We are thinking of purchasing a 5th wheel. We live in the Midwest and are considering taking a year or two on the road.
Haven't a clue what one would be best and size. Years ago my parents had a Fleetwood and my sister a Jayco. That is the extinct of my knowledge.
We want a comfortable home, laundry, and etc. Do most have washer/dryer? I remember my parents did.
Also, we want something we can pull with a regular 2500 or 3500 diesel.
We thought about a Motorhome but aren't sure which would be better. Read some like the 5th wheels as larger interior and the no hassle of towing a car.
Do you have any suggestions on where to begin our search?
Thanks so much!!
Terry and Jo said
02:06 PM Jun 15, 2014
Diane,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find this to be a good source of information because the participants here are knowledgeable about almost every kind of RV. Plus, they are friendly, helpful and very encouraging.
As to your question of length, you will need to answer some questions as to what you want to do in the way of RV'ing. For instance, will you be full-timing or will your RV'ing be on a part time basis? Will you want to be staying in forest campgrounds with no hookups (some limit the size of RV that can fit in the campsites), or will you be always staying in established RV parks with all, or most, facilities/amenities being available? If the latter, a lot of RV parks have laundry facilities, so the need for a washer and dryer might not be so critical.
With regards to trucks, would you want to go with one with single rear wheels on an F350/3500 series truck? If so, you might be limited in what you can tow safely. If you have a fair sized trailer, an F350/3500 series truck with dually's would be a lot more stable in turns and in crosswinds. With the case of either a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck, you would probably want to choose your trailer first and then buy a truck that has the weight capacity to tow the trailer of your choice. If you buy a truck first, you might be limited to what size trailer you could tow.
Is a motorhome definitely ruled out as an option? If one is traveling pretty regular, one might find a motorhome to be easier and quicker to set up or get ready for travel. If you plan to stay in one place for extended lengths of time, then a trailer might be better. Any RV, whether it is a pickup for a trailer or a motorhome, needs to be "exercised" every so often so as to keep seals lubricated and such. If one were staying in one place for months at a time, the truck and trailer would be best because then you only need to exercise the tow vehicle.
Feel free to ask any questions about RV's and the RV lifestyle that you wish. Otherwise, consider what you want to do and then go to as many RV shows as you can, or visit dealerships and spend time in ones that interest you. When spending time in them, pretend to be doing normal, everyday things like cooking and showering and such. You might find that one "size" might offer more amenities than you really need, thus the possibility of going smaller rather than larger.
Good luck in your research and planning.
Terry
The Junkman said
03:33 PM Jun 15, 2014
The common length seems to be in 36/37ft length.. I believe some state federal parks may be tight any bigger, or even not allowed.
My OPINION.. is the 2013 and up dodge 3500 dually can pull them all .. up to 24,000 lb with the right configuration. But please check with Dodge. Not sure on chevy or Ford. Some will tell you you need a tractor trailer to pull a 40ftrs.. you need to run the numbers... Many pad the numbers by 20% or more.. after the manf has done the same.. You run the numbers and decide.
For us.. bigger is better. I ordered a 43ft w/ 5 slides.. and It is still too small to me. But there isn't much bigger out there..That you can effectively travel with because of weight and/or length. I don't know.. but I'd guess and say there is such a thing as being TOO HEAVY and TOO LONG. Many RV parks can't even handle them.
We chose the trailer over the Class A, As we wanted a pick up truck with us.( so we can pick, buy and sell). and I could get a nice brand new 43' for the less money than that 8 year old, USED 2006 nice Diesel pusher ( about 160k ) in my opinion. And I had the truck already.( new)
All my opinion.. some will not like it or agree..
Oh.. And DRV Double tree is the best RV ! And contact Karen ar RVforless in TN.. They treat you right..
-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 15th of June 2014 03:38:03 PM
BiggarView said
04:22 PM Jun 15, 2014
First, welcome aboard. I agree with Terry before you can figure out what rig to buy, you have to know yourself and personal style, what your expectations are and what type of RVing you plan to do. This forum is an excellent resource for info, however you'll get about as many opinions on which is the best 5er as there are members, either that or you'll get something like "what works for you is the perfect rig" Both are fully correct points of view. I lean toward the latter. I'd hesitate to say one is better than another, better question would be what is your budget and then find the rigs, both new and used, that fit into that range. Sure, with unlimited funds there is a rig for you, if you have less, there is a rig for you, and if you have very little, there is a rig for you. Get inside them, pretend to do the everyday things you'd be doing, is there room in the kitchen for the way you cook, shower not tall enough, need more storage, etc. There only so many ways to arrange the interior of a 5er, so you'll soon find an arrangement that works... move on to the build quality. You get what you pay for. All rigs have problems or at least that is the sense I get from posters on this forum and on some of the various rig owner specific forums out there. Do your research. There are many on here with way more knowledge and experience than me on this forum and they are more than willing to assist, teach, guide, coach and cajole you on your way to "your" RV Dream!
Let the fun begin
-- Edited by biggaRView on Sunday 15th of June 2014 04:25:39 PM
DenJen12 said
04:32 PM Jun 15, 2014
I agree with Terry, the size and type will depend greatly on what your intended usage will be and what YOU require to be comfortable. We full-time in ours, thus the need for more residential amenities. We value our space in our living area more so than any other part of the trailer...you may prefer to have a larger kitchen, or bedroom, etc.....or like Junkman, you want space everywhere...LOL, hence a 43' trailer and all the slides Where do you plan to be mostly? RV parks, state parks...etc? That will definitely help determine what you can and can't have or need and don't need. As far as brands go, everyone on here would probably give you a good spiel on why the brand they chose is best, but I truly believe that with that, it is definitely about personal preference. Find some floor plans you like and research those brands...in different price points....and that should help you with a decision as well (so for now i'll save you my spiel on why i believe that my Open Range 3X378RLS is the best....LOL) May I suggest possibly going on rvtrader.com and doing an advanced search and putting in a few of the things that you think right now would be important, and see what it brings up? Don't put in a location, because for now you are just doing a little brand/layout research. From there you may be able to narrow down ones that spark your interest are worth an actual trip to a local dealer (if possible) to check it out. Keep a list of pros and cons or things you see on some but not others that maybe you like or don't like. It's definitely not a decision to jump into lightly.
OK, I could probably go on for a long time with this...but I won't Hopefully you get some great ideas from these wonderful people on this forum. Don't hesitate to keep asking questions. Good luck with your search! Any maybe we'll see ya out on the road in the near future
ps....where about in the midwest are you from???
Terry and Jo said
05:02 PM Jun 15, 2014
Diane,
I left out something very important. When researching for your RV, remember that the frame, suspension, axles, wheels and tires are the very foundation of the rig. Look at those with the idea of looking for quality. When I was asked about what I would recommend, I said that I wouldn't have anything for full-time living that had less than a frame that was 12 inches tall.
As has been suggested, as you develop an interest in a "brand name," look for owners association or forums where you can go and read what folks have discussed about that brand/model. If you have enough interest in the brand name, you can register with the forum and ask your own questions. Keep in mind that forums have a tendency to "draw" people that are looking for answers to problems, thus it can appear that there are problems with that brand. I always advise people to ask a specific question on the forums to determine the degree that the forum users like their RV's. That question would be similar to this: "If you were to buy another RV today, would you still buy "this brand" and if not, why not?"
In my researching, I found that while a number of folks had problems, they would still buy the same brand again.
Again, good luck and have fun with the researching. Oh, and there are absolutely NO dumb questions. The only dumb ones are those that don't get asked and thus one makes an expensive or time consuming mistake.
Terry
Jo And Craig said
06:56 PM Jun 15, 2014
Me? I'm a Luxury Lifestyle kinda girl... as in LS38RS! Built by Evergreen in Middlebury, IN. I'm spoiled!
WestWardHo said
08:17 AM Jun 16, 2014
Great advice you're getting here. I'd only disagree respectfully with Terry that it's doesn't take any longer to set up a well equipped 5th wheel than it does a Class A or C. Just a couple of minutes to unhitched or hitch up one you know the tricks so maybe two or three minutes longer. Auto levelers are AWESOME and ours even remembers the truck height for re-hitching. We're all set up and connected in 15 minutes or less. Terry's Truck advice and foundation advice is spot on.
Keep reading, researching, asking questions. You'll find the right one for you.
Sherry
wahmse said
08:18 AM Jun 16, 2014
Thank you so much. We haven't ruled out a motorhome. We are thinking of traveling 6 months of the year or more. I did like the idea of a motorhome due to I have back problems.
My husband is leaning more towards a 5th wheel. He did mention maybe needing a 3500 series truck. What I read here seems as dodge are the favorite. We have a dodge now, but not the right size.
We are in Missouri...south of Kansas City about 30 minutes. Thanks about the info on the axle/tires. I have been reading where that matters.
Diane
PD CFK said
04:32 PM Jun 17, 2014
Our advice would be to get the dually for a extra stability. We had decided on the single rear wheel truck when an more experienced salesman came into the transaction and suggested that we reconsider our choice and gave his reasoning based on his RV experience. I have been so thankful that he did that. Pat K
kb0zke said
09:06 PM Jun 18, 2014
Welcome, Diane. Getting your "mission profile" figured out is step 1. How many people, how many pets, mobility/strength concerns, etc. all factor into what will and will not work for you. Get used to the idea that something will be towing something else (a MH towing a small vehicle, a truck towing a trailer) and one of the pair will be your daily driver while the other is your home.
Once you figure out what sort of coach will best suit your needs you can start looking at floorplans. There are only so many ways to arrange a box to make it a home, so you can look at anything and everything you find to try "living" in. Pretend to do all the different things you will do in the coach - "fix" a meal, "wash" the dishes, "take" a shower, "use" the toilet, etc. This will let you know which arrangements will and will not work for you.
Now you are ready to start researching brands. Actually, you can begin this part once you've figured out what sort of coach you need, but sometimes it is easier to do one step at a time. Generally, buying an older high quality coach is preferable to a newer low quality one. Pay close attention to weights. If you choose a towable, use the gross weight in all of your calculations, NOT the "dry" or empty weight the sales person will quote. If you choose a motor home be aware that some Class C and a few Class A rigs are at or near gross weight before any fuel, water, food, or people are added.
All of this research can take time, especially step 1. You and your husband need to talk A LOT about how you will live, and as you are talking about floor plans you both need to tell each other your thoughts about each rig you see.
You mentioned you are south of KC. We're in SW Missouri, north of Springfield. Let me know if you want to get together sometime.
jcordar2 said
06:01 AM Jun 19, 2014
I am just so excited about discovering the RV Dreams website! I've learned so much from reading the older topics, posts and replies by experienced full timers! My husband and I are planning to FT within the next two years and are also beginning our search for the perfect RV. I am still somewhat confused regarding the length we should be zeroing in on for our fifth wheel. We would like to stay in some of the national parks, but of course not exclusively. Is a 38 foot too large for most NP's? If so, should we go with a 38' anyway for the comfortability factor and skip the NP's? DH and I have agreed that we want to try to stay under 39'. Our plan is to buy the RV first and then the tow vehicle. Can't wait for the Hershey show!!
NWescapee said
01:31 PM Jun 19, 2014
We learned a lot when we toured a dealership that specialized in high end pre-owned 5th wheels. Seeing units that were 3-8 years old gave us a lot of clues about the manufacturers construction. It helped us eliminate at least 3 brands we had considered and helped DRVs move to the top of the list. Looking at pre-owned units also gave us some great ideas on customizations, modifications and little extra things that just make the rigs more livable. If you can attend a rally that offers a "big-rig walk thru" like the RV Dreams Rallies do, you can talk to the various owners and find out what they love, what they would change or what they have changed too give you some ideas to consider.
I will say the RV Dreams Rally we attended resulted in changing our minds from a motorhome to a 5th wheel which started our research process all over again.
jayc said
07:00 AM Jun 20, 2014
We have had three fifth wheels and have moved up in length each time. Two Bighorns, one 35 and the next 37. I didn't like the split bath in the first one and we traded for a model close out for the second one. The Landmark that we have now seems to be the ideal length (for us) and I think we'll stay with this one.
As for a tow vehicle, we moved up from a GMC 2500 that pulled both Bighorns well to a 2010 Ram 3500 DRW that is perfect for us. It took a week or so for me to get used to the dually wheels but now we seldom have a problem and absolutely love the way it tows our home.
jcordar2 said
07:57 AM Jun 20, 2014
Great suggestions! We do plan on attending an RV Dreams rally in 2015. In the meantime, I am formulating a "short list" of manufacturers / models and a personalized spreadsheet to take to the Hershey show!
The Junkman said
02:50 PM Jun 20, 2014
Just a FYI.. Just found out .. At the DRV rally, last week. 18 DRV'S where sold ! That must be a new record. That seems like alot to me for such a short time. These guys just keep gaining more and more momentum.
I would look at this brand.. LAST !.. They are VERY popular.
-- Edited by The Junkman on Friday 20th of June 2014 02:51:48 PM
jcordar2 said
07:57 AM Jun 21, 2014
Number 1 on our list, if we can find a used one that we can afford!
bigboomer said
08:59 AM Jun 21, 2014
We have been very comfortable with the size of last rig and now our new rig both around 39'. For us it was a no brainer for the price point with Montana. The quality is excellent and they watch and listen to thier customers for upgrades they put into the coaches. The Montana Owners Forum is also such a valuable tool. We feel that you can spend a lot more money but not get anything more than what Montana offers. Now this is our opinion and like any other owner will be bias towards thier make/ model, but to each his own.
Terry and Jo said
12:30 PM Jun 21, 2014
jcordar2 wrote:
Number 1 on our list, if we can find a used one that we can afford!
If you are referring to the DRV Suites as your #1 choice, check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK. Buying used DRV's at auction and fixing them up for resale is how they got started towards their dealership.
Terry
The Junkman said
08:50 PM Jun 21, 2014
To be honest.. Redwood was our 2nd choice .. and same options would be a easy 20k less.
There where a couple difference.. but they are nice too.
We notice a few used ones out there as well..
To me , all of these Rv's are expensive.. and if it wasn't for the wife, I would have bought used, and saved a a years worth of traveling money..or more.
Glenn West said
09:02 AM Jul 9, 2014
I have owned a 2006 Double Tree Mobile Suites. It was nice. It was heavy. It had problems that concerned me and I want to point them out to you. DRV uses batten insulation in their walls "just like your house". Your house doesn't go down America's rough roads. Settling will happen. I verified this on mine. Mine was drafty. I also found sections of wall void of any insulation. Surely this has been corrected over the years but that was a big deal. The trim work around the slides, inside, pulled loose from the slides. Just cheap trim stapled together. This should not be on a high end coach. They are beautiful units. We decided on a used Teton second time around.
The Junkman said
12:59 PM Jul 9, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
I have owned a 2006 Double Tree Mobile Suites. It was nice. It was heavy. It had problems that concerned me and I want to point them out to you. DRV uses batten insulation in their walls "just like your house". Your house doesn't go down America's rough roads. Settling will happen. I verified this on mine. Mine was drafty. I also found sections of wall void of any insulation. Surely this has been corrected over the years but that was a big deal. The trim work around the slides, inside, pulled loose from the slides. Just cheap trim stapled together. This should not be on a high end coach. They are beautiful units. We decided on a used Teton second time around.
I hear ya.. You need to expect some lower qualities than a real house.. I mean weight only mandates that.. Then there is the price issue..
It's a RV.
You won't hear me gripe about the little stuff. I was going with a voltage or cyclone toy hauler.. And I could have got by the lower quality.. wife couldn't.
I could not get the wife to look at any used RV'S.. I found a nice 2011 drv ..And I think New horizons had a pile of used ones too... no go...lol So now we take a hit when we sell it.. I figured it out one day.. will cost us about 1k / per mo to use it for 5 years. apx 60K. I think I could rent one cheaper than that !
Neil and Connie said
01:23 PM Jul 9, 2014
An excellent question and the answer is you need the one that's right for you. We know folks full timing in a popup, a Casita, and everything up to a 53 foot 5ver. Our New Horizons is nominally a 39 footer but we're 40'8" from stem to stern. That keeps us out of probably 50% of the national park CGs and a smaller percentage of state parks…but we've never had an issue finding a place to stay.
Make sure you have enough truck…our 2012 Ford F450 pulls the 21,800 pound loaded rig just fine and we're within all of our weight limits except for being 200 pounds over on the rear truck axle. We've got the hydraulic disks and the ABS option on our rig so stopping is similarly fine…pulled all up and down the Rockies, Smokies, and NY/NE mountains just fine.
Any RV…even the best constructed ones…will be way, way lower quality than what you would get in a house…that's just a fact of life with an RV. Beyond that…sit in a lot as has been suggested, pretend living there with cooking, sleeping, going to the bathroom, get into the shower and see if you can wash your hair, bend over to shave your legs (assuming you or your partner if you have one need to do that), etc.
We looked at the DRV on a factory tour and were underwhelmed by their construction compared to the New Horizons and they also would do very limited customization. In our opinion the DRV wasn't any better built or featured than the Big Horn, Keystones, and other rigs that run in the 70K-90K MSRP range but was 30K more expensive. We eliminated the DRV from consideration (although it was on our short list) pretty early.
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 9th of July 2014 01:25:49 PM
Glenn West said
07:24 AM Jul 10, 2014
The Junkman wrote:
Glenn West wrote:
I have owned a 2006 Double Tree Mobile Suites. It was nice. It was heavy. It had problems that concerned me and I want to point them out to you. DRV uses batten insulation in their walls "just like your house". Your house doesn't go down America's rough roads. Settling will happen. I verified this on mine. Mine was drafty. I also found sections of wall void of any insulation. Surely this has been corrected over the years but that was a big deal. The trim work around the slides, inside, pulled loose from the slides. Just cheap trim stapled together. This should not be on a high end coach. They are beautiful units. We decided on a used Teton second time around.
I hear ya.. You need to expect some lower qualities than a real house.. I mean weight only mandates that.. Then there is the price issue..
It's a RV.
You won't hear me gripe about the little stuff. I was going with a voltage or cyclone toy hauler.. And I could have got by the lower quality.. wife couldn't.
I could not get the wife to look at any used RV'S.. I found a nice 2011 drv ..And I think New horizons had a pile of used ones too... no go...lol So now we take a hit when we sell it.. I figured it out one day.. will cost us about 1k / per mo to use it for 5 years. apx 60K. I think I could rent one cheaper than that !
I never stated they were insulated like a house. That's DRV's quote.
The Junkman said
09:11 AM Jul 10, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
The Junkman wrote:
Glenn West wrote:
I have owned a 2006 Double Tree Mobile Suites. It was nice. It was heavy. It had problems that concerned me and I want to point them out to you. DRV uses batten insulation in their walls "just like your house". Your house doesn't go down America's rough roads. Settling will happen. I verified this on mine. Mine was drafty. I also found sections of wall void of any insulation. Surely this has been corrected over the years but that was a big deal. The trim work around the slides, inside, pulled loose from the slides. Just cheap trim stapled together. This should not be on a high end coach. They are beautiful units. We decided on a used Teton second time around.
I hear ya.. You need to expect some lower qualities than a real house.. I mean weight only mandates that.. Then there is the price issue..
It's a RV.
You won't hear me gripe about the little stuff. I was going with a voltage or cyclone toy hauler.. And I could have got by the lower quality.. wife couldn't.
I could not get the wife to look at any used RV'S.. I found a nice 2011 drv ..And I think New horizons had a pile of used ones too... no go...lol So now we take a hit when we sell it.. I figured it out one day.. will cost us about 1k / per mo to use it for 5 years. apx 60K. I think I could rent one cheaper than that !
I never stated they were insulated like a house. That's DRV's quote.
ok..
I'm sure they have fixed and issues they had with ANYTHING in 2006... it's almost a decade ago.
I don't pretend to know a ton about design.. I tend to look at what the guys that know are buying.. or what the masses tend to buy.. And right now, That is DRV...Redwood, and Landmark..
And I might add, if looking at Drv or Landmark, RVS4LESS in Tn is the only place anyone should go to get info on one, or buy one... for many reasons. PM and I will provide my opinion. I have seen funny things being played by dealers that are mentioned daily on this forum and others, and have proof... and I don't like it.
( let's see if this gets deleted )...
-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 10th of July 2014 09:13:35 AM
Glenn West said
10:43 AM Jul 10, 2014
Landmarks are the better mass produced units currently on market. Lifestyle is a well made unit but should build a wide body. Believe this is hurting sales for them. The Carriage line they are replacing offered this. This feature stopped me from buying one. They are a premium price and I for one except a wide body in a premium unit. Landmarks are not wide body either but less dollars also. Can't see where Redwood is any better than the other mass produced units. Word of caution on your DRV Lexington, you likely will be over pin on a 3500. I am at max with my Teton and my overload springs are bent backwards at the tip. They likely will break. Air bags will help but will raise height of truck. From what I saw on line your dry pin is higher than my Teton dry pin. We are 5600 loaded.
The Junkman said
12:33 PM Jul 10, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
Landmarks are the better mass produced units currently on market. Lifestyle is a well made unit but should build a wide body. Believe this is hurting sales for them. The Carriage line they are replacing offered this. This feature stopped me from buying one. They are a premium price and I for one except a wide body in a premium unit. Landmarks are not wide body either but less dollars also. Can't see where Redwood is any better than the other mass produced units. Word of caution on your DRV Lexington, you likely will be over pin on a 3500. I am at max with my Teton and my overload springs are bent backwards at the tip. They likely will break. Air bags will help but will raise height of truck. From what I saw on line your dry pin is higher than my Teton dry pin. We are 5600 loaded.
5600 would not be a issue for the new RAM 3500's ..Even w/o airbags.. It's all anyone needs...
Glenn West said
08:25 PM Jul 10, 2014
rear axle weight max is 10,000. 5600 pin will put it at max.
The Junkman said
09:00 PM Jul 10, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
rear axle weight max is 10,000. 5600 pin will put it at max.
I show 6400 on mine...
2013 RAM / long box / 4x4 / longhorn / DRW .. W/ 4.10 rears and the HD tranny
-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 10th of July 2014 09:04:44 PM
Glenn West said
09:19 PM Jul 10, 2014
9750 same as my Chevy. With 5600# pin I'm at 9500ish (would have to go outside to truck to get exact). Have to add the axle assy, wheels, bed, hitch, etc. Cat scales will tell the tale. You will likely be over 10,000 on rear wheels. Never seen or heard of a Mobile Suites being anything but heavy on pin.
The Junkman said
09:29 PM Jul 10, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
9750 same as my Chevy. With 5600# pin I'm at 9500ish (would have to go outside to truck to get exact). Have to add the axle assy, wheels, bed, hitch, etc. Cat scales will tell the tale. You will likely be over 10,000 on rear wheels. Never seen or heard of a Mobile Suites being anything but heavy on pin.
Was just looking at the truck..Yours should be 6400 max pin too I guess?
Trailer can hold some weight too.. Like I said.. I'll put 1500 at the rear window.. no problem.. Will help on pin weght.. we'll see.
I'll have my own scales... I'm not pulling into those places..
Should be a a easy pull.. I added remote control air bags too..
Sushidog said
09:32 PM Jul 10, 2014
OK, now I'm confused. If your max payload weight is 5580 and the pin sits in the bed isn't the max pin weight equal to the max bed weight of 5580 minus the weight of the hitch (say around 150lbs) and anything else in the bed like a tool box, spare fuel tanks, generator, etc.? So if you tow with nothing in the bed wouldn't your max pin weight be about 5430 lbs?
Chip
Glenn West said
09:42 PM Jul 10, 2014
In your door jam is max for rear axle. All 3500 duallys I am aware of is just shy of 10,000, mine is 9750. With a 5600 pin I am right at max on axle. I intend to get a Hensley air hitch and that will put me at max or slightly over. This is weighing at cat scales. Why someone would object to using them is confusing. Best, easiest way to find out and only $10.00. Fill up with fuel, drive on scales. go inside get results. simple.
Glenn West said
09:50 PM Jul 10, 2014
Not a fan of air bags. they do nothing to increase payload, just helps with sag: raises back. This could hurt. They are popular though.
The Junkman said
11:32 PM Jul 10, 2014
I was thinking the air bags work as bumpstops. So you don't bottom out your springs.. or even bend one..In fact, they have bumpstops built in.. Goodyear bags by airlift.
I will have my own set of scales.. I don't need to pull off and get weighed. My weight will change alot pending auction buys, etc... so I think I will need to weigh kinda often.
I'm thinking fed law is 9750 for 1 tons.. No way around it.. except go over it..lol
Sushidog..
Gotta rund the weights on your rig... My rear payload comes out to 6400..
As one guy stated.. That plenty enough to pull most anything made in the rv world.. no worries.. Hook it up and go !
Terry and Jo said
06:28 AM Jul 11, 2014
We've kind of gotten off-topic a bit. While weight is an important issue when considering length, let's get back to the original poster's questions.
Terry
aztrooper said
12:38 AM Jul 15, 2014
wahmse wrote:
Thank you so much. We haven't ruled out a motorhome. We are thinking of traveling 6 months of the year or more. I did like the idea of a motorhome due to I have back problems.
My husband is leaning more towards a 5th wheel. He did mention maybe needing a 3500 series truck. What I read here seems as dodge are the favorite. We have a dodge now, but not the right size.
We are in Missouri...south of Kansas City about 30 minutes. Thanks about the info on the axle/tires. I have been reading where that matters.
Diane
I don't know that the Dodge 2500/3500 is the best truck. I pulled new 5th wheel trailers from the manufacturer in Elkhart In. to dealers all over the USA. I bought a used Dodge 1 ton dually because I couldn't afford the Chevy/GMC at the time that had 90K miles on it. I got a 2006 Dodge with a 6 speed standard because they didn't make an automatic transmission that would last more than 100K miles. The same goes for Ford. At 195K miles, the 1st and second gear syncros went out. $2300 for that fix. The clutch throwout bearing came apart just outside Omaha Ne. which took out the clutch also at 145K miles. $900 for that fix. The lift pump also went out which is a known problem at 185K miles costing $300 to fix and I did that one myself. Going down long hills required preparation in the form of slowing down to about 45mph and judicious use of the brakes as the Cummins has NO hold back power unless you have an exhaust break which mine didn't. Everyone who drove for the same company I did and had Chevy/GMC Duramax/Allison engines and transmissions LOVED them. They said going down from the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 west of Denver only required them to shift down into the manual position and the transmission and adjustable vane tubo did the rest. I now have a 2006 Chevy 2500HD 4 door short bed pulling our 25' 5er and love it. Another side note about the Duramax is you can talk in a normal tone of voice standing next to the engine and can't hear it inside the truck. Try that with the Dodge or Ford. Don't get me wrong, the Cummins is a great engine but for my money, the Duramax/Allison combination in the Chevy/GMC's can't be beat. I'll never have anything else.
The Junkman said
09:09 AM Jul 15, 2014
aztrooper wrote:
wahmse wrote:
Thank you so much. We haven't ruled out a motorhome. We are thinking of traveling 6 months of the year or more. I did like the idea of a motorhome due to I have back problems.
My husband is leaning more towards a 5th wheel. He did mention maybe needing a 3500 series truck. What I read here seems as dodge are the favorite. We have a dodge now, but not the right size.
We are in Missouri...south of Kansas City about 30 minutes. Thanks about the info on the axle/tires. I have been reading where that matters.
Diane
I don't know that the Dodge 2500/3500 is the best truck. I pulled new 5th wheel trailers from the manufacturer in Elkhart In. to dealers all over the USA. I bought a used Dodge 1 ton dually because I couldn't afford the Chevy/GMC at the time that had 90K miles on it. I got a 2006 Dodge with a 6 speed standard because they didn't make an automatic transmission that would last more than 100K miles. The same goes for Ford. At 195K miles, the 1st and second gear syncros went out. $2300 for that fix. The clutch throwout bearing came apart just outside Omaha Ne. which took out the clutch also at 145K miles. $900 for that fix. The lift pump also went out which is a known problem at 185K miles costing $300 to fix and I did that one myself. Going down long hills required preparation in the form of slowing down to about 45mph and judicious use of the brakes as the Cummins has NO hold back power unless you have an exhaust break which mine didn't. Everyone who drove for the same company I did and had Chevy/GMC Duramax/Allison engines and transmissions LOVED them. They said going down from the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 west of Denver only required them to shift down into the manual position and the transmission and adjustable vane tubo did the rest. I now have a 2006 Chevy 2500HD 4 door short bed pulling our 25' 5er and love it. Another side note about the Duramax is you can talk in a normal tone of voice standing next to the engine and can't hear it inside the truck. Try that with the Dodge or Ford. Don't get me wrong, the Cummins is a great engine but for my money, the Duramax/Allison combination in the Chevy/GMC's can't be beat. I'll never have anything else.
The New 2013 Rams, and newer. Are not the same truck you are talking about.. Not even close...
Your 2006 chevy can't pull , hold, or handle anything near the capacity of these newer trucks.. Most have bought MDT and HDT trucks the past because the older ones could not manage the weight safely. .. Those days are gone..
with a 25' fifth wheel.. no issues.. run the numbers at 20k...
Glenn West said
09:30 AM Jul 15, 2014
X2 on that. The new trucks, Ford, Dodge, Chevy are all towing beasts. Had an 05 GMC 3500 dually. Night and day difference. Just wish they would go back to the shorter bed sides. Causing clearance problems
The Junkman said
06:20 PM Jul 15, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
X2 on that. The new trucks, Ford, Dodge, Chevy are all towing beasts. Had an 05 GMC 3500 dually. Night and day difference. Just wish they would go back to the shorter bed sides. Causing clearance problems
Got to raise the trailer.. or lower the truck..
Glenn West said
08:24 PM Jul 15, 2014
Get a HDT. Can't raise rv. 13' 3" now
The Junkman said
09:56 PM Jul 15, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
Get a HDT. Can't raise rv. 13' 3" now
Yep.. You could do that too..
-- Edited by The Junkman on Tuesday 15th of July 2014 10:26:09 PM
Hi,
We are thinking of purchasing a 5th wheel. We live in the Midwest and are considering taking a year or two on the road.
Haven't a clue what one would be best and size. Years ago my parents had a Fleetwood and my sister a Jayco. That is the extinct of my knowledge.
We want a comfortable home, laundry, and etc. Do most have washer/dryer? I remember my parents did.
Also, we want something we can pull with a regular 2500 or 3500 diesel.
We thought about a Motorhome but aren't sure which would be better. Read some like the 5th wheels as larger interior and the no hassle of towing a car.
Do you have any suggestions on where to begin our search?
Thanks so much!!
Diane,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find this to be a good source of information because the participants here are knowledgeable about almost every kind of RV. Plus, they are friendly, helpful and very encouraging.
As to your question of length, you will need to answer some questions as to what you want to do in the way of RV'ing. For instance, will you be full-timing or will your RV'ing be on a part time basis? Will you want to be staying in forest campgrounds with no hookups (some limit the size of RV that can fit in the campsites), or will you be always staying in established RV parks with all, or most, facilities/amenities being available? If the latter, a lot of RV parks have laundry facilities, so the need for a washer and dryer might not be so critical.
With regards to trucks, would you want to go with one with single rear wheels on an F350/3500 series truck? If so, you might be limited in what you can tow safely. If you have a fair sized trailer, an F350/3500 series truck with dually's would be a lot more stable in turns and in crosswinds. With the case of either a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck, you would probably want to choose your trailer first and then buy a truck that has the weight capacity to tow the trailer of your choice. If you buy a truck first, you might be limited to what size trailer you could tow.
Is a motorhome definitely ruled out as an option? If one is traveling pretty regular, one might find a motorhome to be easier and quicker to set up or get ready for travel. If you plan to stay in one place for extended lengths of time, then a trailer might be better. Any RV, whether it is a pickup for a trailer or a motorhome, needs to be "exercised" every so often so as to keep seals lubricated and such. If one were staying in one place for months at a time, the truck and trailer would be best because then you only need to exercise the tow vehicle.
Feel free to ask any questions about RV's and the RV lifestyle that you wish. Otherwise, consider what you want to do and then go to as many RV shows as you can, or visit dealerships and spend time in ones that interest you. When spending time in them, pretend to be doing normal, everyday things like cooking and showering and such. You might find that one "size" might offer more amenities than you really need, thus the possibility of going smaller rather than larger.
Good luck in your research and planning.
Terry
The common length seems to be in 36/37ft length.. I believe some state federal parks may be tight any bigger, or even not allowed.
My OPINION.. is the 2013 and up dodge 3500 dually can pull them all .. up to 24,000 lb with the right configuration. But please check with Dodge. Not sure on chevy or Ford. Some will tell you you need a tractor trailer to pull a 40ftrs.. you need to run the numbers... Many pad the numbers by 20% or more.. after the manf has done the same.. You run the numbers and decide.
For us.. bigger is better. I ordered a 43ft w/ 5 slides.. and It is still too small to me. But there isn't much bigger out there..That you can effectively travel with because of weight and/or length.
I don't know.. but I'd guess and say there is such a thing as being TOO HEAVY and TOO LONG. Many RV parks can't even handle them.
We chose the trailer over the Class A, As we wanted a pick up truck with us.( so we can pick, buy and sell). and I could get a nice brand new 43' for the less money than that 8 year old, USED 2006 nice Diesel pusher ( about 160k ) in my opinion. And I had the truck already.( new)
All my opinion.. some will not like it or agree..
Oh.. And DRV Double tree is the best RV !
And contact Karen ar RVforless in TN.. They treat you right..
-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 15th of June 2014 03:38:03 PM
First, welcome aboard. I agree with Terry before you can figure out what rig to buy, you have to know yourself and personal style, what your expectations are and what type of RVing you plan to do. This forum is an excellent resource for info, however you'll get about as many opinions on which is the best 5er as there are members, either that or you'll get something like "what works for you is the perfect rig" Both are fully correct points of view. I lean toward the latter. I'd hesitate to say one is better than another, better question would be what is your budget and then find the rigs, both new and used, that fit into that range. Sure, with unlimited funds there is a rig for you, if you have less, there is a rig for you, and if you have very little, there is a rig for you. Get inside them, pretend to do the everyday things you'd be doing, is there room in the kitchen for the way you cook, shower not tall enough, need more storage, etc. There only so many ways to arrange the interior of a 5er, so you'll soon find an arrangement that works... move on to the build quality. You get what you pay for. All rigs have problems or at least that is the sense I get from posters on this forum and on some of the various rig owner specific forums out there. Do your research. There are many on here with way more knowledge and experience than me on this forum and they are more than willing to assist, teach, guide, coach and cajole you on your way to "your" RV Dream!
Let the fun begin
-- Edited by biggaRView on Sunday 15th of June 2014 04:25:39 PM
OK, I could probably go on for a long time with this...but I won't
ps....where about in the midwest are you from???
Diane,
I left out something very important. When researching for your RV, remember that the frame, suspension, axles, wheels and tires are the very foundation of the rig. Look at those with the idea of looking for quality. When I was asked about what I would recommend, I said that I wouldn't have anything for full-time living that had less than a frame that was 12 inches tall.
As has been suggested, as you develop an interest in a "brand name," look for owners association or forums where you can go and read what folks have discussed about that brand/model. If you have enough interest in the brand name, you can register with the forum and ask your own questions. Keep in mind that forums have a tendency to "draw" people that are looking for answers to problems, thus it can appear that there are problems with that brand. I always advise people to ask a specific question on the forums to determine the degree that the forum users like their RV's. That question would be similar to this: "If you were to buy another RV today, would you still buy "this brand" and if not, why not?"
In my researching, I found that while a number of folks had problems, they would still buy the same brand again.
Again, good luck and have fun with the researching. Oh, and there are absolutely NO dumb questions. The only dumb ones are those that don't get asked and thus one makes an expensive or time consuming mistake.
Terry
Me? I'm a Luxury Lifestyle kinda girl... as in LS38RS! Built by Evergreen in Middlebury, IN. I'm spoiled!
Keep reading, researching, asking questions. You'll find the right one for you.
Sherry
My husband is leaning more towards a 5th wheel. He did mention maybe needing a 3500 series truck. What I read here seems as dodge are the favorite. We have a dodge now, but not the right size.
We are in Missouri...south of Kansas City about 30 minutes. Thanks about the info on the axle/tires. I have been reading where that matters.
Diane
Once you figure out what sort of coach will best suit your needs you can start looking at floorplans. There are only so many ways to arrange a box to make it a home, so you can look at anything and everything you find to try "living" in. Pretend to do all the different things you will do in the coach - "fix" a meal, "wash" the dishes, "take" a shower, "use" the toilet, etc. This will let you know which arrangements will and will not work for you.
Now you are ready to start researching brands. Actually, you can begin this part once you've figured out what sort of coach you need, but sometimes it is easier to do one step at a time. Generally, buying an older high quality coach is preferable to a newer low quality one. Pay close attention to weights. If you choose a towable, use the gross weight in all of your calculations, NOT the "dry" or empty weight the sales person will quote. If you choose a motor home be aware that some Class C and a few Class A rigs are at or near gross weight before any fuel, water, food, or people are added.
All of this research can take time, especially step 1. You and your husband need to talk A LOT about how you will live, and as you are talking about floor plans you both need to tell each other your thoughts about each rig you see.
You mentioned you are south of KC. We're in SW Missouri, north of Springfield. Let me know if you want to get together sometime.
I am just so excited about discovering the RV Dreams website! I've learned so much from reading the older topics, posts and replies by experienced full timers! My husband and I are planning to FT within the next two years and are also beginning our search for the perfect RV. I am still somewhat confused regarding the length we should be zeroing in on for our fifth wheel. We would like to stay in some of the national parks, but of course not exclusively. Is a 38 foot too large for most NP's? If so, should we go with a 38' anyway for the comfortability factor and skip the NP's? DH and I have agreed that we want to try to stay under 39'. Our plan is to buy the RV first and then the tow vehicle. Can't wait for the Hershey show!!
I will say the RV Dreams Rally we attended resulted in changing our minds from a motorhome to a 5th wheel which started our research process all over again.
As for a tow vehicle, we moved up from a GMC 2500 that pulled both Bighorns well to a 2010 Ram 3500 DRW that is perfect for us. It took a week or so for me to get used to the dually wheels but now we seldom have a problem and absolutely love the way it tows our home.
Great suggestions! We do plan on attending an RV Dreams rally in 2015. In the meantime, I am formulating a "short list" of manufacturers / models and a personalized spreadsheet to take to the Hershey show!
Just a FYI.. Just found out .. At the DRV rally, last week. 18 DRV'S where sold ! That must be a new record. That seems like alot to me for such a short time. These guys just keep gaining more and more momentum.
I would look at this brand.. LAST !.. They are VERY popular.
-- Edited by The Junkman on Friday 20th of June 2014 02:51:48 PM
Number 1 on our list, if we can find a used one that we can afford!
We have been very comfortable with the size of last rig and now our new rig both around 39'. For us it was a no brainer for the price point with Montana. The quality is excellent and they watch and listen to thier customers for upgrades they put into the coaches. The Montana Owners Forum is also such a valuable tool. We feel that you can spend a lot more money but not get anything more than what Montana offers. Now this is our opinion and like any other owner will be bias towards thier make/ model, but to each his own.
If you are referring to the DRV Suites as your #1 choice, check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK. Buying used DRV's at auction and fixing them up for resale is how they got started towards their dealership.
Terry
There where a couple difference.. but they are nice too.
We notice a few used ones out there as well..
To me , all of these Rv's are expensive.. and if it wasn't for the wife, I would have bought used, and saved a a years worth of traveling money..or more.
I hear ya.. You need to expect some lower qualities than a real house.. I mean weight only mandates that.. Then there is the price issue..
It's a RV.
You won't hear me gripe about the little stuff. I was going with a voltage or cyclone toy hauler.. And I could have got by the lower quality.. wife couldn't.
I could not get the wife to look at any used RV'S.. I found a nice 2011 drv ..And I think New horizons had a pile of used ones too... no go...lol So now we take a hit when we sell it.. I figured it out one day.. will cost us about 1k / per mo to use it for 5 years. apx 60K. I think I could rent one cheaper than that !
An excellent question and the answer is you need the one that's right for you. We know folks full timing in a popup, a Casita, and everything up to a 53 foot 5ver. Our New Horizons is nominally a 39 footer but we're 40'8" from stem to stern. That keeps us out of probably 50% of the national park CGs and a smaller percentage of state parks…but we've never had an issue finding a place to stay.
Make sure you have enough truck…our 2012 Ford F450 pulls the 21,800 pound loaded rig just fine and we're within all of our weight limits except for being 200 pounds over on the rear truck axle. We've got the hydraulic disks and the ABS option on our rig so stopping is similarly fine…pulled all up and down the Rockies, Smokies, and NY/NE mountains just fine.
Any RV…even the best constructed ones…will be way, way lower quality than what you would get in a house…that's just a fact of life with an RV. Beyond that…sit in a lot as has been suggested, pretend living there with cooking, sleeping, going to the bathroom, get into the shower and see if you can wash your hair, bend over to shave your legs (assuming you or your partner if you have one need to do that), etc.
We looked at the DRV on a factory tour and were underwhelmed by their construction compared to the New Horizons and they also would do very limited customization. In our opinion the DRV wasn't any better built or featured than the Big Horn, Keystones, and other rigs that run in the 70K-90K MSRP range but was 30K more expensive. We eliminated the DRV from consideration (although it was on our short list) pretty early.
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 9th of July 2014 01:25:49 PM
( let's see if this gets deleted )...
-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 10th of July 2014 09:13:35 AM
5600 would not be a issue for the new RAM 3500's ..Even w/o airbags.. It's all anyone needs...
I show 6400 on mine...
2013 RAM / long box / 4x4 / longhorn / DRW .. W/ 4.10 rears and the HD tranny
GVWR 14000 maximum operating weight
Payload 5580
Base weight total 8421
Base / front 5061
Base / rear 3360
GAWR -front 6000
GAWR – rear 9750
GCWR 37500
max trailer weight of 28,910
-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 10th of July 2014 09:04:44 PM
Was just looking at the truck..Yours should be 6400 max pin too I guess?
Trailer can hold some weight too.. Like I said.. I'll put 1500 at the rear window.. no problem.. Will help on pin weght.. we'll see.
I'll have my own scales... I'm not pulling into those places..
Should be a a easy pull.. I added remote control air bags too..
Chip
I will have my own set of scales.. I don't need to pull off and get weighed. My weight will change alot pending auction buys, etc... so I think I will need to weigh kinda often.
I'm thinking fed law is 9750 for 1 tons.. No way around it.. except go over it..lol
Sushidog..
Gotta rund the weights on your rig... My rear payload comes out to 6400..
As one guy stated.. That plenty enough to pull most anything made in the rv world.. no worries.. Hook it up and go !
We've kind of gotten off-topic a bit. While weight is an important issue when considering length, let's get back to the original poster's questions.
Terry
I don't know that the Dodge 2500/3500 is the best truck. I pulled new 5th wheel trailers from the manufacturer in Elkhart In. to dealers all over the USA. I bought a used Dodge 1 ton dually because I couldn't afford the Chevy/GMC at the time that had 90K miles on it. I got a 2006 Dodge with a 6 speed standard because they didn't make an automatic transmission that would last more than 100K miles. The same goes for Ford. At 195K miles, the 1st and second gear syncros went out. $2300 for that fix. The clutch throwout bearing came apart just outside Omaha Ne. which took out the clutch also at 145K miles. $900 for that fix. The lift pump also went out which is a known problem at 185K miles costing $300 to fix and I did that one myself. Going down long hills required preparation in the form of slowing down to about 45mph and judicious use of the brakes as the Cummins has NO hold back power unless you have an exhaust break which mine didn't. Everyone who drove for the same company I did and had Chevy/GMC Duramax/Allison engines and transmissions LOVED them. They said going down from the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 west of Denver only required them to shift down into the manual position and the transmission and adjustable vane tubo did the rest. I now have a 2006 Chevy 2500HD 4 door short bed pulling our 25' 5er and love it. Another side note about the Duramax is you can talk in a normal tone of voice standing next to the engine and can't hear it inside the truck. Try that with the Dodge or Ford. Don't get me wrong, the Cummins is a great engine but for my money, the Duramax/Allison combination in the Chevy/GMC's can't be beat. I'll never have anything else.
The New 2013 Rams, and newer. Are not the same truck you are talking about.. Not even close...
Your 2006 chevy can't pull , hold, or handle anything near the capacity of these newer trucks.. Most have bought MDT and HDT trucks the past because the older ones could not manage the weight safely. .. Those days are gone..
with a 25' fifth wheel.. no issues.. run the numbers at 20k...
Got to raise the trailer.. or lower the truck..
Yep.. You could do that too..
-- Edited by The Junkman on Tuesday 15th of July 2014 10:26:09 PM