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02-28-2016, 08:38 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
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Just looking for a well built fifth wheel
Wow.A little overwhelmed by forum. I have had two bumper pulls and currently own a 35 foot fifth wheel. Don't want to bash any brand but I have had many quality issues and a few self imposed problems. My wife and I will be retired at the end of this year and we will be out a week to 2 or 3 months at a time. Is there somewhere to get an honest assessment of the quality of fifth wheels on the market? Will a 38 to 40 footer severely limit the RV campgrounds we can go to? We have a dually so weight not really an issue. We are looking at DRV and Augusta Luxe or others. They seem to be high Quality. I hope so. Thank you.
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02-28-2016, 09:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Warren1
Wow.A little overwhelmed by forum. I have had two bumper pulls and currently own a 35 foot fifth wheel. Don't want to bash any brand but I have had many quality issues and a few self imposed problems. My wife and I will be retired at the end of this year and we will be out a week to 2 or 3 months at a time. Is there somewhere to get an honest assessment of the quality of fifth wheels on the market? Will a 38 to 40 footer severely limit the RV campgrounds we can go to? We have a dually so weight not really an issue. We are looking at DRV and Augusta Luxe or others. They seem to be high Quality. I hope so. Thank you.
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Welcome Warren,
You might get a better response about 5th wheels in this thread.
5th Wheel Discussion - iRV2 Forums
__________________
2005 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37DB
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1 Flat Towing a 82 Jeep CJ7
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02-28-2016, 09:17 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 290
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I had good luck with the quality and workmanship of my Cardinal but my information is really dated now. Used it a lot for 7 years and nothing broke. Had a few initial repair item but that is pretty normal. As to the size of the 5er it really depends on your style of use. If you like state and federal parks you will have some challenges. But that is location specific. For example, in CA you will be limited, in OR or AZ no problem. If you like private campgrounds/resorts you won't have much to worry about. I've always found a spot very close to where we wanted to be so don't worry about it. A little planning is a good thing. Lots of sites are misleading - one federal campground I like to say at on a lake lists every site as 30 feet but my 40' fits easily. Use Google Earth to help you.
Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
__________________
Bill Thompson
2006 Fleetwood Revolution 40 LE
2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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02-28-2016, 10:31 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 18
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We are in the same boat, so to say. Looking at Landmark 365, DRV, Augusta Luxe and Lifestyle 5th wheel trailers. Spent the majority of the day on RV lots looking around. Present 5th wheel is lacking in quality and suffers a poor floor plan. We would consider our selves part time full timers traveling 3 to 6 months at a time. We like the quality a luxury rig should offer, but know the reality of rv trailer manufacturing. Hoping some others have had experience with these high end rigs and may be able to help form a decision for us.
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02-29-2016, 01:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: FULL TIMER
Posts: 137
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We've had our 5th wheel for 3 years and have been happy with the quality. Some components (common to all brands) have been a problem however. Our 4th A/C is being installed tomorrow
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Len & Sally
2014 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 2013 F350 DRW w/Trailersaver & air shocks
800 Watts solar, Tristar MPPT 45 & 460 AMPS Storage
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02-29-2016, 04:19 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Anderson Creek, NC
Posts: 122
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My reccomendations: - Spend a lot of time looking, poking, prodding and researching
- Get a short list of manufacturers, keep in mind any of them can build a crappy unit every now and again
- Find a floor plan that will work for you
- Find a dealer you are comfortable with
- THOROUGH PDI (Pre-Deliver Inspection) and don't sign anything until it meets your approval
- Consider gently used if they will meet your needs
- Have fun once you get it
One of the best built units I have ever seen were the Teton Homes, sadly they are out of business. If you can find a well cared for used one Grab It! Just a heads up, they run heavy for their size.
Aaron
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2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS For Sale!
2014 Itasca Meridian 34B
2015 Focus Hybrid following along
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02-29-2016, 04:30 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: The Great American Southwest
Posts: 298
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Get a thorough PDI sheet, and go through everything before signing, when we got our trailer PDI took 7 hours, we checked everything, water tank, water heater (propane and electric), oven, stove , AC, holding tanks and valves and sensors , inverter, converter, slides,genny and hour meter, refrigerator, and electronics.
Don't let sales or maint. people rush you, if they do go see Owner of Company.
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02-29-2016, 07:08 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 421
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We had the same question. After learning most trailers are made on the same chassis with the same cheap materials, we were happy to find the Lifestyle. It's is one of the only truly handmade and high quality fifth wheels. Very nice, beautifully engineered with high quality materials and equipment. They are changing in 2016. You have to get a 2016 or earlier to get the handmade frame. We found a few leftovers around the country and dealers are willing to make a deal. We just bought ours and the discounted price was only slightly higher than other "luxury" trailers. We have solid cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances where the others have have paper walls and plastic sink basins! The other we liked were the Momentum which is better than the typical trailer with real wood and nice details but basically the same as the others. The Lifestyle was the only one that met our quality standard. Too bad they're not making them like that anymore. Do yourself a favor and search RVTrader for Lifestyle.
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02-29-2016, 08:00 AM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
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Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!
We pulled a 36' Cedar Creek 5er for 10 years before getting the MH. We loved it! I never regretted getting the 36', although there were a few places we couldn't get into. Considering the extra space we didn't think of it as a problem.
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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02-29-2016, 10:11 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
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Thanks everybody. This is fantastic. Learned a lot already.I still have much research to do. That PDI info is spot on. Sure seems like the salesmen and dealers will say about anything and not really knowledgeable about products. RVing is a great way to see the country and meet great people. We love it
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02-29-2016, 04:31 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Rainsville, AL
Posts: 320
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Warren:
DRV and Luxe are great choices. I'll put a plug in for VanLeigh RV, they have a 35 and a 39 foot versions and they are great folks that stand behind their product. Good luck with your decision.
__________________
Lanny, Retired GySgt USMC
2022 Forest River Surveyor Legend 202RBLE
2023 GMC 1500 Sierra SLT
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02-29-2016, 06:43 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny1763
Warren:
....I'll put a plug in for VanLeigh RV, they have a 35 and a 39 foot versions and they are great folks that stand behind their product....
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The Vanleigh website only shows 1 model, the 38'11" Vilano. That's too long for us, but the 35' might work. Where did you see it? Thx.
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Alan B.
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02-29-2016, 08:24 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 423
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Welcome 1Warren1,
We ended up getting a motorhome but spent a couple of years looking at 5th wheels. We liked the larger Bayhill models. I believe Bayhill will be building the Lifestyle models now. Worth a look in my opinion.
Good luck with your search. Be patient and do your homework.
Cheers
__________________
Rick & Sue
Now motor homeless, 2016 4x4 F-150 AF-1
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02-29-2016, 09:02 PM
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#14
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Member
Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 30
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Never ever buy anything build by Thor Industries Keystone Company. They do not support their dealers or customers. There are a lot of good builders out there, but keystone is not one.
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