Would Like A Fifth Wheel

[Devonm2012]

New to this forum! Have been camping since before I could walk in everything but a fifth wheel. Just spent the past two years fulltiming in a 43 foot diesel pusher. Sold everything to move back home to care for my parents. Have always loved fifth wheels largely due to floorplans (we eat about 95% of our meals in the rig when traveling), etc. Read an article recently about manufacturers cutting corners on fifth wheels to reach the demanding market and many now won't last five years, or so the article read. They gave no names. We would use the RV on weekends and vacations during the summer, and when parents are gone, would probably snowbird during winter months. Looking for names of good quality manufacturers. Love Mobile Suites, but not wanting to go quite that high unless no other option. Thoughts? Also, what size of pick-up is recommended?

[kzspree320]

Since you don't know what manufacturer the article was referring to, I understand your concern. While all manufacturers produce a few lemons, I think most RVs will be on the road far longer than 5 years if the owner cares for them properly.

Fifth wheels are certainly less complex and have far less moving parts than diesel pushers. There are a multitude of fifth wheels that will probably meet your needs and give you many years of happy camping.

Your question will probably just be answered by those that are happy with their fivers and think of them as upscale. I certainly like my Columbus, but also realize there are a number of others that are quite serviceable. We liked the floorplan, it had the amenities we wanted, and the interior decor we liked. I looked under the floors in the storage compartment for the way it was wired and plumbed, and behind drawers and cabinets and the construction looked good.

I did not buy mine to fulltime in, even though I think I could. You are not guaranteed to get a better constructed RV just based on price. You can certainly get more amenities, better leathers and fabrics, appliances with more features, larger refrigerators, granite and more luxurious flooring, etc.

I would rather have a Culumbus constructed on a Wednesday than a Mobile Suites constructed on a Friday if reliability is what you are after. I'm sure I am opening myself up to plenty of bashing by some, but this is only my opinion and it's worth every penny you paid for it. I do wish you good luck in finding a fiver than will work best for you.

[Second_Chance]

INRI wrote:
You might want to look at the Grand Design Solitude - very well made and a good value.

My wife and I just had a chance to spend some time in a new Solitude by Grand Design on our local dealer's lot this past weekend. We were very impressed - even compared to used Mobile Suites and Montanas on the lot. The Solitude units seem to be of higher quality and use better materials than the new Jayco models at a similar price point, as well. We are considering making the move (pardon the pun) to full-timing, but it won't be until next year. The Solitude is a unit we'll definitely keep our eye on.

[BillyandKris]

Agree with n7bsn re: Fox Mountain Camper. We wanted it at first, but changed our minds over to Arctic Fox and that was one of the reasons. We are basically full-timers even though we own a S & B home. On the road more than off. We have friends with an older AF fifth wheel and they have drug it all over the country literally for like 8 years now...traveling 6 months of the year. They wouldn't take anything for it. There are other good quality ones out there also. Sometimes the size you want limits the choice of manufacturers for you. Good luck on your search. Been there, done that. You will find the right one for you.

[n7bsn]

New Horizon is the best made rig on the market. Very little flash (things like stained glass inserts in the cabinets, etc they don't do those things), just solid construction. But in your size range this could run $100K and probably would require an F450 or larger.
Excel by Peterson Industries and Mobile Suites are right up there also.
Again these are heavy and would require a serious tow vehicle.

A gross estimate of longevity can be had by weight, ie heavier rig is more likely to last longer.

IMO Fox Mountain trailers, despite being reasonable well made do NOT have the storage a full-timer needs. Their storage is set more to the vacation level

[Cummins12V98]

I would really look at slightly used Mobile Suites. We bought our 07.5 in fall of 11 so it was 4 years old and paid about 50K. It is still worth almost that much and we have full timed since 11/11.

Thing is you can buy a new RV of lesser quality and it will be worth less than the slightly used one in a couple of years.

[Devonm2012]

OP here.....we would prefer new. Want what I listed before, such as all season, well built, etc. This all started by me reading an article which stated manufacturers were cutting so many corners that many coaches would not last five years. Want long term use. Just looking to find out manufacturers that fit this and then I can search floor plans, etc.

[Veebyes]

(we eat about 95% of our meals in the rig when traveling)

That is a key piece of information. Better have plenty of counter space otherwise you will be eating in restaurants far more often. Better keep the cook happy.

The Mobile Suites 32TK3 was on our very short list. One of the primary reasons was the elbow shaped galley. The MS 36TK3 is a far more common model having the same floorplan stretched a bit. There are other variations of the FP. Our Alpenlite 34RLR is one. Unfortunately Alpenlite went bust in 08 so the trick there would be to find a lightly used one.

[Bill1374]

If you are not set on a new rig, look for a Newmar fifth. They were great trailers but quite heavy. You can also look at Kansas RV Center for either used or leftover Hitchhiker fifths. While they are no longer in production, theri repair center is open and they did make a very good trailer.

[Aridon]

We are trading our motorhome for a drv soon. Got it in process at the factory now and looking forward to getting it in. No comparison in liveability to us. I think there are plenty of good brands out there so you likely don't have to look at the top to find quality.

Good luck in your search.

[BillyandKris]

You might look at Northwood Mfg. They have lesser-priced ones than Arctic Fox, but I believe same quality of construction--they have Nash--not sure about fifth wheel. They have a Fox Mountain fifth wheel which is lighter weight than AF. I think if you want quality you are going to have to pay for it, otherwise you will not get it or get a portion of it. Maybe you could find a used one if you want quality, but cannot pay the price for new one. Just IMHO

[Devonm2012]

n7bsn wrote:

BillyandKris wrote:
You did not say what size you plan to get, but it would appear a large one so we are in different categories. But, just wanted to say we are in our first fifth wheel camper (27') and we love it. Fifth wheel is the way to go. We owned a small MH years back and was not our cup of tea. Had travel trailers next. We plan to get into an Arctic Fox 4 season camper this summer. Going 3 ft. longer. We also are looking to something that will last for many years to come with lots of use.

Can't argue with your intention, we are on our 2nd Northwoods over nearly 15 years.
But Arctic Fox are rare where the OP lives, some friends in his area drove three states to find one that they wanted.
They are -much- more common in the west, these friends were astounded when they pulled into an Oregon campground and saw 5 Foxes in the campground.

Not looking for huge. Maybe 28-32 feet. I just have no idea where the quality is except Mobile Suites and I don't want to spend quite that much. Would like all season, good insulation and solidly built, as we typically buy for long term use. In motorhomes I know Prevost and Newell are top of the line and Newmar and Tiffin make good, solid all season coaches. We had a 2012 Newmar Dutch Star. Looking for that level but in a fifth wheel.

[n7bsn]

BillyandKris wrote:
You did not say what size you plan to get, but it would appear a large one so we are in different categories. But, just wanted to say we are in our first fifth wheel camper (27') and we love it. Fifth wheel is the way to go. We owned a small MH years back and was not our cup of tea. Had travel trailers next. We plan to get into an Arctic Fox 4 season camper this summer. Going 3 ft. longer. We also are looking to something that will last for many years to come with lots of use.

Can't argue with your intention, we are on our 2nd Northwoods over nearly 15 years.
But Arctic Fox are rare where the OP lives, some friends in his area drove three states to find one that they wanted.
They are -much- more common in the west, these friends were astounded when they pulled into an Oregon campground and saw 5 Foxes in the campground.

[BillyandKris]

You did not say what size you plan to get, but it would appear a large one so we are in different categories. But, just wanted to say we are in our first fifth wheel camper (27') and we love it. Fifth wheel is the way to go. We owned a small MH years back and was not our cup of tea. Had travel trailers next. We plan to get into an Arctic Fox 4 season camper this summer. Going 3 ft. longer. We also are looking to something that will last for many years to come with lots of use.

[INRI]

You might want to look at the Grand Design Solitude - very well made and a good value.