We currently have a 2004 Prowler 300BHS and due to an accident will most likely have to replace. We are very happy with this camper but my husband would like to get a fifth wheel instead of a travel trailer this time around. I am looking for some recommendations or where to begin. There are so many manufacturers out there it is hard to keep them all straight sometimes. We have a lot of dealers in this area so its hard to know where to start.We are looking for an entry level 5th Wheel, less than 35 feet, bunkhouse-preferably with it's own room. We have a 2005 Chevy 2500 diesel to tow with. We were not planning on this purchase so I would like to keep the cost as low as possible but am wary of the low end 5th wheels. Are they as cheaply made as they seem when walking into them? WE looked at Keystone Hideout 5th Wheel this past weekend as well as a Puma 5th Wheel.

2005 2500.........That will limit you on choices IF you stay within trucks ratings due to 'payload' limit and axle ratings.A 10,000 GVWR 5th wheel will put you at ratings

If you read postings here long enough, you will likely read complaints about every brand out there. But you will just as likely read praise from others for those same brands. With lots of dealers in your area, take the time to visit each one, look at all the models of the size you are interested in, sit down in the chairs, lie on the beds, look at fit and finish, look at the bells and whistles, look at the internal arrangement, look in the storage areas, look around the outside, then do it all again. Make a list of trailers you like, and after visiting all the dealers go back and revisit the trailers you liked until you decide on the one that best suits you.

I'm very happy with my Grand Design Reflection, and they've been adding more light weight FW's to their portfolio. Here's a link to their Reflection Floorplans. Click on the specifications tab to get the weights.Grand Design Reflection FloorplansJim

BB Tex has it right. Go visit different dealer and identify which floor plans you like. Then compare models with the same floor plan. Considering you are a current camper owner already, you already know what works and what does not work in a camper. That experience will help you in your search more than you realize.

Find a floorplan you like, then see if you can find a =used= one. Even if it has an ugly interior or some options that you might not consider if buying new, it will give you some experience of the FW. You can find things that you might consider "necessary" in a TT, but not in a FW, and vice versa. Just a thought...Personally, I'm looking at the Jayco Eagle HT and KZ Durango 1500 lines for my next FW. The Jayco grosses at 9,950 on all models but one, and the KZ's gross at 10,500 for all models. Neither are what I'd call "entry level", but both are good brands with decent reputations. Both also have 2 year warranties.Lyle

Fifth Wheel Upgrade | Good Sam Community

Moon8211
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
Thanks for all your input! I will check out the brands you mentioned and Jayco was already towards the top of our list, although the price isn't ideal but we would be willing to pay more to get better quality for sure!

We will make sure to stay withing our towing limits-a new truck in happening sooner than later anyways.

I have got a good plan down for visiting dealers. I think I am just feeling a little stressed because if we want to continue to camp this season we won't have too much time to shop around or research.

Lyle-what kinds of things do you think I won't find necessary in a fifth wheel as we do in a travel trailer? or vice versa? I feel like there must be so much more I need to learn.
Coach-man
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
First, IMHO, look for a fiver that fits your needs! You are or should be aware of how important the floor plan is as to YOUR needs! Then if necessary change the Tow Vehicle to handle the fifth wheel. Trying to compromise TV vs Fiver or vice versa you will not be the proverbial "happy Camper"! Good luck, look at a lot of makes and models before deciding!
jimmyfred
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
............Artic Fox makes very well built 5'vers in Oregon , just a little northwest of Iowa ! Have a look at their models . , jf
PatRenee
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
I highly suggest...Open Range.. we love ours... they are VERY WELL MADE and are 4 season with a 2 year warranty... you won't regret it..... I also suggest you go to owners forums and read the remarks by owners to other owners... thats what helped me decide on Open Range... I looked at several MFG forums and there were way less problems and complaints from their forum.... and when it did break everyone praised the MFG about how well they were taken care of.... Good luck.
1ofmany
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
You may sooner or later need to have something repaired/replaced on your new fifth wheel...suggest you look at a brand where the company is still in business and has been in business for more than a couple of years. Good luck in your search for the "perfect" match!
caberto
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016
We have your same truck, and have a 2010 Keystone Cougar 324rlb, and have been enjoying it since we got it new. GVWR on the unit is 11.9K, and the truck tows it very nicely up and down the long heavy hills in California, Utah and Colorado. This unit has a separate rear room with slide-out, a queen sofa bed and loft in that rear room, and its own half bath. Our youngest kids and grandkids really enjoy that room. Our kids appreciate the privacy of their own room and bed, and the grandkids love the big loft area.

This unit has a light pin weight of 1800-2000 lbs loaded. We are well below the truck's "unofficial" RAWR with after market 285/75R16 tires rated at 3750 lbs each (effectively setting the RAWR at 7500lbs), so I don't sweat that and the truck handles the unit very well and comfortably.

Good luck.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016
Moon8211 wrote:
.............. We have a 2005 Chevy 2500 diesel to tow with. We were not planning on this purchase so I would like to keep the cost as low as possible but am wary of the low end 5th wheels. Are they as cheaply made as they seem when walking into them? WE looked at Keystone Hideout 5th Wheel this past weekend as well as a Puma 5th Wheel.
With a 2005 Chevy diesel you are looking at 2500# payload (4WD) or 2800# (2WD).
The 2005 2WD Crew-Cab I just sold had 2815# payload capacity and I was close to max with two people, a 9600# 27' Sunnybrook fiver, a 52 gallon fuel tank, Line-X spray-in liner and a Retrax cargo box cover.
I doubt you will find much over 30' that you can tow within ratings.
Whether that is a concern is your call.
csamayfield55x
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016
we went through this last year. Same kind of restrictions you have as far as length and weight. WE looked at just about every manufacturer out there and ended up coming back to and falling in love with our Open Range Light. They have a couple of VERY innovative floorplans including the one we got, a front living room and also a front bunkhouse model. The hitch is the ONLY factory gooseneck setup on the market right now and is designed to make using a shortbed truck VERY EASY!! They also have a full 2 year warranty

Check them out

Chris
IdaD
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016
I'd go more off your axle and tire ratings since it's a 2500 diesel, but that's just my opinion.

I also recommend considering a used unit if new prices are pinching you a bit. These things depreciate quickly and you can get a great deal on some of them if you're careful compared to buying new. We recently upgraded from a pop up to a fifth wheel and it's actually a great example.

First buyers bought it new for roughly $14,000, sold it to us 4 years later for $6500. Lost $7500 in 4 years.

We bought it for $6500, sold it 5 years later for $5500. Lost $1000 in 5 years.

The numbers will be bigger with a fifth wheel but the concept is the same.
laknox
Nomad
Jun 07, 2016
Find a floorplan you like, then see if you can find a =used= one. Even if it has an ugly interior or some options that you might not consider if buying new, it will give you some experience of the FW. You can find things that you might consider "necessary" in a TT, but not in a FW, and vice versa. Just a thought...

Personally, I'm looking at the Jayco Eagle HT and KZ Durango 1500 lines for my next FW. The Jayco grosses at 9,950 on all models but one, and the KZ's gross at 10,500 for all models. Neither are what I'd call "entry level", but both are good brands with decent reputations. Both also have 2 year warranties.

Lyle