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Old 06-18-2020, 08:10 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTech View Post
I don’t agree. By the RV at half or more of the price of an AS and you’ll be way happier.
25 year old 5th wheel trailers would be priced in hundreds or maybe max at thousand dollars. Sure they are cheap but not really livable. but hey, some people could use these trailers. some don't. Matter of preference.
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Old 06-18-2020, 08:59 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by rideair View Post
How ya going to use it?

If you're going to put on lots of road miles? "Airstream"

If you're going to be sitting in the same place for a long time? "5th-Wheel"

I own an Airstream, my sister a 5th-wheel. She sits at one campground 98% of the time, I'm putting more miles on the Airstream in one year than she has over 10 years with her 5th-wheel. She wouldn't own an Airstream, I wouldn't own a 5th-wheel.

Enjoy,
I say you nailed it perfectly.
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Old 06-18-2020, 09:03 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by MrAlki View Post
First let me say I understand the cache and beauty of Airstreams. I have lusted after one for many years.

I am getting down to a decision and I have a question. Having looked at many rv's and as much as I would like an AS, I can buy a 31 ft quality fifth wheel that night and day has much more room and liveability with the inherent towability of a fifth wheel. This for quite a bit less than the AS.

I could understand somewhat better if a new AS was bullitproof in quality, inside and out, which for it's price it should be. But as we have all seen that is not the case.

So I guess the question is how do you justify spending substantially more for the AS...I know I am missing something here.

Thanks
My sense is that if you are having a value debate in your head then maybe your best choice is the 5th wheel.

The timeless Airstream design just "spoke" to me in a way that no other trailer even approached and I didn't even consider a more traditional box or 5th wheel unit. I know that sounds a little weird but some things just catch your eye and capture your imagination and some things don't.

Others have already given some great examples of the tangible and intangible reasons for owning an Airstream. Especially with regard to the intangibles, if you really aren't feeling them that's completely understandable, but it probably does mean that you are "missing something" and would probably be happier going in another direction.

Just my $.02. Good luck with your decision.
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Old 06-19-2020, 05:11 AM   #24
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I wanted an Airstream since I was a kid but was only in a position to purchase a new FC 27FB six years ago. We still love the layout. It tows like a dream too, very stable (& economical) behind our Ram 3500.

I don’t care for Fifth Wheel Trailers as I like to carry all the heavy stuff in the bed of the truck, under the canopy. It works out well for us.

We haven’t really “camped” in our trailer, it is more like our “home away from home” when we’re on the road, visiting our extended & blended family.

I know cheaper trailers have more amenities but they have nothing we can’t live without. Sometimes less is more.
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Old 06-19-2020, 11:32 AM   #25
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2016 30' Classic
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I feel that I can offer an opinion to the OP as we RV full time and own both a 2015 DRV Mobile Suite and a 2016 Classic. They are approximately the same price when purchased. What makes the DRV more costly than a traditional 5th wheel are the components used in the build. The frame is a massive triple box frame, far heavier and resistant to twist than an I-beam frame. The exterior walls are a 3 1/4 inch hung wall with wool batt insulation, making them a true 4 season coach. A second furnace option makes them a really, really 4 season coach. A quick study of the DRV forums will show repetitive quality concerns such as water intrusion in the slides requiring floor replacement and hydraulic issues causing slides not to operate and jacks to drop. They are incredibly heavy to tow, requiring a 3500 DRW truck, lots of fuel, and a much less relaxed towing experience. They truly are a cow to tow. The quality of assembly is no better or worse than an Airstream.
The laminated walls on a conventionally built 5th wheel are subject to delamination, which is described as the death of an RV. This is what separates a white box coach from an Airstream. Park both of them in a field for a few years and see which one is still useable.
We leave our 5th wheel parked full time at a beautiful RV park on the shore of the ocean, and travel 5 to 6 months of the year in the Airstream. Although the cost of a traditional 5th wheel is much less than an Airstream, the towing experience and coach longevity are no comparison. If you want lots of room and don’t mind the value of your RV evaporating behind you for several years, go with the less costly 5th wheel.
If you are tolerant to the cost of the Airstream, perhaps consider an Oliver fibreglass coach. From several owners that I’ve talked to, they seem very pleased. They are also a long life coach, and you wont have to suffer with the cursed, God forsaken piece of crap that is the ZipDee Relax awning!!!!
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Old 06-19-2020, 12:47 PM   #26
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If the only thing giving you pause about the Airstream is price and quality, the best solution is to buy a used Airstream.
  1. Far cheaper than new and you avoid the depreciation hit
  2. All of the annoying flaws in construction have already been addresed by original owner
  3. you get the iconic design, low weight, longevity and tow-ability of airstream

But if what you are after is more square footage, or more insulation, or more storage, go with the 5th wheel.

If you want high resale value or a trailer that will last decades, go with Airstream, especially if you snag a 2021 model with the new composite floors that will last forever and never rot.

If you won't be camping in 10-15 years when the 5th wheel disintegrates around you or you will sell it before then, go with the plywood trailer.
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Old 06-20-2020, 12:03 PM   #27
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Depends on what you really want. and how long you will keep it.
I paid $25K Canadian for my '96 classic in 2014. At the time our friends in Michigan had purchased a new 27' Ultralight with slide for $24k US.

My take on the price and age difference was that in 20 years my AS will still be on the road. Theirs will be rotting in a field somewhere. Her son said ..."They asked that question about expected life. Answer was 15 years!!!!"
I'm sure a good quality 5th wheel will last longer tan that. However the past 5 years I have seen a new 5th wheel side-lined when the axle came off the frame, and another with the whole side out of the coach ripped out when a tire blew up....I know that happens on AS also, but this one was brand new and this was the third time they lost a tire on that trip. I questioned the obvious..tire pressure ...over load , etc. Negative on all counts. I suspect the axles were under spec'd; still those things should not happen on a brand new unit
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Old 06-20-2020, 09:19 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camr View Post
I feel that I can offer an opinion to the OP as we RV full time and own both a 2015 DRV Mobile Suite and a 2016 Classic. They are approximately the same price when purchased. What makes the DRV more costly than a traditional 5th wheel are the components used in the build. The frame is a massive triple box frame, far heavier and resistant to twist than an I-beam frame. The exterior walls are a 3 1/4 inch hung wall with wool batt insulation, making them a true 4 season coach. A second furnace option makes them a really, really 4 season coach. A quick study of the DRV forums will show repetitive quality concerns such as water intrusion in the slides requiring floor replacement and hydraulic issues causing slides not to operate and jacks to drop. They are incredibly heavy to tow, requiring a 3500 DRW truck, lots of fuel, and a much less relaxed towing experience. They truly are a cow to tow. The quality of assembly is no better or worse than an Airstream.
The laminated walls on a conventionally built 5th wheel are subject to delamination, which is described as the death of an RV. This is what separates a white box coach from an Airstream. Park both of them in a field for a few years and see which one is still useable.
We leave our 5th wheel parked full time at a beautiful RV park on the shore of the ocean, and travel 5 to 6 months of the year in the Airstream. Although the cost of a traditional 5th wheel is much less than an Airstream, the towing experience and coach longevity are no comparison. If you want lots of room and don’t mind the value of your RV evaporating behind you for several years, go with the less costly 5th wheel.
If you are tolerant to the cost of the Airstream, perhaps consider an Oliver fibreglass coach. From several owners that I’ve talked to, they seem very pleased. They are also a long life coach, and you wont have to suffer with the cursed, God forsaken piece of crap that is the ZipDee Relax awning!!!!
I love our Relax awning.
Three years and no problems. I like the ease of opening and closing as often as necessary on windy days. And the best is should I forget and go to sleep I am not crawling around outside at midnight in sudden downpour or wind.
If it breaks I will fix it and will continue using it.
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:38 AM   #29
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As a new AS owner who looked at many options, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a mobile home anytime I entered a fifth wheel. It just screamed cheap to me.

I wasn’t expecting perfection and didn’t want or need the faux fireplace.
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Old 06-24-2020, 06:46 PM   #30
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We've made this trip already...and came back to an Airstream.
What size units are you looking at? For the most part a 5th wheel will need a minimum of a 3/4 ton truck for towing. They are a pain to back up and have a big turn radius (even with a shortened nose and sliding hitch). We purchased a new 5th wheel in 2012 and it was a mid-size at 33 ft. LOA. It was nicely equipped with 3 slides and lots of space. Over the 7 years of ownership with careful and consistent maintenance it still depreciated more than half its value. This was a nice unit for going to FL in the winter; but not so nice to tow across country multiple times. Wind, big trucks, tight turns and low tree branches were challenges. We sold the 5th wheel last summer and went back to a used 28' AS. This is our second AS and we love the ease of towing, the maintenance simplicity and the fact we can get it into most campgrounds without issues. Your mileage will differ...
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Old 06-24-2020, 08:06 PM   #31
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2020 27' International
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5TH Wheel Vs Airstream

I recently made the switch from a Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel to a 2020 International Serenity 27 FB w/Hatchback. I owned the 5th Wheel 11 months and was shocked at the low build quality as we had to replace 3 windows and other interior parts in just 11 months! Also, we had electrical issues with turn signals. The tow experience was not good! After I looked at an Airstream and learned it weighed approximately 2,000 lbs less than the 5th Wheel and had a much higher build quality I was sold! I am now getting 4-5 mpg improvement with the AS and I can hardly feel it behind my truck. Finally, after 10 years you will be towing your 5th Wheel to the scrapyard as the value will be close to ZERO and your AS will maintain 60-70% of its value if maintained properly.
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Old 06-24-2020, 08:32 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrAlki View Post
First let me say I understand the cache and beauty of Airstreams. I have lusted after one for many years.

I am getting down to a decision and I have a question. Having looked at many rv's and as much as I would like an AS, I can buy a 31 ft quality fifth wheel that night and day has much more room and liveability with the inherent towability of a fifth wheel. This for quite a bit less than the AS.

I could understand somewhat better if a new AS was bullitproof in quality, inside and out, which for it's price it should be. But as we have all seen that is not the case.

So I guess the question is how do you justify spending substantially more for the AS...I know I am missing something here.

Thanks
I think it’s mainly aesthetics. The exterior of Airstreams is attractive with the iconic airplane riveted aluminum and tubular shape. Exteriors of fifth wheels are just plain throw away ugly. But there’s no comparison in terms of short- term functionality vs. price, fifth wheels win hands down. Long-term things start to shift quickly toward the Airstream.

Cheers,
John
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Old 06-24-2020, 08:53 PM   #33
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This discussion reminds me of some of the questions we asked before we bought anything. We were tent camping, and would go find someone with some sort of RV and ask them why they chose that particular type of RV. "Why did you choose a fifth wheel?" "Why did you choose a travel trailer?" "Why did you choose a diesel pusher motor home?" If someone wanted to talk about the brand, I'd try to steer them back to the type. We would talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each type with people who actually were using one. When we got back to the tent (or back in the car) we would talk about what we had learned and how it might apply to the way we thought we might be living.


We made our choice, and then things changed. Then they changed again. And again. Each of us has to decide what looks like the best compromise for our own situation, and understand that that situation may well change.



One of my acquaintances uses a signature line of "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape." It would be nice to have a 45' Mobile Suites when parked (with the steps of an Airstream) and have it the shape and weight of an Airstream while towing. Not going to happen, so we have to take the best compromise and live with it.


HOW one is going to use an RV ought to be a big part of the decision of what to buy.
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Old 06-24-2020, 10:02 PM   #34
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Consider a well loved used model AS. Ours was 11 yrs old when we bought it 25 yrs ago. We still take it places easily. That should narrow the price gap.
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Old 06-24-2020, 11:05 PM   #35
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Do what I did. Find somebody that rents Airstreams and Other Box Style Trailers.Pull each one that is the same length. Arrange to do a test drive on a windy day too. This test made the decision for me very CLEARLY.
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Old 06-25-2020, 04:46 AM   #36
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When I retired in '15, I bought a used 5th wheel, mainly to test whether or not the RV life was for me. The test said yes - let's do this. But I felt like I was pulling a 5-story hotel down the highway. I worried about the height of tunnels and bridges. It was difficult to get ready, hookup, and make sure everything was secure. It had more room because of the slideouts, but stopping along the road for a lunch / restroom break, those slideouts did the opposite. The front slide out let me down in the CO mountains, and that ordeal cost me 3 days of work, and ultimately lead me to my first love - the Airstream. Definitely less room, but I've learned how to adapt and pack appropriately. Definitely more $$$, much more, but worth it IMO, and they hold their value better than any other rig, boat, or car. I couldn't be happier with my 31' Classic, but they are not for everyone. Most of my tailgating friends have 5th wheels or motor coaches because they carry a lot of stuff. But as for me, I go out and hug my silver bullet every day!
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Old 06-25-2020, 06:09 AM   #37
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How long do you plan to keep it, and do you plan on customizing it?

My wife and I recently sold our 10 year old 5th wheel. Everything on it worked and it was paid for, but we wanted to do some customizing. There was no way we would customize a 10 year old 5th wheel. Last year we bought a 1997 30 foot Excella. Since then, we've installed bambo floors, quartz counters, custom sinks, custom curtains, teak wood shower, memory foam mattress, restored the dinette and much more. Literally, every place we go, people want to see the camper. We love it, and we wouldn't dream of going back to a 5th wheel. And, we wouldn't dream of putting that much work into a 10 (let alone a 23) year old 5th wheel.
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Old 06-25-2020, 07:41 AM   #38
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Airstream vs 5th Wheel

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrAlki View Post
First let me say I understand the cache and beauty of Airstreams. I have lusted after one for many years.

I am getting down to a decision and I have a question. Having looked at many rv's and as much as I would like an AS, I can buy a 31 ft quality fifth wheel that night and day has much more room and liveability with the inherent towability of a fifth wheel. This for quite a bit less than the AS.

I could understand somewhat better if a new AS was bullitproof in quality, inside and out, which for it's price it should be. But as we have all seen that is not the case.

So I guess the question is how do you justify spending substantially more for the AS...I know I am missing something here.

Thanks
In my travels I have seen more than a few Fifth Wheels and their tow vehicle turned over on its side. Center of gravity to high for my taste. A fellow AS owner lost both wheels on one side due to a defect with the wheel lugs. He maintained control.

JBC from Pittsburgh
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Old 06-25-2020, 08:09 AM   #39
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Get the 5th wheel

We originally thought we had to get an airstream because they were “the best”. It we ended up with a Grand Design Reflection travel trailer that has far more room, holds more people, outdoor kitchen, more storage. Solid surface countertops, power awning, power stabilizer jacks, and more. It was a last year’s model and we paid $31,000, about a 1/3 of an airstream.
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Old 06-25-2020, 09:01 AM   #40
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Thanks again

Wonderful advice and thanks everyone...Based on the friendly people on this forum I think Airstream get togethers would be much fun.

I am going for an Airstream. I have been convinced that space isn't everything.

Think I like the 25 fbt...My local dealer is just about sold out of everything. RVing in this new world apparently looks very good to a lot of people.
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