Community Forums

Serengeti · 02-15-2014, 12:56 PM

Hello to everyone. We have decided to completely change our lives. Retired military, been teaching middle school for 8 yrs and it is time to relax. So, since we love the outdoors and seeing the world, now it is time to see America. Just bought a 2011 Denali 2500 4x4 diesel, will be buying a Landmark in a month, which are made for and has a warranty for full-timers. Plan to sell house and have an estate sale in April. Will be using this forum along with the one for Heartland to answer all our question when we start out. Ahh, no work or stress, just spend time with my wonderful wife of 34 years. :-)

TonyDi · 02-15-2014, 01:12 PM

Conratulations on the beginning of a new lifestyle. You have come to a great place for help and ideas.

Pepper2 · 02-15-2014, 01:34 PM

Must of caught everyone taking their Sat. afternoon nap. They'll be along shortly to say hello. In the meantime Hello and Welcome from Michigan.

Dale Pruitt · 02-15-2014, 01:38 PM

Superslif · 02-15-2014, 01:51 PM

From Northern Ohio...

How did u now I was napping.

bv2245 · 02-15-2014, 02:06 PM

Was directed to irv2 by a search engine while looking for reliability ratings on 5th wheel manufacturers. Decided to sign up and the first post I read in this forum was "New member, new to RV'ing..." That somewhat describes us too, we're about 24 months from retirement and not sure if we'll full time or not, but we've known we wanted an RV for about 30 years. We've ordered an '14 F-250 Crewcab, longbed (4x2 , 6.2L gas engine) which should be delivered in a week or so. The decision on which 5th wheel to buy is overwhelming. We know the features we prefer, but the decision is still immense. We've been leaning toward an Open Range Light 318RLS or Keystone Laredo 292RL. Any direction to forums or sites that give an idea of manufacturer quality ratings would be appreciated!

Superslif · 02-15-2014, 02:11 PM

Welcome to the family. I'm also about 29 months from "not working". Don't think I can full time, but have a Alaska trip planned for the summer of 16'. and will do more 2-3 week trips.

Quote:

we've known we wanted an RV for about 30 years.

Boy, that is a long time to wait.

Medico · 02-15-2014, 02:11 PM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

You will love the freedom the FT lifestyle brings you. We love it!

aschuh53 · 02-15-2014, 02:12 PM

welcome to irv2

Pepper2 · 02-15-2014, 02:16 PM

Hey bv2245, Hello and welcome from Michigan.

450Donn · 02-15-2014, 02:44 PM

I hate to rain on your happy day, but you do not have enough truck for that much fiver. Time to trade for more truck or less trailer. Generally speaking your 2500HD is suitable for a fifth wheel up to about 12,000 GVWR. Anything more and you will experience a lot of white knuckle driving especially in wind or mountains. The lightest Landmarks GVWR is over 16,000 pounds. Far and above what your truck can handle.

MSHappyCampers · 02-15-2014, 04:06 PM

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the crew here!

Congrats on the new rig and new lifestyle! I think you've got it figured out!

Thank you for your service to our country!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

**JohnRR** · 02-15-2014, 05:49 PM

Good luck with your future plans.

Serengeti · 02-15-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

I hate to rain on your happy day, but you do not have enough truck for that much fiver. Time to trade for more truck or less trailer. Generally speaking your 2500HD is suitable for a fifth wheel up to about 12,000 GVWR. Anything more and you will experience a lot of white knuckle driving especially in wind or mountains. The lightest Landmarks GVWR is over 16,000 pounds. Far and above what your truck can handle.

I wish I know the right answer to your concern. On the Heartland forum there were a number of others who have said the same thing and I was very close to not buying the truck, but I have also talked to a number of dealers both trucks and RVs who have said that it will not be a problem especially if air bags are installed. Granted the truck and RV dealers want the buisness, but on the other hand they have a vested interest in keeping customers. The RV company I am going to buy from (RVs For Less) deals mostly with full-timers and the only 5ers they sell are Landmarks and DRV's, which are at least 16K and have many, many return customers. They even deliver RV's and their driver does so with an F-250 SWD diesel (granted, they are empty). Most people on forums say it is not as much about the GVWR as it is the hitch wieght, but airbags are suppose to take care of that problem. I am definitely not the expert, but am already comitted to my course and I hope that it works out (yes, I said "hope", heck of a way to start our full-timing life) I wish I knew for sure one way or another, but am giving the benifit of the doubt to those that do this for a living. Out of all the people on forums who expressed concern, none said that they had the experience of having a 250/2500 and had problems. Thanks nonetheless, in my case I hope your concerns are unfounded. :-)