Help! Looking for Quality 5th Wheel 4 Full Time Living

[20_characters_m]

I am looking to buy a quality 5th wheel that I will use to live in full time. I am looking to buy new. I have been a few places and everyone tells me that the brand they sell is the best, everybody else's RV's/5th Wheels are crap. Trying to cut through all the hype and hear from peoples real world experience.

Can you tell me your experience with your 5th wheel and what your opinion is the best high quality 5th wheel currently on the market.

So far I am personally liking the Evergreen Bay Hill FL379 and the Grand Design Solitude 375RE.

Thanks in advance.

[20_characters_m]

rmalik1 wrote:

20 characters maximu wrote:
I am looking to spend around $90k to $100k.

Remember ask for about 1/3 off asking price and get something close to that off.

What do you mean? If I was looking to purchase a new RV and the dealer is asking $90k I should offer $60k???

[Aridon]

Pick up a used one that is a year old and save 30k.

[rmalik1]

20 characters maximu wrote:
I am looking to spend around $90k to $100k.

Remember ask for about 1/3 off asking price and get something close to that off.

[rmalik1]

Wife and I live and travel in our Cedar Creek, spent the last two winters in it up north. Last years artic express had low temps at -33 degrees and so for this winter lows about 2 or so. No real problem living in the cold.Two a/c units make hot weather good as well. One of the big selling points (for us) is that it's built similar to the DRV's (not laminated) and no OSB flooring- DRV frame and axle are bigger and better. Would like that extra inch of insulation that DRV has also, but the cost of the DRV is not a reality for us and the DRV Tradition is quite similar in construction.

After saying all that; The campground I'm in at this moment is full of gas field workers (Marcellus Shale) and they live in all kinds of trailers from little 20 ft TT, to nicer fifth wheels and the high end mostly are in the same grouping as my 5'ver, and seen a class A from time to time.

You can live in just about anything you want, but get what you know is built to what you think is best (like us) and the inside fits you as well. I do believe that you get good bang for your buck with a Cedar Creek

[hone_eagle]

Within your budget you can't go wrong with a Mobile Suite,But if its not going to move then a park model is more bang for your bucks

[RustyJC]

RL, I agree with the used 5th wheel option. Our daughter and son-in-law are full-timing in a 2011 MS 36TKSB3 they picked up at PPL in Houston in 2013. It was purchased by a couple when they retired and had only been out 3 times when the man had a heart attack and was unable to RV any more. I went down and checked it out with them, and you literally couldn't tell it from new. It's been an excellent purchase for them.

Rusty

[RLGetman]

Rusty, agree with your new vs old. We are shopping for a new MS to get all the updates you mentioned because we are planning to travel a lot in the next multiple years. If I was going to stay put in one place and live full time, the extra, newer stuff, might be overkill. The park model suggestion was ok, but only if you plan to never move. The used, well cared for 5er, would be a good investment if you planned to move occasionally. You should pay for what you plan to use.

[RustyJC]

RLGetman wrote:
Don't buy new. The older models were built better.

Having had both a 2004 Mobile Suites 36RE3 (purchased new) and our current 2014.5 Mobile Suites 38RSSA, I don't know that I'd agree with your statement. The new MS is comparable (if not superior) to the 2004 in construction quality and has been upgraded significantly in many ways (e.g., MorRyde independent suspension versus Dexter axles, electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes versus electric drum brakes, 17.5" H-rated Goodyear G114 wheels & tires versus 16" Goodyear G614 RST wheels & tires, TrailAir tri-glide pin box versus solid pin box, residential Whirlpool versus Dometic RV fridge, hydraulic slides and jacks with AutoLevel versus electrically driven mechanical slides and jacks, built in power protection and power management systems versus none, etc.)

I think purchasing a well-cared-for used unit can be a good investment, but to portray it as "better than a new one" is, in our experience, a bit of a stretch....

Rusty

[Cummins12V98]

RLGetman wrote:
Don't buy new. The older models were built better. I bought a 5 year old Mobile Suites and put an 4 year extender warranty on it for only $500 a year. I used Eternabond on the roof end caps and boxes and prevented leaks. I modified the inside to my liking including leather Lazyboy furniture, new counter tops, total sheet vinyl flooring with throw rugs, washer & dryer, etc.. I pull it 5000 miles a season and winter in the south. I have spent much less that what your planning to spend. My plan is buy the best quality RV that is 5 years old, totally depreciated, take good care of it fir 5 years, then sell or trade for another 5 year old RV. Send private message for more details. Have a great RV life!

We bought our current 07.5 MS at about 1/2 the price of new in late 11. Lived in it for about 3.5 years and will be getting a 39TKSB3 very custom to our likes. Loosing about 10K for 3.5 years of full time use is not too bad!

[hitchup]

We've owned 3 Suites. They keep coming up with better floor plans or features, so we've gotten upgrades. Since, DH is still working, we have a good income and take interest off on taxes.

If you don't need new, you can find some great deals on used. They hold up well over the years. You just might want to avoid 2012 and 2013 because of Schwintek slide issues. But if yours is sitting, that may not be an issue.

Depending on what you need for insulation, DRV is one of the highest rated. It went from R-13 walls to R-16 in 2009 models. Our current unit is spending Winter in Indiana. Last Winter it was Dodge City, KS. Hardly even know it's Winter, except for the snow on the ground. Same thing for Summer. Keeps nice and cool.

BTW: The NuWa dealer in Chanute, KS dealer is still selling new NuWa's. But they also selling DRV Suites, Lifestyle and they have a new Dynamax.

[RLGetman]

Don't buy new. The older models were built better. I bought a 5 year old Mobile Suites and put an 4 year extender warranty on it for only $500 a year. I used Eternabond on the roof end caps and boxes and prevented leaks. I modified the inside to my liking including leather Lazyboy furniture, new counter tops, total sheet vinyl flooring with throw rugs, washer & dryer, etc.. I pull it 5000 miles a season and winter in the south. I have spent much less that what your planning to spend. My plan is buy the best quality RV that is 5 years old, totally depreciated, take good care of it fir 5 years, then sell or trade for another 5 year old RV. Send private message for more details. Have a great RV life!

[C-Bears]

If not being moved or used for traveling, I agree with RustyJC, why even purchase a FW. A 40' park model would give you some really good advantages, like sliding glass doors, etc.

(I am glad I read all the early answers to the OP. Guess I will have to stop full timing since I have a SRW 1-ton)

[RustyJC]

We've owned 2 DRV Mobile Suites, a 2004 36RE3 we purchased new and our current 2014.5 38RSSA. I would certainly recommend them for a full-time rig.

Having said that, if the RV is never going to move, you'd probably get more bang for your buck with a park model.

Rusty

[RVcrazy]

Nuwa is now having Hitchhikers produced by Excel & sold at Kansas RV center in Chanute. They also sell other quality brands & used Nuwa models. We bought a used unit & they made modifications & upgrades for us. Highly recommend!

[schlep1967]

If you are not planning on moving it you may be able to have it delivered directly to your site. We have many seasonal campers here in PA that do not own a truck capable of pulling their 5th wheels. There are people out there that will move it for you if you need to change parks every few years. I didn't see the Open Range 3X mentioned above.