Young FW full timer needs a new rig 4 months out

Undertaking full timing really calls for a significant amount of research.
Is the Keystone rated for full time use? If you are going to full time, that is where I'd look. I don't see any mention of insulation values for the Hideout on the Keystone web site, but that is something you need to know.
I have done a lot of research of older fifth wheels, and there are some that do stand a bit ahead of the rest in insulation. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably look at older, higher end, full-time rated fifth wheels. Maybe around '03-'06. Find the style of floor plan you like. There are many. Maybe with dogs, you'll want to consider toy haulers. Find the brochures for what suits you, and read through to find the insulation ratings. Some manufacturers put in two layers of fiberglass vs. one layer, and some added reflective foil insulation. Only a few used all foam insulation. Heartland does now, but not sure when they started. This gets complicated. I'd head on over to the RVdreams and Escapees forums and start there.

We too thank you for our freedom. with that, we too made bad choice with our first fifth wheel, insulation and usability. so with that said, my two cents worth is to deal with the unit while you look around as it is what it is. put it up for sale if you can and don't get discouraged by low offers on your unit. Not that i am a big fan of RV shows and pressure sales, but that is a good place to look at a multitude of units side by side. Sit on the toilet, act like you are shaving and washing up, get in the shower and move around, go through the kitchen area and go through the motions as though you are living in it. These things will or should give you some perspective on the usability of the unit. Make sure you have the insulation package that will deal with the cold, it will also help with the heat. Like said in earlier post, go with the floor plan you like, bit the bullet and do what you got to do. We took a loss on ours as we traded only after 5 weeks, sick to my stomach for not doing a better job of pre-checking usability and other misc. items. Again, don't get discouraged. Take your time, find an RV rally near by and go talk to people that are there, not sales people, real users both part and full time. As my dad told me, a few thousand dollars of loss will be added to your experience and then move on. Private Message me if you like as i can give you more of my thoughts opinions etc. We chose a Grand Design 303 RLS and just love it. Good Luck & Be Safe! ! !

If you are trading it in next year, then would it still be considered new for trade in purposes?

What's your budget on this? Or what price will you consider?

I can tell you that there are numerous used high end, better insulated (they really can only fit so much insulation in there)full timer-friendly fifth wheels out there that far exceed your Keystone product in build, fit and finish, room, etc. To name a few: Mobile Suites (any year), Dutchmen Grand Junction (2009, or better yet a 2010+ w/ Arctic pkg.), 2000+ Newmar "Aire" products (NOT Cypress or "Stars"),09+ KZ Escalade. There are more, that's just a short list. It has taken me quite a bit of time to compile data to create a list of older, better built RVs to choose from, primarily based on suitable insulation. That is what I suggest you and your wife do. Good luck to you.

Thank you all for your guidance. I do appreciate it. Wr definitely did not do our research when we first jumped into it. So many mistakes were made its crazy. I bought two gassers before I realized I needed a diesel - don't even get me started on that one. Haha! We have found the rv we like. It's the Grand Design Momentum 385TH. And yes, we will be using the garage for our fur-babies. Our keystone is not rated at AL for full time use let alone a couple weeks during the year lol!

So have you done your research now? It's easy to make mistakes by being in a hurry and/or not fully doing research. I'm sure we've all been there in some way! The picking of the camper is up to me. I left the picking of the truck up to my husband, and while we did end up with a turbo diesel truck, I later discovered that it's got a very poor safety rating. He didn't do all his research! He was in the dog house for quite a while over that.

This decision seems to have been made quickly. Others have suggested going to a few RV shows, and I HIGHLY recommend that. While the Momentum is a very nice unit indeed, have you *really* considered all your options? Have you gone and looked in person? It's one thing to see stuff online, but it could feel very different in person. On the Momentum 385th, do you guys cook a lot? There isn't a lot of countertop space. How do you feel about having an island basically in the middle of the kitchen? Does that restrict traffic flow for times when the dogs are in the RV with you? You said the army doesn't pay you to enjoy life, so are you sure you really want to blow this kind of money on a depreciating asset? What if you decide to come back off the road sooner than you thought and need to sell? It will be a big loss because you've bought new. The "full time pros" suggest that your first and second full time RV is purchased used until you have lived the life and know better what you want/need. That is very sage advice, and they should know.

miboje wrote:
So have you done your research now? It's easy to make mistakes by being in a hurry and/or not fully doing research. I'm sure we've all been there in some way! The picking of the camper is up to me. I left the picking of the truck up to my husband, and while we did end up with a turbo diesel truck, I later discovered that it's got a very poor safety rating. He didn't do all his research! He was in the dog house for quite a while over that.

This decision seems to have been made quickly. Others have suggested going to a few RV shows, and I HIGHLY recommend that. While the Momentum is a very nice unit indeed, have you *really* considered all your options? Have you gone and looked in person? It's one thing to see stuff online, but it could feel very different in person. On the Momentum 385th, do you guys cook a lot? There isn't a lot of countertop space. How do you feel about having an island basically in the middle of the kitchen? Does that restrict traffic flow for times when the dogs are in the RV with you? You said the army doesn't pay you to enjoy life, so are you sure you really want to blow this kind of money on a depreciating asset? What if you decide to come back off the road sooner than you thought and need to sell? It will be a big loss because you've bought new. The "full time pros" suggest that your first and second full time RV is purchased used until you have lived the life and know better what you want/need. That is very sage advice, and they should know.

Thank you very much ma'am for your advice. However, yes I believe I have invested time this go around into the next rig. I originally posted this thread back in July and ever since then I have been going to show after show searching and searching. We went from the Raptor 415TS to the Cyclone 4150 and 4200 then we saw the momentum. After we found the Floorplan we liked the most we went in depth. Researching everything about the rig.

We love the rv lifestyle. Yes, it was done way prematurely but as time went on we learned more and more. And hopefully with you fine folks lending a helping hand we can learn even more. One big thing we are doing now though is buying USED!

Just one comment. I will never own an RV where the main seating is at a 90 deg angle to the TV. While I don't watch a lot of TV if full-timing you catch the news, a few (or many) programs, plus specials. My TV in the S&B is facing the recliners and same in the RV.

My current RV has it's shortcomings (no dedicated living area, small kitchen) but I can access the bed, bathroom, and fridge without moving any slides. That makes a difference when traveling and want to take short stop.

Just to add a couple more comments. Please tap into the wide variety of folks out there and their knowledge. They, we, us are more than willing to assist in any aspect we can. For me and I am sure I speak for many more, we are glad to help and will be even more glad to throw in our two cents, and even a buck if in person and can help out. So with that, enjoy, you work hard for what you have and want, so enjoy it to the fullest. See ya on the road sometime. Good Luck U Be Safe! ! !