Brand new and confused! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Closenin · RV-Dreams Community Member

Brand new and confused!

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

First off, that might be a tadge small for a full time rig for a couple, make sure you spend several hours in I one without a salesman around and pretend to do normal stuff like take a shower, have two cooks if applicable, use the toilet, watch tv, eat, etc. After that check the towing guide for trucks you're considering. I would think you need at least a 250 class truck and maybe a 350. A dual rear wheel model will definitely tow and track better. I don't want to denigrate the Forest River products. It having been in one I'm not sure it will really be suitable for full time use anyway, although you may be at least budget driven. A more expensive unit generally also means higher quality and things like better appliances, improved road gear, and better fit and finish make full timing in a rig much more comfortable. Full timing has been wonderful for us after 14 months. It we are sure glad we spent the extra bucks for a higher end rig. Even the best RVs are constructed way worse than a S&B is, it's just the way it is. One of the things you have to give up to live the lifestyle.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Neil & Connie with exception on two points-

1. RV's by nature are constructed to survive travel, they have to be light weight but strong enough to travel thousands of miles and hold up in harsh environments. Yes they may not be as refined as sticks & brick houses but I doubt a S & B house would survive 200,000 miles of travel around the country.

2. Size is relative, I've read blogs of fulltime RV'ers in small trailers, motorhomes, vans, campers and tents.

Do spend time in the trailer before signinf a contract, make sure it fits you and your needs.

Good luck.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good advise on both counts. Take your time. pk

Closenin · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all very much. Sounds like good advice and helps me realize how little I know about this subject. Think I better expand my horizons a little and do more research.
Matt

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

ps... If we had it to do over again, we would take a trip to Indiana and go through several RV factories. You cannot believe the difference amongst them. And you come away with a much better understanding of what you are looking at and for. pk

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We weren't able to make a trip to Indiana to see the factories. Instead we went to multipe RV dealers and looked at used units. Looking and touring used 5th wheels gave us input on how well they would hold up over time and helped us stay away from certain brands.

dianneandsteve · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't know the floor plan on this model but one thing to consider when your sliders are in for travel. Do you have access to the bathroom and fridge.

Good luck!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Matt,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. As you explore more and ask questions, you will find this to be an excellent source of information, so feel free to ask questions. You'll also have folks give alternative ideas, so take those into consideration. Some of us have been RV'ing for years and are still learning new things.

With regards to choosing a truck, do not go by the "towing weight" listed by manufacturers. Many times, if one chooses a trailer that is at the upper weight limit of the truck's towing weight, one will find that they could be well overweight on GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). An overloaded truck will have issues with braking, and the truck may have problems with handling of the trailer in strong crosswinds.

When considering the truck's capabilities, take into account the Gross Vehicular Weight Ratings (GVWR) of both the truck and trailer. Likely, you truck won't be loaded to it's GVWR, but it might. The weight of both the truck and trailer should not exceed the truck's GCVW.

For driving in the mountains, you will likely want to have a diesel as they are better equipped to handle the weight and have much more torque than what a gasoline engine has. The larger you get with a trailer, you'll want to consider one with an engine brake or exhaust brake. Some trucks also have transmissions that serve the same purpose as the exhaust and engine brakes. Also, the larger you get, consider the dually trucks to have more weight capacity and stability in driving.

Good luck with your research and planning.

Terry

Closenin · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks again to everyone that's responded. I can see my involvement here is going to really be beneficial, every post gave me new perspective and something to consider. You will be hearing from me again!
Matt

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great advice above. We're all different but I could never full-time in a rig of that length. As Jack Mayer said, every ft. makes a big difference (mis-quoted but general idea 😄). Also that looks to me as if that is a very light unit for full-timing. Keep asking, keep talking, it will come together.

Sherry

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have to agree with everyone here. Size matters. If you want to stay in love, give yourself some space. Make up sex only works when you're young...sort of. Subject for another thread.

As far as tow vehicles go, I am a fan of large cars. I know they aren't for everyone, but the additional safety afforded and weight carrying capacity is worth it for me. My motto is, if you can't descend the grapevine without touching your brakes, your TV is too small. I don't believe in automatic transmissions either. I only use the clutch to stop and start anyway and I want the additional control. These are all personal choices. I'll be happy to wait at the top of the hill for you to catch up or at the bottom of the hill for your brakes to cool. There is just something linked to testosterone that makes 625 HP, 2100 ft pounds of torque, a thirteen speed transmission and a 15 liter motor keeping your man parts working well into retirement. When I was young it was a big block, now it's my truck. If it doesn't have 22.5 or 24.5 inch wheels, it isn't a truck. I'm jaded.

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Greetings Closenin,

I know your question was about a TV, so let me briefly state as others have that the min. of a 3/4 ton diesel would be required for your 5er, however a 1 ton dually diesel would be optimal for the trailer mentioned.

However, most full-timing couples like to have at least 3,000 lbs CCC. Remember you will be carrying everything you own with you. If you like the River Forest V-cross models I suggest the next size up, the 295VRK as this unit has 3,201 CCC (almost 1,000 lbs more.) not to mention another 5 ft in space and a King bed (something we are looking for, as we now have a little Aliner with a king bed and don't want to go backwards.) A 1 ton diesel dually could easily handle both with equal ease.

I am in a similar position, planning on a full-time mobile retirement in 5 years. Since I have a minimal budget and plan on snowbirding (I assume you are too, as the camper mentioned is not a 4 season model. I am planning on retiring in a travel trailer rather than a fifth wheel, pulled by a 3/4 ton diesel SRW (for best MPG both towing and not) with a reconditioned Hensley hitch. I am choosing a TT because it will not tie up the bed of the TV like a 5er will and I have a couple small 150lb motorcycles that will be carried in the truck bed (along with a small generator) under a camping top. I am looking at several models that I plan on buying used (so I am currently looking at current year model campers and planning ahead.) Some of the models we find best fit our needs are: Keystone Sprinter 300KBS, Dutchman Denali 287RE, Palimino Puma 31FKBS or a Forest River Wildwood/Salem 30FKBS (leaning toward the latter units because of weight, low cost and aluminum skin - I have experienced fiberglass/foam vacuum glued construction delaminating.)

Chip

mesa48 · RV-Dreams Community Member

My wife and I started thinking about full-timing about a year ago. We had a 5th wheel and a capable truck both paid for so no big deal. After some research we realized that our 5th wheel was not built for fulltime living it said so right in the owners manual. Our truck was a Chevy 2500HD Crew cab Duramax 4x4 I had modified it with airbags and Banks speed brake so it was a capable truck. The first thing we did was research which RV's are suited for full-timing and we settled on NUWA ind. Hitch Hiker. We found one we liked that was used but in great shape and we really like it. We have put around 15k miles on it since purchase with no real issues except the fridge quit working and I had to change out the cooling unit. Just traded in the truck for a new Chevy Duramax 3500HD 4x4 DRW. I really liked my old truck it gave me 122k pretty much trouble free miles but for full-timing I felt like the added performance of the little bigger truck was a good idea. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site we have learned a lot here. Also if you can attend one of Howard and Linda's rallies they are fun and you will learn a ton. Good luck to you