Holiday Rambler Presidential FW - RV-Dreams Community Forum

LAM · RV-Dreams Community Member

Holiday Rambler Presidential FW

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't have any info on the Presidential, but we have a Carriage Cameo and do like it. The nearest to a Carriage is now being made as a Lifestyle Luxury RV in Indiana. Lifestylelrv.com is their address. Take a look before you make your decision. Best of luck to you. pk

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lori,

You should be able to get a good fifth wheel for less than you've quoted there, even for the Presidential. Back in 2010, we ordered our Mobile Suites and even with some additional options, we got a lot lower price than what MSRP was. I've heard that 25% to 30% off of MSRP is not unusual. You might also consider purchasing a used one so that you aren't "paying for" that high depreciation amount by buying new. If you look at used, you might look at Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma that generally has some good used units for sale. Check out their "Inventory" page and look down toward the bottom for their used units. While they don't list some of their prices, especially on the new units, it might benefit you to give them a call. If one buys from them, they even deliver anywhere in the 48 contiguous states.

I don't know about the Presidential, but Holiday Rambler seems to have a good reputation as a company. I've seen one or two of the Presidentials in the RV park next to where we live, but I've not taken a really good look at them.

Terry

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

That's going to be about my budget as well (hopefully, if we sell the house for our asking price or more). I think not only how sturdy the unit is (ie construction) and the reputation and customer service of the company, but the floor plan should be considered in your research as well.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just took a look at the site. I don't know why I didn't see this before! I think for me, they're running neck and neck with DRV, with Heartland in 2nd place).

TheHarveys · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think the new Holiday Rambler Presidential is nothing like the ones they made several years ago. I think they really stepped up their game for 2014. I have also looked at them on the website and they look like a very nice unit and their weight lends some credence to their build quality.
If I did not already own a Carriage Carri-Lite, the new Presidential would be very high on my list...right up there with DRV.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Went to the web site to have a look and the Presidential is a beautiful 5th wheel! Would love to see it in person...maybe there will be on at the next RV show we go to. Dallas, I think. Don't we have anyone here in the RV-Dreams family who has a Holiday Rambler 5th wheel that can chime in on this thread? pk

LAM · RV-Dreams Community Member

PD CFK wrote:
Went to the web site to have a look and the Presidential is a beautiful 5th wheel! Would love to see it in person...maybe there will be on at the next RV show we go to. Dallas, I think. Don't we have anyone here in the RV-Dreams family who has a Holiday Rambler 5th wheel that can chime in on this thread? pk

I would love to hear what you think if you do happen to see one in person. They are so new and with us living in CT there is no where close to look at them. We would have liked to go to the PA show but it just so happens we are going to be in Maine that week. They look nice in pictures, but so do a lot of models. It is also a little sketchy on the construction details. Again thanks to everyone

Lori

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would really like to see more info on the HRP and see one in person. I like the idea of extra storage under the LR floor. I have narrowed it down to DRV or HRP. I really like the Montana front bath but I can't justify two bathrooms in 400 square feet. However, I am not the only one with a vote. Staying married 44 years means you learn to say, yes dear. Honestly, to go full time, I would do it in a tent trailer to please her but it would look funny behind our tow vehicle.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just a thought...you might want to click around on the web and see if there is an Holiday Rambler Owners Forum. There may be owners on another RV site also, like Irv2 or something like that. Also did you take a look at Excel? You're getting into a high priced range, might as well look around some more. Enjoy the hunt

pk

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

We saw the “prototype” Presidential at the Tampa RV show this past January. As I recall the conversation they were due to begin construction of this series again before too long. The unit they were showing there was a “one-of” according to the rep and definitely was a prototype unit.

As I recall HR discontinued the “Presidential” line back a few years ago when demand went to almost zero as it did for many in the industry. HR, as a name, has been a builder of travel trailers, 5^th wheels and motor homes going back into the early 70’s – maybe earlier.

If at all possible you should try to visit the plant. There is just so much to be learned from touring a plant – especially to see what the demand is for certain rigs. That is, for example, how many are there in active production?

I am not saying anything negative about the Presidential, but be sure to look under all the attractive appointments – i.e. the quality of the build. That’s one of the reasons for the plant visit.

Just perspective and information

Bill

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

To follow up on Bill's advice to do a factory tour, I also suggest that you take in more than one brand's tours. That way, you gain the perspective of seeing if different manufacturers have differing quality. Along that line, I suggest that you tour factories that build quality brands to see if there are differences. I've read of folks that changed their minds on their choices simply because of what they saw at a factory tour.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

If I may I wanted to ping back off Terry’s comment to say, and I realize for some this may just not be possible; but, some are putting down $100,000+ of some pretty hard earned money on these RV things. It is really good advice, if at all possible, to go to the factories and learn about these trailers or motor homes.

They all look “pretty” now on the inside. But it is our perspective, in so many words, to examine the rig “naked” during construction to see, more or less, what’s behind the curtains.

That’s just Linda and my perspective. Besides, it can be a lot of fun.

Bill

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not to belabor the point, but what we all are saying about going to the factory is information we came by experiencing it. Either because we did not go to the factories before we bought, or because we did go to the factories and learned up front. In our case we did not go to the factory before hand and wish we had. There are differences that you can see by looking and comparing to the factory you were in just before...go to more than one factory; three if possible. There are things you can see/learn, only by seeing it put together from the bones out. Like someone already said, they all look pretty now, but you have to see behind the walls, etc.
Best wishes on your adventure, Pat K

LAM · RV-Dreams Community Member

PD CFK wrote:
Not to belabor the point, but what we all are saying about going to the factory is information we came by experiencing it. Either because we did not go to the factories before we bought, or because we did go to the factories and learned up front. In our case we did not go to the factory before hand and wish we had. There are differences that you can see by looking and comparing to the factory you were in just before...go to more than one factory; three if possible. There are things you can see/learn, only by seeing it put together from the bones out. Like someone already said, they all look pretty now, but you have to see behind the walls, etc.
Best wishes on your adventure, Pat K

Visting factories and hopefully attending a couple of rallies are in the plan. We hope to maybe make the 2015 one. We have aprox. 4 years to actually hit the road. I am learning that what looks good in "picture" is not what it actually is. We would like to spend much less than what I originally said, but after having walked into some units that come with a lesser price tag I have come to the conclusion that this is not something I want to LIVE in for a number of years. We also have the towing vehicle to consider. The heavier the RV the most robust the tow vehicle needs to be and a higher price goes along with that. This vehicle will also be our traveling vehicle when we are out and about exploring the area we are in so that also needs to be considered. My husband and I are are photographers so the plan is to spend an extended time in one place and explore the "AREA". Since we will be selling our house to finance this adventure that will have a direct effect on $ available. We might have to settle for used or a lesser model. But we are hoping that when we actually narrow our choices down we can work a deal.

THANKS AGAIN,

Lori

Head spinning in CT

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lori,

Your last comment seems very much like our story. We will also stay in a "region" for perhaps up to 3 to 6 months (or more) in order to take in all we want to see in that region before moving on. I am also a photographer, although a "serious, amateur" one instead of professional.

With regards to the coach and truck, we were also looking for a trailer that would be our home for years. In our case, we really liked the Mobile Suites made by DRV Suites in Howe, Indiana. Because the Mobile Suites (38-foot) has a GVWR of 18,500 lbs, we were looking at getting a Ford F450 because of its capabilities. When we were having issues in finding a "reasonably priced" F450, we almost went to a lighter, less well built trailer that could be towed with an F350. However, when looking at our favorite car dealer's website one day, they had no used F350's. I expanded my search criteria and up popped a 2008 (one year old) F450 for about half the price of a brand new truck.

We traded for the F450 that very evening and with the money we saved, we felt better able to still go with the Mobile Suites. We've been very happy with our choice. So, I suggest that while you are looking at the trucks with a certain sized trailer in mind, consider looking for a good used truck.

Terry

drillking · RV-Dreams Community Member

We've had our 2014 Lifestyle for a couple months now. Had it in NM, UT, and right now in TX. So far it has been great. We are full timers for 3 yrs now, looked at a lot of fivers before choosing and ordering our Lifestyle. Everyone has different opinions on which is better but bottom line is look at and study the frameworks, layout that you desire, then price. We hope we have made the right decision ourselves!

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Presidential Suites when I'm at the Hershey Show. Maybe I can take some pictures...

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ckerr wrote:
I'm looking forward to seeing the new Presidential Suites when I'm at the Hershey Show.

Carol,

Do you know what dealer will be bringing it to the show?

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I actually don't see them on the dealer list, but I cannot imagine that they won't be there. I will keep an eye out as the list seems to change daily.