Thoughts on our 4 finalists please ! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

EggerMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thoughts on our 4 finalists please !

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

3/4 ton last one...........I try not to give an opinion on buying anything anymore......I have found printing errors on U.S Currency and there still trying to pin the blame on someone else for that!

Find the rig that suites you , That fills all your needs at a Budget you can afford......there is one well built unit for every price range,and will always have more than one opinion for every mouth it is spoken out of....(this is just my opinion)

You could spend a million on a rig and it will come with opinions and problems......of course the more you spend the better you will look , the less you spend the better you will live

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 18th of March 2013 10:30:26 AM

adeline and ed · RV-Dreams Family Member

first 3 no no no,probably ok last on

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

A 41' unit that weighs 12.5K dry? Does that raise any eyebrows around here? What the heck is it made of....air??

The only one of those I'd consider pulling with a 3/4 ton would be the last one. And if I was fulltiming I'd go with nothing less than a one ton dually for any of them. But that is just me. You could legally pull "some" of those with a 3/4 ton, depending on brand.

EggerMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Adeline & Ed -

Any reasons for No, No, No ????

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm not an expert on 5th wheels, but in general, it seems like going with the shortest and lightest to suit your needs is the way to go. Those 40 footers are more spacious and luxurious than any apartment I have ever lived in, but they may not be able to go everywhere you'd like, some campgrounds and state parks have size limits on RV's, most seem like 30 ft, some as short as 25.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

They are all good units--I would suggest you go with the one that fits your lifestyle, and your floor plan. The last may be alright with 3/4 ton--but even that would be pushing it to the limits, if you are looking at trailers this size and weight you need a 1 ton dually (and it wouldn't hurt to go even larger if you could) IMO.

Flyone

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

All nice units at their price point but remember quality construction for fulltime use means weight.

Also when looking at these units do not just go by the brochure weights for the truck.
Make sure you are looking at the "Yellow Label" that shows the As Built Weight.
The brochure shows model dry weights of trailers without any options, when you add a 2nd A/C, Dual Pane Windows and such it adds to the dry weight.
Our brochure dry weight is 11,500 lbs but the "Yellow Label" that shows as shipped weight is 12,900 lbs. (We have a 2nd A/C unit, Dual Pane Windows, MorRyde Pin Box, 4 Door Refig and more), all these options add to the base model weight.
Our brochure Pin Weight is 2,600 lbs but our actual Pin Weight is 3,400 lbs.

The main thing is get the unit and floorplan that fits you can live in and has your wants, needs and fits your lifestyle.
The one thing to remember about Fulltiming in a RV is everybody does it differently and has different important items.

EggerMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Rob.... that's very good information. I will be asking for those "as shipped weights" immediatly.

Marilyn

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Marilyn,

Without the knowledge of each unit that you mentioned, I can only speak in "general" terms with this post. However, I would have to agree that with a 3/4 ton truck, your only "SAFE" option would be the last one. However, it has the issue of weight, and that's where this comment comes in.

As Jack Mayer suggested, the lighter an RV is, the less there is to it with regards to construction. Choosing an RV should be based on what one's plans are with regards to the RV lifestyle. (See a further comment with our choice below.)

If one is simply going to be a part-time RV'er, then the lighter units may very well work for that lifestyle. However, if one is planning on full-timing, one then needs to consider if the full-timing is going to be a long term or short term endeavor. Another consideration is whether you will be living in cold climates. To me, the longer term and colder climate RV'ers may want to consider heavier RV's than lighter. Your four choices all fall into the lighter category, especially that last choice.

When we had a 26-foot travel trailer, we had to have at least the 3/4 ton pickup and even it acted like it worked hard in pulling. However, it was a gasoline engine instead of diesel.

When we decided to sell everything and live full-time in an RV, we decided that we did not feel the need to ever own property again, so we chose the heaviest RV that could fit within our budget with regards to both trailer and truck. Granted, our choice is much heavier and expensive, but it has a heavier frame and a higher R-rating than most other RV's. Our philosophy was to get the best RV we could get since it was going to be our home for some time to come.

Everyone's needs are different. There can be endless arguments with regards to RV's, trucks, and what is needed in both. When considering one's RV, one needs to consider the frame, axles, suspension, and wheels and tires because those items make up the very foundation of the RV. I was once asked what I thought made a good full-time RV, and one thing I touched on was that the frame ought to be at least a 12" frame.

A lot needs to be considered and thought about when looking at RV's and the look and layout of an RV is only one factor in the choice. When my wife and I were looking, I tended to look at the construction and "support features" like the size and number of air conditioners, whether to have an inverter or not, and the wife tended to pay more attention to the interior both with regards to appliances and floor plan. We felt that both of us had the option to rule out a brand/model at any time, and we made our choices in that manner. When we both had agreement on a choice, that is the way we went.

Good luck with your research and planning. But, always keep in mind that if full-timing is a plan for you, you really need to spend a lot of time in your choices to see if doing normal daily functions would be suitable for your family.

Terry