Opinion on new 5th Wheel trailer.... - Diesel Forum

BigGreenDiesel · 12-08-2005, 07:55 PM

Hi all! Well, wifey and I are looking at buying a new 5er, just wanted to see if anyone on here has experience with the exact model we are looking at?

Trailer in question is a 2005 Salem Sport manufactured by Forest River. It is the F37SP, or 37' 5th wheel, toyhauler. It has two slideouts, built in 5.5K Onan generator, and all the options. Also has the Northwest package(increased insulation, heated water tanks, etc..) Anybodu have experience with this trailer, or similar by same manufacturer?

Next question is, this trailer lists for $44,774. I can get it right now for $32,525 as it is the last '05 model left where we are looking...What do you think, good deal? Mediocre deal? Turn and run?

Thanks alot for the advice guys! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

05F250PS · 12-10-2005, 10:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Hi all! Well, wifey and I are looking at buying a new 5er, just wanted to see if anyone on here has experience with the exact model we are looking at?

Trailer in question is a 2005 Salem Sport manufactured by Forest River. It is the F37SP, or 37' 5th wheel, toyhauler. It has two slideouts, built in 5.5K Onan generator, and all the options. Also has the Northwest package(increased insulation, heated water tanks, etc..) Anybodu have experience with this trailer, or similar by same manufacturer?

Next question is, this trailer lists for $44,774. I can get it right now for $32,525 as it is the last '05 model left where we are looking...What do you think, good deal? Mediocre deal? Turn and run?

Thanks alot for the advice guys! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Opinions are like armpits, everyone has one or two; anyway--Locally I have heard of lots of complaints about Forest River quality. I would shy away. I happen to have a Coleman; wouldn't buy another of those, either.

BigGreenDiesel · 12-10-2005, 10:55 AM

I have heard the same thing, but the general consensus that I seem to come up with is that the quality problems seem to come from the units built in California, not the one built here in Oregon or even in Indiana...But I don't really know.. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

edmguy69 · 12-11-2005, 08:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hi all! Well, wifey and I are looking at buying a new 5er, just wanted to see if anyone on here has experience with the exact model we are looking at?

Trailer in question is a 2005 Salem Sport manufactured by Forest River. It is the F37SP, or 37' 5th wheel, toyhauler. It has two slideouts, built in 5.5K Onan generator, and all the options. Also has the Northwest package(increased insulation, heated water tanks, etc..) Anybodu have experience with this trailer, or similar by same manufacturer?

Next question is, this trailer lists for $44,774. I can get it right now for $32,525 as it is the last '05 model left where we are looking...What do you think, good deal? Mediocre deal? Turn and run?

Thanks alot for the advice guys! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Opinions are like armpits, everyone has one or two; anyway--Locally I have heard of lots of complaints about Forest River quality. I would shy away. I happen to have a Coleman; wouldn't buy another of those, either.

[/ QUOTE ] I think you get alot for your money if you buy a higher end Forest River product but thats just my opinion. See alot on the road including mine. No problems at all. There are much nicer rigs out there but you really have to lay down alot of cabbage for those. Each to his own.

CyberVet65 · 12-11-2005, 01:02 PM

Check out http://www.IRV2.com
It is a free site with about 17,000 registered members. Everything you ever wanted to know about any kind of RV.
Chet

BigGreenDiesel · 12-13-2005, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the link, I will check it out as we are still shopping... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

pk2006 · 12-14-2005, 11:56 AM

If you're looking for quality in a fifth wheel Toy Hauler visit the Sunnybrook website (www.sunnybrookrv.com) and click the link to their SUT trailers. I have a 36' Fifth Wheel (not a toy hauler though) and the quality is incredible. They are not the cheapest trailers ion the planet, but they are also not the most expensive. You'd be hard pressed to find better quality for the money. Just my 2 cents. Good luck in your search.

lincster · 12-14-2005, 05:03 PM

I am on my second Weekend Warrior toyhauler, I really like them.
I have had good luck with both of them.

With 2 slides, you are going to be very heavy.
My 39' Warrior with no slides weighed 11,600lbs empty.
With my rail inside and a golf cart, my last CAT scale ticket said I weighed 16,080lbs total.
Glad I have a dually to pull it with.

You can go to www.rv.net and also see alot of posts.

samyosemite · 12-14-2005, 10:51 PM

I would also check out SunnyBrook 5th wheel trailers. They do make a quaility trailer. Actually I think they would be in the price range you are thinking about paying.

BigGreenDiesel · 12-15-2005, 02:46 AM

I looked at sunnybrook's site, their trailers look good, one thing I would like is the aluminum framing, which they have. I still haven't found a dealer to get a price from tho, maybe tommorrow. Keep on shopping..... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

pk2006 · 12-16-2005, 02:12 PM

Check out www.fun4u2.com This dealer is in California, but I believe they have 2 Sunnybrook 39' SUT in stock with pricing. This will give you an idea as to what your costs might be. Good luck.

BigGreenDiesel · 12-16-2005, 09:16 PM

62K!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Holy %^#$ Batman! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Nice lookin' trailer, but way outta my range... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I think we have settled on a 2006 Keystone Raptor 3712 TS, it is aluminum framed, fiberglass sides with all the bells and whistles for about 42K, including a hitch for the '05 F-350 and one for our '79 F-350/CTD. I appreciate all the help guys!

96STROKE · 12-17-2005, 09:12 AM

Just remember no matter what you buy, you will be somewhat disapointed with quality vs. what you paid and what you expect. RVs are, for the most part slapped together so fast, (ecconomicly) they are by no means what you would expect for the price you pay.
I want to upgrade someday, but to get the quallity level I want I have to shell out $80k +, its just not worth it for camping a few weekends a year!!!!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Buy a RV that has the features you want, be prepared to do some repair work on your own, dont have high expectations, and enjoy camping. All I am trying to say is, expect something to go wrong while using the RV, but don't let that ruin your camping weekend.

One brand really is not that much better than another, they all use the same brands of appliances, furnaces, waterheaters, ect...
I know for each price range you get a different level of construction, wood frame vs. alluminum, slideouts vs, non.

Another important thing to think about is the dealer, if you are buying new, you will want a good dealer that will take care of you after the sale and fix most of your problems you will have the first year. You don't want a dealer that takes months to fix your trailer when you want to be out using it.

No matter what you buy, you will find out what you do and don't like in a RV and will know what you really want in your next one!

One other thing, I noticed in your sig. that you have MT tires, they may not be up to the task of hauling that much weight of a 5th. Check out the pin weight of the trailer you are concidering, add some for all your gear and double check the weight rating of the tire.
I was running a BFG AT D load range with a weight rating of 3300 lbs/tire, they did OK. I just upgraded this last fall to a BFG AT E load range, 3750 lbs/tire weight rating. What a difference towing. They handle the 5th much better. I don't belive there is a MT tire out there that is really up to the task of hauling and handling the weight of a 5th wheel.

Happy camping

BigGreenDiesel · 12-17-2005, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the reply, but believe me, I'm not new to RV'ing. I totally agree that they are all way overpriced for what you really get. Way back when, I built RV's for a living, and you are correct, they are slapped together and sent out the door. What you have to do is look at the way each one is built and figure out which type of construction is most likely to last..

I already know what I do and don't like in an RV, as this will be our 5th one, not our first.

As for the MT tires, they are Toyo's, need I say more? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] We tow a 34' triple axle gooseneck trailer with (2)! fullsize 4x4's to the mud drag's. When fully loaded it puts 3875lbs on the ball. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] So yeah, I'm not too worried about if they can handle it. Albeit they will wear out too fast, but not as bad as the BFG M/T's I tried once, they only went 11k were toast.

pk2006 · 12-17-2005, 09:18 PM

$62K is only the MSRP. NEVER pay full retail for an RV. I bet you can buy that trailer for somewhere in the low $50K range. Regardles of the make and model you buy, don't ever pay the price on the window. Enjoy your new rv.