Cardinal 3800fl

topflite13 · 04-24-2015, 12:23 PM

I am in the market to buy a new cardinal 3800fl. Maybe brand new or a year or two old. Has anyone bought one of these and how has it been for you? How has the towing been with it and what do you tow it with. For a couple of years I will be towing mine with a 2008 dodge mega cab 2500 with the 6.7 diesel. it has the engine break and air bags and E rated BFG tires. I will only be towing short distances to the RV park and maybe a trip to the Black hills once a year. But then I will be getting a 1 ton down the road. All the info I can get about the cardinal 3800fl and what you think would be wonderful. Its funny but this is all I can think about and how I can one day retire and have it paid for and see the country and be a full time RV'R. Its a dream that is getting closer to reality. Thanks

BamaBob · 04-28-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topflite13

I am in the market to buy a new cardinal 3800fl. Maybe brand new or a year or two old. Has anyone bought one of these and how has it been for you? How has the towing been with it and what do you tow it with. For a couple of years I will be towing mine with a 2008 dodge mega cab 2500 with the 6.7 diesel. it has the engine break and air bags and E rated BFG tires. I will only be towing short distances to the RV park and maybe a trip to the Black hills once a year. But then I will be getting a 1 ton down the road. All the info I can get about the cardinal 3800fl and what you think would be wonderful. Its funny but this is all I can think about and how I can one day retire and have it paid for and see the country and be a full time RV'R. Its a dream that is getting closer to reality. Thanks

We are looking at the same model as well (It's a 3825FL BTW

)

We looked at Cedar Creeks and a alternative but, as a "Retirement Casa" for Mostly Timers, the Cardinal is hard to beat!

When you get ready to pull the trigger, I have a reputable Cardinal dealer I can point you toward!

Specific questions? Ask away

topflite13 · 04-28-2015, 04:16 PM

3825fl is a really nice 5th wheel. One day I like 3800fl more and the next day I like the 3825fl more, I go back and forth. I would like to have them side by side and do a walk through on both of them. Either way you can't loose.

wire1946 · 04-28-2015, 04:19 PM

I have a 38 Fl C C and never seen a cardniel in that model but liked the CC for the larger shower,

SilverbackMel · 04-28-2015, 10:12 PM

I think you will find your 08 dodge 2500, 6.7, will do the job for you. I have the same set up in a 4 dr, std 4dr cab with short bed and pull a 2015 Silverback, 36 ft, with ease! I did add a "helper spring" to eliminate squat. I am sure you know on Dodge, the lift help provides the same as a 3500 single wheel. The 6.7 is just GREAT!

Having said all of that, with a bit bigger, heavier, RV, I would urge you to step up to a dually. That extra weight may be concerning out west!
We travel light and tanks near empty with fresh water 1/2 max. Plumbed, but no washer/dryer and no plans to add.

Just say'n !! 😁

Jestercyco · 05-06-2015, 04:43 PM

I bought my Cardinal 3800 last September. We have had great times and only minor issues. I tow with a ford PSD 250 4wd. It tows great with no trouble. I did add the timbren rear assit . # TFR 2505DG. We have averaged about 8.5 to 10 average on fuel mileage. If your are looking at the 3800FL, it has tremendous room and the 6 pt leveler is great. I can setup totally in about 20 minutes. The five slides really add a lot of usable room. I like the residential fridge a lot.
Jester

topflite13 · 05-08-2015, 09:30 PM

Glad to hear that it can be towed with a 3/4 ton truck. The cardinal 3800fl is the perfect trailer and like hearing how others love it. Thanks for the responses.

Jestercyco · 05-09-2015, 06:31 AM

One of the reasons that we decided to go with the 3800 FL was the hitch weight was 2110 compared heavier 3825 was more and took us overweight on the 3\4 ton truck.
Jester

wire1946 · 05-09-2015, 07:13 AM

we have the CC 3800 FL and it weights a lot more then you are saying .bed weight is about 2600# and total it 16500# I didn't think the cardinal was that much lighter then the CC

topflite13 · 05-09-2015, 08:37 AM

I really liked the cardinal 3825fl but its pin weight was a big concern. I'm sure the airbags would do fine but I'm thinking I'm gonna buy the cardinal 3800fl. Once I have the on board onan generator and the extra battery's my pin weight will be closer to 2600lbs. So with the 3825fl I would be probably around 3000lbs or over. I know i should have a dully and I will in the future. My Dodge 2500 mega cab 6.7 diesel will do for the time being. I've talked to numerious people that love there cardinal 3800fl and tow it with a 3/4 ton with no issues. Puts a big smile on my face when I here more. So excited can't weight

SilverbackMel · 05-09-2015, 08:57 AM

Just FYI....spring assist ( which I chose ) or airbags do not "change" the official rating. HOWEVER, On Dodge HD trucks, the mod equals bringing your vehicle up to single wheel, Dodge 3500. Obviously a dually is better and the best option.
With that 6.7 Cummins TD, you can pull the world! 😳 My 2008 has been 35000 towing miles and we love the truck. We generally only use it for a TV. Thus, the "spring assist" vs air bags. Without the RV, rear seat is bumpy. But again, we rarely use it.
We now have a 2015 CC Silverback 36 ft and NO SQUAT. This thing is GREAT!
I would really consider and recommend a dually for those greater pin weights. At our age, over 70, last fiver for us. We are leaving soon for east coast 3000 mile trip.
Good luck and safe travels!!
SilverbackMel.

BamaBob · 05-09-2015, 07:56 PM

Folks...folks...folks...If you are going to buy a new truck to tow the Cardinal just *do it* and get a 1T Dually

sammie25 · 07-23-2015, 04:18 PM

We absolutely love the 3825FL. Amazing how roomy it feels in the living room and even the kitchen area. Oh, and the pantry is to die for. The bedroom is a bit cramped but we have a king bed. We also have the washer/dryer, so that takes away some closet space, but we are only using for weekend trips now, so not an issue. Thinking I will lover the washer dryer when we go on our first 10 day trip.

wire1946 · 07-24-2015, 06:39 AM

we like the space better then the washer,dryier.

CHICKDOE · 07-24-2015, 10:00 AM

my two cent comment. we have a 3825

CHICKDOE · 07-24-2015, 10:03 AM

my two cent comment. we have a 3825 and tow it with a ram 3500 dual. it tows great. the only thing I would comment about is that the cargo capacity of the 3825 is pretty small. we have had to watch what we put in it and we have weighed it to ensure we are under the weight limits. but we absolutely love the 3825!

wire1946 · 07-24-2015, 10:45 AM

yes so is the 38FL I tow with a 3500 chev.no problems towing and room inside is great. love the layout.

You may also like: