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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Fulltime 5th Wheels... A different take on it.
Post Info TOPIC: Fulltime 5th Wheels... A different take on it.
DagoRanch


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RE: Fulltime 5th Wheels... A different take on it.
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I'm sure if you've read this thread all the way through, you noticed that $15K was my original budget, and you also saw how it grew to about $45-50K (including the tow vehicle).   That's not to say it can't be done.  If your $15K is just for the 5th wheel, it is doable.  But I do think that for it to work, you're going to have to be very flexible in how the rig feels, looks and so on.  Opposing rear-slides are going to be harder to find on rigs old enough to fit that range, and if you do find them, that 3rd bedroom slide might not be there, and washer/dryer hookups are harder to find that far back as well.

I have seen some older rigs that were well taken care of where the only thing that held me back was decor.  If you're not one to get hung up on look and feel, and have the time and inclination to make modifications to update it, I think you'll find something.

I'd look at older units from companies like NuWa, Excel, these are companies that have been in business for years and have always touted their units as full-timers.

I recall looking at a late 80's model NuWa Hitchhiker, that was in great shape for it's age and hardly shown any wear.  It looked like a living space out of the 70's, but beyond that, it was pretty sweet.

Some others I would look at are: Alpha - they folded a couple of years ago, but people who own them, love them and let's face it, on something as old as what you're looking for, whether or not a company is still in business isn't really relevant, IMO.   Dutchman is another brand I would look at.

If I had one piece of advise for buying used:  Have your cash ready to go, because when you do find something that works, you have to act on it, the good deals on used RV's don't last long and get snapped up really quick.





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Tony & Madonna
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Class of 2019
KD


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I've seen some great Alfa's -- they've got the model we love. Now to find one around our price range that's available! Least we've done some narrowing down - found one today for $20,000, a '99 and we may have to go that high, but we're going to keep looking for a little bit. We figure to purchase within the next several weeks, and hit it!

Thanks again.

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Karen and John
Penny and Sadie
dream reachers


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Excel, Carriage, DRV[Doubletree],Hitchhiker, New Horizon. Teton and Travel Supreme are no longer in production but they are good. There is a Teton 11yrs old parked beside me and is in good condition. The couple love it and they double tow a jeep behind it.

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


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I don't know where you are getting your information, but I know for a fact that Carriage has never stopped production, and I have friends that are on there way right now to the NuWa factory for service and Terry is ordering a DRV unit. Jack Mayer has a New Horizon being built.

I believe you are right the Teton and Excel are gone.

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Fred Wishnie

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


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BillA


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I believe Excel is in production. Their website indicates they are making the circuit of RV shows. Carriage and DRV never stopped production. I am not certain about New Horizon but I do not think they ever stopped production. NuWa (Hitchhiker) did stop but is now back in production. Teton and Travel Supreme are gone.

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Ann & Bill Anderson
Houston, TX.
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dream reachers


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Sorry if I did not make myself clear.   I was trying to answer KDs question , the last one on page 1.  He was asking for recommendations for buying good older trailers.  I listed a few good makes for fulltiming.  Teton and Travel Supreme in the second sentence were the only trailers that are no longer being made, all others are still being made. Some of these manufacturers have a cheaper line that I would steer clear of. I believe that if you shop the internet you can find a good used top of the line trailer.

-- Edited by dream reachers on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 12:26:19 AM

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


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Thanks to everyone. We've found some GREAT older 5th wheels on line, but haven't been in time for the purchase yet. So we know they're out there. In the meantime, I've looked on line too at some of the new models -- WOWEE! It's amazing how beautiful they are. I want to show them to the naysayers who have said -- "you're going to live in a TRAILER????" !!

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Karen and John
Penny and Sadie
Racerguy


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Karen,Do you already have a truck to pull with ? If so, what is it as that would help us advise you on what kind of 5er you could get. I was a little surprised doing an online search last night at the number of nice units in your price range available. Good luck and be patient.

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KD


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yep, we do, and I THINK (I'm not the truck knower of this couple) it's a Chevy Dualy (?) maybe half ton?  Gosh.  I'll check and be sure.

BUT, we're also looking for a Frieghtliner kind of truck to tow with instead.

THANKS!

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Karen and John
Penny and Sadie
DagoRanch


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LOL If it's a Dually, it's a 1 ton. A 3500.

If you're planning to start approaching the 17K-20K + pound GVW on a trailer, then the Frieghtliner would be in order for sure.

Sounds like you're on the right track. Lot's of older 5er's are of the heavier variety.

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Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
Onawave


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If buying new check the warranty. Some read "void" if full time. A lot of the mid road 5er's can't take the constant over the road hauling. (frame, screws, roofs and so on).

It's been a couple of years since I looked at any new 5ers as I have been sold on Carriage products. We are on our 4th Carri Lite, and they are very well built. I belong to a yahoo group for Carriage products, if your interested in learning more about those 5th wheels. Cameo's are another Carriage 5er, just a step down from the Carri Lites, and there are people full timing in those.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Carriage_RV/



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Racerguy


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Don't let the warranty issue scare you away from looking at mid range 5ers if that's all you can afford. If you need peace of mind on possible problems you can buy a service contract that doesn't care if you live in it or not.Personally I feel neither is worth the paper they are written on even though I just had a very positive warranty experience with mine. What I'm trying to say is some people are less risk adverse and won't buy anything with out an absolute warranty that covers every possibility But just to say if it's not warrantied for full time, it won't hold up to full time travel isn't necessarily so. You will get opinions on both sides and neither side is wrong.

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Dreamers


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Well, I guess I'll jump in this too.  We have been looking for a little over 3 months now.  We have decided we like the Jayco Designer and the Heartland Sundance.  We looked at one Sundance we loved (the 3200) but it was overweight for our truck.  They do make a smaller version that will just slide by but we have yet to find it to look at.  I believe its called the 2900 and is about 31 ft long. 

We found a great Jayco Designer but it was 38 feet and too heavy for our truck.  They do make smaller ones but they too are hard to find.

As for the Laredo, (we spent sometime looking at one) it is only rated "vacationing" and has that pull out outside kitchen.  If their rating was raised to "snowbirding" and they got rid of that outside kitchen, we too might look at one.

Both the Sundance and the Designer is rated for "snowbirding".  The mid-profile "snowbirding" is where we seem to fit.  However, we would like to find a good used unit.  Does anyone know where one is at.  You don't find these two brands used?  People must keep them forever.  And, we've got to be able to pull it with a 2004 F350 Diesel Duelly pickup.  They're rated for very light towing only.

Judy (and Bob)

PS.  We have the RV Comsumer's Group ratings which we look at everytime we come across something we think we might like.  There sure are some surprises there.

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DagoRanch


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Just sent you a message about your tow vehicle, definitely some things to think about!

On the Laredo, I'm sure the ratings are based on whenever they evaluate them. The double insulation just started as of all trailers built after Jan 1st. Everything I've seen on the lot's are still 2009's. I would have to order one to get the latest stuff. Oh and the outdoor kitchen is on only 2 of the 10 available floorplans, I agree.. I have no use for an outdoor kitchen and bunkhouse setup.

Just wanted to let you know about some stuff.

The Sundance's are nice rigs, as are the Jayco Designers. Just a tad above my budget though :)

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Tony & Madonna
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Class of 2019
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