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Old 05-06-2016, 08:02 PM   #1
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Searching for a reputable 5er

I like Forest River products but also like Keystone Cougar, and Montana's.

Don't want to buy new looking for one 1-3 years old with a shower like the Crusader 315rst? I also want 4-6pt auto Leveling feature and no longer then 35' long

Looking for suggestions but I like Slam Latches, shower like the photo below, and a layout like the Crusader 315 or Cougar 333mks?

Just looking for MFG and model suggestions bc I have narrowed my search to the Crusader 315 & Cougar 333mks but prefer to keep with a Forest River unit?

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Old 05-06-2016, 10:14 PM   #2
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If we end up getting a 5th wheel, it'll be a Montana High Country.
But that's because FR doesn't make any model like the 293RK.
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Old 05-06-2016, 11:03 PM   #3
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Check out a 2012 or early 2013 Cardinal 3030RS. Big shower, 6 point leveling, slam latches and right around 35'. If you find a later model year 2013 then it will be a couple feet longer since they started putting king beds in them mid-year.
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Old 05-07-2016, 07:31 AM   #4
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I was also looking at a Montana High Country 305RL, the Cardinal units are nice but even a 2014 still runs $49,000 and we are looking 25-35K range as I do not want a loan.

I appreciate the info guys


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Old 05-07-2016, 07:46 AM   #5
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Since you are buying a used 5er the manufacture support does not matter other than trying to buying replacement parts. What does matter is the dealer will they support you when needed? I would try and find a dealer that has good to great reviews on customer service and than see what the dealer has on his lot for sale.
What you also need to review for your needs maybe are new tires and suspension components for the used trailer you buy.
Good Luck!
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Old 05-07-2016, 11:27 AM   #6
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I have a 2015 35ft. Blue Ridge that I am no longer towing located in Washington. Might consider selling.
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Old 05-07-2016, 12:57 PM   #7
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My daughter has a high country 343rl for sale. 2014, garage kept, used 6 times. They just don't have the time to camp. Paid 60k, selling for 40k
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Old 05-07-2016, 02:35 PM   #8
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If you looking at the Montana line you need to stay away from the plain Montana because it real heavy 5er and some huge pin weights. The Montana High Country Country is one step down from the Montana and one step up from the Cougar but has lighter pin weights.
I would also stay away from dark color caps not matter what the brand unless they are painted, they are having problems with fading and chalking.
I would read the forums about that model and see what problems others are having. The small stuff is not a problem but lot issues bigger issues is a problem.
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Old 05-07-2016, 02:56 PM   #9
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My next one will likely be a New Horizons. The construction is just better than anything else out there and with the long financing on RV's is a couple hundred dollars difference on the payments. I use mine for work traveling around so I want the 4 season quality build. They run the electric lines etc inside the RV not through the walls compromising the insulation and many other features.
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Old 05-07-2016, 03:18 PM   #10
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My next one will likely be a New Horizons. The construction is just better than anything else out there and with the long financing on RV's is a couple hundred dollars difference on the payments. I use mine for work traveling around so I want the 4 season quality build. They run the electric lines etc inside the RV not through the walls compromising the insulation and many other features.
I live about 20 miles from where they are built and they are really nice 5ers but they are really HEAVY pin weights. One of the owners shops at my store and says when I ready to by real truck let him know and he has a 5er to sell me...
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Old 05-07-2016, 04:32 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by CWSWine View Post
If you looking at the Montana line you need to stay away from the plain Montana because it real heavy 5er and some huge pin weights. The Montana High Country Country is one step down from the Montana and one step up from the Cougar but has lighter pin weights.
I would also stay away from dark color caps not matter what the brand unless they are painted, they are having problems with fading and chalking.
I would read the forums about that model and see what problems others are having. The small stuff is not a problem but lot issues bigger issues is a problem.

Yeah Looking at the Montana HC, not regular Montana. It is just the Wife and I so don't need anything too long or heavy/fancy I like the Cougar 333mks just need to see if ppl are having luck with them


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Old 05-07-2016, 04:35 PM   #12
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I have a Cougar and love it. Not the type of shower you want in the 303RLS. The only reason mentioned is we found zero at the PDI (dealer prep maybe) and have only had 1 minor problem that Atwood sent a tech out to a CG to fix. Have pulled it over 2000 miles and used about 40 nights so far. The fireplace did the job until temps dropped below 40 then we used the furnace. The polar pkg is advertised to zero but I never intend to find out. Never gets that cold here and we winter in FL.
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Old 05-07-2016, 04:51 PM   #13
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Just looked at the Montana's and loved the front kitchen model. I'm just not a big fan of Montana quality. Grand Design is still my first choice when time to replace my current Rockwood fifth wheel.


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Old 05-07-2016, 04:55 PM   #14
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Silverbacks from Cedarcreek are really awesome trailers you might want to consider looking at a two or three-year-old silverback the new models have got the fridge that will open with the slides closed you might want to consider that most of them will be a round 30 to 40,000
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Old 05-07-2016, 06:32 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by CaptnJohn View Post
I have a Cougar and love it. Not the type of shower you want in the 303RLS. The only reason mentioned is we found zero at the PDI (dealer prep maybe) and have only had 1 minor problem that Atwood sent a tech out to a CG to fix. Have pulled it over 2000 miles and used about 40 nights so far. The fireplace did the job until temps dropped below 40 then we used the furnace. The polar pkg is advertised to zero but I never intend to find out. Never gets that cold here and we winter in FL.

Good to know bc I am seriously looking at the 333mks, we saw it at a show and love the layout


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Old 05-07-2016, 06:37 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by chisumbella View Post
Silverbacks from Cedarcreek are really awesome trailers you might want to consider looking at a two or three-year-old silverback the new models have got the fridge that will open with the slides closed you might want to consider that most of them will be a round 30 to 40,000

Slightly over my budget and they are fairly heavy I am trying to stay under 12,000 and 2200 Pin weight just so I have a good margin or safety


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Old 05-07-2016, 10:07 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Big Rig;6 pro1188174
Just looked at the Montana's and loved the front kitchen model. I'm just not a big fan of Montana quality. Grand Design is still my first choice when time to replace my current Rockwood fifth wheel.


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I think the front kitchen was unique but putting all the weight forward right over the pin would cause me a truck upgrade again. I have the front living room model and like it but it's 39.5 foot long which does cause problems with side winds. I wish I stayed in the 33 to 36 foot range and not full 13.6 profile, just to big of sail behind for 143.5 " wheelbase SRW F350. I'm had on the CAT scale a couple of times and within specs but that doesn't always tell the entire story.

I had a Cougar 28SGS and really like it and probably should keep that one and never had one single problem with it...
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Old 05-08-2016, 12:04 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by CWSWine View Post
I think the front kitchen was unique but putting all the weight forward right over the pin would cause me a truck upgrade again. I have the front living room model and like it but it's 39.5 foot long which does cause problems with side winds. I wish I stayed in the 33 to 36 foot range and not full 13.6 profile, just to big of sail behind for 143.5 " wheelbase SRW F350. I'm had on the CAT scale a couple of times and within specs but that doesn't always tell the entire story.

I had a Cougar 28SGS and really like it and probably should keep that one and never had one single problem with it...

Yeah I am trying to really stay in the following Zone any bigger just creates issues and since it is just the Future Wife and I, do not need a lot of space.

Priority

No longer then 33.6 Feet
No Heavier then 12,000#'s
Pin no more than 2200#'s

When I find one that meets our needs in this range, I will be happy also looking at used 2013-2016

Plan on running Anderson 5th Wheel Hitch when I get one, as I have Factory Ford 5th wheel/Gooseneck setup


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Old 05-08-2016, 06:35 AM   #19
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In case you didn't know, Crusader is made by Prime Time whic is part of the Forest River family
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Old 05-08-2016, 11:51 AM   #20
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I won't go back to FR, but we haven't had our new Keystone Montana long enough to say it's any better than the Wildcat. We know they all have teething problems. Hopefully, the 13 things we identified and fixed during our PDI will be all that's wrong LOL.
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