Newbie here

Sounds like your getting things together on making your decisions. A rule of thumb as I was told when shopping for a truck, was that if I was going to travel 50,000 miles per year t hen a diesel was the way to go but if its going to be 5 or 6 k a year then consider the gasser if not just for the minimal repair cost and was given the explanation that the guy I talked to said his buddies bragged about their diesels as they sat around his shop but let one of those diesels break down and they were the biggest babies when they got the repair bill. Also, lots of diesels are traded in because there was some indication of serious trouble on the horizon and if many diesel owners claim 2 to 3 hundred k of travel then why would some one trade in a perfectly good truck with less than 100 k on it? Just say'n! Of course you could buy new and get the warranty I suppose. Just food for thought is all. Having said that you might benefit from a diesel from the location on your post. Anyway, your lodging agreement sounds similar to what we had. I did have the best time in the campgrounds with other co-workers camped also, either in tents, toppers, vans, station wagons or tt/5ers and motor homes. drink a beer with the guys and play some cards and watch a ball game at someone's site or the enjoying the good will of campers who took pity on a rail roader who spent the day in the hot sun and would bring over a full meal or get invited to their site for burgers and beer. I think your on the right track (no pun intended), but you will make the choice that's best for you. Good luck and step clear or those big headlights coming toward you, there is usually a train right behind them!

Tom_Diane wrote:

deftskills wrote:
Hello all,

I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.

So here are my questions...

From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?

Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...

Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?

What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...

I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.

I spent all my adult life on the rail road, C&NW for 21 years until the U.P. took us over and then 6 more years. During that time I traveled all over creation My first 2 years on the road was in a motel with a forced roommate. Anyway to answer your questions #1 is if you are going to travel great distances and yiu want to keep your half ton, go with a 28 to 30 ft tt and forget the slide A 3/4 ton in a gasser would keep you happy also with the same tt. A 3/4 ton minimum for a 5er but diesel of gas you might get a slide or 2 but I don't think you can ever truly get sealed enough to stay warm and protect your water lines ect with out getting into a high dollar unit. Im with ya on the class C Winnebego except I would have the toad. You don't want to be stranded in one spot if you need to go somewhere, or for the weekend trips home. Toy haulers IMHO are heavy as a rule and would opt for slide to use as you are asking. When you are in cold country or any place else for that matter, are you allowed to switch your lodging choice. Its been since 2000 that I last worked on the RR but it seems to me that they stopped forced rooming and was allowing us to make a change to our lodging choice twice a year or when we went to another gang??? I know its a diifferent RR but If that is the case I would save my motel option for a time when I really need it and use the RV thru the summer months. Also a motorcycle would be fun and cheap but if you get rained out, are you going to want to sit in the rv all day because you have only a motor cycle with your class C RV?

As far as the lodging with the RR it depends. If I can get myself on some "mercenary" work than the company sometimes offers a person $40 a day if you choose to stay at outside lodging. However, if you stay in lodging than you lose the $40. I've been doing some more research on 5th wheels and I'm liking the Northwood Mfg. company and their Artic Fox (I believe) 5th wheels. I don't think I would want to get a toy hauler anymore. I like the idea of them, but I know they can be quite heavy. With that said, I have also looked at 3/4 ton and also 1 ton trucks. I think I will probably pass on the motorcycle as well. I guess I still need to do more research on both 5th wheels and trucks especially between gas vs. diesel.

Step #1, IMHO, is to get the biggest pick-up you can afford. You will RARELY hear someone complain about having too much pick-up, but will quite often hear someone wishing that they had a larger one. A 3/4 T diesel duramax is a pretty good option. The bigger the truck, the bigger your options are as far as a 5th wheel. But, bottom line is make sure YOU are both safe and comfortable with what you get. Opinions in this forum don't mean squat if you don't like the suggestions. :B

deftskills wrote:
Hello all,

I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.

So here are my questions...

From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?

Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...

Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?

What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...

I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.

I spent all my adult life on the rail road, C&NW for 21 years until the U.P. took us over and then 6 more years. During that time I traveled all over creation My first 2 years on the road was in a motel with a forced roommate. Anyway to answer your questions #1 is if you are going to travel great distances and yiu want to keep your half ton, go with a 28 to 30 ft tt and forget the slide A 3/4 ton in a gasser would keep you happy also with the same tt. A 3/4 ton minimum for a 5er but diesel of gas you might get a slide or 2 but I don't think you can ever truly get sealed enough to stay warm and protect your water lines ect with out getting into a high dollar unit. Im with ya on the class C Winnebego except I would have the toad. You don't want to be stranded in one spot if you need to go somewhere, or for the weekend trips home. Toy haulers IMHO are heavy as a rule and would opt for slide to use as you are asking. When you are in cold country or any place else for that matter, are you allowed to switch your lodging choice. Its been since 2000 that I last worked on the RR but it seems to me that they stopped forced rooming and was allowing us to make a change to our lodging choice twice a year or when we went to another gang??? I know its a diifferent RR but If that is the case I would save my motel option for a time when I really need it and use the RV thru the summer months. Also a motorcycle would be fun and cheap but if you get rained out, are you going to want to sit in the rv all day because you have only a motor cycle with your class C RV?

westend wrote:
Check out the link in my signature line. The Cowboy/Hilton was built to work in ND. My working life didn't get me to ND but it will show you what you need to make a RV Winter ready in some of the worst conditions.

Will do, thank you!

bikendan wrote:
you need to look at true 4-season trailers, like Arctic Fox, made by Northwood Manufacturing.

Will do, thank you!

Check out the link in my signature line. The Cowboy/Hilton was built to work in ND. My working life didn't get me to ND but it will show you what you need to make a RV Winter ready in some of the worst conditions.

you need to look at true 4-season trailers, like Arctic Fox, made by Northwood Manufacturing.

tomkaren13 wrote:
Definately go for at least 3/4 ton truck. Even the newest 1/2 have a tow capacity of UNDER 10,000. We had a small fifth 24.5 that our 1/2 did not like the pin weight!.

Lowest I would like to go would be 3/4 ton.

bsinmich wrote:
One unasked question is where do you want to use this RV? I know BNSF operates is some cold areas of the country also. Many RVs are not set up for cold weather use. You will need good insulation, enclosed, heated water and holding tanks, and a great supply of propane for winter use. Double pane windows are also good for keeping the sweating down there. For 6-8 months of the year most any RV will do but when it gets cold you want a top quality one.

I will be using the fifth wheel wherever my seniority allows me to work. To be safe I would want to get something that is all weather so whether it is hot or frigid cold out I won't have to worry.