2014 Heartland BigHorn 3875FB w/ Yeti package...Value?

[synergy_58]

Greetings folks! DW and I are thinking about buying a 2014 Heartland Bighorn 3875FB w/ Yeti package. It's not brand new, but close. The original owner bought and traded it within a year for a class A; they couldn't handle the towing. So this thing is awesome! Looks brand new. It has a lot of features that are pretty sweet. Has the Yeti Package too. What I don't understand is, how is the Yeti package different form the four season rating, whats the upgrade exactly?

DW and I are contemplating full time RV'ing for the next four years, in DAyton, OH. We are concerned about Rv'ing in winter here; we have no choice. So, is this a good 5'ver to get into?

Anyone have any pro's and con's to this brand/model for someone new to fifth wheeliin?
Also, we're going to have to upgrade our truck too. Dodge, Ford or Chevy diesel? I know, I know, but for this huge 5'ver we want to to be able to tow without straining, so which one. Dually or SRW, what do we really need?

Lastly, we have no clue on what price this thing goes for. MSRP new was $90xxx. We think $52,000, dealer of course wants more. What do you think?

Thanks!

[Chicat]

We purchased a 2015 Bighorn 3875FB that was listed at $94,800 but does not have the Yeti package and the final price with the hitch installed in our truck was $65,500. This may give you an idea on value of a used. RV's lose there value quickly as we have found out from upgrading and trading in.

[kakampers]

Have had them 8 years...if -6 below isn't cold enough to cause condensation don't know what to tell you....mine have NEVER had any condensation.

[jsr21]

TXiceman wrote:
kakampers...got news for you. The dual pane windows will have condensation, just not as badly as the single pane windows, especially if it is cold enough.

ken

X 2

[TXiceman]

kakampers...got news for you. The dual pane windows will have condensation, just not as badly as the single pane windows, especially if it is cold enough.

ken

[kakampers]

You did not say if it has dual pane windows....if it does you will not have condensation. Staying in OH I would skirt it, add some auxiliary heat inside...we used fireplace and an electric oil filled radiator. We also put batten insulation in the UDC to protect the water connection as heat from the belly does not reach. We had no issues and our furnace cycled normally it did not run constantly...and we did not skirt ours. We did use a heated hose and insulated the park's water bib.

[mslater]

i have a 2014 Big Horn that i moved to Daytona FL. to spend last winter in..coldest it got was 32* for a day or two . i can tell you …no way would i stay in it in ohio….. the condensation inside goes way up and we were going thru 30# tanks of propane in about 4 days.

[GoPackGo]

I would not spend a Midwest winter in a 5th wheel or any other camper. Period. I lived in Iowa for many years and experienced -20 and more too many times to count. This is real OMG cold weather. And yes, I see where you are now.

Unlike most all houses, these rigs are not nearly air tight. And when the wind blows, you will know it.

There is a huge difference between 32 degrees and zero degrees and there is a HUGE difference between zero degrees and -20. I can tell you from experience that after it's been -20 for a while and it warms up to zero, you feel like it's shorts and t-shirt weather.

One of the problems is that you have 2 ft of air under the bottom of the rig. That air will be -20 too, even if you skirt it. That problem does not exist with a house.

Your propane furnace will never shut off and it will cost a fortune for the gas it will use. I suspect a bottle of gas will last way, way less then a week. Same for any electric alternative - I doubt you will save any money by heating with electric in this extreme of a situation - that is why homeowners in the northern states have a natural gas furnace - nobody heats with electric unless there is no other solution. I knew people that lived out of town and heated with propane. They dreaded the winter bills.

And before I get jumped on, I know many of us (including me) use electric heat in the winter, but that's because we're in much more moderate climates (AZ, TX, FL). I think the math works better when you have nice sunny days and only moderately cold (cool ?) nights and can go easy on the electric heaters. But I can't believe it would be a cost effective solution in climates that experience real no kidding cold weather accompanied by lots of cold cloudy days.

It will be cheaper (and warmer)for you to rent an apartment.

I have a 2014 Bighorn with the Yeti package and it works well, but these rigs just do not have the insulation of a sticks and bricks house.

Tim

[TXiceman]

Be very careful on the R ratings from the manufacturers. They tend to inflate the numbers. The numbers are often not reported accurately and not combined properly.

Ken

[Seattle_Lion]

We tow a Bighorn 3160 with a F350 SRW crew cab. Our loaded weight is 13,500 and we do not exceed any rated load or towing limits on the truck. We towed it over 2,000 miles this summer and it was a delight. We don't full time But many Bighorn owners do. I'm not sure about such extreme temps. The yeti package will heat your tanks (never turn on if the tanks are empty). There are people who do spend very cold winters in this trailer. We also have the factory ST tires for now and have had no issue with them either. We have a TPM and carefully watch pressure and temp.

[ReneeG]

Find out the R values and materials used in the recommended Mobil/Elite Suites for New Horizons and Excel and compare to the Bighorn. That will tell you which will work for you.

[TXiceman]

Like noted...1 ton diesel dually is the MINIMUM truck for this trailer. SRW will not catty the pin weight once loaded for full time use.

Next issue, I would never contemplate living through the winter in Ohio in an RV of that quality. If you want true 4-season and winter rated, you need to look at Mobil/Elite Suites or New Horizons and maybe Excel.

As for value, the true market in this economy on that trailer is NADA Guides, LOW RETAIL with no options added.

Ken

[lakeside013104]

Your idea of $52,000 sounds about right. You said dealer wants more. How much more and will they negotiate? Will their price include an extended warranty?

Also, this unit comes standard with ST tires. Check to see if original customer upgraded to LT tires. If they did, great for you. If they did not, have your dealer install as part of the deal.

This is a wonderful RV and set up for full time living. Dually F-350 / 3500 series truck would be your best choice. If you are NOT going to tow many miles and just remain local and no mountain driving or driving in windy conditions, a SRW would be adequate as long as you were careful on what you loaded into RV for weight.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Lakeside

[Swamp_Man]

Thanks. Good to know. I've heard that it can get down to -20 around the dayton oh area. Not sure if the bighorn can handle that.
This will be our first exp w a 5ver. We figured it's a part of life's exp and we want to try it.

Go to the Trailer Life site and search winter camping and you will find several articles on winter camping. Also search furnace and you will find an article on how to add electric heating in place of the propane (you can still use propane). Main thing that I have heard about is freezing of the dump valves and fresh water line between the supply faucet and the trailer.

[synergy_58]

kakampers wrote:
The Yeti package adds additional insulation in the caps and slides, tank heaters and heated main water line. We fulltimed in a Bighorn for six years did great but stayed south mainly. We now have a Landmark and have experienced extreme temps this past winter...got down to -6 degrees and stayed close to zero for quite a while...had no problem at all...

Thanks. Good to know. I've heard that it can get down to -20 around the dayton oh area. Not sure if the bighorn can handle that.
This will be our first exp w a 5ver. We figured it's a part of life's exp and we want to try it.