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02-24-2017, 08:13 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2
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Hello From Oceanside, Ca.
I am new to your forum. We have been looking at different 5th wheel manufacturing companies,from Montana's, Hartland's to Forest River. We made our to decision to purchase the Forest River Cardinal with forward bathroom in October of this year. Any tips I need to know before that happens and what to expect when I pick it up?
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02-24-2017, 08:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Posts: 3,225
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Welcome to the forum from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Congrats on your new rig.
__________________
2017 Salem Villa Estate 395RET-
2011 Coachmen Freedom Express 295RLDS- Sold
2015 F-250 FX4
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02-25-2017, 03:20 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 522
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Welcome for WA.
__________________
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L CTD
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS
Retired Army MSG.
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02-25-2017, 09:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,689
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Welcome from Wisconsin and congrats on your Cardinal!
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02-25-2017, 01:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Out West Somewhere
Posts: 163
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Howdy neighbor. What dealer are you using?
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02-25-2017, 01:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 236
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Congratulations on the purchase and selection of a Cardinal. We love our 3250!
First, there is quite a variance in pricing between dealers! Just do your homework, find out how long the unit has been sitting on the lot and be prepared to walk away. We searched a 400 mile radius and got almost everything we were looking for significantly cheaper than we originally thought we would.
Make sure you have a comprehensive PDI list to go through and verify before taking delivery. It's best to have the issues fixed before you pay them. Of course, I always do things the hard way and didn't do this...lol. FR took care of the issues but still would have been better to do it before pick-up and taking delivery.
The dealers PDI list might suffice but I'd check online to see what is available to validate the dealer's list.
For instance, my fresh water tank leaked because the drain nipple was cracked at the tank. They sent a new tank and paid to have it installed because my dealer is 150 miles away. I also had a broken drawer slide in the kitchen but they sent me a new one and I replace it. My pop-up charger in the valley counter didn't work for the USB. Again, they sent me one and I replaced it.
I'd also upgrade the tires to Goodyear G614's if you can make that part of the deal.
Depending on how you are going to use your 5er you might not want full body paint. We boondocks with ours and didn't want to deal with off-road rock chips. We had full body paint on our coach and I wouldn't go certain places because of it. We also added solar and 4 6V batteries because of the way we use it.
Good luck with your purchase!
Bill
__________________
Bill
2016 Forest River 3250 Cardinal
2016 RAM 2500 Longhorn
Previously: 36' Country Coach
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02-25-2017, 01:21 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 126
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Welcome from Cape Cod MA
Hi Ya and welcome. We have a 41' 38CK Cedar Creek and just made our cross country trip. Left MA Dec 11th made it to CA. Passed Oceanside. Went all the way to Lake Tahoe. Beautiful earth we live in. Now we are heading back east. We are in Louisiana right now on I-10. Only 58 miles to destination. However we JUST got into traffic due to a small fender bender. The trip and weather has been perfect. Have a safe and happy travels. Welcome to forum they are so helpful. and funny
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02-25-2017, 01:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 184
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Hello and Welcome,
I would just say ditto of Bill's comments.
Look it over good inside and out with a CSI light. Its much easier to get stuff done before paperwork signed than after.
As poster has stated be prepared to walk away.
BTW we have a 2008 Cardinal RK30. Good, very well built trailer.
R/ Douglas Settle, aka Wanderer.
__________________
2008 Cardinal 30RK fiver.
2009 Chevrolet 2500HD DuroMax
2009- 42 days; 2010-40 days, 2011- 40 days. 2012- 30 days,
2013- 14 days, 2014- 21 days, 2015- 42 days
2016-17 days, 2017-zero days
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02-25-2017, 01:53 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Torrance CA
Posts: 25
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Hello Oceanside "Beethoven" (Our 5er) welcomes you from Torrance CA
Havasu Bill is exactly correct - Make sure that when you do the PDI (pre delivery inspection) that you make a list of everything that needs to be fixed. And do not hand them a check until everything is fixed to your satisfaction.
Have the dealer plug in the shore power as well as the water. 1. Does the water get hot in a reasonable time frame. 2. Have them show how the tv works (bring a DVD and test it, can you get local channels, etc.) 3. Check the faucets both above and underneath the sink(s)for leaks. 4. If your 5er has a couch that makes into a bed, have them open it up all the way and make sure that it is level. I think you get my point...I was clueless and paid the price. Check everything and do not leave anything to chance
Good luck and come back to the forum for any and all questions
Bob
Shasta PhoeniX Lite 296
'06 Silverado 2500 HD
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02-25-2017, 02:01 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 148
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Congratulations from California. Make sure you get a good Pre Delivery walkthrough and plan on staying locally for a day or two so you get a feel for everything and are still close to the dealer if there are any issues.
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 DRW HO Cummins, Aisin Trans and 4.10 gears.
2017 Flagstaff 8529 IKBS Classic Platinum Edition
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02-25-2017, 02:11 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
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Greetings to you. Our oldest son was born at the old, old hospital on base just after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
I second all of the above especially the Goodyear 641 tires. This is a must! I lost three out of four of the original Marathon tires in a six day period, an 13000 miles, 100 psi and 80% tread. Did $4000 damage
__________________
Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
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02-25-2017, 07:30 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 22
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new rvers and dump stations
Quote:
Originally Posted by fsgardner
I am new to your forum. We have been looking at different 5th wheel manufacturing companies,from Montana's, Hartland's to Forest River. We made our to decision to purchase the Forest River Cardinal with forward bathroom in October of this year. Any tips I need to know before that happens and what to expect when I pick it up?
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You might discuss with your dealer what he recommends in the way of finding a place for you to dump the holding tanks. Have him go over the procedure for dumping and filling the water. Discuss how the fuses and breakers all work. Be Sure and check on the breaker hidden by the water pump and any others that may not be in the breaker box. Discuss how the refrigerator works, it needs 12 volts for the propane side. Consider adding an extra battery with an A B ALL switch. Ask him to show you how to replace the anode in the water heater.
California has a dump station on the I5 north at the rest area by Pendleton.
Enjoy your new rig and the Great California camp sites.
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