New 5th wheeler

[starvus]

My wife and I are about to take the plunge and purchase a 5th wheel for our retirement to ourselves. Any input as to which manufactures/models are a waste of money as to which ones are a great buy; would be greatly appreciated. Obviously the salesman want me to purchase the ones they sell or the used ones on the lot. Have RV'ed in the past with Class "A" & "C's". But we are totally confused as to manufactures/models, there seem to be so many. We know we want the bedroom up front and the living in the rear, 34-40 feet. We definitely don't want t cheap model that 's going to break down in each state. Any help?

[GBuilders]

Isn't hitchhiker by Nuway still in business?

[Mik68]

4x4ord wrote:
Mobile Suite, Carriage, Hitchhiker, any of the Canadian manufacturers - (Citation,/Corsair, Okanagan, Travelaire, Triple E) or Excell are some middle of the road trailers worth considering. I think of what I mentioned only Excell and Mobile Suite are still in business. are you planning on purchasing new?

You are correct, only Excel & Mobile suite are still in business. None of those Canadian manufacturers are. Never thought of looking in Canada, are there any good ones?

[NC_Hauler]

starvus wrote:
My wife and I are about to take the plunge and purchase a 5th wheel for our retirement to ourselves. Any input as to which manufactures/models are a waste of money as to which ones are a great buy; would be greatly appreciated. Obviously the salesman want me to purchase the ones they sell or the used ones on the lot. Have RV'ed in the past with Class "A" & "C's". But we are totally confused as to manufactures/models, there seem to be so many. We know we want the bedroom up front and the living in the rear, 34-40 feet. We definitely don't want t cheap model that 's going to break down in each state. Any help?

Several have answered the OP, who posted on the 15th and hasn't been back since. It would be nice to know what vehicle they are going to use to tow with so that better information could be given to them as to what weight trailer they should be looking at. I would think THAT, as someone else posted, would be very pertinent information to know when giving information on what 5er to purchase. Some of these full timer rigs can be very heavy..

[lillyputz]

Traveler II wrote:
Floor plans are important but if you are going to be on the road a lot I would concentrate on the structural components. Our last fiver was a good mid-price rig and we liked, but did have some frame problems. This go around I picked a company that made the frames in house and are well built, my wife picked the floor plan and decoration she wanted and we have been please with our present trailer.

Our roads put lots of stress on RV's.

Do take a look at the Lifestyle; they are a well-built rig.

X2 Lillyputz

[Allworth]

You should go ahead and start looking for a good, 2 or 3 year old, used F-350/3500 diesel truck. (unless, of course, you already have one.) Anything less will limit your choices severely in the size range you are talking about. High quality is never light.

PS..Has anyone seen anything from the OP recently?

[fairhaven]

We shopped and compared for months. Read everything we could find. Went to several rv shows. Talked to many owners at many rv parks. We ended up buying a Palomino Columbus 365RL. The floorplan is what you stated you are looking for. It is 39'7" in length and 100" wide. Four slides. Delivered dry weight was 12186 (weighed at factory). We feel it is the best kept secret out there. Thousands less than a Montana (best selling fifth wheel for about 15 years running) and more amenities. And, it has the biggest shower I have ever seen in a fifth wheel. Buy what you want but do check out the Columbus line. You will be impressed.

[4x4ord]

Mobile Suite, Carriage, Hitchhiker, any of the Canadian manufacturers - (Citation,/Corsair, Okanagan, Travelaire, Triple E) or Excell are some middle of the road trailers worth considering. I think of what I mentioned only Excell and Mobile Suite are still in business. are you planning on purchasing new?

[ReneeG]

I would agree with Traveler II on good structural componants since you will be on the road a lot. Go for one rated for full time living like ours. We purchased a Heartland Bighorn in 2010 and it's sound, sturdy, and loaded with ammenities. We purchased one of their shortest models for versatility and glad that we did. It's just right for the two of us and recently took our son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters camping and we all slept in it comfortably. Well, at least for my son who slept on the floor on cushions but he said that was still better than a tent!

[Traveler_II]

Floor plans are important but if you are going to be on the road a lot I would concentrate on the structural components. Our last fiver was a good mid-price rig and we liked, but did have some frame problems. This go around I picked a company that made the frames in house and are well built, my wife picked the floor plan and decoration she wanted and we have been please with our present trailer.

Our roads put lots of stress on RV's.

Do take a look at the Lifestyle; they are a well-built rig.

[Atom_Ant]

A) All of them are a waste of money

B) None of them are a good buy

C) Don't sell the house

now that you have it in perspective, - have fun shopping for that new camper!

[mark5w]

Here is a list of the Rv manufacturers. Check them out for floor plans you like. Rv Manufactures Good luck in your search.

[donn0128]

Budget? Between 60 and 80K Cardinal Cedar Creek for starters. What are you going to tow with?

[Eycom]

Are you considering new... used? Vacation, snowbird, or full time? Are you buying a tow vehicle also or do you currently own one? Budget?