Looking for fifthwheeler
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,909
From: unfortunately Germany
Looking for fifthwheeler
Hello,
I would like to buy a compact Fifthwheeler to use it here in Europe (I guess in the US these are the small models). I have now looked at 3 models here in Germany. In my opinion, all of them are of inferior quality. Are there certain brands or models that are of high quality? The trailer is towed by an 06 F350 supercab.
On monday we visit this company: https://www.5thwheeler.de/de/5-th-wheeler
I would like to buy a compact Fifthwheeler to use it here in Europe (I guess in the US these are the small models). I have now looked at 3 models here in Germany. In my opinion, all of them are of inferior quality. Are there certain brands or models that are of high quality? The trailer is towed by an 06 F350 supercab.
On monday we visit this company: https://www.5thwheeler.de/de/5-th-wheeler
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
The Artic Wolf has a good reputation here, for build quality as well as insulation. That's probably the best of the smaller units I saw on that site. I would put Forest River products at the bottom of the quality list among those shown there.
The Brinkley is a good brand too, but it looks to me like the models they are offering are very different design than we see here in the US. And I can't say if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Might be a good thing if it is built to EU standards from the ground up.
The Brinkley is a good brand too, but it looks to me like the models they are offering are very different design than we see here in the US. And I can't say if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Might be a good thing if it is built to EU standards from the ground up.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,550
From: Media PA
From the looks of your pictured truck camper (it seems like a very nice custom fabricated unit) you may be disappointed with the assembly line built fifth wheel campers available. Different animals………..
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,909
From: unfortunately Germany
I'm still at the very beginning of my search and have no experience.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 110
From: Lakeland, Fl
I've owned 2 5th wheels since 2012, both 30 ft and purchased used. My current rig is a 2016 Grand Design bought in 2022. We decided on a floorplan and manufacturer and then spent a year looking for a used one. I never considered new due to the ridiculous high cost and then having to rely on a dealer for warranty repairs. I would only consider new if I wasn't able to make repairs myself. The fit and finish on most rigs is poor, but if the basic construction is sound, someone with basic skills can make it a dependable rig.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 1,030
I would not even consider an RV if I could not fix it myself. ALL RV's are junk. They look good, but the build quality is just enough to get them to the dealership. Once it's there, they don't care if it goes much past that.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 1,635
RVs are no different from cars - they're going to have varying levels of build quality from brand to brand, but care and maintenance are still key. And painfully few people know how to care for anything. The last RV we bought new we still have, and other than a few issues the first year that were fixed free, I haven't had to fix anything on it (knock on wood).
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 1,030
There are a lot more regulation with cars than RV's, I've been working on German cars since the late 70's. I'm working on a 65 230SL right now, it's in better shape than my RV. You are not going to buy a RV built in 1965 and expect it to still be on the road.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,909
From: unfortunately Germany
See anymore I prefer to buy NOTHING used. Because no one seems to know how to take care of anything. The last used camper I looked at had trim falling off, torn seat cushions, and the floor in the garage (toy hauler) was ripped up. Sure, I could fix it, but for the price they were asking it should have been IMMACULATE. After having seen several like that in a row, I just stopped looking - if we upgrade we're just going to buy a new one in spring at 'show deal' prices, use it hard all summer, then let them fix anything wrong with it over the winter.
RVs are no different from cars - they're going to have varying levels of build quality from brand to brand, but care and maintenance are still key. And painfully few people know how to care for anything. The last RV we bought new we still have, and other than a few issues the first year that were fixed free, I haven't had to fix anything on it (knock on wood).
RVs are no different from cars - they're going to have varying levels of build quality from brand to brand, but care and maintenance are still key. And painfully few people know how to care for anything. The last RV we bought new we still have, and other than a few issues the first year that were fixed free, I haven't had to fix anything on it (knock on wood).
.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,909
From: unfortunately Germany
There are a lot more regulation with cars than RV's, I've been working on German cars since the late 70's. I'm working on a 65 230SL right now, it's in better shape than my RV. You are not going to buy a RV built in 1965 and expect it to still be on the road.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 110
From: Lakeland, Fl
My problem is that there are only 3 or 4 dealers for these fifthwheelers in Germany. We went to the first one today and all he wanted to do was sell, the advice was zero. My wife wants a large kitchen area as we want to live in it for a longer time. I think for my 2006 F350, 30ft / 10m length is the maximum that makes sense considering the weight.
I bought my last one off Facebook Marketplace.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 14
From: Utah
I Had a 2004 350 with the 6.0. In 2008 I purchased a new 2009 Keystone Montana, 2955rl Fifth wheel, 10k dry weight, 34' . My truck pulled this trailer with out any problems. Towing all loaded I am about 12,500 lbs. Most all my towing is the western US. This year trailer has 2 slides, King bed, I still have this fifth wheel. I have kept it because I know it was built a lot better than what is being sold now.
Someone that I go camping with Has a 1985 Alpenlite fifth wheel. His parents purchased it new and today it is still being used. That brand is no longer around, but I know they are still out there.
Best of luck in your search, Auf Wiedersehn
Someone that I go camping with Has a 1985 Alpenlite fifth wheel. His parents purchased it new and today it is still being used. That brand is no longer around, but I know they are still out there.
Best of luck in your search, Auf Wiedersehn
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 1,635
There are a lot more regulation with cars than RV's, I've been working on German cars since the late 70's. I'm working on a 65 230SL right now, it's in better shape than my RV. You are not going to buy a RV built in 1965 and expect it to still be on the road.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
I don't have anyone fix anything for me. I am certain there are people that can fix stuff, even less that will fix stuff to my standards. As a shop owner, I refuse to hire any employee. I would rather be just another grumpy mechanic than a grumpy shop owner. All my problems are caused by me. So much less problems than if I had someone that worked for me.
My Grand Design 5th wheel was purchased used. Why? Mostly because they stopped making that floor plan/color. I live in the Seattle area and purchased it in Tampa. Why? Because they had the model I wanted and I know Grand Design only made it for about 18 months. It was only 18 months old so there was not much wear/tear from the previous owner.
I'm not saying DON'T buy used if it's what you want and in good shape. I'm saying that you have to be careful, because it's surprisingly easy to put makeup on a pig and sell it, and make it someone else's problem.