Purchasing a Fifth Wheel

Well here we are ready to purchase a fifth wheel. We are not full timers and we do have a budget we want to stay in. We have been looking at fifth wheels for many years and now with the TV paid for we decided to sell the TT and move into a 5er. We RV throughout the year and do not let the cold stop us as we live in the SE. An all season 5er is a must, plus I tend to shy away from models that are labeled as lites. Why? I have one now and have first hand experience how lite can also mean not as durable.

This past week we visited several dealerships and have narrowed down the type of floor plan we like. The Sprinter 296FWRLS is a good example of the floor plan as well as the Cougar 333MKS.

We would like to buy new as we are the type to buy and maintain. Used is possible but the ones we looked at, dealer and private, we felt were well over priced compared to new.

We continue our search and have several brands where we have found floor plans that we like.

The Sprinter models are the front runner but I am concerned whether or not this is a good brand or not? Been to the Keystone forum and see the same complaints that I see about others. I am starting to wonder if the Sprinter Copper Canyon is really a lite model.

Cougars are in second place and I believe its because we have not researched it enough. Is it a better built trailer than the Sprinter? They seem to be a little more expensive but that does not always translate.

Just the other night a person we meet at the campground suggested Laredo. My last walk through a Laredo was a few years ago and I was not impressed then. Maybe something has changed.

We also looked at Jayco's this week and we left disappointed. After two different models we told the salesmen we were no longer interested. Maybe I had my expectations set to high but the quality or lack of really showed. Maybe we should try a different dealer and see if it was just bad draw.

So here we sit at Mistletoe State Park in Ga with analysis paralysis...lol We have talked this thing into the ground as has many others. Which trailer is the best if all floor plans meet the requirement.

Not looking to start a brand loyalty war but please post your comments on what you would look for across these brands. Yes, the best deal will play a factor. Maybe something you state will trigger us to lean one way or the other.

Do you know of another manufacturer that has models that could be purchased in the 20K to 30K range.

Thanks

Jake.

PS: Buying a car is so much easier...

Wayfarer
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
Look at the Palomino Columbus 320RS.

Tom
flyinjake
Explorer
Nov 08, 2013
Just to give everyone an update and ask more questions. We have narrowed it down to the Sprinter 296FWRLS and the Sabre 32RCTS. We like both floorplans and it basically boils down to which one we feel comfortable with.

With that said, the question, just like many others have asked, is to autoslide or manual slide?...lol
DRM796
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2013
We found going to RV shows was the way to go for us. You can compare many manufacturers at one location.
We were also on a budget and the DW was more particular about the floorplan. Once we found the unit we liked then we just started shopping price. Bought a Wildcat 313RE from RV Wholeslaers, delivered for under $30k. Two seasons of use and no regrets.
flyinjake
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
I like the Montana's also but have not come across one, new or used, that fits my bank account.

Stopped by a couple of dealerships this afternoon and looked at Laredo's, Sprinter's and Cruiser's.

We can rule out the Cruiser's. I am not saying they are bad. I did not get a warm and fuzzy with the interior.

Jake
2-MTnesters
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I too recommend a Montana. Have had Dutchmen, Coachmen etc. and the build quality on the Montana in my opinion is excellent. As with any RV you will have small things go wrong and Montana is no different. I like the 6'6" slide height, the real solid wood cabinetry, the upgraded suspension, Corian counter tops and other upgraded features that weren't in my previous campers. Will definitely be the last one I buy for quite some time. Tim
Verysincere
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I know that you prefer to buy new, but I just want to mention that with careful dealer selection---where you may find excellent trade-ins which the dealer wants to covert to cash very quickly---you can get a very good deal. (After all, the best dealers would prefer to get rid of the old RV so that that lot space can be allocated to a brand new model with a MUCH bigger price tag and profit margin.)

That is how I got myself a 10-year old Thor toy hauler at under five figures. I don't have any toys to haul but I found that the layout gives me the feel of living in a house, not an RV. I had never even considered toy haulers until I saw that every item of furniture could be moved and converted to open-space. So I have a lot more options than I had with any other RV---and without the kitchen taking up all of the space.

So, I'd be surprised if a new RV is your only option on a great price. (Yes, we all have our preferences. But I prefer to let the previous owner/owners pay the first $30,000 to $50,000 and then I come along and buy that same RV for $9,000. OK, I found a couple of torn screens and some bent venetian blinds. But otherwise it looks like new. Even after sales taxes and misc fees, I still bought myself a 38' "house" for under $10,000. To each his own.)
469whj469
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
A thirty foot, new fiver, all seasons, of very good quality for $30,000 or less, good luck. I looked for 17 months and never saw one that fit those requirements, not one. I felt that all of the Montana's were to heavy for my 2011, F250, XLT, CC, diesel, longbed, RWD and if the Laredo's and Jayco's are not up to your expections, I would not know what to tell you. They both have good reviews and are as good or better then the 2012 V-Cross 275 that I did buy, for $29,000, with 2 ACs and fifty AMP service. All season is a big problem, the ones that are all season will cost a lot more then that, even an Artic Fox will be more then that and I have not seen a cheaper all season fiver then the Artic Fox. Good Luck
moswald1
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
We recently purchased an Open Range and couldn't be happier with our decision. The floor plans are wonderful, yet in a smaller 5th wheel. Our Open Range Roamer is 30'10" and is perfect for us. They have some other models that might be shorter and of course others that are bigger but after looking for 4-5 years it was the only shorter 5th wheel we could find that had a triple slide. We are happy campers!!! ;)
flyinjake
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
GoPack,

We have discussed going to the show if we did not have something by then. I knew it was bigger than the show in Atlanta but did not realize it was considered one of the biggest. I will email you shortly to get some information.

Thanks

Jake
GoPackGo
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
Since you are in Georgia, I suggest that you put off your decision for a few months and take the time to attend the big RV show that's held every year in January at the Florida State Fairgrounds just outside Tampa. Make motel reservations now and plan to attend for at least 2 full non-stop days. Manufacturer reps are also available to answer questions. Shoot me some mail if you want a few motel suggestions. This is just about the biggest show in the country (some say it IS the biggest). As with all shows, what I liked best was being able to walk from one camper directly into another. The show is huge.

Just looked and this year it starts on 15 Jan.

* Note that camping is also available at the fairgrounds.

http://www.frvta.org/rv-shows/florida-rv-supershow/