Bob and Carol
South Jordan, Utah
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Joined: 09/05/2004
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Have I missed anything before I buy a Laredo 29BH mid sized fifth wheel???
I have been researching 5th wheels in great detail for about 8 months now. Listed below is my criteria:
1.Total height must not exceed 12'. (To fit in garage)
2.Total length 29 to 32.5' max. (To fit in camp ground slots)
3.Bunk house with solid door. (To enable private space without turning living area into a bed room.)
4.Bath room adjacent to master bedroom, not in kitchen next to BH.
5.UVW (dry weight) under 8,000 lbs.
6.NCC (carrying capacity) 2,700 lbs minimum.
This limits me to the best mid size quality I can find. I have boiled it down to the following, all 2005 models. Listed below is my overall personal rankings based on the information available:
1. Laredo 29 BH
2. Wildcat 29BHBP (rear garage)
3. Jazz 2980BH (new 2005 model with rear garage)
4. Cruiser CF30BH (bedroom 2nd slide, but seems more cramped than non BR slides in this size coach)
5. Sprinter
6. Cougar
7. Outback (love the 2nd entry door on the BH, but overall quality appears to be lacking.)
Does anyone have any last minute suggestions or advice before we end up buying the 2005 Laredo 29BH ???
My tow vehicle is a Chevy 2003 4 door short box, Duramax, Allison
Your advice and personal input will be greatly appreciated.
thx,
Bob and Carol, soon to be RVers.
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Super Trucker
Michigan
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Joined: 04/09/2003
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I bet you will regret buying a Laredo. I do, look through the search and you will see all the problems people have with them. Just to give you an idea mine lost 35% value in 3 months. Thats right the same dealer offered 35% less 3 months after we got it, and we were going to get a more expensive unit.
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Tricky TC
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Joined: 03/01/2004
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I totally disagree. Do a search on all of those models/brands and you will find people that are not happy with theirs either!! I can't recall any brand/model that someone doesn't have a complaint about or had a bad experience with. Do the most research you can (including the dealer you plan to purchase from) and odds are you will love your choice. I know we do!
2002 2500HD Duramax/Allison LB CC
2004 Keystone Laredo 29BH 5'r
5 kids and only 1 wife. (even in Utah!)
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dodge_desiel
charlotte hall ,md.
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Joined: 04/06/2003
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We are realey happy with or 03rl.I am sure there are better campers out there but not for the price of the Lerado we paid just over 21000 for ours.Yes we have had minor issues,nothing that I had to take it back to the dealer for!Super trucker what does not lose value after pulling it off of the lotother than a harley.If you pay atention during your walk thru you can pick out a lot of issues then.So here is a vote for buying another if I had it to do all over again
05 ford 350 6.0 diesel crewcab 4x4 loaded ,410-ls:95 dodge 2500 5.9L cummins diesel 4x4,3.54rear 03 Keystone Lerado 27rls
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FisHin2Dmax
Utah
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Joined: 01/25/2004
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Bob & Carol,
Our problem is not the Laredo, it's the local dealer here in our area. Trust me, you will not like having to deal with them when you have warranty issues and you WILL have to take your trailer back to them for normal issues. I'm convinced our Laredo Bunk house is a good trailer for the money, not too many other out there even compare! The problem is the local Laredo Dealer!.
Before you buy the Laredo ( A good trailer with usually a few initial bugs) you might want to take a look at the Holiday Rambler Savoy and it's twin sister the Starwood. It is identical in layout and features of the Laredo. Ardell Brown in Sandy carries the Savoy and right across the street ( RV connectins)is the Monaco/Mckenzie dealer for the StarWood. They are the exact same trailers with different outside graphics and color choices. We personally liked the outside colors better on the Starwood. Also, RV connections prices were much better and the sales and service staff much nicer to deal with. The Savoy/Starwood bunk model is priced in the 24-25K range, a little less than what $(&$* wants for the Laredo. The Savoy/Starwood has the same bunk room layout with 3 bunk option for storage and the enclosed room with pocket door to keep the kids quiet. The overall construction quality of the Savoy/Starwood is superior to the Laredo, but it uses a aluminum flat .040 skin whereas the Laredo is fiberglass ( not gel coated). I personally prefer the fiberglass but the smooth aluminum looks just like fiberglass and is used on all the upper end Holiday ramblers and high end motorhomes. The RV consumer guide rates the Laredo at 2.5 stars and the Savoy/Starwood at 3. The Laredo is rated for vacationing use whereas the Savoy/Starwood is rated for full time.
Resale value on the Savoy/Starwood was rated as much higher. Overall ratings were that different, but enough to warrant taking a look.
Again, I don't think you could go wrong with the Laredo, but our local dealer is not even close to being where they need to be in service faclities and customer service after the sell. ( did you go to the last February RV show and see the people holding signs in the parking lot telling everyone to avoid this dealer? I share their grief!!!) I know $!#!^ has expanded their lot and service bays, that's not the problem, it's their poor after the sell attitude toward it's customers.
Take a look at the Starwood at RV connection or Savoy at Ardells. I think it will help you make your final decision. The dealer will determine as much or more your overall ownership experience than the trailer you buy. Enjoy you new RV!!!
2003 GMC HD 2500 CC 4x4 DuraMax/Allison
2008 Sundance 2900MK
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Bob and Carol
South Jordan, Utah
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Joined: 09/05/2004
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We thank you greatly for taking the time to provide frank input and facts. Additional info has verified your concerns. We have decided not to buy the Laredo. I looked at the Monoco products Savoy and Starwood you suggested some time ago, but will now revisit.
thanks again!!!
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mhend12
Baltimore Md
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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We have the 29gs and find it to be great.LOts of storage. No problems at all . Had it since 1st July and used about 10 times. Did install a awning cradle for extra long awning,left everything else alone Great camper lots of room when opened up and everything works.
Mike and Alicia and Penny and Poppy the shelties
06 F350 CC Long bed 6.0
04 Laredo 29GS
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freeflyfreak
On the road in the West
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Hi,
We (Me, wife, six year old, five year old) have been living full time in a Laredo 29BH and we have very few complaints.
After purchase (2004 model $23400) we required a few repairs under warranty.
1) leaks around almost all windows during heavy rain. Required sealing around exterior. Seemed serious at the time and certainly should have been addressed by the dealer at pick up but was an easy fix.
2) cabinet latch needed moving as the wood had split (repaired it myself)
3) heater duct needed repair it was split
Other than that there are a few changes I would make, having lived in it from the beginning of November 03 until present (end Sept 04). Some of these I belive have been addressed in the 2005 model.
1) get jacknife sofa instead of sleeper... i need the storage more.
2) Bigger refrigerator, our main complaint, was not available as an option.
3) One of the gray water dump valves is located under the slide, difficult to get to.
4) Bigger fresh water tank.
5) If I had it to do all over again I may pony up more money and get a unit with a bedroom slide. You get more storage that way. But I wouldnt go longer, we barely fit in most of the niceset places as it is.
6) get a hitch mounted for our bike carrier. As we found out the bumper wont handle the weight..........Ooooops.
Good luck and Have fun.
Steve
Steven, Michele, Alice and Tom.
Michele Henderson, Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach REALTOR.
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SammyBoy
Ocala,Fl.
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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Have 29GR and so far have had only minor problems. Would purchase the same model again if I had to do it over.
Rich, Jill and Richie
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dmcgiffin
Idaho Falls, Id.
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Joined: 02/27/2004
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We have had only minor problems that we fixed ourselves - have not had it back to dealer once since purchased a year ago. Traveled over 4,000 miles this summer and really like the unit and floor plan. When we retire - then it will be a different story. Trade the unit for something built for much more use.
Doug and Cathy
2003 F250/HD4WD Turbo Diesel 4 Door
2008 Everest 330B Reese 16K Slider
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