What are quality Full-Time Brands?

dcfeathersto · 03-11-2009, 04:04 PM

Hi Especially to you Full-timers.

My wife and I have made the decision to upgrade our RV to a fifth-wheel large and roomy enough to go full-time. We have looked at some brands such as Everest, Excel and Cardinal. They all look good, but I'm really concerned about quality. This purchase has to be reliable and last for a number of years. I'm hoping some of you folks can give me the benefit of your experience in helping us choose on the basis of overall quality.
Thanks,
Dennis and Lori

woodburner · 03-11-2009, 06:36 PM

If I was thinking in terms of fulltiming: I would definately be looking at Excel, NUWA, Carriage and Mobile Suite....the rest that are still in business are not really good for full timing. JMHO

RustyJC · 03-11-2009, 06:43 PM

The manufacturer of Select, Mobile and Elite Suites recently changed their name from DoubleTree RV to DRV in case you're trying to do a Google search. HERE is a link.

I'd add the Newmar 5th wheels to the list to check out as well.

Rusty

TXiceman · 03-11-2009, 06:44 PM

I would duplicate Woodburners list. Problem is that with so many going under, the lsit is getting shorter.

Ken

**NLOVNIT** · 03-11-2009, 07:02 PM

Yeah, I think I remember Richard telling me NuWa is out of the high-end 5r business. Of course, you can still get any of the mfr's units if you're willing to go used.

Jayco might be another one to add to the list. I've heard they have excellent build quality & everyone I know of that's owned a Jayco has been satisfied.

BTW, I see it's your first post (assuming your post numbers are accurate, unlike the rest of us

), so WELCOME! Glad to have you here.

Lori-

**Hitchhiker** · 03-11-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Yeah, I think I remember Richard telling me NuWa is out of the high-end 5r business.

Lori-

I did, but they're starting back. Click here for the thread.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-11-2009, 07:17 PM

That's great, Richard. With all the bad news about rv manufacturers swirling around, one coming back, especially a quality one, is a little bit of sunshine.

Another quality one (or at least it used to be) is Newmar. They're still around, aren't they?

Lori

**Hitchhiker** · 03-11-2009, 07:23 PM

As far as I know Newmar is still producing 5th wheels.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-11-2009, 09:08 PM

BTW, there's some late model 5-r's (3 of the mfr's listed in this thread) on iRV2's classified that look pretty nice. Might be worth checking them out.

Lori-

Superslif · 03-12-2009, 02:44 PM

I have been really stuck on the Carraige line myself. Here are two RV online trader sites offering some real deals that can be had. Here is the first one RV Online and 2nd one RV Trader .

What is really important to me is the over-all "fit & Finish" of how the whole rig is put together. I look at how clean and finished the cabinets are put together. I look in the storage areas "trunk" ceiling to see if things look neat. O by the way. Not to sound like a plug for Carraige But, that they have a rear storage trunk too. Kind of cool. I look at the slide mechanism. I look at all the exterior trim pieces. Are screws that were ment to be counter-sunk nice and flush. Is the caulk smooth and just where it needs to be. It reminds me, On my current RV trailer (Aerolite) the caulk job was 100% complete, But they had so much excess caulk on areas of the trailer's sidewall surface. It was if the person doing the caulking had a rag with excess caulk rubbing up against the side of the trailer. But over-all I'm 100% satisfied with my purchase. At the time of purchase (05') I was willing to pay more to get quality. The Aerolite's were about $1-2k more than the other light-weight hybrids at that time. In 4 seasons covering about 200+ nights I couldn't be happier... In the end the fit and finish pays off, especially the cabinets.....

My retirement rig will be a quality 5er. I don't think I could ever "full time" but we will be going for a month of two at a time. While still working now I do a lot of 9 -16 day vacations over the summer months. My employer doesn't see me much in the summer.... O well,

dcfeathersto · 03-12-2009, 08:43 PM

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and experience. At this point, we're leaning toward a NuWa Hitchhiker or Excel. BTW, I called NuWa today and they informed me they stopped production of fivers in January, but will start up again in April with maybe fewer models. They definitely plan to "Hang in there".

Dennis and Lori

bigmichael · 03-12-2009, 10:43 PM

We did a lot of research prior to going FT last year. While we had a 5th wheel already, and enjoyed it a lot, we knew it wasn't rated for FTing. We ended up with Excel, which is definitely built for and warrantied for full-timing. So far, we have been very happy with our decision. Good Luck!