buying a used four season 5er. Suggestions? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

buying a used four season 5er. Suggestions?

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kamakaziozzy wrote:
I like a large living area. I prefer 2 large slide outs in the living area and 1 in the bedroom.
I like access to fridge, restroom and mattress with slide-outs in.
Thanks
Ty

Ty,

I do not have slides myself or a fifth wheel but from what I have heard many RVers with slides need them out to be able to use all the functions in their RV. You may be able to access your fridge and bathroom but maybe not your bedroom. There are other people on here that know more about this than me but I am just going by what I have heard.

Coly

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the reply.
The reason for the access to the fridge and restroom is a quick pit stop. if I'm on the road and tired I may want to just pull into a truck stop to catch some zzzz's. So as long as I can make my way to the mattress I should be good.
Later
Ty

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Open Range 345 RLS has three slides.when in, you can access the bedroom,bath & kitchen, no problem.We have used it in a four season manner. We are very pleased with it. Don't know if many are available used.

R

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

My rig would not meet the requirements because of price - although it would be an ideal rig to set up for long term fixed use, otherwise. There is no way you can buy mine in the 40K range :(

IMO a Montana would not meet the requirements. Not enough insulation, double pane windows, etc. It is NOT intended for winter weather. Really NO RV is intended for long bouts of winter. Can you do it? Yes, but it will be challenging.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer on Friday 10th of February 2012 12:03:29 PM

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sounds like you are looking in the right directions. It is not all about shine and glitz. It is all about the "bones" of the unit.

However, since Carriage is out of business, you should be able to negotiate a good price. The Carriage has always been on our shortlist.

We have a Mobile Scout by Sunnybrook 2006. I would be careful about buying anything newer than 2006 by Sunnybrook, as the quality seemed to go down after that. They tried to expand beyond capabilities. The Titan line by Sunnybrook would be a good choice if you can spot a good one. There are a gazillion Montana rigs on the road, so it would also be a pretty good choice.

Have you looked at the offer by Jack Mayer? If I was in the market for a fulltime rig to last forever, I would sure give it a long careful look.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look into a Artic Fox Toy Hauler.....good 4season unit......

ken and cindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look for a good used Newmar , they are excellent. Torrey Pine ,Mountain Aire ...etc..

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm always up for a challenge and adventure. I left Indiana last year 25 degrees and 5" of snow on a Kawasaki/sidecar on/off road rig. Went to TX. CA. FL and back to IN in 64 days and 9,500 miles. As much dirt and gravel off the beaten path as I could find. Mostly slept in a tent and bag. Around IN. I sleep in a hammock and bag. A well insulated fifth wheel in the winter will be luxury. Not like a home but an adventure that I'm up for. I don't disagree with you at all. I think it's a lot to do with what you set your mind to and what a person is comfortable with. Thanks for everyones input. Keep em coomin Ty

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you can find a 2006 – 2008 KZ Escalade with thermopane windows, they were an option but many have them, it will work fine for your requirements.

All tanks are heated by the furnace and are insulated. The insulation of the rig is good and we’ve had it in really cold temps. We were just fine.

As Jack says, really cold weather in an RV is a challenge. But honestly if you have the money for the LP gas it can be done just fine by this rig. Many use an external LP tank that is filled by a gas company. They rent those larger tanks. Not a problem – just a cost of living.

If the trailer is to be in a fixed location then it is worth it to put a skirt around the bottom between it and the ground. That helps a whole lot with not loosing heat.

A 2006 -2008 will probably push it a bit above the mid $40K number. Look around. But to get the extras you need included, this rig has thme in our opinion and experience, The Escalade will work fine. Been there, done that and know people who have.

Bill

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

In the winter months I'll be in one location. Skirted with larger LP tanks filled by the gas co. I think at this point I'm just looking for mfg's in my price range that are quality and well insulated. That will help me to narrow down my search and save some foot work. If one can judge quality of cabinets and interior of a unit to equal the overal quality of the unit. I can get a pretty good feel. I'm not sure how true that is? What do you all think? I feel it's fairly close. So far from what I have found, the Carriage units seem to be of the better quality units. I like how the air returns are used and the cabinets are built. They seem to be a little more of a "four seasons" than the Montana. I'm not knocking the Montana, I like those as well so I hope I'm not offending anyone. I know there are much better units out there as well but I'm buying my first RV and in a year if I say "what have I done?" I don't want to have $70-$100k sunk into a mistake. If I say "This is for me!" I have a nice used unit ready for a trade in to up grade. Hmmm. I think that's the most grown up thought I've ever had! biggrin

Ty

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If used is not a problem, a website called Rolling Retreats in Oklahoma buys used DRV models at auction, cleans them up, and goes through all the systems before reselling them. It is a "mom and pop" operation with both used and new units.

Check out the "Inventory" category at the following link and look down towards the bottom of the list of units.

Rolling Retreats

Terry

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

I haven't looked at the DRV models. I like the quality features. There was one at a Louisville show, way out of my budget. I haven't seen any used in the lower $ range. I'll have to do some more research. I like the thicker walls and insulation features. I'm for sure going to go used. For the $ I'd like to spend, I can get a lot more quality for the $ on a used one compared to the same $ on a new one.

Thanks

Ty

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm interested in a couple of units. A Select Suites and the other is a Mobile Suites. I know some of the differences in the two but what is the differences between the cabinets quality fit and finish? Do they use solid wood in both or pressboard with veneer or vinyl wrap? The Select might be closer to my budget, I'm still waiting to hear back on a $ on the Mobile. If The Mobile is close in $, I may go with it to have a few more up grades. These are both used 2008 units.
Thanks
Ty

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ty,

A lot of folks, myself included, will say that fit and finish is good, but not essential. However, I felt that the Mobile Suites had a better "look" and that the "fit and finish" would be comparable between the two.

It has been a long time since I was in a Select Suites, so I really can't give you a real definitive answer. All I could say is that the Select will be lighter, less expensive (if both units are comparable in the condition), but also on a lighter frame.

I also can't remember what the holding tank sizes are on the Select.

All that said, I know of at least 4 or 5 Select Suites owners that are happy with theirs. If you are wanting more on the two models, check out SOITC (Suites Owners International Travel Club). That is an association of Suites owners. They have a forum on their website and if you want to register there, you can ask all the questions you want and get them from actual owners.

If you go there, Jo and I are using the username of "millerjnt" on their forums. We signed up on the forums at SOITC about two years before we made our decision and purchase. The folks there are also helpful and friendly.

Terry

Jim Dean · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a Select Suite and the woodwork is solid wood. When comparing the two go to DRVsuites.com and compare the specifications between the two. To give the answer to Terry, the fresh water holding tanks are 125 gallons for the mobile vs. 100 gallons for the select. The gray is 75 mobile and 50 select and both have 50 black. A major difference is the frame. The mobile has a 15" triple box channel frame vs a 12" I beam for the select. We are happy with our Select because the dealer added so many upgrades to this unit that it increased to price to be just below the Mobile Suites and the consumers thought for a few thousand more they could buy the Mobile. The dealer went under and I got it as a repo when it had never left the lot.

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm going to make a offer tomorrow on a 2008 Mobile suite. Any suggestions on what I may ask the dealer to do other than clean it up and fix the little things I find? It's my first RV so I'll ask him for all the ins and outs as far as the how to's.
Thanks
Ty

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

aslo... I need a truck. I'm waiting to get a truck till after I get a fifth wheel. Will a ton truck do the job? 3500 chevy? Do I need a dually?

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't worry about the empty (dry) weight. Look at the gross weight of the coach. Calculate your pin (hitch) weight from that, and you will have the basic information you will need to look at trucks. First of all, make sure that the truck can handle the pin weight. Then look at the truck's gross weight and gross combined weight. Subtract the truck's gross weight from the gross combined weight and you will know what you can tow. If the gross weight of the coach is less than that, you're good. If not, keep looking. If you're looking at a used truck, there are several sites you can go to to find out the general numbers for the trucks. They can point you in the right direction, but you will still need to look at the ratings of the particular truck to determine if it will work or not.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ty,

First of all, be assured that you have some kind of warranty from the dealer in case you discover later that some system in the RV happens to be defective or outright broken. Not knowing of what the condition or the amenities on the coach, I can only give generalities. Ask about checking the axles for alignment, have the dealer check the tire codes to get a manufacture date for the tires and if they are over 5 or 6 years old, ask about having them replaced.

If you will send me a private message with your e-mail address, I can send you what is called a PDI list, which is a list of things to look for on the coach as to whether it actually operates or is properly equipped. If you can't get an independent RV tech to look over the used coach for you, at least go armed with a PDI list.

As for the truck, for the best stability towing and cornering, you will want a dually. As David mentioned, when looking for a truck, remember that the Mobile Suites are generally heavier than other coaches and ask for the GVWR of the fifth wheel. Armed with that, you can then determine the GVWR for the truck PLUS the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight that the truck can safely handle. You do not want to go over that GCVW.

Since you are unlikely to know for sure the weight of things you will add to the RV, pin weight will just be a general estimate until you actually get the unit and can load your stuff. A couple that does weighing of rigs at rallies and such has posted a list of DRV Suites weights that they have documented, which includes the pin weights of several models. I can also send you a copy of that document, so you can look for the model number and get a rough estimate of what the RV weighs.

In that document, he further states that in regards to the DRV Suites products (formerly known as Doubletree RV), 100% of the single rear wheel trucks were overweight and 60% of the duallys were overweight as well. I've known of RV'ers that found out the hard way that just a 1 ton truck wasn't quite enough. Many like us, went to the Ford F450's or Medium Duty Trucks like the mini-Freightliners. If you go either of those routes for a truck, consider looking for a good used one.

Our Suites is a 2010 38TKSB3 with a GVWR of 18,500 lbs. The used one you are looking at may not be as heavy, so research is needed, based on the GVWR, and a 1 ton may be heavy enough for your unit.

Terry

Kamakaziozzy · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the info. I'm going to take my time looking for the right truck. For now I'm the new owner of a 08 Mobile Suite!!! Ready for a full time adventure! I found a campground that is year round. Not many around here. Going to Elkart, IN. next week to stay in it for a couple days for a shake down, then have it delivered. 60's today here in IN. You just know next winter is going to be frozen. Anything in particular I need to look for in this model that may be a issue? Or that I should ask the dealer for? Thanks for everyone's input! More questions to come! Ty

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

You will need a 1 ton DRWs, I recommend GM 3500HD's DRWs for the Suites..... Congratz on your Condo on wheels.. If you really want to get the Suites checked out I recommend Interstate RV and have Paul check the Suites... And get some time of warranty, extended etc... Good Luck... Happy Trails....

P.S. Remember dry weight means very little... Loaded weight if what should look at....