Good mid priced fifth wheel

The 08 Sunnybrook we got this summer is still high quality, has a brute-strong frame, morryde and has no lippert anywhere. I've heard SB quality was going down around 2011 so one would have to be inspected very closely but it would definately be on my list. Craig

Texas Roadrunner wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the good feedback. Had not thought of Arctic Fox, but will see if we can find a dealer. Also appreciate the info on the newer used medels, maybe new is the way to go. He has beenusing our '93 Mobile Scout. It is still in amazing shape, but has no slides and he wants more room. Like many others have expressed on his forum, am sad Sunny Brook has been sold, same company made our 30 ft Mobile Scout, great little trailer. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

To give you an idea of the deals that can be found on the "new" lot. The 2009 Open Range 385RLS we have we bought new in December of 2010 for $36,000. I did a search last week for that year and model and found 3 for sale across the US. The lowest price was $35,999. So after 3 years of use we have lost zero equity. Find the model he wants then search the internet for the best price. You can probably save enought to pay to have it delivered from halfway across the country.

Another thought on a 1 or 2 year old model, Why did the owner get rid of it??? Some are dumped that quick because they had more problems than the owner could deal with. Granted some just upgrade every couple of years, but would suggest looking very, very closely at those newer units.

Another Arctic Fox supporter here. We own a 2013 27-5L with a few upgrades, there are not many with the Silver Fox model. Is 43,300 plus tax, tag, title to high? The only negative thing I can think of, especially with the 2013 is weight. Ours ready to camp with about 20 gallons water, 80lbs. propane, two T105's weighs in at 11,500 and a pin weight of 2400.

Wow, thanks for all the good feedback. Had not thought of Arctic Fox, but will see if we can find a dealer. Also appreciate the info on the newer used medels, maybe new is the way to go. He has beenusing our '93 Mobile Scout. It is still in amazing shape, but has no slides and he wants more room. Like many others have expressed on his forum, am sad Sunny Brook has been sold, same company made our 30 ft Mobile Scout, great little trailer. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

schlep1967 wrote:
The problem with a trailer that is only 2 years old is that most people selling them have paid virtually nothing off the principal they borrowed. So they basically need to get close to new price to get out of their loan. Have him do his research. Check out what is available locally on craigslist and other classifieds and what they are asking. Then go to a few dealers lots and find out what the lowest prices are for new trailers. Don't be afraid to make some calls to competing dealerships and let them know you are looking for the best price. Odds are you can get new with a warrantee for the same price as a fairly new used trailer.

Are you implying that the trailers don't depreciate much in the first two years or are you implying that people ask too much for their used trailers (and some people are dumb enough to pay exorbitant asking prices)? It's not really the buyers problem if the seller is upside down. The value is the value - what the market will bear... and that's in anything not just RVs/Trailers.

The Arctic Fox is a real good choice, try another year back for the deprecation value to get a better deal. Jayco is another good choice also for mid priced Fifth wheel. Might need a slider hitch for the short bed truck to be safe than sorry. Your son should hit the scale to determine how much weight is left for the king pin, which should be 20-25% range. Would rather figure more % than be surprised. Best of luck,
Scott

Me Again wrote:

laknox wrote:

Texas Roadrunner wrote:
Our son is looking to buy a new (to him) fifth wheel, 2011 or newer. He has a GMC 2500 Duramax truck, short bed. He wants a 30-32 ft. fiver. What brand or brands would you recommend? Open Range interests him, told him you guys are the experts, so would love to hear your opinions. As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Susan

Susan, his limiting factor is going to be his truck, in that size-range. If he's got an older truck, there may not be many FW's he can carry due to lower payloads. He may want to keep his search to the Lite/Light/"1/2 ton" FWs with a GVW < 10k lbs. If he's got newer truck, like 2011-13, he could get away with some of the heavier FWs, but payload is, again, going to be the issue.

Lyle

Come on Lyle. I do not care what year the GMC 2500HD Duramax is, it will tow just about any 30-32 foot 5th wheel made. It might be a little over the manufacturers warranty number(GVWR) on early ones with the 9200 rating, it will not however be over the rear axle(GAWR). If you are going to park this one on the side of the road, there will be thousands of them parked cost to cost with it.

Chris

Chris, I didn't say they shouldn't do it, just be aware of it. I =know= I'm over my payload on my '02 by a bit and, if I'd got the FW I =really= wanted, I'd be regretting it to this day, if I even still had it. I grew up on a farm, so have towed stuff with a 1/2 ton I really shouldn't have, (like nearly 20,000 lbs of UN32 in a tank-trailer with no brakes with a '48 GMC...at 30 mph) so am comfortable with my set up as it is and the way I run it.

Lyle

I'm not an Open Range fan .... they have cut their frames to the point they need a 6 point auto leveling system with stabilizers to keep them from bouncing .... I do second the positive recommendation for Artic Fox and also really like the Jayco Eagle line

Jim

We have an Open Range and would buy another one. It has served us well as we are in our 5th year and no regrets. God Luck in your shopping venture.