best new 5er about 32 foot. to purchase.

We too looked at the Carriage line but what we saw in full wall slides, when in, prevented access to the bedroom and/or bathroom. For us, with stops en route, that wouldn't work for us. We've been in bad wind storms and opted to bring our slides in. With our setup, the rig is still livable for that short time.

All you folks have been so helpful, my boy is coming over this Sat. to get some work done here. I will pass on all the information to him and then we will get together with his father in law and go over his options. not sure if he can wait for the big RV show coming up in Pamona, ca. I went there a few years back and they have nearly every type of RV available. thanks so much for the info.

Ed9824v wrote:
just for quicky are any of the ones on the list substandard??

Montana & Forest River are higher end consumer units and in my opinion, not in the class of Excel, Bighorn, Nu WA, Artic Fox which cater more to the full timer market. Yes, some people full time in them but in my opinion a high end consumer unit is still several steps behind the additional quality of the full time units. My opinion, Jayco Pinancle is better consumer unit than the Montana.

And yes, that 450 will pull any of them. Need watch the loaded rear axle weight if you get beyond 36' or so.

I wanted an excel, found an Elite Suites with what we wanted first. Dad has an Artic Fox.

The 33 Artic Fox is a fine RV, slides were so good. I'd say better than the ES we have now.

I'd look hard at the Artic Fox,and Excel, Double Tree stuff we way bigger than what your looking for.
I've heard Carriage is good.

Lifestyle 32fw. It has a very livable floorplan with the full wall slide. We have lived full time in the Carriage 32FWS since June 2012 and I can tell you first hand that it is a wonderful unit. My best friend and his wife are going full time in about a year and a half and they have decided on the Lifestyle 32FW.

vietvet66-67 wrote:
Check out Excel Windsor, was looking at Hershey last year. They had a 32 foot at the show and it is a beauty for sure.

X2 Definitely take a look at the Excel line by Peterson Industries. They are 4-Season (guaranteed to -10Degrees)and rated for full-time usage(not all Fivers are). They have many extras that make them pretty special. We have had ours since 2012 and really love it. http://www.excelrvs.com/

It really is hard to find a quality fifth-wheel under 35', but there is one really good recommendation in a post above:

NuWa/HitchHiker. They are not back in the manufacturing business but they offer outstanding sales and service. They have reached agreement with Excel to produce a new HitchHiker.

I highly recommend that you visit the web site:

New HitchHiker and other models

We have a seven year old HitchHiker II which we bought new. It is 34' long and we have not found one we like better.

I am writing this note from our RV in Fredericksburg, Texas. Good Luck on your search.

Check out Excel Windsor, was looking at Hershey last year. They had a 32 foot at the show and it is a beauty for sure.

Add Lifestyle to your list. They hired all of the Carriage people and are producing the Carriage floor plans and models. They are very well built on double boxed steel frames...unlike many others that use far less quality frames.
Carriage Lifestyle has a combined owners forum. They still produce the 32FWS which is a little longer than 32 ft at about 34'.

www.carriage-lifestyle-owners.com

If they are interested in a 32-foot Hitchhiker, I see that Nuwa now has a "29.5" model (actual 32 feet) on its website, so they must be back in business. Base price is $47,000, so even with the option packages there would be change left over from that $100,000 budget.