Ann:

First, welcome to the forum.  This is a very good place to get many of your questions answered.  Many knowledgeable people here.

Many will chime in but I'll start with this -  I doubt you will find many 5th wheels, especially used, with two bedrooms.  Two bedrooms usually means 1) custom or 2) pretty big.  It could be possible convert a Toy Hauler's garage area (an empty unfinished area in the back) into a bedroom.  That would be my first thought.  But most rigs with 2 bedroom usually have the second area as bunk beds for children.  Perhaps that is what your looking for.  Not clear.

There is no "best" RV.  All RV's have issues one way or another be it the really inexpensive weekend units or a custom New Horizons unit.  It is a learning process and this isn't like buying a car.  There are really no brands, as such, to be excluded because they all have their own set of issues and those vary from unit to unit. 

By paying more you will, many times, get a better frame - critically important - and perhaps more amenities as standard.  Better quality wood, better drawer slides, etc., etc.  But just by brand is a very difficult way to separate the wheat from the chafe because it depends so much on what you want.

I just wanted to start this thread with the above.  I recommend you search this forum.  There are a great many threads outlining so much of what, IMO, you need to know.  Most of RV selection is what works for you and secondly many technical issues which are also very important.

My other advice is this: Do not purchase a truck to pull the trailer till you find the trailer.  This is probably the single most prolific mistake people make.  Truck selection has almost nothing to do with brand.  It has to do with trailer weight and how much weight the trailer's king pin (hitch) puts on the truck's rear axle.  Many make the mistake of purchasing too little truck.  Don't believe the truck manufacture's marketing of "Our truck can pull this much."  Pulling is the easy part. Not being overloaded, stopping and controlling is the hard part.  It's all the other specifications that require close examination after purchasing the trailer.

You've come to a good place.  Start searching here.  Not just for brand but for overall RVing knowledge.

Good searching. . .

BTW, going the the RV-Dreams Rally where much of what you need to know is taught would also be great idea.  H & L do a good job.  You will be "drinking from a fire hose" but it will be worth it.  No RV is required to attend.  See the link at the top of the forum.

Bill

RVVagabonds wrote:

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...As for the truck, does it sound do-able to have it privately moved and placed on the lot first? We are planning on staying in that place for about a year, at least. (When we do, we will ask a friend with a truck or solicit for someone to do so.) Financially, I really want to jump over one hurdle at a time.... 

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 FWIW, math-wise it's entirely doable, not guaranteed mind you, but doable. If your plan is to stay in one place for a year, then hiring somebody to deliver it your site, while not cheap can be possibly compensated by cost savings from not having the truck expenses for a year but rather continuing to use your current vehicle(s). The risks could include deferring the truck purchase for a that time and having to pay an inflated price for it a year from now though this would likely be minor. you might have or wish to move sooner and incur additional expense to accomplish it. On the plus side you avoid any depreciation on an expensive tow vehicle likely compared to your existing vehicle. You get the time to work out any "bugs" in your rig before going on any adventures. There is no right or wrong here, only what works for you and your comfort zone.

JMHO, Brian.

PS: BTW we have considered this option as well and have not ruled it out for the reasons I have outlined. For us a lot depends on the timing of the economy, the local real estate market etc as to when we pull the trigger on each of the steps it will take to get us on the road FT. YMMV as they say.

RVVagabonds wrote:

As for the truck, does it sound do-able to have it privately moved and placed on the lot first? We are planning on staying in that place for about a year, at least. (When we do, we will ask a friend with a truck or solicit for someone to do so.) Financially, I really want to jump over one hurdle at a time.

Also, thanks for the info on the 5th wheeler. Yes, we are looking for a bunk room--sorry about the confusion. A toy hauler could be a definite possibility. I saw a few people on other threads comment that toy haulers are not generally built as well as regular RV's. Is that true?

In the meantime, I'm making plans for us to visit some RV dealerships this weekend. I figure the more we see, the more we know. (Keep the info coming!! NOT going to buy, just look...and pick brains.)

Many thanks!

Ann

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 Ann:

Yes there are bonded transport services who can move your trailer.  There is no requirement to purchase the truck if you are going to reside in the trailer and not move around.  There are a few caveats to this - details that need to be addressed, but in general, sure.  Done all the time.  I know of people who have purchased rigs as second homes and never purchased a truck.  In fact they made delivery to their site part of the deal.  But you do that after the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) done a the dealer's.  And if you don't really know how to do a PDI hire a professional to do it.  There are certified inspectors.  Well worth the money IMO.

The quality of build has nothing to do with the trailer being a Toy Hauler or not.  Has to do with how and by who it is manufactured.

As to the RV dealerships, just be careful about most anything a salesperson says.  Remember, their job is to sell you a trailer.  Listen, but evaluate carefully and check out what they say with people who know and "Don't have a dog in this fight." {Grin}

Bill 

With regard to salesmen, when you visit a dealership, make sure that the salesman is asking you questions at the outset.  If they aren't asking you the questions, they really have no idea of "what you want to do with your RV."  Once they ask basic questions and then make recommendations, then you pepper them with questions, hopefully that you learned by reading the forums.

If they don't ask questions of you to learn what you want from an RV, then either find another salesman or another dealership.  You want someone that sincerely wants to make you happy, not their pocketbook.

Terry

There a few models out there that have a "loft" (I'm assuming you are referring to "other than a toy hauler"). This is not a recommendation but Grand Design, for example, has a Solitude 377MBS that has a loft. There are other similar examples from other mfrs so you have options in this area.