In the Market for a truck and 5th wheel but I am on a budget Suggestions? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

LifeRenewed · RV-Dreams Community Member

In the Market for a truck and 5th wheel but I am on a budget Suggestions?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

find the trailer you are looking for before you buy the truck!!.........or you could have problems in a hurry

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Being in WA, you should be able to see some of the Northwoods products either the Arctic Fox or the Nash used and in fairly good shape since snowbirds often go up that way. They have a pretty good reputation. I am not certain if they are 4 season but I think at least some are optioned that way. I would scour Craiglist for the nearest cities and check out some smaller dealerships to start out with.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 16th of January 2014 07:47:19 PM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

How small can you go? You might be amazed at what you can get in a truck camper. Equip it with jacks and you are set. I know someone who went from a small 5th wheel to a camper and expected to get rid of some of her stuff. She ended up with more storage, not less.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

How old of a truck are you willing to go with, and what's the brand preference?

We have an '03 F-350 PSD, SRW. We can tow up to around 11,000 lbs. with that, so we're kind of limited. Had we gone with a 2005-2007 F-350 PSD, we'd have more tow capacity. We spent $15,000 on the truck (1.5 yrs. ago), so on your budget that leaves $35,000 for the RV. We are looking at a new or newer Heartland Torque, Crossroads Cruiser or Sunset Trail Reserve, possibly a 2012 FR Cedar Creek or Silverback, or a newerm higher-end Open Range fiver models. It is difficult to find an older RV that was/is well insulated within that price range. I believe a used Coachmen Brookstone or Dutchmen Komfort *might* fit that price range as well, and they are both well insulated.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does it absolutely have to be a 5th wheel? I'm asking because I'm kind of in the same situation regarding budget. As much as I'd prefer the 5th wheel, I'm finding an older used Class A to be more realistic for my needs. It's a compromise /sacrifice that I may have to make.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

if you are planning on spending between 45k and 50k you should be able to buy upper end used 10 yrs or newer.

if you cant , you definitely are not looking in the right places.......

http://lewiston.craigslist.org/rvs/4291209659.html

http://lewiston.craigslist.org/rvs/4270936228.html

http://lewiston.craigslist.org/rvs/4246641473.html

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Sunday 19th of January 2014 05:54:22 PM

Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just saw a 2006 Mobile Suites on PPLMotorhomes. It sold for $35,500.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

A couple of places to check out in Western WA, The 5th Wheel Place in Everett, specializes in high end used 5th wheels and usually has a pretty large selection. One thing we really liked was that we could see how various manufacturers held up over time, we noticed a huge difference in a 5 year old Landmark vs. a 5 year old DRV.

If you are willing to look at 4 season travel trailers, Sumner RV carries Arctic Fox, Nash and RV Outdoors Mfg which all have 4 season models available. I think all 3 brands have a smallish 5th wheel, not sure if there any many used ones on the market as I think their venture into 5th wheels might be more recent. One of the sales guys, Larry, is great to work with, low pressure, very knowledgeable. We really liked the sales process at Sumner RV, service dept used to be good but they changed out personnel and it became just ok.

We didn't like our buying / service experience on a prior unit with Poulsbo RV, they are probably the biggest RV dealer in Western WA but after one experience we didn't even shop there as we started to consider units for FT.

I've also heard good feedback from multiple friends on Blue Dog RV in north Idaho, I think they are near Post Falls???? Not totally sure of their location. Being in North ID they probably understand 4 season units better than the Western WA side of the state.