What kind of camper for FW?

[des1954]

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?!).

We looked real close at the Alfa See-Ya when they first came out. It really was well built. The deal breaker for us were the compartments. They had the old style doors that didn't allow for large items to be placed inside, and no slide out trays. It was a bad design as far as basement storage was concerned. The inside??? Beautiful, and very roomy - especially for anyone over 6' 2" - a lot of head room because they pushed up the height of the MH. I don't know if Alfa redesigned the basement storage in later years because we opted for a Winnie Vectra & never looked at the See-Ya's again. BUT!!! The inside was very lovely!

 

[dtum]

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?!).

Better enjoy that Motorhome Mag while you can because Affinity Group isn't doing very well and may not be around very much longer. From what I read today, even if they sell off Camping World, that may not be enough to keep them going.

We are really watching this one because we have several Good Sam memberships and, at this point, no one knows what will become of them.

http://fulltimerver.com/affinity-group-continues-skid-could-affect-rvers/

debbie

 

[MadFF]

Do you have (or have you had) a camper? How much camping have you done? If you haven't done a lot of "RV'ing", you might want to try renting one. Many campgrounds rent "park model" or big travel trailer campers that you can try out for a weekend or longer at the campground (usually not towable). Let's you check out the "lifestyle". Just something to think about before investing in a big (really big from the sound of it) RV, which hopefully doesn't turn into a mistake. Of course, if you have RV'ed before, then nevermind!

As to models, I don't know much about 5th wheels. Regarding tow vehicles, many times there isn't much price difference between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, so definitely think about getting a 1 ton. 5th wheels are very heavy on the hitch, and depending on which one you want, you want a truck that can handle it. Just something to think about.

My advice to anyone looking at buying a camper/RV... the Bathroom! Is it comfortable to "sit and read the newspaper"?? Seriously, sit on the toilet and see if it is roomy enough. I love our small TT (21'), but the bathroom is really tight. When we checked out our TT at the dealership before buying it, I did sit in the bathroom, but I think the whole new TT thing kind of blinded me to how tight it really is.

Have fun looking!

 

[vick]

We've been happy with our SunnyBrook. We pull ours with a 3500 diesel dually. We started out with a 2500 gasser, then got the 2500 diesel and then the 3500 dually. We ended up losing a lot by trading so quickly, so make sure you get enough truck to begin with.

 

[dtum]

Totally agree on the bathroom! We looked at a TT before getting our 5r that didn't have a mirror over the sink. The whole bathroom seemed to have been an after-thought and the mirror had been put over the toilet. DH had no way to shave. Look very closely at lay-out. It's something you will have to live with for a long time after you make the leap, so make sure it's right the first time. Some 5rs have tubs, some garden tubs, some showers. With children, will they take only showers or do they need a tub. Do you want a separate bathroom or one that's located in the master bedroom (pretty common on some brands).

I think layout is the number one thing, then consider brand. I'd not get a truck until you decide on those things because some brands are much heavier than others and that will dictate your truck.

Watch that kingpin weight, your truck needs to be able to handle it and don't believe the RV dealer...they will tell you anything to sell you an RV. RV.net has lots of good advice on figuring weights. Great place to begin.

 

[PoshMom]

Do you have (or have you had) a camper? How much camping have you done? If you haven't done a lot of "RV'ing", you might want to try renting one. Many campgrounds rent "park model" or big travel trailer campers that you can try out for a weekend or longer at the campground (usually not towable). Let's you check out the "lifestyle". Just something to think about before investing in a big (really big from the sound of it) RV, which hopefully doesn't turn into a mistake. Of course, if you have RV'ed before, then nevermind!

As to models, I don't know much about 5th wheels. Regarding tow vehicles, many times there isn't much price difference between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, so definitely think about getting a 1 ton. 5th wheels are very heavy on the hitch, and depending on which one you want, you want a truck that can handle it. Just something to think about.

My advice to anyone looking at buying a camper/RV... the Bathroom! Is it comfortable to "sit and read the newspaper"?? Seriously, sit on the toilet and see if it is roomy enough. I love our small TT (21'), but the bathroom is really tight. When we checked out our TT at the dealership before buying it, I did sit in the bathroom, but I think the whole new TT thing kind of blinded me to how tight it really is.

Have fun looking!

Yes, I went camping all through my childhood way in to my teen years. Loved every minute of it. We tent camped and then graduated to a pop up with air....nothing better! I loved camping both ways though...so much bonding happens whether you want to or not...lol! On the other hand, my husband went camping with his family once maybe twice his entire life. So, he really doesn't have a good idea what a good camping experience is. He is open to all of it now. My kids are young enough they won't know any different if I break them in early! lol!

And yes it is very fun looking. I think I've settled on a Keystone cougar or sprinter. So, thank you for all your advice and continue giving any advice you can on these models or other keystones. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[big kahuna1]

We currently own a 1997 34' Jayco Travel Trailer that is being used as our hunting trailer right now. It has NEVER had one problem and still looks new on the inside. Outside needs a bath. EVERYTHING still works on the trailer and EVERYTHING is still original so I highly recommend JAYCO.

I also own a 2007 Heartland Cyclone Fiver which is too big for your vehicle but I really like this trailer also. It did have some issues at time of purchase (this was their first Toy Hauler they mfg.) but everything was taken care of promptly and easilty by the dealer and mfg. so I would not have a problem buying another Heartland product. They make some very nice Fivers.

 

[Disbuf]

We have a Cougar 5th Wheel which is our second trailer made by Keystone. So far we have had no problems with it. The price was right and so was the layout and the weight.

I have to agree that you need to find what you want and get it the first time. We have traded several times over the past few years and I am sure that if had just bought this 5th wheel originally, we would have saved enough money to spend a couple of months at FW.

 

[disney4dan]

We purchased a used Jayco TT based on the recommendation of the name brand (Rv.net) and the fact that a quality used one came on the market at the right price/right time.

This is our third year with no problems on it (it's a 2001) and we have kids in the age where things get broken a lot (8 and 10, plus a 17 yo).

Regarding the truck, I would consider the diesel for the towing ability and fuel economy while towing, plus unbeatable longevity. However, I'm a little confused over the comment that gas engines don't have have exhaust brakes. It's true that they don't, but they do have compression and they will slow a trailer/truck combination down when you downshift. Anyway, you did not ask about truck recommendations so that's probably not important.

If they are in the same price range (they usually are), a one ton truck may serve you better if you are considering a fifth wheel. As others have said, larger fifth wheels can put a lot of weight on the bed of the truck and a one ton may handle better. There are quite a few people with fivers on this board who can comment on the differences and which options in the trailers add the weight. Biggest thing I can think of are the extra water storage tanks, heavier furniture and appliances.

 

[mdoc]

We had both a travel trailer and a fifth wheel before we moved to our current motorhome. I liked the travel trailer better myself - its floor plan fit our family better. We had a Sunnybrook travel trailer, 33'10" long. It had a separate bunkroom (complete with door!) in the back with 4 bunks for the kids. Then it had a queen bed up front and a couch/dinette superslide in the main area. We towed it with a 3/4 ton Suburban and a Hensley hitch. It towed beautifully and made many trips from northern Illinois to Orlando without a problem, and was great when we were camping at the Fort and elsewere. I would highly recommend a Sunnybrook; we had only two small issues with ours, and both were quickly and easily taken care of under the two year warranty. FWIW, our 2nd choice at the time we bought the Sunnybrook back in 2002 was a Keystone Sprinter with a very similar floor plan. We then had a Heartland Cyclone fifth wheel toy hauler, about 34' long, that we pulled with a one ton dually diesel pickup. It was nice, but I was never as comfortable with it as I was with the travel trailer. Things seemed more complicated and everything seemed to be out of my reach - I needed a 3 step stool to get to things in the upper kitchen cabinets. We only kept it one season before deciding that we were less likely to give our children away if we took long trips in a motorhome rather than the cab of a pickup truck (the 3 row Suburban was way more comfortable than the pickup truck, also, which is another point in favor of a travel trailer in my book).

Good luck with your decision, and happy camping!

 

[CampingBandit]

mdoc, I think my Sprinter has a similar floorplan to the Sunnybrook, 'cept the door is into the bathroom....

All brands have warranty issues....Keystone included. But I think equally important to the brand's rep is the dealer where you buy, and their proximity to your home. Our dealer has been fabulous and despite 2 trips an hour away back to the dealer for warranty items, so far everything has been fixed to our satisfaction. No regrets here.

I second the RV show if you can, that's where we found ours. We had an idea of what we "wanted" and got there in the morning and after 7 hours of looking decided that we "wanted" alot bigger.... kinda like Desi and Luci at their RV show?! (The Long Long Trailer) That was us....

Anyways...we came back home, researched our top 5 favorites, and then went back to the RV show 2 days later to sit in the top 3 some more. We spent hours in the trailers, evaluating everything.

We very happy with our Keystone Sprinter.

 

[Tigger1966]

If you are looking at a new or late model unit from a dealer make sure they do a full PDI inspection on the unit. Some dealers will cut you a sweet deal but when you get it home there are lots of little problems that would have been repaired if they had done the inspection.
One local dealer was undercutting us on price by doing this and his units were ending up in our shop for the repairs so we nolonger do warranty on the brands they sell.

 

[tlh0726]

Take your time and make sure that it is what you want. As it is said on another forum Buy your last unit first

Make sure that all of you are in the unit moving around, playing, etc. to make sure that you have enough room. Imagine yourself in 5 years.
If someone is standing at the stove or sink, does it cause a traffic jam?
Will you have to constantly make up couches or tables into beds in the evening and tear them back down in the morning? (my dilema in our last unit, we now have a bunk model)
Storage both inside and out, it is enough?

It is a tough decision. Only you and your family will know what feels right/ fits your needs.

Good luck!!



.

 

[jhenson67]

We have a '06 Springdale 298 w/super slideout TT, it has the 4 bunks in the back with the queen up front. I'm wanting to upgrade to MH w/bunks but I don't want to give up my truck ('06 F150 SuperCrew). I have no problems and with the 4 bunks, dinette, and sofa, we have room to invite freinds. Sometimes I with I had a diesel but I don't pull very much - maybe once every two months. Plans are to go camping more often..... sometime.... Work / birthdays / holiday functions / ect... get in the way.

 

[Old Snipe]

If I may,

Please check out what your 3/4 ton pickup can safely pull (and stop) from the manufacturers specs. A 3/4 ton can't pull as much as a 1 ton or even say a Ford F-450.

Once you've determined that ability, then you can look to see what 5th wheel you can pull. It may be smaller than you'd like and you might have to rethink buying a 3/4 ton truck and go larger.

The 5th wheel will list dry weight (empty, no supplies, no water, etc) and CCC, which is cargo carrying capacity. Stuff, and we all have lots, is heavy. You also need to figure into the trucks capacity what it will be able to pull with a full fuel tank, all passengers and the 5th wheel loaded to go.

For safety and your enjoyjment, you have to take this into consideration and it is best to figure all this out first. Undersizing a truck can also cause extreme wear and tear as it works itself to death trying to move and stop too much weight at highway speeds.

Many people don't realize this and end up with too small a truck or RV, then find themselves trading up and losing a big amount of money by buying the right combination a second (or for slow learners, a third) time.

You want to be thrilled with your RV. Take your time and research the parameters you can safely handle and all will fall into place. Have fun and enjoy the hunt!

Best Regards!

 

[dtum]

Just one more thing....don't forget to check how much weight your truck can handle. The kingpin is sitting in your truck bed (it could be 2,000 lbs!) and; therefore, adds that weight to your truck. Add in a full gas tank, passengers, etc. and your truck can go over weight really quickly. There are a lot of different weights to consider with a 5er, but it's better to be safe than really, really sorry down the road.