What kind of camper for FW?

[PoshMom]

We're looking to buy a camper for general camping purposes and to eventually make it to FW in the next year or two. I need suggestions on what kind of fifth wheel to get. Main concerns are of course reliable brands, quality, toddler-friendly, roomy etc. But one that we can get a lot of use way in to their teen years. I'm open to pull behind trailers too but kinda have my heart set on fifth wheel. If you give opinion tell me why or why you wouldn't buy that kind, your experiences, etc. thank you in advance!

 

[Shan-man]

The first consideration is what kind of tow vehicle are you going to use. That will dictate the size 5th you can handle, and that in turn dictates to an extent the quality and amenities. I'm sure the experts will really be able to run with those added details.

 

[PoshMom]

The first consideration is what kind of tow vehicle are you going to use. That will dictate the size 5th you can handle, and that in turn dictates to an extent the quality and amenities. I'm sure the experts will really be able to run with those added details.

We are buying a new three quarter ton truck to pull a fifth wheel.

 

[2goofycampers]

Buy what you want and get a big enough one the first time, otherwise you wind up losing $ by having to trade up. As far as brands we are Jayco people all the way, we have owned 3. (that's what I mean by buy the right one the first time.)

I also highy recommend buying a diesel truck to tow with. We actually put it off for years and now kick our behinds we didn't get one sooner. We went thru 2 gas trucks, upgrading each time. Another buy big the first time or pay to upgrade.

 

[Shan-man]

Wow, that's a serious truck and I would think pretty much the whole spectrum of 5ers will be open to you (especially if you are going diesel). I'm a motorhome guy, so I won't be of much use here, but I will say I have always been very impressed with the quality of the build on Alfa Leisure products. They may not always be the most flashy, but the quality is stellar from what I've seen. As I said before, the experts will be along shortly (well, the other experts, since Denise has already chimed in). Be sure to keep us posted on your process and eventual purchase... we live for this kinda thing!

 

[CampingBandit]

Have you ever visited Rv.net forum? I belong to that too, and that was how we did alot of research regarding our TT and truck purchase. We bought our trailer first, then bought a truck that could pull it. The advice we gathered from that forum was invaluable.

We also went bigger than we originally planned, as we had read many a posts about folks upgrading within 2 years.

The floorplan was our first consideration, then manufacturer/reputation and then price. We wanted as big as we could reasonably afford with a decent rep. I'm happy with our Keystone purchase...and it's big enough that when we are camping and it's lousy weather out, we have plenty of room inside so that we're not on top of each other. We graduated from a pup to our current 35' TT with 2 slide outs. No regrets, yet.

The folks over there on RV.net are just as helpful as the folks here. But not nearly as fiendly.

 

[stacktester]

I personally pull a 5th wheel toy hauler and use a 2500 crew cab diesel Chevy. There are many 1/2 ton towable trailers on the market. Once you get over 20 feet you're getting into some weight and I would recommend a 3/4 ton at that point.

I think it depends on how many people and how much time you spend in the camper should be a factor in picking a camper. How often and how far you pull it and is the TV a daily driver or just for pulling the RV. I wouldn't suggest a diesel if it's going to sit for long periods. Diesels were built to run, not sit in the garage.

I suggest an RV Show if you can find one nearby. Don't just follow others advice. Look at a lot of models and find the right one for you. Just because somebody has a model they like, doesn't mean it's the model for you.

I wanted to add that Keystone and Forest River are good models. One thing I'm unhappy about is Keystone hasn't been too great on warranty stuff. I fix a lot of my own issues I have instead of the dealer because they like saying no. If you're buying soon make the dealer give you extra warranty coverage.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

The Mayor makes several good points. Start by going to as many RV shows as you can and cruise the lots and look at different floor plans. After looking a while you will start to see the difference in build quality between them.

If you are looking at buying a GM truck dont rule out the gas engines, while less economical, the lower cost and price differential between gas and diesel can mean a very long payback on the diesel price (if at all) I know the 09 trucks with the gas engines and Allison trans are very capable towing units.

happy hunting.

 

[stacktester]

I wanted to add that there is a 5th wheel Cougar by Keystone that is 1/2 ton towable. The one I went in had the bedroom up front of course and the living room had a couch in the back and a dinette.

One other item that I found was great advice was to get a slide awning. I have one on mine and it's really helped in keeping debris off my slideout.

 

[SunshineCamper]

We "third' the Keystone-Outback TT 26RS. We have quad bunks (we have 2 kids) and use the bottom bunks for storage and the kids bring friends some trips.
We have the slide out worship:Queen bed). We love ours and have had it since 2006.
It's really our home away from home!

 

[Tigger1966]

Heartland makes a real nice 5TH wheel with a rear play room and an upstairs sleeping bunk.
We had some of these on the lot last year and I loved the layout.
The rear room is on a lower level with a couch and a TV and there are stairs that lead up to a large sleeping area for the kids. If I had small children this would be an ideal camper. Worth checking out I don't know if they make it in the 2009 model but if you search you can find one.
It is a 330 RLB

 

[team bradfield]

We have a Montana 342PHT, triple slide with a quad bunkhouse slide for the kids. Everyone has their own space.

If you going to buy a large fiver, buy a large tow vehicle. We have a F350 duelly with a 6.0 powerstroke diesel.

Diesel engines have engine brakes, gas engines don't. Diesel engines have torque, gas engines don't. You need this, trust me.

Diesel engines last 300,000 miles, plus. Gas engines don't.

 

[team bradfield]

We have a Montana 342PHT, triple slide with a quad bunkhouse slide for the kids. Everyone has their own space.

If you going to buy a large fiver, buy a large tow vehicle. We have a F350 duelly with a 6.0 powerstroke diesel.

Diesel engines have engine brakes, gas engines don't. Diesel engines have torque, gas engines don't. You need this, trust me.

Diesel engines last 300,000 miles, plus. Gas engines don't.

and here is proof it fits right in a FW!!

 

[des1954]

The other thing to consider if you are buying a new vs. pre-owned (or even a pre-owned still under warranty) is this....... check the solvency of the manufacturer. RV companies have been closing left & right due to the economy. One in particular that was mentioned here is Alfa. They are history (closed in 2008) & so are a few others - including National RV. Fleetwood has been acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, but mainly for their mobile home division. It's left to be seen how much of their RV division will be left standing.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Buy a Jayco. Nuff said.

 

[Shan-man]

OH MY GOSH! I had no idea that Alfa had been swept away! What a shame, they really were one of the few mfgs (in my opinion) that paid attention to quality rather than 'bells and whistles' (give me quality cabinet hardware over a cheesy electric fireplace any day!). I don't think them being out of business would cause me to strike them from my list of potential purchases because it was such a good product, and I'm pretty handy. If I weren't, or the unit was supposed to still be under warranty, it would weigh heavily on my decision. Thanks for the update Debbie (I guess I need to read my Motorhome Magazine instead of just look at the pretty pictures, hunh?!).

 

[Shan-man]

oops, doubled

 

[Goofyseven]

Go to this forum, http://www.rv.net/forum/, It has all the information you could want. Many many considerations, opnions, etc. etc.

The best advice I can give you is to read the info on this forum, and critically evaluate your needs.

Good Luck on your search!!!

 

[fortcampers]

We towed our 30ft 5th wheel to the Fort last spring with a 1992 F250 and the two of the kids and I drove behind in the mini van. (the truck only had a bench seat) We now have a F350 Lariat LE, long bed, dually, V10, 4x4 and sits 4----all captains chairs. Haven't gotten a hitch in it yet, but I guarantee it will be a much better and much more comfortable job of towing our camper. Our camper weighs 7,500 lbs empty. We love the 5th wheel because of the higher head room, more length tip to tip and it tows easier than a travel trailer. We have a queen bed over the hitch and the bathroom and bunks at the other end. It gives everyone a little more privacy. We looked at travel trailers first and settled on a fifth wheel and don't regret it for a moment. I can't wait to get camping this spring! Good luck in your search---and yes, try out RV.Net---lots of helpful people there. They have helped me numerous times!

 

[dtum]

Titanium here. They are quality built and will last for years (they are also one of the companies not going out of business or in Chapter 11 right now). They cost a little more, but you get what you pay for in a camper. DH and I waited four years doing research on RV.net, etc. but always came back to Titanium (made by Glendale). It's the smallest model made, but there are only two of us. We bought it used from a dealer in GA, but it was in perfect condition and the previous owner took the depreciation hit the first year Whatever model you choose, you will love a fifth-wheel-there is so much more room with the high ceilings and being bi-level it actually feels like a home away from home. Can't go wrong, just do your homework and watch out for those going out of business because, unlike cars, no one will be standing behind the warranties on them.