Looking at 5th wheels. Need advise

jsr21 wrote:

Artemus Gordon wrote:

jsr21 wrote:

Artemus Gordon wrote:

Dustin_Tx wrote:
I'm looking at 5th wheels in the 36'-42' range. I have seen MANY different brands. I'm looking at 2010 or newer units.
I want something quality. I will be living in it full time going to grad school in Florida. It is just me, not married and no kids.
What are the better built name brands?
I will most likely get rid of my 03 F350 4x4 DRW Diesel 6spd and get a Retired HDT. So I don't need to be talked to about weights. I'm a farm boy, 26 years old and have been pulling trailers and backing them since I was about 12.
My 5th wheel budget is $40k +- a few
I want something that I can pull out onto 100 acres and live in while I have the house built. So it needs to last 5-7 years min. What options should really be standard? I'm new at 5th wheels, just doing some research before I fork over $40k
Thanks
Dusty

Seems like money is important, therefore make sure the brand you buy is still in business. Neer ever buy orphans! Many so called high end models were not selling for lots of reasons, inability to compete being main reason and therefore went bottoms up. Yet it must be said, they are at fires sale prices. Go look for yourself. As long as you realize they are trailers, not foundation models, you will see the differences in quality. Good hunting!

So your advice to him would be to pass on Carriage Cameos or Carrilites and to go ahead and buy a Montana cuz they're still in business? That's not very good advice.:h

Just stating the facts son! Funny, I, never mentioned Montana, you did. My position is I don't buy from companies out of business. Lots of reasons companies go broke. Bad construction, poor management, crappy product, or just trying to sell obsolete designs that are behind the times. To advise (as you did) anyone to buy "orphans is bad advice"! But hey, misery loves company! Did you read what it took the low bidder who bought the existing inventory from Carriage, just to make them suitable for sale! They are trailers for goodness sakes not "works of art"! The difference is "they just would not sell"! I know let's put blame where it belongs! The educated buyers perhaps, who leave past prejudices, misinformation, at home, and buy from innovative companies who are building quality products, at competitive pricing, who will be there to address issues as they occure!

I know you didn't mention Montana...but that's what you bought. I like Montanas, and I buy nice clean ones for my inventory.
What do you mean about the low bidder that bought the existing inventory? No one person bought the remaining inventory..a lot of the trailers were sold to individuals..and most of what was left were in various stages of completion. Of course it took time and effort to finish them.
Good used Carriage product brings big $$....I assure you I have a lot of experience in the market.

The OP was asking about used high end trailers in his price range...the
fact that a manufacturer is no longer around is a moot point on a 3-4 yr old used coach.

Not here to argue. Facts are facts, don't buy, invest in, purchase from businesses or their products when they go under! Banks wont even finance "out of business RVs" as a general rule. Now your statement about used Carriages bring big money, that's a joke. Carriages are on lots all over US with large discounts. You stated its all moot on 4 year old coaches? Product liability has a long, long tail and has nothing to do with warrantys etc. When a Carriage catches on fire (god forbid) because of poor workmanship, poor design, known deficiency, and kills everyone on board, your left with "no one" to go after. Banks know that, and so do smart consumers. Last I do own a "Montana" I don't live in it, I camp in it. It's well made and backed by solid company, meets my needs. I deeply love the Montana, enjoy it, been known to pet it on occasion! When the time comes I will buy another. Do I feel like a hiilbilly when a pretty "Carriage" parks next to me, "you bet I do" I seldom go outside for fear of making eye contact, laughing at my rig, or God forbid talking to them! For the record, I also like my Arnage, trouble is "it can't tow anything" and hard to pull behind the Montana just in case a judgmental "High ender" parks next to me! :W