Merry Christmas!!!

I have been looking at fifth wheels and came across this custom rv company and was wondering if anyone has had one done by them and what were your thoughts

http://www.travelunits.com/

I am going to the Tampa RV show next month and will be looking at as much as possible.  It is hard to know what I really want until I get in them to experience the space.  I just want to be exposed to as much as possible and get what I really want.

I appreciate any feed back I get...also (in your opinions) what is the best made 5th wheel out there.  I mean the construction/insulation...you know, the non-girlie stuff.

Helen

One other that I have heard about is Allen Camper Manufacturing Co in Oklahoma.  I know nothing about them, even though they are in my home state, but they do have a dealer network and will do custom orders.

Allen Camper Mfg. Co., Inc.

Just as an FYI, Forks (also known as Continental Coach), New Horizons, and Spacecraft will be true custom builds, but they are also much more expensive than most other manufacturers.

Terry

Thank you for your input,

I can't afford the really nice one (sob-sob), and don't like the cheap one.  It is nice that there is such a selection out there.  I guess I will check out the Tampa show, I think the DRV is really nice, along with the Cedar Creek, new Horizon on sale, and the Excel.  I get so confused on the construction aspects.  What do I want in a sound 5th wheel in construction.  I want to live in it full time, move every 3 months (due to work) and have an excellent all seasons package to manage real cold weather.

Helen

Before you make your choice go read about our experience with DRV @ www.puppypaths.blogspot.com on the October 22, 2012 post, "The Start of Our DRV Elite Suite RVing Journey". Hope DRV has made some improvements since our purchase. We had a new 2010 DRV Mobile Suite and a new 2012 DRV Elite Suite. In the first 13 months we spent close to four months at DRV having warranty work done. We also had warranty work at two DRV dealers and at Camping World. Got nowhere with the Indiana Attorney General's Office of Consumer Affairs. I do not believe Indiana has a "Lemon Law" and don't know of anyone that has won a case against a RV manufacturer. I contacted several attorneys in Indiana and could not find one that would take a case against a RV manufacturer.

We now have a 2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus and in the first year we have spent almost two weeks in the dealer's parking lot and have made three trips to Tiffin's factory in Red Bay for repairs. In the case of all three of our RVs, most issues were due to faulty installation, wiring and component failure. In most case quality control happens after the sale, not before delivery to the dealer or by the dealer. In all three case problems started once we drove the RV off the lot before we got home. With the Elite Suite we were notified of problems while on our way to DRV to take factory delivery. Only the first dealer, Southern RV, came to our aid. It is all on the consumer. Florida is where we bought our Allegro Bus and Florida has a Lemon Law; however, our sales contract at North Trail RV requires the buyer to agree to arbitration or mediation in the county of purchase OR "home cooking."

In our last trip to DRV for warranty work, they were so behind that they farmed out our and other owners' warranty work to their dealer in Elkhart. On our last trip to Tiffin we learned that an owner could no longer get a warranty appointment. It is now "first come, first served" and there were over a hundred owners there waiting on repairs. We met people that had been waiting for weeks and some had been there over a month.

When you get close to making a choice visit the manufacturer if you can and go online and check out problems with the brand. I thought I had done my homework each time. Boy, was I ever wrong. On most owner sites and many forums these issues are not discussed. Many owners are afraid to speak out while their RVs are under warranty and many are embarrassed to admit they have been taken. Some RV owners wear their troubles as a "badge of courage" and make statements like, 'that's part of RVing!"

Good luck!! The lifestyle is rewarding and you will meet some great people.

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 12:22:31 AM

-- Edited by Steve C on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 12:23:20 AM

Wow Steve,

that is horrible that you all had to go through all that on THREE rvs.  I am trying to devise a chart and list what each has/not to compare the finalist.   The interiors pretty much look the same except for a few options.  It is the construction that matters most to me, the capability to handle extreme weathers, and the ease of usability for me since it is just me  The biggest thing I have ever owned has been a cattle trailer and a large pop-up trailer.  So, I have to get this right.  I have a lot to learn and appreciate your input.

Thank you, Helen

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year

PS:  Your pictures are just beautiful!  The sunset & roses!!!!

I would consider a higher end used unit. We are KS and the old Nu-Wa plant closed last spring but they are now: www.kansasrvcenter.com/, a dealer and they tend to get some high end used trailers in. They take nice photos which I enjoy looking at to compare units. The older Excels and New Horizons (these come up on KS Craiglists now and then) can be had for a decent price and another is Alpenlite which has now went out of business but was a nice solid trailer. Nu Wa, The Hitchhiker model seemed to be a pretty good unit as I knew someone that bought a very old one and liked it so much they bought a newer one and they seem to last.  Whenever a manufacturer goes out of business, the used value of that trailer should drop making it a good value, I think.  There are tweets that you can do to make a solid unit more winter friendly and, myself, I would rather concentrate on "solid" and not "4 season" since some of the "4 season" are in my opinion not that great of unit. Enjoy the hunt! Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

While Steve has had issues with his RV's, our experience with our DRV Mobile Suites has largely been good to excellent.  Much of one's experiences can be enhanced by choosing a good dealership through which to order.  With respect to DRV models, check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma.  Alicia and Slade are very conscientious about working with and helping their customers.  They have an excellent reputation among DRV owners.  They also have some used models if you are considering a DRV.  Check out those at the bottom of their "Inventory" page at their website.

When advising folks for quality RV's, I always advise that they look at the very "foundation" of the RV.  That foundation includes the frame, axles, suspension, wheels and tires.  My opinion with choosing a full time RV would be to not get anything smaller than a 12-inch frame.  (I think New Horizon's are 16-inch double boxed frames and DRV's Elite Suites and Mobile Suites are 15-inch triple-boxed frames.)  Oh, and look into insulation R-ratings.  The DRV Elite and Mobile Suite models all have 3 1/4" walls and good insulation.  We've been comfortable in temps down to 8 degrees and up to 115 degrees.

Terry

Thank you all so much!!!

There is so much still to learn and from what I have learned is I can eventually afford a DRV, Cedar Creek and possibly a New Horizon.  I want to pay cash.  Along with a truck.  I have found a Mobile Suites Estates (DRV) that is 39 ft that I like a lot, but haven't seen it personally.  The truck will be my next problem.  That too will be paid for in cash.  I want no notes.

You all have given me excellent information.  Actually I am so impressed because everything I have read seems that everyone has been so neutral in info and I really needed some great opinions and I am so pleased that I got them.

Yes, I am a travel nurse.  I work mostly out in CA, Montana, Nevada, but my home is Texas.  I have started to downsize and will be traveling again in March.  Hopefully I will be down to a trunk full of belongings and living very frugal.  I am going to be doing this alone and I need to be sure everything I do can be handled by a female with minimal talent in fixing simple things.  I am so impressed with all the things you all do without requiring a professional. 

Thank you again and anything else you all can share, I will take it and absorb it.

Sincerely Helen

Jack Mayer wrote:

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You are not gonig to find a custom built RV in the price range of a Cedar Creek, or even a Mobile Suite. Custom built RVs tend to be higher-end units...prices vary, but the cost order - low to high - would be: Travel Units, Spacecraft, New Horizons, Forks RV (Continental Coach). You will see the last three at Tampa. To my knowledge you would have to go to the factory to see a Travel Units. I have never seen one at any of the large shows.

I can not speak of Travel Units, since I have no specific knowledge of them. I have been in one unit, and seen two others from the outside. They are what I consider to be very "basic". But that is an opinion formed on minimal data.

Of the other three, all of them make a good coach. All of them are totally custom, so you need to have some idea of what you want. All of them are extremely heavy (in relative terms), so tow vehicle selection becomes very important. Weights vary based on design/amenities, but in general the weights will be: heaviest - lightest...Forks (heaviest), then Spacecraft, then New Horizons. In my opinion, all of them require a MINIMUM of an F450 on anything over 36'. And anything 42' or larger is going to REQUIRE either a true MDT or HDT.
 

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As a follow on to Jack’s comment:  In addition to the amenities, a true custom unit allows you to change everything, including slide length, number of slides, height of rig, height of rig off the ground, even the width of the unit and the location of the generator. While there are “suggested” layouts to get you started, as an example if your design or need requires the living / dining room slide to be 144” then so be it.  Same for the kitchen, bedroom, etc. slides. They fit the trailer to you, not you to the trailer. The frames are heavy and totally designed for each rig.  So the discussion pretty much goes something like: “What do you want?”  When you’re presented with that question you will be surprised at what is possible and the suggestions they will make to meet your goals. Be sure to keep that in mind if you begin this project. The possibilities go on and on and with every possibility the weight of the rig.

I do agree with Cathy’s comments.  In our case this isn’t our first RV.  We’ve had several.  But if it is your first RV and you want a more custom RV they can show you plans that many people have chosen so you know it isn’t “unique” but can still be made with the amenities you prefer.  As to reselling it:  At least in our case we purchased all our RV’s to use.  If your concerned about resale value then it is probably best not to purchase much of anything new.  So, as always, “It depends” on what meets your needs.

b

Happy New Year All!!!

And Thank you so much for your wonderful input

I just got off working for the past seven nights and again I am blown away from the wonderful information ya'll have given me.  I know I want a large shower.  That is a priority for me.  I want a large refrig and a good kitchen with most of the creature comforts of a home.  TVs are not important to me.  Keeping warm or cool is very important to me and excellent insulation is a must.  I read somewhere on here that a RV going down the road is like a continual earthquake for the coach...I took that to heart and want something very solid.  I don't know if I can handle anything bigger than a F450 (I might need a special license for something bigger?).  From what I can learn, the higher cost fifth wheels are better made and some are better than others.  My other understanding is that I need to find what I want first, then look for the truck. 

My most major concern is I get something that will last.  It is a major investment that will only depreciate. So maintenance that is reasonable in cost to get the most life out of the RV.  I do understand the more bells and whistles I get, the more that can go wrong.

This is overwhelming, but incredibly exciting.  My adventure!  And one day to meet you all.

Thank you again, Helen

hawhawmomma wrote:

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 I don't know if I can handle anything bigger than a F450 (I might need a special license for something bigger?).  From what I can learn, the higher cost fifth wheels are better made and some are better than others.  My other understanding is that I need to find what I want first, then look for the truck. 

---

Helen:

Concerning the above – It depends on your state or residency.  In general, many states require a “Class A” (non-commercial) - or some other “special license” for RV’s for anything that weighs over 26,001 lbs single or combined weight.  That is the weight of the truck and trailer together   It depends on the state and whatever your state requires that license is good for the all the US.

 (Some very few states do require a “Class A” CDL but I seriously doubt you would choose residency in any of those listed.  CDL=commercial drivers license)

There are many other things to consider in addition to the drivers license, but you could establish your residency in a state that does not require that “special license.”  At last check, South Dakota is one of those.

This link might help.  But naturally you need to check with the state in question to make sure as there are notable “It depends” in many states.

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

This site has other good general information as well.

And yes, IMO, you should look for the trailer first, but keep in mind what you will need to safely pull it as you make your selection. 

Bill

If you're going to be in colder weather a lot then I would stay away from the DRV products. I know a lot of folks here have them and like them…but from an engineering standpoint the insulation is much poorer. Our two finalists were an Elite Suites and a New Horizons and once you take the factory tour then the answer becomes pretty obvious (at least for us and if you can afford it as a NH will cost more than the DRV, but then the NH has better features in addition to the better insulation(.

That said…if you aren't going to be in cold weather there isn't anything wrong with the DRV…as I said it was our second choice although it became a distant second after the factory tours and cost (while important to us) was not the primary consideration, live-ability was.

Sorry, Neil.  We're spending our third winter in our DRV Mobile Suites and are quite comfortable, so I have to disagree with your assessment of the "engineering" aspect of the insulation.  We've been as low as 8 degrees and as high as 115 with no real problems.  This winter is worse than the first two years with a lot more cold days.  We are facing the prospect of up to three more cold fronts moving through in the next week to 10 days.

Considering the cost differences between the New Horizon and the Mobile Suites, I can buy a WHOLE LOT of LPG if needed with that difference.

Terry