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Old 05-25-2013, 11:59 PM   #1
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Older Cardinal vs older Cedar Creek

Hi all,
We just sold our Heartland Trailrunner which we bought new in 2006. It was basically a trouble free unit.
We are looking at retirement in about 7 years, and would like to try out a little less expensive 5er to see what we want when we do go to buy our last rv.

We are looking at 2 different units. Both are in very good physical condition.
They are: 2001 Cardinal lx27 and a 2004 Cedar Creek 30rgbs.

Any known issues, or common problems with either one of these two.
Which one would be the "better" of the two? ( I know that is a loaded question but....)
All thoughts and opinions are welcome.


James
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Old 05-26-2013, 05:01 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golden_eagle View Post
Hi all,
We just sold our Heartland Trailrunner which we bought new in 2006. It was basically a trouble free unit.
We are looking at retirement in about 7 years, and would like to try out a little less expensive 5er to see what we want when we do go to buy our last rv.

We are looking at 2 different units. Both are in very good physical condition.
They are: 2001 Cardinal lx27 and a 2004 Cedar Creek 30rgbs.

Any known issues, or common problems with either one of these two.
Which one would be the "better" of the two? ( I know that is a loaded question but....)
All thoughts and opinions are welcome.

James
Both are made by Forest River. Usualy newer is better. Hard to judge used units because they depend on the previous owners care. A friend bought a 5 year old high end unit that later he found out the rubber roof is bad and he has to replace it. Miine was still great after 15 years.
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Old 05-26-2013, 11:11 AM   #3
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We had a 2004 FR Sandpiper. We loged about 20,000 travel miles over the 8 years we owned it. Lippert chassis and AlCo axles. Changed the axles under Warrenty but frame problems developed latter. If I were looking for an older but proven unit, I would look for a older Carriage or Newmar. Built heavy but built good.
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Old 05-26-2013, 12:06 PM   #4
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New Horizon also builds their own frame. Older New Horizons were very plain inside but they were built to last. Newer New Horizon are very upscale and as a result are also in the upscale price, probably not what you are looking for.

hjs
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Old 05-26-2013, 09:00 PM   #5
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James
The Cardinal and Cedar Creek are very similar trailers the biggest and almost only difference is the wall construction. Cardinal is a laminate wall and the Cedar Creek is a hung wall. You have to decide what you think is a better one. I am parked next to a Heartland Landmark it is laminate and my Cedar Creek is hung. I can hear them inside and there TV. I watch mine loud and I cant hear it outside or my kids playing inside, we both have double pane windows. The Landmark people owned a CC before and they said they believe the CC stayed warmer a lot better, she said she opens the cabinets in the winter and they fell cold in there compared to the CC they owned.

I don't know how much money your looking to spend I think your idea is great I would look at a used Teton, Travel Supreme or Newmar though. I know a lot of people in Tetons and they love them, there heavy but well built, you can find good deals on them if you shop good, that would be my choice if I was you.
Good Luck
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Old 05-28-2013, 09:28 PM   #6
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Cardinal

James, I own a 2001 Cardinal 27 RK LX...... (LX is luxury package) bought it used a year ago. Second owner, it has seen some miles but is in great shape. The only thing to look out for on these trailers is the frames can crack around the spring shackle area and this is with all Forest River campers with Lippert frames, not just the Cardinals. So any older camper you look at be sure to do a good check on it starting at the roof and work your way to the underside and chassis.
Our Cardinal has oak flooring and oak cabinets, overhead fan, ect. too many to jog down here.......... we like it, and pull it with a 1/2 ton Ford.
Dont get me wrong, its a heavy camper. But in my defense, we only go thirty miles to the lake, and will upgrade trucks when we decide to do the snowbird thing.
I cant say anything bad......oops, yes I can. If you buy the Cardinal and it has a ceiling fan..... donot open the cabinet to the left of the fan
The door will open into the fan and will do damage!!! Why in the world would they let a door open into a fan I will never know. OBTW, I'm not the first either. Write back if you have anymore questions. jdadoug
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