My wife and I are full timers with no kids and one fur baby. We have been in a travel trailer the last 2 years. Its a Keystone Outback which hasnt given us any real headaches because im relatively handy at fixing minor stuff, but we are cramped. Our new pursuit is a bigger fifth wheel and we have our minds made up on the front living arrangement. Definately need a Cold weather trailer. We are looking at a few particular models, forest river cardinal 3800fl and keystone montana 3711fl and open range 3x 386flr. I think our biggest concerns are insulation/protection axles/suspension and heating /cooling. I have a 2010 3500 Ram cummins to pull when we get ready. Any stories or opinions regarding brands,models and quality i would greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance! 5erNo.Ob

We have the Keystone Montana 3750FL. While we haven't started fulltiming yet, we have gone on several short break in trips. Including over Thanksgiving with 5 adults, 1 5 month old, and two fur babies. Even with that many people, we weren't cramped for space. The wife and I can pass through the kitchen without touching. The amount of inside storage is huge. We love the full width bathroom. The second door into the bathroom acts like a mud room for our dogs. With our B&W hitch, it pulls like a dream. We ran the heater during Thanksgiving and it had no problem keeping up in 30ish degree weather. There's an accordion curtain for closing off the living room. With that and the fireplace, you'll sweat yourself out. If you have any particular questions, let me know.

For full time cold weather camping I would say great things about Mobile Suites. I have an 05 and it is holding up quite well. Best insulated 5er made, 3 1/4 inch walls. I forget the R values but they are good and we stay comfortable in cold weather. I do my own work too and I've not had it in the shop and we're in our 6th year. I had a cardinal before this and it was OK but not built anything like the MS. This is solid, and built to last a long time. would not pay what a new one costs ($100,000 plus) but there are used on the market at attractive prices. In fact there is a lady here in the campground who's husband died last year and she is selling an 08 or 09 (not sure which) 36 TK3 at a very attractive price (around 30K). That's just an example, I see others advertised from time to time. Hope this helps.

I'm not sold on the front living room layout, they give up too much storage both in the front lower storage bays and in the closet that is usually across the cap in the front in the bedroom, we are full-timers and I wouldn't give up one square inch of cargo space! Go with the Cardinal, Cedar Creek's after-the-sale customer service is simply second to none, ask any other "creeker" and he'll tell you, good luck!Red Green; Remember, If it moves and it shouldn't, duck-tape,if doesn't move and it should,WD40!!

Thanks for all the great input! My wife and I are going to try and catch an RV show in Wixom, MI in the next month or so. I didnt realize the front living would be short on storage. I may search around for a used Mobil Suites and see what options they offer.

For a true 4-season trailer rated for cold weather you need to look at DRV (Mobil/elite Suites), New Horizons, Excel, Spacecraft, Continental Coach. There are a number of lesser coaches out there that tout Arctic Pac, full time rated, etc. A true 4-season RV will be heavy and you will need to really watch the truck you select for towing.Ken

full timer 5er noob looking for some expierenced advice

12 Replies

4bearhug
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
We have a Cardinal and have had good success with it although it's a smaller unit, about 37.5' and not a front living layout. We are very happy with our 5er and would probably consider another Cardinal if in the narket.
StanZZZ
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
I had a Cardinal. Wouldn't recommend one for heavy use. Like most things you will get what you pay for. If you are gonna full time you wont enjoy a weekend fiver. There are many brands and they all compete for the same customers. They all build "built to fail" units. Buy quality even if you have to buy used. In the long run it will save you money. Look at the structure not the bling. A fancy stero or bigger TV will not replace double pane windows and proper insulation. I'm pretty sure mobile suites is the only quality fiver that survived the recession. I would much rather have a five year old MS than a new weekend camping unit. Hope this helps.
C-Bears
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Our last two fivers have had "Artic Packages", and this new one has that plus "full timers package" and the most insulation you can get, minus the double pane windows. I don't think there are any RV's that can consistently handle really cold weather. We do a month or so of 25-35 degree temps each year but much longer or much colder and there could be problems.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 13, 2015
5erNo.Ob wrote:
My wife and I are full timers with no kids and one fur baby. We have been in a travel trailer the last 2 years. Its a Keystone Outback which hasnt given us any real headaches because im relatively handy at fixing minor stuff, but we are cramped. Our new pursuit is a bigger fifth wheel and we have our minds made up on the front living arrangement. Definately need a Cold weather trailer. We are looking at a few particular models, forest river cardinal 3800fl and keystone montana 3711fl and open range 3x 386flr. I think our biggest concerns are insulation/protection axles/suspension and heating /cooling. I have a 2010 3500 Ram cummins to pull when we get ready. Any stories or opinions regarding brands,models and quality i would greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance!

5erNo.Ob

The Cardinals are pin heavy, and not that well suited to SRW trucks. Hope you have a dually for trailers that size. You can ask more question about Cardinals here: http://www.cardinalrvclub.org/

Chris
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Just a thought but if I'm full timing I don't need a 4 season package. That's why it has wheels, go where it's warmer. Go for a quality coach and the rest will take care of itself, too hot move, too cold move.
bodacious
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
You might want to take a look at an Escalade by Thor. We just traded our 2005 Cougar for a 2006 Escalade that was lived in full time. Unit is like NEW. 4 season camper with "tru-air" ducted (you don't see or hear the AC units - very quiet. Very solid, well insulated with dual pane windows, double door residential style fridge, 4 slides, lots of outside storage, gelcoat exterior, all the toys. We looked at Montanas and Cardinals but none came close to the Escalade. The only other unit that came close was a 2012 Redwood that was out of our price range. Good luck in your search.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2015
Not a fan of the front end living room either. Think about demand for it when the time comes to sell.

Also in favour of buying an upper tier slightly used like DRV over a mid market but new for the same money.

Hard to find, but well worth a look if you don't mind buying older, are Alpenlites built between 2000 & 2005. 2006 & later Alpenlites are Lippert framed & generally not as well built as the earlier generation.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2015
For a true 4-season trailer rated for cold weather you need to look at DRV (Mobil/elite Suites), New Horizons, Excel, Spacecraft, Continental Coach.

There are a number of lesser coaches out there that tout Arctic Pac, full time rated, etc.

A true 4-season RV will be heavy and you will need to really watch the truck you select for towing.

Ken
5erNo_Ob
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
Thanks for all the great input! My wife and I are going to try and catch an RV show in Wixom, MI in the next month or so. I didnt realize the front living would be short on storage. I may search around for a used Mobil Suites and see what options they offer.
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
I'm not sold on the front living room layout, they give up too much storage both in the front lower storage bays and in the closet that is usually across the cap in the front in the bedroom, we are full-timers and I wouldn't give up one square inch of cargo space! Go with the Cardinal, Cedar Creek's after-the-sale customer service is simply second to none, ask any other "creeker" and he'll tell you, good luck!

Red Green;
Remember, If it moves and it shouldn't, duck-tape,
if doesn't move and it should,WD40!!