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I've been planning to go FT quite a while and I'll be starting on Dec 29. I'm single and won't have someone else to drive an extra vehicle, etc.
How I got to this point:
I have a Can-Am Spyder which must travel with me. I like to attend Spyder rallies in various parts of the country. It's fun and good fellowship with like-minded folks. There's also lots of vendors selling "farkles" to enhance a Spyder's look or performance, as well a clothing and riding gear. I'd been trying to think of a business I could do at these rallies to help fill time, meet people and make a little money.
I ran across a decent deal nearby on a 20-year-old DP, 36' and have an open trailer to tow my Spyder. So I bought it, even though it was early. It mostly sat parked by the house for a year, but I used it for one trip. I started a consignment business, handling farkles, etc. people didn't want any more and selling them for them. I realized the open trailer and the DP basement wouldn't work so well. Also, the RV was very limited in storage in side for a FT life.
So I saw a 29 ft Class C advertised here with a huge closet, small basement storage. I put my Class A DP on consignment and bought the Class C. It's what I have now and the DP has been sold.
I had built an enclosed trailer, 20', to carry my Spyder and business stuff. So it was customized with concession doors to help with business set-up and tear down at rallies. Everyone I asked said to go with the bigger trailer rather than 14' or 16'. I also considered "what about inclement weather" with only a Spyder and drivable RV to use. So I bought a used Smart car which will fit in the trailer with the Spyder and business.
The business didn't go very well. People mostly consigned stuff that had little demand. Sitting around at the rallies, not meeting many people, not getting to ride much, not making any money. I'm closing and returning consigned goods.
So on Dec 29 I'm heading out with my 29' RV and a trailer carrying my Spyder and Smart car. I'm going to spend 3 months in Tucson and then come back to central Kansas to visit and reconsider the materials I need for RV life (clothes,kitchen stuff, etc.). Then I'll be off to the RV-D rally in Tenn.
Not counting the Spyder, I have about $95k invested in the RV, trailer and car.
I expect to be relocating about once a month initially, attending Spyder or RV rallies, sight-seeing, exploring, etc. But when I have found a few places I know 'd spend more time in, I'd like something more "home"-like and a 5er would be wonderful. (I lived in one for about a year, but it was stationary here in my home town.)
So I was browsing RV Trader and see that New Horizons has a 2016 36' 5er for sale, asking $129k. My wheels started turning. So many 5ers are much longer and I know if/when I get one 36' would be about the longest I'd want. It's only 3-4 years old. I know New Horizons is one of the premier brands to have and are built really well. It would be possible to attach a lift to the rear of the 5er to carry my Spyder. New Horizons is a vendor for those lifts. And New Horizons is located right here in my home town, Junction City, KS. I expect I could be all in for that outfit, including a truck for $150k.
I know I couldn't do a deal and switch before leaving for Tucson, but that could be worked out.
So talk me off this ledge. (Or maybe the drop won't be so bad.)
-- Edited by PrairieRV on Monday 16th of December 2019 09:57:44 AM
“It would be possible to attach a lift to the rear of the 5er to carry my Spyder.”
Start with the 5er manufacturer. Do they say the frame will support the weight? I’ll bet “no.” Sorry.
if they say “yes,” how will this your pin weight?
-- Edited by LarryW21 on Monday 16th of December 2019 10:18:20 AM
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I'm pretty sure that all New Horizon frames are built to handle the lift on the rear and that it won't be a problem…adding the lift is a standard option for them and I don't believe they redesign the frame for every individual trailer. The pin weight will also likely decrease due to the extra weight placed behind the wheels…that's what engineering tells me but I have no data on what the actual effect is.
To the OP…NHs are good rigs…we will have a slightly larger (39 foot) 2012 model and matching 2016 RAM 5500HD with Classy Chassis hauler bed available in March or so as we're getting off the road after 8 years. Total price will be less than what you'll pay for that rig although it is a 2012. You also will probably not end up with a total cost of 150K if you pay 129 for the trailer and then you have to get the lift installed…that will run you at least 5K at the factory I think…that only leaves 21K for the truck and a 36 foot NH pin weight will overload the rear axle on anything smaller than a 3500 and probably overload the 3500 as well…that's why we bought the 5500HD to replace our 450. You'll also want a hauler bed…the bed rail height on most pickups will leave insufficient room to keep the bottom of the bedroom from banging into the rails…ask me how I know this…that was the second reason we upgraded to the bigger truck. Can't put a hauler bed on the pickup instead of the pickup bed…hauler weighs more and makes the pin weight problem worse. The 5500HD pulls the rig like a dream and with the exhaust brake, air rear suspension on the truck, and hydraulic brakes on the trailer hills are really not an issue either up or down…we've been on 15% grades with ours and it just doesn't care.
PM with your email address me if you are interested in more details…we haven't officially put the rig up for sale yet and I'm not sure if it meets your timeline…but eh, who knows? While 36 is plenty of room for a solo full time rig…a few more feet might be nice for you.
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Monday 16th of December 2019 10:52:00 AM
The GVW of the 5er NH is selling is 22,000#. I'd look for a used 1-ton dually, preferably diesel. I don't know that I'd want a 5500 to use for maneuvering at a grocery store. (But I'm visualizing something like a light semi.)
I once researched the cost of the lifts and called NH since they are listed as a dealer. It would run about $9k. I'm assuming I'd get the 5er for less than asking.
-- Edited by PrairieRV on Monday 16th of December 2019 10:59:40 AM
