Open Range 5th Wheels? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Open Range 5th Wheels?

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were looking online for smaller 4 season 5th wheels and came across the Open Range. This is a totally new manufacturer to me and I am wondering if anyone has seen one of these and what they thought of the quality. I do realize that they are not "high-end" and/or luxury but they actually have smaller units with the amenities we are looking for. Anymore with the cost of propane and gasoline, size can be a budget breaker. Thanks!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cathy,

I don't remember all the details within, but use the "Search" function above in the blue bar and type in "Open Range" as your search phrase. It will come up with a few previous threads that are related to the Open Range. At one time, we had considered the Open Range and one couple here from the Las Vegas area owns one. However, I'm thinking that there was one thread where the Open Range didn't get good comments. Check them all out. We kind of liked them, but that was about 4 years ago. Who knows what might have changed.

Terry

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Check out the owners forum for them. They have had their issues, but many owners have great things to say about them. In my opinion they are a great price point rv that is outside of the Forest river brand.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, I suspect that we are the couple from Las Vegas mentioned by Terry. We fulltime in our 2011 Open Range 345 RLS. We wound up living in it static for 9 months twice, parked in Las Vegas, travelling cross country and back, twice as well. Now,finally are off for good. We have towed the rig about 18000 miles since taking delivery in May of 2011. It has had heavy use. We are very pleased with the coach. It has many features not found at similar price points. I think the line has great bang for the buck. That said, the line offers great value, but it is not the build or finish of Mobile Suites and other similar lines, nor is it trying to be. We had two significant warranty items (Open Range has a 2 year wnty.) Open Range stood by the product and quickly authorized the work which was done to our satisfaction. Otherwise, all components have worked flawlessly and we remain pleased.

At the point in time when we went totally mobile, we briefly considered getting a bigger unit, and were going to buy another Open Range. We felt we also needed to get a bigger truck if we did so, so we decided to upgrade our present unit, and keep our current truck. We replaced all resilient flooring with laminate, and replaced all the carpet with a high quality grade. We replaced all the furniture and had built-ins done where the dining area was. The point is that the original stuff was of good enough quality to get us through the two year period of heavy use, but started to show signs of wear, as you might expect.

It goes without saying that it depends on how and where you will use it, as to how serviceable that rig will be for you. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Open Range, provided as with any of them, the dealer has a spotless rep, as well.I can't stress this enough, no matter what you buy. I can say that Open Range has been very good to us.

FWIW, as I write this, I'm at Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville Tx. As I look out the window, I see a (newer than mine) Open Range 5th wheel for sale. If I see the folks in it I'll ask them if they are pleased . The notice I saw in the laundry room simply says "hardly used". If they have any experience to add, I'll post it here. I am an active member of the owners forum for Open Range (invaluable). On it, you will see a balanced view of the line, mostly favorable, I think.

Best,

Richard

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Richard: Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. We have not ruled out the Open Range as yet. We are really thinking 4 season and smaller so that and the Arctic Fox are about all that have something we would be interested in. I plan to spend some serious time in the owner's forum reading the comments/issues.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cathy:

The Open Range is built in Shipshewana, IN right in the heart of RV manufactures. It would be well worth the expense, IMO, to visit the factory and see them "naked." That is without al the pretty insides completed.

Friends of ours took an Open Range with us to Alaska back in 2010 without issues. While that is not the ultimate test it is a point of reference and it is still in very good condition.

Please know that a "4 season" RV is totally defendant on the location of those seasons as to it's specific capbilities. But most can handle winters and summers if properly prepared. As to the cost of LP gas to heat, etc., you just can't count on any real numbers as it really does depend - especially if you can, or can not, put up skirting, etc. in the winter. Naturally "some" of the higher end RV's may do better in the winter. But I've wintered in "low end" RV's and done well. It really does depend on the temps and just how cold, or hot, and how long.

All that said the Open Range might be a good "reasonable budget" choice and I say that positively. Take a trip up to Shipshewana and take a look at it if at all possible.

Bill

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill: Thank you for your post. I'd love to travel to northern IN as I am from SW MI, but that isn't a choice. We have a number of obstacles to overcome probably impossible ones that I am determined to make possible anyway. We were thinking of getting the unit to travel to a job that has been offered to my husband in northern MI but we would be arriving in the winter and would need to stay in it until we found housing. We spent 2 winters in Fayetteville, NC years ago in a Forest River Salem with a few tweets, we survived but it was, of course, unseasonably cold and they got an ice storm. More and more it looks like it would be better to just "cut the cord" and do some "free falling" in order to get where we want to be with this.

They sell almost nothing in our area. There is a manufacturer in OK, Allen Campers which we are sort of intrigued with. We would be able to see the factory and purchase if we liked the unit. They also manufacture park models and we see one of those in our future too. They aren't "four season" but have some options that would help. We are "campers" and not "RVers" so we are into "basic".

We spent one summer in a pop-up in Tucson while house hunting and that was an adventure. A desire for adventure can make one a little crazy. So far, we have always landed on our feet!

I know that some units just seem to be cursed and it doesn't matter who is manufacturing them. I have seen it so many times too. Not sure what that is, maybe the Monday morning unit or the Friday afternoon? I just came across Outdoors RV and they have a little video on the construction of their Climate Designed Four Seasons and it looks really good. They are made in OR. Got to show my husband!

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Saturday 24th of August 2013 12:53:16 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cathy,

According to their website, Allen Camper does not sell direct to the customer. One is required to purchase from one of their dealers instead. Also, I saw no mention of factory tours, so one would have to call and verify if those were offered.

Terry

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry: Thanks. Yes, I would contact them to see if we could see the plant before driving down. There is a dealer right in that area that I had found online carrying the trailers there but can't remember the name. Allen just updated their website so I am trying to navigate it and find things although it is always nice to see sites being upgraded as you get the idea that someone is still there and the shop not closed down. So many manufacturers have disappeared over the years.