Community Forums

cameradude58 · 01-08-2013, 07:10 AM

Hello! Due to changes coming in our careers, my wife and I are looking to convert to full-time RV'ers in the near future. We will also be first time RV'ers. My in-laws lived in a 5th wheel for some time, so we are a little familiar with the process. To make a long story short, I have been doing tons of research trying to find the ideal 5th wheel, and every time I think I find a possible winner, I find something that indicates its not necessarily a good choice. I was hoping you out there would throw some advice my way. Looking for something well-built, around 38 ft, budget around $80K give or take. Also, any basic advice on what brand of truck is the best for pulling a 5th wheel. I know this is open-ended, but at this point I am considering all options (5th wheel wise..) I thank you in advance for your help....

Mark

Palpatine · 01-08-2013, 07:39 AM

I can tell you this - if you are full timing you want a well built unit. Of those, I would recommend DRV. If you contact Butch and Karen at RVsforLess in Knoxville, you will be surprised at what they can get you into a DRV 36 foot (actually 37 in length) for. You will be happy with a DRV, with Butch and Karen and with living in it full time, we do. I would suggest you get at least a F-450 for pulling, a 350 would most likely not be enough capacity. I have a 2008 F-450 and had the Weight-it team weigh my DRV and truck. I was pretty close to the limits and a 350 would have way over it's limits.

RickO · 01-08-2013, 07:45 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm sure more of our fiver experts will be along soon with suggestions for you.

Rick

336muffin · 01-08-2013, 08:05 AM

JohnT · 01-08-2013, 10:17 AM

Welcome Mark.

Our research has us leaning toward DRV. Its all about thefloor plan.

Best of Luck.

life2short · 01-08-2013, 07:26 PM

I have looked at the DRV mainly the Elite Suites quite a few times, they have alot of good "nut and bolt" features my concern was was seemed to me to be 50/50 reviews from owners. When I ran across this Blog I was done with DRV. I have a 2013 Cedar Creek and I am always looking for something better. The thing is I have had mine nine months and pulled it about 12k miles, with my wife and three kids and had no problems except a few small things I could fix with a screw driver, I needed a few things and Cedar Creek was wonderful dealing with. For the dollar I cant see how Cedar Creek can be beat, a 1/2" more of insulation, heaver axels, disc brakes, 3" box frame dosent seem worth the HUGE difference to me. But each to there own

Roam America · 01-08-2013, 07:59 PM

You can also check out New Horizon. They are built for fulltimers. They are custom built to your desires. They start with a basic floorplan and then you customize it the way you want. The Summit is supposed to start in the 80's while the Majestic is in the 100's. Again depends on floorplan and no I have no affiliation with them - just like them.

glennwest · 01-08-2013, 08:54 PM

I tried to do business with rvsforless. They offered me way under NADA value for my trade. They were low price but offsets that with your trade. They offered me only 15000 for my Mobile Suites. I contacted several other dealers and they offered me 31000 for mine. They were not 15000 higher either.

cameradude58 · 01-09-2013, 07:49 AM

thanks for the advice, especially the blog on DRV. would have never guessed.

RustyJC · 01-09-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by life2short

I have looked at the DRV mainly the Elite Suites quite a few times, they have alot of good "nut and bolt" features my concern was was seemed to me to be 50/50 reviews from owners. When I ran across this Blog I was done with DRV.

Hmmmm.....we took delivery of our DRV Mobile Suites in August 2004. I can only say that our experience has nothing in common with the blogger you cite. Ours has been a solid, reliable unit that has had very few problems during our almost 8.5 years of ownership. At this point, I have no interest in looking at anything else - ours is still a reliable, comfortable unit in excellent condition. By the way, it's NEVER been back to the factory for anything.

I suppose one can find detractors for any brand, but it would be interesting to make a judgement based on hearing BOTH sides of his story.

Rusty

chief02 · 01-09-2013, 08:41 AM

Excel 5th wheel and Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel hands down. But then again I'm biased.

life2short · 01-09-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

Hmmmm.....we took delivery of our DRV Mobile Suites in August 2004. I can only say that our experience has nothing in common with the blogger you cite. Ours has been a solid, reliable unit that has had very few problems during our almost 8.5 years of ownership. At this point, I have no interest in looking at anything else - ours is still a reliable, comfortable unit in excellent condition. By the way, it's NEVER been back to the factory for anything.

I suppose one can find detractors for any brand, but it would be interesting to make a judgement based on hearing BOTH sides of his story.

Rusty

I understand and agree, but like I said there seems to be 50/50 reviews from owners just yesterday a guy said that DRV wasn't helping with his leveling problem. I could't find these comments on the Cedar Creek and full timing with a family It's a big deal to take a rig in to get service. And like I said I liked the Elite Suites, they priced me out a loaded one with the options I have on my Cedar Creek for around 200k thats almost 4x what I paid for my CC, so for me I could't justify the difference and having to worry if I am going to have problems.

RustyJC · 01-09-2013, 08:58 AM

Your money, your choice. Good luck with whatever you wind up with.

Rusty

life2short · 01-09-2013, 09:01 AM

Holiday Rambler is coming out with a new Presidential that I talked to the designer and looked at real close that I think its going to be a great top selling rig, at a fare price. It has the better axles, frame, insulation to stop thermal bridging and others things.