DH and I are getting our 5-7 yr plan together to go full-time. Of course we want to purchase a new rig that is suitable for full-timing. We cannot afford a $100000 rig. Plain and simple. Our budget is between 50-60k range. Here in Texas we can get excellent deals. If you buy at the right times of course. We like several brands. We like the Open Range Residential(hubby is concerned about the cable system), we like the Alpine by Keystone, and we like the Big Country by Heartland. There are several new ones out there, but we are hesitant to go with a new brand. We want to wait and see how they hold up. I want to buy new. Hubby doesn't mind used. But everytime we look at a used one it stinks, its outdated and I don't want to sink money into something that I'm going to live in that I'm not comfortable in as well. I am not high maintenence just realistic. If you have one of these brands we are looking at. I want the good, bad and ugly opinions of all three. What is it like working with the manufacturer?

I would recommend used, if for nothing else then to save on the depreciation. I recently purchased a top-end 5th wheel, 5 years old, barely used, for the low $20's. The only downside was you have to be prepared to spend the time to look and be patient - it took me nealry 6 months to find one I liked. Also, new or used, it would help to have a checklist of the things that you absolutely require in a unit, along with things that you like but aren't deal breakers. Finally, research your prices, again new and used, and don't be afraid to walk away if you can't get it for "your" fair price.Good luckRon S

We just bought a used 2010 nuwa hitchhiker. Can't say for sure but I think it's a 36 -38. It is beautiful with 5 slides. We are very pleased with this 5th wheel. We actually thought of new but glad we made this choose. It has a fireplace theatre leather seats , granite tempura king bed.

Sounds nice Linda. Do you like those theater seats? Me and my husband are rather short and those do not seem very comfortable to me.

Years ago, my CPA gave me some sage advice about buying new cars. Essentially he intimated that I could drive a two-three year old Mercedes for about the same price that I'd pay for a new Oldsmobile. It hurts once to buy reputable quality. Buying used will mitigate that pain somewhat and you still wind up owning a quality product. There's still gently used Mercedes on the market.

Heartland will warranty any of the new Landmark, Big Horns or Big Country models for full-time use. They are all built on the same assembly line. Many of the other companies will not warranty for full-time. I don't know if this is really a big deal or not but it shows some confidence on the part of the manufacturer. My experience has been that you can often buy new for the same as or little more than used if you shop hard.B.O.

Full-time Fifth-Wheels | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2013
Eycom wrote:
Years ago, my CPA gave me some sage advice about buying new cars. Essentially he intimated that I could drive a two-three year old Mercedes for about the same price that I'd pay for a new Oldsmobile. It hurts once to buy reputable quality. Buying used will mitigate that pain somewhat and you still wind up owning a quality product. There's still gently used Mercedes on the market.

You bought our used 07.5 Mobile Suites in fall of 11. Paid around 50K with tax. Still worth about that minus the tax. Could have bought a new RV for the same price but it would be worth far less right now. Slightly used high end unit is the way to go!

JMHO
wittmeba
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
There are lots of good choices out there.

There has been many discussions about what is full time. It can mean you park a rig and live in it year round, go camp jumping and never stay more than 3 days at any single location and everything in between. You have to define your standard for "full timing". Each condition may dictate different priorities.

Here are links to most major mfgs:
http://gotnarcosis.com/brucewittmeier/technical/RVManufacturers.html
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
Bought 4 new ones. This one now bought used. Took a bath on all 4 of the new ones when we traded or sold. Think I can sell the used one we have now in a few years for not a lot less than we purchased it.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
I would check with the RV Consumer Group, www.rv.org, to see what they recommend for a full-timing rig. Most of the RV's out there don't meet their suggestions/requirements.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
Heartland will warranty any of the new Landmark, Big Horns or Big Country models for full-time use. They are all built on the same assembly line. Many of the other companies will not warranty for full-time. I don't know if this is really a big deal or not but it shows some confidence on the part of the manufacturer. My experience has been that you can often buy new for the same as or little more than used if you shop hard.

B.O.
Eycom
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Years ago, my CPA gave me some sage advice about buying new cars. Essentially he intimated that I could drive a two-three year old Mercedes for about the same price that I'd pay for a new Oldsmobile. It hurts once to buy reputable quality. Buying used will mitigate that pain somewhat and you still wind up owning a quality product. There's still gently used Mercedes on the market.
CindyBR777
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Sounds nice Linda. Do you like those theater seats? Me and my husband are rather short and those do not seem very comfortable to me.
LINDA53
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
We just bought a used 2010 nuwa hitchhiker. Can't say for sure but I think it's a 36 -38. It is beautiful with 5 slides. We are very pleased with this 5th wheel. We actually thought of new but glad we made this choose. It has a fireplace theatre leather seats , granite tempura king bed.
RonWSl
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
I would recommend used, if for nothing else then to save on the depreciation. I recently purchased a top-end 5th wheel, 5 years old, barely used, for the low $20's. The only downside was you have to be prepared to spend the time to look and be patient - it took me nealry 6 months to find one I liked. Also, new or used, it would help to have a checklist of the things that you absolutely require in a unit, along with things that you like but aren't deal breakers. Finally, research your prices, again new and used, and don't be afraid to walk away if you can't get it for "your" fair price.

Good luck
Ron S

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