CJW8
Arizona
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Joined: 10/18/2007
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My forest River Sierra is very nice and very stout! I've made several upgrades requiring several holes to be drilled and have found the construction is very well done. I would consider FR again someday.
2004 F350 PSD FX4 SB CC, Banks Cold Air Intake, Banks 4" turbo back exhaust
18,000 Superglide
2003 37SP Forest River Sierra Toyhauler (40')
2008 Polaris RZR
405 Watts of Kyocera solar panels, Rogue 3024 Charge Controller
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gbsb
Mt Pleasant Texas
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Joined: 02/21/2007
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We have a Keystone Fuzion 383 Touring Edition 11 wich is a 40' 5th wheel with 3 axles. We full time in it and haul a Harley TriGlide about 1200 pounds, plus tools and all the stuff we own. We pull it with a 01 GMC dually. Pulled it to Alaska and back to Texas last year 16000 miles time we made the years travels. No problems so far love our home, I know this is larger than you are looking for but just saying it is holding up well and made good, works for us any way. Wife myself and two small dogs a Yorkie and a Poodle and one Harley. Good luck with your search. George
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Joined: 03/04/2002
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The reality is that you can't rule any one brand in or out based on the frame or going out of business. Each manufacturer produces some lemons and some gems, and this economy has wreaked havoc on the RV industry. There are some that deserved to die off and some that were just not managed as well as they should be.
If you can find a good used RV at the right price and do your own detailed inspection you can spot the lemons (in most cases) and probably find just what you need and can afford. Buying from a dealer is no better then private party either, if any thing a some dealers know how to sell a junk trailer better then an individual.
As you get closer to looking at specific ones search here and ask here, also you can pick up a good but generic Pre-Delivery Inspection here.
Good luck in your quest.
Our RV: '07 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
Our Toys: Four Winns Horizon 190, Polaris Sportsman 500's & Honda Recon's
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bioman
Pullman
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Joined: 01/28/2009
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Y-Guy wrote:As you get closer to looking at specific ones search here and ask here, also you can pick up a good but generic Pre-Delivery Inspection here.
Thanks!
2012 Shockwave 23FSMX
2010 Dodge 3500 SRW, G56, full deletes
2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic
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DenverRick
colorado
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Joined: 01/24/2012
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gbsb wrote:We have a Keystone Fuzion 383 Touring Edition 11 wich is a 40' 5th wheel with 3 axles. We full time in it and haul a Harley TriGlide about 1200 pounds, plus tools and all the stuff we own. We pull it with a 01 GMC dually. Pulled it to Alaska and back to Texas last year 16000 miles time we made the years travels. No problems so far love our home, I know this is larger than you are looking for but just saying it is holding up well and made good, works for us any way. Wife myself and two small dogs a Yorkie and a Poodle and one Harley. Good luck with your search. George
Thanks George, I appreciate your input, We have decided to keep it under 30 ft, but Im glad to hear that a 01 dually pulls 40 without problems, I shouldnt have any issues with a 28-30.
01 duramax dually crewcab 4x4
08 Harley Ultra
04 Harley heritage
1995 9.6 Lance cabover
2007 Thor 285FW Transport Rocky Mtn edition
various N sundry trailers
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youngtravelers
Baker City , Oregon, USA
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Joined: 01/23/2004
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Look at a trailer that is built to seem balanced or over the axles, there were the earlier trailers that were built with all the holding tanks, fuel tanks, kitchen etc in the very front fo the trailer. that way there was room for the toys. HOWEVER. these trailers were very tongue heavy, especially when there was no counter weight in the back. Some of them ended up ripping off the reciever from the Tow vehicle. I have personally seen 3 of these.
also avoid these "lights" or untra lights" that have large circles cut into the frame to save wieght. this makes the frames flex when loaded over gravel or forest service roads, maybe some highways also.
also if you can afford it, buy one that has the tanks, tucked up inside the frame rails and insulated or at least covered. this solves many problems. and reduced accidental "drag" damage.
Young Travelers:C[blue]:)
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
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OldGreaser
South Texas
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Joined: 02/13/2010
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One special item to get a close look at is the rear door. There have been failures & you should search this forum. Get a look at the frame and fasteners and watch out for rust or other evidence of water getting into the door itself. Look for any evidence of cracking or distortion. You can use a flashlight and get a really good look on the inside as well as out. If at all possible get the seller to open the door for a close look.
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Born2RV
Miami, FL. USA
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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Don't count on factory support unless you research the company and make sure it is the same company that manufactured the 5th wheel. A number of manufacturers went out of business, but a new owner picked up the name and line. As a result the new owner is not providing warranty service to any models prior to the switch.
Terry
2007 Freightliner M2 Mountain Master (will work for fuel!)
2006 KZ New Vision Sportster
former 2006 F250
former KZ Sportster 29p
former 1995 Coach House 192TB
Live long & prosper
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DenverRick
colorado
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Joined: 01/24/2012
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Born2RV wrote:Don't count on factory support unless you research the company and make sure it is the same company that manufactured the 5th wheel. A number of manufacturers went out of business, but a new owner picked up the name and line. As a result the new owner is not providing warranty service to any models prior to the switch.
Terry
Thanks Terry,
Yeah Im buying used and just dont expect much in the way of factory support. From what Ive read even when you buy new factory support/warranty is pretty iffy...
But then why should RV's be any different than anything else.
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nvreloader
Western Nevada
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Joined: 12/08/2006
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Take a good look at the Northwoods Desert Fox series of TH, Built to work and play hard, a HD 4season RV. NW makes it's OWN frames that are HD and are made in La Grande,Or. If in doubt, take a tour when they are building them, bring your camera, well worth the time and trouble etc.
Don
2010 F-350,6.4PSD, 6spd man trans,CC,SWB,SRW, Caravan camper shell,50 gal bed tank,17,000lb Husky WD hitch,2008 28KS Desert Fox TH,2005 Honda 500 Rubicon ATV w/rumble seat,2 Aussie's waiting,watching and ridin shotgun on the whole outfit.
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