Help us pick our next trailer

[corn18]

Originally Posted by nomad297

If you love the layout of the Hemisphere 271RL, you should also love this layout:

Attachment 226664

Bruce

That's even bigger than the 271RL.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by corn18

That's even bigger than the 271RL.

Yes, it is — about 2’ longer. But if you can deal with the additional 2’ and the additional cost of a Rockwood compared to a Salem, you will forget all about that additional 2’ when you realize the trade off you made in quality.

Bruce

[corn18]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Yes, it is — about 2’ longer. But if you can deal with the additional 2’ and the additional cost of a Rockwood compared to a Salem, you will forget all about that additional 2’ when you realize the trade off you made in quality.

Bruce

There is a difference in quality between the various FR brand names? Did not know that. We are looking at Rockwood, Salem and Heritage Glen. Love the look of the Salem interior color but also like the Heritage Glen.

5ers are now on the list and this one looks sweet:

Heritage Glen 290RL (33' 8").



Or maybe the Heritage Glen 286RL (34' 1"). I like the bed slide in this one.

[Lawrosa]

Just go all out and get the raised living room..

youll appreciate the king bed and walk in shower.

https://coachmenrv.com/fifth-wheels/...ral/370FL/2149

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twz8gHAtq_g

****Example only******
Here is a used one but never used for 40K.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...0FL-5011041398

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by corn18

There is a difference in quality between the various FR brand names? Did not know that. We are looking at Rockwood, Salem and Heritage Glen. Love the look of the Salem interior color but also like the Heritage Glen.

5ers are now on the list and this one looks sweet:

Heritage Glen 290RL (33' 8").



Or maybe the Heritage Glen 286RL (34' 1"). I like the bed slide in this one.

As far as Forest river travel trailers go, Rockwood and Flagstaff have always been known for their higher quality.

And with the length fifth wheel you are probably looking for, the same thing goes — Rockwood or Flagstaff will give you the highest quality of workmanship and features.

If you want a Forest River fifth wheel with better quality than a Rockwood or Flagstaff, you will need to start looking at the Riverstone models, but you will need a bigger truck for any of those.

Of course, there will be some who disagree with me, but this is my observation from opinions on this forum and many other forums, plus my own experience.

Bruce

[Lawrosa]

But then again if was me and my money...And just me and the admiral I would get this.

Thing is most all RV'ers I feel always look to go smaller. You can make good time and really whip those small campers around..

https://coachmenrv.com/travel-traile...e/276RKDS/2096

Its all one really needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

[nomad297]

Here is the “fifth wheel version” of the Rockwood travel trailer I posted a picture of earlier. Would this work for you?



Bruce

[nomad297]

This should be easier to read:





Bruce

[corn18]

Originally Posted by nomad297

This should be easier to read:

Attachment 226670

Attachment 226671

Bruce

Yes, that is a great floorpan, but as I looked closer at it, there is no place to put CPAPs or anything else next to the front of the bed. Unless I am missing something.

[nomad297]

Here’s a great video showing the Rockwood Signatire 8299SB:

https://youtu.be/qoBcmw9YNDs

Bruce

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by corn18

Yes, that is a great floorpan, but as I looked closer at it, there is no place to put CPAPs or anything else next to the front of the bed. Unless I am missing something.

I’m pretty sure there is a shelf to the left and right sides of the head of the bed.

EDIT: I just looked at the video I linked to above and you can see those shelves.

Bruce

[corn18]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I’m pretty sure there is a shelf to the left and right sides of the head of the bed.

EDIT: I just looked at the video I linked to above and you can see those shelves.

Bruce

Can't fit a CPAP on that shelf. It's tiny.

[lswartz]

If you spend a lot of time inside then a fifth wheel would be perfect, lots of room. We don’t camp that way, mostly outside. It is a bedroom, shower/bathroom & it holds the refrigerator. Most cooking is outside as well.

We also carry two bicycles and kayaks.Room on the truck is important. A fifth wheel would not work.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by corn18

Can't fit a CPAP on that shelf. It's tiny.

I’m sure you could order it with a queen bed and larger shelves instead of a king bed with the smaller shelves.

Bruce

[gastan]

At the risk of offending some, I suggest you expand your search. Your examples so far are all FR products, and while FR makes some great RV's, so do other manufacturers. If FR doesn't have an RV that meets your needs than keep looking (you can still hang out here - lots and lots of good people and info). See the attached for 6 examples. (They are all 5th wheels - - I have a preference for 5th wheels. I think the best bang-for-the-buck is a 5th wheel.)

If you plan only short weekend or 3-4 day trips, than short and small is fine. Since you are near retirement you will have the opportunity for longer trips - - 2-3-4 weeks? months? If so, larger is definitely better. It gives you room to spread out and not be in each others space all the time. Especially important when lousy weather keeps you confined inside and, if you travel for more than weekends, lousy weather is going to happen. (As much as I love my wife, being confined together in 80 sq. ft. for more than a week would probably have us at each others throats )

You need to analyze your lifestyle, too. For example, my wife usually goes to bed earlier than me. I like to sit up and read or watch a DVD on the telly. So, for us, our next RV will have a sleeping area with more than a thin curtain separating it and the living area. Speaking of beds, a walk-around bed is also a must in our opinion.

A dinette is great for eating, writing, or playing board games but lousy for relaxing. And relaxing is what you want to do when reading or watching TV. So, big surprise, our next RV will have at least a sofa and/or recliner/theater seating.

All of the RV's in the attached right at or under 30 feet. Lots out there to investigate. Take your time. You'll be glad you did.

[BehindBars]

I’d love to help, but there is no way I could determine which camper is right for you. I shopped for 18 months for our newest motorhome. We determined exactly what features were important to us, and finally had to order the RV because dealers didn’t even stock what we wanted.

If you are still looking at three significantly different trailer sizes, you have a long way to go before you’re ready to narrow it down and make a purchase.

Think about how you’re going to use the camper. Make a list of features that are must haves, and features you can do without. Make a list of features that are definitely no-nos. Expand your search beyond these models.

[bq6zj0]

We had a 30 foot fifth and down sized to 2019 Airstream Globetrotter 27 foot and have not looked back

Warner Robins, GA

[ProfChuck]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Here’s a great video showing the Rockwood Signatire 8299SB:

https://youtu.be/qoBcmw9YNDs

Bruce

Just watched the video and that 5th wheel is really nice. We have a Windjammer 3008W which is 34.5 ft. and also love it. Our barn won't take a 5th wheel, though. Now what I have found is that it takes only a little bit of time to get used to the longer length (we have had this one for 7 seasons now), but, the room is really nice. Our previous TT was 28 ft. and, I really didn't notice much problem moving up. That said, the Rockwood Signature TT & 5th wheels are great trailers. Note, the bathrooms and the space to "sit", the fact that it doesn't have a residential fridge which is a great strain on batteries when you don't have shore power, and the general layout. Your "middle" TT has a layout similar to our Windjammer, except we have a front kitchen. But, we had to live in our TT for 6 months and were very happy for the room. Also, when you have guests, having a separate bathroom entrance is really nice in the middle of the night for both you and your guests. The "longer" choice you have would, for us, not be an ideal floor plan. Feels like you have room that won't be used. If you like 5th wheels, I would take a really good look at the recommended one above. Yes, you have to be careful about some sites, gas stations, etc., but, I think you will be happy for the room, especially if you "base camp" when you go on vacation.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

I’d love to help, but there is no way I could determine which camper is right for you. I shopped for 18 months for our newest motorhome. We determined exactly what features were important to us, and finally had to order the RV because dealers didn’t even stock what we wanted.

If you are still looking at three significantly different trailer sizes, you have a long way to go before you’re ready to narrow it down and make a purchase.

Think about how you’re going to use the camper. Make a list of features that are must haves, and features you can do without. Make a list of features that are definitely no-nos. Expand your search beyond these models.

Well, as we discovered when we were family camping, we didn't know what we didn't know so we spent a lot of money figuring it out. But it as fun figuring it out along the way!

That's where we are now as we look at becoming couples campers. My ideal world would be camping with our kids and grandkids. But seeing as they are just getting started in life, that may be 5-10 years. But we can cross that bridge if/when it comes. In the meantime, we are exploring how to decide if we are cut out for couples camping. I was hoping to just pick the perfect camper right out of the gate, but we might get it wrong and need to change campers. That doesn't scare me too much, but I thought I would ask the experts and see what they say.

As for other brands, all of our trailers have been FR (Rockwood) and I know them well, so I am comfortable with what I will get. They provide great opportunity to DIY and fix all the niggles that should have been built well in the first place. Living in SW Ohio does provide the opportunity to buy anything from the IN brands, though.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by gastan

At the risk of offending some, I suggest you expand your search. Your examples so far are all FR products, and while FR makes some great RV's, so do other manufacturers. If FR doesn't have an RV that meets your needs than keep looking (you can still hang out here - lots and lots of good people and info). See the attached for 6 examples. (They are all 5th wheels - - I have a preference for 5th wheels. I think the best bang-for-the-buck is a 5th wheel.)

If you plan only short weekend or 3-4 day trips, than short and small is fine. Since you are near retirement you will have the opportunity for longer trips - - 2-3-4 weeks? months? If so, larger is definitely better. It gives you room to spread out and not be in each others space all the time. Especially important when lousy weather keeps you confined inside and, if you travel for more than weekends, lousy weather is going to happen. (As much as I love my wife, being confined together in 80 sq. ft. for more than a week would probably have us at each others throats )

You need to analyze your lifestyle, too. For example, my wife usually goes to bed earlier than me. I like to sit up and read or watch a DVD on the telly. So, for us, our next RV will have a sleeping area with more than a thin curtain separating it and the living area. Speaking of beds, a walk-around bed is also a must in our opinion.

A dinette is great for eating, writing, or playing board games but lousy for relaxing. And relaxing is what you want to do when reading or watching TV. So, big surprise, our next RV will have at least a sofa and/or recliner/theater seating.

All of the RV's in the attached right at or under 30 feet. Lots out there to investigate. Take your time. You'll be glad you did.

If I was to pick from your great selection, my first choice would be the Arctic Fox. Not necessarily for the layout, but for the quality. I always wanted an Arctic Fox, but they just aren’t readily available on this side of the country.

I settled with with my current Rockwood for the quality first and the layout second, but with the Windjammer 3029W, I got both great quality and the perfect layout for me and my wife.

Bruce