Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Taking the Plunge
Post Info TOPIC: Taking the Plunge
Kamp Kaiser


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Taking the Plunge
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Hello...  We've been dreaming about selling our home for several years and traveling 6 months of the year.   We're finally doing it!  In March we'll put our home on the market and start our travels in June.  First up will be an extended South West trip...Wyoming, Montana, Utah, etc.

 We've been researching 5th wheels for the past year.     We've narrowed it down to a unit between 30 - 34 ft.  We're looking at Bay Hill, Big Horn, Reflexion and Open Range...all with Rear Living or Rear Entertainment and GVWR less than 12,000.   It's been so difficult to find reliable reviews!  I became a member of www.RV.org and have been very disappointed in the info they provide..it's very generic!

We're going to the huge Tampa Supershow Jan. 15th thru 18th and hope to have narrowed it down further.  

Does anyone have suggestions for us?  Any standouts in the industry that are priced around $50,000 or less?  Is buying at an RV show a "no-no"? From what I understand, most MSRP prices are estimated at 20% more than what the average person ends up paying.  (That's from the RV Consumer Group) Has that been your experience?  

Looking forward to meeting some of you in the future...Thanks for your help!   Elaine



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Alie and Jims Carrilite


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Welcome!
Your on the right path in figuring out what kind of rig and setting your parameters. 20-30% is pretty standard except for the Excel rigs. I'm familiar with the Big Horn and Open Range construction. Both are competitive in their price ranges.
Good Luck finding your rig!

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SnowGypsy


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Welcome! Sounds like a great trip you have planned. I would never buy at an RV show. They may try to feed you the line that these are special show prices, yeah, that's usually not true. To me, you just don't have enough time to think about whether you are making the best decision when buying within the time frame of an RV show. A good buy this time of year if you can find it is a 2013 model as the ones I have seen online are heavily discounted. Are you absolutely determined to have a new unit? I don't blame you if you are but sometimes you can get a used unit a couple years old in a little higher quality that has barely been used. Depreciation in the first two years is HUGE.

Where have you looked at reviews? I agree that rv.org isn't impressive as I saw their "methods" and materials several years back, looked later at the library at their materials............ Have you looked at the owner's forums? What about just googling the manufacturer, say, "Open Range issues". Any time you see a problem that even a couple people have had, decide if you are OK with that. To me, the worst is a unit that delames in the first couple of years requiring replacement of say the rear and side panels. Any time you have the factory hedging on fixing a problem that is another serious issue. Also watch for those that keep the unit for a long period for repair, I've seen 2 or 3 months where the people are unable to use it.

Are you wanting something that is 4 season? Any other special requirements other than the floorplan setup?



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Kamp Kaiser


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Thanks for your reply!  I did make a mistake...we are traveling to the Northern Rockies this summer, not the Southwest!

We won't be pressured to buying at the show.  My husband is retired airline so we can travel to any part of the country to pick up our unit once we decide.  Our only requirements are well made, under 33 ft, under 12,000 lbs (GWVR) and nice decor..all leather with vinyl floors.  We don't necessarily need 4 seasons but do need good insulation..maybe an Extreme Weather pkg?

If you have any suggestions on great units, post and we'll look at them at the show..Thanks!  Elaine



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SnowGypsy


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I wasn't familiar with Bayhill so did a search and that is one of the new Evergreen models.  I've heard good things so far but they are fairly new.  I also like their TTs and the light-weight decent floorplans.  I did research on Open Range, here by searching and asking and googling and decided it would not be a good choice for us.  I know Big Horn is fairly popular and am not familiar with Reflection/Grand Design.  So many new choices.  I came across this on Evergreen:  http://blog.goevergreenrv.com/post/567/EverGreen-Recreational-Vehicles-Rated-a-Best-Buy-In-Consumers-Digest-Magazines-June-2012-RV-Industry-Review-- which I thought was impressive.  Water damage is a killer so anything that does away or minimizes it would be something worth considering for me.



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jayc


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When you go to the Tampa show, be sure to check by the Heartland booth where you will meet other owners that can help you.

Good luck with your choice.

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