5th wheel opinions

Second Chance wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Grand design seems to make a fairly good product.

X2 ^^. After getting some bugs ironed out (they all have them), we've been happy in ours. They make several lines... we're in a "mid-profile" Reflection. The Solitudes are heavier and have a drop-down frame. Grand Design's customer service is among the best in the industry.

Rob

We ordered a GD 337RLS today. Will take delivery in 2 weeks.

We are very happy with our new Vilano. The build quality is very good in my opinion. Did a factory tour and liked the way they build them. Yes all have little problems. Vilano stands by their product and the customer service is awesome so far. They are part of Tiffin so they have that experience backing them up.

We are in the same boat as you. We are selling the DP and going back to a fiver. Our HR Imperial has spoiled us and I don't think we can find a fiver as good of quality. We are looking for Arctic Fox, Citation(which is no longer made).
Good luck in your search.

azdryheat wrote:
My recommendation is never buy new. Buy used with the bugs already worked out.

X2! I don't recommend buying new either. We had a new Puma in 2009 and it had several warranty issues, including a leaky roof from day 1 (the factory cut the rubber roof too far around the antenna). Took 2 trips to the dealer to fix it.

The Puma is an entry-level camper. You would call it a Yugo (lol). We loved the layout, but the insulation was terrible and the wallpaper seams broke loose every time we hauled it somewhere.

I would go a year or two with what you have and think about it.
Is there a compelling reason to trade?

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

md_procouple wrote:
We prefer the Montana as well, we still have our '08 and other than the carpeting being a little dirty, still a great unit. We also agree with azdreyheat, about "used" units, we never buy new anymore, cars or campers. We had numerous problems with our Jayco, (bought it new) it took a year and a half to get all the problems solved then kept it 5 years and got the Montana used, never had a problem of any kind. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!!

You will have as many "opinions" as there are posters!..:S

Here's what I mean - exactly *opposite* of the above.

Never had any problems with my (new) Jayco - well oops....
I shouldn't say that.

Between myself and the independent RV service the dealer paid to do the PDI..."we" both missed the missing pocket door guide for the door between the living and bedroom area.

OMG! - YIKES!! - The Sky is Falling! - Where's the QC?..:E

Back to the dealer it must go? - NOT.

It cost me all of $1.50 and ten minutes (of my time) to "repair".

With that horrible exception - Problem free since (new) in 2006.

Would I buy new again - you bet!

BTW - Just like motor homes - you get what you pay for.
Winnebago -or- Prevost?

Entry level is not "top of the line".

You must decide what fits your price point - then find the fit and finish (brand) that meets *YOUR* expectations within your budget.

A New Horizons is going to be a "top of the line" 5th - with a
"top of the line" price tag to match!..:W

Which one rings your chimes - is up to you.



:C

Cr@p. No matter if you buy a no-options Hyundai Accent or an Eqqus, you =expect= the glove box latch to be there and to be operational; right? How is that any different? $5k vs $90+k; you =expect= stuff like that NOT to be missed. I'd bet you'd be pissed in either case, too. If a mfr is missing the little stuff, what are they doing with the =big= stuff?

Lyle

Look at Arctic Fox.

md_procouple wrote:
We prefer the Montana as well, we still have our '08 and other than the carpeting being a little dirty, still a great unit. We also agree with azdreyheat, about "used" units, we never buy new anymore, cars or campers. We had numerous problems with our Jayco, (bought it new) it took a year and a half to get all the problems solved then kept it 5 years and got the Montana used, never had a problem of any kind. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!!

You will have as many "opinions" as there are posters!..:S

Here's what I mean - exactly *opposite* of the above.

Never had any problems with my (new) Jayco - well oops....
I shouldn't say that.

Between myself and the independent RV service the dealer paid to do the PDI..."we" both missed the missing pocket door guide for the door between the living and bedroom area.

OMG! - YIKES!! - The Sky is Falling! - Where's the QC?..:E

Back to the dealer it must go? - NOT.

It cost me all of $1.50 and ten minutes (of my time) to "repair".

With that "horrible" exception - problem free since (new) in 2006.

Would I buy new again - sure!
Would I thoroughly research everything available within my price range - you bet!

BTW - Just like motor homes - you get what you pay for.
Winnebago -or- Prevost?

Entry level is not "top of the line".

You must decide what fits your price point - then find the fit and finish (brand) that meets *YOUR* expectations within your budget.

A New Horizons is going to be a "top of the line" 5th - with a
"top of the line" price tag to match!..:W

Which one rings your chimes - is up to you.



:C

I agree with everyone's comments. Buying one used might be the best answer I've seen. The comment that they put them together as fast as possible is really true. QC is not, or at least doesn't seem to be a priority in the RV industry. Our new Mobile Suites has to many problems to list. All of which were not necessary. For the money they want for their coaches you'd think they would really care, "not". It comes down to livability features you want. Climate you'll be in most of the time. How much coach weight you want to tote around the country which drives how much truck you will need. Now on our 6th coach and last one. Things I would avoid: cable slide out systems, only one A/C, non 4 season coaches. Things we like: residential frig., heat pump to save on propane, hydraulic slides and auto leveling, thermopane glass, fantastic fans, good underbelly storage, at least 3 slideouts and auto satellite. Of course we all have our preferences. 5th wheels still give you the most livable space, but like any RV their will be issues from time to time.

We just bought a new 2017 Kz Durango Gold G384FLT, very well built 5th wheel, solid but heavy, Trail Life stated MSRP was $79 an change. We bought ours for around $62K and from what I am seeing on the web that's the average price
an ours has all the upgrades you can get except a generator, we opted out
since we already have a Honda 6.5 ...

None of that cheap plastic hardware even thought Trailer Life review on this 5th wheel this month stated that they wished there would have been an upgrade of hardware in the bathroom ares. I do not know what they were looking at because ours has all brushed stainless faucets both on the sink and shower an so do two of are friends that bought the same trailer ...

We have looked at a number of upper end units from 60k to 100k and we both agreed that Kz gave us a better bang for the buck than the one's costing 70 or 80k or more.

We are not ones to look at the fancy stuff, we look how the trailer is built, will there be problems, sure, but so far Kz has stood behind their product 150 percent ...

As well it's all about your dealer, ours has been great and stands behind everything they sell.

Another reason we bought this unit is because as many people know going to an RV show an walking though TT, MH, 5th wheels after a couple of days they tend to start to fall apart. Molding falling down, loose cabinet doors, broken drawer knobs etc, our Kz G384FLT had none of that after 4 days of people walking thought it, yes we bought the show model an that why ...

Now think about it, open up your TT, MH or 5th wheel and let a few hundred walk thought it, opening an slam doors, pull on everything possible an see how it holds up ...

I forgot to add that kz has a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty as well :)


Safe travels