Need all help I can get

[Nanasher]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and new to fifth wheel camping. My husband and I are researching purchasing a fifth wheel a forest river rockwood or Flagstaff, or Keystone cougar and we need all the help we can get. We would appreciate any input.

Budget won't allow us to get the high-end fifth wheels but want to do some moderate traveling. Hoping one of these 2 units will be up to it.


We have lots of questions.
1. What does the tripod thing that goes under hitch connection do? Is it necessary or recommended?


2. What helpful advise can u offer a newbie who is totally wet behind the ears?


3. What are some pros/cons for these units?


4. Going to RV show this next week to start the "plunge" any advise?


We have a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi truck to pull with.


Any input would be appreciated both + or -.

[vsheetz]

Welcome!

I am not 5th wheel familiar but am sure those who are will come along soon to help answer.

Welcome!

[Doggy Daddy]

Save $$$. My recommendation is to buy a used 5r to learn with. Later you can trade and upgrade. Who knows, You may want a toy hauler for a golf cart, quad, motorcycle, bicycles or simple storage. Maybe one with additional slides or specific options.

[brobox]

My last two RV's were used. Bought upper end used for the price of "beginner" new. Traveled, used them then knew what we really wanted for our new custom ordered RV.

Go to the show, decide what you like in floor plans and manufactures, then look for a couple of year new one. The upper end RV's will hold the value better than an entry level and you will get the use of a higher end 5er in the mean time. In addition, the big first year depreciation will have been lost by the first owner.

[Superslif]

First off I would see what your 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi truck will tow. My 2013 Trailer Life Towing Guide list your truck between 10k and 14k. You also need to know the pin / payload you can handle.

Going to the show is a great place to start. You can see many floorplans and look at the quality your budget can afford. But like the post above, I wouldn't rule out a used unit. You just might find a more mid priced 5er a year or two old priced what a entry level unit is.

Two years ago a large RV dealer here in NE Ohio had at least 40-50 used 5ers priced at give-a-way prices. I remember that same spring they had 50 new units they must have sold, so they were over loaded with trades. So they made their $$ on the new units, and just want to dump the used stuff. Many were 1-4 years old...Just can't imagine the hit people took trading out of one a few years old.

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by Nanasher

1. What does the tripod thing that goes under hitch connection do? Is it necessary or recommended?
It's a lock/support/stabilizer. Some claim it lessens rocking, some notice nothing. Not necessary.


2. What helpful advise can u offer a newbie who is totally wet behind the ears?
Research and look at lots.
Maintenance and lots of it. It's not a hook and go operation.

3. What are some pros/cons for these units?
They are relatively cheaply built. They can be good but don't expect Taj Mahal quality.

We have a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi truck to pull with.
Load everyone up in the truck that will go with a full fuel tank, and go weigh it. Then you'll find out how much you can haul.


Any input would be appreciated both + or -.

Replied in red.

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

I'm sure all these questions have been asked before. Check out and post your questions in the appropriate forum for more exact answers.

[Nanasher]

Originally Posted by Medico

Welcome and glad to meet you! I'm sure all these questions have been asked before. Check out and post your questions in the appropriate forum for more exact answers.

I am so new I have not figured out how

[450Donn]

Originally Posted by Nanasher

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and new to fifth wheel camping. My husband and I are researching purchasing a fifth wheel a forest river rockwood or Flagstaff, or Keystone cougar and we need all the help we can get. We would appreciate any input.

Budget won't allow us to get the high-end fifth wheels but want to do some moderate traveling. Hoping one of these 2 units will be up to it.


We have lots of questions.
1. What does the tripod thing that goes under hitch connection do? Is it necessary or recommended? It helps eliminate movement in the front of the trailer.


2. What helpful advise can u offer a newbie who is totally wet behind the ears? Buy USED. there is about a 90% chance your first will not be your last RV. So let someone else take the depreciation and buy a 3-5 year old unit. Still very serviceable, less expensive and you might discover that you can buy way more fiver than you thought for your dollars.


3. What are some pros/cons for these units? Although mostly made using the same or similar components and appliances, what you will find generally will be smaller tank capacities, less insulation, lighter axle capacities, lower grade tires. They are not bad units per se, just not as robust as higher end units for the long term.


4. Going to RV show this next week to start the "plunge" any advise? See my comments above about buying USED!


We have a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi truck to pull with. Gas motor 2500 series truck, keep the fivers GVWR under 12,000 pounds and you should be OK.


Any input would be appreciated both + or -.

There are several items that lots of us have found useful for a fiver. Dual pivot hitch, slider hitch if you have a short bed truck. Air ride pin box or hitch are a couple to start with. Remember buy USED for your first RV.

[MSHappyCampers]

Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang here!

I suggest that you spend a lot of time over in the 5th wheel discussion area of the forum for the best information. Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[TXiceman]

Another one that says buy a nice used higher ens unit rather than a new entry level RV like you listed. Much better value for the $$$ and you do not suffer the huge depreciation of a new one.

Ken

[Superslif]

Maybe the Mod can transfer this thread over to the 5er section. Or just start a new thread over here 5th wheel section

[caissiel]

Its like cars and trucks
The lots are full of units that no one wants.
Good units are kept and not traded.
We have a Toyota and I never see any on use car lots.
Small units are easy to find and trades are often.
My policy is to buy a new unit that cannot be found used.

If a good used one does come along grab it before someone else buys it.

Last summer my friend bought 3 units at 2 different dealers that he ended up getting his money back due to bad maintenance and use. Finally got one that he really does not like but its in great shape.
He was lucky dealers treated him well and did not loose to much.
The bad part was that he ended loosing his good smaller trade in and moved 4 times, he had a new used unit every weekend.

[JohnRR]

Good luck with your search.