Community Forums

smith45 · 12-20-2013, 08:10 AM

My BW and I are thinking about going full time. Our DP may be a little small to do that, or at least thats what the BW says.

It's a 36' Discovery. We are looking at a 3850RL Trilogy by Dynamax and a 38RSB Mobil Suites Estates. We like both units with a few exceptions. My question, have any of you guys/gals on here ever had either of these FWs and if so are you satisfied with them? Thanks for any info...

glennwest · 12-20-2013, 08:41 AM

I own a Mobile Suites and it is a very good full time unit. I am in market for a larger unit and researched and looked hard at Trilogy. talked to factory rep also. Mike something. the Trilogy looks good. Fit and finish is good. Is lacking in insulation and chassis is light compared to DRV and many other high end units. W/D location is terrible. have to position it for door to open to inside of closet. If you install a W/D you loose nearly half closet space. No W/D no issue. don't like the on board propane tank. Personally this should only be on motor homes. 5thers are too much trouble to set up to just get propane. Unless they have recently changed front cap has no insulation. Personally I would look hard at DRV, New Horizons, Excel. If price tag not comfortable look for used. I am getting a Teton 2004 unit. It is built better than most units today. I would compare it to New Horizons today. It looks new. Lightly used. $36,000. There is good deals on these units out there just have to search and be patience. God bless.

tuffr2 · 12-20-2013, 09:36 AM

While the Trilogy is a very nice unit it really does not compete with the DRV Mobile Suites. It competes with the entry level DRV Tradition.

I am also looking to upgrade to a full-time unit 5th wheel. I just started the process. So far I have looked at LifeStyle, DRV Mobile Suites, HR Presidential, Used NuWa. I need to look at used Carriage Lites, and Excel yet.

You need to decide what unit will be 'good enough'. Redwood, DRV Tradition, Trilogy are very nice units that depending how much travel you are doing might be 'good enough'.

glennwest · 12-20-2013, 09:50 AM

The complaint i read on Forest River forum/dynamark is summer cooling due to insulation. Sun shining on the front cap made the bedroom uncomfortable. One poster actually cut hole in wall in closet behind shoe racks, etc and installed insulation. There is no way I would want a unit that I needed to cut on and insulate.

Steve N Sal · 12-20-2013, 09:59 AM

Friends of ours have a Mobile Suites 5er and I don't think I've seen a better made unit. They love it and I can't say I blame them. Good Luck hope you find the unit that fits you best.

RustyJC · 12-20-2013, 10:04 AM

We've owned our MS (see signature) for 10 years this coming August 2014. Obviously, we like it or we wouldn't still have it. At this point, I have no desire or interest in moving to anything else. It's stood up well - the following photo was taken at a Texas Boomers rally earlier this year (thus, the pink flamingoes where we were "flocked" by another Boomer.)

Rusty

glennwest · 12-20-2013, 10:36 AM

Only reason we getting the Teton is for a larger unit. We find ours is just too small for full time. They hold up great and are easy to heat. 3.5" walls full of insulation.

rollondown · 12-20-2013, 01:00 PM

Consider looking at the Carriage line as well. Trilogy has alot going for it, but they lack in the fulltimer/heavy user substructure.

smith45 · 12-20-2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks guys!! I learned a lot and will be checking further..

missourijan · 12-20-2013, 02:30 PM

I know nothing about the Trilogy. We have owned 2 Drv units, a 2007 Select (lived in fulltime for over 5 years) and 2012 Mobile Suite (lived in fulltime for 2 years). They are not perfect but superior to a lot of other brands. The insulation is key for me, 3 1/4 inch walls all around, even slides. We first owned a 2000 Avion and nearly froze due to the lack of insulation. If you want to hear from many Drv owners, post questions about Drv on the suites owners website, www.suitesowners.com, you can sign up and ask any question you like of actual owners. Many owners have purchased more than one. Trilogy probably has an owners site also.

Bigg-limo · 12-20-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollondown

Consider looking at the Carriage line as well. Trilogy has alot going for it, but they lack in the fulltimer/heavy user substructure.

Carriage is out of business. Just went to check out their models, and it showed that they were out of business.

glennwest · 12-20-2013, 07:35 PM

sorta. Lifestyle is the new Carriage.

Bigg-limo · 12-20-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest

sorta. Lifestyle is the new Carriage.

Oh, I gotcha. Guess I'm gonna go and do some more research. Nothing like researching anything that's rv related.

12 Tires · 12-21-2013, 12:55 AM

You may want to consider Continental Coach/ForksRV.

Most people are familiar with their ultra high end "Elegance" units, but they also have models ("Coach" and "Express") that compete with DRV in price, but are built on the strongest frame in the industry--hands down.

They are now the official recommended rig for the Teton Homes owners club and have direct links to the Travel Supreme fifth wheel.

Worth a phone call. You deal direct with the factory.

Www.forksrv.com