My wife and I have 4 kids ranging in age from 9 to 1 year old. We want to buy a new 5th wheel to take on summer trips all over the West and sometimes to the Midwest. Would be 10-14 day trips plus also some weekend camping trips. Would really like a rear bunkhouse model with 4 bunks. Trying to gather information and keep the purchase price under $40,000 since this will be something that gets used maybe 30 nights per year. Will be stored inside a heated shop the rest of the year. I have a 2007 Chevy Classic 2500 Duramax full 4 door with a 6.5' bed to pull it with. This is what we have found so far:Keystone Cougar 320QBS or 330RBKForest River Sandpiper 301OKForest River Wildcat Maxx 312BHXCoachmen Chaparral 279BHSAny input on these? Are there others we should be looking at that fit our price range? We have also looked at a Keystone Mountaineer, but it is 42' total length and quite large and above our budget. We want something that will last us 15+ years of light use. Any input is appreciated since this is our first camp trailer. We have been renting up until this point and want to take the plunge of buying.

Pay attention to the GVWR of the trailer you are looking at, dry weight is meaningless. That figure should be no more than 80% of your trucks towing capacity. Also remember that approximately 20% of that figure is on the hitch, you don't want to exceed your rear axle load rating.

Look for a 2-3 yr. old model.......already has taken the hit on depreciation and the 'bugs/problems' have probably already be addressed.Nothing worst then having a new rig in dealership shop getting warranty items taken care of...which can leave you without the rig for months at a time.And YES....make sure the trailer GVWR and Pin Weight (20% of trailer GVWR......forget the 'dry' weight numbers) is within the ratings of your '08 2500.

Thanks for the tip on the GVWR. I have a B&W turnover ball in my truck already so I was planning to buy the companion 5th wheel hitch for it. Is there any reason to get the 12" slider hitch option?We have been looking for a good used unit that is 2-3 years old and they are tough to find. Not many used bunkhouse 5th wheels out there. Plus the sellers seek to want almost new prices for a trailer that has sat outside for a few years already. Not having a trade makes the dealers much more interested. We have been saving up for this and will not be financing, thus the limit on price. We want a good unit to last.

Not to question your plans too much - but finance rates on RVs are amazingly low. You can make more money on a moderate investment than the interest rate on the RV with a 20% down.Many newer 5th wheel trailers are built to not need slider type hitches, but be sure to ask/ check the manufacturer specs.I've recently picked up my second Forest River trailer (TT, not 5r) and I've happy with the company products as a good balance between price / features / quality of construction. It's not an Open Range or a DRV Suites - but FR makes a good trailer (Coachmen is a Forest River owned brand).

How about a Jayco 31.5 FBHS? Quad bunk up front with the queen bed in the back. There should be some used models out there.

Compare some 5th wheel brands for a family on a budget

14 Replies

PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
Not to question your plans too much - but finance rates on RVs are amazingly low. You can make more money on a moderate investment than the interest rate on the RV with a 20% down.

Many newer 5th wheel trailers are built to not need slider type hitches, but be sure to ask/ check the manufacturer specs.

I've recently picked up my second Forest River trailer (TT, not 5r) and I've happy with the company products as a good balance between price / features / quality of construction.

It's not an Open Range or a DRV Suites - but FR makes a good trailer (Coachmen is a Forest River owned brand).
jkdairy
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
Thanks for the tip on the GVWR. I have a B&W turnover ball in my truck already so I was planning to buy the companion 5th wheel hitch for it. Is there any reason to get the 12" slider hitch option?

We have been looking for a good used unit that is 2-3 years old and they are tough to find. Not many used bunkhouse 5th wheels out there. Plus the sellers seek to want almost new prices for a trailer that has sat outside for a few years already. Not having a trade makes the dealers much more interested. We have been saving up for this and will not be financing, thus the limit on price. We want a good unit to last.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 09, 2013
Look for a 2-3 yr. old model.......already has taken the hit on depreciation and the 'bugs/problems' have probably already be addressed.

Nothing worst then having a new rig in dealership shop getting warranty items taken care of...which can leave you without the rig for months at a time.

And YES....make sure the trailer GVWR and Pin Weight (20% of trailer GVWR......forget the 'dry' weight numbers) is within the ratings of your '08 2500.
romore
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2013
Pay attention to the GVWR of the trailer you are looking at, dry weight is meaningless. That figure should be no more than 80% of your trucks towing capacity. Also remember that approximately 20% of that figure is on the hitch, you don't want to exceed your rear axle load rating.

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Compare some 5th wheel brands for a family on a budget

14 Replies

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