Community Forums

jmartin104 · 06-19-2019, 08:12 AM

We currently live in FL but are planning to live in a 5er. And plan to go to Alaska next year. Unfortunately, everything in our area is of the "light" variety? I don't want to drive to Oregon to check out 5ers. What are our options?

We would prefer lightly used.

bddadles · 06-19-2019, 08:30 AM

Check for consignment lots. You never know what you will find. We got our HitchHiker on one 10 years ago and it is still going strong

jdpm · 06-19-2019, 08:59 AM

Are you looking for new or used. What size and max weight?
If used, there are a few quality manufacturers that you can look around for in the SE such as Carriage/Lifestyle, pre 2015 DRV, Excel, NuWa, that you may find if patient.
Otherwise, Artic Fox would be a good one to look for, however, closest dealer is in OH.
Good luck

consolenut · 06-19-2019, 11:57 AM

Add Newmar, and Alpenlite to the list. Alot of rig choice depends on tow rig.

tuffr2 · 06-19-2019, 01:04 PM

I am in Palm Coast Florida and I see Grand Design, Winnebago, and Vanleigh 5th wheels at La Mesa in Sanford FL. They are insulated pretty well. I looked at all these 5th wheels when La Mesa had the Daytona RV Sales store which is now closed, bummer. In St. Augustine they sell Jayco and KZ 5th wheels at Ocean Grove RV.

Florida in my mind is the mecca for RV's. I think we are lucky to have so many RV dealers.

If you want used there are a bunch of used units in Florida also.

I spent time on the west coast of Florida in the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs area. The same thing there, tons of well insulated RV's.

I looked at both Artic Fox 5th wheels at Kelly RV in Pa. and at Hammersville Ohio. (Just east of Cincinnati). I was not that impressed.

jdpm · 06-19-2019, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am in Palm Coast Florida and I see Grand Design, Winnebago, and Vanleigh 5th wheels at La Mesa in Sanford FL. They are insulated pretty well. I looked at all these 5th wheels when La Mesa had the Daytona RV Sales store which is now closed, bummer. In St. Augustine they sell Jayco and KZ 5th wheels at Ocean Grove RV.

Florida in my mind is the mecca for RV's. I think we are lucky to have so many RV dealers.

If you want used there are a bunch of used units in Florida also.

I spent time on the west coast of Florida in the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs area. The same thing there, tons of well insulated RV's.

I looked at both Artic Fox 5th wheels at Kelly RV in Pa. and at Hammersville Ohio. (Just east of Cincinnati). I was not that impressed.

I'd buy used before buying new of any of the above mentioned brands.
A used unit made by one of the brands I mentioned (add Teton to that list although heavier) would be my choice before anything new on the market. Quality of new has gone right down drain.
If getting new, be sure to get one that offers the best customer service after the sale......you'll need it!

jmartin104 · 06-19-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdpm

I'd buy used before buying new of any of the above mentioned brands.
A used unit made by one of the brands I mentioned (add Teton to that list although heavier) would be my choice before anything new on the market. Quality of new has gone right down drain.
If getting new, be sure to get one that offers the best customer service after the sale......you'll need it!

We absolutely want to go used (no more than 5-8 years old). We are concerned about customer service though. The plan is to go from FL to Alaska and then live in the RV in Alaska for a year, then make the trip to TN. We'll be making some stops in between of course just to take a moment to enjoy life a little.

We are looking at an F350 6.7 Diesel Crew Cab and I'm hoping to stay within the range of 30-35' 5er (although, wife wants a 90'+ with an indoor swimming pool).

jmartin104 · 06-19-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Florida in my mind is the mecca for RV's. I think we are lucky to have so many RV dealers.

If you want used there are a bunch of used units in Florida also.

Most of the stuff around us (just south of Titusville) is not good enough to FT in. We need something to live in when in Alaska and something that won't cook us when we visit FL.

We are planning a trip to La Mesa. We talked about it for a while so it's time.

jdpm · 06-19-2019, 03:32 PM

Service really should not be an issue after the warranty period even on orphans.
Upper quality was available on Carriage Cameo up until their demise. The shortest ( I had one for 18 moths) was the 31ksls. Solid full featured rig in a short length. Many will have disc brakes, better tires and maybe even 17.5 wheels.
Next was the 32fws which was continued when Lifestyle started up. I have the larger (37') LS36fw. Solid, well built and love it. If something ever happens to it I will look for another one.
Solid shorter upper quality fivers were fairly rare and even more so now. All the better manufactures have closed and hardly anyone makes a full profile short fiver except Arctic Fox.
Good luck.

consolenut · 06-19-2019, 04:21 PM

if you want to live in alaska. 1st trade in get more truck. Or skip the 350 and go MDT. 2nd a rig for alaska for a year in winter especially your in New Horizons quality to survive the winter. Used there a few that can take that cold. Teton, Newmar stand out. they have the insulation and most have dual furnaces and dual a/c to fight off the florida heat. Alaska in anything else good luck is all i can say

traveldawg · 06-19-2019, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmartin104

Most of the stuff around us (just south of Titusville) is not good enough to FT in. We need something to live in when in Alaska and something that won't cook us when we visit FL.

We are planning a trip to La Mesa. We talked about it for a while so it's time.

hmmmm..... we live in Titusville. There are a LOT of places to check....

Lazydays in Tampa
La Mesa, Sanford/Daytona
Allied, Wildwood
Giant Rec - Orlando
can't recall who is in Melbourne

Why not just let your fingers do the walking.... RVTRADER.COM plug in all you criteria including how far you want to search and away you go.....

Or just go to Eagles Pride at the The Great Outdoors in Titusville and ask them to find something for you. oh - you'll find a few there too.

jmartin104 · 06-20-2019, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolenut

if you want to live in alaska. 1st trade in get more truck. Or skip the 350 and go MDT. 2nd a rig for alaska for a year in winter especially your in New Horizons quality to survive the winter. Used there a few that can take that cold. Teton, Newmar stand out. they have the insulation and most have dual furnaces and dual a/c to fight off the florida heat. Alaska in anything else good luck is all i can say

What's an MDT and why wouldn't an F350 be enough?

consolenut · 06-20-2019, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmartin104

What's an MDT and why wouldn't an F350 be enough?

a mdt is a medium duty truck. you need alot of RV to winter in alaska. A few RVs mentioned a 350 dont have near enough capacity to haul that kind of weight. A teton, newmar and some of the others new horizons for example the pin weights are super heavy. My Teton for example carries 6k on the pin. My trailer axle weight is more alone then many truck and trailers combined.

Youll find quite a few will agree. Many and i mean many new horizons are carried by Volvo Semi Tractors or International Sport Chassis. Some carried by 550 fords or 4500 kodiaks. Tetons and the Newmars as well. Cant have to much truck in this weight class of RV.

Especially where you want the RV to live. Extreme cold and Florida heat and humidity

redhooker · 06-20-2019, 09:33 AM

We also live in FL and I believe we are in a great location to shop used. We use the RV trader app, CL, and other online places. We also shop all the dealers. We have used General RV twice but only by coincidence they had what we were looking for. Both times we were able to get a fair price and very little pressure to buy extra add ons. Ocean Grove RV is a great dealer as well, a bit small so selection can be limited. The dealer in Ocala who’s name escapes me can have some unique models available as well as a sizable selection.

I refuse to shop La Mesa anymore since they will not provide service to any RV over 10 years old. They are basically telling you your purchase is worthless in 10 years-not the best way to get our money. Especially when you buy something 3 or 4 years old.

Good luck I hope you find a great unit