Looking at the Voltage 3605

realgoodbear · 03-09-2015, 02:54 PM

Hi all. I am taking the leap and going to live in an RV full time. I am very excited about the future, as well as intimidated. I have never owned any type of RV and have only towed anything twice in my life. I figure I have a steep learning curve ahead of me, but I love a challenge.
I have been researching online for a few months. I did not even consider a toy hauler to begin with since I don't have any toys (yet

). I went to a show and fell in love with the toy haulers for the versatility that the cargo area provides as well as the cool deck. I have a black Labrador who weighs 65lb at 6 months and I think the deck will be great for him. And if I get the toy hauler, I can buy toys!
I really like the floor plan of the 3605 as well as the shorter length. I am trying to stay as short as possible, while still getting what I want, in order to maximize my parking choices. I plan on staying in place 1-2 weeks at a time, perhaps longer. Current plans are to park near my dad's home in southern Illinois for at least a month after purchase so I can learn about the TH and make it more my home. My son will be staying at my dad's and then starting college at the end of the summer. When my son heads for college, which is in a westerly direction, I plan on heading west and starting the real adventure.
Unfortunately there are no Voltage models near my home so I have not been able to see one in person. My son and I are heading to Holman's in Ohio next week and I pray the 3605 is as good as I think it looks in the pictures.
Any advice, especially aimed at purchasing, is greatly appreciated. I look forward to reading posts on these forums as an owner soon!

donzinger · 03-09-2015, 03:40 PM

Holman is a great dealer to deal with when it comes to purchasing - we got ours there and had a very happy experience. Do a VERY thorough PDI before taking delivery - they will rarely return your calls after you drive off the lot. First hand experience. Tony Z was our salesman and was very helpful. The techs and Chris Ware were extremely helpful and knowledgable while our unit was still "theirs". Take advantage of that, when you drive it off the lot you are just a number.

jeffwelsh · 03-09-2015, 04:05 PM

I will second that for Holmans. I bought my 3605 there in October and have had it back for service once. There was a grey tank valve stuck open. I think as far as dealers go they are pretty good. They have wholesale pricing and they will still dicker a little bit if you are a serious buyer. I bought the extended warranty from them and got them to throw in the washer and dryer.

Be sure to test everything. Mine would not level up on the lot with the auto level and it seems there was a wire reversed and a bad breaker. I discovered the grey water valve on our first outing.

I too had not camped before or pulled anything larger than a UHaul trailer. If you are handy you can avoid trips back for service.
-Jeff

donzinger · 03-09-2015, 04:57 PM

Had same problem with Level Up. Only difference was mine leveled just fine on Holman's lot as it was on level concrete. Once I go it home I have a slight slope in my driveway and it would call for more height on left and right side would max itself out. My solenoids were connected bakwards - same connector on both so the swap was simple and no-brainer.

realgoodbear · 03-09-2015, 05:22 PM

Thank you very much for the replies. I'm glad to hear the overall experience with Holman is good. I assume most if not all dealers are much more willing to act on things when they are still trying to make that final sale. The price I was quoted is good but until I see the model I don't want to see if I can get a better price somewhere else.
I read somewhere that you can stay at Holman's or somewhere near for a night or two in order to really check things out. Anyone know anything about this?
I am a woman, I am not really all that handy, but I am willing to research and learn how to do things. As long as I can find good instructions and it doesn't require brute strength, I feel pretty confident I can do it. I have owned my own home for 22 years and I have had to learn all kinds of things, I assume the TH will be no different.

realgoodbear · 03-09-2015, 05:25 PM

I just thought of another question.....I am going to buy a truck to tow with after I am certain of the TH model I will be getting. Holman sells GMC trucks too. Anyone have any experience buying a truck from them? Also I wonder if I can work out a better deal if I buy both the TH and the truck from them.....

jeffwelsh · 03-09-2015, 05:29 PM

Yes, you can stay there after you sign all the paper work and its yours. Make sure you have your insurance lined up. They can have a progressive agent give you a quote, but for me it was much higher priced than what I got on my own.

I can understand them not wanting to let someone use a unit and then back out. That would leave them with a used trailer.
-Jeff

DesertRat · 03-09-2015, 05:39 PM

I've had mine for almost a year now. Took it on a 4000 mile vacation last summer. No major problems at all.

I bought mine out here on the west coast. My PDI took 1 1/2 hous & they we over everything but tire pressure. I checked that before i left & aired them up for my 300 mile trip home

KeithE · 03-10-2015, 04:38 AM

I haven't had my 3605 out much yet, but I will say this... It is every bit of 40 feet. As for truck, the 3605 can be towed with a SRW, but some would argue it should be done with a dually.

jonthefireman · 03-10-2015, 12:46 PM

Have several thousand miles on our 3605 and I'm still very happy with it. I negotiated a deal with Holman, took that final offer to my local dealer and he matched it within $1000. That alone was worth not having to drive to OH from TX, plus I had a local place for service. I also have a SRW Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi that I tow with, B&W slider hitch, and I changed the pinbox out to a Trailair after the first trip out. I have had ZERO issues at all towing with a SRW 2500 gasser, but admitedly I tow almost exclusively on the flats here in TX. If I lived in the mountains, or intended on doing a lot of traveling to them, I would without a doubt have a DRW 3500 diesel. The layout of the 3605 was what appealed to us the most, and for the most part I have had very little mechanical issues. The level up connection was reversed (left/right) but was easily fixed through this forum, and I've had a couple problems with the front A/C tripping a breaker. Other than that, knock on wood, I have had ZERO issues with the slides. I have always held the remote button at least 10 seconds after the slide stops, which is supposed to zero out the motor each time. I never open or close them without being on jacks and level, and always open or close under AC or generator power. Through this forum, you will find invaluable information that will assist you with 90% of any issue you'll encounter. If your handy with tools, the majority of issues can be taken care of yourself. Yes, I have a warranty that will take care of major issues, but I'm not willing to leave my RV sitting on a dealer lot for months to fix something simple I can repair myself. Good luck, hope this helps. On insurance, shop around, National General had the best rates for us.

KeithE · 03-10-2015, 02:26 PM

National general (purchased through Good Sam) was the cheapest for me too.

realgoodbear · 03-10-2015, 07:13 PM

You all are fantastic with all the advice. I have been reading all I can to learn as much as possible. The slides do worry me a bit. When I brought the slide issue up with the salesman at Holman, he said they are not an issue any more as they are all "hydraulic". What in the world does that mean as far as the problems people are having? He told me that the information I was reading on the internet was "really old". I don't think so! I have tried to do a Google search for the type of slides used on the Voltage and I come up with endless links to sales ads.
I just realized this introductory thread is turning into me asking for advice

Any further posts I make like this will be redirected to a more appropriate location.
Thanks again for all the great responses

macman83 · 03-10-2015, 08:29 PM

I just looked at the Suncoast RV sales website, and they have pictures of a 2015 V3605. It clearly shows the 3 rails that indicate the Scwintek slide system on the slides. I have a 2013 3905, and we have had minimal problems with ours. Just make sure that you are level and on generator or shore power when you move them.

jonthefireman · 03-10-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macman83

I just looked at the Suncoast RV sales website, and they have pictures of a 2015 V3605. It clearly shows the 3 rails that indicate the Scwintek slide system on the slides. I have a 2013 3905, and we have had minimal problems with ours. Just make sure that you are level and on generator or shore power when you move them.

Unless something has changed, the 2015 model will have the Schwintek slide system. There was a rumored "cable" type slide being looked at, but every '15 Voltage I've seen so far is still running the Schwintek. As stated above...level, AC, or generator power and with any luck you shouldn't have problems. I also followed the instructions given during my PDI regarding lubrication to the letter.

DesertRat · 03-10-2015, 09:44 PM

I've seen quite a few 2015 with the cable system. Check out New 2015 Dutchmen RV Voltage V3305 Toy Hauler Fifth Wheels at Trailer Hitch RV Nipomo California Trailer Hitch RV
But like others have said I also haven't had any problems with my slides.

Camper2b · 03-11-2015, 12:30 AM

When I went to the Voltage factory last year I was told they were switching to cable slides. And I have seen new units with cables. Cables have their ups and downs as well...

KeithE · 03-11-2015, 03:48 PM

My 2015 3605 is cable. But it was a very late '14 manufacture, maybe that is why?

jeffwelsh · 03-12-2015, 02:00 PM

My 2015 3605 was manufactured in July of 2014 and has the Schwintek. I heard there was a mid year change in 2015, so it must depend on when it came off the line.
-Jeff

Aztex · 03-12-2015, 08:11 PM

Our 3970 Voltage was made in December and it has the cable system

Fandamly · 03-16-2015, 05:13 PM

Hello Aztex....We also just took delivery of a 2015 Voltage 3970 with cable slides. I'm wondering if you or other new 3970 owners may be having the same problem as us with the cabinet doors to the left of the TV in the living room not opening all the way because they are hitting the slide trim. I'm kicking myself for not catching this during the PDI. We have verified that the slide is opening fully to it's stopping point (where the "L" bracket reaches the wall). We are thinking that the "L" bracket which determines where the slide stops may have been mounted upside down. If it were flipped, the slide would draw in about another 1.5 inches and perhaps the doors would clear. Thanks

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