HELP! Cardinal or Open Range

[Dasmoeturhead]

Cardinal, and a Ram 3500 DRW. 4X4 If that's in your budget.

[rugersdad]

My 2011 3450 RL has been great as well as the full body paint. My 2011 duramax dually handles it way better than my previous srw 2500 duramax did. I also upgraded to Goodyear G 114 tires on 17.5 inch rims after my first blow out.

[Dogpatch]

Okay, so here are the specs on the new 2016 F350 Crew Cab Super Duty with 6.7 ltr. Powerstroke Diesel. The 2016 year model has stepped up from the previous years and I'm told by many that it is the highest SRW towing truck on the market.

If I'm right my model allows for Max loaded 5th wheel trailer weight rating of 16,300 lbs. and the Max payload rating of 3870 lbs.

[Dogpatch]

Here's the specs on the Cardinal 3450RL. Max GVWR is 15915 (including 2300lbs of added contents) and a pin weight of 2235 lbs.

Have to dig up the info on the Open Road.

[camr]

Perhaps check each of the brand forums for multiple posts referring to issues or failures. As a previous owner of an Open Range, I would watch for issues with slide system drive motors and frame issues.
If either one of your potential choices comes equipped with Towmax tires, RUN, screaming like a little girl, from the deal. Or budget for replacement tires.

[tuffr2]

I think the Open Range uses more composite material. I believe the composite material does not hold screws as well as non composite material.

I see more Cardinals than Open Range 5th wheels.

[JohnT]

Most Cardinals were built on 10" frames. They upgraded sometime after my 2010 was built. That length will flex causing possible roof separation from the caps.

Pin weight is DRY with no washer/dryer installed, water etc. My Cardinal pin weight went from 1,925# advertised to 2990# loaded. We did not have the washer/dryer option. I would add at least 1k# to the pin weight.

We had a 2011 GMC 4D 4x4 Dually. Really never knew the rig was back there. The DW would not drive the truck anywhere.

[Cummins12V98]

"The 2016 year model has stepped up from the previous years and I'm told by many that it is the highest SRW towing truck on the market"

See below. RAM has a higher towing and MUCH higher payload. Also these specs are SAE J2708 compliant. The Ford 250/350's are not compliant but the 450 is.

[mo5er]

If it were my decision, I would go with the Cardinal. But hey, just my opinion. Best of luck in your decision!!

[Chiefly1]

Had a Cardinal that we used and loved for years with few problems. The Cardinal paint job is superior to the gel coating and will look great for years with minimum effort. The Cardinal Owners club is also a great group with lots of knowledgeable folks and a great relationship with the manufacturer. Fun rallies as well.


Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

[Franka548]

I would suggest that you go with the DWR truck of whatever manufacturer, the SWR 350/3500 may pull that size 5er, but you will be uncomfortable when traveling, it will be prone to move around with wind gusts and being passed by big rigs, also you will be right at or over some of the manufacturers specs( they exaggerate their weight figures for advertising purposes)
Frank

[jacknife]

Cardinal only uses a 10 inch frame on thier 30-30 All the larger models have 12inch frames. I know 3 owners that have the bigger ones and use Srw. IMHO l would get a dually. The Open range is a lighter unit. All electric. Slides and levelers. A friend of mine has one and it has been a good trl for him. Both will have problems from time to time. Look at them real close .go under and up on the roof. Operate the systems yourself and take nothing off the lot till they fix it. Even if it means coming back. They take alot less time to fix it if you haven't signed the papers.

[glennwest]

Open Range deliberately builds their campers light. They use the cable system on all slides so they can use a lighter chassis. All wood is composite unless something has changed in the last couple of years. We saw some beautiful floor plans but we turned off by the cheap feel and low weight construction. I see many of them towed with srw trucks. There is a 40+' OR in our park now. Tow vehicle is srw. We would not have one but that is us and we are full timers. We demand more.

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by jackdn0610

I have a 2014 Cardinal 3450RL and love it. They did upgrade the slide supports for the living room slide. You can check the "Cardinal RV Club" website and search of for 'slide supports' and it will explain how the problem was fixed. But, which ever unit you decide to purchase, make sure the tires are sturdy enough to handle the heavier units. Many companies now put on Goodyear Marathon ST tires and these don't seem to handle the heavier rigs. You might want to considered upgrading to a "G" rated tire as soon as possible. There have been a lot of complaints about the Goodyear Marathon ST tires having tread separation. I am one of those and have suffered because of it (damaged trailer extensively). I have now changed to "G" rated LT tires with corresponding rims.

Hi Jack. I confirmed the 5er has been upgraded to 2 year old "G" rated tires.