Looking at a new 2005 model Carriage Compass 35 SKQ model, brand new, price is $37,700. What are your opinions on the Carriage line? I really like the finish and build quality of these trailers.
I have even seen a Cameo LXI F34CK3 for $38,900, 2005, brand new.
I had a terrible time with my Carriage. I finally took it to the factory and stayed in their campground for a week. They never did fix everything. For the money, you can't beat an Alfa as they have the most standard equipment and a super warranty. For me, I would never buy another Carrage product.
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2002 F-350 SRW Lariat,4X4, PSD with too many goodies to list. 182k and a very strong 7.3. SOLD
2008 F-250, SC Lariat, 4X4,Shortbed, Pueblo Gold/black, V-10, 4.10, auto, Delivered on 9/7/07, great looking rig. South Texas bumpers front/rear, Air Raid Intake System, Diablosport Predator, Husky's, JJ's, Ford alarm/remote start, Marathon seat covers, Sirius, PIAA, Access cover, Weatherguard tool box, Rhino liner, Michelins, Duraflap mud flaps, Escort 9500i.
2007 Lincoln LT (wifer's grocery getter)
1996 Ford Bronco EB; almost stock
2007 Kubota 900 RTV diesel with goodies. pappy's truck
Find one that has the look and floorplan you like within your price range and buy it. They all have problems, doesn't matter how much you pay or which name is on the side of it. I camp with folks from pop-ups to high-end diesel pushers and we all have issues.
The bigger issue is how good your servicing RV dealer is.
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05 F-350, PSD, 4x4, Crew Cab,6-Speed
2" Front Level Kit, Pro Comp ES9000 Shocks
Firestone Model 2400 Airbags (horrid engineering)
Tow 30' Toyhauler
*-Friends don't let Friends run Crap-lisle Trailer Tires
I saw some Carriage 5th wheels at the RV show in Houston and I thought they were great as far as quality. At least as far as I could tell without owning and using one. We bought the Triumph in my signature because it had a floorplan we just couldn't live without and we had success with a previous Fleetwood product. As with anything else, this Triumph has a few minor issues and is in the shop as we speak getting a few bugs worked out.
To tell you straight up - if the Carriage had the floorplan of the Triumph we probably would have bought it. It also seems like a better price. If you like the trailer maybe you should go for it.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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2005 F-350 Lariat, 6.0 PSD, Torqueshift auto trans, crew cab, SRW, short box, FX4, ESOF, limited slip dif., tow command, upfitter switches, 6 CD changer, Lariat Lux. package, camper package, engine block heater, adjustable pedals, reverse sensor, triple A-pillar gauge set (Autometer) with pyrometer, trans temp & voltmeter, MBRP 4" cat back exhaust w/5" dual wall chrome tip, dark shadow gray/ med. flint interior.
2008 Big Horn fifth wheel by Heartland RV model 3670RL. 38' long, 4 slides and all the goodies.
Well we now are looking at the Montego Bay 36 IK-3, dealer is offering $46k out the door,tax title, license, and hitch installed in the truck. We are really looking hard at this one.
When I was looking for a toyhauler, I looked at every brand I could find... K-Z, Weekend Warrior, Sunnybrook, Mobile Suites, Raptor, and a company that didn't fit the Indiana mold... Alfa. After the dust cleared, and the pros and cons were weighed, I wound up with an Alfa. The build and design were superior to the others, mostly in areas you can't easily see. I crawled all over, and under, the units looking for how the company treats areas you can't see, which gives me some insight as to how they cared about the construction of their product.
Let us know what you decide.
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Tony D. Berry
Lafayette, LA
2001 Ford F550, PSD, 4.88, 4R100?
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They all have problems, doesn't matter how much you pay or which name is on the side of it.
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Yes, to some degree - but some FAR more than others! Also, some manufacturers are more generous with their service and warranty/after warranty support - ie: Jayco is famous for the level of satisfaction in this dept.
Tonyberry is right, when he crawled all over units. If you understand attention to detail, you'll notice enormous differences in how the different manufacturers do work. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
You're gonna' have problems with all of them. Just buy from a dealer within easy commuting distance because you WILL be towing the trailer in for warranty repairs. With the coming of multiple slides, the problems have multiplied. Think about dragging your home or apartment down the road at 65MPH and hitting bumps. Things just work loose.
Don't get suckered in with the "aluminum frame" sales pitch. If the aluminum studs don't have wood inserts, screws will actually work out much quicker than if the construction used wood studs.
The only two trailers I have known of that were essetially trouble-free were the old aluminum-skinned Avions and the Airstreams....they had much better suspension systems than current trailers. Their construction was different (monocoque riveted) than the mobile-home systems on current trailers. But they were (are) too expensive for most of us to own and they are not nearly as comfortable as the newer, larger trailers.
IMO, Carriage makes good equipment and Alfa makes good equipment. But neither is perfect and you will have problems from time to time.
Just know going in you will have problems to deal with and take them as they come. And enjoy camping!
Florida Ed
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2001 7.3 F-350 Dually Lariat CC LWB 4X2 Dark Green 4.10 4R100 5'ver Hauler (32' Montana 2 slides 10,500# - 2,000# tongue weight), 106 gal aux tank, 112K miles, nephews arguing over who will inherit it 'cause I'm gonna' drive it 'til I die. Bone stock.
2001 5.4 Gasser F-250 XLT Crewcab SWB 4X2 3.73 4R100 67K miles headed to 150K (wife's vehicle on the "junk-iron" theory of vehicle safety....most junk iron wins in a crash) stock as the day it was made
Before these: '00 F-250 CC PSD, '97 F-250 CC PSD, '94 Ford F-150, '91 Ford E-250, '81 Ford E-150, '66 Ford F-100 (cars not included)
After having my dealer fix a couple of issues for me, they did a poor A$$ job, I ended up fixing the issues myself. I now just contact the manafacture of the part in question. Most of them have a help line or email support. Anthony
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