5th wheel travel trailer construction

[Addicting]

I’m reading and researching 5th wheel brands. Have any of you had any experiences with wear and tear of cross country travel? I’ve read on a couple different forums how the highways just shake them apart after a few seasons. Trying to see if one brand stands above the others.

 

[wolfpup]

I had a lower budget 5th wheel that was wood framed and now a aluminum framed 5th wheel. I can tell you I shook apart the wood framed one twice, but could cobble it back together easier. It was a palomino puma which is a Forest River Manufacturer. I now have an aluminum frame Forest River Wildcat and it is holding together and much more stable. So I will be sticking to aluminum frames from now on.

 

[Moserkr]

Parents have a 44' grand design 5th wheel, fancy palace on wheels. It's an absolute pile, bought just before covid time. They have had constant issues with it. They are full timers. Pretty much all of them are built like crap though - cheap material to cut cost and weight.

I have a 30' cougar TT that I rent out and it spends its life in the mountains. Bumpy, windy roads, some highway. Longest trip was out to WY for elk with it. Ive had a lot less problems than them and mine is also a pre-covid unit. Actually very happy with our trailer despite its cheap construction and minor issues.

I definitely take my time towing, traveling slow, trying to avoid potholes and big bumps. The trailers just don't take them well. You know you had a good tow when you get there and all your cups/dishes are still sitting where you left em in the cabinet.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I don't own one, but just watching a lot of rv videos, check out the Brinkley.

 

[Addicting]

Parents have a 44' grand design 5th wheel, fancy palace on wheels. It's an absolute pile, bought just before covid time. They have had constant issues with it. They are full timers. Pretty much all of them are built like crap though - cheap material to cut cost and weight.

That is one of the brands I was looking at. Those start at over 140k. A used one, 2-3 years old is 50-60k. I was wondering why it takes almost 100k loss so quickly.

 

[IDFireLass]

I would look at Arctic Fox brand and totally stay away from the cheaper stuff even though nothing is cheap now a days.

 

[belshawelk]

I have had 3 of them. just think of a 8.0 earthquake all day long. That's what the trailer goes through when going down road.

How you store stuff and drive make all the difference.

 

[witski65]

RV's are at 100% mark up(coming straight from a RV sales persons mouth). The second you drive or tow them off the lot they loose 50% of their value. Find a gently used one.

 

[npaden]

I’ve heard good things about the ATC brand trailers. Somewhat basic without the bells and whistles but supposed to be well built. A little pricey but not terrible.

 

[Moserkr]

That is one of the brands I was looking at. Those start at over 140k. A used one, 2-3 years old is 50-60k. I was wondering why it takes almost 100k loss so quickly.

There was a frame (lippert) recall on the larger grand designs to the point where grand design issued a recall and 5 year extended warranty. The slides have lots of issues, gears have eaten the rails more than once. Fridge issues. Panels and trim falling off. Leaks from plumbing designed incorrectly. Suspension issues - cracked parts. Bent axle (theirs were upgraded from 7k to 8k already too). Im sure I could go on. Thats why a $140k rv will depreciate so low. Stay away from the newer grand designs. Pre 2020 were built better from what I understand.

 

[WYORAM]

I would look at Arctic Fox brand and totally stay away from the cheaper stuff even though nothing is cheap now a days.

This^^.

 

[El Jason]

Outdoors RV/Nash/Arctic Fox.

 

[CRJR45]

I bought a Cougar lite 28 . It was a great unit for the price ,$31K in 2012 .
It started leaking grey water , but only if the tank got full , from the start .
Warranty was a joke , never did get it right .
Sold it for $15 and was glad to get it , five years later .

 

[Addicting]

Outdoors RV/Nash/Arctic Fox.

I have an outdoors now and the structure is a solid platform but the construction leaves a bit to be desired. They cut corners, things don’t line up, and it’s not the that functional. It’s superior to what is pumped out here in Middlebury, Indiana. But not something I would want to take across the states. Too heavy and the layout isn’t great.

Artic Fox has a better layout, I may need to go and actually step into one and see it.

 

[Moserkr]

@Addicting Fit and finish will be the #1 clue to how well a trailer is built. Unfortunately they will all fall short in this respect until you get to the highest level, non mass production companies. Our cougar is a "luxury" model, one of keystones highest grades, and its quality is on par with a single wide trailer park home that was bought used from meth heads. The walls are paper thin, everything is veneer and wall paper, lippert parts are cheap chinese junk. Its just how they build em.