Ready to pop for a 5th wheel, advice please

[Jerry_B]

We are about to pull the trigger on a 2004 Carriage Model CW374. It is in near new condition and has four slides, new tires, washer dryer and a large atrium slide. Asking price is $37,000. Anyone know if Carriage used the hung sidewalls instead of the laminated type? Does Carriage have a good construction reputation? We are hoping to get it for $32,000. Thanks. I will be monitoring this website tonite for your comments.

[HD_Hauler]

Referr to You Tube for info, and also try the Repo sites and banks and you can beat the $32K price because this is a buyers market right now.

[PA12DRVR]

Carriage is/was a good brand. We looked at the 2005 same model. Very stout, very heavy, and at the time, too expensive for us.

Only you can determine if the price is good. If you're willing to pay $37K work up to that and pay it. If there's a lower price, offer that and be prepared to walk away.

I would factor in replacing the fridge. We picked a different brand 5'ver in 2005 and had to replace the Norcold 4-door fridge twice within a year. Yes it was covered by Norcold but it won't be on a 2004 model.

The four-doors are VERY nice to have on the fridge.

[Randu]

Jerry B wrote:

It is a "Carriage" model CW374. It is neither the Cameo or Carri-Lite. Whatever it is, it seems first class. Very nice inside. The "graphics" are all painted on not decals which is nice. How about the Norcold 1200 fridge. Will I need to toss it?

Fridge might be ok if it don't have many hours on it based on how clean you say the trailer is. It would be worth having someone inspect closly. I had a Domitic in my 2004 and it worked great when traded in 2010 with no rust or signs of issues. It did have a recall fix preformed which put a shields and over temp sensor in vent area.
Its possible that this is even above the Carri-Lite at which point the value would be there. Randu

[Jerry_B]

Randu wrote:

dezolen wrote:
That is a very high price for a 2004.

I didn't catch the price eariler. You don't say if its a Cameo or a Carri-Lite? I just looked at NADA and couldn't find what you listed as a model. Might be worth it but seems high just from the surface on a 9 year old rig. I had a 34' 2004 Newmar KountryStar which was the winner after I toured 3 manufactures in 2004 and it was listed at $62,00 new. Actually purcaased new for $51,000. Traded in in 2010 and got $20.000. Randu

It is a "Carriage" model CW374. It is neither the Cameo or Carri-Lite. Whatever it is, it seems first class. Very nice inside. The "graphics" are all painted on not decals which is nice. How about the Norcold 1200 fridge. Will I need to toss it?

[CardinalCamper]

The price seems high,even 32,000 is more than I would offer on a 2004.

[Paul_Clancy]

Quite heavy. Got a dually or mdt?

[usnret]

Ditto X2 on high price.

[Randu]

dezolen wrote:
That is a very high price for a 2004.

I didn't catch the price eariler. You don't say if its a Cameo or a Carri-Lite? I just looked at NADA and couldn't find what you listed as a model. Might be worth it but seems high just from the surface on a 9 year old rig. I had a 34' 2004 Newmar KountryStar which was the winner after I toured 3 manufactures in 2004 and it was listed at $62,00 new. Actually purcaased new for $51,000. Traded in in 2010 and got $20.000. Randu

[Jerry_B]

Carriage is kaput.
Another question. This unit has the four door Norcold 1200 refrigerator. Shall I factor in the cost of replacing the cooling unit unit since there seems to be safety issues with the Norcolds?

[Artemus_Gordon]

Farmer David wrote:
Carriage made all there trailers with hung walls, Aluminum studs on 16 in centers, made all there frames also.

Past tense?

[Farmer_David]

Carriage made all there trailers with hung walls, Aluminum studs on 16 in centers, made all there frames also.

[dezolen]

That is a very high price for a 2004.

[amxpress]

Have you considered going to http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/2004/Carriage/M-374/4076189/Valuesand checking book value of the trailer?

[Veebyes]

Don't fix the crack, understand the cause, which is flex, which is normal. The fix is to straight line cut from that slide corner down to the bottom of the panel allowing movement between the two. Use a plastic insert to fill the gap expansion gap created.

It is not unlike movement found in bridges & why expansion gaps are put in them.