Brand new Member

Rodbuster · 04-22-2011, 10:34 AM

My wife and I are from New Smyrna Beach ( about 8 miles south of Daytona Beach) Florida. We moved here about 11 years ago from southern New Hampshire.
Intentions were to buy a class A motorhome when the wife retires (about 4 months from now). Because if the economy and the real estate market for the past few years we face the reality of adjusting our goals. I'm not saying stepping down, I'm saying "adjusting". I don't want to offend anybody with my very first post.
We started to look at 5th wheels and were very impressed. I found this forum and thought that this would be a great place to obtain information and hopefully make new friends.
We have not given up on the motorhome but we are now seriously looking at 5th wheelers.

We went to a RV show a couple of weeks ago and looked at some products. The wife and I really liked the 40' 11" San Antonio by Landmark, but just like when we started looking at motorhomes, we don't know if the landmark is a good product or is it just like many units out there that are made to "look good" and then 1 year later you find out you have all kinds of problems.
Another big concern that I have is the vehicle that I need to tow a 15000 pound unit (about 12000 to 16000#). So far I have received all kinds of conflicting information on the size of the vehicle, type of engine, dually, etc. etc.
At the RV show we were asked.... how are you going to use the RV.
Our answer was, It will be just the 2 of us with a couple as guest every now and then. During the winter months we plan several one, two and three week trips in the south and the summer months we would like to tour the northwest for 2 or 3 months. We would love to go to Alaska with our RV and possibly the Canadian Rockies.
This will be our first RV but feel very sure that we will enjoy it.
We plan on spending "about" $100,000. to $125,000. (this would include the tow vehicle)

I welcome and thank you for any information that you can provide.

Rodbuster

**wingnut60** · 04-22-2011, 04:20 PM

Welcome to this forum for all types of 5th wheels, tho the majority of posts will be from DRV (Doubletree) owners.
You will get many opinions soon about what to look for in both a trailer and a tow vehicle--I don't want to start into that as I am personally locked into a Mobile Suites/F450 combo and that is not the only way to go, and it is the only 5th wheel I have owned.
You may have a problem with what you have mentioned as the total cost or the setup, unless you go with used vehicles. However, MSRPs are very subject to discounting--maybe you aren't to far off. Sounds as tho you will need a dual-wheel tow vehicle for the trailer you are considering.
Hang around, should be some recommendations coming soon.
A lot of the fun is in the hunt...
Joe

Rodbuster · 04-22-2011, 04:35 PM

Thank you Joe, for your reply.

Rodbuster · 04-24-2011, 07:11 AM

Wow, I'm really surprised.
Over 50 people viewed my post and only one took the time to answer.

I sure hope it's because it's Easter weekend.

I thank you again Joe, for taking the time.

john · 04-24-2011, 09:50 AM

We like our 36' 2006 Mobile Suite.....not perfect. Pull with a Ford 350 dully. Not overweight but am not full timers.

hitchup · 04-24-2011, 10:30 AM

We considered a Heartland back in 2005, but then came across the Suites at an RV show. We're now in our 2nd Suite.

If you want some real owner info, go to the Heartland Owners forumi.

http://heartlandowners.org/

**wingnut60** · 04-24-2011, 06:54 PM

Rodbuster,

Email me at: joejd at aol.com

Stripit · 04-24-2011, 10:42 PM

I've been to 3 National Heartland rallies as the weigh guy weighing a lot of their units. They are nowhere near as heavy as the Mobile Suite trailers and many of the owners are towing with single rear wheel trucks. Most all the trucks are over one of the various numbers, either axle rating, tire rating or GVWR, or a combination of one of these numbers. Does not make it right, but thats what they are doing. The trailers look nice, but if you look deeper you see many differences in construction between a high end and mid range trailers. Quality weighs and since your starting out, you might want to think about used, trailer and tow vehicle. Buying a complete set from a person that was full time, or part time traveling should get you a 'already set up' and should have all the 'bugs' fixed. That was how we started and found it was the best way for us to get our feet wet and decide exactly what we needed to fit our living style. Sometimes things that look good in the dealers showroom, in real life just either don't work, or are not set up for full time living. I bought a big enough used truck that no matter what trailer we ended up with I could safely pull it, and more importantly, stop it. Welcome to the site and hope others chime in and give you their prospective.

**wingnut60** · 04-25-2011, 12:28 AM

There is a 2005 36TK3 w/2006 350 dually for sale in this months Highways mag from Good Sam. $80k for the setup.