4 Season 5th Wheels - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Sucie49 · RV-Dreams Community Member

4 Season 5th Wheels

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Susie,

That is the question that will really get things going. There are a number of different brands that are considered as "full-timer" units.

One thing is to check warranties. Some manufacturers will not warranty their units if they find out that the owners are living full time in the unit. To me, one of the most important things for "4 Season" living is the insulation ratings of the units.

While a number of brands are common among fulltimers, I'll only list off a few that I feel fall into the category of full-timing units:

Carriage
Montana
Doubletree (Now known as DRV Suites) Best insulation
Open Range

In addition, check out this link to a thread on the forums here:

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=31992478

Terry

ken and cindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Newmar , Teton Homes , New Horizons RV's , Carraige Royals International

Are the ones that come to my mind.

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Excel's are definitely 4 season, they have a -10degrees guarantee. Stayed in ours over Thanksgiving with sub freezing temps everyday and it was warm and toasty with no problems. We did extensive research on this issue and that is part of what made us choose an Excel. Here is the link to there site:
http://www.excelrvs.com/

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Unless keystone has changed their warranty, the Montana is not covered for full time living. We were specifically told this when we toured the factory. That said, we have a number of friends who live in theirs.

On another note, I would encourage anyone buying a fiver for fulltime living to invest in dual pane windows. They are well worth the additional expense.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

The best insulation in a 5th wheel today is Drv, the reason is 3 1/4" walls and a 15" frame which allows more insulation. Take a look at Drv's web site the 2010's are up now and you will see all the insulation that is in the Drv Suites. Drv is now calling the Suites as designed for full time use. And take a look at the 43 footers, we seen them while at the Suites Rally in Goshen Ind in June. GBY....

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fred,

The reason I included the Montana as a full time unit is because a number of people are living in theirs. I guess I should have listed it as a 4 season instead of full time. I imagine that for that reason, I should have listed several others. I did forget to mention in the list the Cedar Creek brand, which is made by Forest River.

While we are primarily interested in the Mobile Suites by DRV Suites (formerly Doubletree RV), the Cedar Creek is a fall back brand. It isn't as well insulated as the DRV's but they are less expensive, should one not be interested in being in cold climates.

In fact, we are going to the Ft. Worth RV Show on January 9. There are supposed to be 2 or 3 DRV 2010 units there, as well as Melinda King, the DRV representative for the central part of the US. She has been really helping us with questions about custom modifications that we want to do to any unit that we order.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can personally vouch for the Cedar Creek line. Last October we spent time traveling in temps ranging from 18 degrees to 102 degrees. Never once did we have trouble heating or cooling our trailer. They are factory cold room tested to 0 degrees with standard insulation and tank heaters. I'm sure some of the more expensive units might rate a little better but for the Money spent we are extremely satisfied. Just food for thought.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Has anyone had any experience with the Nuwa Hitchhiker? So far in our research it is standing out as a top contender.

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

When you get your list down to one or two manufacturers, I suggest a factory visit if at all possible. We did that with the Excel and that sold us on their product.

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Ken and Sarah. We did all of our research but the factory tour and the personal visit with Bryan, the president of Peterson Ind. ( maker of Excel) is what helped us finally make the decision to buy. It showed us how much they back & believe in their product.

dream reachers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I made an entry on the thread in Nov. and I stand by it, RV Consumers Group spells out which makes and models are for fulltime use. They are an unbiased research and reporting business. Generally you get what you pay for. That is not always the case with RVs, but generally. There are some rvs that are priced fairly high but will not warrenty for fulltime because they just won't hold up long under fulltime use. The lower priced units are just not built as well so they can sell them cheaper. Look for manufacturers that have been in business for many years and have weathered the economic storms. We have been well pleased with our Excel Limited. It is going to be in the low 20s tonight where we are now and into the teens in a couple of days. We are very comfortable inside our trailer. Outside it is not so comfortable and so we plan to head for Texas in a week. We have also been comfortable in our trailer in the summer and have been in temperatures over 100. We own an '05 and all the woodwork is holding up very well. We have Moride suspension, disc brakes, electric jacks [new models use hydraulic] and Trail-Air pin hitch, which has proved very worthwhile. When we first started shopping we saw other makes that looked nice, had good floor plans and were less expensive,but had we bought then before researching and shopping around I don't believe that after more than 2 years of fulltiming we would have been as pleased with our purchase. -- Edited by dream reachers on Sunday 3rd of January 2010 02:56:14 AM

-- Edited by dream reachers on Sunday 3rd of January 2010 03:10:43 AM

Gary · RV-Dreams Family Member

Are the Heartland 5ers full time rated? Talked to a salesman who said they were and were tested to Zero Degrees.

Just want to make sure that this is a good rig to part time in. Thanks.

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

2riker2go wrote:

Has anyone had any experience with the Nuwa Hitchhiker? So far in our research it is standing out as a top contender.

Our research over the last 4 years has lead us to the conclusion that NuWa is the best full-time 5th wheel for us. When the time comes to buy, it will be a HitcHiker by NuWa for us. They are warranted for full-time use and are at or near the top of the best built and best backed by the manufacturer. They have a new pricing program with no haggle prices and you can buy direct from the factory and pick it up yourself at the factory.

Here's a link to the NuWa Owner's Forum which provides lots of information on HitchHiker: http://www.nuwaowners.org/

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

2riker2go wrote:

Has anyone had any experience with the Nuwa Hitchhiker? So far in our research it is standing out as a top contender.

We really enjoy our Hitchhiker II LS (the lower end of the three lines Nu Wa puts out.) The size and weight are a good compromise for us. While we don't have either the "artic" package or a second AC we have had good use of it below Zero and above One Hundred degrees (it does get a bit warm at high temps but tolerable, and at low temps we found that an electric heater helps cut the propane bill).

Mallo

hyperslug · RV-Dreams Community Member

Four season is a bit general and it depends on how cold you need it to go down to.

I have an Artic Fox which is considered a 4 season 5th wheel but below 10 degrees some things start freezing like most RVs. My water pump and dump tank valves will freeze even with heated understorage below 10. I use a light bulbs to provide heat in those areas prone to freezing and had no problems in minus 9.

I wanted an Excel but could not pass up the deal on the Artic Fox. I have been full timing 4 years and still going.

Jeff

Loralie · RV-Dreams Family Member

We also spent several years researching before finally deciding on an Excel 5th wheel. We love it and feel it was a great buy - of course we were lucky to find a used set.
Loralie

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the DRV...Elite Suites. We full timed for 3 yrs before now buying a house. Our Elite Suites has the highest of the R Factors.... insulation of any RV out there. Ck the website.

southwestjudy