Fulltimers....what's your favorite 5er?

We've been full timers for seven years, 2 years in a Heartland Bighorn and five in our Heartland Landmark Grand Canyon. Love it!!

We are FT & purchased a used Hitchhiker from Kansas RV Center. We like that they check over and refurbish the used RVs before selling them. They were also able to change and add some new items. Great service after the sale, too! You can see their inventory online. We are very happy with our purchase.

We have traveled extensively in our Hartland Landmark with minor problems, we have met several full timers happy with Mobile Suites.We did install Moryide Suspension and hydrolic disc brakes. The folks at Moyride are without question the most professional in Elkhart.
E
Email

Best 5er we have had is the 2013 HitchHiker Champagne. Sure sorry that NuWa stopped production, but Kansas RV Center is still there (owned by NuWa) and has a nice selection of used HH 5ers.

Ken

Our favorite is the one we have now. Unfortunately they closed down but not because of lack of sales but another bank bought their bank and called everyone's loan that did business with the. Bank..... Oh yes they can do that and anything they want to do!

We would recommend a Hitchiker brand. Thinking they are built in Kansas?
Also another brand, I can not think of the name. They do not build a lot of them and will build to your specs when possible. Very very expensive but is a very high end with less problems.
Another is Mobile Suites. Very nice good build.
All of these are very heavy so takes a Meduim duty truck like a 4500 or 5500 truck.
I have heard good things about Lifestyle 5th wheels.

Listen to Zoso who said to buy a preowned Carri Lite made by Carriage.
We also have a Carri Lite and we really like it and have full timed in it for almost 8 years

Favorite 5er?? Well that's easy!!

Obviously the one we own!!! ;)

2008 36XTRM5 Carri-Lite by Carriage.

Seriously though, you could do a lot worse than a pre-owned Carriage product.

Owned a 2013 Landmark and it was a POS. Traded it for a 2015 Montana and it is much better. Have owned 4 Montanas now and no problems out of any of them. Higher end I would look at a Mobile Suite.

Thank all of you for the great advice. I agree with one poster that it comes down to a dice roll. Only way to rig the dice is to inspect every little thing on the prospective unit. I have learned that no matter what the unit is, there are going to be happy people and mad people. Nowhere near the consistency of the auto industry. lol
This could be why JD Power doesn't rank 5ers.
I ended up looking back at the original brochures for the units available to me to make sure they were using quality materials and construction. Basically to make sure they were "snowbirdable" or better. :)
Then I inspected the heck out of each prospective unit. I also took into account the price compared to NADA's low retail value as a benchmark. In Texas, there is an overstock right now due to the slump in the oilfields and you can get good 5ers in good condition below low retail all day long.
I ended up putting money down on a 2004 32' Montana. It's got almost everything I want while being small enough to "wean" me into hauling a 5er with my 3/4 ton. I got it from PPL who I HIGHLY recommend in Texas for consignment. They have the cleanest and least expensive options in Texas and I did a TON of research. Right now, PPL is doing an inspection and systems check for me so I should have the unit in a couple days.
Thanks again for all your help. It has proven invaluable to me!
*tips cowboy hat*

We have full timed for over ten years....six of those in a Heartland Bighorn, and the last three in a Heartland Landmark. The Landmark has served usVERY well, as did the Bighorn, in temps from over 100 down to -6 with NO issues whatsoever. If you looking at new, the Landmark and the Bighorn are not only built for full time use, they are also warrantied in writing for full time use...

joeburnes wrote:
I'm about to start fulltiming and have never owned a 5er. I'm looking to buy a used one due to budget. I want to get a unit that I know the construction is good in so I don't buy a brand that is falling apart on me. Please let me know which ones to look at that will stand the test of time and which ones to definitely stay away from. And most importantly, "why" you feel the way you do.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

EDIT: I'll need a "4 seasons" one as I'll be all over the country at different times of year.

We have a Cedar Creek and like it a lot. The Cedar Creek (and Silverback) are well manufactured and well supported by Forest River. Grreat 5th wheels. Ours is 2011.
You may want to look at a quality 5th wheel to start with.
It is very important to look at is the quality of the trailer you are looking for. There are a 1,000 things to check out and the dealer will not be patient helping you out.
Some of the things to check out . . . roof and caulking around stuff up there; outside of trailer; possible water damage; tires; check for failed suspension; etc etc.
Very important to check our water damage. It can really be hiddent. push on floors, siding to find our mushy areas. Especialy the baggage areas.
ken and sue