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Old 08-06-2014, 06:48 PM   #1
Artemus Gordon
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Trailer Life Mag article.

I found a trailer life issue at the dentist. It was featuring a "New Fifth wheel " from an SOB. Couple things made me scratch my head. It had the same "6 point leveling system" used on the Montana. The controls however, were located "under the front overhang of the bedroom"? You have to bend down, put your head under the front overhand, between the truck and RV, to operate it! "Wow how darn convenient is that"! Guess when u press "Auto Level" you jump out of the way, when the system takes it initial lowering movement? Second the tailgate of the truck towing the rig, could not open enough to clear the trailer! It's 37 footer BTW. Without a V gate, you have to have two people to unhook, or hookup! Now this Company builds a lot of RVs. It's name rimes with "Sand Diego". They make the famed "Winnie Diego" of the past! Thoughts....
Darn I should have used "couch potato"?
 
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Old 08-07-2014, 03:22 AM   #2
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Read the same article and could not believe that this well known manufacturer designed a fiver like that. Also not being able to lower the tailgate of the pickup when hitching and having to use another person so you do not damage both trailer and tailgate is stupid. Lastly the six point leveling system front jacks were mounted so low they dug into the pavement on some road pitches. I know it was the first attempt at the trailer gig for many years, but come on, you would think they could do better.
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Old 08-07-2014, 04:04 AM   #3
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They for sure didn't hire any engineers or designers from their competitors. The sad part is that the name will draw some non-5ver folks who won't understand the depth of the problems until the've paid for them with real money.
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Old 08-07-2014, 03:42 PM   #4
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So when they purchased Sunnybrook did they just let everyone go? It's too bad because Sunnybrook used to build a reasonable 5er.
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Old 08-08-2014, 03:11 AM   #5
1retired06
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Our first Montana was a front bedroom with two slides on the door side. We could not open or close the awning without first bringing in the forward slide.
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Old 08-08-2014, 04:57 AM   #6
JandC
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My buddy's new fancy triple axle SOB Toy Hauler has the controls for the level up inside the curb side basement door. After he looked at mine he is wondering if he can have his moved.
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Old 08-08-2014, 08:56 AM   #7
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They designed that for Billy Barty and he didn't have any complaints . LOL
Oh if anybody has that SOB, I have a V gate you can have for free.....HA HA.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:15 AM   #8
jcurtis934
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My thoughts were the same when I saw the write-up on the new rig. Well, at least they are jumping into the fray. Control panel location on the Montana...the first marabomb explosion I was wishing that the panel was on the passenger side instead of where it is due to trucks and others zooming by at 70-80 mph just behind my fanny as I put down the jacks. Not as convenient most of the time...but... John
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Old 08-08-2014, 12:14 PM   #9
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The SOB manufacturer hires their design engineers fresh out of college. I worked for them a few years in their cabinet shop. The first year they changed to the arched ceilings, we had a lot of complaints that our over heads didn't fit right. Engineers tried to put square pegs in round holes. We had to make crown moldings to cover the gaps.
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Old 08-08-2014, 01:55 PM   #10
PaDan
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We had the same problems when I worked for Jayco. It was always about the $. Not how it would look or last.
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Old 08-08-2014, 02:11 PM   #11
bobcat92
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DW and I saw the same article. The author was very PC in the review but he did point out the issues. We looked at a 5er from this manufacturer when we started to look and told the salesman we wouldn't even consider that brand after seeing the first model. Pays to do your research. I am very surprised this industry hasn't adopted a more automotive approach instead of a custom one off build of each unit. But what do I know about manufacturing.
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Old 08-09-2014, 05:06 AM   #12
jlb27537
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JandC, I think your friend was camped next to me last week. Controls in the right storage compartment. About the most stupid thing I have seen yet.

Jim
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