I am totally dejected this morning after receiving and reviewing the RV Consumers Group report on every 5ver I have been interested in and can afford.  None are rated for fulltiming.  Some that seem to fit my needs and budget are FR Cedar Creek, FR Cardinal LE, and Carriage Cameo, among others.  I'm looking at used because I have never had any experience with living in an RV nor with towing one.

Any comments on these ratings - as well as buying a 5ver rated for snowbirding or vacationing and trying to live full time in it?  I don't plan on being in Alaska in winter (but who knows?), but I might be at a high elevation in the southwest or Northern California.  Is there a way to accomodate temps that don't fall within the 30-90F range?
gypsy

Gypsy, My own personel opinion is that the RV consumer ratings are somewhat out of touch with reality.Many here will dissagree with me on this but if you look at the signature of many on this forum you will see that MOST are fulltiming in rigs that are below the fulltime rating. Cedar Creek,Cardinal and Carriage Cameo are all prevalent in the fulltime community. Ask Fred how he feels about Cameo.or Darrell and Judy about the Cedar Creek. The high end units are, to a degree better built, but for those of us who can't afford $ 80,000 or $ 90,000 for one I feel there are many in the range you are looking at that will be o.k. I'm sure you will get many different opinions on this. The people on this forum will help you make a wise choice.Sift back through old threads on this forum and you will find many discussions on this topic.Good luck and don't let it get you down.

We've been full timing in a Carriage Cameo for almost 3 years now and have been comfortable in temperatures as low as -14 and as high as +106. We did add dual pane windows and astro foil insulation though when we ordered it. On the Yahoo Carriage discussion group approximately half of the participants are fulltimers it seems.

I wouldn't have any reservation about recommending a Snowbird rated fiver for full timing. BTW, I think your very smart to look at a used rig, there have to be some really good buys out there now.

Good luck,
Fred

I have learned a lot today.  This morning I panicked at reading the overall ratings of RVs I could afford.  Then I started to read the book "How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV" by JD Gallant.  I realize that I can still buy an affordable used RV that I like, but I will have to be very diligent about inspecting things that I never thought about before.

So armed with my new information about what to look for, plus the responses from Racerguy and Fred, I think I can make a fairly intelligent decision when I find the right RV for me.  I'll have to admit that most of my preconceptions have been about floor plans, which are important to me, but they are only a part of the total picture.  I know I can find the right floorplan with a 5ver that is well constructed and will hold up to the use I will give it.

gypsy

Hello Gypsy,  just thought I'd let you know that my wife and I have full timed in our FR Cedarcreek for the last two years.  We had a FR Sandpiper fiver before that.  Both have been excellant rigs.  We decided to go full time so we traded up to the Cedarcreek.  It's my opinion that FR has the most "bang for the buck" and they have a great support system.  Look at Cedarcreek RV club.com  you don't have pay anything to join but you have to register to use the forum.  Good luck,   Dave