Georgetown GT5 36B5 vs Invicta 36DB

[krscaife]

Hello,

We're upgrading from our Class C which we've had for several years to a class A and we're going with either the Georgetown GT5 36B5 vs Invicta 36DB (same as the Fortis 36DB) by Holiday Rambler. But we're having a really tough time making a choice.

Anyone have any input? Here's what we see as the important differences that are pros of each.

Georgetown

• One piece fiberglass roof (we've had expensive issues with our class C's TPO roof)
• Heat pumps (we use our class c's heat pump all the time)
• Very large fridge with LP option (the smaller Invicta fridge doesn't have LP)
• One foot shorter (will fit in our driveway better)

Invicta

• 26,000# chassis (the Georgetown is a 22k#)
• More storage throughout and it has a pantry (we fill our RV pantry up)
• Tankless water heater

In terms of quality, the Georgetown seems to have some advantages. But I wonder if that 22k vs 26k# chassis will make much of a difference? We've only had the opportunity to drive the Georgetown and it was pretty smooth but of course it was also empty.

Would love to hear some thoughts on this.

[NXR]

I don't have a 36B5 but have a friend with a 2019 who fulltimes in it now that their kids are gone.

Both the 26,000 GVWR and the 22,000 GVWR chassis only have 4,000 pounds difference to the GCWR so there is no difference in towing capacity.

My 2020 GT5 34H5 has just under 2,900 pounds of OCCC capacity but I do not know what a 36B5 has.

The 22,000 GVWR chassis with the 22.5" wheels has the widest turning diameter of all. See the attached pic for whether it will make a difference for you. The wheelbase matters.

The 36B5 has two water heaters, one for each bathroom. Similarly, it has a 20,000 BTU propane furnace in the bedroom plus a 35,000 BTU one in the main living area. But it does not have a fireplace. But it does have heated, reclining, massaging power recliners.

The big question is whether you are talking new or used. If used, with the V10 chassis or the V8 chassis?

One thing Forest River did right after our 2020 was built, naturally, was to make the side walls 3" taller. That allowed them to square off the interior ceiling while we have a curved ceiling. It also allowed them to increase the height of the basement compartments 3" and that really helps in the passthrough. I think they claim there is a 25% increase in the basement storage area versus what we have because they also made them deeper and redid the basement compartment doors as well.

As far as support, the Forest River Georgetown management and factory really want happy customers. The dealers, like all dealers, are a real crap shoot.

If you have specific 36B5 questions consider using this forum: https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f16/

Just login with the same email and password as you use here. Both forums are owned by the same company so it will find your account here and ease the sigh up process.

Ray

[krscaife]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. That chart is really helpful, too.

We are looking at new 2022s. The way the prices have gone up is a real bummer but 2020 put the breaks on us making any big purchases. Now we're worried about waiting longer and watching the prices continue to climb!

So, that said, it will have the V8. And we did notice a fair amount of basement storage which is helpful since we lose some kitchen storage compared to our class c. We have probably one of the biggest class cs on the market at 33' long. This purchase will bring us up 5 (Georgetown) to 6 (Invicta) more feet in length. Another thing that has us a little on the fence...

This is the floorplan we want but it comes at a price. How limiting will it be to have a 38' MH with 50 amp service when it comes to state and national park site availability?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by krscaife

So, that said, it will have the V8. And we did notice a fair amount of basement storage which is helpful since we lose some kitchen storage compared to our class c. We have probably one of the biggest class cs on the market at 33' long. This purchase will bring us up 5 (Georgetown) to 6 (Invicta) more feet in length. Another thing that has us a little on the fence...

This is the floorplan we want but it comes at a price. How limiting will it be to have a 38' MH with 50 amp service when it comes to state and national park site availability?

Obviously the answer is "It depends".

The better question is what percentage of time have you actually spent in those two? And how many nights a year do you spend in the motorhome?

One common theme we've come across in our two years with this thing are people who bought short for that exact reason and came to really regret it. Full timers especially. The shorter floorplan really did not make a big difference in where they could stay but locked them into one bathroom. Have a toilet malfunction and suddenly having one bathroom becomes a big problem.

They bought for what turned out to be a need 10% of the time or less but they limited their space 100% of the time.

As for the overall length, you'd do better taking a tape measure and and checking the distance from the inside rear wall to the rear of the doghouse in each one. You live in the inside and not the outside. Ours is between 32' and 33' on the inside and we spend very close to six months in this thing each year.

Have you ever made that measurement on your Class C? If not, it could prove enlightening.

On the 30-amp question, it depends on how much extra you want to invest. Both the fellow with the 36B5 and I added the Micro-Air EasyStart kit to each air conditioner.

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...r-conditioners

Switch the water heater to propane, continue to run the fridge on electric, and we both can run both air conditioners without ever tripping the 30 amp pedestal breaker. If we want to run the microwave we just shut one air conditioner off temporarily. I've done that for eight nights in a row with zero issues.

HTH,

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Sabrewulf

Why is it called Georgetown?

The Georgetown series has been around since at least 1998. Maybe the person who picked the name went there.

NEVER rely on the hitch size to determine what you can safely tow.

GCWR minus GVWR = the unrestricted towing capacity.

26,000 GCWR - 22,000 GVWR Georgetown = 4,000 pounds

30,000 GCWR - 26,000 GVWR REV group MH = 4,000 pounds.

Zero difference.

REV loves to put 8,000 lb hitches on RV's that cannot safely tow that weight even if they were completely empty of people, water, stuff, and fuel. But I'm sure it traps the uneducated people into buying their nonsense.

Ray