Dog Folks
Naples, Fl. USA
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Joined: 11/09/2003
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We have been offered, money wise, what we consider a nice offer on trading in our unit for 37 foot Sierra Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler by Forest River.
We presently full time in a 29 foot tow behind Outback and carry a motorcycle and handicap scooter in the bed of our truck.
The fifth wheel seems so much larger and easier to “live in”. Towing is not a concern as we have enough truck in our Dodge 3500 Dually with a Cummins Turbo Diesel.
Some of the difference we see are is that our unit has: 1. Aluminum Frame, 2. Fiberglass sides. 3. Premium Dexter Axles. 4. After four years, it is modified just the way we like it. 5. 2006 model vs. a 2003 model
Some of the advantages of the 5th wheel: 1. Easier to live in. 2. Bigger. 3. More Storage areas. 4. Possibly better towing 5. Certainly easier to load and unload. 6. Has a 4 KW Generator, and a fuel station.
All the other appliances, etc. seem to be identical.
Has anyone had experience with this model or brand? Good and Bad?
Your help and time is appreciated.
Camping Rig:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS
We also have with us two "fur babies". A Basset Hound and a Chihuahua mix. Both are rescue dogs.
Fulltimer since June 2006
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fly-boy
Los Angeles, CA
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Joined: 11/05/2004
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You are gonna want a second AC on a 37 footer- and a 4kw gennie is not going to have enough power to run a second AC at the same time- Obviously not a problem if you are always in a park.
Also- I can't see trading in a 2006 for a 2003 even with more room.
2012 GMC 3500 SLT Duramax
2009 WW HKD plus 4 feet
2008 Custom Rhino
2005 CRF 450
2008 KTM 50
2006 KFX 50...
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roller183
Surprise,Az
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Joined: 08/10/2005
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I had a Forest River F37 SP for a couple years. I actually lived in it for 9 months. It was a good unit and held up well to full timing. I had a couple small issues.
The inverter went out as I was using all 12v lighting all the time. I realized that it was not designed for full time and bought some 110 lights. No problems after that. Had Chinese tires on it. Changed those.
All in all, I wish I had it now instead of the F40SPTS I have.
It had the 4KW gen which was fine. Actually the 1 A/C unit cooled the whole RV pretty well. The unit I have now has 2 A/C's and we 90% only use the 1 main unit.
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Dog Folks
Naples, Fl. USA
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Joined: 11/09/2003
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roller183 wrote:I had a Forest River F37 SP for a couple years. I actually lived in it for 9 months. It was a good unit and held up well to full timing. I had a couple small issues.
The inverter went out as I was using all 12v lighting all the time. I realized that it was not designed for full time and bought some 110 lights. No problems after that. Had Chinese tires on it. Changed those.
All in all, I wish I had it now instead of the F40SPTS I have.
It had the 4KW gen which was fine. Actually the 1 A/C unit cooled the whole RV pretty well. The unit I have now has 2 A/C's and we 90% only use the 1 main unit.
Thanks for info. It is appreciated.
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glamisorbust
Arizona
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Joined: 10/14/2009
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I have a 2001 Sierra forest river 33' 5th wheel toyhauler. I bought it a little over 2 years ago. I have had plenty of problems with it. The build quaiity is sub-par to other units I have owned. The fit and finish is just not there. I have had numerous problems with the plumbing due to the trailer not being plumbed correctly from the factory. Mine only has a 4800 watt generator. It will push my single a/c nicely, but not a 2nd(not that I need it). I personally would never own another forest river/sierra product. I would stick to fuzion, raptor, or rage'n. For a toyhauler as large as the one you are looking at, it needs to have another a/c unit, or at least enough generator to push two at the same time. You will need something with a generator at least 5500 watts. Onan builds a great generator, and the 5500 onan marquis gold generator is so quiet you almost can't even hear it 10 feet away. Hope this helps.
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roller183
Surprise,Az
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Joined: 08/10/2005
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I am taking a close look myself at Artic Fox line of units. they seem to be very well built. Hard to find though.
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AandJnMI
grass lake
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Joined: 12/08/2009
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I had one. It was heavy. 13,400 empty, 5.5k onan, two slides, second roof air in bedroom, almost never used it. Traded it on a 2010 cougar 276 rls. Wanted something smaller for ease of use.
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