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ironmanstan · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:25 am Post subject: off topic ...5th wheel rvs IMS

As me and my bride grow closer to the retirement age and we both know that traveling will be in our future. Its something we both highly agree on and look foward to. We have decided on pulling a fifth wheel rv as it seems the most functional. We are looking at 26-30 ft maybe even a 32. The wife picks the floor plan and I just kick the tires and look at the mechanics. So now the question, there are so many brands to choose from and they all say " we make the best " Lots of research to do. So are any on this forum 5th wheel rver's? If so do you have any posistive input. Just on the looking stage no need to buy early it will be a year or so but it will happen. I will be buying new not used unless its a I can't turn this down. Some of the used ones I looked at stunk, smell wise and had lots of wear, no bueno. RON HOOVER some nice ones and their staff was nice.
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want2fish · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:07 am Post subject:

Have you looked at any of the toy haulers? The toy hauler works great for my family we can bring the toys and we also have a spare bedroom. I dont know about regular 5th wheels but in the toy haulers I would say the Voltage by Dutchman is #1 Cyclone by Heartland is #2 and the the Raptor by Keystone #3. Like everything else you get what you pay for. The resale value on toy haulers are great compaired to the regulars rvs.

txluke · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:49 am Post subject:

I have a 40' sandpiper and am happy with it. I changed mine over to a gooseneck ball. The 5th wheel hitch took up too much space in the back of my truck. If you go with the gooseneck, be sure that the adapter on the trailer has the locking pin that you can operate from outside the truck bed. I have to crawl my fat supple bum into the bed to put my pin in.
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ironmanstan · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:53 am Post subject:

Mullet · Horse Mullet Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 100

What you will be pulling it with will also be a deciding factor. I work at Bishop RV center as a tech. Do you have a specific price range? Toy haulers are nice to have if you're going to be using it at the beach or somewhere remote due to most of them having generators and large holding tanks. Also if its something that will be used along the coast I would suggest something with an enclosed underbelly to help prevent rust. I have seen some of the best trailers become crap because of rust getting to them.

CopanoCruisin · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:51 pm Post subject:

IMS, to start with, we do not have a fiver. We do have a bumper pull, Open Range JT337RLS, triple slide. They make a fiver the same model, just with much more storage. Check out rvnet.com and most major brands have owner forums. You can google them, such as Open Range Owners forum. We pull our 36' bumper pull with a 2010 F150. Most salesman will tell you that they have half ton towable fivers. Beware, between the hitch weight, truck payload capacity and wind resistance, I would recommend 3/4 ton or above. Definitely enjoy......cC

pinsfish · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:58 pm Post subject:

I have lived full time in my 5th wheel for 4 years. I have a Montana special edition 3500RL it is 37 feet long and has a rear living room with 4 tip outs. Almost good for a home full time. Very happy with Montana. But many others are top line as well. Don't go cheap, but check out consumer reports when you are ready. They will rate them. Remember salesmen are there to sell. If I know you by your posts you will do a fine job in picking the right one.
The best to you,
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txluke · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:01 pm Post subject:

The toy haulers are nice if you are going to be hauling your toys. They have built in generators but I had a onan generator put in my front hatch. They also weigh a lot more and you will lose a lot of living room space. If you are going to have others camping with you the extra beds are nice. If most of the time it will just be you and the wife a regular trailer will be nicer. We live in Texas so make sure that you get a 2nd AC. The trailer I have now has an outdoor kitchen. That is one of my favorite things about this trailer. Some trailers even have LP hookups so you can hook up the fryer.
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Give a Man a Fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and he will sit in a boat And drink Beer all day. Fish 24:7

ironmanstan · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:12 pm Post subject:

I will upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. Not planning on going over a 32 ft rv. More than likely I will not get a toy hauler. The 2nd a/c is a must for sure. I will pack my own generator, no problem there. It will never see this corrosive beach. It will see mountains and terrain from Maine to Forks, Wa. There are many places that I have seen that my wife hasn't and she needs to see them. Very Happy

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deputydawg · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject:

I'll be doing the same search in about 5 or 6 years when me and momma are ready to retire. Good luck and post up the results!

Blackhat · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject:

IMS
drive through some RV parks and look at what the Winter Texans use to pull rigs. Most of them drive a long way and there is a pattern as to what brand of tow vehicles they use. I have a 5th wheel and love it. I converted mine to a goosneck ball which is the only way to go. If you buy a shortbed truck they have a special offset adapter.

BobBobber · Guest

[quote="ironmanstan"]

BobBobber · Guest

Others have posted advice on tow vehicles. Listen to RV owners. Do not listen to any RV salesperson. Plus, rely on the towing specs from the vehicle manufacturer. Many people get away with towing weights above their rated capacities, but if and when they are in trouble, they can be in some serious trouble. Like coasting through a red light with all the wheels locked and tires smoking. Or rear ending some fool who decided to abruptly stop to turn without using their turn signal. You need the rated capacity to stop quickly. If you have an accident, one of the first things cops and auto insurance companies check is your rated towing specs and the load you are towing.

FYI, we have a 2500 3/4 ton Silverado with a 1-on rear axle and springs. But it is not anywhere beefy enough to tow our 5'er.

One ton trucks will tow most anything. Dual rear wheels actually are rated about identical to singles. That was news to me when I checked the specs.

Chevy truck customer service is in the Philippines, seriously it is. Their phone person did not understand what a 5th wheel was. Her computer monitor only had ratings for bumper-pulled trailers. Therefore, to get all the facts you need on towing capacity, it normally requires that you forge ahead to research on your own.

In Texas, especially around us, hills are not an issue. But your plans include going through several mountain ranges to live out your retirement dreams.

The major limitation that you will face is based on the capacity of the tow vehicle. Remember that you'll need to add to the GVWR weight of your RV for clothes, all the household stuff, fishing gear, groceries, fluids in fresh water and waster tanks, and beer.

IF you plan to travel without throwing out an anchor line, motorhomes travel more conveniently. When you turn off the ignition key, you're there. Nothing more to do. Plus, while driving, one of you can nap, go to the refrigerator, bathroom, etc. When we traveled, mostly for fishing, we seldom stayed in a campground. Not only did it save money, we could park right at the place we intended to be fishing for the next day or so, listening to the night sounds of the river and not the sounds of civilization in a campground.

We did enjoy stopping and getting out of the motorhome to experience the local foods and get a feel for what it might be like to live around there. We valued meeting people who lived in the areas where we visited. The happy folks in the campgrounds were mostly city folks just like us, so staying around campgrounds was almost like being back at home.

For an example, the USCG station in Manistee Michigan has a parking lot big enough for 20 or so cars. Plus, their 24/7 security cameras assured our safety. We were less than 10 feet from the sandy beach. Our view right out the front window was the pier and lighthouse. Each day, we marveled at the sunset on the water. Other vacationers in expensive motels and those campers with trailers never experienced the views, sounds and fishing that we did.

There were also many times that we just parked alongside rivers and lakes. We had enough of the city and neighborhoods at home, so when we traveled, we wanted to enjoy the remoteness and beauty of our travel destinations.

ironmanstan · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 5:51 am Post subject:

I like breathing the fumes of brand new. I'm asking the advise of rver's and as always whatever they own it's the best rv. Which is natural and I expected that. Anyone can tow an rv thats fact. I will get a 3/4 ton with tow package and a rearend geared right for towing. As a fairly good mechanic I know all this up front. Used is ok if you know the prior owners. I'm sure all rvs have some sort of problem just like automobiles. Very Happy

I edited this because Bob had some 1st class info. Thanks Bob.
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Oldguy · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 7:02 am Post subject:

I got a permanent RV spot in Rockport for my 5th wheel, and live in Kerrville. Love it...... One thing to remember, they can be money pits. Lots of built in obsolesces. Its not like maintaining a car, there is always something to take care of. I don't travel with mine, but know many that do.
There are many bad models of 5th wheels out there.. Learned a lot in the last 2 years and one thing sticks with me, always expect something to break down.
My friend next door to me has a 1 year old high end 5th wheel, 36 ft, ($130,000 new), water lines leaking, always something with the waste tanks.......
Bottom line is do not expect trouble free RV's no matter what you paid for it. But would not be without mine..