Some time back my late partner and myself owned a Golden Falcon fifth wheel which we towed with a Freightliner FL112. Never had a minutes problem with either truck or trailer. I understand Glendale is now out of business, So no more Golden Falcons. They built a great trailer. I am now considering going full time, Just me and my two little Shih Tzu's. I am looking at a Kenworth W900 with a 460hp Red top Cummins, That should get the job done. used to own a trucking company so have a thing for big rigs with big power. Question is! Which fiver to buy? Would like a 40ft or close to that. Was considering Teton but someone told me they had gone out of business also. I want a fiver with fully winterized package just in case I get stuck up north one winter. Been away from RVing for quite a while so help would be appreciated in making an educated choice.
MissBehavin said
06:27 PM Dec 16, 2011
Addition to my post regarding Freightliner, One of our trips was 22,000 miles and the truck averaged 13.5 miles per gallon. Kept all info on the computer and worked it out from receipts when we got home. Best trip I ever took in my life. Wonerfull wonerfull as Lawrence Welk would say.
Terry and Jo said
07:54 PM Dec 16, 2011
Andrea,
A couple to consider, both of which would be good for full-timing plus colder climates. The first would be DRV Suites out of Howe, Indiana that makes the Elite Suites, Mobile Suites, Tradition and soon to be toy hauler called the Full House. If looking at used models from DRV, look also at Select Suites, although they have discontinued that model. They make up to 43' models.
There are a number of us here that have the DRV Suites products, including my wife, Jo, and I. Here is a link to the DRV Suites website and links to two different owner's groups forums.
(With 5th Wheel Forums, you'll need to scroll down the page to fine the reference to Elite, Mobile, and Select Suites. It also refers to it formerly being Doubletree RV.)
Another fifth wheel company is New Horizons, which is made in Kansas. That brand is one where you order directly from the factory and is custom built. I don't think they have any dealers anywhere.
Jack Mayer here on RV Dreams has one of the New Horizons. Jack's profile is at this link:
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, and good luck with the research and planning. Feel free to ask questions and make comments. We all tend to learn from each other.
Terry
MissBehavin said
08:49 PM Dec 16, 2011
Thank you for the information Terry and Jo. I checked out both sites and like what I see. I especially like the hydraulic slide on the New Horizon. The Golden Falcon had that also, Much better than an electric motor. Will be checking into both brands further. Thanks again.
Terry and Jo said
08:47 AM Dec 17, 2011
Andrea,
While the hydraulic slide is what I preferred as well, there are issues with them as well. Our unit is a 38TKSB3 with the "SB" meaning "Side Bathroom." In the side bathroom units of the later DRV products, to make both sides of that long bedroom/washer dryer slide work right, they put in a "flow diverter." We are cautioned to always allow the slide operation to be fully completed without interrupting the travel in or out. I'm not aware of what it is with the flow diverter that is an issue with those.
They also tell us to operate our three slides in a certain sequence, both in and out, so as to help reduce air bubbles in the hydraulic lines. DRV Suites has gone back to electric slides for the bedroom, I think.
The hydraulic also lets us have the Level-Up system which are four hydraulic cylinders placed before and behind the axles in addition to the two at the front of the coach. Those are well worth the price of an option, if it is still an option. Some may have gone to "standard" with that feature.
Something I should have mentioned about forums, though. It is the very nature of such things to attract people who are looking for a solution for a problem. Keep in mind that while it may appear that a brand/model seems to have lot of issue, there are probably a lot more owners who aren't having problems. For instance, on the DRV forums, there are likely up to 1500 "registered" participants, but there have been more than 6000 DRV products built over the years.
When dealing with the owners on RV owner's forums, I tend to ask the question, "If you were buying another RV today, would you buy the same brand/model that you have now?" With the DRV's, I know that some folks have had problems they no longer wanted to deal with, but a large number of folks have bought the same brand more than once.
Also, keep in mind that most, if not all, forums have the options of "private messaging." Use that feature if you want to ask questions of a particular person, especially if you think you want some privacy.
Terry
Workinrvers said
04:01 PM Dec 17, 2011
you'll like the extra HP the KW has. We are towing with a FLD120 singled with a CAT 3406E under the hood. Our mileage runs in the 8.5 -9.5 range and I really enjoy towing with the HDT. I haul the Harley behind the cab and DW follows (or leads depending on her preference) in our Dodge Dakota. We are singled long and have room for a Smart if we ever decide to give up the Harley or change to a toy hauler.
Welcome to the form and also the "dark side" .
Phil
Jack Mayer said
07:25 PM Dec 17, 2011
If you want further info on the New Horizons take a look at my website. There is a lot of detailed info on the rigs there.....Let me know if you have questions - feel free to email me.
Andrea,
A couple to consider, both of which would be good for full-timing plus colder climates. The first would be DRV Suites out of Howe, Indiana that makes the Elite Suites, Mobile Suites, Tradition and soon to be toy hauler called the Full House. If looking at used models from DRV, look also at Select Suites, although they have discontinued that model. They make up to 43' models.
There are a number of us here that have the DRV Suites products, including my wife, Jo, and I. Here is a link to the DRV Suites website and links to two different owner's groups forums.
DRV Suites Website
Suites Owners International Travel Club (SOITC)
5th Wheel Forums
(With 5th Wheel Forums, you'll need to scroll down the page to fine the reference to Elite, Mobile, and Select Suites. It also refers to it formerly being Doubletree RV.)
Another fifth wheel company is New Horizons, which is made in Kansas. That brand is one where you order directly from the factory and is custom built. I don't think they have any dealers anywhere.
Jack Mayer here on RV Dreams has one of the New Horizons. Jack's profile is at this link:
Jack Mayer's Profile
Below are links to the New Horizons RV website and the New Horizons forums on IRV2.
New Horizons RV
New Horizons Forum on IRV2
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, and good luck with the research and planning. Feel free to ask questions and make comments. We all tend to learn from each other.
Terry
Will be checking into both brands further. Thanks again.
Andrea,
While the hydraulic slide is what I preferred as well, there are issues with them as well. Our unit is a 38TKSB3 with the "SB" meaning "Side Bathroom." In the side bathroom units of the later DRV products, to make both sides of that long bedroom/washer dryer slide work right, they put in a "flow diverter." We are cautioned to always allow the slide operation to be fully completed without interrupting the travel in or out. I'm not aware of what it is with the flow diverter that is an issue with those.
They also tell us to operate our three slides in a certain sequence, both in and out, so as to help reduce air bubbles in the hydraulic lines. DRV Suites has gone back to electric slides for the bedroom, I think.
The hydraulic also lets us have the Level-Up system which are four hydraulic cylinders placed before and behind the axles in addition to the two at the front of the coach. Those are well worth the price of an option, if it is still an option. Some may have gone to "standard" with that feature.
Something I should have mentioned about forums, though. It is the very nature of such things to attract people who are looking for a solution for a problem. Keep in mind that while it may appear that a brand/model seems to have lot of issue, there are probably a lot more owners who aren't having problems. For instance, on the DRV forums, there are likely up to 1500 "registered" participants, but there have been more than 6000 DRV products built over the years.
When dealing with the owners on RV owner's forums, I tend to ask the question, "If you were buying another RV today, would you buy the same brand/model that you have now?" With the DRV's, I know that some folks have had problems they no longer wanted to deal with, but a large number of folks have bought the same brand more than once.
Also, keep in mind that most, if not all, forums have the options of "private messaging." Use that feature if you want to ask questions of a particular person, especially if you think you want some privacy.
Terry
you'll like the extra HP the KW has. We are towing with a FLD120 singled with a CAT 3406E under the hood. Our mileage runs in the 8.5 -9.5 range and I really enjoy towing with the HDT.
.
I haul the Harley behind the cab and DW follows (or leads depending on her preference) in our Dodge Dakota. We are singled long and have room for a Smart if we ever decide to give up the Harley or change to a toy hauler.
Welcome to the form and also the "dark side"
Phil