Back to basic 5'er Mfg'er?

[AndyLyyc]

Need some direction from some of the RV shoppers around here...

We outgrew our 80's Frontier 20'er, our new little guy needs a berth

Started some looking, but everything we see is completely inappropriate for our camping scenarios... Everything I see is way too massive to even consider getting NEAR our trails.

this is our current rig:

(layout with a rental last year - mine was in for a transmission at the time)

I want - the same darn 5th - just one bed bigger and maybe with a better layout. 🙂

My "wish list" - I want a basic RV - no slides, no generator, no A/C or TVs or toys, largely we need a place to sleep... Low profile like mine (it's now MASSIVELY pinstriped, we like our jeep trails). But pre-wired for solar would be awesome, and if it's not insane $ - maybe an outside kitchen (happy wife happy life scenario)

Any thoughts? My perusal of the usual suspects shows - the big RV park type 5th wheels only on their websites.

[Mik68]

If you can wait for one to be made check out ForksRV they make the Axiom, light weight, low profile. Maybe a little pricey!

[resmas]

AndyLyyc wrote:
Not going the horse trailer route, holy swizzlesticks those are $$$$$$$$.

"Living quarters" horse trailers can be ungodly expensive, or they can be downright affordable. It all depends on how many "bells and whistles" you want.

I've shopped extensively for LQ (aka living quarters) gooseneck horse trailers, and have found brand-new basic models as low as ~20K. These models generally have no slides, about 6-8' LQ area which contains a queen bed in the nose, cabinets, sink, stove, microwave, and a "wet" bathroom. The horse compartment can be 2-3 horses, sometimes 4 horses in size - so plenty big enough to be converted to a 2nd room with bunkbeds for the kids, loveseat, TV, etc. You can even have a ramp for loading toys. The high end manufacturers produce a darn near airtight compartment, and when insulated, it can maintain a comfortable temperature with minimal effort. A/C can be installed in LQ and horse compartment, and it is very easy to find models that also have a walk-thru door from the LQ portion to the horse area, making the whole trailer accessible from the front door. It is super simple to remove all the dividers and hardware out of the horse area, too.

Since 1999, I have owned a succession of Sundowner gooseneck horse trailers, from 36' long (4 horse) to 25' long (2 horse). We converted the 2 horse into a camper for my parents while we lived in Alaska, and they were completely comfortable and happy staying in it for 3 weeks. It was not a LQ model, but was fully lined and insulated. All we did was strip the "horse" stuff out of it, lay down carpet, put in a couch, space heater, plastic drawer units, coffee maker, etc. and we were ready to go (all that was in the horse area, the tack room in front was their bedroom)... They had a portapotty if needed, otherwise they used the CG facilities.

I wouldn't write off a horse trailer yet. Just shop around a bit, peruse the internet more, and you might find exactly what you want. You can order a trailer customized just like you can an RV, so the possibilities are endless, without breaking your budget.

[laknox]

AndyLyyc wrote:
Yeah, the arctic fox has a slide... no slides.

I've spent way too much time helping others get their fubared slides closed, after looking at 20+ of these, I've decided they're for highway use only, take them out into the rough - and they'll fail in short order.

Would love a scamp - or another oldie - but reality says i should go newish - dont have the time for maintenance/repairs to keep on top of an older unit.

Edit - that and FRP siding sounds good, getting tired of pinstripes and hail damage 🙂

My Komfort has been camping off-road more than on, and our 14' slide has given us no problems. I've not taken a vent off, but I =have= had one of the younger set sitting on the roof as I pull in to my usual site, with a limb saw to make sure I don't snag any branches. 🙂

Lyle

[Copperlisa]

Found this on the Camping World site. Very similar to the 5er our friends now have.

Nice price too...

http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/Fifth-Wheel-Trailer/1999/Forest-River-Cherokee/285875/

[AndyLyyc]

Hah! Learn something new every day...

Unfortunately the 19' just doesn't seem like it'll be big enough, still leaves us one bed short...

Not going the horse trailer route, holy swizzlesticks those are $$$$$$$$.

Surprising how the manufacturers are all doing slides, and these huge vertical profiles. I'm sure its nice to stand up in bed, but I'd rather crawl into bed and save a fortune on fuel... (and its bad enough i bring replacement vents - and expect to install them before I'm home)

[Michael_in_MN]

AndyLyyc wrote:

Would love a scamp - or another oldie - but reality says i should go newish

Scamps are still being made - brand new.

[mdamerell]

Since you are going off road I'd look for a horse trailer with sleeping quarters. Built more rugged, pretty basic and low profile. Convert the horse bays into a bedroom or area for some toys.

Gooseneck pulls like the 5th wheel but more movement for the off road.

[Alley_Fox]

OK, Arctic Fox 21 5R, no slide. Very popular, very rugged, very hard to find. Northwood makes their own steel "I" beam frames so they are strong. Even the bigger ones with slides don't flex enough to bind the slide.

[Alley_Fox]

OK, Arctic Fox 21 5R, no slide. Very popular, very rugged, very hard to find. Northwood makes their own steel "I" beam frames so they are tough. Even the bigger ones with slides don't flex enough to bind the slide.

[AndyLyyc]

We've found the 5ths way better off the beaten track, when the going gets ugly the 5th plants the rear - and the trailer tends to not slide sideways down the slope when your on wet clay... overall length is shorter, pivot ahead of the rear bumper lets us maneuver the combination better. We've owned and run all 3 - tc/tt/5th - the 5th just works better in our experience...

[bpounds]

Why does it have to be a fiver? You'll find a lot more choices in the low end category if you look at bumper pulls. And they should be better off road too.

[Copperlisa]

Mechanical slides will work when at a slight angle, where hydraulics are much more picky. I'll take my older Jayco any day. If we were only weekending, no slides would be great, like the 96 Terry Expo 21LB5 we sold our friends. But we're fulltiming now, and so the two slides are great.

It's all in what you want/need. But be picky if going older.

2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD Ext. Cab 4x4 6.0
1998 Jayco Designer 2930RKS

[AndyLyyc]

Yeah, the arctic fox has a slide... no slides.

I've spent way too much time helping others get their fubared slides closed, after looking at 20+ of these, I've decided they're for highway use only, take them out into the rough - and they'll fail in short order.

Would love a scamp - or another oldie - but reality says i should go newish - dont have the time for maintenance/repairs to keep on top of an older unit.

Edit - that and FRP siding sounds good, getting tired of pinstripes and hail damage 🙂

[Swamp_Man]

I second the vote on the Arctic Fox 23-5A!