Mountaineer 331RLT on order

[Charli]

I think we are now set to start our retirement RVing lifestyle complete with snowbird trips to southern US next winter. A month ago we sold the 2008 Ram 2500, CTD and bought a 2011 F350, PSD so we shouldn't have to worry about towing and payload capacity. After spending all winter on the internet checking out floorplans and prices we drove the 500 miles from Winnipeg to Minneapolis to see all the RVs on our wishlist. We had about 6 on our list with the Columbus 320 #1 and Mountaineer 331 about #4. We discussed prices, trades, delivery dates with a few salespeople and at the end of the day we decided on the Mountaineer due primarily to the large pass through storage afforded with the drop frame, huge kitchen pantry and linen closet shared in the bathroom and bedroom. The long history of the Montana line vs the short life of the Columbus was also a big factor.
We ended up calling a dealer back home and after telling him what I was being offered we came to a fair price, I think. Ended up about $4k higher but buying locally makes everything so much easier. We included our existing 2012 Cougar XLite 26SAb as a trade but as we don't plan any camping trips till well into the summer so we have plenty of time to sell private.
I have the factory 5wheel prep in the truck box so need to find a hitch that will work. Can't find any auto sliders that are compatible with the Ford factory prep so leaning towards a Reese Elite 18k or B&W Companion OEM 20k and then match that with a 5th Airborne Sidewinder.
Any thoughts on this or other alternatives?