Navy Corpsman Vet needs 5th wheel advice....

[Oscarthecat]

I will be purchasing a 5th wheel for full time living likely mid 2012. Pretty much to just be stationary,in a nice full time RV park where it is serene and full of nature. (maybe in a couple of years I will tow & travel).

I need to know the top 5 manufactures names and their 5th wheel names to study closely. I kinda need a break down of what would be considered mid range and high range. I need manufactures that are known to have excellent (not cheap) quality and good after purchase customer service should a problem arise. Not one that is "customer No service".

Any input would be greatly appreciated along w/ a break down of low mid high end...

someone from another forum was kind enough to send a link, however the page had outdated info to manufactures no longer in svc.

[trampsrv]

when i had a travel trailer and a 5th wheel both where Jaycos.

[powerboatr]

you dont ask for much
i would suggest search all manufactures sites and find the floorplan that works for YOU
then go SIT in as many as you can and get a feel for the flow, storage and i see most lately put the big flat screen up on a wall that requires you sit at a couch all crooked to see it, that might not be an issue with you but its worth a look

then set a price point you are comfy with
then get REAL WORLD weights on the expected rig
then get the correct truck, with plenty of rating left over, because the weight adds up FAST.

a few words about floorplans.... A dedicated DESK for us is paramount so we can do our puter stuff, so the laptop doesn't have to sit in my lap. plus the printer is close by

good luck
we had a very nice 2006 cedar creek fiver just a few inches under 40 feet.

PS with todays market.....look at class "A" as well....we got ours for 1/2 msrp because it sat for a year in their showroom

[450Donn]

Today, if money were no object and I were to go shopping it would be Newmar product or a Double Tree product. If you want to look used, then Teton would be my top choice.

[Mr_D]

Newmar makes great 5th wheels, but they aren't cheap and they are very heavy

[sgtjoe]

My last 5th wheel was a Montana 36" triple slide. If I ever decide to go back to a fifth wheel it would be a Montana in a heart beat. There are many other brands to choose from as I'm sure you will hear about. If you plan on just letting it sit and not pull it for a few years you might want to look for a used Teton, they are heavy and IMO the best built 5th wheel ever. That way you'll get the feel for the 5th wheel style living. There is also the Open Range and they have various price ranges based on the Model you want. A friend of our's is a full timer and bought their top of the line two years ago and it weighed almost a ton lighter then their previous 5ver. It is a beauty. As others said, go looking and try out the seating for TV viewing, but also step into the shower and get the feel of it like you were taking a shower. I would also have a seat on the toilet to see how roomy it is.
Choose your fifth wheel first and when you want to hit the road with it get a trk that will handle it. Words of WARNING, don't let the trk salesperson tell you the trk will handle the weight, look at it in writting. Any other questions, post them.
Thank you for your service Doc, I served in the Marine Corps and you guys are Number 1 in my book.

Oh almost forgot, as mentioned above Newmar's are great, too.

[Sundance3200]

We like the Heartland Brand's. They have 3 that are warranted for Full time living, Landmark the top of the line, Bighorn second in line and Big Country which is 3rd in line. The owners will argue that their brand is the best. Customer service has been great for us. They go anywhere from 35k to 80k with all of the options. We like the Bighorn 3670rl. Check out their forum Heartland RV There you can ask questions and get answers to your questions. Hope this helps as others will give you their picks also.

[Wayne M]

We had a Montana 3400RL before the current MH. If I were to go back to a 5'er it would be a Keystone Montana, maybe the BigSky, or even the 3400 line.

[cwo4mstumpf]

Doc just my 2 cents. Excel, Double Tree Teton and some of the other high line production units are very good I have an Excel and its very well built (Peterson Ind). size and features are personal preferences BUT make sure you have a truck to pull it. Its your responsibility not the dealers and they will tell you anything to make the sale. I have a 2007 Dodge DWR. Good luck.

[TwoSmiths]

I have read all the replies and I have to agree whole totally that the Newmar 5th wheelers are the best there is and yes, they do cost. I had a 1997 American Star, which they do not make anymore, and it was a GREAT 5th wheeler. Only had one slide, but it was what they called and made back then a Super Slide---24feet long and almost 4 feet wide. If you can find an older Newmar 5th wheeler, like the American Star, or one of the other Models, you can not go wrong.

My second choice would we one of the Keystone Montana Models and I would check and see if Tifton makes a 5th wheeler. They make the Alegra Class A's.

Ed
2005 Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
Model 3910

[99-Am.Star]

I will say the Newmar Product. As said above, you can find a used one in great shape, and they are priced reasonable now. I do believe there is one you can fall in love with. I just bought one this past fall, (in signature) and my daughter and son-in-law have one they bought 7 years ago. Very well built and great factory help if its under warranty.
And THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE DOC.

[Paul R. Haller]

Man, what you ask is not easy. Are you concerned about price? If not, Mobile Suites, some Tetons and there are others. If price is a factor then Jayco, and Montana or buy used. Buy the trailer first then buy a truck to pull it with. Do not go undersized on the truck and most importantly buy a floor plan you can live with otherwise no matter what you buy or how well it's made wont matter at all. You will sell it and buy a different model. It"s all been said before me but always buy first the floorplan. In real estate the montra is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! In RVs it's floorplan, floorplan floorplan!
-Paul R. Haller-