Shopping for first RV...need guidance

There are so many factors to consider to answer your questions. First alot will depend on your expierence pulling any type of trailer. I grew up towing trailers and am quite comfortable towing any size trailer with any load on any terrain . If you have never towed a trailer at all jumping into a fithwheel may be over your head . You didnt say what your expierence has been so my answer would be for some people yes the 5th wheel is the best choice for others no. There are several dealers in your part of the country who have some of the best prices in the country. Holemans in Batavia OH is one. I pull a 36' TH with. 2011 F250 PSD with ease . Add air bags and don't look for the cheapest hitch look for a quailty hitch. We went with the CURT q20 slider which gas worked well for us. Extremely easy to hitch and pretty much idiot proof. Our current TH has auto level system which i didnt really care about but it was on the TH already. I wont have anything ever again without it. It really saves so much work setting up and breaking down camp. Best advice is to shop ,read and look for trends in what you read instead of taking a poster or two s advice. As far as MFGs go we have had Forrest river TH and basically it was ok for the money we spent . It was cheap built and always needed attention but was ok. Had a warranty issue with them so didnt consider FR when we bought our 5th wheel TH . We now have Keystone Fuzion and it has been excellent except for the tires. But again many people like FR and many hate Keystone so just have to remember read and shop ALOT. This forum is. Good place to get tons of info. Good luck