Community Forums

dmesick · 04-08-2006, 02:50 PM

My husband and I are thinking about buying a 5th wheel camper. What is a good model to buy? Dependable brand name? What should we look out for and know when we go to the dealers? Everyone tells us to buy used, as they lose their value too quickly, but we really don't want a used one. Any one know a really good dealer in Connecticut..Please help we don't want to buy a lemon or one that breaks down frequently. Thanks Deb

dmesick · 04-08-2006, 02:50 PM

My husband and I are thinking about buying a 5th wheel camper. What is a good model to buy? Dependable brand name? What should we look out for and know when we go to the dealers? Everyone tells us to buy used, as they lose their value too quickly, but we really don't want a used one. Any one know a really good dealer in Connecticut..Please help we don't want to buy a lemon or one that breaks down frequently. Thanks Deb

jperry29 · 04-08-2006, 03:40 PM

dmesick,

Welcome to the forum. I think you will find that there is an incredible amount of information here to look through.

Your question is a bit generic. For members here to hone in on an answer for you, you should tell us a little more about your situation. For instance, what do you have for a tow vehicle? This one thing alone can greatly affect the range of choices you have. How are you going to use the RV? Long weekends, vacations, snow-birding, fulltiming?

Additionally, this topic has been covered numerous times in this forum. You can use the "find" tool in the blue tabs above and search for the previous postings. There are a ton of them that make for good research reading.

RKamperRV · 04-09-2006, 02:00 AM

We just ordered a new 5er after doing alot of research. The web is a great place. Go to RV manufacturers' websites and look at what they have to offer. Compare floor plans to what you think you desire. Our big thing was having the bathroom completely separate from the bedroom. This option is not common in most 5ers currently on the market.

Two large manufacturing firms are Fleetwood RV and Thor Industries. Between the two of them they make most of the brands on the road today. They have dealer locators on their websites also.

Before you start looking, determine how much you want to spend, and how much you are willing to vary from that amount if necessary. 5ers are more expensive than travel trailers, but are a great value. You can spend anywhere from the high $teens, low $20's right up to $90,000 + depending on what you desire. Don't pay too much attention to the advertised retail or suggested retail prices. It is common to be able to purchase a new trailer for 30% under manufacturers suggested retail price - and that's where you should start negotiating. Offer 30% below mfg. suggested retail and go from there - maybe settling for 25%.

Get to a few RV shows if you can. Walk through the rigs and see what colors, finish, floorplans you like. Most dealers run mini shows this time of year. Now is a great time to buy.

And now, a plug for what we are buying. Check out Crossroads RV. They have several lines at different price points. We're getting a Cruiser. Crossroads is part of Thor. We liked them because of their aluminum construction - a real weight saver.

Good luck!

THPinck · 04-09-2006, 04:52 AM

You should also look at the Nu-WA Hitchiker II LS. After several years of looking at all the campers (5ers) that were available within a 4 hour drive of Windsor Ct, we found that the HHII 32.5 FSKBG met all our needs.

It has an enclosed seperate bathroom, 3 slides, but with the kitchen dining table and sofa accesable with slides in. Greate for travel stops for lunch or just a break.

Another requirement was the ability to tow it with our GMC 2500HD, Duramax/Allison and a GVWR of 9200lbs, a max 5th wheel tow rating of 15200 with our short bed 4x4. A combined weight rating of 23000.

The unit has a dry GWR of 10531 and a dry hitch weight of 2120. The GVWR of 13850 falls well within or weight capacities.

The nearest dealer is McDonells RV in Plainfield MA near Foxbooro. ED up there was a great salesman very very knowledgable. (I need a spell checker). Check out www.nuwa.com.
Good luck on your search

RKamperRV · 04-09-2006, 07:00 AM

That IS another consideration...if you're planning to travel camp, make sure you can use the bathroom and the kitchen with the slides in. Many rigs have limited access with slides in the "in" position. We also wanted the bedroom to be usable with the BR slide in.

rhoevinbt · 04-12-2006, 01:21 PM

Another consideration is what type of TV do you have? You've gotta make sure your rig isn't too big for the TV.

You're gonna find everyone practically "loves" their model. Do go through as many models/floorplans as you can....and price ranges. We found the Pilgrim brand a "good bang for the buck" brand. So far we (you guessed it) "love it".

Enjoy the process and take your time!