Cost versus comfort - RV-Dreams Community Forum

In Laymans Terms · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cost versus comfort

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Starting year 9 of doing exactly what you are planning. We too are in a 5er.(our 2nd in 9years...both purchased new at about double your budget when new) As far as a suggestion let me say that we have met lots of others in this lifestyle doing what you are planning. Some were in million $ motorhomes, some in 5ers, some in travel trailers and even some in truck mounted campers. Most were happy and very comfortable in their mode of travel/living. Its another of those...no right answer kind of deals. I think however you choose to do it can work well. You will likely get lots of suggestions but I think you can make anything work and have fun doing it. Have fun...............

Ann and Steve · RV-Dreams Family Member

The wife and I have been in our Dutchmen Infinity fifth wheel (MSRP $72K) for over a year. We did a winter in Wisconsin then I retired. We just finished 7 months wandering aimlessly about the western half of the USA. We've spoken to a lot of owners; some full-timers, some not. In my opinion, there is absolutely no RV that is suitably equipped for all-season living. None. I've listened to a lot of campers (and I'm in that mix) complaining about extreme (furnace) propane consumption or sprinkling a bunch of little space heaters all over the place with very high electric costs (if you park on a monthly basis where campgrounds meter your usage). We have an enclosed and heated belly but temperatures below freezing for weeks on end still gave us frozen pipes and a split black tank gate valve. The roof, ceiling, and floors, even with the enclosed belly, are thin and have very low R value insulation. You might find some v-e-r-y expensive units with better luck but they'll be notably in the high, six figure range. (I'm not sure about the half-million dollar coaches - way out of my league).

We bought the unit new in April 2013. My biggest complaint is the excessive maintenance and repairs. I'm constantly fixing something that either the manufacturer screwed up or the mileage is killing. Interior and exterior trim is always falling off. The Lippert landing-gear system needed shop repairs even before our first outing. Screws all over the place are working their way out. Dutchmen used cheap, carbon screws which are all rusting away. Both Schwintec slides have suffered electric, drive motor problems. Their design is weak, the engineering was poor, and the construction was shoddy. Maybe that's why they went out of business. We planned on full-timing through 2021 but the wife and I are already starting to re-think that target. We're having fun but paying an emotional price for the experience. I didn't plan on retiring only to become an RV mechanic. And, don't even get me started on the subject of tires.

Sorry about sliding into a rant. We're parked for the winter in northern Florida with a dozen maintenance/repair projects that need to be finished before we resume traveling, next Spring.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

You CAN find units that will tolerate well temperatures in the teens and 20's. Which should be sufficient if you are not wintering in Canada. If you intend to winter in Canada then you are going to have an issue with ANY RV, despite what some manufacturers claim. I'm going to assume you will be snowbirds.

In that price range I would look for a good used Newmar, Hitchiker, Excel, Travel Supreme or DRV. There are some others, but I would focus on those. In the 2001-2005 age group you should find something good and still have budget left for upgrades and/or repairs. You WILL need repairs even if you buy new. So keep that thought in mind when allocating budget.

RVs are like planes and ships. They need constant maintenance. The place where they differ is in initial build quality. No RV - even the custom built units - are built to the standards of yachts (for example). This is primarily a function of what people are willing to pay.

In Laymans Terms · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for your feedback, Jack. I appreciate the list of trailers you've provided to look into. Yes, we do plan to be snowbirds. I can barely survive a Canadian winter in my house, much less a trailer ;) It would just be those cooler months on either end of summer that we have to ensure we can be comfortable without spending a fortune on heat. Generally, April temps hover between freezing and 10 degrees Celsius (I know, I will have to learn conversion to Farenheit!) while October's nights can go into the single negative digits. Sounds like there are many preventative measures we can take to cope with those kinds of temps.

Steve, sorry to hear about the problems with your Dutchmen - you've certainly helped me wipe that name off our list!

If anyone else has on-the-road experience with a unit in our price range, I'd love to hear about it! Thanks :)

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nicole,

Following Jack's lead, we've been living in our DRV Suites Mobile Suites now for just over 4 years. Granted, we don't move it much, so we don't have a lot of problems from it being moved, but I don't really hear that much of a problem from moving from the other DRV owners. As for temperatures, we've experienced temperatures ranging from 115 degrees F to -6 degrees F and have been very comfortable inside the coach. When it gets to 0 degrees F, then we have one small issue. The hot water line from the water manifold to the kitchen sink freezes up. No problems as it is PEX plumbing, so the line doesn't break or split. We can always get hot water from the bathroom.

Now, to be truthful, our coach has what is referred to as the "Canadian Package" which includes two 30,000 btu furnaces instead of just one 40,000+ btu furnace. With two furnaces, one heats the bedroom and the other heats the living and kitchen/dining area. With our system, I've never seen the underbelly, where the plumbing is mostly located, get below about 38 degrees F.

If you are interested in used DRV's, check out Rolling Retreats website and look into their pre-owned units. Some of them are definitely in your price range, although by the time you choose to buy, some will likely be gone. Alicia and Slade literally have a mom and pop dealership and have an excellent reputation among the DRV owners that have dealt with them. They fully understand the meaning of the words "customer service."

Terry

jayc · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have lived full time in our 2011 Heartland Landmark for four year and have experienced high 90's-low 100's to teens in winter and have not had any freeze-ups, even though we don't have the Yeti cold weather package, which adds tank heaters and additional insulation. I believe that if you add this package, you would have little problem with winter weather.

With additional planning and preparation, extreme (-30 temps) can be handled. I know a couple that spends weeks in Colorado ski country at these temperatures, so it can be done.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Teton 5th wheels. "R factor" is off the charts. pk

In Laymans Terms · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the concrete details on some trailers, everyone. Great link, Terry. Although I think we will have to buy our unit in Canada, I like browsing through the selection and getting a better idea what we will be able to buy on our budget. We sure see DRV and Landmark come up frequently in posts - people seem to be very satisfied with those brands. PK, I will also have a look at Teton. I'm not familiar with the name at all so it will be a new shopping excursion!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought our DRV Mobile Suites from the dealership that Terry provided the link to, our unit was only 2 years old when purchased and we were very happy that someone else had taken the big depreciation hit.

Another site you might want to view is The 5th Wheel Place out of Everett WA. www.5thwheelplace.com/ The owner used to sell only new high end 5th wheels. When the economy tanked he changed his business model to sell primarily used 5th wheels and whatever else he took in as part of a trade. When we were searching and still lived in the area, we toured several units / brands including some of the ones listed above. Touring used ones helped narrow our list of those we would consider buying used. We bought the unit from the dealer in OK because it was the floor plan we wanted.

hopeful fulltimer · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi,

We have a Montanta 3402RL Fifth Wheel, and we went through last winter very well. We have special made skirting for it, and we wrapped our sewer hose and water hose. On the very cold days my husband pulled the panel that covered the pipes open, he also wrapped them and we put a space heater near to keep them from freezing. We were very comfortable and no freezing pipes!! We will be staying this winter again, and then next winter will start heading south for winters. We finally sold our house so we will be able to do that. We have spent 1 year in our fifth wheel and love it. It has lots of room and storage, we are very comfortable.

I think the most important is to do your research, and pick the unit that feels like home. We started out wanting a cheaper unit but changed our minds, and we are very happy with our choice.

Good luck, and have fun!! aww

Johanna

In Laymans Terms · RV-Dreams Family Member

Johanna, I looked up your floor plan and absolutely love it! Thanks for letting me know what you bought and how it fared through winter. Where was it that you stayed, if you don't mind me asking? We have NO plans to remain in Saskatchewan through winter - impossible! - but certainly we will experience some cold weather in October and April (and possibly September and May - haha!) in Canada.