Need Help With Buying Fifth Wheel

kohai wrote:

Jsabe07 wrote:
Hello everyone, this is my first time on here and I'm asking for some assistance with a couple fifth wheels that my wife and I are looking at. We like the Coachmen Chaparral, but one Jayco dealer said the quality was subpar. We've also been looking at the Hemisphere and the Sandpiper as well. Which one is better in terms of quality?

What is your intended use? Full time? Only 3-4 times a year? Many RVs are not designed robustly enough for full time use and the mfg sometimes even state that.

"Kohai" makes a good point. Our first fiver was a mid price trailer with a nice layout and looked great, but we travel 6 months a year and put lots of miles on and it just didn't hold up. We now have a rig with a great frame, suspension, brakes, tires plus we bought an air hitch and after 4 years and 40,000 plus miles it's holding up great, yea for us we love the layout. So how you plan to use your 5th wheel is something to think about.

There are some less expensive "lite" models that are built with lighter material. Lighter materials means not as durable when it comes to cabinetry, fit and finish, floor flex, etc. As a general rule, most mid level, mid priced rvs are all built to the same standard and most have some issues right out of the efactory (my experience anyway). The unit is only as good as the crew that built it. The important thing is to pick a floor plan you like and then compare several brands with that floor plan. Spend lots of time in them. Bring a flashlight and Phillips screw driver and look behind cabinets, look at wiring, plumbing, see how doors and cabinets line up. If you take time, you should find a unit that gives you the feeling it was designed and built OK. If you look at enough units, you will see flaws. Also jump up and down on the flooring. Some brands have sturdier flooring than others.
Don't get caught up on distracted in the bling that many brands have. Look beneath the bling for things such as quality furniture, cushions, bed construction, etc. Good luck.

Jsabe07 wrote:
Hello everyone, this is my first time on here and I'm asking for some assistance with a couple fifth wheels that my wife and I are looking at. We like the Coachmen Chaparral, but one Jayco dealer said the quality was subpar. We've also been looking at the Hemisphere and the Sandpiper as well. Which one is better in terms of quality?

What is your intended use? Full time? Only 3-4 times a year? Many RVs are not designed robustly enough for full time use and the mfg sometimes even state that.

JMO but they are all subject to subpar construction. Jayco is just as bad or good as the rest. Google the different brand forums and read them for a couple weeks or so and you'll find they all have issues of one sort or another. We have looked at Jayco at RV shows and they have some features that standout. But for the most part it's all the same. One thing about Jayco is the drawer fronts are mounted to a thicker piece of backing. I've seen some brands that use a thin 3/8" piece of wood for backing. After a few years it could give you trouble. IMO go with your floor plan of choice, then find one that has the most amenities you like and get it. Be diligent on exterior maintenance and it will last as long as needed.

Quality is a subjective term in the RV industy. Every salesman worth his salt is going to bad mouth brands he does not sell. No matter what brand or the price you pay you can get a bad one as easily as a good one. The brand I prefer you may not think much of. I can tell you my brand in 9 years has not had one factory caused problem. Enough said!