Class A to Fifth Wheel - help!

[Shazza]

We have a Suncruiser 33V, two little boys and making up their beds every night is driving us crazy! We're seriously considering full-timing for a year before our eldest starts school and have just starting thinking about fifth wheels instead. But there are so many! We're happy to pay up to $60K (but would prefer less). We really would like a bunkhouse and would prefer a king-sized bed. Please give me some ideas here, folks!

[Shazza]

We have a Suncruiser 33V, two little boys and making up their beds every night is driving us crazy! We're seriously considering full-timing for a year before our eldest starts school and have just starting thinking about fifth wheels instead. But there are so many! We're happy to pay up to $60K (but would prefer less). We really would like a bunkhouse and would prefer a king-sized bed. Please give me some ideas here, folks!

[Two Bit]

Yes there are many to wade through to find one that is just right for your needs.
One method is look at the websights of the many manufactures and study the floorplans. With this knowledge go to RV shows and walk through the plans you think you like. Take digital pictures. Take notes on the floor plans you brought along.Consider things like how they are when the slides are closed.. i.e. is it important that you can get to the refrig. and the bathroom when the slides are closed and you are stopped at a roadside park for a break while traveling?
Check the quality beyond just the skin-deep looks. You will need quality and durability for a full time rig with kids. Then go home from the show without buying that day and think about it.
Dont let the salesmen push you into a "buy it now" until you are ready. We studied, shopped and compaired for nearly two years before we bought our fiver. It was the right one for us five years ago and is still the right one for us today.
As far as price, get the manufactures suggested retail price from their websight or get them to email it to you. A great price would be 30% off MSRP. You should bargain for at least 20% off MSRP or shop elsewhere.
Pick the truck after you pick the fiver. Dont believe the salesmen that say it will pull anything. Consider the weight of what stuff you will load into it. Fulltimers will add one to three thousand pounds of stuff to their rigs.
A ball-park guide is a trailer in the 12,000# range is good with a one ton dually. A 15,000# rig is too much for a dually and needs a medium duty truck. Using the real loaded weight of the rig, pick a truck that will work comfortably. RVing should be comfortable, not a fight to control a truck trailer rig at or over the truck's limit.

[Shazza]

Thanks Two Bit
I've started ploughing through wedsites and so far, we like the floor plans for the Cedar Creek 35L4QB and the 362BTS and the Cardinal 33TBH. Any suggestions or comments on these?

[BIGRED1]

Two Bit makes some good points. Lots of folks get talked into a 5er that is too big for their tow vehicle or aren't given good advice on what kind of tow vehicle is needed if they don't already have one. Tires are also very important. Many 5ers are not equipped with tires that are adequate for the size and weight of the trailer.

[Half Dimes]

You may want to check out the "3 bdrm, 2 bath" Titanium at GlendaleRV.com. We have a smaller Titanium and have been very satisfied with it.

[TXiceman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BIGRED1:
Two Bit makes some good points. Lots of folks get talked into a 5er that is too big for their tow vehicle or aren't given good advice on what kind of tow vehicle is needed if they don't already have one. Tires are also very important. Many 5ers are not equipped with tires that are adequate for the size and weight of the trailer. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to echo the same thoughts. If you are looking at 36' trailers for "full time use", you need to be looking a quality and a 4 season trailer. Now you are into the limits on a 1 ton dually diesel. The Ford F350 with a Tow Boss package will go up to 26,000# GCWR. Other wise you need to look at 450/4500 and 550/5500 series trucks.

Agin, never believe the RV or truck sales person. Most have never pull anything more than the bass boat with a cooler of beer to the lake on a weekend trip.

Ford has a pretty good Towing Guide. Rear it and unsderstand all of the term and read the foot notes regarding 5er towing.

Check this link for a lot of good info...LINK


Ken

[Shazza]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Half Dimes:
You may want to check out the "3 bdrm, 2 bath" Titanium at GlendaleRV.com. We have a smaller Titanium and have been very satisfied with it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks, we've looked at the floor plan and really like it. What do you think of the quality of your Titanium and would this be a four season RV?

[Hitchhiker]

Here's a floorplan of a new HitchHiker Discover America that has bunks in the side slide that I thought was a cool idea. It's 35'5" long with a GVWR of 13,900" and a UVW of 11,160#. The MSRP is a tad over your limit but they usually discount about 20%:

[LindaH]

I've seen the HitchHiker floorplan (on paper). The only weakness I see -- particularly for fulltiming -- is that the bunks are in the master bedroom. Doesn't leave much privacy for the adults in the family!!! (That little folding door isn't going to cut it for privacy!)

[Hitchhiker]

Linda,

It might work for two little boys or a couple of small grandkids but you make a good point on the lack of privacy. I like that plan with the mirrored doors and cabinet in lieu of the bunks.

[RKamperRV]

Check out the Crossroads Cruised CF32BL - separate bunkhouse slide! We have one and love it. MSRP is in the $43K range but 25% off is doable. Go to Crossroads Website to check all of their floorplans. They have several lines and you may see something els you like. They also have an owners' forum if you want to question any current owners.

[Shazza]

There are so many with bunkhouses. I'm interested to know which brands are all-season and considered good for full-timing (regardless of cost for the time being!)

[450Donn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shazza:
Thanks Two Bit
I've started ploughing through wedsites and so far, we like the floor plans for the Cedar Creek 35L4QB and the 362BTS and the Cardinal 33TBH. Any suggestions or comments on these? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

" Have a Cedar Creek 34 CKTS Love it so far. Only problems were dealer caused.Find the floor plan you like best and search for that one. CC does have a couple with rear bunks, some with a toilet in the rear, other options have a table for the bunk room. Both offer a lot of options for doing things. I kind of like the table in the rear so the kids can do crafts and stuff without making a big mess in the main living area. Both Cardinal and Cedar Creek are Forest River products and really on par with each other. I liked the CC for a couple of personal reasons, but nearly had a Cardinal in the driveway.