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Old 02-13-2016, 09:58 PM   #1
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Question Need and want a fifth wheel trailer

Hi,
Looking forward to some advice on buying a fifth wheel trailor and what brand is the best. My plan is to use it for 4 months straight in warm weather areas. A 32-37 foot size, total length, will work very well for us, no bunk beds. Yes we have just started the beginning stages of our search but have narrowed down a fifth wheel versus a trailor on a hitch. Who would guess there were so many to pick from and don't want to end up with something that falls apart after a year. Thanks for your help
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Old 02-13-2016, 10:10 PM   #2
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Lots to talk about here. First off: what are you planning to tow it with? The cargo capacity of the tow vehicle (TV from here on) is usually the determining factor. The 5th wheel's "pin weight" has to be something that your truck's payload can handle. Other considerations: kids or no, toy hauler (TH) or non-TH? There's tons of floor plans to look at. Don't know where you're located, but find a show to attend and look at as many as you have time for. But before you decide on a model, you need to narrow down a few of these variables. You will happy with a 5-er, I've done both and the 5-er tows so much nicer...😃 Happy hunting!
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Old 02-13-2016, 10:35 PM   #3
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Our tow vehicle will be purchased after the trailor is decided on, no children and no toy haulers. My big question is, what is a good brand and what will hold up. We have been to 3 RV sale places and of course found plenty of nice ones but having a hard time finding on the web recommendations for well put together ones. So, I thought this forum would be a good start for recommendations on quality fifth wheel trailors. Want a king size bed, washer dryer capabilities, stand alone table and chairs, insulated, fiberglass outside, slide outs of course. So I just described almost all the ones on the web and at the dealerships.
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Old 02-14-2016, 03:19 AM   #4
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Well, EVERY brand has fans and haters.
Since this Forum is for owners of Forest River products, that's what will get recommended.

But there are many other brands that make very good 5th wheels. We were impressed by the Montana High Country 5th wheels, made by Keystone.

What you need to do is find a favorite floorplan and then find what brands make a similar floorplan.
Then go look at each brand's version of that floorplan, for quality and fit/finish.
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Old 02-14-2016, 06:06 AM   #5
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We own a Rockwood fifth wheel right now but plan on purchasing something bigger in the near future. We have looked at a lot of the larger Forest River products ( Columbus and Cedar Creek) the quality for the money is very poor especially the Columbus. We are leaning very much towards a Grand Design Solitude. We also like the Lifestyle and Mobile Suites but they are overpriced. We have come to the conclusion that Grand Design is the best bang for our buck. This is just my opinion. Please don't get caught up in all the Glitz and glamour of the RV but also look at fit and finish. Happy trailer hunting!


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Old 02-14-2016, 07:11 AM   #6
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What are you willing to spend $ ?
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Old 02-14-2016, 07:26 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pndldy View Post
My big question is, what is a good brand and what will hold up. We have been to 3 RV sale places and of course found plenty of nice ones but having a hard time finding on the web recommendations for well put together ones. So, I thought this forum would be a good start for recommendations on quality fifth wheel trailors.
here is a site that helped me get an idea of what to even think about....
this may help get you started and of course if you read around on this
forum, great info is available for not only FR's but overall what to consider
in an RV/5th wheel.....

RV Rating - Customer Survey of RV Makes and Models
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Old 02-14-2016, 07:37 AM   #8
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Welcome to the forum. You can get lots of opinions of the good or the bad. Shop around as mentioned and look for quality of build fit/finish. Enjoy your search Later RJD
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Old 02-14-2016, 10:54 AM   #9
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Everyone's suggestions and comments are correct so far, so I'm just going to throw mine out there. We are extremely happy with our Prime Time Crusader. Our floor plan is built for two, and we are very happy with the build/wear quality. You may have to look at a smaller floor plan as this is a 42 footer, but I know they are available!
Enjoy!!
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Old 02-14-2016, 11:20 AM   #10
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I forgot to mention we will be in it 4 months straight then off and on the rest of the year. Certainly not full time, unless we absolutely love it. You guys are great, keep the suggestions flowing, we just got 5 inches of snow, so nothing else to do.
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Old 02-14-2016, 11:28 AM   #11
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you get what you pay for. If you want quality, look at Grand Design, Landmark, Lifestyle, Teton, or a Carriage, that went out of business in 2011 (I think).
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Old 02-14-2016, 11:46 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pndldy View Post
I forgot to mention we will be in it 4 months straight then off and on the rest of the year. Certainly not full time, unless we absolutely love it. You guys are great, keep the suggestions flowing, we just got 5 inches of snow, so nothing else to do.
I have a silverback 33rl. Very nice. I would go with 1 ton TV. And 36ft 5er. Plenty of room. Alwayß rember---PIN WEIGHT. Washer & drier adds to pin weight, and I see some parks now charging more if you have one because you use more water. (Everyone should conserve with elect. And water so we don't have to pay more next year.)
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Old 02-14-2016, 10:44 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Big Rig View Post
We own a Rockwood fifth wheel right now but plan on purchasing something bigger in the near future. We have looked at a lot of the larger Forest River products ( Columbus and Cedar Creek) the quality for the money is very poor especially the Columbus. We are leaning very much towards a Grand Design Solitude. We also like the Lifestyle and Mobile Suites but they are overpriced. We have come to the conclusion that Grand Design is the best bang for our buck. This is just my opinion. Please don't get caught up in all the Glitz and glamour of the RV but also look at fit and finish. Happy trailer hunting!


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Very impressed with our Grand Design.
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Old 02-15-2016, 10:22 AM   #14
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I saw a Heartland LexMark this weekend that was beautiful... Pricey but I'd have it. Not in the place for full timing yet but it was PRETTY. Check it out.
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