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 fewI 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 $40kThanksDusty

Check out Explore USA across central Texas. They carry Mobile Suites, Redwood, Landmark, even Airstream. New, used, and a few repos.

Mile, I've heard EXCELLENT things about Mobile Suites and Airstream AF and Trilogy the rest seem iffy. I looked at 2010 Komfort and to be honest it looked flimsey and really cheaply constructed.

The best made, bar none, is the New Horizon. Now, since they are (only) custom made, they are as rare as hens teeth. They are also the most expensive. Now their quality is in construction, not "splash". A New Horizon, in your age-range would probably be over your price point. Next tier down, would be Excel by Peterson, Mobile Suites and (various models) by NuWa (Hitchhiker, etc).Just down from there is Northwoods Arctic Fox. Personally I think the Fox is the best value around. You can get more expensive rigs, but they are more expensive because they have "splash" (and sometimes just splash and not quality construction)

NuWa's Hitchhiker, Excel, and Carriage (now out of business) seem to be favored by many full timers. DRV and New Horizons are probably top tier. I would recommend looking at RV Consumer Group. They rate RVs relative to safety, economy, and reliability. Some folks don't place much value in their information. But the fact that they have been providing ratings for over 20 years is a testament to the fact that many do. It's not free. I used their evaluations to make a decision on my current camper in '04 and I'll use them again for my retirement rig later this year.

Take a look at Northwood Arctic Fox units. Built really solid and a more moderate price than Excel etc.

Looking at 5th wheels. Need advise | Good Sam Community

okie_rver
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
most everyone has forgotten to mention the top selling 5ver for the last 10 yrs. look into montana 5vers by keystone great quality and great floorplans in that length, and for the money.
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
Had good luck with a KZ Escalade 39something or other. Solidly built and nicelooking but not just cosmetics.

Ground clearance was less than some others, so it might not work for the field.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
I've had 6rvs in the past 10 years. Finally bought a Carriage Cameo and found the difference between middle of the road and quality. I do realize there are middle of the road units that are very good. I just happen not to own them. Fleetwood was just bad. I would look at Hithhicker, Excel, Mobile Suites, and anything Carriage. I can't comment on others. The ones I mentioned I own our good friends. Don't worry about whether they are still in business or not. Any good service man can repair what ever. I know a guy in Amarillo, that is not a dealer just a service dept. They work on anything, and when they finish they are fixed properly. Good luck. Make sure there are no water leaks.
hone_eagle
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
If you are going to use a HDT, you may as well look at these

forks rv

The larger sizes have frames that weigh in at around 11,000 # so pretty well incomparable.The lowboy is particularly well suited to a tractor.
newk
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
If you're sure you want an HD truck, Tetons are about the best there is. Or was. They closed up shop sometime around 2008 or 2009. $40 still won't touch many of them, but it might find a smaller 2005-2007 or so.
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Apr 23, 2013
I own a Cedar Creek Daydreamer and i think it's one of the best built fiver's out there,they were Cedar Creek's high-end model and there aren't a lot of them for sale as the owners are hanging on to them,it has the standard layout but has a 15 cubic foot house-hold fridge with icemaker(a must have),literally TONS of interior/exterior storage and a nice closet for a washer/dryer combo,great fit and finish,air-ride suspention and pin-box and a company that really stands behind their products! There was an identical Daydreamer to mine at Crooked Hook rv resort on Lake Okeechobee for sale last winter and it might still be there,it looked in pretty good condition and would fit your needs and budget,fell free to pm me if you need further comments on the Daydreamer,good hunting!
Bill1374
Explorer
Apr 23, 2013
Try kansasrvcenter.com, it's the outlet center for NuWa. They have several Discover Americas listed used plus some of the other higher line names.

Bill
Artemus_Gordon
Explorer
Apr 23, 2013
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!
alboy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2013
40-45k will put you somewhere in the middle for new, but seen some used DRV,S 05/06 in that range,if you could find a good used unit thats been upgraded with IS suspension/disc brakes and been well maintained ,depreciated to half of its original value , you should be a happy camper.
CREATO
Explorer
Apr 23, 2013
Check out Alpenlite LTD. no longer in business but very well built, residential floor coverings, corian counter tops, extra large fresh and holding tanks don't let the name fool you they are a bit heavy.