Byrogie
Okotoks
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Joined: 06/24/2010
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Doing my due diligence before buying a new fifth-wheel. This part is gathering info from your experiences picking up a new rv at the factory.
At this point we have not decided on a manufacturer, so all input is appreciated.
We will be buying a new truck as well, and thought it might be fun to make a vacation out of the whole experience.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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It would help to know what state you are in, and if you want to pick it up before the spring thaw, and if you want to drive through 2 feet of snow to a northern factory or not. Not much fun to pick one up in Ohio in the winter, then TRY camping on the way back home to Idaho.
There are some truck sales places in Utah that offer great internet truck pricing, and they already know how to register your new truck in your home state, get the sales tax paid, and forms filled out.
At least if you get a quote from them for say $39,595 for a dually diesel, and you go to your local dealership who says the sticker says $55,575, and I can't go a penny lower than $52,995! Anything less and I will be loosing money! you know it is a song and dance.
Good luck picking out the RV of your dreams, and the truck too! It helps to pick out both at the same time, so you don't say buy a 3/4 ton truck then find out that the fifth wheel is 11,000 pounds with a 2,200 pound hitch weight, and the truck you just bought will not handle that much hitch weight!
You might pick one out that is wonderful, then see a Montana fifth wheel with the fireplace, dual recliners, and is 15,500 pounds with a 3,100 pound hitch weight once loaded and ready to go. That might take a special truck, 3500 dually or F-350 single rear wheel truck with a 4,100 pound cargo rating.
Remember that ALL manufactures weight are just suggestions, and that loaded weight will be a lot more than the DRY weight on one trailer built last year with no options then taken to a scale.
And that when GMC says "You can tow a 14,500 pound fifth wheel with a 2500 truck" they mean that very rare and difficult to find fifth wheel with a 1,000 pound hitch weight, so that you can still take along the grandkids, and wife. Most fifth wheels have 25% of the trailer's overall weight on the hitch pin, that can be into the 2,500 - 3,300 pound range with some trailers. Difficult enough for a 1 ton truck to handle, some will require a daul rear wheel truck.
Whatever you do. next thing is to get a towing brochure from the big three. It will explain the GVWR, GAWR, GCVWR and list the weight ratings of the various trucks in the lineup. You will notice that most trucks when you get the supercab, or crewcab, the cargo rating goes down. Same with a 450 pound diesel engine option. That truck with a 2,500 pound cargo rating is a regular cab gas engine model, 2 WD, not with the 400 pound 4 wheel drive option, or 400 pound crewcab option.
Once you narrow it down, post the prostective truck and trailer. Someone who owns that brand might chime in and say they had problems or good things to say about that brand. I know a guy with a Cedar Creek, and he has wonderful things to say about his brand.
He also has a air ride hitch, and says that is a great thing too, keeps the trailer from bouncing so much.
Fred.
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camperbuds3
NE Pennsylvania
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Joined: 08/23/2003
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Keep in mind, some manufacturers will not permit a retail customer to pick up their new RV at the factory.
We are considering ordering a new TT. Just this week, we had the same idea in mind. Make a vacation excursion to pick up the TT at the factory when it was finished and ready to ship. Eliminating the transportation cost would have helped pay for the trip. But no, the manufacturer we chose does not allow this. Probably has to do with dealer prep and PDI.
2006 Sunline T-2075 TT
2009 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab
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ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
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Plan on staying at the pickup point for a few extra days so you can leave the rig or go back to the dealer / factory so they can fix everything you find wrong during the PDI and after a couple of days of use.
2009 Komfort 256TS
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins DRW
2005 Dodge Durango Limited AWD HEMI
2001 Sebring Convertible
1995 Miata M-Edition
2005 DRZ400
1 Wife  2 teenage Boys 
1 Trixie (Bichon Frise)
Only 23 years to retirement!!!!
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Two Hands
California's Central Coast
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You might also want to think about where you will be able to get your warranty work done. Depending on what brand you buy there may not be an authorized warranty service provider in your area. And, unfortunately, some dealers will refuse to provide warranty work because you did not buy from them. Good luck.
2011 Fleetwood Southwind 32VS
2009 Ford Edge
Retired Law Enforcement
U.S. Army 1965-1973/RVN 1968-'69
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Byrogie
Okotoks
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Joined: 06/24/2010
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Yes, the combination of truck and trailer is important. Have already decided that the truck will be a one ton diesel, only decision left there is single or dually. That decision will be made when we find the right trailer.
We live in Alberta, so much research to do.....
This is probably a 2 or 3 year project, and will be timed for the summer.
Thanks
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Chris
Shelter Bay, Wa
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Buy a NuWa HHII, no problem picking up a top quality fifth wheel at their Factory. Probably will get a lunch with Mike Mitchell CEO. Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
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stickdog
29.820224, 81.94542
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NUWA Hitchhiker 5th wheels are available direct from the factory.
9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
04 HitchHiker DA LS 33.5 RLTG
09 F350 CC DRW 4X4
John
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu
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Roger10378
Goodrich, MI.
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I wouldn't but the truck that way. No one recommends towing with a new truck. It needs some break in miles before towing.
2005 Cardinal 30TS
2007 Chevy 2500HD D/A
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jalichty
Lander, Wyoming 82520
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I don't think many of the factories will sell directly, but I have been looking on the net for new fifth-wheels and there are two internet sellers in the town where Jayco is manufactured so it's pretty close to factory pick-up. The other dealer I talked to, in Iowa, has a transportation charge even if you pick it up at their site. The charge is much less than their delivery charge, however. The ones in Indiana have no stated transportation charge.
John A. Lichty
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