Newbie here
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โJul-25-2013 10:21 AM
I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.
So here are my questions...
From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?
Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...
Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?
What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...
I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-22-2013 08:22 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-22-2013 06:54 PM
Tom_Diane wrote:deftskills wrote:I spent all my adult life on the rail road, C&NW for 21 years until the U.P. took us over and then 6 more years. During that time I traveled all over creation My first 2 years on the road was in a motel with a forced roommate. Anyway to answer your questions #1 is if you are going to travel great distances and yiu want to keep your half ton, go with a 28 to 30 ft tt and forget the slide A 3/4 ton in a gasser would keep you happy also with the same tt. A 3/4 ton minimum for a 5er but diesel of gas you might get a slide or 2 but I don't think you can ever truly get sealed enough to stay warm and protect your water lines ect with out getting into a high dollar unit. Im with ya on the class C Winnebego except I would have the toad. You don't want to be stranded in one spot if you need to go somewhere, or for the weekend trips home. Toy haulers IMHO are heavy as a rule and would opt for slide to use as you are asking. When you are in cold country or any place else for that matter, are you allowed to switch your lodging choice. Its been since 2000 that I last worked on the RR but it seems to me that they stopped forced rooming and was allowing us to make a change to our lodging choice twice a year or when we went to another gang??? I know its a diifferent RR but If that is the case I would save my motel option for a time when I really need it and use the RV thru the summer months. Also a motorcycle would be fun and cheap but if you get rained out, are you going to want to sit in the rv all day because you have only a motor cycle with your class C RV?
Hello all,
I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.
So here are my questions...
From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?
Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...
Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?
What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...
I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.
As far as the lodging with the RR it depends. If I can get myself on some "mercenary" work than the company sometimes offers a person $40 a day if you choose to stay at outside lodging. However, if you stay in lodging than you lose the $40. I've been doing some more research on 5th wheels and I'm liking the Northwood Mfg. company and their Artic Fox (I believe) 5th wheels. I don't think I would want to get a toy hauler anymore. I like the idea of them, but I know they can be quite heavy. With that said, I have also looked at 3/4 ton and also 1 ton trucks. I think I will probably pass on the motorcycle as well. I guess I still need to do more research on both 5th wheels and trucks especially between gas vs. diesel.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-22-2013 08:49 AM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-20-2013 08:16 PM
deftskills wrote:I spent all my adult life on the rail road, C&NW for 21 years until the U.P. took us over and then 6 more years. During that time I traveled all over creation My first 2 years on the road was in a motel with a forced roommate. Anyway to answer your questions #1 is if you are going to travel great distances and yiu want to keep your half ton, go with a 28 to 30 ft tt and forget the slide A 3/4 ton in a gasser would keep you happy also with the same tt. A 3/4 ton minimum for a 5er but diesel of gas you might get a slide or 2 but I don't think you can ever truly get sealed enough to stay warm and protect your water lines ect with out getting into a high dollar unit. Im with ya on the class C Winnebego except I would have the toad. You don't want to be stranded in one spot if you need to go somewhere, or for the weekend trips home. Toy haulers IMHO are heavy as a rule and would opt for slide to use as you are asking. When you are in cold country or any place else for that matter, are you allowed to switch your lodging choice. Its been since 2000 that I last worked on the RR but it seems to me that they stopped forced rooming and was allowing us to make a change to our lodging choice twice a year or when we went to another gang??? I know its a diifferent RR but If that is the case I would save my motel option for a time when I really need it and use the RV thru the summer months. Also a motorcycle would be fun and cheap but if you get rained out, are you going to want to sit in the rv all day because you have only a motor cycle with your class C RV?
Hello all,
I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.
So here are my questions...
From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?
Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...
Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?
What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...
I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-20-2013 04:00 PM
westend wrote:
Check out the link in my signature line. The Cowboy/Hilton was built to work in ND. My working life didn't get me to ND but it will show you what you need to make a RV Winter ready in some of the worst conditions.
Will do, thank you!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-20-2013 04:00 PM
bikendan wrote:
you need to look at true 4-season trailers, like Arctic Fox, made by Northwood Manufacturing.
Will do, thank you!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 04:13 PM
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 01:57 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 12:42 PM
tomkaren13 wrote:
Definately go for at least 3/4 ton truck. Even the newest 1/2 have a tow capacity of UNDER 10,000. We had a small fifth 24.5 that our 1/2 did not like the pin weight!.
Lowest I would like to go would be 3/4 ton.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 12:41 PM
bsinmich wrote:
One unasked question is where do you want to use this RV? I know BNSF operates is some cold areas of the country also. Many RVs are not set up for cold weather use. You will need good insulation, enclosed, heated water and holding tanks, and a great supply of propane for winter use. Double pane windows are also good for keeping the sweating down there. For 6-8 months of the year most any RV will do but when it gets cold you want a top quality one.
I will be using the fifth wheel wherever my seniority allows me to work. To be safe I would want to get something that is all weather so whether it is hot or frigid cold out I won't have to worry.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 12:13 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 11:27 AM
Deltadallas wrote:
I have a 3/4 ton gmc diesel that I pull a 30 ft jayco 5th wheel....Jayco and I'm sure many others have a arctic insulation option with double pained windows and just heavier insulation ....in NM it might be something you'd have to order I'm not sure.....as far as towing with a half ton I'll never do it again!...as I drive a truck for a living I see so many inadequate towing vehicles it scary to watch them go down the road especially if it windy....1st decide on if you're going to go motor home or rv personally I'll never have another bumper pull..then figure out what you're going to use it for if you're going to do a lot of long road trips verses parking it and living in it....I went with a 30ft because it was gonna be going down the highway and I didn't want to oversize my trailer to my truck
Thank you for your feedback. Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. I have been looking at other avenues for living next year but have found myself back here. I am going to be parked for a few months at a time here and there, but when I do travel it will be anywhere from a few hundred miles to possibly over a thousand. I will be sure to look at the lower end of the 30' range for my fifth wheel. As far as a tow vehicle goes I really would like to find a diesel. Thank you again!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โOct-13-2013 11:24 AM
Dukecity426 wrote:
Hello and welcome to the forum. I think that a 3/4 ton truck, maybe a gas motor with at least a 6.0 liters, diesel would be even better, and a 5th wheel around 30-31 foot would probably fit your needs. If you can keep the weight around 10,000 lbs. or less you would have the best all around combo. As others suggested, going to RV shows, and even visiting local dealers, is the best way to get your information. I know that personally I have more time than money, so if you use your time wisely, you should be able to find the combo that you want and save money. Also, you came to the right forum, as this place has a wealth of information from a variety of people,ages and experience.
It's been a while since I've logged into my account. I appreciate the feedback. I have spent a little time looking at other possibilities for living next year, but I have found myself back here. I've spoken to a few guys I work with and they all have recommended I go the RV route. If I could I would like to land a diesel truck for my tow vehicle. I would also like to find a fifth wheel that is beefed up to handle all seasons, in case I end up some place cold.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
โAug-01-2013 01:08 AM
The problem is the pin weight often times consumes all the available 1/2 ton ccc, leaving no room for passengers or other cargo.
deftskills wrote:
Hello all,
I am looking at getting involved in the RV lifestyle. I work for the BNSF railroad and have to travel to different terminals for work. My folks have a fifth wheel and I'm thinking I would like the same.
So here are my questions...
From 2004-present which fifth wheels in the 28-30' range are worth looking at?
Which fifth wheel/towing vehicle combination is the best? I was thinking along the lines of a half ton GMC or Chevy...
Is it worth looking at Winnebago type vehicles and just tow my vehicle behind?
What is the deal with toy haulers? I was thinking about these as well but they seem to have smaller more cramped living spaces. If I went this route I was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around town when the weather permits...
I knew I had more questions before but now that I want to post I'm drawing a blank. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you for your time everyone.
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch