Community Forums

goodwrenchsr · 06-04-2014, 01:42 PM

I am considering buying a fifth wheel for winter stay in Florida.I now have a Air Stream and the coach is cramped for space.I looked at the Big Country made by Heartland and the Montana made by Keystone both 3650 units.I need help making up my mind which one to buy or maybe another manufacturer.This is a big decision to make need some help from owners that now have fifth wheel units. thanks goodwrenchsr

Ranger Smith · 06-04-2014, 02:12 PM

I would go with the Big Country. I have had Montana's and they were OK. I believe they are a 4 season trailer

Bamaman · 06-04-2014, 07:02 PM

If I was looking at Heartlands, I would go to their popular Big Horn with the fiberglass cap on the rear. The windows are also a little larger. Inside, the Big Horn is just a notch above the Big Country. Another option would be to look for a late model used Landmark--Heartland's nicest trailer.

All really require a 1 ton dual rear wheel diesel pickup to tow them, however.

You don't say where you're located, however I do know a great Big Country dealer that discounts prices if you want to PM me.

JayC · 06-05-2014, 06:34 AM

Come on over to the Heartland Owners forum and you'll meet other owners that can give advice and help on just about any subject. We also have a very informative manuals section that is useful to anyone.

WH347 · 07-14-2014, 08:47 AM

We just purchased a Cougar 313RLI made by Keystone. We were very impressed with it's features and quality. We are trading in a motorhome for the 5er and will have it delivered to our home (after a tryout for a couple of days) and ultimately have it delivered to our Florida campground. We wanted the additional space the 5er gives, plus lower operational costs going forward. Yes we have a healthy cost to get it to Florida, but that is a one time cost as we plan on leaving it there for the next few years.

2014 Keystone Cougar 5th wheel 313RLI --Bill & Carol Horton

glennwest · 07-14-2014, 09:14 AM

The Heartland's are not wide body. This would matter to us.

JayC · 07-14-2014, 10:20 AM

We are sitting beside some friend's new DRV with almost exactly the same floorplan that we have (Landmark Grand Canyon) and I can't tell the difference in the width. Not saying it's not wider, I just don't notice it.

glennwest · 07-14-2014, 10:28 AM

Our first camper was a DRV. We went looking for a larger unit, ours was 33'. We liked Landmarks but noticed they looked smaller inside. We found this to be true of any non wide body. Open Range looked much larger and it was due to the wide body. We were not impressed with their infrastructure though. This may not be important to others. It is too us and felt it should be mentioned. God bless

JayC · 07-14-2014, 10:39 AM

Agree completely Glenn. Whatever makes you happy.

Tumble Weed · 07-15-2014, 07:04 AM

Buy one as close to forty foot you can. You'll be happy for the space I promise. We first bought a 32.5feet one and realized to us seemed cramped. We bought a 38 feet the 6 feet makes a big difference.
Buy one with a residential frig best, we installed one sweet. Now we have hard ice cream or sherbert. Buy used and really check out what your going to buy get it inspected. To me buying used saves you some money.
I looked at both Montana and Heart Land and bought a different brand.
Carriage Cameo 37CKSLS ....
You'll get a lot of response about my brands better. I like what I have is it perfect none are. I also didn't want a lipper frame. Make sure you make your own choice three things you need to do, research, research and research. We got crossed eyed doing it. Then drove a 1000 miles looking! Then look for a floor plan you really like ours is a Carriage Cameo 37CKSLS Life Style makes them now, some say it's best floor plan in the industry. Have had a few friends go out and buy this floor plan.
Oh yeah I forgot to say this is my opinion! Half the fun is finding out what you like and want.. GOOD LUCK!!

450Donn · 07-15-2014, 07:07 AM

Is this trailer going to be towed? Or is your plan to leave it sitting? If the latter, consider a park model instead. More spacefor the dollar.

Gordon Dewald · 07-15-2014, 07:35 AM

You make no mention of a tow vehicle. Do you have a truck or will you purchase one after you buy the 5er?

Since you have a RV you must have some ideas of what you want for layout and space. Pretend you will be living in each of the units you are considering and look for the issues that will make you dissatisfied with each. The one with the best pros vs cons is the one you should be considering.

Quality of the unit is an issue. I believe all units (new or used) will have issues. Most can be solved. It is good if you can find a dealer/manufacturer who will work with you to fix the issues.

glennwest · 07-15-2014, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumble Weed

Buy one as close to forty foot you can. You'll be happy for the space I promise. We first bought a 32.5feet one and realized to us seemed cramped. We bought a 38 feet the 6 feet makes a big difference.
Buy one with a residential frig best, we installed one sweet. Now we have hard ice cream or sherbert. Buy used and really check out what your going to buy get it inspected. To me buying used saves you some money.
I looked at both Montana and Heart Land and bought a different brand.
Carriage Cameo 37CKSLS ....
You'll get a lot of response about my brands better. I like what I have is it perfect none are. I also didn't want a lipper frame. Make sure you make your own choice three things you need to do, research, research and research. We got crossed eyed doing it. Then drove a 1000 miles looking! Then look for a floor plan you really like ours is a Carriage Cameo 37CKSLS Life Style makes them now, some say it's best floor plan in the industry. Have had a few friends go out and buy this floor plan.
Oh yeah I forgot to say this is my opinion! Half the fun is finding out what you like and want.. GOOD LUCK!!

Carriage is a fine unit. Good quality, good infrastructure.