Difference between high and mid range 5vers?

[Pontihack]

I have a 2006 Mountaineer 5ver that had an MSRP of $42,000. Is there a big difference between mine and an $80-90K rig other than $50K?
I have decided a 5ver will work best for us but I am not sure if the extra cost is worth the investment. We plan on living in it for 3-5 months of the year. $50K more seems like a lot of money for some nicer window treatments. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether it is worth the extra? Thanks!

[Pontihack]

I have a 2006 Mountaineer 5ver that had an MSRP of $42,000. Is there a big difference between mine and an $80-90K rig other than $50K?
I have decided a 5ver will work best for us but I am not sure if the extra cost is worth the investment. We plan on living in it for 3-5 months of the year. $50K more seems like a lot of money for some nicer window treatments. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether it is worth the extra? Thanks!

[TXiceman]

If you are looking for the best bang for the buck, look at high end 5ers that are 3 or 4 years old. The depreciation on a new Rv is pretty heavy for the first year.

Our 11 year old 5er was high end when it was new. Solid oak cabinets (fronts, sides and doors). Drawers are all wood...no particle board in the trailer, Corian counters, heavy carpet, and upholstery, Dexter Torgue-Flex axles plus tons of nice touches not in the mid-range trailers. So there is a difference and 11 years later it is still a solid trailer, but you save a ton of money buying used.

A weld built 3 to 5 year old RV will still be a very good value

Ken

[Hitchhiker]

Some of the features that a higher end rig might have are:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Hydraulic Baggage Door Lifts,
<LI>Folding Entry Assist Handle
<LI>Nev-R-Lube Axles
<LI>Heavy Duty Greasable Shackles
<LI>Battery Cut-off Switch
<LI>Dual Batteries
<LI>Inverter
<LI>Heavy Duty or Disc Brakes
<LI>Thicker Baggage Doors
<LI>50 Amp Electric Service
<LI>Heated Subfloor and Holding Tanks
<LI>Black Holding Tank Flush Kit
<LI>Rack & Pinion Hydraulic Glide
<LI>Winterization Kit
<LI>Solar Reflective Safety Glass Windows
<LI>Truss Rafter
<LI>"Walk Anywhere" Roof
<LI>Shock Absorbers
<LI>Vacuum Bonded Sidewalls
<LI>Hi-Gloss Fiberglass Sidewall Finish
<LI>Individual Landing Gear Motors
<LI>Electric Rear Stabilizer
<LI>Aluminum Wheels
<LI> Heat Pump For A/C
<LI> Surround Sound Stereo/TV System
<LI>TV/VCR Distribution
<LI>Fantastic Vent w/ Thermostat
<LI>10 Gal. DS/LP/110v. Water Heater
<LI>Satellite Dish Prep
<LI>elegant decors
<LI>home-style furniture
<LI>Solid surface countertops
<LI>Handcrafted cabinetry
<LI>Attention to detail
<LI>Automatic leveling system
<LI>LCD TV's
<LI>Large capacity holding tanks[/list]

[Ray,IN]

Most mid-range units have practically the same construction as spendy units if you inspect the design. I think the main difference is in designated use, High-end units will be designated for full-time use. We have a Grand Junction, by Colorado/Dutchmen. The chassis construction is all aluminum W/ double-wall steel frame. I read the list of items HItchhiker posted, and 3 items are not standard with our GJ. The MSRP was $56K.

[RKamperRV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Some of the features that a higher end rig might have are:


Hydraulic Baggage Door Lifts,

Folding Entry Assist Handle

Dual Batteries

Heavy Duty or Disc Brakes

Heated Subfloor and Holding Tanks

Black Holding Tank Flush Kit

Winterization Kit

Solar Reflective Safety Glass Windows

Truss Rafter

"Walk Anywhere" Roof

Shock Absorbers

Vacuum Bonded Sidewalls

Hi-Gloss Fiberglass Sidewall Finish

Aluminum Wheels

Surround Sound Stereo/TV System

Fantastic Vent w/ Thermostat

10 Gal. DS/LP/110v. Water Heater

Satellite Dish Prep

elegant decors

home-style furniture

Attention to detail

Large capacity holding tanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


I just modified Richard's list to reflect the features that came with my mid-range Crossroads Cruiser. Other items included are a large capacity refrigerator, all aluminium framing, additional insulation.

[apackof2]

Well whatever you do, DON'T buy any entry level product.
However that being said you can't go wrong with a New Horizons.

There is an owners club that has used rigs for sale. I know a gal who
is selling her 29ft and its pratically new.
Its listed on the site (below) along with some other rigs

http://www.nhog.us/forsale/index.htm

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pontihack:
I have a 2006 Mountaineer 5ver that had an MSRP of $42,000. Is there a big difference between mine and an $80-90K rig other than $50K?
I have decided a 5ver will work best for us but I am not sure if the extra cost is worth the investment. We plan on living in it for 3-5 months of the year. $50K more seems like a lot of money for some nicer window treatments. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether it is worth the extra? Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Randy the sly old fox]

You might also look at Arctic Fox too. They are more upper middle level in price, but offer most of the posted features.

[Jody & Jeff]

My DH and I have decided our next move up will be a 5th wheel. We like the HitchHiker II 29.5 model,
just hoping I can find one 2-3 years old when we go to purchase next year!

Jo

[derfr]

The Mountaineer is a slightly less showy model of the Keystone Montana. If the retail price is as you indicated, the one you were looking at is probably optioned up almost to the level of a Montana. The Montana (and Mountaineer) are upper mid-level trailers. One other difference is that Mountaineer offers TTs as well as 5ths. There is a Montana Owners website. These owners are generally very positive of their trailers. I have owned a Mountaineer for two years and have been very pleased with the experience.

[ncason]

We paid a lot less than $50K, and still have most of the features listed above. I do not have a lot of the decorative extras inside the camper and I do not have corian counter tops. But it is a camper. And I have the extra $30K to use other ways.

Nancy

[Miles]

Besides the added features the weight is heaveier also due to better construction methodes and materials.

[Stanbnv]

Gee, most of the stuff listed above on the "high end rigs" comes on the Arctic Fox too. They just don't make anything 40 feet long, and their 29 5T (about 30 feet) costs under $40K

[ChiefJohn]

Peterson Industries, Excel 5th wheels are another of the upper-end fivers. Ver well constructed by a family owned company.