Which 5th Wheel for Full Timeing

[Hermes]

We have decided to full time, decided on a 5th wheel and plan to do so no sooner than November 2015, so we have time to look for a trailer. Since we will be full timing we are paying close attention to trailers built for and designed for the full timer, overall build quality and of course floor plan which is of course a personal choice. We started our research and have started looking at different trailers. So far we have narrowed it down to (not in any particular order Artic Fox, Keystone Montana, Jayco Pinnacle, Heartland Landmark and Open Range. I am interested to hear from others if we are on the right track, if there are others I am overlooking that are well suited to full time living and if any doing the same in any of the above mentioned units and how they are holding up. Thank you.

[RVcrazy]

We bought a used Nuwa Hitchhiker from Kansas RV Center in Chanute KS. They used to build them there. We were able to change & add new items to our taste. We have been full timing for just over a year.

[2gypsies1]

Truthfully, we've full-timed 16+ years and traveled extensively with other full-timers. There is no 'specific' RV for full-timers. They have all makes and sizes. I've never heard of anyone being denied warranty because he was a full-timer. Get one that you feel you can full-time in but make sure it has enough storage space for you and weight capability for carrying it. The weight numbers should also match your truck so you'll have not issues.

Full-timers typically travel according to the weather. They don't stay in freezing temps or hot, hot ones. However, I would suggest that you definitely get double pane windows. They won't get condensation as a single pane would.

[Chicat]

We have a 2015 Heartland Big Horn 3875 FB and just love it. The powder room makes it easy to stop anywhere on the road with out moving any slides. We are extremely happy with the quality of this line and would recommend to anyone. The 42.5 foot length does limit some campgrounds, but for full timing it has plenty of storage. Hope this helps you and good luck on your decision.

[Hermes]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Hermes wrote:
We have decided to full time, decided on a 5th wheel and plan to do so no sooner than November 2015, so we have time to look for a trailer. Since we will be full timing we are paying close attention to trailers built for and designed for the full timer, overall build quality and of course floor plan which is of course a personal choice. We started our research and have started looking at different trailers. So far we have narrowed it down to (not in any particular order Artic Fox, Keystone Montana, Jayco Pinnacle, Heartland Landmark and Open Range. I am interested to hear from others if we are on the right track, if there are others I am overlooking that are well suited to full time living and if any doing the same in any of the above mentioned units and how they are holding up. Thank you.

For the models you have mentioned you can pick up a lightly used DRV at the same price as the others new. The DRV will maintain it's value much longer than the others. We bought our 07.5 DRV in late 11 at 1/2 the sale price and just traded it in after 3.5 years of full time use and did not loose much from what we paid. After living in the DRV we figured out the options we wanted in a new rig and custom ordered at the first of the year and now have the rig that is suited to our needs.

Thank you for this info. We like some of the DRV units and well aware of their suitability for full time living, so we will explore this option as well, especially since we have some time.

[Cummins12V98]

Hermes wrote:
We have decided to full time, decided on a 5th wheel and plan to do so no sooner than November 2015, so we have time to look for a trailer. Since we will be full timing we are paying close attention to trailers built for and designed for the full timer, overall build quality and of course floor plan which is of course a personal choice. We started our research and have started looking at different trailers. So far we have narrowed it down to (not in any particular order Artic Fox, Keystone Montana, Jayco Pinnacle, Heartland Landmark and Open Range. I am interested to hear from others if we are on the right track, if there are others I am overlooking that are well suited to full time living and if any doing the same in any of the above mentioned units and how they are holding up. Thank you.

For the models you have mentioned you can pick up a lightly used DRV at the same price as the others new. The DRV will maintain it's value much longer than the others. We bought our 07.5 DRV in late 11 at 1/2 the sale price and just traded it in after 3.5 years of full time use and did not loose much from what we paid. After living in the DRV we figured out the options we wanted in a new rig and custom ordered at the first of the year and now have the rig that is suited to our needs.

[Hermes]

rekoj71 wrote:
I was told by a dealer not to mention living in it fulltime when I was looking for warranty work, even if it was marketed as built for fulltimers. Just say it gets plenty of use. 😉

If the unit is not warranted for full time use then there is truth to that, but if warranted for full time use, should not be a problem.

[rekoj71]

I was told by a dealer not to mention living in it fulltime when I was looking for warranty work, even if it was marketed as built for fulltimers. Just say it gets plenty of use. 😉

[retispcsi]

We fulltime in the unit in my sig. Had a Cedar Creek for 10 years. Snow birded and full timed in it. An ok rig but no comparison to DRV. Depending on model and options a DRV can be had for under a 100k. The last New Horizon I looked at as over 250k. I am hopeful DRV will fare as well as Airstream which Thor acquired and they are still building a good rig. I will get an idea how they are doing as we are having warranty work at the factory.

[Vulcaneer]

Just bought a DRV Traditions. Manufacture date was 7/14/2014. Pre- Thor. Quality of design is there. Build quality seems good. But time (and mileage) will tell.

According to the advertising brochures the Traditions model is targeting the Fulltimer market, that towes with a diesel SRW F250/2500 or above.

It seems DRV has concluded that there other models have taken them out of the mainstream of clients that don't want to tow with HDT's.

I am one of those people. I don't full time now...but spend 8 months of the year in my 5th wheel. The other 4 months, I travel close to home...and enjoy camping. So they now have a model for me.

Hope Thor allows DRV to continue to operate as they have.

[C-Bears]

Lantley wrote:

C-Bears wrote:
W
Don't get too hung up on what manufacturers claim about their units being for "full time use". I will repeat what Old Biscuit said about getting one with a good R-value and enclosed heated underbelly. When it comes right down to it there is not a FW out there that compares to a stick built home for actual full time use.

Good luck with your search.

There are/were manufacturers that warranted there units for full time use and there are those that may void the warranty if RV is used full time.
All RV's are not created equal. Buyer Beware.

That could be true, it depends on how you look at it. To me being full time means I need a unit that has a better suspension, more insulation built into it, and correctly rated tires. What I don't need is RV double paned windows, which are just two thin pieces of glass without any argon gas in between, and some of the other stuff some manufacturers claim make a unit certified for "full time" use.

My 2014 Montana has all available packages but not all available options. We travel and use it as a full time residence but it takes a lot more maintenance and "tender loving care" than our stick built did.

[ken_burke]

MPI_Mallard wrote:
We own a Cedar Creek Daydreamer, fantastic fiver and the kids at Cedar Creek are the best!

We really like our Forest River Cedar Creek. Well made. The factory people are very service orientated and very nice to work with..
You might look at the FR Silverback. It is basically a Cedar Creek but less expensive.
ken and sue

[Lantley]

C-Bears wrote:
W
Don't get too hung up on what manufacturers claim about their units being for "full time use". I will repeat what Old Biscuit said about getting one with a good R-value and enclosed heated underbelly. When it comes right down to it there is not a FW out there that compares to a stick built home for actual full time use.

Good luck with your search.

There are/were manufacturers that warranted there units for full time use and there are those that may void the warranty if RV is used full time.
All RV's are not created equal. Buyer Beware.

[Hermes]

What a great forum, lots of good and helpful info shared, I appreciate it.

[BB_TX]

Hermes wrote:
...........
I realize I should have indicated our budget which is we want to stay under 100K, preferably in the 75 to 85K range, but for the right one we will consider going to 100K. .......

If there are particular floor plans you are interested in, google that floor plan and rvtrader and look at new units (or used if you are interested in buying used). Rvtrader.com will post models at various dealers all across the US for sale and the listed prices. You will find quite a variance in the listed prices. I have been looking at new Montanas. A new Montana that MSRP of $90K or more will be offered by dealers any where from near that $90K to as low as the $60K range or less. And the low end is what you should expect to pay for that new Montana. Using that info, you can bargain with your local dealer. I would guess the other models you are looking at would have similar price variations. Lots of research puts you in a better bargaining position. That would give you extra money to add things like better tires, washer/dryer, residential fridge (all options on Montana), and other upgrades.

Also by just googling the model number (without rvtrader in the search box), you will get lots of hits from additional various dealer web sites where you can look at pictures of their units and their listed prices.