Most reliable 5th wheels

There isn't a single RV made that will be trouble free...some might come close, but none will have zero issues.

I purchased the "entry level" 5th wheel noted in my signature line in August 2012. Dealer (shout out to Franklin's Big Country RV Outlet in Abilene, TX) and Keystone took care of an issue with the nose of the trailer in the first month and since then, no other warranty issues or failures. We've had it out every month since purchasing, averaging 32 nights each year, currently spending a week at Caddo Lake State Park in Texas.

I'd call that reliable, 100% satisfied with the purchase. I know there will come a time to replace her (Persistence!), but DW and I are so happy with what we have, can't yet foresee when we'll venture back in the market for a replacement.

kakampers wrote:
There isn't a single RV made that will be trouble free...some might come close, but none will have zero issues.

kakampers is absolutely correct! I have only owned one brand/model. When we purchased our first used one we based the decision on a couple things. We liked the floor plan, and the make was suppose to be the Number 1 seller in the U.S.

Now my opinion is that between 2008 and 2012, when the RV market had taken a hit, less units were being produced and the factories were not in a hurry putting them out. Between 2013 and now they are building them as fast as they can. IMHO the newer units are having more problems.

I had zero issues with my 2008. I have had several issues with my 2014 and the manufacturer has not been very easy to work with as far as warranty goes.

All of these 5th wheels share so many mechanical components that it's difficult to specify a single brand or model that is most trouble free. There are differences in furnishings, floor coverings, window types but they all have the same refrigerators, furnaces, water heaters, and water pumps.

All the above comments are true. The steps above that all relate to more money. For example, more money can be spent on the frame. We have a Lifestyle and it uses a stacked box steel tube frame instead of the more common I-beam frame. We opted for a Residential refrigerator. More money. We opted for 8000 lb axles with disk brakes and H rated tires. More money. DW insisted on Full Body paint. Much more money.

Anything you buy will be a trade-off. You will go bonkers looking and trying to make a decision. Good Luck.

kakampers wrote:
There isn't a single RV made that will be trouble free...some might come close, but none will have zero issues.

X3 Even the high end RVs can have issues. Look at the MH section, some of those MHs can cost in the hundreds of thousands and they have troubles.

Some people experience more trouble than others, even those that own the EXACT SAME brand and model can have varying results, we see it on here ALL THE TIME.

One thing I've learned is you have to be some what "handy" and be willing to fix the "minor bugs"or have deep pockets and patience at RV repair centers.

Dan

My folks have a 96 34' HH Premier and the only thing they have replaced is the furnace control board. They have lived in theirs 8 mo every year since new.

Thanks for the feedback. Very helpful. Makes me wonder if it makes more sese to buy locally from a quality dealer to deal with an issues.

diver110 wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. Very helpful. Makes me wonder if it makes more sese to buy locally from a quality dealer to deal with an issues.

Oh yes, you should investigate the dealer with as much enthusiasm as the unit itself.

All of them are largely a collection of 3rd party parts assembled by the builder. Some parts are better than others. Not all plumbing systems are equal. Not all wiring is equal. Often it is the stuff that you don't see that makes a difference. Better stuff costs more. Better assembly of that stuff takes more time so it costs more.

Bottom line, don't think that you are going to get a top end unit at an entry level unit price. Start the survey from the ground up. Tires, brake size & type, shocks, spring leaf count, spring hanger frame area? Look in the basement behind the nice storage area for how the utilitys are set up. Organized neat & bundled wiring, accessible pump, waterheater, charger, furnace, holding tank fittings etc. Then go inside for the fluffy stuff, the stuff the salesman really wants you to see.