Community Forums

DZacc · 04-04-2013, 11:32 AM

First 5er is in the signature, First hitch was Reese 16K manual slider. I just installed a 18K Pullrite Superglide. Nothing wrong with the Reese, it's just that I wanted the automatic slide for those tight turns.

On Edit, it doesn't look like my signature is showing up.. Trailer is a 2012 Open Range 316RLS.

Half Dimes · 04-04-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Prospector

...I was glad when I sold it to some poor sap in the mid west. Boy o boy did he over pay.

The best trailer is the one I have now, I paid cash for it with the money I made off my worst trailer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Prospector

...I found it to be just a poorly made trailer and was glad to dump it on someone else for a goodly profit.
...

Ouch! Confirms the old adage about buyer beware.

oldbeek · 04-04-2013, 06:57 PM

1994 Alpenlite 27 single slide 12,500 gvw. Very well built. Has 80,000 miles and 3 years lived in it. Hitch RBW. Reinforced the side to side pivot pin. First tv was a 92 dodge cummins dually. Current is 2001 D2500 cummins, auto, 3.54 gears. 12.5 mpg at 17,500 gcw. Not ready to trade either rig!

caissiel · 04-04-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caissiel

We started with a 24ft 5th wheel by Fleetwood. Only option was the awning. First towed it with a 1/4 ton Range STX. Tought we realy had something for 3 years. Traveled south 2000 miles every spring.
Moved on to a 90 GM diesel with excellent fuel economy and less power.
Moved on to the 33ft top of the line Glendale unit made in Canada. But the axles and tube frame was weak for the size of the unit. The 98 6.5l diesel truck worked fine for 9 years and then towed it with present 6.0l diesel F250.
Moved on to the present 3500RL unit. Though its 4k heavier and 6ft longer it tows much better then the Glendale 33ft unit and the fuel economy on long trips is similar to the 1/4 Ranger V6.
So after 3 different size units we were able to keep the floor layout similar with much more living space and storage with same towing economy, and the 6 speed F250 is not to far off the Ranger in fuel mileage.

Still use the 2 way 20 year old 5th wheel hitch. Love it that way.

BlauMax · 04-04-2013, 11:13 PM

First 5er was an Alpenlite 29' center rear lounge. Loved that RV despite limited storate. Hitch was a Reese. Moved on to a Hitchhiker 33' and was by far the most fantastic RV I've ever owned. Had a brain f@rt and traded it in on a MH... WRONG (for us) We just got rid of it and will be picking up a Montana Mountaineer 295RKD.. Nice looking RV. Twill be our last.. Not near the quality of the HH. Oh, and the best hitch I've ever owned has been and still is the B&W Companion. Awwwsome.

jdoc · 04-04-2013, 11:55 PM

First fiver was a 1997 Fleetwood Wilderness with one slide. The worst was a 2000 POS Prowler. It literally fell apart around us. It spent more time in the shop than it did on the road. We traded it for a 2001 34 ft. Wilderness. It had 2 slide outs. It was a good trailer. We traded it for 2003 36 ft Hitchiker Champagne with 3 slide outs. This was the best of them all. Due to health reasons we traded it for our current motor home.

Jerry

Kro1957 · 04-05-2013, 05:13 AM

[QUOTE=DZacc;1519400]First 5er is in the signature, First hitch was Reese 16K manual slider. I just installed a 18K Pullrite Superglide. Nothing wrong with the Reese, it's just that I wanted the automatic slide for those tight turns.

We bought the Reese Slider and have not had to use the slider yet. In looking back I wish I would have invested the extra $$ in a 20k hitch 4 way swivel instead, not sure if the swivels were out then but I started seeing them right after I bought mine.

Kro1957 · 04-05-2013, 05:23 PM

HP .... you mentioned your dissatisfaction with the Laredo. Calling it Junk.
I can not say I agree with you except for the AM/FM CD that was installed.
That was truely junk. I think it was a no name plastic case piece of junk that I got rid of after the first couple years. Put in a Sony...

I have looked at new units, high end ones too that have no radios in them.

Happy Prospector · 04-06-2013, 09:24 AM

Well Kro, I really do not care if you agree with me or not , you asked for our best and worst 5'ver, and I told you my best and worst. If you think that your trailer is the best that can be, then I am happy for you.

We all try to get the best we can afford and if the Laredo is yours- then great.

Rob_Fla · 04-06-2013, 12:48 PM

Had a number of TTs before our 1st 5er in 2005.

1st 5th Wheel was 28 Ft Jayco Eagle with Husky 16K Slider Hitch.
Great 5th Wheel and hitch.

Current 5th Wheel is Jayco Pinnacle with same Husky 16K Hitch but since we now have 8Ft Bed on our 3500HD no need for Slider Assembly.
Sold Slider Assembly and bought fixed mount for hitch.
Hitch still works great with our Pinnacle.

Blue74 · 04-06-2013, 01:25 PM

Started out with a Appleby fold up/pop up trailer and then went to a 8’ Six-pack cab over then to a 1989 Kropf 24’ Limited with no slide out, all carried or pulled with a 1974 Ford F-100 4X4 (Blue74).

Bought the 2001 F-350 7.4L diesel crew cab DRW planning on getting a bigger 5th wheel. Now a 1998 Alfa 34RLL with 2 slide outs. Nothing fancy on either 5th wheel hitch.

Paul

RoyM · 04-06-2013, 01:40 PM

We are still using our first fiver, an 83 Vanguard 18.5, although it is reaching the end of it's useful life. Rot and leaks are becoming issues so we have to ensure the weather cooperates.
We tried towing it with a Ranger 4.0, it was within the stated towing limit but proved too much for the truck. Stepped up to an O5 Ram diesel, now we are talking.

Next step is a newer fiver around 26'.

Kro1957 · 04-06-2013, 01:46 PM

HP, I was just mentioning we have not had the same degree of problems with our as you apparently did. Roof for example. I have been on mine couple times a year to clean it and it is still like new.
Friend of ours has identical unit and other than vent caps and a exhaust fan his looks as new as it did the day he got it. My decals on front and one side have fading. Lanolium floor has two small cracks in it. Mine has less than 2k miles on it also so I am sure that plays a part in it's condition. Many of the appliances and equipment are the same as what is found on a lot of RV's out there. But if I had to find one thing that was IMO junk it was that AM/FM CD radio. Not sure why manufacturers could not spend just a little more and put in better brand. One sold here recenlty for 10.5k and I just traded mine for 8k and I am ok with that, off my hands and now I will have a KOTR to enjoy. Thing is built like a tank, oh well guess I can see what that F350 is made of...!!

Kro1957 · 04-06-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Fla

Had a number of TTs before our 1st 5er in 2005.

1st 5th Wheel was 28 Ft Jayco Eagle with Husky 16K Slider Hitch.
Great 5th Wheel and hitch.

Current 5th Wheel is Jayco Pinnacle with same Husky 16K Hitch but since we now have 8Ft Bed on our 3500HD no need for Slider Assembly.
Sold Slider Assembly and bought fixed mount for hitch.
Hitch still works great with our Pinnacle.

Rob,
I will be interested in what your comments on the Pinnacle are.
We went back and forth with buying one or going with the used KOTR.
We really liked what we saw in that Pinnacle. Both the REQS and RETS.
Good unit!!