mwebber78
Maine
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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To be honest, in that price range (in my RV show browsing) the Carriage product is better built at it's price point then most any other. Everything from solid surface counters, solid wood cabinets, double boxed flooring/framing, Dexter axle/Morryde system, hung automotive high gloss fiberglass, residential level fixtures, etc.
I think you will find a big difference in units once you look under, around and behind dead panels and such.
Michael 
2 DD's and my DW 
6 Acre's in Southern Maine
2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB
2008 Chevy 2500HD LT 4X4
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JR45
Warren/OR/USA
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Joined: 03/17/2002
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Yellow Rose
Out of all the 5ers made or should I say still made, Excel is the only one that I would buy. Everything is made in house, frames--front&rear caps, walls, furniture. Have a look http://www.excelrvs.com/5th-wheels
I have a pin wt of 2700lbs over the truck scale's and I can go up to 3800lbs, that would get me into a 32' t0 34' 5er if we went full time.
JR
06 F350 4x4 PSD Lariat FX4 CC LB
Coolant Filtration System
PressurePro Monitors
2003 Alpenlite Limited
Fifth Airborne
Ridgewood 30RK
3 Slides
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Bob Wetherbee`
Hemlock, MI
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Joined: 02/06/2008
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Sounds like, from the limited information you have us that your in good shape for this 5er. I'm not sure if your in need of the airbags or if this was a personal preference? But, CDRCOS gave you some good advice and I would follow it, if I were you. Besides half the fun of ownership is in the prep and anticipation. So enjoy. See you out there sometime.
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Dustytuu
Somewhere in the USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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I agree with the poster that said Cameo's are good. Also you might want to look at Hitchhiker.
Carriage make their own frames. Great customer service with the factory. Carriage has their own RV park and a very nice one too! 20 full hook ups. Carriage owners can use this whether traveling through or getting work done on units. And it is free.
You will like the solid build on a Carriage unit. Attention to detail. Livability of their units.
We have owned four 5th wheels and this one is the best, in our opinion.
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie, pressure pro. RBW hitch 22K.
2008 Carriage Carri-Lite, 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/
Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Joined: 03/19/2004
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Having had 3 fivers and fulltiming nearly nine years, my biggest suggestion would be to get the arctic package. Dual panes, heated tanks and lines, insulation all help, both summer and winter.
Have a grand time...there is nothing like the freedom of fulltiming!
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
HAM WB6N (Terry)
2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
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NEVERSWEAT7
Bakersfield, Ca. USA
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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DianneOK wrote:Having had 3 fivers and fulltiming nearly nine years, my biggest suggestion would be to get the arctic package. Dual panes, heated tanks and lines, insulation all help, both summer and winter.
Have a grand time...there is nothing like the freedom of fulltiming!
I agree with this post the most out of all them. You never want to look back and say man... I should have got the extra insulation for hot or cold. I will add it will increase the weight just because of the extra materials, windows being the most. It could mean the difference of the second AC unit. I will absolutely give you access to real full time 4 season Rving. You already have the 4x4
2010 F-450 King Ranch Loaded. AeroTank 65 gallon auxillary tank/toolbox with timer,
2005 Alpenlite Portofino/ loaded/ 620 watts Kyocera Solar
Reese 24K Signature Series Fifthwheel Hitch Sig Series 30K Gooseneck
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richfaa
Ohio
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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Most of the mentioned brand are of similar quality and will have the same problems. Just read this forum. Do your homework, look around, take your time and purchase the unit that best serves your needs regardless of brand. Example....we are long timers. we live in this thing 8/9 months of the year. We stay out of real cold or real hot weather. we did not need dual pane windows or extra insulation. Make a list of how you will use the RV. That will help in purchasing what you need.
06 Montana 3400. 08 Ford F-350 6.4L
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Veebyes
Bermuda
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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With such a wide choice of 5ers out there it is surprisingly easy to narrow the choices down to just a few once you have set the parameters.
Buying the wrong trailer & trading for something else in a year gets expensive fast. Buy right the first time.
What is the budget? New or slightly used: Get a lessor quality new or better quality slighty used. Length: Are you a private CG RVer or sombody who enjoys state parks where size is more of an issue? Floorplan: If fulltiming & planning to save costs by 'eating in' most of the time better find something with lots of counter space like the units with an island or 'L' galley. Tankage? This is one that eliminates lots of trailers fast. Do you like boondocking or going to music festivals & such where often it is dry camping? A 50 or 60gal water tank won't last long. For our search the trailer had to be able to carry at least 80gal fresh water or we were not interested. Related is battery power. Space for only 2 group 24 12V batterys does not cut it if you want to have the conveniences of a decent sized inverter.
We did a few years worth of due diligence. When we were ready we were down to 5 models which met our criteria. There were 2 Alpenlites, a Carriage 33CK3, Mobile Suite 32TK3 & one other forgotten already.
We wound up with an Alpenlite. Its only real negative is the Lippert frame but I knew the frames weak points & had them reinforced before issues developed.
We are not fulltime but longtime, spending 6 months a year onboard & usually doing 15,000 trailer miles a year.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
RV: slightly pre enjoyed 2006 Alpenlite 34RLR LTD
2006 Chevy 3500 crew cab LT 6.6L Diesel
Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995
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