We are on our 3rd motor home and I can tell you that we would never buy one that has had water damage. One of our motor homes had a slight leak and when we went to trade it in they deducted thousands from the value because it had previously leaked. (the leak was completeley repaired before we traded it in) Once we had the leak, I thought our motor home always smelt bad too.
Our friends have a Jayco that they love.
Best of luck with your new purchase!!!

We have had a fifth wheel for 10 years. They are great! I just love them.

The one thing you need to know though, is that there always seems to be some little thing that needs fixing or needs attention - even with the good ones. If your hubby is a handy guy, it will be fine, if he can't do the repairs, it can be very expensive.

My hubby used to be able to do everything, but a few years ago, he developed some very serious health problems and now doesn't feel much like doing anything. So, this summer, after our trip in the fifth wheel, we had to take it in to the shop because the slide out wouldn't go out - it wasn't broken, just out of alignment. We also needed to have the wheel bearings repacked and there was one other thing, I can't remember what - but it wasn't anything major, and the bill was $1200.00

Some of the best brands are Monaco and Holiday Rambler. I think also, Aljo (or something close to that) is a really good brand.

We are also getting ready to sell our fifth wheel because of my hubby's health - it is just too big for us to manage and he can no longer tolerate the altitude of the mountains where we spent most of our time in it. We may get a little travel lite trailer, maybe a Casita, like someone else mentioned.

Also, remember that you need to have a substantial pickup to pull the fifth wheel. I don't know how big the one you are looking at is, but ours is 30 feet and we have a one ton pickup - you could get by with a 3/4 ton, but not a 1/2 ton. Most pickups are 1/2 ton and that is just not big enough.

Also, the fifth wheel hitch costs about $500.

Good luck with everything - I hope you find a great one!

Thanks. I have looked at one that had water damage that has been repaired and it is 2003 30ft coachmen one slide for $10,500.00. I thought that it is a pretty good deal even though it had very slight water damage to one of the front upper corners and it is totally repaired now, but I am just starting to learn and research so I am not really sure.

We have a dodge 3500 dually. It already has a goose neck hitch in the bed and we were told that you can bolt on a goose neck thingy to the fifth wheel thingy on the RV and use it that way.....not real sure what I am talking about though....:confused:

I meant for the first part of the post above to be for you.

We have a fifth wheel and do enjoy it. I also would be really careful about a used one unless you get it from someone you know well or a dealer who can sell you an extended warranty. Good luck. I'm sure you will enjoy the traveling.:)

Thanks, I had never been camping until last year and we stayed in a tent in the front yard of our cabin and it was ok, BUT that was the forst and last time I have camped, but I think that I will like to have air cond, heat, and running water a lot better. I will like to travel, I have not been to very many states and I have never been out of the country. I have only been to Ohio, Florida, South Carolina, and TN and stayed there, of course I drove through the states that it took to get there from KY, but those are the only ones that I have spent any time in.

I'm with you ....I would hate tent camping. My idea of camping is air condition, hot water, hot shower, big comfy beds, refrig, satellite TV, inernet, etc.... our motorhome even a washer & dryer....so its not really camping. lol Todays camping is far from the way it was when I was a little girl. lol

We just bought a new fifth wheel last week. ( My fiance travels with his job and we are living out of this one for the next couple of months!) Its super nice and like a small apt. Its a 2008 Durango by KZ. I wouldn't recommend buying one with a water leak even if its been repaired. I have lots of reviews and seems like the Montana's have lots of problems. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.
Good Luck!

I think you guys will love the Casita..we do...My husband says he never knows it's behind him when we travel and they are so well made. That was the selling point for him. PM me if you want to know more particulars. We lived in it for 2 months while our house was being built:D

I was just wondering, what are the parking rules with RV's? Like when you're at home, where would you leave it? in the backyard? And when you travel, can you only leave it in certain places?

Not sure about all that since I am new at all this. I think that if you are not at camp sites that some truck stops let you stay there and some Wal-Marts let you stay there. Around here where I live most people park them in their driveways or in their back yards. We have a farm with lots of room to park ours on.

We keep ours in covered storage for RV's and boats. It's about 6 miles from where we live. Yes, we pay a monthly fee for this. Most urban housing additions don't let you keep it in your driveway, but some lucky folks live out of town or on acreages so they can keep it on their property.

In town, you can generally park for a bit anyplace you can fit it - we usually park on side streets or large parking lots.

For camping, generally you need to park in an RV park. You can usually park at a rest area (like the ones where you see 18-wheelers parked) or in a Walmart parking lot for overnight when traveling. When you do that though, you don't have any electricity. If it is hot, that means, no AC! :rolleyes:

Did you get the rv ratings cd? We are thinking about getting a larger one & I have wondered what the ratings said. We have looked at a Durango as well. Which model did you get?

I think I found the one I want to get. It is a 2002 Keystone Everest 36ft with 2 slides. It is $24,000 with a clean title and it has all the extras. Or should I get the 2000 Fleetwood Wilderness that is 34 ft 3 slides but has a salvage title (no water damage though) for $13,000 but is a little dated inside. Here are some pics of the Everest.