2015 Cardinal 3850RL

Ken, Agree with you on air bags comment but at least in my situation the 3 rd generation Dodges the 2500,3500 SRW and dually have same 11.5 AAM axle. Rated at 10,800. 2500 is the same truck except for sway bar and upper overload leaf spring.

Not sure about the quality build of a 2015 Cardinal.Mine is 2005.It has to this day been a very good trailer no major problems.Been full timing 365 days A yr. since March 2011 and holding up good.

We love the floor plan and plan to keep it for several more yrs. if it stays the way it is.

goducks10 wrote:
Dealer has one near me. Just wondering about the residential style fridge. I would assume it works like a typical RV fridge?

Absolutely gorgeous 5'er. $69,000 seems like a dang good deal.

The residential frig is an electic unit with a mechanical compressor. The RV unit is a gas/electric absorption unit (a chemical process).

NorCold and Dometic have had lots of issues with their absorption units. If you can, get a residential frig with a larger battery bank and an inverter to run it on the road. Have a charge line installed on the tow vehicle back to the RV to help keep the batteries up.

A Cardinal will be too much trailer for a 3/4 ton truck due to the loaded pin weight (use 20% of the trailer GVWR). A 3/4 ton is limited on GVWR and GAWR and will exceed these values well before you reach the GCWR or maximum tow rating. Air bags and such are just a crutch and do nothing to increase the trucks weight ratings.

Soft covers are a real nuisance to put on a 5er. To protect the trailer in a Texas climate, nothing beats an enclosed storage unit, at least a shed roof over it.

Ken

Would not the OP be fine with this size fifth wheel if he upgraded to 19.5 wheels and tires. I am looking to upgrade to a Fifth and DW likes this size camper with bunks and with 19.5 wheels rated at 4500 lbs. each and 19.5 245 16 ply load H or G rated at 4800 lbs. each. I have them on my 2006 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 long bed with added leaf spring in each rear pack, airlift 5000 airbags, Helwig 1 ton sway bar.

Your F250 is going to have issues with the pin weight. Late model Cardinals are pin heavy, as they move axles back. You are into dually area.

Www.cardinalrvclub.org

I believe that is the model Mike who runs the web site has. Come on over to get answers. Chris

I would check in with the Cardinal RV Club. It's not run by Cardinal and I think they would answer your Cardinal questions. The Cardinal looks like a great mid price fiver, I've talked to some owners that really liked their rigs and the support they got from Carinal. Good luck

http://www.cardinalrvclub.org

Dealer has one near me. Just wondering about the residential style fridge. I would assume it works like a typical RV fridge?

Absolutely gorgeous 5'er. $69,000 seems like a dang good deal.

They look "cool" just pick one with a lite colored graphic package to help with the "heat".

Well we have had a Card sister tte Cedar Creek for 9 years. To be honest there might be better ones out there but you will be hard pressed to find them. Cedar Creek customer servuce is outstanding. I have heard mixed reviews about Cardinal customer service. One woed of caution Cardinals used to have two roof truss options. Wood or aluminum. So if that is still true choose wisely. BTW have you looked at Cedar Creek also?