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Old 07-13-2003, 07:45 PM   #1
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HELP! Wife wants a 5th Wheel!

Everytime we go out we stay at the higher end resorts since we need full hookups ( no grey tank ).

My wife sees many many 5th wheels but NO airstreams.

Wants the more room and admenities they offer. Says we vintage folk only fix them up to take to ralleys and shows to win contests and don't really camp in them!

I have to admit some of the ones I saw do look that way. Much to nice for the owners to be camping in. We were certain they towed to the ralley for open house then stayed in a local hotel

So are you guys actually using them like I foolishly am (Family of 4 in a 23' with twin beds...

Or are they just never ending projects for shows?
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:00 PM   #2
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we used ours!

Hi, Tim!

Tell your wife that we travelled extensively in our '70 Safari in the late '80s and early '90s with three kids. We also travelled extensively in our '61 Bambi when the herd pared down some to one from three in the late '90s and Y2K.

Airstreams are for making family memories in. The show stuff is frosting on the cake.

Roger
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:01 PM   #3
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Your in luck Airstream made 5th wheels ,for a few years ,not shinny aluminum ones but never the less they were Airstream , heres a sample of one http://www.westshorerv.com/97_integrity_36.htm but they no longer make them so if your looking for new your out of luck.
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:07 PM   #4
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We USE ours. I really like Airstreams, and would never consider a fiver. I do not like the large frontal area, it really affects fuel mileage to much. Looks like a big wall heading towards you when they are oncoming. I do not like all the room the hitch takes in the bed.

Perhaps a 34' triaxle is in your future.
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:14 PM   #5
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Thumbs up We use ours!!!

And enjoy it ~ yeah we're still working on it, but that doesn't keep us from using it ~ that's why it's taking longer to finish the restoration than we intially thought it would...oh well!

Shari
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:26 PM   #6
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fiver??

all i can say is nnnnnnnooooooooooooooo!

just tell her that you can always fill the bed of the pickup with goodies you find on your trips!

can't do that with the hitch in the bed!

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Old 07-13-2003, 09:25 PM   #7
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Tim,

I know where you are coming from. I heard the "F" word a few times when I had my 22' Argosy but since I moved up to a 27' Overlander with a separate bedroom and plenty of closet space for the wifey I think I have nipped it in the bud. Fifth wheels have their own set of problems, you have to have a pickup with an open bed, unlevel floorplan, way too much frontal area, restrictions on overhead clearance wherever you camp, and more. It could be that you just need to move up to a larger Airstream.

I guarantee that you and your Safari made a much bigger impression on everyone in the park, fifth wheel owners included, when compared to the sea of generic fifth wheels.

Chas
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Old 07-13-2003, 09:36 PM   #8
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Thumbs down 5th wheel Argosy

There's a 5th wheel Argosy (made by Airstream) up for auction on e-bay right now at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2423547089

You'd better have one heck of a tow vehicle for many of the 5th wheels being made. They are not light weight. My neighbor has one and a F-350 powerstroke to handle it.
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Old 07-14-2003, 06:39 AM   #9
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It is interesting to contemplate that in 10 years the new $40,000 fifth wheel you buy today and your old '71 Safari will be worth about the same money.

Mark
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Old 07-14-2003, 08:29 AM   #10
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Well, I am going to keep plugin' along with the Safari

I think she knows the is a difference between NO $300/mo trailer payment and no $75/mo. storage fees.

Expecially in the off season. I don't mind my paid for trailer sitting next to my house

In fact, we are leaving today for Lake Tahoe for 4 nights. So it must not be too bad for her

Expecially when I emailed her the rates for a funky travel lodge there at $82 a night and the campground is $35...

The Harrah's was twice the travel lodge!
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Old 07-14-2003, 08:39 AM   #11
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5th wheel fever

Two weeks ago we were in a site next to just about the biggest 5th wheel I have ever seen. Brand spanking new. Four steps just to get up into the thing. Three slideouts. Man, woman, one small child. One ton dually diesel pickup.

Got into a conversation and found that they were on a 2-week vacation for the inagural trip. He said he wanted something smaller, but this was the smallest thing his wife would put up with.
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Old 07-14-2003, 09:20 AM   #12
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IMHO, 5th wheelers are crap.

They are heavy, bulky and occupy the otherwise useable space in your truck bed. They defeat the simple idea of hauling along a TT to accomodate your overnight needs.
But to each his own.
I don't need a big screen tv when I am camping. The fireside chats are much more memorable.
Just my opinion, don't sic Wife on me.

Rog
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Old 07-14-2003, 10:44 AM   #13
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There was an article on RVing in the USA Today magazine section of our local Sunday newspaper. They stated that the average RV cost $50,000 and is financed for a time period of between 12 and 20 years. After the wife read that, she was convinced that we got a sweet deal on our Airstream, in spite of all the work we have had to put into her. Still not sure I want to spend 140 hours polishing, though.
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Old 07-14-2003, 11:01 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally posted by Safari Tim
Well, I am going to keep plugin' along with the Safari
Tim, as someone previously suggested, perhaps a move up to a 25', which would provide a separate bedroom, would do the trick. I'm assuming your Safari is a 22' or 23'. The extra 2' shouldn't make that big a difference in towing, but may make the world of difference in someone's overall attitude.
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Old 07-14-2003, 12:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally posted by nds

Tim, as someone previously suggested, perhaps a move up to a 25', which would provide a separate bedroom, would do the trick. I'm assuming your Safari is a 22' or 23'. The extra 2' shouldn't make that big a difference in towing, but may make the world of difference in someone's overall attitude.

I hear ya. I just put sooooo much work into this one. I don't know if I could do it again!
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Old 07-14-2003, 01:10 PM   #16
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Tim,

I also hear ya on tackling another rehab job. I switched from a darn good lookin' Argosy over to a bigger Overlander this past winter. Lost a lot of sleep and almost shed a few tears to think of all the work that I had put into my Argosy but believe me, if the wife is happier that is all that matters. I just jumped on my Overlander and never looked back. I guess it helps in that I have rehabbed a few houses in my time, learned to never get too attached to anything. The good thing is if you did most of the work you can get all your money back out of it, maybe not the sweat but the money. Just try to time it right and not lose a lot of good camping weather and you'll be allright, I promise!!

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Old 07-14-2003, 01:25 PM   #17
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EEEK!

I agree about the 5th wheel things said. I'd look for a but larger or better floorplan than go 5th wheel. They are very nice, but they look like a PITA (Pain in the axx) to move and trailer about.

Eric
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Old 07-14-2003, 09:29 PM   #18
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Hey from Roze in Apex

Hiya Tim! So sorry I have not been in touch. It's been a whirlwind around here. If your wife rreeeallly wants a 5th wheel here's an Argosy on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2423547089

Hey would you please send me your contact info again and I'll send you mine? I cannot seem to remember which folder I stored it in. Had some surgery a few weeks back and fell 'out of the loop'. Would still LOVE to see your "Silver Palace" if you are up for a visit.

Look forward to catching up.
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Old 07-15-2003, 05:32 AM   #19
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That Argosy is up to $8000 now. Yesterday the high bid was only $3500.
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Old 07-15-2003, 11:52 AM   #20
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I'd have your wife look a little deeper at most any 5th wheel --- past the staples, plastic, cardboard and see how they are made. Check with folks with slideouts and leaks - slideouts that don't close/open properly - slideouts that have to be open to use the "pot" - etc. Plus the set of stairs to gain access - the stairs inside to the bedroom (up front, normally). Sure, there is more space-harder to cool and heat come to mind. Then there is the value of the 5th wheel after a few years. Larger tow vehicle - $$ hitch (but hitch can be removed from P/U bed and placed out of the way, so that is not a problem).. ..

I sure like our 31' A.S. !!!!

Planning a short trip now with daughters/family - they have motorhome.

don
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