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Excellent point Speedy, and admittedly one I had not considered in my response. I had totally spaced out that one of primary reasons we had settled on Heartland to order our 5er from was customer service.

I hope you are right as we are early in the process of ordering a new BC. We do not intend to fulltime. I hadn't noticed that HL now has a residential refer option. Too bad it is only on the Landmark. We'll have to agree to disagree on how much truck is needed to safely tow those heavier makes...

I didn't say you couldn't fulltime in a Heartland product. I said they are not built to be lived in fulltime. R-11 walls do not even meet the standards of houses built in the 60's and 70's, much less the current standard. They are however probably better than those of mobile homes of that...

Since we don't have any Heartland dealers in Alaska, we are looking for any Alaskan owners that would be willing to let us take a look at their 5er if spring ever arrives. Thanks.

My recommendation is to, have patience, get out of debt, build up substantial savings, then consider a new unit.

How much propane did you burn? I mean that seriously, because at those temps our furnace must have been running constantly.

We will be purchasing a Heartland BC soon. Having said that, I do not believe that Heartland makes a true Full-Time unit. The manufacturers that I am aware of are DRV, Excel, New Horizons, and LifeStyles. Way out of my price range. I suspect it would take a lot more than a 350/3500 to tow those...

Didn't think 4x4 was necessary, but you guys are starting to convince me. I currently have a 1983 F-250 that I used to use to tow my commercial fishing skiff around with. I remember now the times pulling it out of the water that I wish I had had 4WD.

Jon............I gather you boondock quite a bit. We really don't plan on that right now, but maybe we will decide that we want to. Will consider 4x4

Why is a 4x4 a plus? How much of a drop off on fuel mileage should one expect going with a 4x4. I ask that because that is about all I have been able to find.

In the near future we will be purchasing a new BC 3251, so we are now searching for a truck to match with it. Specs on the 5er are: GVRW 14000 Dry weight 11000 Hitch weight 1920 Wanting to get something in the 2008-2012 range. I am confident that any of the big 3 make a truck that can...

Agree Bob that they do make the coach look classier. Replacing light lenses will be more expensive though. I wonder if it helps any with fuel milage. It is listed as part of the Big Country package "on select models" so I need to contact Heartland to find out if I need to select it as and option...

Not a problem. I actually thought I was the first one to use the term particle board. As long as that is not what they are using, all is good.

Brian, I used the "compare" feature on the website on all models from Landmark down through Siverado. All came up as rubber roofs except the BC. I researched the TPO roof and determined that I would prefer rubber. Called Heartland to see if we could change roof to rubber and was told that they...

I talked with Heartland. The rails and stiles are not particle board, but rather lumber core plywood. As good, if not better as solid wood for attaching hinges. I am much more comfortable about the cabinetry now.

Just talked to Heartland. Same length of warranty. I called to see if we could upgrade to rubber and was informed that all new BCs coming out of the factory have rubber roofs.

Apologize for asking so many questions but we don't have a dealer any near. Does the TPO roof on the Big Country carry the same warranty as the rubber roofs on the other models?

Thanks Brian. I guess it is something that is not really needed, but might aid in resale.

Dave, Actually, I was originally interested in the Big Country, which lists the "rear cap" as an option. Just sot of stumbled across the Gateway today and really like one of the floorplans and the more upscale interior. The more I look at it though, I'm not sure that the base coach is as good as...

Anyone know what is different about the roof construction on the Gateway that drops the R factor by 11 points?

What is a rear cap, and why would we want one? Thanks.

I would like to put together a build to put out to bid on a Gateway 5er. Is there an MSRP sheet here on this forum that I couldn't find and if not how do I get one. We do not have a Heartland dealer here in Alaska.

Thanks for the info Brian. I didn't realize that only the doors were real wood. If the rails and stiles are particle board, that could be the reason why so many people are having trouble with hinges pulling loose. Don't know why they wood use particle board. It is heavier than most woods and...

Does anyone know if one can order a BC with unfinished woodwork and cabinets. Not that enthused with the current dark color. Thanks.

Following Brian's suggestion here is my current build option list: EXTERIOR OPTIONS Slide Room Awnings Generator prep (might actually want to do more boondocking than we expect) Power Cord Reel MorRyde Hitch INTERIOR OPTIONS Theater Seating 4 Door 12.7 cu Refer HEATING & COOLING 2nd AC...

Rod............thanks for the reply. I had already determined we are going to go with Heartland. I guess my question was really intended to help me decide if we should continue to consider a new unit (who doesn't like new) if a several year old unit might actually be better built. Where are you...

Have been doing as much research into rv purchase as my feeble mind can handle at any one time. One bothersome theme that seems to flow through the several forums that I read is the number of long time rvers lamenting the continual decline in initial quality of rv products. I realize that...

Thanks for the input. Had determined that we wanted the 2nd AC. They list "slide room awnings" which I figured we wanted. Additional awnings are not listed so guess that would be a special order deal.

Thanks for the reassurance guys. I wasn't totally serious about avoiding BC now. I was just venting frustration at having spent so much time finding what I think will be the best fit for us in the BC and then learning they have become associated with Thor. I notice they don't brag about that on...

Just when I'm ready to order a Big Country I learn they are connected to Thor. Thanks alot. I think it might be time to start over on my search. I found BC to be head and shoulders above the competition in the price range.

We will probably be going to bite the bullet in the next week or two and start requesting bids for a 2014 BC 3251TS, so I am busy going through the build sheet. While I know most of the things we want, my question to you is, in your experiences, which options do you think are absolutely...