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07-14-2020, 11:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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Elkridge anyone?
Hi all
Finally considering our first 5er purchase and came across a 2020 heartland elkridge 32rls locally . At $43k this is an interesting entry into the affordable 5er category. Dw likes the floor plan yes and I have enough truck. Im aware that this one is a price point entry level coach. Im also aware that thor owns heartland and all the hazards thereunto apertaining. I believe i have a good dealer who supports a good thorough pdi which i expect to participate in and find stuff
My question is about the long term viability of such a rig. What will i face 3-5 years down the road? What corners did they cut to get the price down ? In 2 years what might i be disappointed in?
The next category up seems to be jayco eagle, forest river cedar creek or grand design solitude at a 20- 30k price bump which is hard to swallow and im not sure what that will buy me that in 5 years will make me wish i had spent the extra $$
Dw insists on new. King bed, 30x48 shower and genny prep are musts
But im new to this so Comments are most gratefully received!
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07-15-2020, 11:48 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,111
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Dilleno, DW will hate the king bed if it goes wall to wall in the slide. A horrible job changing bed clothing. You will be her helper every time or she'll be your helper.
CLIFFORD
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07-15-2020, 01:09 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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As you noted, it is entry level trailer and is meant fro weekend and vacation use. In the 3 to 5 year old range, it will be worth half of what it is new.
Where you will see problems is trim and cabinets wearing, if the furniture is plastic of bonded leather, it will start peeling. Tires from the factory will typically be Chinese junk and barley meets load requirements. Cabinets are typically the fake wood grain over particle board, construction is typically stapled and not screwed and glued.
Honestly, I feel you are much better off looking at a higher end 3 to 5 year old trailer. But have it professionally inspected by a certified RV inspector. It would be well worth your money to have a brand new unit inspected by a professional to keep the dealer honest. If the dealer will not let you hire and independent inspector to check the unit, find another dealer.
Make sure the dealer knows that you will not accept the trailer at delivery until it is checked and demonstrated and is 100%. Do not accept the RV with the promise that they will fix a few items when you bring it back for warranty work.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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07-15-2020, 04:48 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Full Timing. When I park I'm home
Posts: 1,369
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If this is your first RV I can't stress enough (my opinion) buy used. You can get a much better quality RV that is 4 - 5 years old for the same money. At this point I will say that plus the things you don't know yet are the things you don't even know that you don't know yet. Check consignment lots. Lots of rigs there. Why are they for sale you ask? I'll grant you some were probably trouble for the owner BUT lots will be there because the owner wanted something different, turned out they didn't like RVing, it was not big enough and there are even those that were bought by him (thinking it was a good idea) without checking with her first (to find out it was not a good idea).
And always remember to have fun.
When you have more questions don't hesitate to come on back and ask. We have LOTS of opinions on this forum (and lots of good advice)
__________________
2004 Volvo, 2009 smart car
2008 Hitch Hiker Champagne
Full timing January 2010
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07-15-2020, 06:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 630
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Having rebuilt some two dozen odd campers over the years of various makes and models, I haven't found a dimes worth of difference in construction from brand to brand.
I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 2019 Elkridge and have torn it down to the studs inside and out. Nothing there that I haven't seen before.
Lots of screws. More screws than staples. And glue. Lots of glue.
Cabinets and fixtures are typical of what I've seen in every other camper I've owned.
Overall I like my Elkridge and can't wait to get her on the road.
I would second the idea of buying used, not new.
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07-15-2020, 07:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clifford j
Dilleno, DW will hate the king bed if it goes wall to wall in the slide. A horrible job changing bed clothing. You will be her helper every time or she'll be your helper.
CLIFFORD
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Yes good observation. Im the bed maker today and we are both tall so we have assumed that the task would be worth the effort and that there would be no shelves upon which to bang heads. But good to keep in mind.
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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07-15-2020, 08:43 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 14
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You mentioned the DW really wanted “new.” The Elkridge is a good entry model, but by buying new as opposed to buying used, you’ll be taking the 30-40% depreciation hit during the 3-4 years it will take you decide what you really want. Buying used gets you in a nicer unit initially, and lets out you out less painfully later.
Whatever you decide, keep the good folks on this board posted.
__________________
Barton & Kim
2007 DRV Mobile Suites 36RS3
2016 Ram 3500 DRW CTD, Aisin Tranny
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07-15-2020, 09:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogie_
Having rebuilt some two dozen odd campers over the years of various makes and models, I haven't found a dimes worth of difference in construction from brand to brand.
I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 2019 Elkridge and have torn it down to the studs inside and out. Nothing there that I haven't seen before.
Lots of screws. More screws than staples. And glue. Lots of glue.
Cabinets and fixtures are typical of what I've seen in every other camper I've owned.
Overall I like my Elkridge and can't wait to get her on the road.
I would second the idea of buying used, not new.
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Interesting. Im finding some interesting details on the new elkridge. 6 point hyd leveling, hyd main slide, cabinets arent pressboard. But No gen or solar prep, only one battery. 5000 lb ccc. Still learning! Thanks all leep it coming
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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07-15-2020, 10:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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I can see maybe the suspension and pinbox could be upgraded. What about the roof on these guys? Website says rubber but i climbed up there and found TPM. what is necessary to maintain the roof?
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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07-16-2020, 08:52 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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On a related note, i do see value in not investing in things like solar, multiple batteries, and generator until we know what kind of camping we will like the most.
Aside from that, new or used, what features or capabilities might i find lacking in an entry level coach that cannot be (easily) uograded later (such as the above list)? For example the news has reached me that the elkridge fakes the "dropped frame" method of providing cavernous basement storage by building a dropped "box". Other than space itself is that a bad thing?
Also, is this "Azdel" composit (sidewall) material good?
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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07-16-2020, 10:35 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: AR
Posts: 336
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clifford j
Dilleno, DW will hate the king bed if it goes wall to wall in the slide. A horrible job changing bed clothing. You will be her helper every time or she'll be your helper.
CLIFFORD
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Agree. Ours came with a king bed and you could hardly move around it. At one corner you actually had to squeeze through. Replaced it with a queen and are much happier.
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07-16-2020, 10:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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this is good thank-you. as much as we think a King bed will be good, we havent lived it!
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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07-16-2020, 01:26 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogie_
I haven't found a dimes worth of difference in construction from brand to brand.
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I disagree. We have owned a variety of RVs since 1984 and restored a 917 Silver Streak and a 1989, 3 axle Avion. There are differences in the way they are built. Both the Silver Streak and the Avion far exceeded an Airstream in quality. We now have a HitchHiker Champagne which has proven to be better built than many other trailers.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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07-16-2020, 02:25 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 158
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there's a hitchhiker DA for sale at that Oklahoma RV place that spun off of the Nu-Wa spin off :-) . I bet thats a good one. the interior decor is probably old school but boy that would be a better rig than a 2020 Elkridge
__________________
2018 ram 3500 srw Laramie mega cab short box, aisin trans. Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifthwheel. Pullrite 24k super slider OE puck mount
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