5th Wheel Wannabe....Hello Everyone!

[joesmainship]

First my apology for jumping over the welcome mat and headlong into posting. My spouse and I are retired empty nesters living on the MS Gulf Coast. We just sold our 39" boat on which we cruised and lived onboard some and are planning to purchase a 5th wheel. We want to do some extended traveling while we are still healthy enough to do so. The Ford F250 has already been purchased so the hunt is underway for the 5th wheel. We are not in a hurry and plan to take our time looking. We have spent hours looking online, but keep coming back to the Cedar Creek floorplans. Not unlike boating, it seems everyone into campers started with a small one and steadily made their way larger and larger, much the way we did with boats. I sort of feel a little nervous in that I'm considering jumping right in with a big 5th wheel right out of the gate. Guess I've lost enough money buying larger and larger boats so I don't need to do it again with camper trailers. Thanks to all in advance for answering what I'm sure will be many questions to come. Hope we can contribute something meaningful to the forum.

[Crusadernoob]

Last year we bought our first rig, 23' TT not sure if we would enjoy the relaxing life, turns out we loved it! This year we upgraded our TV and went to a 32' 5er, not too big, not too small, for us it's perfect. I'd tell anyone that THINKS they will go bigger to START bigger. Not sure about your current TV condition, but an F250 should handle most with no problem, good luck in the search!

[TURBS]

I've been told under good authority that palomino sabre is coming out with 7 new floor plans this fall!

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[97Powerstroke]

As a fellow former boat owner, I would go look at the one you think you want, then get a size bigger. Like a boat, once you get all your goodies aboard you wonder where all your space went. Happy camping and good luck!


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[BombDoc]

^^^^^^^he's right, Joesmainship. I heard it from the same voice he did and at the plant while attending the plant tour up in Goshen, IN.

I can tell you that I went straight into the 5th wheel from nothing. Never owned a TT or pop up, I had rented TT's while on active duty but never owned one. Nothing to be worried about in my opinion. I haven't had one issue towing, backing up, or placing it in some rather tight spot. Just remember, slow and easy and you'll be fine. I tow my 36' with a 2500 Cummins and it handles it very well. I'm right at 12,000 lbs loaded and the truck pulled it up the mountains of West Virginia with ease. Just watch the max capacity weights on the Cedar Creek's they are a bit heavier than my Sabre and you'll put more stuff in it than you think. Good luck in your search and welcome to the forum.

[LouNick]

Originally Posted by joesmainship

First my apology for jumping over the welcome mat and headlong into posting. My spouse and I are retired empty nesters living on the MS Gulf Coast. We just sold our 39" boat on which we cruised and lived onboard some and are planning to purchase a 5th wheel. We want to do some extended traveling while we are still healthy enough to do so. The Ford F250 has already been purchased so the hunt is underway for the 5th wheel. We are not in a hurry and plan to take our time looking. We have spent hours looking online, but keep coming back to the Cedar Creek floorplans. Not unlike boating, it seems everyone into campers started with a small one and steadily made their way larger and larger, much the way we did with boats. I sort of feel a little nervous in that I'm considering jumping right in with a big 5th wheel right out of the gate. Guess I've lost enough money buying larger and larger boats so I don't need to do it again with camper trailers. Thanks to all in advance for answering what I'm sure will be many questions to come. Hope we can contribute something meaningful to the forum.

We just did the same thing. I did have a bit of tent camping experience in my youth and as a young adult. My wife and I were invited for an overnite stay with friends in their TT, and she loved it. I knew I would never get her into tent camping so we decided to invest early in our retirement and bought a 29' 5er, then had to quickly find a truck. Plenty of room for the two of us and a sofa bed if any grandkids are tagging along with us.
No regrets on our part, but I have to admit, the boat and motorcycle are getting little attention since we bought the camper.
7 years max, and we will both be retired too.

[Weezer]

Sneak (DH) and I are a prime example, a case study even, in the "buy one, then quickly buy up" scenario.

Last May we bought a bumper pull, 2014 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WIKSS. LOVED it, but the whole WDH hitch set up didn't work well in that we both have neck/spine injuries....soooo we decided to "just go look" at 5th wheels. January 4th of this year we bought our 2014 Flagstaff 5er. (see signature below) LOVIN' the HECK out of it!

[Ford Idaho]

What size tow rig do you plan on starting with?
One ton dually or bigger?

[Weezer]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

What size tow rig do you plan on starting with?
One ton dually or bigger?

From his OP:

The Ford F250 has already been purchased so the hunt is underway for the 5th wheel.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Weezer

From his OP:

The Ford F250 has already been purchased so the hunt is underway for the 5th wheel.

Pardon me while I go wash my eyes out with soap....

I think a bigger truck will be better, one tons do not cost that much more than a 3/4 T.

[BombDoc]

[QUOTE=Ford Idaho;678890]Pardon me while I go wash my eyes out with soap....

[Weezer]

Nah,....no soap needed, it was kinda buried in the context. I had to go read it a second time.

[elind]

[QUOTE=BombDoc;678897]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Pardon me while I go wash my eyes out with soap....

BombDoc, was that a hint that a Ford needs to be bigger?

[heavynlori]

Buy your last camper FIRST - go big or stay home 😄👍


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[BombDoc]

[QUOTE=elind;678912]

Originally Posted by BombDoc

BombDoc, was that a hint that a Ford needs to be bigger?

No, I just thought his comment about washing his eyes out with soap was funny. I wasn't insinuating anything about the truck.

[B and B]

We have discussed the next trailer many times since Goshen. FTB we are sticking with what we have. Trying to park a F450 Dually while doing jonts for work is a bit much. The new fifth wheel will probably weigh in at 18,000 lbs when we are done!!

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[vquad]

Comfort Ride Hitch - 5th Wheel Air Ride Custom Hitch, Custom Truck And Rv Hitches, Truck Body Parts
Best hitch I've ever towed with and worth every penny.
You can thank me later : )

[B and B]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I've been told under good authority that palomino sabre is coming out with 7 new floor plans this fall!

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

Palomino is our first choice between ultra no so lite weight Rockwood and a high end 5th wheel.
B

[Rugged Brown]

I recently looked at some Sabres which are very nice units. Poor choice of upholstery this year though. Sitting next to the Sabre was several Grand Design units. Man, those are nice fivers, better equipped and better priced at that dealer. It's not a FR product , if that's a criteria you have.

[elind]

Not much is said about the Wildcats but I think it's worth a look. Wildcat Chris gave us a plant tour and showed new features in them that compare higher priced models. They are leading the way with new technologies and keeping the price in line. We just bought a 327ck this spring and love it. The PDI went very smooth with a couple of very small fixes and one thing that occurred during delivery. As a bonus Wildcat Chris checks on the Forum as a friend to help out with problems & questions we have with the Wildcats.