Yellow Rose
Texas
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Joined: 11/18/2008
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We are contemplating full-timing, workamping, etc. Fuzzy target is late 2010 or early 2011. There's so much to arrange and discard! 
We have an '08 F350 4x4 with towing package. In beginning our search for "the" 5th wheel, anyone have any thoughts on what would be reasonable in length, manufacturer, etc. with not having a dually?
We purchased the truck this summer, replacing a Tahoe. We currently tow a 26' bumper-pull with no problem with the F350. Actually, the truck says "Trailer, what trailer? Thought you were gonna put something back there!"
I'm learning so much reading the forum but would appreciate some thoughts on towing with our current truck. We like the Montana by Keystone...
Thanks so much!
1 Texan, 1 Scotsman, 1 Heinz 57
2003 Tahoe
2008 Fleetwood Mallard
5 bicycles of various breeds
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jimtoo
Now, Ultra Perfect
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Joined: 10/23/2004
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Your truck should do a good job on just about any 5er with a gross of about 14-16k.
Check out the Heartland RVs BigHorn and Big Country line,,, plus the others in the Heartland lineup also. Great units, good quality, great customer support.
Jim
Happy Camping
Drive Safe
Jim & Bette
Kerrville Sweetheart VIII Rally
George West Storyfest
04 GMC 3500, CC,Dually,Duramax,Allison
CB Radio, Prodigy, Turboliner, Ride Rites
08 Bighorn by Heartland, 3055RL, Trailair Pinbox, Equaflex.
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Bob Wetherbee`
Hemlock, MI
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Joined: 02/06/2008
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A very good choice on Trucks. You didn't say if it was disel or gas, but either way your going to be happy with it. On the 5er? Shop until you drop. Make notes on ammenities you like on each one you find and make sure you compare the list to your final choice. On the fulltiming? Just be absolutely sure it's what you want.. I have talked to a lot of campers and seems like 50% of the ones that tried fulltiming gave it up after 3 or 4 years. Don't get me wrong, it could be the greatest experience in the world for you, just be sure about it now. Good luck and be sure to keep the rest of us updated
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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A 3500 what ?? DRW vs SRW has a 2000 lb difference in rear axle payload capacity. The 2500/3500 size truck have the same engine/drivetrain so they have the same ability at pulling the same weight.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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Yellow Rose
Texas
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Joined: 11/18/2008
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Bob,
Thanks for your thoughts. The truck's a diesel. My first pickup, first Ford and first diesel. Love it so far!
We have just started seriously researching 5ers. I grew up with bumper pulls, starting when I was literally a babe in arms, so the RV thing is not new to me. In fact, I do the towing! Have taken the rig out w/the hubby and solo. I already know many of the technical specs I want and floorplan scenarios, it's just looking, looking looking until we find what we want within our budget and waiting until the time is right. Hopefully within the next 12 months.
Full-timing has been a dream of mine for years before I remarried, was going to go solo. My DH is from Scotland, so showing him our beautiful US is something we'd like to do.
We are already in a similar scenario; we are resident mgrs of a self-storage facility. Our residence and utilities are provided, etc. We can either wait until we're "retirement age" (we're closer than many) and hope our health is still intact, or we can get out there and do it, with an "escape" plan in place.
We both sold our properties and belongings to start a new life together a few years go, so divesting ourselves of stuff to hit the road would not be that big a stretch.
Again, thanks for your input and support.
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Yellow Rose
Texas
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Jim,
It's a Ford F350 turbo diesel, 4x4, SRW with towing package.
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GeeksRUs
Sundre Alberta
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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I've had a Big Horn from Heartland for 28 months. I am not happy with this units as I am constantly replacing/fixing things. Heartland's workmanship is very poor & they use inferior components in the rigs, especially components from Lippert.
The failures I've had with Lippert components include broken lift motor, broken leaf spring which cause extensive damage, broken lift system reduction gear which I'll replace today, etc. It seems that even when Heartland knows about a problem on many units they don't undertake to correct these on units that they are building.
Also, I have found that their customer service is lacking in that the don't return phone calls/emails. I believe that they can't as they are TOO BUSY addressing the numerous problems that the customers encounter.
Regarding Montanas, I understand that they have moved away from Lippert frames so that is a positive plus for them.
I know the majority of units have Lippert components but be aware of the many problems that are encountered with these.
Eh!
GeeksRUs
2008 Big Horn 3400RL
2008 Dodge RAM3500, Quad, Cummins, 4x4, Dually, LongBox
RV Home Base @ Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort, Sundre Alberta
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Gaetan
Jonquiere, Qc. Canada
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Joined: 05/21/2002
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Yellow rose
Take time to make up your mind we have changed 5th wheel 3 times in the first 2 years we now have a 2004 Everest 323k and what we particularly like is the floor plan if we were to change we would try to get a very simular set up the table by the entrance door and the living room in the back.
I would look for double windows and better insulation because we live up north.
but as far as the floor plan it would be the same if possible a few feet less
good luck
Gaetan
Gaetan St-Hilaire
2004 silverado 4/4 2500HD long box Duramax/Allison
2003 everest 323k
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cdrcos
St. Paul, MN
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Joined: 12/13/2001
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Yellow Rose,
Looks like you have the truck pretty well covered.
Regarding a fifth wheel, you should be aware there is a "consumer reports" for RV's. As I have in the past on this forum, I would urge you, or anyone else planning to buy an RV, to get a copy of the RV Consumer's Group ratings guide (CD). The will give you some objective information and ratings on the different models out there. Yes, the guide costs about $125 or so, but that is pretty insignificant when you're going to spend $40-50K+ on a fifth wheel. (You may be able to find the guide in some libraries). The RV Consumers Group website is: www.rv.org
They will have the current ratings and past ratings, which also go back a ways, in case you look at a more recent used unit. We have used the guide to purchase our last 3 RV's and found the ratings to be pretty accurate. The RV before we discovered the ratings was a piece of junk and we wish we had known about the guide then. (The guide accurately predicted it was poor in quality.) There are models out there that are better rated for the same money with the same features. Unless you're an expert on RV's (which we are not), think about it. Don't believe anything that RV salespeople tell you and only about half of what RV owners tell you about their rigs. They are not objective after having made a decision and sinking $40-50K+ into their rigs. They want to believe they got the best.
Good Luck!
Joe & Barb
2002 F-350,PSD,Crew Cab
2003 HH II LS 32.5 UKTG
*finally retired! *
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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I am towing a 34' Montana behind my '07 F350 CC 6.0 LB SRW and it tows it great. You should have no problem towing even a longer Montana.
Love the Montana. And there is a very active Montana Owners Website for info and help when owning one. You will find many there towing 38' with F250s. But an F350 would be much better.
If you are not totally ready for retirement, then workamping may be something to consider. Stay and work a few months at one park in one part of the country, then move on and do the same at another.
* This post was
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