As one who has never RV'd before Kathy & I (Bob) will have quite a few questions. 
About 10 years ago we, decided full time RVing would be a great retirement plan.  We have followed RV Dreams almost from the start and really identify with H & L.
Anyway planning began in ernest 3-4 years ago and a 5th wheel was finally ordered Jan 16, 2007 (Doubletree ES 36RE3)  It arrived the end of April and I finally took it off the lot May 15, 2007.  THe experience so far has been very frustrating mostly due to the dealer. (Example..the PDI consisted of the dealer pointing out the trailer out on the lot, giving us the keys and saying in essence, when you've seen it come in and pay for it)  As a Newbie, we had no idea how to operate anything.  After trying to get a few cosmetic things repaired for weeks, We finally gave up, paid our money, hitched up for the first time without any dealer assistance and drove away.

It is scarey, but the house is sold (jun 21) , we're very confused but extremely happy.

The next step will be to figure out how things operate.be patient with us.

See you on the road....

You have come to the right place. This is where you can get help if you need it. We are all pulling for you. We all learn together.

So that is how that works. See I learned something else today!!! Linda don't feel alone I have been doing the same thing! Thank you!

Your dealer experience sounds awful!
Don't let that stop you from getting your warranty problems fixed. Contact Doubletree and tell them how unhappy you are with the dealer support and ask for them to refer you to someone else to get things handled. You might need to go to the factory itself to get everything handled. Even if inconvenient the factory has the most interest in making you happy and they should know your RV systems better than any dealer. I tried to find a Yahoo group for you to join, http://groups.yahoo.com, but was not successful.

Here is a way to learn each system on your RV:
1) Every day pick a system you want to understand
2) Search the internet for answers if you can
3) Ask your RV neighbors what they know about that system
4) Digest and use the information
5) When you find someone really helpful ask them if you can ask about more systems, but tell them it is OK to say "no" or to say "that is enough for now". Feed them.

Bill

Thanks for the great advise Bill. We're happy and it won't get us down. I had already contemplated a trip to Doubletree in Indiana. It doesn't fit with our plans (long way, Not US citizens so can only spend limited time in US, not on the route etc etc) but I think we'll try to get there Octoberish. Either we will have fixed the problems by then or we'll have a long list. Unfotunately where we live there are no other dealers for about 700 miles so the factory is the best answer. Have gone to non Doubletree dealers already for repair (I'm willing to pay for service) but local custom here is "If you didn't buy it here, WE won't repair or service it here" Anyway only one month till we head out....Can't wait!!

I hope you conacted the manufacture of your fifth wheel to complain about the treatment you received from the dealer.

I am horrified that a dealer would not show concern and be very helpful once the product is sold! How unfortunate. Did you get any sense that they would be a problem while going through the purchasing/ordering phase? But I do understand - last year we paid BIG money for a water treatment system in our house. Still hard water, still nitrates, etc. We are having to take them to court. Now they won't even accept our phone calls to try to settle the manner out of court. Funny, they had no problem accepting our money. All I can say is, I can understand your frustration. Good luck in getting things straightened out.

Phylen When evaluating various trailers I did have a problem getting info from a couple of Doubltree dealers (unresponsive to questions etc). I inquired on another forum as the whether any of their Canadian dealers knew what service was? A Doubletree rep contacted me and persueded us that the hassle was worth the end result. As we really liked the product we eventually went back and ultimately made the deal. Hindsight being 20/20 we should have looked harder at our 2nd or 3rd choice.

What kind of jam?

And, welcome!

Judy

Hello fellow Canadian Newbie.
 We are almost in the same boat.... We have sold the house... moving into the 5th wheel (which we bought new after looking at used.) We are parked in a Rotary park 5 minutes away as there was no place at the house to park it.( her).
 Anyway, we currently live in Northern BC,  trying to get Alberta residency but full timing, leaving here July 6, or about then... Hubby retires next week, I'm done on June 22.
Oh I wish we were over the next few weeks and heading out. I'm sure that all who have done this know the stress. When I go to the 5th wheel... I feel the stress lift.
Anyway, maybe see you on the road... just wanted to say hi to everyone.
Sal and Alec

It's nice to see a fellow Canadian on board. Just reading about your experience makes me feel so good about our dealer. We have a Titanium purchased from Vos Trailers in Stittsville, ON. They are a great dealer! They took us all through the operation and let us videotape it. Took about two hours. There's nothing like a great dealer. I've called them from Texas with problems and they always know where to refer me. Anyway, keep your chin up. You'll eventually learn. Other RVers in parks are always helpful too. Do you know that you have to clean the rubber toilet ring about every 3 months or so? I purchased something that looks like a nail file board from Vos to do the job. If you don't, eventually the toilet won't hold water anymore and the ring has to be replaced (about $60 installed).

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find a lot of answers here amoung the finest fulltimers, future fulltimers and RVer enthusiast in the world. I love this forum and learn something new here every visit. Example I did not know about the maintenance cleaning of the toilet ring. Anyway enjoy the site ............... Don

Hi Guys: Where in Canada are you? There is a very good Doubletree dealer here in London called Can Am RV. If you're not far it might be much better than a trip to the factory.

Harold....I'm in Calgary but if I get to Ontario I might try CAN-AM. When buying I overnighted a bid request to Can-Am. They did not reply...perhaps they figured I was too far away to be serious? Their loss....I was willing to drive. Judy...IGOTJAM was a vanity plate I once had. Long story ...too difficult here to explain. If we meet up on the road some day, we'll have a chat.

I was hoping the "jam" part was Saskatoon berries. We buy Saskatoon berry preserves whenever we are in Canada.