Drv , Redwood, or Something else? Buying tomorrow.

[Junk4u]

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

[missourijan]

Well, I have owned 2 Drv's so my opinion is biased. I would recommend them. Drv purchases their components from other manufacturers, just like all others, so sometimes you have issues. Have you seen the Drv owners forum? www.suitesowners.com, it is the travel group of Drv owners, not supported by Drv, so you get honest opinions from actual owners. I haven't seen any issues with huge things like delamination or frame issues, and they are Lippert frames. Have you called several dealers to get bids? Call Alicia at Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK. They started out buying used Drv's, refurbishing then re selling, now sell new ones. Also call Heath at Wheels Rv in Springdale, AR. Dealers are competitive. I've also heard good things about Rv's for Less in TN, I think. Rolling Retreats will deliver the Drv almost anywhere.

[Junk4u]

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

[Rug]

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.

[larry_barnhart]

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

[drfife]

The closest Excel dealer to Las Vegas, NV is RV Sales in Moriarty, NM.

[byronlj]

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

[Junk4u]

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.

[colliehauler]

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.

[n7bsn]

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.

[Junk4u]

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..

[TXiceman]

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