info on 5th w

[rescue1]

New to Rv scene, always wanted to invest in one but family committments came first, but now it's our time. Have been looking at 5th whr's at rv shows and have a few friends that own. All dealers tell you that their units are the best and so on, as well as friends, not that my friends would steer me wrong but would like to get as much info as possible before diciding what to buy. Are their any mags or such that explains the difference in construction make up, suspension, manufactor's reliability, pro and cons of trailers and so on. Have been checking the web but haven't come acros any pages or sites with the info I'm looking for. Thanks
Newbie

[oljoiner]

My wife and I are new to the camping scene. We started looking last spring and bought a Terry fifth wheel made by fleetwood. So far so good. It is a mid profile and not too heavy. I also had to buy a new truck to pull it so I went with a f-250 turbo diesel and have loved the truck. I think in shopping for a camper you should read everything you can get your hands on and then start looking to see what is out there. THere are hundreds of floorplans and makes and models and it can get confusing. Hopefully you can find a dealer that has sales people that will be honest with you in telling you what you need to pull the weight of the camper and what options would be best for your use. We found a small dealership in Macon Ga. called Tall Paul's Campers and Awnings. I was really pleased with the place, it is family owned and operated. Be ready to wish you had done something different after you buy. I know my wife and I are because of seeing other campers with better options for us but we have been well satisfied with what we have. I think the main thing is take your time and really settle on what is best for you. Also, watch for the rv shows, they have the units marked down to sale prices and I think you can get a deal at times. Good luck. I do like the fifth wheel. You have a vehicle to drive around in when you get to your destination if you need it.

[toddl]

There are a number of these types of web sites that have RV reviews. I suggest that you find one of those and read about the particular units that you are interested in. I suggest RVUSA.COM for one. Every RV has problems when new, regardless of the manufactures. The biggest difference is in the service depeatment at the dealership where you choose to buy. They can make or break the RV ownership experience. Service departments are reviews on some of these sites.

I would start by looking at the dealerships that are within a few hours of your home, or where you will keep you RV, check them out and find the best service department. Believe me when I tell you, you will have problems. All new RV's do. A good service tech once told me, buy a used RV 1 to 2 years old that you have professionally inspected. Most of the bugs have been worked out by then.

Once you have found a dealer with reputable service, check out their product line and find the one that suits your needs the closest. Do lots of research and always make sure that what you will be towing is within the towing limits of the vehicle that you will be towing with. Never exceed the GCWR. You can do it, and disreputable dealers will sell you something that you should not be towing with your rig, but DON"T DO IT....

Woodalls has an RV buyers guide that will give you a lot of what you need to know. But be prepared, there are a lot of manufacturers out there and each offers a huge number of choices, both in models and floor plans. And just because you see two brand names models don't asume that they are made by two different companies. There has been a lot of consolidation of late and many brand names are made by one company.

Good luck, and happy shopping. The camper shows are the best place to narrow down your search. But beware and stay focused on the particular type of unit that you are interested in. Most people wander the shows and look at everything from High end Motor Homes to popup campers and get home dazed and confused.

[suesodyssey]

If you are looking at new, try to get to the different manufacturers and see how the rig is built. They are not all the same. Are you just looking for weekend/vacation rig, or somthing more long term. Do you want to go full time when you retire. Lots of questions to ask and answer. How long do you expect to keep this rig. They go down in value very quickly. Get something that is smaller than the top weight of your truck. If you don't have a truck, go ahead and opt for a 350 dually. You WILL want to go bigger at some point. Look at the storage inside and out...the more the better. Last point...don't believe the salesman when he says you can pull the trailer with your truck. I have heard salepeople tell folks with a 250 that they can pull a 36' rig.

Good luck.

[happikamper]

Definitely look around at RV dealers and RV shows. You want an idea of exactly what you are looking for in a camper. My husband and I have been camping for about 10 years and just got a 5th wheel in Dec 05. After looking at campers at dealers and RV shows we knew exactly what we wanted in a camper. We bought a 2006 Pilgrim 273-5 SE 5th wheel with everything we wanted on a camper. I have contiued to look at campers since then and can honestly say I haven't seen a camper I like better than ours for our use. We tow with an F-250 diesel and have been very happy with the truck. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first thing you see, look around and see what you like and don't like. And of course find a dealer you like and who will give you a good deal and good service after the sale! Have fun camping this year!!

[rescue1]

Thanks for the info folks. We've been hitting all the rv shows around us, taking notes on what we like and dislike. Reading mags and web sites on 5er's.
I've been looking for info on the construction of 5er's, and can't really find anything that answers my questions. I really don't know what to stay away from as far as trailer make up. It seems like this Mor/ryde suspension is the way to go but what's below that? Too many questions????? but having fun investigating.

[bobvaughn]

One of the most important ingredient in happy camping is the inside of your camper....How deep are the drawers, how well do they slide. In your closets will more than a couple of shirts fit....The biggest flaw in a lot of campers is no place to store things. Closets are very important. A pantry is also important. A place to store linens, sheets and towels etc. Where do you put your lawn chairs and also where do you sit...It gets old real quick having to sit at the dinette all the time. Also do you have to take down the dinette to make it into a bed or does the sofa serve as the only bed. I have been RVing since 1965 and I am convinced that some of the designers have never USED an RV in their life. They tend to put a lot of flashy things that quickly self destruct . Once you decide on a unit see if you can rent it for the weekend. That will give you an idea what works for you...

[1ertrombone]

I think you first have to determine your needs now and in the future. A fifth wheel is an outstanding unit, having transportation once you get there, as well a very steady towing. Are you going to be a weekender, travel around for weeks, full-timer, these all come into play before you purchase a unit. Are you inside or outside people? Where is the TV, what kind of windows, closet space for clothes, kitchen set-up? Go to RV shows and look at what is available, altho not all manufacturers are represented at these shows. Go to a reputable and independent RV repair shop and ask about quality in rv's. They are happy to share. Once you have chosen the unit, then the tow vehicle comes into play. What will pull what you have chosen? Does it have enuff power, especially if you move up. Is it comfortable for long hours of pulling? I have a Chev 2500 and it is the most comfortable unit I could hope for. I tried Ford and Dodge, they didn't do it for me. Once you have the right unit, right tow vehicle, and have lived with it for awhile, you must realize that after a year, you will start looking at units which are larger, more comfortable, have the things you wish you had. It is the nature of the game. Also, realize that anything marked RV or Marine is overpriced---just accept it and have fun.

[herniman]

Hello, I have been involved with RV's for quite a while now, been camping my whole life. The most important thing is to buy from a reputable dealer. Somebody who has been in business for a long time. Nothing worse than buying something and need service work down the road, just to find out that the dealer has left town and the closest only to get warranty work done is 800 miles away. If a dealer has been around a while, they have probably been through some manufactures, and are wise enough to choose a manufacture to stand behind their product. Alot of dealers here in the south have poped up after Katrina trying to get in on the supply and demand. Alot of them won't even have a service department. Look at the number of bays the dealership has. Ask how many Certified techs are avaliable. The best dealers dont always have the best prices because they know better than to carry cheap units. Get a sales person you trust. Ask for another if you dont like the one your talking to.

[wayneh7974]

In our second year in a 40 foot New Horizons. Small company out of Junction City, KS, ONLY builder who consistently gets 5 star rating from RV Consumer group. Factory direct, they'll build just about anything you might want, but will advise you if you are doing something dumb too. Outstanding quality, they stand behind their product, full 2 year warranty. They build about 50 to 60 units per year, about one per week. They have conventional floor plans or will build to suit.

Recommend you see them if they are at the upcoming Redmond, OR RV rally in July 2007. We dealt with the president of the company from start to finish, upstanding and honest in our opinion.

Would not hesitate to buy another unit from them.