5 Year Plan

[kevinpo]

Hello,
I promised my boss I would work 5 more years before retiring so I've begun my research. I'm one of those guys who has to research everything to the smallest detail, ending up knowing more than any sales guy.
I've been reading this forum for a month or so (read every post for the last 90 days) and researching 5th wheel trailers for the last 3-4 months. In parallel I've been researching what it would take to haul one of these beasts comfortably. This is my current rig. A 1977 F250 with air bags. The camper is a 2000 Alpenlite (3,600# dry weight). I bought it new from the factory in 1999. It has been a wonderful camper and is still in like new condition but.....the last time we went out my wife had some difficulty climbing up into the cab over bed (it's quite a high step). She also complained that she is getting too old to crawl all over it to make the bed.

So....... after much research I've decided to upgrade to a 2015 Ram 4x4 Laramie with auto leveling (GVWR 14,000, max payload 5,713, max towing 18,550). This forum has been immeasurable help in guidance for selection/specifications. I paid $3,500 back in 1992 for my Ford. Let's just say they're not giving away big trucks nowadays. I'm confident that the truck will handle any trailer that I end up with.

The trailer will have to wait a couple of years until I get used to the hefty truck payment I have narrowed my trailer choices to rear entertainment floorplans like Solitude 305RE. I looked at a Solitude 375RE but I didn't care for the slider and the size was quite intimidating. I also like the DVR Suites brand but I can't get past the floor vents so I've settled on the Grand Design Solitude as the best fit for me.

I hope it's not offensive to post here since I do not have a Solitude yet. If it is out of line could one of the moderators please delete.

Best regards,
Kevin

 

[Mikes145]

Nice looking Ram. I hope my 2007 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins lasts forever. I priced new trucks while at the dealership for something else. Holy cow, they aren't cheap.

 

[minnow101]

Who knows what will be available in 2 years? Floor plans come and go without warning.

 

[kevinpo]

Yes that's quite true as I see the Grand Design web site says dealer stock only for that model. I also notice that it seems there are quite a few 2015s of that model available but not very many 2016's. I was hoping that maybe they are on order but the dealers haven't received them yet. Time will tell.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[minnow101]

Dealer stock only means that model has been discontinued. Same thing happened to us a few years back as we got ahead of ourselves, planning for retirement and pretty much settling on a floor plan we knew was just perfect. That's why it's good not to get your heart set on any one thing when your purchase timeframe is so far out.

 

[Bamaman]

I bought my 2003 F250 diesel in 10/2002, and I'm just averaging 10K miles per year.

At that rate, it'll be worn out when I'm 97 years old--far longer than I expect to be towing a fifth wheel trailer.

 

[kevinpo]

My 77 Ford only has 150K original miles on it. I had the transmission and engine rebuilt at about 125K. I average about 3-5K/year the last decade or so. I live only 1 mile from work but I do come home for lunch

Kevin

 

[dloase]

The floorplan will depend a lot on what you want. I really like the lay out of my 369RL. However, it only sleeps two ( by design!), and now my wife would like more room for grandchildren to go with us. I like the looks of the new 377MBR floorplan, but really don't want to think of the hit I'll take trading in a two year old rig for a new one.

 

[kevinpo]

We like the rear entertainment layout so my wife can see the TV from the sink/kitchen area. Does the TV in the 369RL unit swivel?

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[Sandi]

We like the rear entertainment layout so my wife can see the TV from the sink/kitchen area. Does the TV in the 369RL unit swivel?

Cheers,
Kevin

Kevin we also have a 369 RL. The TV does not swivel but I know quite a few people have replaced the mount to one that swivels. Fairly easy mod.
Good luck in your search. IMHO you won't make a mistake buying a Grand Design product. We love ours more and more every day!!! Best customer service in the industry...

 

[Scott and Jan]

Man, I thought I kept my truck a long time! Just recently traded my 02 F350 in after 13 years. Yes the prices have increased dramatically, but so has the capabilities of these trucks. New truck a little over $20,000 more than my old one was, but my payment for the same term is $84 less per month than before. Amazing what trading a paid for truck in (this time) and lower interest rates can do.
Congrats on your new truck. Now lets see if you can stick to your plan and hold off from buying the new Grand Design. We failed at that attempt and bought ours a year ahead of schedule! But it was worth it, had a great first year and having an even better second year in it.

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Scott,
I average about 20 years for a vehicle. You are most likely correct about the timing and capabilities. I will be surprised if I hold off more than 2.5 years . My 77 Ford is only a 3/4 ton with air bags so I was expecting the ride of the new truck to be very hard since it is a 1 ton. I don't know if is the weight (5,895# v.s. 8,100#) that helps soften the ride or technological advances. The ride of the new truck is much less sharp jarring. It rides quite stiff but much softer.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Steve and Cill]

Welcome to the forum Kevin and keep us informed on your search. We love our Solitude!

Steve

 

[kevinpo]

Thanks Steve
When do the new models usually come out and is there a show season? Cars I know but RV's are new to me.

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[kevinpo]

Steve,
I don't mean when they are available but when can you usually see the new floor plans?

Kevin

 

[Bamaman]

When do the new models usually come out and is there a show season? Cars I know but RV's are new to me.

New models changed over last year about July. The show season is Q1 of a calendar year. Sometimes you'll see a show or two in the Fall in a big city. RV companies are busy in the Fall taking orders for their next year's production slots, and they have their big dealer meetings then.

I can tell you that there's a distinct RV selling season--like there is in the marine business. March to August is when most retail sales are made. Many RV's are ordered in Q1 for late Spring deliveries as the customers go to the RV Shows. There are many new 2015 models on dealer lots that really need a home--and dealers should be cutting prices to move'em.

 

[kevinpo]

Thanks great information.

Kevin

 

[jbarnes4868]

You could move up your plan by finding a used unit that saves you 2+ years of payments via the depreciation somebody else already paid. Interest rates are really low these days, even on used units.

 

[kevinpo]

Well the plan, (as noted by several posters it would) is moving more quickly than I originally said It's kind of like a yin and yang. On one hand I see all the fun, rallies, beautiful rigs, and places. On the other hand I read the RV rookies fail thread and see how small many of you look in your pictures standing next to some of these behemoths (they don't look nearly as large on the GD web site for some reason

Here is what I've got now:

The narrow end is 11' wide and the length is 43'.

Next step is to get rid of this maple tree and put in gravel, order the parking cover, and hitch. Hopefully by that time I will have made up my mind on which model 5th wheel to purchase. Since I've only towed motorcycle trailers and ski boats in the past I think it's best to get a shorter model to start with just in case. I've narrowed it down to the Reflection 303, 337, or the Solitude 310GK. I now plan to have all the prep work done by Oct 1st and purchase by spring 2018


A very big thank you to all the members for your priceless information!

Regards,
Kevin

 

[TerryZechman]

Your patience and resolve are amazing! It was just 6 weeks ago that my wife and I were discussing moving to a 5th wheel since we were unhappy with our recent trade from a diesel pusher to a class A gasser. The plan was to make the move in 2 years when we had the gasser paid off. Well, I traded my towed in on a truck yesterday and we pick up our 310GK on Friday. Once we make our mind up on something, look out, full speed ahead. One of the things that accelerated our plan was that we actually got more for our trade than the price of the new Solitude, so we essentially got paid to trade. Of course, I did have to go out and buy a $68k truck, but RAM dealers a doing big discounts and Wranglers trade for top dollar. I couldn't be happier with my new Laramie.