2002 Cedar Creek 36RLTS - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

2002 Cedar Creek 36RLTS

injunear · RV-Dreams Family Member

We need your help with info on this 5th wheel. We spotted this unit setting in someones yard and had to take a look.

There is also a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD extened cab 6.0L with the 5th wheel. Owner is asking $19,500 for both. He bought it from the widow of a friend. They pulled it to Florida every winter then back to IN and fulltimed in it until the widow sold it.

Previous owner kept everything well maintained and records for all work on truck and trailer.

My questions are, is this truck at it's limit on towing capacity and would this be a full timing unit.

The GVWR on 5th wheel is 13,600 lbs with 2700 CCC. Can't fined R values for trailer insulation.

Thanks for your advice.

Waye and Sharon

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

you pretty much have a fulltimer there 3500 HD is basically a 3/4 ton with a one ton rear.....you didnt mention whether its a dually but depending on where your pulling I would say yes to it......nice price point, good starter package ......It gives you alot of room to change up later without taking a loss and probably show a profit!!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We full timed for 17 months in a 2008 Cedar Creek 36RLTS but pulled it with a 1 ton dually and felt it was pretty close to maxed out.A couple who used to frequent this forum, Darrell and Judy Patterson, full timed for quite a while with a 36 RLTS and an 3/4 ton GMC(Same as Chevy) without a lot of problems so I would say it can be done.I might add we were extremely happy with our Cedar Creek as is the gentleman who bought it from us.Also the R value on insulation is "adequate" but not as good as DRV Products and some of the higher end units.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Friday 3rd of May 2013 07:45:21 PM

injunear · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike,

The truck is single rear wheels and 137,000 miles. I've never owned a Chevy, mostly Fords. Most of our travels

will be southwest. TX, NM, AZ

The furnature and carpet will need to be replaced or cleaned. They had a dog and

after the new owners cleaned it still smells of dog.

Wayne

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wayne,

Cedar Creek fifth wheels are pretty good units. I know of one couple that bought one, but have since moved on to a motorhome. While they were in their Cedar Creek, they seemed pleased with it.

If you can, get the information off of the data plate of the pickup (door post on the driver's side, usually down at the bottom) and with that information and the engine size and type and transmission type, go see a GM dealer. They should be able to look at all that data and find out he weight capacities of that truck. Do not let them quote you "Towing weight." You want Gross Combined Vehicular Weight. Then, take the trailer's "dry weight" and add about 2000 to 3000 lbs to get an idea of the GVWR of the trailer. Then with that weight and the GVWR of the truck, you can see if the two GVWR's combined are below the GCVW of the truck.

Considering that you want to full-time, I would normally caution against this truck, simply because of it being a 3/4 ton with single rear wheels. Duals give one so much more stability, especially in windy conditions, and exceeding the capacities of the truck (weightwise) can lead to dangerous braking conditions. (Think TX, NM, AZ, and OK with regards to the winds.)

Winds out here can tear up the slide topper awnings of RV's. At least one dealer here in Oklahoma City refuses to order slide toppers just for that reason. They will only order them if the customer is special ordering the trailer and specifies them.

Terry

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 2004 Cedar Creek and it has been a good unit for full time but it does not have dual pane glass and insulation is marginal for sub 30s weather that is sustained. I am guessing the truck isn't a diesel. We have a gas 8.1 liter and it is maxed at 12,700 pounds even with the allison transmission. So I would say the 6 liter gas Chevy truck without the allison transmision wouldn't cut it at all even with a 4.11 rear end.

Oh just so you know we have towed a total 35,000 miles and put 155,000 miles on our truck. Probably run them the set a couple more years or so before upgrading.

Cedar Creek has made so good medium duty rigs if the fit your market. They certainly exceeded our expectations as first time RV buyers.

Larry and Jacki

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I realize this post is a few weeks old. Did you end up purchasing this?

I just wanted to make some recommendations since you mentioned full-timing. The insulation in a 2002 model would most likely be inadequate. If you are serious about a Cedar Creek, you'll want to look at 2010 and up models to get upgraded insulation. Always verify that a particular unit does indeed have upgraded insulation. Sometimes it was just an option rather than standard.

injunear · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bobbi
We didn't buy this unit, we're still thinking about it. I would like to have a newer unit for several reasons.
So I think we will pass on this one.

Thanks for the info. That's what I like about this forum somebody on here has an answer to any question.

Wayne

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

injunear wrote:
Bobbi
We didn't buy this unit, we're still thinking about it. I would like to have a newer unit for several reasons.
So I think we will pass on this one.

Thanks for the info. That's what I like about this forum somebody on here has an answer to any question.

Wayne

Hi Wayne - I'm relieved to hear that. I do recommend a newer unit also, so I like your thinking there. :>) In my opinion, proper insulation is a big thing to look out for. Unfortunately, most manufacturers did not start offering better insulation until 2009 or so with the exception of Carriage. However, my understanding is that Carriage did not insulate their slide outs. Once you start finding out what is insulated, and that includes the slide outs, your list becomes short rather quickly. Slide outs are usually not insulated as well as the rest of the unit, but they really should be.

To perform the research necessary to create your list of possible RVs, you must locate manufacturer brochures for the units you are interested in. Usually the insulation info is included, but not always. Then you can start making a list of what works for you and what doesn't. For example, we are currently interested in toy haulers. We have it narrowed down to only four manufacturers that offer good insulation values. The best ones offer R-40 or more insulation, and the last one on the list offers R-38 calculated values in the roof and underbelly. Walls are not insulated as well.

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had a 2002 Cedar Creek. At the time we considered living in it for a year in New Jersey before retiring and hitting the road. We lasted Jan and Feb. By March we decided just too dang cold. We could feel the wind blowing in through the slides. Traded it in for a new 2009 Montana with Arctic Package. We liked the Cedar Creek but it just did not do well enough in the colder climate. Agreement that the insulated windows are a must. Our Montana does not have them and it is one of only very few things we are dissatisfied with.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

phyllen wrote:
We had a 2002 Cedar Creek. At the time we considered living in it for a year in New Jersey before retiring and hitting the road. We lasted Jan and Feb. By March we decided just too dang cold. We could feel the wind blowing in through the slides. Traded it in for a new 2009 Montana with Arctic Package. We liked the Cedar Creek but it just did not do well enough in the colder climate. Agreement that the insulated windows are a must. Our Montana does not have them and it is one of only very few things we are dissatisfied with.

We were definitely intersted in a 2010 or newer Cedar Creek or Keystone Montana before deciding on a toy hauler. They are very nice RVs. I'm glad to hear that your 2009 Montana is keeping you more comfortable!

I agree on the dual pane windows. We are shopping for a used RV, so I think we'll be just lucky if the one we find already has dual pane windows. I hear they will develop leaks over time, though. Anyhow, if we can't get a unit with dual pane windows, I'm not going to stress over it. I am quite handy with a sewing machine and have some great ideas for making insulated window panels. Could this be an option for you? I don't know, but I have heard there are manufactured insulating window coverings out there. Also, my fiance is a truck driver. One day he was passed by an older motor home that had foil-backed bubble wrap applied to the inside of the windows. That's a relatively easy and cheap way to go that's still quite effective, just maybe not as pretty.