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03-22-2024, 08:17 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 99
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Too many 5th wheels without fiberglass rear caps. Bloody ugly!
Maybe it's just me, but these late-model 5th wheels with their slab-flat backsides look incredibly cheap from behind. I believe this "cheapening" started during the pandemic and it quickly spread to even some higher-priced models. What a lousy way to cut costs — kind of hard to take much pride in one of these rigs when compared to those with molded fiberglass rear caps. Just my two cents.
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2016 Bighorn 3575EL
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03-22-2024, 11:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL/Helen, GA
Posts: 1,611
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I would prefer a glass cap on the rear.
But how much do you think they would cost? $5k or more.
I'm okay as it sits.
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03-23-2024, 07:49 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Elko, Nv
Posts: 2,599
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You could always start your own company and build what you think is right.
__________________
2023 26kvst
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03-23-2024, 07:59 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edmck101
Maybe it's just me, but these late-model 5th wheels with their slab-flat backsides look incredibly cheap from behind. I believe this "cheapening" started during the pandemic and it quickly spread to even some higher-priced models. What a lousy way to cut costs — kind of hard to take much pride in one of these rigs when compared to those with molded fiberglass rear caps. Just my two cents.
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I have no idea how long you have been RVing, but back in the early 70s they all had flat rear caps. Only the extreme high end units, like Newmar London Aire, and Mountain Aire, had fiberglass caps.
So this "cheapening" didn't start during the pandemic, it was around a long time before that.
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03-23-2024, 08:00 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Bettendorf IA
Posts: 426
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I can't see the back of my trailer when I'm going down the road. As long as it keeps the dirt and water out, who cares? Besides you.
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03-23-2024, 08:31 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bermuda Islands
Posts: 1,711
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Everyone wants five star product at two star prices. Doesn't work that way. Want cheap? You gonna get cheap.
Exterior appearance is important but it is not my first stop in an inspection. First place I go is on hands and knees to see frame reinforcement around spring hanger areas and count spring leaf number.
That action is sure to put worried looks on sales people's faces.
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Home: Bermuda
US RV base, MD
2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
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03-23-2024, 09:12 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Posts: 27
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On my 3rd RV now and have never been a fan of those plastic back caps. To me it always looks like a cheap afterthought. Oh well, you may think differently!
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03-23-2024, 09:16 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Grand Design Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 1,557
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A good friend feels the same way about rear caps - he HAS to have a 5th wheel with one. He calls my flat back cardboard; I call his plastic. Honestly, I can't figure out what the big deal is.
It seems to me the trailer with molded backs cost more. I figure it a vanity thing....
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2018 F350 CC, SB
2022 F-350, CC, LB, Reese Gooseball
2019 Grand Design Solitude 310GKR
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03-23-2024, 09:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: "Murvul", TN
Posts: 1,713
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In an effort to keep this thread going, maybe give it some Momentum forward, I'll just offer this..........
She's a thing of beauty.....
__________________
2016 F350 Crew Cab Dually Diesel King Ranch 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M Toy Hauler
Excessive Payload Capacity is a Wonderful Thing!
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03-23-2024, 09:53 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,828
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I've reached the age where I don't care what my backend looks like. I just want people to stay a safe distance from it.
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2009 Monaco Camelot 42PDQ
2011 JK
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03-23-2024, 02:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
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That’s what all the fifth wheel companies found out, most people could care less about the rear caps. You have to add the caps on now for more money. My Cedar Creek has a rear cap which I love. If I was trading campers it would have to have a rear cap. Everybody is different, I like the large window on the rear and I paid $3500 dollars to put one in. It’s what you like
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03-23-2024, 02:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,927
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Like a bag of chips. They have less inside but cost more.
FWIW you can still get a fiberglass rear cap on a Northwood MGN Arctic Fox Grande Ronde
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03-26-2024, 05:09 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 218
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Who cares what the back end looks like? Only the people behind you can see it.
Are they stopping and telling you how ugly it looks?
Yes it is just you.
__________________
Just say no to the "payload" police.
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03-26-2024, 06:47 PM
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#14
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sebastian. Fl
Posts: 67
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Winnebago Destination 5th wheels
Quote:
Originally Posted by edmck101
Maybe it's just me, but these late-model 5th wheels with their slab-flat backsides look incredibly cheap from behind. I believe this "cheapening" started during the pandemic and it quickly spread to even some higher-priced models. What a lousy way to cut costs — kind of hard to take much pride in one of these rigs when compared to those with molded fiberglass rear caps. Just my two cents.
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Hello, I have a 2017 Destination 39FB 5 er. It has fibreglass caps both ends, for super strength. It has frameless windows. It has shock absorbers on both axles, and the EquaFlex suspension balance system, all installed from the factory. The suspension parts are heavy duty and welds are all backed up with gussets . The ride is very smooth for a 16,000lb rig.
It's no wonder Winnebago stopped Destination production when they acquired Grand Design.
__________________
2017 Winnebago Destination 39FB 5th Wheel
2013 Ford F350 FX4 Crew Cab DRW . FMCA.GOODSAM.PA.CO2CO KOA WOC. US ARMY RTD. RN SUBMARINES RTD
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