Selling my house, still working but would like to adventure into a fifth wheel full time.  Ramble about the County and surrounding areas. Year round Indiana weather.  I ride on/off road motorcycles year round so I'm up for what mother nature can dish out.

I have considered New/Used, and have decided to go used for my first RV endeavor. Price range High Teens to Mid $40's, I know that's kinda a stretch but if I found something in the low $20's, I could live with a few dis-likes. If I found something in the $40's with all the things I'm looking for, I'd call it home. I figure my first RV, new or used, I'll wish I would have bought one with this or that. So I'll get my feet wet for a year +/-, then up grade to what I think I want.

I would like some suggestions on what to look for in a used Fifth Wheel. 

Here is what I would like:

I like a large living area. I prefer 2 large slide outs in the living area and 1 in the bedroom.

I like access to fridge, restroom and mattress with slide-outs in.

I like Mor Ride or similar suspension.

Four seasons with heated tanks.

I like quality over the look of wow.

Well insulated for Indiana winters. 

The mfg's I have looked at so far that I like:

Montana, Carriage, Holiday Rambler Presidential Suites

I like how the heating/cooling system works in the Carriage units and the quality. I have found a couple 2003-2004 that are from $19-$25,000 and could be bought for less.

I don't know much about the Holiday Rambler, I have only looked at one used unit. Very clean with lots of up grades that I liked.

I've found many mfg's that have a lot of  look  but low on the quality of the cabinet's.  I'm getting educated in fifth wheels construction etc... I know cabinets and wood as I'm in the furniture biz. but when it comes to insulation and frames, ceilings steal or aluminum, floors wood or metal, etc... I'm a little lost.

any suggestions on mfg's or models. I prefer 35' to 39' as this will be my home and going from a large house in the country with 8 acres to a RV and THE Country!!!

Thanks

Ty

Kamakaziozzy wrote:

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I like a large living area. I prefer 2 large slide outs in the living area and 1 in the bedroom.

I like access to fridge, restroom and mattress with slide-outs in.

Thanks

Ty

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Ty,

I do not have slides myself or a fifth wheel but from what I have heard many RVers with slides need them out to be able to use all the functions in their RV. You may be able to access your fridge and bathroom but maybe not your bedroom. There are other people on here that know more about this than me but I am just going by what I have heard.

Coly

Our Open Range 345 RLS has three slides.when in, you can access the bedroom,bath & kitchen, no problem.We have used it in a four season manner. We are very pleased with it. Don't know if many are available used.

R

My rig would not meet the requirements because of price - although it would be an ideal rig to set up for long term fixed use, otherwise. There is no way you can buy mine in the 40K range :(

IMO a Montana would not meet the requirements. Not enough insulation, double pane windows, etc. It is NOT intended for winter weather. Really NO RV is intended for long bouts of winter. Can you do it? Yes, but it will be challenging.

If you can find a 2006 – 2008 KZ Escalade with thermopane windows, they were an option but many have them, it will work fine for your requirements.

All tanks are heated by the furnace and are insulated.  The insulation of the rig is good and we’ve had it in really cold temps.  We were just fine.

As Jack says, really cold weather in an RV is a challenge.  But honestly if you have the money for the LP gas it can be done just fine by this rig.  Many use an external LP tank that is filled by a gas company.  They rent those larger tanks.  Not a problem – just a cost of living.

If the trailer is to be in a fixed location then it is worth it to put a skirt around the bottom between it and the ground.  That helps a whole lot with not loosing heat.

A 2006 -2008 will probably push it a bit above the mid $40K number. Look around.  But to get the extras you need included, this rig has thme in our opinion and experience, The Escalade will work fine.  Been there, done that and know people who have.

Bill

In the winter months I'll be in one location. Skirted with larger LP tanks filled by the gas co. I think at this point I'm just looking for mfg's in my price range that are quality and well insulated.  That will help me to narrow down my search and save some foot work. If one can judge quality of cabinets and interior of a unit to equal the overal quality of the unit.  I can get a pretty good feel.  I'm not sure how true that is? What do you all think? I feel it's fairly close. So far from what I have found, the Carriage units seem to be of the better quality units. I like how the air returns are used and the cabinets are built. They seem to be a little more of a "four seasons" than the Montana. I'm not knocking the Montana, I like those as well so I hope I'm not offending anyone. I know there are much better units out there as well but I'm buying my first RV and in a year if I say "what have I done?" I don't want to have $70-$100k sunk into a mistake.  If I say "This is for me!" I have a nice used unit ready for a trade in to up grade.  Hmmm. I think that's the most grown up thought I've ever had! 

Ty

If used is not a problem, a website called Rolling Retreats in Oklahoma buys used DRV models at auction, cleans them up, and goes through all the systems before reselling them.  It is a "mom and pop" operation with both used and new units.

Check out the "Inventory" category at the following link and look down towards the bottom of the list of units.

Rolling Retreats

Terry

I haven't looked at the DRV models.  I like the quality features. There was one at a Louisville show, way out of my budget.  I haven't seen any used in the lower $ range.  I'll have to do some more research. I like the thicker walls and insulation features.  I'm for sure going to go used.  For the $ I'd like to spend, I can get a lot more quality for the $ on a used one compared to the same $ on a new one.

Thanks

Ty

Ty,

A lot of folks, myself included, will say that fit and finish is good, but not essential.  However, I felt that the Mobile Suites had a better "look" and that the "fit and finish" would be comparable between the two.

It has been a long time since I was in a Select Suites, so I really can't give you a real definitive answer.  All I could say is that the Select will be lighter, less expensive (if both units are comparable in the condition), but also on a lighter frame.

I also can't remember what the holding tank sizes are on the Select.

All that said, I know of at least 4 or 5 Select Suites owners that are happy with theirs.  If you are wanting more on the two models, check out SOITC (Suites Owners International Travel Club).  That is an association of Suites owners.  They have a forum on their website and if you want to register there, you can ask all the questions you want and get them from actual owners.

If you go there, Jo and I are using the username of "millerjnt" on their forums.  We signed up on the forums at SOITC about two years before we made our decision and purchase.  The folks there are also helpful and friendly.

Terry

Ty,

First of all, be assured that you have some kind of warranty from the dealer in case you discover later that some system in the RV happens to be defective or outright broken.  Not knowing of what the condition or the amenities on the coach, I can only give generalities.  Ask about checking the axles for alignment, have the dealer check the tire codes to get a manufacture date for the tires and if they are over 5 or 6 years old, ask about having them replaced.

If you will send me a private message with your e-mail address, I can send you what is called a PDI list, which is a list of things to look for on the coach as to whether it actually operates or is properly equipped.  If you can't get an independent RV tech to look over the used coach for you, at least go armed with a PDI list.

As for the truck, for the best stability towing and cornering, you will want a dually.  As David mentioned, when looking for a truck, remember that the Mobile Suites are generally heavier than other coaches and ask for the GVWR of the fifth wheel.  Armed with that, you can then determine the GVWR for the truck PLUS the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight that the truck can safely handle.  You do not want to go over that GCVW.

Since you are unlikely to know for sure the weight of things you will add to the RV, pin weight will just be a general estimate until you actually get the unit and can load your stuff.  A couple that does weighing of rigs at rallies and such has posted a list of DRV Suites weights that they have documented, which includes the pin weights of several models.  I can also send you a copy of that document, so you can look for the model number and get a rough estimate of what the RV weighs.

In that document, he further states that in regards to the DRV Suites products (formerly known as Doubletree RV), 100% of the single rear wheel trucks were overweight and 60% of the duallys were overweight as well.  I've known of RV'ers that found out the hard way that just a 1 ton truck wasn't quite enough.  Many like us, went to the Ford F450's or Medium Duty Trucks like the mini-Freightliners.  If you go either of those routes for a truck, consider looking for a good used one.

Our Suites is a 2010 38TKSB3 with a GVWR of 18,500 lbs.  The used one you are looking at may not be as heavy, so research is needed, based on the GVWR, and a 1 ton may be heavy enough for your unit.

Terry