Revamped "Bighorn" Fifth Wheel Rolls out for 2008
We’re getting close to the new RV model year, and rolling of the lines is an upgraded 5th wheel line from Heartland Recreational Vehicles. Called Bighorn, these big (33 to 38 feet) coaches are designed with the "residential" feeling, by the looks of company news releases. From islands in the kitchen, to a king size bed, and "full-width walk in wardrobe . . . stunning headboard with matching fascia" up in the bedroom. With all this, should you be surprised that a 42" LCD television is an available option? One nice touch for guests--the perennial sofa "hide a bed" offers something a little more comfortable when turned out: An inflatable air mattress, as opposed to those 3" foam ticks with standard "kidney buster bars." Trim outs on the Bighorns include hardwood cabinet doors, "solid-surface" counter tops, a porcelain sink in the bathroom, and a giant size linen closet.
On the technical side, the company must figure ‘you can take it with you.’ Tank capacities would put a pachyderm to shame: 75 gallons fresh, 90 gallons gray, and 45 gallons for black. The standard water heater is a 12-gallon unit, so long showers are in order to fill up that 90 gallon gray tank. Interestingly, Heartland claims you can make an 88 degree turn, pulling with a short bed pickup, and all this without the need for a slider hitch. Still, you’d best get a heavy-duty short-bed for this operation: The gross vehicle weight rating for these rigs ranges between 14,000 and 16,000 pounds.
These latter figures do give a bit of a pause for concern: Heartland provided typical Net Cargo Capacity (NCC) figures for a few of the new Bighorns which range from 2,315 to 3,230 pounds. NCC is the total allowable weight of all passengers, cargo, and fluids. If you were to fill up your fresh water, and carry around a half tank each of black and gray water, and full LP tanks, you’d have only 962 "pounds" left for everything else you want to carry--including those manufacturer and dealer options. Care to guess how much that optional washer and dryer scale in at? Just a word to the wise.
Base prices for Heartland’s Bighorn fivers start at $45,000. Check out their website for more details.
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
12:12 PM
13 Comments:
Worse yet ...heavy-weight rigs often require a Class AZ (commercial) driver's licence, based on the weight of the rig! That's a major undertaking for recreational users, who usually understand little of the terminology of the commercial drivers - the written and practical tests are rigorous.
By
Pondfrogster, at 5:02 AM
This would be a nice unit to live in full time in one of those own your own lots.....We looked into buying something large and just parking it....Never to be towed this one sounds like it would be perfect.....Looking forward to seeing it first hand........
By
Anonymous, at 7:55 AM
CDL liscense is not required by the US DOT for individual use. If you are using it as a business then a CDL would be needed. The total weight is always an issue even if the rig has a Gross weight of 8000#. You still have to be aware of your cargo weight and not overlaad the rig.
By
Anonymous, at 10:48 AM
not me never!!! way to big
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Anonymous, at 11:59 AM
We have a 2 year old Heartland RV with all the features you describe and we love everything about it. It is a 38 footer, kitchen island, lots of storage space and feels like home. We have a Dodge 3500 Dually to pull it, along with Air Ride and it handles great. Heartland is a new company making some nice innovations available to the 5er market. Take a look.
By
Anonymous, at 2:22 PM
At the dealer where we bought our rig, we told them we wanted to weigh the rig empty. They were very surprised by that request. Last week, we found out from the salesman, "You were the only couple out of everyone I sold a 5th wheel to last year that was concerned about the rig weights". I was shocked at his statement. A sad state of affairs for RV'ers. They wonder why their tires keep failing! As well as other components on the rig. Aaargh! Sorry, this is a very sore subject for me. Rant over. :)
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Kathy, at 9:01 AM
Many states require a driver license to tow over 10,000 pound GVW vehicles. Many 5th wheels fall into this category. The endorsement requires a written and driving test that is essentially the same as the CDL test. I went through it, and it is rigorous. A similar reqirement applies to motorhomes over 26,000 Pounds GVW
By
Anonymous, at 12:57 PM
My wife just retired from the Indiana BMV. She didn't know of any state that required a special license to drive an RV. Which states requiring such?
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Anonymous, at 8:01 AM
The 2008, 3760RL is our 7th RV. It is near perfection!..Living, kitchen, bath, to die for. Bedroom not so great. Too much in too little space. It's the only model that they left the washer/dryer hookup in the closet. And with the giant linen closet on the other end, that leaves about 3 feet for all our clothes...Not nearly enough for 6 months in Florida. Also the closet is touted as walk in..It isn't its just too deep with lots of wasted space behind. The way I see it...Move the closet back 4 inches, take out the linen cupboard, cut down the dresser ..put a door in front of the washer with the tv overhead etc etc...smaller bed and the room would be perfect... PS...I take out my laundry!!!
By
Anonymous, at 12:42 PM
I heard there are a lot of frame problems because of the "88 degree" turning radius. This means you're pushing the rig sideways. Anyone else heard of this on the Heartland 5ers? The look is good, but this makes me nervous.
By
Anonymous, at 8:17 AM
That thing is sweet kitchen , bedroom with inflatable bed a must have for traveling !
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Anonymous, at 11:48 AM
That thing is sweet kitchen , bedroom with inflatable bed a must have for traveling !
By
Anonymous, at 11:51 AM
We ordered a 3670RL a few weeks ago and are anxiously awaiting it's arrival. We're seasonal, and this fiver just fits the bill for a second home. Interesting comments regarding too much in too little space in the bedroom. But the kitchen surely makes up for that!!!
By
Anonymous, at 7:57 AM
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