- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
OB RV'ers, lowdown please
Posted on 10/9/13 at 4:49 pm
Posted on 10/9/13 at 4:49 pm
Wife wants fifth wheel Rv. I have no experience in, out, or around rvs. I have never taken a Trip/vacation in an Rv. Anybody have one? Like it? How much trouble is it to upkeep? Is it fun? I have 2 small kids. I kinda get how it would be a good family. lower budget vacations. It would be a couple yrs before we purchased. If you got one any advice would be appreciated. What would you do like about the one you have? What would you change? What do I need to stay away from?
10
Posted on 10/9/13 at 4:57 pm to Butkus51
RV'ing is alot of fun. We had one when my kids were younger. They out grew the whole camping thing when they got in their mid to late teens. We sold ours then. We plan to get another one soon, since they are in college. You will meet lots of people.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 4:57 pm to Butkus51
Where do I start. Yes, I have a 5th wheel. Am on my second one. I love them. Would never have another bumper pull for various reasons I can touch on later if you want.
Upkeep is not a huge deal other than roof and watching out for points of water invasion. I don't take care of things at all, and as a result, I've had water related repairs done on both of my trailers.
With small kids, it's my opinion that a bunkhouse is a must. Otherwise, you're putting them to sleep in what amounts to your living room. In a bunhouse, you don't know they are there, and use of the living area does not disturb them.
I am a fan of front bathrooms. The one I have now has the bath in the rear by the bunks. That means my queen bed is in a box barely bigger than the mattress. There is no where to stand up in there or change clothes.
A large slide is a must. Many have multiple slides, but I don't really care for awning side slides. That's where we hang out and the slide takes up some of that room.
If possible, look for one with three tanks. If you have two, you're going to fill the grey tank way before the black tank, and emptying through use of a portable tank is a real PITA. Our previous unit had galley, bath and black.
Don't overload your truck, but don't listen to the load nazis at RV.com. Pay attention to pin weight more than anything else. Especially if you are going to use a 1/2 ton.
Love the outdoor kitchens. Cooking inside sucks green donkeys.
Questions?
Upkeep is not a huge deal other than roof and watching out for points of water invasion. I don't take care of things at all, and as a result, I've had water related repairs done on both of my trailers.
With small kids, it's my opinion that a bunkhouse is a must. Otherwise, you're putting them to sleep in what amounts to your living room. In a bunhouse, you don't know they are there, and use of the living area does not disturb them.
I am a fan of front bathrooms. The one I have now has the bath in the rear by the bunks. That means my queen bed is in a box barely bigger than the mattress. There is no where to stand up in there or change clothes.
A large slide is a must. Many have multiple slides, but I don't really care for awning side slides. That's where we hang out and the slide takes up some of that room.
If possible, look for one with three tanks. If you have two, you're going to fill the grey tank way before the black tank, and emptying through use of a portable tank is a real PITA. Our previous unit had galley, bath and black.
Don't overload your truck, but don't listen to the load nazis at RV.com. Pay attention to pin weight more than anything else. Especially if you are going to use a 1/2 ton.
Love the outdoor kitchens. Cooking inside sucks green donkeys.
Questions?
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:00 pm to AlxTgr
Lots of good info there. I agree that bunks are a must with kids
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:16 pm to AlxTgr
I was planning on getting a newer truck within the next yr or 2. I really wanted a newer model f150. Do you think I need to go f250? Would I need a place to keep the 5th wheel covered? Is it a lot of trouble to set up at the Rv park? Can u rent em for a vacation?
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:19 pm to Butkus51
I'd say a 3/4 would be high desirable. Also not sure if you were already looking but buy used, there are just too many on the market to not buy used.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:22 pm to Butkus51
quote:f150 will limit you to the smallest of 5ers. I am an overloader, and some of the "1/2 ton series" 5ers scare me. f250 opens up your search a lot.
I really wanted a newer model f150. Do you think I need to go f250?
quote:Need? No. is it a good idea? Heck yeah.
Would I need a place to keep the 5th wheel covered?
quote:I don't think so. It becomes a routine. I hardly notice it anymore. A lot depends on what you do. I don't have to do a lot of the stabilization i do, but I like a camper to not shake.
Is it a lot of trouble to set up at the Rv park?
quote:I think so, but I have no experience. You'll need the hitch installed with trailer brake module, obviously. I recommend Curt for the hitch.
Can u rent em for a vacation?
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:30 pm to AlxTgr
Alx, do you keep yours covered? Going to be in the market for one this spring, but I have questions about leaving out in the elements when being stored. For that reason I was looking at bumper pulls, but would rather have a 5th wheel. I can get a bumper pull in my shop. What didn't you like about the bumper pulls? Are there any good dealers to deal with in Alex?
I see that some of this was answered already.
I see that some of this was answered already.
This post was edited on 10/9/13 at 5:32 pm
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:38 pm to Butkus51
I bought my first one back in July. For me honestly the biggest decision in all of it was finding the right generator. I take it to AU games & there are no hook-ups for power or water. Water is much more of an issue as I have to conserve everything. But back to the generator I went with a honda eu6500. 6.5kw generator and runs super quiet. I had every salesman try & convince me their generators were as good & as quiet as a honda generator. I got a 2003 30' Forest River. You can see the wear on it but it works fine. Unfortunately, I'm already looking to upgrading.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:39 pm to Butkus51
quote:Had one for 15 years. Glad it's gone.
Anybody have one? Like it?
quote:No big deal the first few years, but the repairs start after that. Must keep the water out during freezes, but it can be a pain in the arse to get all the little pockets dry. Must keep it covered (preferably in a shelter) if you don't want to be replacing the roof and sealing around the air conditioner. I found that after the first few years, it was only after we were underway on a trip that problems would pop up. And parts are EXPENSIVE. Must also keep the tires covered (and even better if jacked up) to preclude having to buy new tires all the time (dry rot).
How much trouble is it to upkeep?
quote:Nope. More expensive in my opinion. Factor in the purchase cost divided by the number of times you use it, plus the repair and more importantly, the additional fuel consumption, and you'll probably find that it will be cheaper to stay in 5-Star Hotels.
lower budget vacations
quote:Stay away from motorhomes. When you're parked in a camp site, you're stuck unless you're towing a small car. Need to run an errand or get any supplies?... you have to go through the process of unhooking just to drive to Wallyworld for a gallon of milk for the kids' Cheerios.
What do I need to stay away from?
Something you can disconnect from is the way to go if you're crazy enough to do this. But that defeats the benefit of a motorhome (access to a bed, toilet and kids toys while driving).
This post was edited on 10/9/13 at 8:07 pm
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:41 pm to Butkus51
quote:
I was planning on getting a newer truck within the next yr or 2. I really wanted a newer model f150. Do you think I need to go f250? Would I need a place to keep the 5th wheel covered? Is it a lot of trouble to set up at the Rv park? Can u rent em for a vacation?
Do not recommend going with anything less than a 3/4 ton. You will understand the intense pressure pulling 9-10k lbs will do on a truck & I recommend a diesel.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:46 pm to plazadweller
quote:
had every salesman try & convince me their generators were as good & as quiet as a honda generator.
Really no comparison in real life volume, not just the rated volume on paper.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 5:50 pm to INFIDEL
I don't cover mine, but sure wish I did.
I don't like the tongue weight out on the bumper in a big trailer, and love the ease of hook up with the 5er. Also, a 5er tracks with your truck better. I also like the way the master is set up in the front.
I like Charles at Cenla Camping Center. My next will probably be a Jayco from there.
I don't like the tongue weight out on the bumper in a big trailer, and love the ease of hook up with the 5er. Also, a 5er tracks with your truck better. I also like the way the master is set up in the front.
I like Charles at Cenla Camping Center. My next will probably be a Jayco from there.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 7:04 pm to plazadweller
quote:
I recommend a diesel
I recommend not a diesel, unless you like really expensive upkeep and the potential for colossal repair bills.
Set up correctly, modern half tons can easily handle 10k lbs occasionally. Obviously a 3/4 ton won't mind it as much, but I wouldn't be scared of a 1/2 ton.
New diesels are badass, but are FAR beyond what the recreational hauler needs, especially considering how good the new gas burners are.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 8:38 pm to Butkus51
I've got a 31' 2009 Forrest River Wildcat 5th wheel for sale. 
Posted on 10/9/13 at 10:33 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
If I had to run diesel, I'd quit camping.
My little 5.3 gasser pulls my 5er just fine. Pin weight is a bigger issue than ability to pull.
My little 5.3 gasser pulls my 5er just fine. Pin weight is a bigger issue than ability to pull.
Posted on 10/9/13 at 10:44 pm to AlxTgr
It's great if you want the biggest baddest thing you can buy and don't mind roasting your wallet or if you strap up 20k lbs almost daily.
You can overcome the pin weight with air bags to a certain extent if you were dead set on a 1/2 ton and 4000lbs of pin weight.
The main issue with a 1/2 ton IMO is brakes and transmission cooling. Trailer brakes and not driving like a dumbass usually eliminate the need for huge truck brakes, and not driving like a dumbass usually eliminates the need for a massive tranny cooler.
People buying a diesel just for the hell of it make me
I worked for a major diesel engine company for a while, and there's no way I'd buy a new one if I didn't absolutely need it.
You can overcome the pin weight with air bags to a certain extent if you were dead set on a 1/2 ton and 4000lbs of pin weight.
The main issue with a 1/2 ton IMO is brakes and transmission cooling. Trailer brakes and not driving like a dumbass usually eliminate the need for huge truck brakes, and not driving like a dumbass usually eliminates the need for a massive tranny cooler.
People buying a diesel just for the hell of it make me
I worked for a major diesel engine company for a while, and there's no way I'd buy a new one if I didn't absolutely need it. Posted on 10/9/13 at 10:46 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
tranny cooler
Posted on 10/9/13 at 10:48 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
massive tranny cooler
Get it right. When you discuss hauling, you discuss massive trannys
Posted on 10/9/13 at 10:53 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I considered it, especially for your 1 ton loving arse.
Page 1 of 4
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News