Advice on 5th Wheels

[TuckerMGP]

Hello all, its been a long time since I was on here, but now that we are more serious about buying a new trailer next spring, the research has begun!

The more we look, the more we like/want a 5th wheel. I am currently looking at the Chaparral 345BHS from Coachmen, floor plan seems to fit our needs the best.

To give you a run down on our needs and wants...

We have 3 kids, a dog, and the camper will be at a seasonal site (most likely) maybe towed once during the summer for a destination trip to the Cape, or ???? We need a bunk house with slide in it to give them room and keep the peace. I also like the front bed with the slideout, gives the master bedroom a little more room. A second 1/2 bath would also be a nice plus as the girls are getting bigger, less congestion in the morning and a outside kitchen.

If possible the option for a washer/dryer unit to keep the beach towels dry would be nice, but have not had one yet, so I can live without it.

The problem with most 5th wheels that have a bunk house do not have the trundle bed option, or booth set up, the have the sleeper-sofa. It seems nice, but when you have to open and close it every day it will be a pain and takes up all the room in the bunk house.

The Chaparral seems to cover our needs, but how is the quality of this trailer? I know its not a high end unit, we are basing our needs on a budget. If we go with a travel trailer it would be the Jayco 334RBTS, but after seeing the room offered in a 5th wheel my wife and I are leaning in that direction.

Also looked at the Sprinter Copper Canyon 324FWBHS, but again, it looks like the it only comes with a sleeper sofa in the bunkhouse.

And from what I have seen, Jayco does not offer a floorplan with our needs/wants.

We plan to keep this for 8-12 years, so hopefully it will hold up as well as my 97 Layton has which is 14 years old...definitely time for a upgrade!

Also trying to keep the 5th wheel under 11,000lbs dry.

Thanks for your suggestions/input and I do agree, anyone can get a bad unit know matter who builds it.

[TuckerMGP]

ependydad wrote:
Even the Sabre 34TBOK would be a good option.

I do love my 36QBOK.

Yes, I took my family this weekend and we looked at the 34TBOK, very nice trailer - just over my max tow rating though...

I am stuck with my current truck for another 2 years before I can upgrade. Although I do have a seasonal site, so it is only hooked to my truck 2x a year, once to get it there and once to get it home 3 hours each way.

[REWahoo]

Nevermind...:)

[ependydad]

Even the Sabre 34TBOK would be a good option.

I do love my 36QBOK.

[Buckeye_Chuck]

x2 on the Sabre 36QBOK.

[TuckerMGP]

Peg Leg wrote:
I don't know why someone doesn't make a slide with fold up Murphy beds. You could just close them up and have a wall to wall play room during the day. Might be a do it yourself project.

Yes, I thought of doing something on my own as well...if worse came to worse I would toss the sleeper sofa and build my own. But I am still searching...

[TuckerMGP]

amxpress wrote:
Here's a suggestion for you:
http://palominorv.com/productinfo.aspx?model=sabre&page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=4658&RVType=FW

Thanks, I actually looked at this last week, it was on the dealer lot, sold but he let me walk through it.

[TuckerMGP]

donn0128 wrote:
11K dry will translate into 14K loaded. With family on board I would have serious doubts about a 2500 handling that much pin weight. Start looking for 11K GVWR you'll be happier in the end

The truck I have now will be replaced in a year, year and a half at the most. I know it will tow the 2 hours I need to go once or twice at most. If I find a trailer too heavy, I will have the dealer deliver it.

[amxpress]

Here's a suggestion for you:
http://palominorv.com/productinfo.aspx?model=sabre&page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=4658&RVType=FW

[Trail-Mate]

The 5th wheel that I own is in your weight range and is setup with bunks on top both sides and jackknife couches underneath and 1/2 bath . If you want the outside kitchen I have seen some with the bunk a 3rd bunk on top of the kitchen area giving you 3 in the bunk area. I have never seen a flat floor bunk side so that may be why no trundle. The are lots of bunk models out there in Lighter models, keep looking I am sure you will find something that will work.

[Peg_Leg]

I don't know why someone doesn't make a slide with fold up Murphy beds. You could just close them up and have a wall to wall play room during the day. Might be a do it yourself project.

[donn0128]

11K dry will translate into 14K loaded. With family on board I would have serious doubts about a 2500 handling that much pin weight. Start looking for 11K GVWR you'll be happier in the end