5th wheel purchase pitfalls???

Thermoguy wrote:
The only thing I did wrong when purchasing my 5th wheel was not having it inspected. There are mobile inspectors or you can take it to a local repair shop to inspect - if the seller won't allow you to do this, then there is something wrong with it and you are better off. You probably have to put money down, might be non refundable, but piece of mind is worth something.

As for payment, if your not paying cash, then the bank you are borrowing money from should be able to help. They do this all the time.

I can tell you for fact, you ain’t taking my trailer anywhere until you pay for it. You can have as many people as you want come look at, but it ain’t going anywhere.

Veebyes wrote:
What should you be aware of? You should be aware that 41' is one big rig.

Particularly for a first-time RV buyer.

Folks who are new to RVing tend to "go large" on their RV purchase, mostly because they can't visualize living in spaces any smaller than their current residence.

They also tend to want to duplicate every personal possession, and bring it along with them.

Besides having a capable truck to pull it, also big, you need to understand that there are many places that you might like to take it that you won't because of it's size.

About any private CG with FHU will accommodate you one way or another however many SPs, CPs, NPs & even BLM access will not. Size really does matter in this game & once you go over the 35-36' length site options rapidly decrease.

Yep.

In my observation, every 5 foot increase in RV length roughly halves the number of campsites capable of accommodating you.

There are many ways to do it but here is the way we bought ours from a private seller.

Once price was set we got a negotiable check from our bank. We went together to the sellers bank & sat down with one of their officers who opened an escrow account. Our check went into it. The bank took out what the seller was owing on the loan. The bank gave us the title, which they had. The seller got the balance. The escrow account was closed.

Fifteen minutes without the small talk.

What should you be aware of? You should be aware that 41' is one big rig. Besides having a capable truck to pull it, also big, you need to understand that there are many places that you might like to take it that you won't because of it's size.

About any private CG with FHU will accommodate you one way or another however many SPs, CPs, NPs & even BLM access will not. Size really does matter in this game & once you go over the 35-36' length site options rapidly decrease.

Something to think about.

In addition to inspecting the FW, you need to know the dry weight and maximum weight of FW when loaded with gear. Then make sure you have a tow vehicle that will comfortably handle the payload. Don't buy more than you can safely tow. Otherwise, you are going to be looking for a new truck also.

Having just sold an Alping, a top of the line 5th wheel recently I can tell you this: check it over thoroughly, have the owner run all the systems to your satisfaction and show you how to operate them. Inspect all outsides of the rv including the roof and the undercarriage. Look for signs of recent work on the rv, leaks from the water, holding tanks, hydraulics, etc. Check the tires for dry rot and tread. Other than these things it should be straight forward, enjoy your purchase, enjoy your rv. We enjoyed over 20 years of rving.

The only thing I did wrong when purchasing my 5th wheel was not having it inspected. There are mobile inspectors or you can take it to a local repair shop to inspect - if the seller won't allow you to do this, then there is something wrong with it and you are better off. You probably have to put money down, might be non refundable, but piece of mind is worth something.

As for payment, if your not paying cash, then the bank you are borrowing money from should be able to help. They do this all the time.

Forty-one feet is a heck of a purchase for a first time buyer. I’d complete the deal at my bank or CU for safety. Is the 5er registered in your state?