Community Forums

Batten54 · 01-27-2014, 08:11 AM

Well, it's off to the Tulsa Boat & RV Show tonight! Tonight is preview night so we'll go see the 5ers... and probably go one or two more times before the crowded weekend gets here.

For a truck I'm thinking of a 2014 Ram 3500 diesel, 4x4, DRW, Longhorn package. That should pull most any 34-38' 5er any place we want to go. I'm thinking I won't need to go around the Rockies to avoid going over Donner Pass.

For the trailer I'm thinking 34-38'. Any smaller than 34 and we may feel cramped when we are down south for the winter. Probably 2-3 months in one spot and 1-2 more moving around. Any larger than 38' and we may run into size restrictions a lot in State/Federal parks.

I understand New Horizons, Excell, DRV, Trilogy, Landmark, etc. are top line "full-timer" type coaches. But what are the top shelf "mass produced" type? Montana, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Sanibel...or what? Please give me 4-5 good lines to look at tonight. I'm thinking a step down in price without sacrificing too much quality.

We will probably be in it 2-3 months "snowbirding" and the rest of the time home 3-6 weeks...out 2-6 weeks. Over the years plan to travel coast-coast & Gulf to Canada...maybe a little in Canada. For instance one of my dreams is to see 1 baseball game in every MLB stadium. I've only hit two so far. I haven't seen the Rangers in the new stadium so I don't count them.

Heavyhaul · 01-27-2014, 06:47 PM

" I'm thinking I won't need to go around the Rockies to avoid going over Donner Pass "

You wont have to worry about Donner Pass in the Rockies, you won't find it.
It's in the Sierras in Ca on interstate 80.
Hope you enjoyed the RV show .The wifey has me banned from all RV, boat (and the word we can't say ) shows.
Happy Camping and God Bless

wingnut60 · 01-27-2014, 09:00 PM

With any of the new trucks and a 38' fiver, you should be able to go up/down any pass you want to.
When you are at the show, look really hard past the fancy finishes and look inside all the closets/drawers/cabinets to see how they are constructed. As you come down off the Excel/DRV and others, you will begin to see some differences.
Take lots of notes/pics--they will blur together later on if you don't have reference notes.
Joe

BBDAWG · 01-31-2014, 11:44 PM

On the tow vehicle, I agree any of the big 3 would do fine but I would prefer the Dodge dually cumings to pull the larger 38 footers.
One main item to make sure you include in your purchase is an "Exhaust Brake". It truly makes your driving in the hills and mtns a dream. Dodge has the best one as far as I am concerned but that is just mho.
I have the F-350 with NO exhaust brake and the mountains are always a "puckering" experience.

Batten54 · 02-01-2014, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBDAWG

On the tow vehicle, I agree any of the big 3 would do fine but I would prefer the Dodge dually cumings to pull the larger 38 footers.
One main item to make sure you include in your purchase is an "Exhaust Brake". It truly makes your driving in the hills and mtns a dream. Dodge has the best one as far as I am concerned but that is just mho.
I have the F-350 with NO exhaust brake and the mountains are always a "puckering" experience.

I did buy the Ram 3500 diesel dually. But I was unaware the F350 did NOT have an exhaust break! Glad I decided to go Ram with the Cummins.

Batten54 · 02-01-2014, 02:18 AM

We ended up buying a Cardinal 3850RL at the Boat & RV show. It has everything we wanted and a lot of space too!

Rob_Fla · 02-01-2014, 04:30 PM

When we were looking at 5th Wheels to fulltime in we started looking at 34 to 36 Foot 5ers that would be a good fit for our current 3/4 Ton truck.

What we would up with was a 40' 4" 5th Wheel that was quite a load for our 3/4 Ton Truck. We found our current 5er on a dealer lot at a price we could not pass up.

We love our 5er choice and really like the room even though it is 40 Feet long.

Traded the 3/4 Ton for a 1 Ton Dually, now we are not overloaded and it is a pleasure to tow and travel with.

osok · 02-01-2014, 04:51 PM

Congrats on the new rig. Sure you are going to be very happy.

Batten54 · 02-01-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Fla

When we were looking at 5th Wheels to fulltime in we started looking at 34 to 36 Foot 5ers that would be a good fit for our current 3/4 Ton truck. What we would up with was a 40' 4" 5th Wheel that was quite a load for our 3/4 Ton Truck. We found our current 5er on a dealer lot at a price we could not pass up. We love our 5er choice and really like the room even though it is 40 Feet long. Traded the 3/4 Ton for a 1 Ton Dually, now we are not overloaded and it is a pleasure to tow and travel with.

Cool, what did you get?

Chiefly1 · 02-01-2014, 06:26 PM

You can get all of the options listed in a 5er. The Cardinal was my choice and we are really happy with it. Some of the models like the excel looked awesome but didn't have a dealer close. I pull it with a Dodge 1 ton mega cab 4x4 and it works awesome towing. I went with the single as I like to get into parking lots when not towing. Find the rig you want then go for the truck that will handle it.

BBDAWG · 02-01-2014, 11:31 PM

Gary & Misty, You have one great combination that you will enjoy for years. Good Luck and keep the updates coming.

DavisK · 02-08-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batten54

6. Can you pull a bass boat behind a 5th wheel?

You can't pull a trailer behind a 5th wheel on the east coast (except in Maryland) nor in Washington, Oregon or Hawaii.

RTinVa · 02-08-2014, 09:20 PM

Recently traded my 2011 Ford F350 duel wheel crew cab and 36 foot Cameo 5th wheel for the coach. I recommend the truck in the King Ranch and loaded. I had the integrated 5th wheel hitch in the bed. Reese got with Ford so you don't have to drill the bed frame for the hitch. It is made to drop in. The breaking system and computerized technology for the 5th wheel was awesome. Anti sway system and much more. If I was to buy the same set up I would stay with the Ford. My 5th wheel was 16k pounds and when everyone would pull into the left lane I would sometimes surprise them and put the pedal down at the green light. From a stop I was taking off faster then some of the cars that chose the left lane because they figured I was a big and would be slow when the light turned green. My F350 did not have a jake break per say but when you hit the trailer switch for the programmed 5th wheel the computer would work the same as a jake break. I never had to push hard on the break to stop the 5th wheel.
You can have auto levelers installed for around 6k. I priced it with mine but traded it without. The 2008 Cameo by Carraige had a 4 seasons insulation package (Artic Package). I highly recommend this in the event you wake up with unexpected snow on the ground. Carraige is no longer is business I am told but they made awesome 5th wheels.
Some states will allow you to tow behind the 5th wheel and some will not. There are other options to solve that issue as well but it depends on the 5th wheel and I would check with the factory before you modify the weight distribution or add weight to the back.
I had a generator installed when I purchased the 5th wheel. The generator box was already there in the storage area in front. If you do not have an air tight box one will need to be constructed and installed to prevent carbon monoxide gasses from entering the 5th wheel living space.
Our 5th wheel was set up for full timing and had a washer and dryer set up when built so it depends on your model.

Good luck on your decisions and I wish you many years of fun!