better quaility. However, ALL manufactures can turn out a poor quality product any day of the week. Have you read any of the reports on problem vehicles? It can be very interesting.



Another thing we considered was a slide out. As it happened this RV does not have a slide out and now we are glad we found this unit. I think slides are prone to problems. You will find some slides work fine and others that are bad. My brother has a 1995 Dutchman with a slide that has and continues to have problems. It is not plumb nor square and does not seal in many areas.

 

[Balzac]

I talked to a RV Hauler(with CTD), his comment was the only one he wouldn't buy himself was the Sandpiper.

As far as height, my Jayco is 12 1/2 ' because I fliped the axles, and changed to 16" wheels. I do use a deflector but don't find any problem with wind. (12,000 lbs. )

Other than a couple of the most expensive trailers, bedrooms come 4', 5', or 6'.

The living area varies depending on mfg.

My findings are;

Alpenlites are heavy

Here in the north, aluminum framed is not desireable as temperature variences in a day are drastic, and aluminium moves in the walls.

In one day we looked at every brand available here and one stood out as it was a hot day and only one trailer was cool inside. It was made in Canada, and insulated for the local climate.

My fifth is as heavy as I would like to pull with a 2500. And with my approximately 250hp/650 torque, pulls it very well.

If you will use a few times a year, find the best buy, so when you quit or move up, you will lose the least in depreciation.

 

[merryman]

Chriss,

Your are not too far from snow-bird country.

A zillion people two their rigs to various places in Arizona (as well as some other sun spots), and come spring not only have a bunch of them traded in their rigs, another bunch of them for what ever reason elect not to, or can not, tow them back north. Yuma or Mesa Az. should be a shoppers delight about now. , what ever brand you chose. By the way, I chose a Nash (Artic Fox model), because in '91, one of the rating groups rated it first in over all quality in the vacation class, best I can tell that means not the real big ones. . Met a guy in Az. in Feb. from Germany. He was towing a Nash and told me he ordered it because in Europe it is the #1 rated trailer.



Vaughn

 

[dewdo]

Check out the King Of The Road. A bit on the pricey side, but well made and plenty of room. I have a 92 34' with a center kitchen and 14' dining room/living room slide and a door on both sides. I might be persuaded to part with it if my wife is still yelling motor homes.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[tschwab]

I have a '96 KIT, like it a lot for a mid-priced 5vr, nice quality and a lot of the trick things the top end 5vr's have. As far as the top of the line 5vr's, my two favorites are Alpenlite & Hitchiker, my dad and uncle both own Alpenlites ('97 & 2001) and our good friends have a '98 Hitchiker, both excellent quality/construction and a lot of trick stuff.



I would stay away from Fleetwood products (Wilderness, Prowler, Terry and a few other names) I have found them to be cheap/flimsy and not very reliable, at least the one I had. Komforts are OK.

 

[D. Showan]

V. Good camper at a good price-- Jayco

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I suppose I should clarify one thing. I am not worried about the bedroom height; I know I will be ducking in there. My main concern is the living area because I don't want to be ducking ALL of the time. Thanks

 

[Dkevdog]

I wouldn't be worried about the hieght in the main living areas of the Fifth wheels. nearly all I've been have had more than ample head room, even in the mid bath models. Many have 8'+ ceilings or more. That is one of the reasons I like the Fiver over a TT. One thing I did notice is not all of them have staning hieght in the slides- particularly anoying . Make sure that won't be an issue. Sunnybrook and others have 6'3" or more in the slides.



Kev

 

[FParisi]

I like the overall quality of my Alfa - 32ft, 12,300lb. My 6' 4" friend didn't even hit his head on the ceiling fan! The AC is underneath -out of the sun. The axles are flipped so it's 12' 6" but tows well, as said before just slow down a little in high winds. It actually tows better in winds than my old 27" class C motorhome.

Enjoy whatever you get.

Frank