A general question about full time 5th wheel toy haulers

me | 8/17/2019 | GeorgiaDawg32

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I've been working contract at the VA hospital in Omaha for the past 4 years. The contract has not been renewed and expires Sept. 22, 2019. I reach full retirement age Sept. 28, 2019 and begin receiving SS in October.

I guess I've reached retirement age. That said, I want to purchase a full time living 5th wheel that is 4 or 5 years old and a toy hauler to be placed in a really nice RV resort in Jacksonville, Fl.

I can't wait to get away from Omaha (and northern) winters. I hate cold and all the snow sucks.

That said, do any freepers out there sell RV's, or own one and can you recommend a good quality 5th wheel? I've done research on them and most sites with the "5 best full time 5th wheels" appear to me to be nothing more than advertising for 1 or 2 manufacturers.

I've kinda narrowed it down to DRV Full House, Heartland Cyclone and LUXE but may be missing a few.

Anyone have any recommendations?

[GeorgiaDawg32]

Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

[Big Red Badger]

Full Time RV,
That’s me soon as Well.
Just got a F250 and I’m
Looking for the good Deal!
.
Recommendations????

.
Lightly Used rig at
The “Killer” Price.

[Bitman]

Luxe and DRV are both top shelf brands. If you want to turn it down a notch you may find Landmark and Montana are very nice. If you want to turn it up, Spacecraft and Airstream might work for you.
BTW, I retired and now live full time in a very nice RV resort, and these are the brands that most members and guests like. We get all brands in here, including million dollars plus Class A units and lately, some of the newer Class C diesels in truck frames. Not sure why you need two hauler,perhaps towing a trailer is an option?

[US_MilitaryRules]

Do you want a toy hauler or regular RV?

[rstrahan]

Agree Montana has a good rep. Come down to Florida to buy, look at consignment lots. We have a lot of folk who buy one, then health issues pop up and they have to sell. Check out the Florida RV owner sites on Facebook for recommendations such as Florida RV Camping. Good luck.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I’m going to get a really nice golf cart and MAY be doing some traveling if I get the part time gig I want. It’s working for the same company I work for now but only 20 hours a week or so.

The toy hauler is so I can lock up the golf cart while I’m gone.

I stayed at this resort 4 years ago and they began to have problems with people stealing them. The back side of the resort is next to an on-ramp for the freeway. The bad guys cut the fence so it could be swung open like a door and closed so it didn’t look like anything was wrong. They then would go through the park, find a golf cart with the keys still in it and drive it the back way to the fence, drive it through and onto a trailer. Gone in 60 seconds.

They now have roaming security but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

[US_MilitaryRules]

https://www.livingvehicle.com/

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Agree Montana has a good rep. Come down to Florida to buy, look at consignment lots. We have a lot of folk who buy one, then health issues pop up and they have to sell. Check out the Florida RV owner sites on Facebook for recommendations such as Florida RV Camping. Good luck.

That is the information needed. Can you PM me a link to where I can go check on used units?

[Rebelbase]

Many RV parks are restricted to newer units only so beware of older models.

[ThunderSleeps]

I don't know about the higher end manufacturers. But in the middle ground or economy range stay away from Sandpiper and Grand Design. We have friends with brand new 5th wheels from them and both spent the first few weeks after purchase right back in the shop. In fact our friends with the Grand Design have already made the first payment on theirs and they have yet to spend a night in it. Here are a few of the issues (co-mingled, both units):

Ceiling fan that hits kitchen cabinet door - ie. can't open cabinet while fan is running. Well, you can, once.

Leaking hydraulics on slide-outs.

External kitchen sink drain that runs uphill to holding tank.

External swing-out grill that in use blocks stairs to rear entrance.

Missing seals on axle bearings, filled drum brakes with lube.

'fridge does not work, electric or gas.

Water filter charcoal insert still sealed in plastic - ie. zero flow, no water in camper.

We have a Minnie Winnie (2500RL) and love it. Just right for the two of us for a week or two. Dealer rep went over every single control/system with us, ensured everything worked, helped us set up our anti-sway hitch, adjust trailer brakes... Night and day difference with our friends' experiences with other dealers, other brands. My takeaway from this is, before buying, look closely at the RV, test everything, talk to previous customers from the dealer...

[gibsosa]

bump

[howlinhound]

Stepson bought one in California, new, made by a company called Heartland. He has had nothing but trouble. Every time he calls the company he gets someone different because the other person “went home sick” or “quit”. Service department is supposedly booked up two weeks in advance. Needless to say, he does not recommend Heartland.

[John 3_19-21]

The wife and I have been full time since March and are traveling. Currently near Priest Lake Id.

Jacksonville should not be too hard, weather-wise on your rig, so a four- season model (more expensive)probably isn't needed.
My advice would be to "kick-the-tires" on as many models as you can to find one that fits your lifestyle.

[Big Red Badger]

Agreed,
I almost bought a 2019
Minnie Winnie 22r,
Quality Control is
Nonexistent!
Loose Screws, Pipes
And wired terribly.
I decided to get
a full size truck
and just plan on
Trading off used
Trailers like Changing
My Socks.
So now I can go Fifth
Wheel,Toy hauler or
CabOver camper with ease.
.
A solid Hauler is Key
To FREEDOM!

[Big Red Badger]

The Key to FREEDOM!
.
SEE ABOVE.

[Big Red Badger]

I’m in SoCal now
and want to explore
Arizona and New Mexico.

[Big Red Badger]

It’s industry wide,
No Quality Control
and terrible after sale
Service.

[Jane Long]

I’d never heard of SpaceCraft (but, I admittedly no NOTHING about 5th wheels/RVs :)....and I saw this tricked out model, on YT....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t1xSHwuLyE

[Donkey Odious]

Congrats on your “retirement”!

One consideration, aside from the brand, is the floor plan. Our last 5th wheel had the living room on the front (step up) with two slides that really made it seem like a house. Sliders can make all the difference.

Also, if you are planning on moving it from time to time, give major thought to your pull vehicle. 250? 350? Gas or diesel? Dually? More is always better......

Happy trails!!

[offduty]

It’s pretty much a matter of personal preference. Most RV brands are now owned by 2 holding companies; Thor or Forrest River. The big push is on bottom line profit, not quality.

You will also find some RV parks will not let any unit over 10 years old make a reservation unless you send them a picture of the rig. They (the parks) know there is a finite life to these units and they don’t want ones that are edgy sitting next to newer units.

From our experience (we own a 40 foot 5’er sitting in Hudson, FL. Take your time, make sure ALL systems work. Don’t let a salesman push you on price alone. And most importantly, don’t take the salesman or service guys word that all systems work. If they don’t work when you try it, walk away. They are plenty of rigs on the market.

As for dealers...General RV is getting into the Florida market in a big way. Originally from Michigan, they have built new dealerships in the Ocala and Tampa area. We bought ours there. Great salesman...service department...not as good. Lazy Days...high pressure, read their reviews...Alliance, primarily deals with motor homes, but they seem to be a pretty decent operation...North Trail in Ft. Meyers, again they specialize in motor homes, but do sell 5’ers. Camping World...let’s just say their reputation is as shady as the reputation of their CEO.

There are several mom and pop operations in Florida, and you can find decent units at a good price. Just make sure you do your homework. If the unit has spent it’s entire life in the south, really check the roof. The Florida sun is a killer on EDPM.

Lastly, there are some very good one-off manufacturers in the middle of he country. They don’t have much of a dealer network but sell direct. They will also take in used units and refurb them like new. Check iRV2.com for information on units and problems owners have found.

On a side note...Mobile Suites used to be Doubletree. They made very high end units back in the day. They are now made by DRV Suites in Howe, Indiana. DRV Suites is a division of Thor Industries.

Hope this helps.