I recently asked about top 5th wheels and got helpful responses. Many thanks. But I realize now it was not quite the right question. My girl friend and I don't care much about luxiorious appointments, once our chemical sensitivities are addressed. What we care about is reliabilty. Are there brands/models known for being trouble free?

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.

Most reliable 5th wheels | Good Sam Community

Dtank
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
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.

EVERY dealer would like you to believe they are a "quality dealer".

Remember - a "local dealer" is no help if you're 3K miles away!

"Issues"???
The Jayco I purchased new in 2006 had a 2-year warranty.
Didn't need it. Never had any "issues". Fixed one small issue myself.

IMO - Shop for best *price* and mfgr's warranty on the unit itself.
Items like A/Cs etc., will have individual warranties.

You need to visit dealers, RV shows, etc. - and if you're looking for re-sale units, start visiting private party for sale RVs.

.
diver110
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Veebyes wrote:
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.

Thanks, but what I really want to know is how you get ypur 5th wheel from MD to Bermuda! :)
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2015
diver110 wrote:
Veebyes wrote:
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.

Thanks, but what I really want to know is how you get ypur 5th wheel from MD to Bermuda! :)

You take the exit east at the CBBT, make sure you have lots of speed, & you hydroplane the 700 miles to Bermuda. Make sure the truck & trailer are well caulked before departing.
diver110
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Veebyes wrote:
diver110 wrote:
Veebyes wrote:
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.

Oddly enough, a friend of mine splits time between Owings Mills abd Bermuda. His wife owns property in Bermuda (upkeep, because of the weather, costs a fortune). He is not an RVer, though.

Thanks, but what I really want to know is how you get ypur 5th wheel from MD to Bermuda! :)

You take the exit east at the CBBT, make sure you have lots of speed, & you hydroplane the 700 miles to Bermuda. Make sure the truck & trailer are well caulked before departing.
whistlebritches
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
We have an 05 Cedar Creek 37'RDQS and have had very good luck with it, but I understand that some with the newer ones have had numerous issues. Forest River is very good to work with people though and will take care of their problems, even some that are out of warranty.
Stefan
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Lots of times it comes dwon to which 'plant' makes your model. Some are better than others.
But end of day Look at which Manufacturers BACK UP their product, get back to you , and truly try to help problem solve. vs trying to find 'best built' as no such thing exists.
As for local dealer etc.. buy where you get the best price. I bought from dealer 1500 miles away ( RVW). For a 1 year warranty to think buying local will help is a misnomer. YOu will still have to wait forever to get things done etc. Once out of warranty there are many, non-dealer options for service work.
My 3 cents.
Flapper
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Ditto on what has already been said. When we were shopping, the deciding factors ended up being:

1) How long was the warranty? - Most are 1 year, a very few are 2 year. Gotta figure if the Mfg. stands behind it longer, your odds are better....

2) How good, really, is the dealer? That can be harder, as there are few places to see much in the way of customer reviews. We actually cruised a few local campgrounds and asked those who appeared to be locals about their unit and their dealer.

Troll all the various forums dedicated to the brands you are interested in to see what issues there may/may not be.

Trailer Life magazine has a "ombudsman" column that helps resolve service complaints, which can be an eye opener on how well or poorly some companies respond. Spending time going through back issues should be worthwhile.

Otherwise, it will be one-offs of people loving or bashing a brand, which may not be the best basis, but sometimes is all you have to go on.

Count us among the Jayco lovers going into our 3rd year. The only issues have been very, very minor.

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