We recently sold our 2004 Forest River Hybrid to upgrade to a fully enclosed TT or Fifth Wheel. Now the questions is what to get. I don't need a new one, but it is an option. We have 2 boys that are 4 & 7...so we have many years of camping ahead.Our wish list includes the following:Smooth SideBunks (At least 2, but more if possible)Booth DinetteLight to middle weight (I have a 2005 2500 HD Chevy with a gas 6.0L)Outside kitchenDecent storage (hybrid had very little)Budget..........up to $20k out the door w/ a hitchI have been looking for months now, but I just don't know the brands enough to know what is good quality & what is not. There are SOOOOO MANY different brands. We live in Michigan so we would be looking to use this RV 2-3 seasons.....May-October.I was looking at a 2013 Shadow Cruiser 280QBS recently & love what I see as far as layout & overall looks, but after reading some topics on here, I just don't know if that is the right trailer for me with the issues people have had.THANKS FOR THE ADVICE IN ADVANCE!

SnowriverCheck out these guys. Made from an excellent manufacturer.

I don't have advice on brand and here is why. From my experience and from reading on these forms it is painfully apparent that the RV industry has a quality problem - across the board. They don't have the standards that the auto industry has in place. So, my only advice is this:1. Buy what you really like and think you'll get a lot of use out of over the years.2. If you're not handy, learn to become handy. 3. Expect some issues that will need to be fixed (even if brand new).

Buying used is a good idea. Most of the time with a used unit all of the initial manufacturing quality issues have been taken care of...the bugs have been worked out. Unless you feel confident in your ability to discover possible problems, I would have a unit you are interested in buying inspected by an independant RV inspector/mechanic.You might want to consider a toy hauler....with the boys as they grow you'll need more room for them and their toys. Great thing about the toy haulers, once you empty out the garage you end up with a flexible space. It can be used as a living area, workshop, gameroom, mancave and the boys bedroom. Some of the toyhaulers even come with a toilet and sink room (1/2 bath) in the garage area.In the RV Parks we stay in, I see a lot of families now using toyhaulers instead of plain TT or 5th wheels.

You will have a hard time beating the bang for the buck on the 280 but I agree they have quality issues. Check out the Sunset line.http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/item/2014-sf270bh?category_id=103

Another. http://www.kodiak-rv.com/floorplan/kodiak-express/283bhsl/

Need RV advice for purchasing a new one | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

the_bear_II
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
Buying used is a good idea. Most of the time with a used unit all of the initial manufacturing quality issues have been taken care of...the bugs have been worked out. Unless you feel confident in your ability to discover possible problems, I would have a unit you are interested in buying inspected by an independant RV inspector/mechanic.

You might want to consider a toy hauler....with the boys as they grow you'll need more room for them and their toys. Great thing about the toy haulers, once you empty out the garage you end up with a flexible space. It can be used as a living area, workshop, gameroom, mancave and the boys bedroom. Some of the toyhaulers even come with a toilet and sink room (1/2 bath) in the garage area.

In the RV Parks we stay in, I see a lot of families now using toyhaulers instead of plain TT or 5th wheels.
Crawfordville
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
I don't have advice on brand and here is why. From my experience and from reading on these forms it is painfully apparent that the RV industry has a quality problem - across the board. They don't have the standards that the auto industry has in place.

So, my only advice is this:
1. Buy what you really like and think you'll get a lot of use out of over the years.
2. If you're not handy, learn to become handy.
3. Expect some issues that will need to be fixed (even if brand new).
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
Snowriver

Check out these guys. Made from an excellent manufacturer.

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Need RV advice for purchasing a new one

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