5 grand could get a Lance, but it won't have a slide. Since your friend will be looking at older campers, I would say that condition would be more important than brand. This summer I bought a 2001 Forest River in that price range that was in beautiful condition, very well made, and very well equipped, but no slide. I decided I wanted a slide and had to go to the 10k range for my 2000 AF 1150.
When I was looking in the lower price range I found that Caribou campers kept coming up with nice floor plans and in good condition.
