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Tgator1's avatar
Tgator1
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016

Looking for a Good, Solid, Short New Fiver

We thought long and hard about trading our old 2003 Titanium 33' fifth wheel for a short diesel motor home. After getting input on the motor home forum, and looking on-line, decided we're probably better off getting a new fiver. We're getting older, but better(!), and our backs, knees and shoulders are frequently tight and sore, so we want to get an RV that is easier to set up. We want automatic leveling, remote starting generator, power awning, washer / dryer, and whatever else will make our camping less physical! We also want double pane windows, efficient insulation, a low maintenance roof (prefer fiberglass), real fiberglass exterior walls, etc. Its mostly just my wife of 45 years and me, but there will be a few times when we'll bring along 2 or 3 of our grandchildren, so we will need 3 beds. A bunk house might work out. Most that we have checked out on-line have 3 slides which is fine, but they must be reliable. We have had lots of problems with the one slide on our Titanium and just don't want to go through that again. We have a 2500HD Duramax, and don't want to exceed GVWR, maybe 13k max dry. Will consider any fiver that meet these and are within our budget of $99k. Will appreciate any help.
  • SabreCanuck wrote:
    Not sure I or anyone can help you with the decision making as each to their own on floorplans.

    But, curiosity has gotten the best of me in regards to why someone talked you out of a motorhome? Easier to drive, easier to setup and generally come with all the items you mention (generator and washer/dryer are not really standard in 'short' 5th wheels).

    New motor home with what they require would exceed 100g. Once you add the toad there is no benifit with ease of use- other than no need to exit tv to get to bathroom and kitchen while underway or overnight stop.
  • Thanks for the tips. We went to a couple of dealers today. One had Grand Design line. Ski, you are right on track. We really liked the Reflections. We walked through a couple of them that would work. They did not have the 317RST, but did have the 318RST which had sleeping for 5, washer / dryer connections, auto level and an optional generator. It's 34' long and weighs about 10,300. We also saw a couple of toy haulers, the smaller Momentums, also made by Grand Design that can be optioned with everything we want. We'll check out the Outdoors RV's and the KZ's. Appreciate the feedback.
  • KZ has a couple in their Durango 2500 line with WD prep and are < 35'. Jayco has one Eagle with WD prep and is right at 35'.

    Lyle
  • Not sure I or anyone can help you with the decision making as each to their own on floorplans.

    But, curiosity has gotten the best of me in regards to why someone talked you out of a motorhome? Easier to drive, easier to setup and generally come with all the items you mention (generator and washer/dryer are not really standard in 'short' 5th wheels).
  • A short 5th wheel is fairly easy to find. A Good, Solid one is very hard to find.