Where do we find up to date info of fifth wheel RVs?
Terry and Jo said
12:52 PM Oct 27, 2013
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You have definitely found one of the friendliest sites for getting information. Plus, the folks here also have a great deal of knowledge to help you along.
Depending on the model within each name brand you have listed, you may find that your 3/4 ton truck will not be big enough to tow them. I can definitely say that the DRV Suites models, unless you get a 32-foot model would be too heavy, and I'd caution against even a 32-foot DRV. Here on the forums, most of the participants generally recommend that anyone interested in RV'ing choose their trailer first so that they will know what size of truck would be best for towing the choice of trailer. It is always better to "have more truck" than needed than "have too much" trailer for the truck one has.
I would advise going to a Dodge dealer and have them look at how your truck is equipped to see what it is rated with regards to Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW). Then, at some point, weigh the truck with full fuel tanks, all passengers that one would likely have, any cargo expected to carry and subtract that weight from the GCVW of the truck. That will give you an idea of how much GVWR (Gross Vehicular Weight Rating) that your truck can tow. Do not take the word of any salesman, whether they be truck salesman or RV salesman, as to "what your truck can tow."
Also, never go by the "Tow Weight" listed by the truck's manufacturer. You want the GCVW and GVWR ratings as well as the GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating.) You don't want to exceed either the GAWR or the GCVW for the truck. While a truck may be able to "tow" the trailer, it is WAY MORE IMPORTANT to know that one's truck will safely "handle" and stop that size of trailer. With regards to our Ford F450, I can guarantee that if I was to tow a trailer weighing what Ford says is the "tow weight" for that truck, I would be way over on its GCVW.
Now, as to your list of trailer manufacturers, I would venture that any of them would be good. With regards to the Forest River Cardinal, I've not heard anything bad about them. As for a "national" dealer such as Camping World, I can't say that I'd be a fan of that idea. It would be more important to look at manufacturer's dealers. In most cases, except for some cranky ones that don't want to service what they DON'T sell, a wide network of dealers would seem to be more reliable.
With regards to choosing an RV, do your own homework. There are "services" out there that "rate" RV's, but always take that information with a "grain of salt." When considering a brand, look for an online owner's association that has a forum. There you can read what issues the owners have been having with their trailer. Now, having said that, keep in mind that a forum has a tendency to "attract" folks that are looking for a solution to a problem. That does NOT mean that the brand of RV is not any good. If you register with the forums so you can ask your own questions, keep this question in mind to ask: "If you were to buy another RV, would you buy the same brand/model that you have now, and if not, why not?" All brands will have problems, but some manufacturers and dealers have better reputations for working with their customers than others. Pay attention to those kinds of comments on forums also.
In doing your own homework, keep in mind that the frame, axles, suspension, wheels and tires make up the very "foundation" of one's RV. Be sure and look at those with an eye towards strength and size. For instance, the Mobile Suites all have 15" frames, but if one is looking at an RV for full-timing, I would venture to advise that nothing less than 12-inches might suffice for that.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 27th of October 2013 01:04:28 PM
RazRN said
06:11 PM Oct 27, 2013
We have a Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel truck that we bought with our future plans of buying a fifth wheel RV in mind. We've driven to every dealership within a 150 mile radius to look at various models and manufacturers. Being novices we've also read online everything that we could find on choosing the right RV, as well as forums on the best made RVs. The problem is there doesn't seem to be one central clearinghouse for information.
We have looked at all levels of fifth wheel RVs within virtually every major line. We've read some scary stuff about Forest River but found one made by them that we really liked. We had read some great reviews of Keystone but found some of their fifth wheels to be made without regard to quality control.
So far this is what we've seen that we like:
Pinnacle made by Jayco
Montana made by Keystone
Cardinal made by Forest River
Mobile Suites by DRV
We have looked at the Redwoods because eventually we would like to set out on the road so I can do travel nursing And it seemed like a good full time RV. However the models that we saw did not seem to be built all that well.
We expect that in the immediate future we will use the fifth wheel for weekend getaways to get out of the city. We would consider full time RV living just outside of the city but not until late next year. Definitely we will full time travel five years from now when we plan for my travel nursing.
We we want an RV that will suit all of those needs.
Where do we find reliable quality and manufacturer information?
Furthermore, every site that we've read including the manufacturers sites say to buy local for warrantee and repair reasons. That is fine in the next few years but what about when we travel or go on the road? What then? Does it make more sense to buy from a national dealer like Camping World?
help!
jayc said
08:08 PM Oct 27, 2013
I would like to suggest that you look at Heartland RVs. They have several models that will meet your needs and three models, the Landmark, Big Horn and the Big Country that are rated and warranted for full time use. Then there is the Heartland Owners forum which is free to join. You will find other owners that are willing and able to help you with any questions you may have.
RazRN said
02:47 AM Oct 28, 2013
Thank you for the input. We will continue to do our research. Our decision to trade our Silverado 2,500 gas truck was because we wanted to tow a heavier fifth wheel. The Ram should allow us to tow up to 17,000 because of its GCVW of 25,000. Based on our narrowed down list the ram 2500 seemed to be a good fit and it was less expensive than the 3500. I hope we've done okay. We see trucks along the interstates pulling fifth wheel RVs all the time and many are 2500 Ram Diesels. We may just have to wait until we are ready to full time it in order to get a heavier/bigger fifth wheel.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
02:36 PM Oct 28, 2013
Do yourself a favor and buy the Dually. I've pulled our CarriLite with both a SRW and a dually. The dually wins hands down for stability and comfort while traveling.
NurseJudy said
06:45 PM Oct 28, 2013
I would suggest that you try to go to one of the upcoming RV shows. You will see a lot of different options in the same place and be able to compare more easily. But be prepared to spend a couple of days to leisurely be able to see everything you are interested in. There is one coming up in January in Tampa FL. We went to Hershey PA in September and it was a great experience. Met a lot of people who also owned these units and were looking to upgrade and were able to talk with Company Reps, who have lots of good information to share. Don't be afraid to "hang out" in units you are interested in and strike up conversations with others who might already own this unit or another from this manufacturer. Everything you are looking at so far is nice. As a result of the Hershey show, we have decided to go with a Heartland Bighorn Model 3010RE. Good luck, and welcome to the forum!
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You have definitely found one of the friendliest sites for getting information. Plus, the folks here also have a great deal of knowledge to help you along.
Depending on the model within each name brand you have listed, you may find that your 3/4 ton truck will not be big enough to tow them. I can definitely say that the DRV Suites models, unless you get a 32-foot model would be too heavy, and I'd caution against even a 32-foot DRV. Here on the forums, most of the participants generally recommend that anyone interested in RV'ing choose their trailer first so that they will know what size of truck would be best for towing the choice of trailer. It is always better to "have more truck" than needed than "have too much" trailer for the truck one has.
I would advise going to a Dodge dealer and have them look at how your truck is equipped to see what it is rated with regards to Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW). Then, at some point, weigh the truck with full fuel tanks, all passengers that one would likely have, any cargo expected to carry and subtract that weight from the GCVW of the truck. That will give you an idea of how much GVWR (Gross Vehicular Weight Rating) that your truck can tow. Do not take the word of any salesman, whether they be truck salesman or RV salesman, as to "what your truck can tow."
Also, never go by the "Tow Weight" listed by the truck's manufacturer. You want the GCVW and GVWR ratings as well as the GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating.) You don't want to exceed either the GAWR or the GCVW for the truck. While a truck may be able to "tow" the trailer, it is WAY MORE IMPORTANT to know that one's truck will safely "handle" and stop that size of trailer. With regards to our Ford F450, I can guarantee that if I was to tow a trailer weighing what Ford says is the "tow weight" for that truck, I would be way over on its GCVW.
Now, as to your list of trailer manufacturers, I would venture that any of them would be good. With regards to the Forest River Cardinal, I've not heard anything bad about them. As for a "national" dealer such as Camping World, I can't say that I'd be a fan of that idea. It would be more important to look at manufacturer's dealers. In most cases, except for some cranky ones that don't want to service what they DON'T sell, a wide network of dealers would seem to be more reliable.
With regards to choosing an RV, do your own homework. There are "services" out there that "rate" RV's, but always take that information with a "grain of salt." When considering a brand, look for an online owner's association that has a forum. There you can read what issues the owners have been having with their trailer. Now, having said that, keep in mind that a forum has a tendency to "attract" folks that are looking for a solution to a problem. That does NOT mean that the brand of RV is not any good. If you register with the forums so you can ask your own questions, keep this question in mind to ask: "If you were to buy another RV, would you buy the same brand/model that you have now, and if not, why not?" All brands will have problems, but some manufacturers and dealers have better reputations for working with their customers than others. Pay attention to those kinds of comments on forums also.
In doing your own homework, keep in mind that the frame, axles, suspension, wheels and tires make up the very "foundation" of one's RV. Be sure and look at those with an eye towards strength and size. For instance, the Mobile Suites all have 15" frames, but if one is looking at an RV for full-timing, I would venture to advise that nothing less than 12-inches might suffice for that.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 27th of October 2013 01:04:28 PM
We have a Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel truck that we bought with our future plans of buying a fifth wheel RV in mind. We've driven to every dealership within a 150 mile radius to look at various models and manufacturers. Being novices we've also read online everything that we could find on choosing the right RV, as well as forums on the best made RVs. The problem is there doesn't seem to be one central clearinghouse for information.
We have looked at all levels of fifth wheel RVs within virtually every major line. We've read some scary stuff about Forest River but found one made by them that we really liked. We had read some great reviews of Keystone but found some of their fifth wheels to be made without regard to quality control.
So far this is what we've seen that we like:
We have looked at the Redwoods because eventually we would like to set out on the road so I can do travel nursing And it seemed like a good full time RV. However the models that we saw did not seem to be built all that well.
We expect that in the immediate future we will use the fifth wheel for weekend getaways to get out of the city. We would consider full time RV living just outside of the city but not until late next year. Definitely we will full time travel five years from now when we plan for my travel nursing.
We we want an RV that will suit all of those needs.
Where do we find reliable quality and manufacturer information?
Furthermore, every site that we've read including the manufacturers sites say to buy local for warrantee and repair reasons. That is fine in the next few years but what about when we travel or go on the road? What then? Does it make more sense to buy from a national dealer like Camping World?
help!
I would like to suggest that you look at Heartland RVs. They have several models that will meet your needs and three models, the Landmark, Big Horn and the Big Country that are rated and warranted for full time use. Then there is the Heartland Owners forum which is free to join. You will find other owners that are willing and able to help you with any questions you may have.
Thank you for the input. We will continue to do our research. Our decision to trade our Silverado 2,500 gas truck was because we wanted to tow a heavier fifth wheel. The Ram should allow us to tow up to 17,000 because of its GCVW of 25,000. Based on our narrowed down list the ram 2500 seemed to be a good fit and it was less expensive than the 3500. I hope we've done okay. We see trucks along the interstates pulling fifth wheel RVs all the time and many are 2500 Ram Diesels. We may just have to wait until we are ready to full time it in order to get a heavier/bigger fifth wheel.