buy new or used Fifth wheel

I hope it's OK if I just answer the OPs questions! I vote used. I've had great luck with used Sunnybrooks. I bought the last two when they were 5 yrs old and saved ~50%. Our latest one is a 2008 and it's a rock. I'd rather have a used mid-high level RV that was known to be reliable at the time it was built. Like Carriage, Nuwa, Newmar, Arctic Fox or any other that started with a good strong frame underneath. I don't mind fixing some little things cuz I'm always doing things to make them exactly what I want anyway. Craig

All of the above about truck/trailer size, but most of all, new or used, find a floor plan, colors and features you can live with. This means looking and talking and looking some more developing a list of things important to you. You will know the right trailer when you see it.

One thing that was not mentioned about your truck is this. If it was my truck it would look into the height of the truck bed and the top of the box from the ground. Then you need to check on the clearance for the over hang of the 5th trailer to the ground when trailer is level. This is to make sure that when trailer is on truck, that you have about 6" minimum clearance between the under side of trailer and top of truck box sides.

Look at used Arctic Fox's, NuWa HitchHikers, Excel's under 35 ft. NuWa is no longer producing but sill maintain factory repair facilities. If taken care of they will last a long time.

Besides the wallet the truck that you have will be the limiting factor.

Know what your truck limits are & go from there. Hopefully what you really really want also happens to be well within truck specs.

In the new vs used decision I like the slightly pre enjoyed. Something that is a season or so old, had all of the bugs worked out of it & has been well taken care of. I also prefer to pay same money for a used top quality unit rather than a new mid market who knows what.

Last thing, try to buy your last rig first. Do the research, then do some more. The people who are turning over rigs every couple of years are people who have not done the research. They are paying for their mistakes bigtime. With some luck one of these mistakes is just what you want.

Ok new question: for you full timers do ya'll think that the trailers from say anything before 2010 back to 2005 are better built than todays techno ultr lite trailers? Our issues have to do with us staying in places for months at a time, and different weather issues so we are trying to determine which is the way to go. Weight doesn't have a issue in this. we want something that will last say at least 5 years and not rust out. we don't abuse or stuff if that helps

X2 to TiucsonJim's comments. Only thing I will add is my usual philosophy is to let someone else pay the initial depreciation in most cases. One can save a lot of money that way. Also, folks here tend to think that people normally buy three TTs or 5ers before they get the unit they really like and that fits their needs. This is another reason to buy used, unless of course, money is no object.

No matter which choice you make, good luck and enjoy the day lights out of it!:B

TucsonJim wrote:
To get started, you REALLY need to know what your truck is capable of handling. You need to compare the loaded weight of any FW to the truck's towing capacity, payload, and axle ratings.

Second. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for buying used if you get it from an owner who kept it maintained and worked through all the manufacturing defects that are discovered in the first year.

But new is nice too. You'll have the factory warranty for at least a year.

That's assuming they will be around or the same company for a year.

Buy a used Keystone Everest. We did for our first 5er. Now, wasn't that easy.

To get started, you REALLY need to know what your truck is capable of handling. You need to compare the loaded weight of any FW to the truck's towing capacity, payload, and axle ratings.

Second. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for buying used if you get it from an owner who kept it maintained and worked through all the manufacturing defects that are discovered in the first year.

But new is nice too. You'll have the factory warranty for at least a year.