Is a DRV the best 36-38 Fifth Wheel to buy?

DRV is good. But very heavy. Not easily towable by a 1 ton dually. Most DRV owners tow with a medium duty or heavy duty truck. The truck can be expensive.

Other comparable quality trailers are also very heavy. And quite expensive...even pre-owned. To find a reasonably priced used unit, you may find it difficult to get financing for it.

Your question regarding DRV indicates an interest with regards to quality. As mentioned, quality translates into weight. You might also look at New Horizons and Excel. When considering a used unit, NuWa with their HitchHiker line is another highly regarded manufacturer. While they haven't produced a product in the recent past due to the economy, they own and maintain the Kansas RV Center in Chanute, KS. Other orphans such as Teton, Western RV's Alpinlite, and Travel Supreme have enjoyed good reputations over the years.

Since you aren't in a position to tour various and sundry factories, I'd recommend that you visit RV Consumer Group and look around the website. They rate RVs and while some folks don't place much value in their offerings, many do. Twenty plus years in the industry is a testament to that fact. A membership will cost you, yet increase your awareness of products, both current and orphans. But in the overall scheme of your RV costs, it's a paltry sum. Since you are considering used, it will be helpful now that the new brochures have long flown off the shelf. Just be mindful of how the information is accumulated and how the ratings are reached. Once you've narrowed your scope, look for available owner's forums for further research. Happy hunting.

There are several other fifth wheel manufacturers I would add besides DRV.

Excel Limited by Peterson Industries.

New Horizon

Hitchhiker Champagne by Nuwa.

These can all be found in a used, pre-owned status. And all will directly compare with the DRV Mobile Suites models in quality, weight, and amenities.

Post this question on the Drv owners forum, www.suitesowners.com. You can post any question and get responses from actual owners. You are going to get lots of responses as to what is "best". There are a few brands that are of good quality, Drv is one of them. As someone else said they are heavy and you need a big truck to pull one, we had a 2007 Drv Select Suites that weighed 16,200 loaded, now we have a Drv Mobile Suites that weighs 19,400. Buying a good quality used unit is a very good idea, buy one that looks like a liveable floor plan, you won't know what is best for you until you spend time in it.

You say this is your first fifth wheel. Have you pulled other trailers in the past?

If not, a 38 foot DRV is a lot of trailer and so you might want to see one "in person" before getting out your checkbook.

Just remember, DRVs are heavy and many of the models will put a strain on a 1 ton Dually, so if you go that route, remember to get a TV that's up to the task.

The majority of our RV experience has been with the DRV product....full time use since '06.
The DRV product could easily be a better product with better quality control during manufacturing process. It is better built, with a larger frame, larger wheels, more insulating qualities, full body paint/few decals and more options/amenities available than a lot of (not all of) the rigs on the road. That said, we are pleased with our choice, however we have had our share of small problems, either from engineering errors, or poor quality practices provided by installation department, and overlooked by management, normal wear and tear issues aside.
Your decision to purchase a used unit is wise on 2 accounts...depreciation and the hope that all of the installation problems should have been identified and rectified by the previous owner(s). After 10 years of production, DRV has a good dealer/service network across the country, as well as former workers who have set up a service business in Indiana.
One thing to remember with RV's...they all use the same few brands of frames and appliances, which can be built to the standards required by the RV manufacturer, or can be the minimal standards of the original manufacturer....what differentiates RV manufacturers is what materials/specifications they use, and how well they use them. Glitz and glamor are nice, but it's not what keeps your rig together, and gets you to your destination.

You'd do well to expand your search, then you'll be able to make a more informed decision.
You can get DRV specific feedback from long time users at this web site/thread: 5th Wheel Forums

Regards
Gemstone