Forum Discussion

Junk4u's avatar
Junk4u
Explorer
May 05, 2014

Drv , Redwood, or Something else? Buying tomorrow.

On final .. heres the deal..
Wife and I plan to travel a bit.. on a budget.. for 3 years, min.. maybe longer.. We plan to supplement income as "pickers" and ebaying.. which is what we do now .. on a big scale ( 12500 sqft warehouse )

I tried to find the time , and attention to sort through the maze of all the quality fifth wheels out there.I really didn't spend enough time. Long story short. Planning to order a loaded 43' DRV lexington in am from rvsforless Are we making the right move?
We had liked the redwoods, but they did not offer a good bunk house.. which will become our "mini warehouse".

From our quick looking.. Drv's are expensive , and heavy. But do offer all the features we want.. Appliances, Woodwork, tall slides, moryd suspension, spare room, looks, and size.. we are changing a few things .and they do that for cheap.

Pulling with my 2013 dodge ram long horn dually diesel w/ aisen tranny and 4.10's with the dodge fifth wheel hitch.Dodge says I am good to 27k lbs.. Adding a air bag system, and a autocrane in the bed.

Anyone have any comments ? see any issues or problem?

Thanks
Steve
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2014
    DRV and Redwood are in different leagues. DRV is a big step above Redwood. Look at the wall thickness, and the frame design.


    Before a Redwood, look for a nice used DRV.

    Ken
  • Junk4u's avatar
    Junk4u
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    TXiceman wrote:
    DRV and Redwood are in different leagues. DRV is a big step above Redwood. Look at the wall thickness, and the frame design.


    Before a Redwood, look for a nice used DRV.

    Ken


    We considered New horizon ( can;t view them anywhere ) Alfa's , excel's..
    Came down to those 2..

    So your top rv would be DRV? We are buying new.. ordering it..
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    My top would be a New Horizon, next down out be Excel and DRV, probably Excel
    But also NuWa would be on that list.

    We have seen two New Horizons "in the wild", one was 3 years old and badly trashed by the original owner.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    May 05, 2014
    n7bsn wrote:
    My top would be a New Horizon, next down out be Excel and DRV, probably Excel
    But also NuWa would be on that list.

    We have seen two New Horizons "in the wild", one was 3 years old and badly trashed by the original owner.
    That would be my list as well.
  • Junk4u's avatar
    Junk4u
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    Here in vegas.. there is nothing.. No new horizons, excels.. nothing.. Had to drive 5 hours in CA just to look at the wrong model of DRV..

    If new horizons and excels are so good, why is there none out there?
    People say they are good.. but must not be buying them,, cause there does not seem to be many out there.

    I think maybe DRV is getting them in marketing and price point ?
    I mean, I think the 160k msrp DRV I am ordering would be over 200k msrp in new horizons? AND.. My impression is they don't discount like DRV? So hard to justify 60k additional.. for about the same rig.. shoot .. that's your tow rig, right there...

    But I really don't know anything.. guessing mostly.
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    You aren't going to find an abundance of high end 5th wheels in your local neighborhood. DRV more so because they are producing many more which I have found reduces their quality.
    Excel would be the first showroom I would visit.
    Dave
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    Your real problem might be the lack of time to get the proper facts. It seems the DRV would do what you feel is needed and might be your only choice.

    chevman
  • Rug's avatar
    Rug
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2014
    Check out this website.

    They have several of the top end 5th wheels.
    DRV, EXCEL, HITCHHICKER
    go to www.nuwa.com. click on inventory.

    you will also notice that they sell referbished used rigs.

    This is a great place to buy. Service after the sell is great.
  • Junk4u's avatar
    Junk4u
    Explorer
    May 05, 2014
    I passed on the excel because of the lack of a 2nd bedroom, and limited size, and lack of local dealers, only 16" tires, slides look short, limited floor plans.. They are ALOT lighter, which is a plus.... I don't see anything that approaches the 43' mark either? I may have changed my mind if I seen one.. but since they can't get dealers .. they loose.

    And driving or flying to Kansas or NM to look at a rv ? I think I'd rather spend that money on a good option, in buying the RV. ( 11 hours 1 way to NM )

    Seems nobody really has a issue with DRV.. Just that you folks believe Excel to be a better value.. is that because of cost? Construction?

    I could wait .. and continue looking.. I don't need the RV til August. Not sure it all that much better. For the effort. And they are smaller RV's to boot, and I need as much space as possible, AND comfortable living.

    Thanks all ! ..
    I think I will just get the DRV ordered today..

    Steve

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