Fifth wheel selection criteria

[GordonPC]

My wife and I are planning to purchase about a 36’ fifth wheel within the next few months. We have narrowed down our choices to an Excel Limited, Mobile Suites or Redwood. We are planning factory tours at all three manufacturers in the coming month. If you were in the market for a fifth wheel, what factors would be most important to you in selecting among our finalists?

[mhbell]

Originally Posted by GordonPC

My wife and I are planning to purchase about a 36’ fifth wheel within the next few months. We have narrowed down our choices to an Excel Limited, Mobile Suites or Redwood. We are planning factory tours at all three manufacturers in the coming month. If you were in the market for a fifth wheel, what factors would be most important to you in selecting among our finalists?

Those are all good Fivers for full timing and are well made from what I have been told. They are also very very heavy units. Find the floor plan and the features that you want and buy. Then go and get a Tow Vehicle that will be able to tow whatever you buy. If you already have a TV then make sure whatever you buy can be towed with your TV and it is up to the job.

[denverhank]

mhbell hit the nail on the head. Just be sure your TV is up to the task.

[missourijan]

You can see by my signature which one I would pick. We're on our 2nd Drv, we owned and lived in a Select Suite by Drv for 5 years. However, if this is your 1st rv or your 1st 5'r I would strongly suggest that you buy a quality used unit with a floor plan that you think is comfortable to you. You don't actually know which floor plan is for you until you spend some time in it. I hate to see people buy a new unit and then trade it off in the first or second year because it wasn't "right". No one can make the decision for you. I'm sure all those brands have owner websites, Drv is Suites Owners International Travel Club, Inc.. You may register as a guest and ask any question of actual owners. Don't drive yourself crazy looking for the perfect one, it doesn't exist. Buy a used one and use it for awhile, then go for a new one when you know what floor plan is best for you

[ikoolu]

we looked a dozen of floor plans, sizes and styles - every time we added must have like
1. must have room for both to get out bed and go pee at nite- without crawling over each other
2. must have head height both the front and living area - we are both over 6'
3. sliders when pulled in had to have room for both of our dog boxes - i am a hunter
4. had to have a regular table chairs not a booth for the dinning area
5. shower we could fit in - our HR had the round type
6. tanks insulated so we could go places in winter
7. had room for generator -i added ours
8. length alot of fed and state park dont have space for anything over 32-33 feet
stuff that does not matter-
1. stove/oven all were the same
2. fridge unless you get ultra large top end std size is adequate
3. bed - throw the crap out and get air mattress
4. lounge chairs- -again crap throw them out and get lazy boys

cool stuff

1. auto fan with remote in bedroom - dont have to get up and turn it off if you get cold
2. cable wired to basement- i move the tv w/dvd outside ALL the time
3. sink with counter space
hope this helps

3.

[Cat320]

Get the floor plan you like and a BIG truck.

[450Donn]

Number one on my list is livability. When we were shoping we asked the saleaman to leave us alone. We then spent about an hour playing house. Doing everything we normally would in a day. Sure eliminated a lot of trailers in a hurty.