Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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Post Info TOPIC: Realizing How Little I Know!


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Realizing How Little I Know!


What a wonderful community - so much information here!

We have been looking @ fifth wheelers, and never knew until I read here that there is a difference between "full time" and "weekend" units!  How do I know which manufacturers I should be looking @ for full timing ????

Peace,
Al

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RV-Dreams Family Member

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The best place to get an independent opinion is the RV Consumer Group

http://rv.org/

Just about anything they rate full time or snowbird should be appropriate. After you decide on a few brands, it's wise to join the online groups and see what current owners think of them.

Good luck,
Fred

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome Al!

That was some very good advise from Fred. We bought our 5ver new last July. We had shopped for about 7 months. The insulation, and dual pane windows were important. Also since we had all our "stuff" weight capacity was important.
We have since purchased a MH, because I need to be able work at my computer while we are "under way". We are traveling way more than we had ever imagined. We have made wonderful friendships on the road, and learned so much from them.

Happy shopping!



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Coleen Elkins

Full-time for the second time and loving it!

With one retired husband and two very energetic Border Collies

2006 Newmar Mountain-Aire 4306

2018 Mini Cooper Cllubman

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

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I too agree with Fred. I've just completed the whole process of researching RVs. Part of my research was buying the RV Consumer Group ratings. I was suprised to see that some of the manufacturers that I thought looked good at RV shows were rated rather poorly. Not that this group knows everything, but they do evaluate every model and at least seem thorough.

My advice would be to do a LOT of reading and be patient before pulling the trigger - its too expensive to make a mistake. Pick a few manufacturers with ratings as high as you budget will allow, then go see them at dealers or RV shows. There's a LOT to learn but its a very fun and exciting process.

Good Luck & have fun!


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Bob

2009 Cameo 37RE3, 2006 F350 Laredo Dually



RV-Dreams Family Member

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I agree with the others. My wife and I spent 2 years reading, researching attending rv seminars, looking closely at different models on dealer lots. We studied the RV Consumers materials which were very helpful. We are so glad that we took our time and did our homework first. We have been living in our 5ver for 2 years this coming Aug. and know we made the right decision. We bought a 2 year old, loaded "full-time" trailer for about half the price of a new one. Most RVs you see are strictly vacation models and will not hold up to full-time use. Make sure you understand the different weights. RV Dreams will give you a wealth of information and encouragement. There are no stupid questions here, so don't be afraid to ask.

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Allan, Jeanne and Katie the cat
Full-timers from Alabama
"07 -40' Phaeton & '08 Jeep Liberty



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Two other things.

1.  Trust yourself if the rig your walking around in feels shoddy or poorly made.  If you feel a draft in a coach that is "buttoned up" and should be tight.  Walk away if on the other hand the coach feels solid and is warm when it's cold or cool when it's warm.  It's likely a solid coach.

2.  Check the warranty being offered see what the use restrictions are from the manufacturer.  If the builder will void the warranty because your full timing then that tells you something.  The quality builders don't have limits on use for their rigs.  (Carriage, Excel, Nu Wa to name three)

Mallo


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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Researching is critical.  But, hands on looking is more important than reading and looking at pictures.

Many a time, I thought something looked good in pictures but when actually in one of the units, it was obvious that it lacked in appearance or quality.

As for "consumer review" sources, pay close attention to the details of what you are researching.  Years ago, when I was a manager in a Radio Shack store, we used to get people coming in to buy "x" model of VCR (or whatever).  They had done their research on "Consumer Reports" about "x" model being rated high, but once in the store, they found that model "x" had been discontinued and was no longer available.

It seems that Consumer Reports had done their review and rating, but it was months or years before that review actually got published.  To this day, I never look at Consumer Reports.  Now, having said all that, I must point out that electronic items evolve quickly and a delayed publishing of a review was common.  With an RV of some kind, it is not as likely that MAJOR items would change, except in the case of a manufacturer suddenly offering another option that may not be in the initial review.  For instance, DRV (formerly Doubletree RV) now offers a fourth slide in a number of the three-slide models.  However, their website doesn't reflect that information.

I have found it to be helpful to also look at other "RV owners'" forums that are specific to the brand that has attracted my interest.  One of them for fifth wheels is one called "Fifth Wheel Forums", which has forum areas for different brand names.  If you can find such, check for such "owner's forums" even in motorhomes, if that is your interest.

Terry


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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Just in case you haven't found rv.net it also has lots of info.
southwestjudy


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Judy & Bob & 2blackdogs
www.mytripjournal.com/elitesuitestravels
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