Best (or worst) Fifth Wheel to buy?

[DianeD]

Hi! I currently have a 29.5bhok Jayco and am looking to upgrade to a 36 ft.+ rear living Fifth Wheel. I am struggling on which brand to buy based on all the issues that I have had with my Jayco. Does anyone have a Fifth Wheel that they love? Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on which ones to stay away from..... Thank you so much!

 

[FL-JOE]

I guess my initial thought is none of them are perfect. We have owned two different brands of fivers, Keystone Montana and now a Heartland Cyclone. The floor plans we have had are the larger models (39' to 44') with MSRPs in the $100,000 to $125,000 range. I have found that these have had larger frame rails and the side walls seems to be constructed better. We have had minor issues with all of them but nothing major.

I would first find a floor plan that you like in a model that you can tow with your current truck. Then start doing a little research on the history of that specific make. Owner's forums can be a good place to check for common issues with certain makes/models.

We have had our Heartland for just a few months. We are very happy with our purchase. I only have two issues that need fixed under warranty and might be difficult to get done as full timers. Our ice maker doesn't work (LG frig) and one of the fantastic fans is detective. Since I can't easily take it to my selling dealer (1,300 miles away) I will have to find another dealer to do the work which is sometimes almost impossible. The Heartland factory won't do warranty repairs unless it is something really major that dealers can't handle.

Oh, and by the way, if you are looking at new dealer stock on a fiver you want to start negotiations around 32% to 35% off MSRP. Be sure to locate the exact make/model/color you want at several dealers around the country before you go to the first dealer and start dealing.

 

[DianeD]

Thank you for your help! I have a 3500 GMC Duali so pulling won't be an issue - but I love your feedback on construction and warranty and negotiating - that is a huge help! I really appreciate it.

 

[Calsun]

Hi! I currently have a 29.5bhok Jayco and am looking to upgrade to a 36 ft.+ rear living Fifth Wheel. I am struggling on which brand to buy based on all the issues that I have had with my Jayco. Does anyone have a Fifth Wheel that they love? Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on which ones to stay away from..... Thank you so much!

If I was buying a 5th wheel trailer it would be one built for 4-season use with adequate insulation. As for problem brands and years I would go to the individual forums for each manufacturer's products. I would also be aware of the model years with problems as what may have been an issue 10 years ago may not be a problem with more recent model years, and vice versa. Searching on "jayco" and "problem" is going to be more productive in researching trailers.

RV manufacturers use the same plumbing and appliances so it comes down to how well the frame is constructed and the roof type and wiring for solar and battery bank layout and other issues that would be my concerns.

 

[ArizonaAJ]

I like what I see in the Grand Design series as I look for a good 5th wheel. I think one dealer website I looked at said “lifetime warranty”. I current have a 19 ft Cruiser Shadow that I pull with a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel. It all works fine, but just to crowded for the longer trips. I am looking at the Grand Design Reflection series and the 260RD. It is about 30 ft., and 9,997 gross weight. Of course I then need a pickup and thinking the RAM 2500 diesel might be my ticket.

 

[R42nova]

Hi! I currently have a 29.5bhok Jayco and am looking to upgrade to a 36 ft.+ rear living Fifth Wheel. I am struggling on which brand to buy based on all the issues that I have had with my Jayco. Does anyone have a Fifth Wheel that they love? Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on which ones to stay away from..... Thank you so much!

We upgraded from a travel trailer to a keystone Laredo 325rsl, it’s rear living with a couch that folds out to a bed and has the 2 recliners, very roomy, has plenty of storage space (I’m still trying to fill it up) we picked it up last sept and just now camping in it. Absolutely love it, and love how it tows versus towing a travel trailer

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Sometimes I can't help but giggle like a little girl. two phrases set this off. first one is lifetime warranty, must mean a good product. This is because I have had two rigs that were sold with such a warranty. Both manufacturers were not in business when I bought them. The other phrase is we are going green as a country. This one makes me laugh because I have had a machine shop and know how much green energy it would require to make the shop viable.

For the record I have only met happy grand design owners.

 

[OTH]

First, I agree that it doesn't matter what you buy. They're all gonna have issues. That being said, I really like our KZ Durango Gold 356. Its the right size, weight, and quality. I love (almost) everything about it. Great trailer.

 

[Banned Again]

It really depends upon your budget. What's the budget?

 

[NGC 613]

I had a Grand Design. Sold it after 1 year . Poor craftsmanship just like so many others out of Indiana. The worker pool is the same. I know a lot of GD owners with issues. Like posted above go to the individual manufacture forums web sites. Read what the owners say and ask questions there. The owners are the best way to find out.

 

[Banned Again]

I had a Grand Design. Sold it after 1 year . Poor craftsmanship just like so many others out of Indiana. The worker pool is the same. I know a lot of GD owners with issues. Like posted above go to the individual manufacture forums web sites. Read what the owners say and ask questions there. The owners are the best way to find out.

Our Solitude was about a year old when the wood-grain vinyl wrap on the doors started to peel off on the edges. The GD quality of build is typical for the price range. Their customer service is above average however. IMHO.

 

[DKRITTER]

We are now out of the 5th wheel market, having bought a MH. We as they say graduated through the system of RV's.
We had a Forest River 5th wheel we bought new. We had a major electrical issue shortly after purchasing and both the selling dealer and FR would not step up and take care of it. I finally fixed it myself and worked through the poor workmanship over and over again. So I would never buy any Forest River product again. I don't want to be just a number on a spreadsheet.

We looked hard at New Horizons and really liked them. I think Luxe was probably 2nd on our list and then Beacon.

 

[NGC 613]

Some friends of ours own a Beacon. They have been all over the road and back over the last 2 years. They love it. Not one issue with it. While I'm not sure about Luxe , I always see good reports on both New Horizons and Vanleighs. A good choice either way for upscale 5th wheels and full timing.

 

[FL-JOE]

Luxe and some of the other fivers that approach and exceed $200,000 are great units, or at least most of the reviews claim they are.

Looks like DianeD hasn't been back since October so there is no way to know what there purchasing budget was in the first place. Maybe they will return and let us know what, or if, they ended up with.

 

[Donincanada59]

Not sure if you bought anything yet...but Grand Design is good. Customer service was as good as people say. Any issue I had was resolved. I had a 337RLS Fifth wheel and only sold as we couldn't cross the border and wanted a smaller unit once things settle down...I am CDN and want to go to the USA