Community Forums

chrisansilve · 08-24-2015, 11:02 AM

Me and my wife are thinking about getting rid of our A class DP and getting a 5er for the room. We do not full time but we make 6-10 trips a year with an average of 5-8 days per trip.

We are looking at 3 units, all are 2016 models.
Forest River Cardinals and all 3 are different floor plans, one is the front bath, other front living and last rear living. We are going to have some options added such aas a gen, slide awnings and washer & dryer.
Who has any experience with the Forest River Cardinal models, any known problems in quality. Any comments welcomed about the Forest River Cardinal

tuffr2 · 08-24-2015, 02:45 PM

The Forest River Cardinal is in with a slew of other 5th wheels that are mass produced. If it has a 12" I Beam Frame and better than China bomb tires it will be ok.

The Cardinal competes with the Forest River Cedar Creek, Jayco Pinnacle, Evergreen Bay Hill, Palomino Columbus, Cross Roads Rushmore, Grand Design Solitude, Dutchmen Infinity, Coachman Brookstone, Keystone Montana, KZ Stoneridge, Heartland Landmark, Augusta Flex, and others.

450Donn · 08-24-2015, 02:53 PM

Unless you plan on boon docking a lot a generator is a really expensive waste of money. Cardinals are nice, but personally I like the Cedar Creek better. We have been towing a Cedar Creek for 10 years, have never regretted the decision. Unless things have changed, Cardinal has wood roof trusses with aluminum as an option.

chrisansilve · 08-24-2015, 03:19 PM

I just confirmed with the dealer the trusses are aluminum. Lots of good information, so is the Cardinal line middle of the road when it comes to 5ers?
The gen would come in handy on some of the trips we take, not boon docking. We take lay overs on our trips and would need power in wal marts or rest stops.

JohnBoyToo · 08-24-2015, 03:25 PM

The BIGGEST plus for a genny is being able to cool that huge thing down BEFORE you stop !!!

Our large, troublesome 'top-end' 5er would be at 105 degrees when we got somewhere and take HOURS to cool down.... so maybe it's NOT an waste in certain locales

tuffr2 · 08-24-2015, 03:29 PM

The Cardinal and the slew of the others I mentioned in my opinion are the top of the mass produced units.

Lots of people pick the Cardinal or Montana as they are the most common units in the RV park where I snowbird.

I have been seeing more Dutchman Infinity units recently though.

There are only a few units that are better than the Cardinal. Better means better insulation, frame, axles, wheels/tires. A few examples of better than the Cardinal would be Evergreen Lifestyle, DRV Mobile Suits, Agusta Luxe which cost more than the Cardinal.

2500HD · 08-24-2015, 03:57 PM

I don't own a trailer of the caliber y'all are talking about but I can say this: a generator is priceless when you need it. I can't see anyone fulltiming or traveling extensively without some sort of generator. I'm sure some do it and swear they will never need it.

We generally travel less than 500mi from home more like 200-300 regularly and you can bet I have a generator mounted on the back of my trailer. I welded a platform to the frame.

A break down along side the road where you have to spend the night or just having dinner before bed at a truck stop or a Walmart on a 100 degree day is just a no brainer for me. You could even pull into a camp ground for the night that is 100% full and they tell you "you can stay but with no hookups".

We are only weekenders and I wouldn't regularly go far without one. I couldn't imagine traveling extensively without power for the 100K house I'm pulling behind me.

chrisansilve · 08-25-2015, 03:31 PM

Well we will be getting the 2016 Cardinal 3875FB with Onan 5.5 LP Gen, 4 slide toppers HD Satelite System and washer & dryer. These are all the amenities were use to.
I just hope it's painless without a lot of issues. I know they all have problems, just hope our first trip out list isn't to big. Our DP was pleasant. I just think 5er will fit our needs better.

KerrTx · 08-25-2015, 05:12 PM

We just switched to a 5th wheel from a class A this year. We're happy with the switch. We didn't get the gen and have not needed it yet but I'm sure there will be a day I wished we had it. DW couldn't be happier with her 5'er. Good luck and congrad on the new rig. You should like the drive and the stay a lot better.

JohnBoyToo · 08-25-2015, 05:31 PM

That was a quick decision

Hope it works out well... we just went from a 42' 5er to the monaco... and can't tell you how much better it has been in a few months over the disaster of an 'upper end' 5th wheel we had !

chrisansilve · 08-25-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

That was a quick decision

Hope it works out well... we just went from a 42' 5er to the monaco... and can't tell you how much better it has been in a few months over the disaster of an 'upper end' 5th wheel we had !

Yes it was quick, we have been looking. I just wanted some reassurance on the brand and our decision. We have a 2014 Itaska Meridian 36M that has been almost flawless. I know the feeling of disaster and the RV thing... We have had it on a previous deal. Thanks.

Cypressloser · 08-25-2015, 07:28 PM

Well, some people need a lifetime to make a decision and others know what they want and go for it. Good for you, congratulations

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IMHO, the Cardinal is a brand that shouldn't give you to much grief, if there are major problems they are likely with the dealership not doing their part.
I'll send you a link via PM.