ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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l-john wrote:Fisrt time 5th wheel buyer. This is an open ended question.
We're looking for a 28ft to 30ft 5th wheel to purchase, new or used. We just took ownership of a new 2008 Dodge 2500 shortbed diesel.
My question is what brand is a good medium product line manufacture of fifth wheels. Do not want lowend nor does it need to be the highend product line. I have just retired & don't want to spend the farm on this unit but we want comfort & relieability. We will use the unit to travel but not for full time living, as we will keep our townhouse as a home base.
Also, what would/should be the most important thing we should look at in a 5th wheel.
Thanks for all of your help & comments.
Larry P.
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"Open ended question"
You got that one right!
Eyes of the beholder/s . . . and owner/s.
If you want the RIGHT answer -
do your own "visual" (not forum) research & YOU decide!
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roman traveler
Madera, CA.
Senior Member
Joined: 07/27/2006
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DW and I started thinking about RVing when a friend of ours bought a fiver. We spent the next three years looking at everything from Pop Ups to fivers. We got brochures from every manufactuerter we could contact and visited every RV dealer from Sacto. to Bakersfield. One day we walked in to a dealer and this fiver just kind of jumped at us when we walked in it. We ordered one that day and have been happy ever since, that was 7 years ago. Take your time (not three years like us} but visit as many dealers as you can. Ask a lot of questions. They all have problems, but the deealer can make a big difference. Whatever you decide on enjoy in health. Happy camping.
RT
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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Folks need to keep in mind that the building of RV's bears no resemblance whatsoever to the automotive or aerospace industries. Those industries have for years used a foundation of unionized workers who could not be fired without cause. Where I'm going with this is: the single biggest area of manufacture for RV's is the Indiana Amish area and in some cases whole families are employed at a factory that uses the bonus system to "top-up" wages to a liveable wage scale.
The way the bonus system works in a lot of those factories is to devide the workforce into "teams" or "stations" and give them flexible work hours which allow them to come in very early and leave after their 8 hours. The manufacturer sets a target of "X" number of rigs per week reaching the shipping parking lot. Each team must produce enough units through their station to enable the target of "X" to be reached to earn their bounus. They will work like feinds to reach this goal because of two conditions 1/ Their "living wage" relies on the bonus. 2/ They do not want to be responsible for their team or subsequent teams in the downstream process to lose their bonus.
This is good for the manufacturer in that his workers are driven to put those "X" number of units out the door.
This is not necessarily good for consumers in that a quality defect will go unreported to achieve the "X" target for those 2 above mentioned reasons.
To report a defect that would result in units being held up from the next stage for repair would deprive your "team" and perhaps another team or two with fellow family members from attaining their bonus. NOT A GOOD SYSTEM FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE!
the Amish had a reputation for crafstmanship when they were working for themselves producing furniture or what have you, but, if you tell an Amish that he has to build it this way or that way to earn his bonus or keep his job, he is no better a craftsman than the Tom, Dick or Harry behind the counter at the seven eleven convenience store.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
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Dustytuu
Colorado USA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/16/2004
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You still get what you pay for.
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie cab, pressure pro tire.
2008 Carri-Lite 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/
Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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rvsrgreat
Millersburg, IN 46543
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Joined: 05/17/2008
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Watch out for Carriage Cameos they have have only 40 gallon black/grey holding tanks instead of 55 gallons as claimed. This is for 2001 models to 2009. Carriage claims they will fix tanks but want owners to pay to fuel to go to plant for upgrade.
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Skyfarmer
Cape Coral Florida
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Joined: 07/14/2007
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Check out Excel from Peterson Industries in Kansas. Quality made for full-timers.
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lhenry8113
Cypress or Lake Arrowhead, Ca.
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Joined: 12/03/2004
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Larry--check out the Arctic Fox, made by Northwood, in La Grande, Or. They are a family owned co. who really take pride in their products. There is an excellent owners Forum which can answer any questions you might have. We are on our 2nd Arctic Fox--and frankly--I wouldn't consider any other 5'vr---for our purposes.  Good Luck, Lars
http://www.northwoodmfg.com/2007/
http://afnash.com/forum/
2004 Ford F250,Crew Cab, 4x4, Diesel, LgBd, XLT, SuperDuty, Camper Pkg, Off Road Pkg.
1955 Packard Caribbean
2007 Arctic Fox 29 5T
A Positive Attitude May Not Solve All Your Problems But It Will Annoy Enough People To Make It Worth The Effort.
H Albright
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2004
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The other point to mention is AFTER deciding and purchasing the unit you desire you should do a search of websites to download an applicable PDI write-up and stick to it by taking the time at your delivering dealer to thoroughly go through the complete form and do not accept the rig until anything you find is fixed to your satisfaction. You will be in the driver's seat on that now as, if you are unhappy and refuse to accept the rig in it's delivery state, they can't simply sell it to the next guy in line waiting with cash as that line is no longer in existance.
It will be very tempting to simply allow them to say "take it home and check'er out and give us a call if you find anything". That will end badly for you.
Patience to perform a proper PDI will bear many rewards.
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