ElCaminoManT
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Re: Facing a conundrum, what to do?
The wife and I have been doing a LOT of discussing of this subject and going back and forth and have come to the conclusion that a 5th wheel actually isn't the best fit for us at this point in our lives. Even if/when we do the full-time gig, we are not ones to post up somewhere for any length of time. I also would see myself always thinking that I settled by not getting the AF if we had gone with a Jayco or something similar. For us, a used diesel pusher makes more sense so that is where our search is now going. Yeah, there is way more complication with maintenance and such on a pusher but at least the majority of the depreciation has already taken place on the age of pushers that we are looking at. Thank you for everyone's input, the wife and I really do appreciate it!533Views0likes0CommentsRe: Facing a conundrum, what to do?
I really appreciate all the feedback! I'm going to reply to each as best I can... Downunda; this is why I posted this topic and question. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. It's just is the $20k difference worth it? It's still an RV no matter what. I plan to keep whatever we buy for at least 10 years. bucky; we will always be RVers in some fashion. Wherever we end up relocating to, we will still RV as we do now, in the weekender fashion along with the week long or 2 week trips throughout the year. DutchmenSport; the wife is equally fine with either option. Each one has it's own strong points that she likes but she is a-ok with either one. She has said numerous times that it is up to me since I'm the one pulling it around and dealing with the mechanics of it. rhagfo; that is another big plus with the Fox that I observed early on in the searches and am well aware how important it is for full-time living which is why it has been such a strong contender for us. Aside from it just being plain comfortable to be in. It has always just felt like home whenever we step inside. The Jayco also feels nice, we just haven't spent much time in one yet. Veebyes; I would much prefer a used unit and I've been looking however 2 issues so far: 1-AF units are very limited on the used market. Their production numbers are so low compared to what comes out of Indiana that there just is not many units to go around. It also seems people that buy them, keep them and don't turn around and sell them like other rigs. 2-the 319 floorplan from Jayco is new for this year so there are not used units to be had yet. Given time I'm sure they'll start to pop up. ACZL; I'm a gut feeling guy but since I'm a realist and a numbers guy, I look into and study things likely too deep. Looking at the cost (purchase, registration and ins all together), the weight, the size, how things are built, manuf reputations, etc are why I'm so hung up right now. Both units would work a-ok, I'm just trying to avoid an unhappy, regretful experience like with what I had with the super c (long story). troubledwaters; sure it could be done however I want to end up in something that I do not have to do that sort of work to. When I was younger I might've done that if necessary but no thanks now. My time is way to valuable now. Lantley; I'm 260lbs / 6'5" so I generally can feel things pretty well in my feet as soon as I step foot in the door. I was expecting the Jayco to feel a bit less sturdy than the AF but my feet seem to say it felt pretty solid. We're weekender status for now but aiming to do the full-time in the future at some point for a period of time. After that we would go back to weekender status. 4x4ord; there just doesn't seem to be any on the market that we are looking for. Also I would really like to be the one in charge of the roof and seals from the get-go with buying new. The super c we just sold had delamination issues because the original owner did not keep up on it correctly. jmtandem; exactly why the Fox is so strong on our list. MarkTwain; if we were only weekenders without the possibility of going full-time, I would go for the Jayco without question. But because of the full-time goal, the AF is a key player here. laknox; we looked at them at the Pomona show but they did not do anything for us so that's only as far as it went. downtheroad; my truck would handle it, but it would be at the limits and can make for tiring travels. I'm not ruling out converting it to a dually if needed. I have no desire to replace the truck, I've owned it since new and know every one of its quirks. It's also paid off and the new trucks have way to many things that can go wrong. (thanks EPA) ScottG; thanks, I appreciate the feedback on your experience! BB_TX; exactly, 20k is a big chunk which is why I'm looking at the Jayco as an alternative option. I know it'll always be the 'what if' no matter what, I just would really like to avoid the 'I should've bought the AF instead' or on the flip side 'was it worth the extra $$ to buy this thing instead of the Jayco?' The cost figures are also part of this, not just purchase but yearly expenses (registration and insurance) which are less on the Jayco. Durb; been looking, AFs don't seem to come up used much at all. There are other floorplans but not the one we want. One did come up but it seems to be quite used, not just gently. time2roll; exactly. Not looking to get rich (this is an RV afterall, not exactly an investment!), just looking to enjoy life and minimize the 'should have I' or 'what if' etc. I know, never can eliminate it.373Views0likes0CommentsRe: California registration cost question
bpounds wrote: pnichols wrote: But .... maybe CA registration fees are "higher" because you can use your RV all year? This means that your registration fees per camping hour are way down as compared to many, many other states. It's all relative. :) and :B They are already figuring out how to tax the weather. Once they figure out how to take from those who have, and give to those who don't have, climate tax will start. BTW, we let anyone come here to camp, and we have more RV camping alternatives than any other state. This5.5KViews0likes0CommentsFacing a conundrum, what to do?
The wife and i have been going to the Northwood dealer here to look at the Arctic Fox 29-5k 5er for about a year now. we really like that one and find ourselves always compare other products to it. we just sold the super c so now looking way more seriously at options. factoring everything in this time and since it is well known how heavy the AF units are I'm also checking other options. have found and looked at the Jayco Eagle 319mlok as is basically a lighter, slightly lower profile, and less expensive 'twin' to the AF. i know they are not technically direct competitors because they are on quite different quality levels from each other. being that the AF is about $20k more expensive and ~3-4k lbs heavier at least, its hard to not strongly consider the Jayco. I'm just worried if we did go with the Jayco that i would always feel like i settled or sold myself short by not getting the AF since i know the quality of the AF is known to be so much better, especially in what counts, the structure and frame. that being said, the Jayco felt pretty darn solid under my feet and had a few design features that i actually prefer over the AF as they make more sense for us. registration and insurance fees are reflective of the unit cost and play into the overalls as well. also, we are looking strongly into going full time for a year or 2 in the (hopefully) near-ish future to figure out where we eventually want to relocate to. i know the AF can handle this, can the Jayco? dang it, what the heck am i supposed to do here?5.3KViews0likes37CommentsRe: California registration cost question
thank you for the replies it looks like it is primarily based on current value and they would be basically the same whichever direction i went since the budget is 50-70k for either option. what i wasn't sure of at first was where a moho was classified but i see on the registration card from the super c i just sold it was still considered an 'auto' with body style indicating 'MH'525Views0likes0CommentsRe: California registration cost question
yeah not looking forward to this increase which is partly why I'm asking about this stuff so I'm not nearly as taken aback when i get the renewal on whatever we buy. I've had my duramax since new and will have it for many more years whether we end up with a 5er or with a pusher so i do not count that part of the registration into this decision. I'm looking specifically at the RV itself.530Views0likes0CommentsCalifornia registration cost question
Anyone know how California figures out registration fees for RVs? Specifically differences between a motorhome and a trailer (5er). Is it based on age? Value (new or current)? Motorized or trailer? Looking at either a new 5th wheel or a used (02-06) diesel pusher and trying to understand what I’m in for with either of the options we’re looking at. Thanks!9.2KViews0likes27CommentsRe: Arctic Fox 29-5K feedback?
ScottG wrote: As stated above, one of the things I like about NW products is that they don't have a lot of the new blingly junk. Mainly multiplexed control over lights, etc. The industry simply doesn't have the quality in emgineering and especially, matierials, to use this technology reliablely. It's also completley unneccesary. Funny you mention that as I think the current build units appear to be coming with the touch screen control systems for the lights and other functions. I'm not a fan of that!! I like a regular ol trusty switch!710Views0likes0Comments
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