Shopping for new 5th wheel

[chertz]

Originally Posted by DJNCJ

2016 Ram 3500 CCLB CTD DRW. Laramie: Pearl white, tan interior, rear air susp, factory tow prep, 3.73, most of the other "goodies" except sun roof.

Dang.... sounds like a sweet ride!

[head gamez]

We have a 2016 Sandpiper 376BHOK. We purchased it for 37% off MSRP. 42' in length. It is a bath and a half model with a decent sized bunk room, outdoor kitchen, king master bed etc. it was also optioned with 6 point hydraulic leveling, slide toppers, etc (all the options). We pull it fine with my 2002 2500HD duramax (extended cab long bed). Average 12.4 MPG on beach trips.

[head gamez]

Originally Posted by head gamez

we have a 2016 sandpiper 376bhok. We purchased it for 37% off msrp. 42' in length. It is a bath and a half model with a decent sized bunk room, outdoor kitchen, king master bed etc. It was also optioned with 6 point hydraulic leveling, slide toppers, etc (all the options). We pull it fine with my 2002 2500hd duramax (extended cab long bed). Average 12.4 mpg on beach trips.

[Boomer3801]

Originally Posted by ucfengr

Budget is mid 50's (assuming 25-30% off MSRP, I'm looking at units in the $70s). Bunkhouse and outdoor kitchen are both critical features. A half bath would be a definite plus. Washer/dryer hookups are a "nice to have", but not critical. I've seen the Grand Design Reflection 323 and 357 on line (not in person), and they look interesting. The reviews seem to be strong. We're currently in a Winnebago Ultralite TT with a Bunkhouse, but after 3 years with it, we're starting to notice it gets a bit crowded on longer trips and rainy days. Any thoughts would be much obliged.

We purchased the 323 earlier this year and have been very happy with it. The half bath would have been nice, but we wanted to stay with a trailer that was shorter than 40'. When I was first looking, I really liked the floor plan. When we saw it in person, we were really impressed with the layout and the construction (relative to the other trailers we looked at). We purchased ours in the low 50's.

Grand Design is now offering the 311bhs which looks to be similar to the 323, but with a half bath and still staying just under 37'. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I haven't been terribly impressed with the interior pictures I've seen. But, who knows. I haven't seen one in person, so I will reserve my final judgement.

[SmokeyBear]

Nice Sandpiper! I have been looking and going from out TT to a 5er. Looking at a Sandpiper bunkhouse 381RBOK or the Sierra bunkhouse. The weight is what worries me though, my TV is a 2011 GMC 2500 (gas) with a max tow 13,900 and a GCWR of 20,500. Also looking at the Sabre 360QBOK bunkhouse, which comes in a little lighter. We are a family of six so want to be safe.

[chertz]

I think you will find there is no 3/4 ton that can be within its ratings with a 14,000 lb 5er... you need to watch payload and axle ratings

[DJNCJ]

Originally Posted by chertz

I think you will find there is no 3/4 ton that can be within its ratings with a 14,000 lb 5er... you need to watch payload and axle ratings

This is what drove me to a Dually not because it seemed as though my 2500 was struggling. It wasn't...drove and handled the Cedar Creek wonderfully. I was over my payload and axle weight and couldn't live with myself if something happened when I knew I was overweight.

[head gamez]

Originally Posted by chertz

I think you will find there is no 3/4 ton that can be within its ratings with a 14,000 lb 5er... you need to watch payload and axle ratings

I'm under on front and rear axle ratings. Slightly over on payload. Handles fine, and I don't loose any sleep. When it comes time to replace the truck, it will be a dually but I don't finance, and won't rush out to replace what is working safely.

Also under on the registered weight of 24,000 lbs gcvwr. That's an expensive tag renewal each year.

[chertz]

Originally Posted by head gamez

I'm under on front and rear axle ratings. Slightly over on payload. Handles fine, and I don't loose any sleep. When it comes time to replace the truck, it will be a dually but I don't finance, and won't rush out to replace what is working safely.

Also under on the registered weight of 24,000 lbs gcvwr. That's an expensive tag renewal each year.

I hear ya head... I have of course the heavy tags, plus I have to be safety inspected every 6 months (that's any truck over 9000 GVWR), and I had to get a different license class... in my case it was a class A Non-cdl.

It's all worth it for the peace of mind.

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by chertz

I hear ya head... I have of course the heavy tags, plus I have to be safety inspected every 6 months (that's any truck over 9000 GVWR), and I had to get a different license class... in my case it was a class A Non-cdl.

It's all worth it for the peace of mind.

Dang...where do you live?

[chertz]

Illinois sadly