All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Young FW full timer needs a new rig 4 months outSo have you done your research now? It's easy to make mistakes by being in a hurry and/or not fully doing research. I'm sure we've all been there in some way! The picking of the camper is up to me. I left the picking of the truck up to my husband, and while we did end up with a turbo diesel truck, I later discovered that it's got a very poor safety rating. He didn't do all his research! He was in the dog house for quite a while over that. This decision seems to have been made quickly. Others have suggested going to a few RV shows, and I HIGHLY recommend that. While the Momentum is a very nice unit indeed, have you *really* considered all your options? Have you gone and looked in person? It's one thing to see stuff online, but it could feel very different in person. On the Momentum 385th, do you guys cook a lot? There isn't a lot of countertop space. How do you feel about having an island basically in the middle of the kitchen? Does that restrict traffic flow for times when the dogs are in the RV with you? You said the army doesn't pay you to enjoy life, so are you sure you really want to blow this kind of money on a depreciating asset? What if you decide to come back off the road sooner than you thought and need to sell? It will be a big loss because you've bought new. The "full time pros" suggest that your first and second full time RV is purchased used until you have lived the life and know better what you want/need. That is very sage advice, and they should know.Re: Young FW full timer needs a new rig 4 months outIf you are trading it in next year, then would it still be considered new for trade in purposes? What's your budget on this? Or what price will you consider? I can tell you that there are numerous used high end, better insulated (they really can only fit so much insulation in there)full timer-friendly fifth wheels out there that far exceed your Keystone product in build, fit and finish, room, etc. To name a few: Mobile Suites (any year), Dutchmen Grand Junction (2009, or better yet a 2010+ w/ Arctic pkg.), 2000+ Newmar "Aire" products (NOT Cypress or "Stars"),09+ KZ Escalade. There are more, that's just a short list. It has taken me quite a bit of time to compile data to create a list of older, better built RVs to choose from, primarily based on suitable insulation. That is what I suggest you and your wife do. Good luck to you.Re: Young FW full timer needs a new rig 4 months outUndertaking full timing really calls for a significant amount of research. Is the Keystone rated for full time use? If you are going to full time, that is where I'd look. I don't see any mention of insulation values for the Hideout on the Keystone web site, but that is something you need to know. I have done a lot of research of older fifth wheels, and there are some that do stand a bit ahead of the rest in insulation. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably look at older, higher end, full-time rated fifth wheels. Maybe around '03-'06. Find the style of floor plan you like. There are many. Maybe with dogs, you'll want to consider toy haulers. Find the brochures for what suits you, and read through to find the insulation ratings. Some manufacturers put in two layers of fiberglass vs. one layer, and some added reflective foil insulation. Only a few used all foam insulation. Heartland does now, but not sure when they started. This gets complicated. I'd head on over to the RVdreams and Escapees forums and start there.Re: Fifth wheel choices...help! Dog Folks wrote: 96Tony wrote: Expected use would be warm-weather snow birding, with medium travel distances between various 3-4 week stays. Regardless of the brand get one with good insulation. We expected the very same thing. We were going to "stay in the sun." We were always going to be in moderate weather. That does no happen. From 8 years experience let me share with you: It is going to happen that you be in low or freezing temps despite your best planning. Get one with good insulation. RE:Insulation - That's very good advice.Re: is this trouble?You are better off to know for certain what Ford's actual towing specs are for your exact truck. Anything other than data is subjective.Re: Pricing on Mobile SuitesA great place to ask would be here: http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=91511Re: Advice for first time rv buyersA Keystone toy hauler is not the best insulated toy hauler out there. And just to clarify that, I am referring to the quoted R-values, which I will explain later. Additionally, like others have stated, you are going to have to do some things beyond the norm to avoid frozen water lines, like drop a light bulb in the basement area and get some skirting. Dual pane windows will help a lot, but note that eventually they will lose their seal and condensation will appear between the panes. Getting the whole family and dogs living in an RV is another thing that I have no knowledge to direct you on. I have a teenager, and I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in there for months on end with her!...LOL, seriously. But you know your family better than we do, so that's your call. Back to the 4-season RV part - This is a subject I have done much research on. Last I checked, Keystone was quoting R-31 for their floor and roof. You will want to check what they are quoting currently. Know that there is only so much insulation that can go into an RV, and the R factors don't tell the whole story, but they help differentiate some between better and best. Nowadays, manufacturers are using either fiberglass or foam insulation, but most are using fiberglass. In addition to that, they are installing reflective foil insulation, which is usually a foil-backed bubble wrap with pretty high R values. The value varies with the type of foil insulation. So they are adding the R-value of the foil insulation and the foam or fiberglass to get an overall number. But remember - reflective foil isn't the same as fiberglass or foam as far as being a physical barrier. It primarily acts to reflect/deflect the inside temps back into the inside, and the outdoor heat/cold back to the outdoors. I hope that helps you. :)Re: Crossroads Elevation 3616Have you checked the Crossroads forum? http://www.crossroadsowners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32 From what I can tell being a member of that forum, CR went through a period of leadership that wasn't beneficial for them. It seems like they are trying to turn things around. I'd probably shoot for a 2014 model if I were going to buy one. Yes, the Cyclones are a step up.Re: Advice needed on new 5erWhat about the CrossRoads Cruiser with a slideout bunkroom?: CF34BH Also, you could get an RL floorplan with two opposing couches to double for sleeping space without giving up one inch of floor space to a bunk room. The following has great inside kitchen storage and countertop space, plus an outside kitchen(replace recliners with sleeper sofa):SF34RE Finally, this one comes with a booth dinette and sleeper sofa with an awesome interior kitchen and outside kitchen: SR34RKRe: Minor rant about fifth wheel layouts.http://www.keystonerv.com/alpine/
GroupsFifth Wheel Group Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Feb 17, 202519,006 Posts