New to heartland

[Fulltime12bee]

Joined your forum because I am on the search for a semi full time fifth wheel.Been researching rvs and been narrowing it down to a few I like So many choices now days Haven't owned a rv for 14 years. we currentally have a Mobil home on the river in Yankton s.d.Plan on selling our home in a few years and living in cabin summers and going to warmer states in the winter.Forums are the best tool to choose a rv I think.Unlimited information.I am open to used if the right one interest me.heartland seems to have a big selection of units,pretty good reviews,and great family vibes from you owners.So many rvs I have checked off my lost for major complaints and unbelievable constant problems.Know there are always issues my cabin was produced in the 70's always something going and it doesn't move.Hubby is very handy so we always do most repairs ourselves.I am sure I will have many questions and requests for advice,since my last rv a terry Taurus had no slides tiny refer and only 18 feet long.We will also need to update our truck as we only have a f150.I am thinking f350 dual wheel gas or desiel?

 

[jimtoo]

Hi Fulltime12bee,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and hopefully to the family. We have a great bunch of folks here with lots of information and all willing to share their knowledge when needed.

Just ask your questions and the family members will give you some info.

Enjoy the forum.

Jim M

 

[danemayer]

For semi-full-time you'll want a rig with plenty of storage space as well as living space, and a nice kitchen and living area. That will probably put you into the weight range where you'll need a 350/3500 dually with diesel engine.

 

[Fulltime12bee]

After searching the heartland fivers how did you ever make a choice wow the floor plans are so numerous going to be hard to decide even if I had them all lined up I would have to revisit each one a ton .After narrowing it down to 3 brands I like ,gonna take me few more years to pick one of heartlands models I want keep finding another I like the other ones only had two floor plans I liked and could afford.

 

[Shortest Straw]

The best thing you can do for yourself IMO is make a list. One one side of the list include those things that you must have such as a refrigerator that you have access to with the slides closed. On the other side of the list include things that are an absolute deal breaker for you such as lack of an auto leveling system or aluminum siding. When you go to view a rig take the list and check things off as you go. You will then end up with a few items that may switch sides of the list. Eventually egads! you will find your perfect rig, buy it, take it home, and start modifying it to make it perfect. Just like getting married only cheaper!

 

[brianlajoie]

The best thing you can do for yourself IMO is make a list. One one side of the list include those things that you must have such as a refrigerator that you have access to with the slides closed. On the other side of the list include things that are an absolute deal breaker for you such as lack of an auto leveling system or aluminum siding. When you go to view a rig take the list and check things off as you go. You will then end up with a few items that may switch sides of the list.

It took us 3 years to find the rig for us. I would say it was mostly a journey of figuring yourself out. What are your likes and dislikes. Anything that is a thorn in your side at the beginning of the trailer purchase will likely only get worse down the road - that is what were learned. Think of if you were forced to stay in your trailer for a few days due to weather - will you be comfortable? I think knowing something basic like if you want a front living room, rear kitchen or rear den or some other basic layout would be a good place to start. We looked at rear kitchen models are ruled them out so we never looked at that type again.

To us what was important was lots of light in the living room, windows that open for a cross breeze in the bed room, a king bed, the tv placed in the living room where we can comfortably view it, level up system, under 35 feet long (not sure this was a hard like as the trailer kept growing until other likes were met).

We are near our limit at what the truck can handle within factory specs with our trailer. So I would estimate the if you go above 35 feet long in your trailer, you should consider a DRW.

 

[Fulltime12bee]

The best thing you can do for yourself IMO is make a list. One one side of the list include those things that you must have such as a refrigerator that you have access to with the slides closed. On the other side of the list include things that are an absolute deal breaker for you such as lack of an auto leveling system or aluminum siding. When you go to view a rig take the list and check things off as you go. You will then end up with a few items that may switch sides of the list. Eventually egads! you will find your perfect rig, buy it, take it home, and start modifying it to make it perfect. Just like getting married only cheaper!

So much more to consider now days didn't have all these choices when I use to rv.I tend to be a list maker any how. My practical side is already arguing with my I want side.

 

[Fulltime12bee]

It took us 3 years to find the rig for us. I would say it was mostly a journey of figuring yourself out. What are your likes and dislikes. Anything that is a thorn in your side at the beginning of the trailer purchase will likely only get worse down the road - that is what were learned. Think of if you were forced to stay in your trailer for a few days due to weather - will you be comfortable? I think knowing something basic like if you want a front living room, rear kitchen or rear den or some other basic layout would be a good place to start. We looked at rear kitchen models are ruled them out so we never looked at that type again.

To us what was important was lots of light in the living room, windows that open for a cross breeze in the bed room, a king bed, the tv placed in the living room where we can comfortably view it, level up system, under 35 feet long (not sure this was a hard like as the trailer kept growing until other likes were met).

We are near our limit at what the truck can handle within factory specs with our trailer. So I would estimate the if you go above 35 feet long in your trailer, you should consider a DRW.

Yes I'm thinking will get the drw everyone always says more rubber on the ground is better..Guess the hardest is I like something and then I don't like some other part and will need to pick which is more important.Im starting to downsize the house contents for garage sales.after 46 years of marriage we have so much to go thru.