Yesterday, we had a rare Saturday with nothing to do. So off we go to hit 4 different RV dealers to look at new 2015 front living room 5th wheel models. Folks, I gotta tell ya: After driving close to 350 miles and visiting 4 different RV dealers in 3 states, every new front living room model we looked at disappointed us. It's been well over 10 years since we seriously shopped for a new camper and I guess things have changed...or maybe we've changed. None of the models we looked at had what we call the "WOW" factor when we walked into them. They were all nice, but we've already got nice. We were very disappointed in the Jayco Pinnacle. It looked like Jayco ran down to the local lumber liquidator and finished out the 5'er we saw with some builders job site left over's. I guess today's "WOW" 5'ers push the mid $100K+ price point and we're not going there.The upside of the day was when we got home. Our soon to be eleven year old beloved 5'er, AKA, "THE PREZ" was still sitting there in our RV driveway waiting for us, all shined up and ready to head out. We decided to have a late supper in "The Prez" in our "Camp Driveway" then spent the night in her. We spent 2 years beginning in mid 2002, shopping for "The Prez" and I guess the effort has paid off. Even after eleven years, we can't find a new 5'er we like enough to justify the buy when compared to our eleven year old, "The Prez". Wonder if she'll hold together for another eleven years???:B It's looking we'll be finding out!!!I'm just sayin.Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

Yep it's all frills. That's why we bought used and remodeled to our liking.

I have to echo your thoughts on new vs what we have, we fell in love with our 2001, and still go to our twice yearly shows with the thought of maybe this time, but no we come home more in love with what we have. I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

We attended the Southwest Super RV show in Dallas yesterday. We came upon a Jayco, Pinnacle 38FLFS and absolutely loved it. It is a 40 ft rig, and the Front Living is pretty pin heavy, we felt it was still better than the Cardinal, others. But as we all know, we all have different likes and dislikes as that is why there are so many floor plans. Just my opinion.

Crickydog, would be more specific what you did not like... strike that! How about telling us what you DO like about your 11 year old camper that you do not like in the new ones? I've been to several RV dealerships in the last couple years. Maybe I just don't see it from your perspective? What am I missing. I will say, it did take us about 3 years of looking to get our Outback.

Nicer, more well built fifth wheels are approaching 80 or 90 K. we don't have that kind of funds so we have always bought used and let someone else take the beating. We are very RV savvy and know what to look for in a used unit. We have had good luck and really like the unit we have now - Jayco Designer. It wasn't perfect but we fixed what ailed it - minor little things and it is fully functional for us and was 29K versus a new Pinnacle at 75K or more. Keeping a unit maintained is the key and it sounds like you have done that. A little update here and there as they age will keep you loving it until something better comes along. Sometimes older is better especially when it is paid off.

Disappointed In New 5'er Models | Good Sam Community

FlatBroke
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2014
Yep it's all frills. That's why we bought used and remodeled to our liking.
lovetotow
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
I have to echo your thoughts on new vs what we have, we fell in love with our 2001, and still go to our twice yearly shows with the thought of maybe this time, but no we come home more in love with what we have. I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Gearitis
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
We attended the Southwest Super RV show in Dallas yesterday. We came upon a Jayco, Pinnacle 38FLFS and absolutely loved it. It is a 40 ft rig, and the Front Living is pretty pin heavy, we felt it was still better than the Cardinal, others. But as we all know, we all have different likes and dislikes as that is why there are so many floor plans. Just my opinion.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
Crickydog, would be more specific what you did not like... strike that! How about telling us what you DO like about your 11 year old camper that you do not like in the new ones? I've been to several RV dealerships in the last couple years. Maybe I just don't see it from your perspective? What am I missing. I will say, it did take us about 3 years of looking to get our Outback.
twins89
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
Nicer, more well built fifth wheels are approaching 80 or 90 K. we don't have that kind of funds so we have always bought used and let someone else take the beating. We are very RV savvy and know what to look for in a used unit. We have had good luck and really like the unit we have now - Jayco Designer. It wasn't perfect but we fixed what ailed it - minor little things and it is fully functional for us and was 29K versus a new Pinnacle at 75K or more. Keeping a unit maintained is the key and it sounds like you have done that. A little update here and there as they age will keep you loving it until something better comes along. Sometimes older is better especially when it is paid off.
thedoghouse
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
Agee totally. We love our PRESIDENTIAL. Had a 2005 before the 2008 and quality is hard to beat.
JTrac
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
I would guess one man's wow factor is another man's yuk factor. When we were shopping a couple of years ago we found a lot of the units we looked at tried to have the wow factor but didn't do much with what the glitz covered up. I had much rather one that is solid underneath and comfortable inside. Sounds like that is what you have.
mark1228
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
Wow, not the way I see it at all. I think almost all the new 5th wheels I have looked at over the last year look good and many look great. Nice floor plans, great new features since I got my 2012. Everyone has a different perspective I guess, that's why they make so many different models.
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2014
Your unit is/was a wow rig so no wonder the comparison. We lucked into our new rig after experiencing similar let downs viewing new ones. We were shopping for long bunkhouses and the best available were the Open Ranges. I do not get the grey exterior color nor do I get the designer bowl on the counter for the sink. Found our new rig 3 months old for sale used and got an amazing rig for a fraction the cost.
goducks10
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014
IMO you do get more for your money. More glitz to cover up the same ole 70's building problems.

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