New Horizons RV | Luxury Full Time RV & Custom Fifth Wheels

We made the decision to go full time in 2007 and spent the next year researching and inspecting at least 150 different models before coming to a decision. We wanted a fifth wheel that was truly built for four seasons and 24/7 living. Many models claim to be four seasons, but as we became more educated and knowledgeable we realized many of these models are four seasons in name only.

One model we learned about online was New Horizons Mfg., which was priced just over our planned budget of $70k to $90k. New Horizons is a small family owned manufacturer in Kansas that doesn’t have dealers and builds their custom units to order. They build specifically for full timers and their fifth wheels are the only ones with a five star industry rating. We had a chance to see one of their models at the 2008 Spring Good Sam Rally in Perry, GA. This was everything we were looking for. It was a true four season, well constructed fifth wheel.

We were not interested in fancy gimmicks that looked cool or impractical features. We wanted features we would use every day for the next 10-15 years of full timing. They build a rigid frame trailer and as a result they were one of the first 5th wheels to offer automatic leveling with a Big Foot system. They also would install a solar system during construction, not as an aftermarket add-on. I am almost 6’ 4” tall and was able to have the ceiling in the bedroom raised 3” to accommodate me. We were able to have electric outlets added where we wanted them and an additional propane terminal added for our Olympia catalytic heater. It also had some of the largest water capacities and one of the few that allowed us to carry over 3,000 lbs of gear. We picked out all our own flooring and treatments. The final price was no more, and in many cases less than some of the “top of the line” brands that didn’t offer many of these features. The solar has been used extensively since we dry camp a lot and the Big Foot automatic leveling was worth every penny we spent on it.

I feel it’s impossible today to buy something as complicated as a large RV and not expect a few minor glitches or warranty issues. We had a few but I was able to fix most of them myself. Another feature we liked was their warranty program. We can take the RV to any dealer in the country and New Horizons will cover the warranty work. Their warranty at the time we bought was one of the best in the industry. We’ve now traveled and lived in the RV for 3 1/2 years, as this is our only home, and we still feel we made the best choice.

From Fred and Gladi Burns