The wife and i have been going to the Northwood dealer here to look at the Arctic Fox 29-5k 5er for about a year now. we really like that one and find ourselves always compare other products to it. we just sold the super c so now looking way more seriously at options. factoring everything in this time and since it is well known how heavy the AF units are I'm also checking other options. have found and looked at the Jayco Eagle 319mlok as is basically a lighter, slightly lower profile, and less expensive 'twin' to the AF. i know they are not technically direct competitors because they are on quite different quality levels from each other.being that the AF is about $20k more expensive and ~3-4k lbs heavier at least, its hard to not strongly consider the Jayco. I'm just worried if we did go with the Jayco that i would always feel like i settled or sold myself short by not getting the AF since i know the quality of the AF is known to be so much better, especially in what counts, the structure and frame. that being said, the Jayco felt pretty darn solid under my feet and had a few design features that i actually prefer over the AF as they make more sense for us. registration and insurance fees are reflective of the unit cost and play into the overalls as well.also, we are looking strongly into going full time for a year or 2 in the (hopefully) near-ish future to figure out where we eventually want to relocate to. i know the AF can handle this, can the Jayco?dang it, what the heck am i supposed to do here?

Benjamin Franklin: The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. “ I'm a strong believer in this age old saying. You buy the Jayco and you will always wonder!

After you find THE place to relocate to what do you plan to do about any future RVing? That answer should figure into your purchase decision now.

I can make a lot of improvements for $20,000.00.

Which one does the wife like? That's really all that matters!More than likely, she's all about the floor plan, the color of the walls, the reachability of the cabinets. No doubt, you are all about the weights, costs, and logistics. In the end, it's all about what the wife wants. Sounds like you'd have no problem logistically with either one.

Facing a conundrum, what to do? | Good Sam Community

4x4ord
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2018
I'd definitely go with the AF when I'm spending your money. When we're spending our money we go for better quality and buy used. Why not buy a slightly used Arctic Fox?
4x4ord
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2018
The Jayco maybe doesn't need a heavier frame than what it has. The heavier the trailer the heavier the frame required. An Arctic fox frame would likely be too light under a Mobile Suite just like a MS frame would be too light for a New Horizons.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2018
also, we are looking strongly into going full time for a year or 2 in the (hopefully) near-ish future to figure out where we eventually want to relocate to. i know the AF can handle this, can the Jayco?

The AF is much more full time friendly. CCC, and tank capacities are huge issues with full time living.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Dec 26, 2018
Condundrum???
In my opinion, a critical question would be, which trailer would best service my RV needs based on occasional RVing VS full time RVing????
laknox
Nomad
Dec 26, 2018
ElCaminoManT wrote:
The wife and i have been going to the Northwood dealer here to look at the Arctic Fox 29-5k 5er for about a year now. we really like that one and find ourselves always compare other products to it. we just sold the super c so now looking way more seriously at options. factoring everything in this time and since it is well known how heavy the AF units are I'm also checking other options. have found and looked at the Jayco Eagle 319mlok as is basically a lighter, slightly lower profile, and less expensive 'twin' to the AF. i know they are not technically direct competitors because they are on quite different quality levels from each other.

being that the AF is about $20k more expensive and ~3-4k lbs heavier at least, its hard to not strongly consider the Jayco. I'm just worried if we did go with the Jayco that i would always feel like i settled or sold myself short by not getting the AF since i know the quality of the AF is known to be so much better, especially in what counts, the structure and frame. that being said, the Jayco felt pretty darn solid under my feet and had a few design features that i actually prefer over the AF as they make more sense for us. registration and insurance fees are reflective of the unit cost and play into the overalls as well.

also, we are looking strongly into going full time for a year or 2 in the (hopefully) near-ish future to figure out where we eventually want to relocate to. i know the AF can handle this, can the Jayco?

dang it, what the heck am i supposed to do here?

Have you checked out any of the KZ Durango/Durango Gold FWs? After a 2 year search, we bought a KZ Durango 1500 over the Jayco Eagle HT that was #2 on my short list.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Dec 26, 2018
DutchmenSport wrote:
Which one does the wife like? That's really all that matters!

More than likely, she's all about the floor plan, the color of the walls, the reachability of the cabinets. No doubt, you are all about the weights, costs, and logistics. In the end, it's all about what the wife wants.

Sounds like you'd have no problem logistically with either one.

x2!!! :B

Lyle
downtheroad
Explorer
Dec 26, 2018
We have an Arctic Fox. We have had 3 previous travel trailers all about the same length. (Trail Lite, Fleetwood Prowler, and Komfort.) The AF is much heavier, and was more expensive. It also has much better fit and finish and better overall quality.
We use ours a lot but are not full timers. Ultimately your choice. The Jayco Eagle line are very nice units, but they are not Arctic Foxes.

Good luck with your choice. You do have the perfect truck to handle the Fox.
laknox
Nomad
Dec 26, 2018
rhagfo wrote:
Downunda wrote:
Benjamin Franklin: The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. “

I'm a strong believer in this age old saying. You buy the Jayco and you will always wonder!

troubledwaters wrote:
I can do a lot of repairs for $20,000.00.

You can't build a better frame under the Jayco for $20K.

snipped...

The cost difference between the bare AF frame and an LCI-made Jayco frame is likely <$1,000 with most of the difference in =good= labor building a =good= frame vs mediocre labor building a mediocre frame. Betcha materials difference isn't $150-200 between the 2.

Lyle
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 26, 2018
Don't feel like your getting an extremely high quality unit by getting a AF - you aren't. They are thrown together with the same lousy attention to detail as the others. What you will get is more windows, better pump, converter, etc. The chassis frame of the AF is better but the house frame isn't. Unlike soem other brands, NW does not make it a rule to frame around all windows and openings which can result in cracks later on as it has in other brands. However, there are a lot of little details that are nicer but the build quality isn't one of them.
Factory support depends on the strength of your dealer.

There was a time when I would not have even considered a Jayco but they have come a long way.
BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 26, 2018
First thing is the financial aspects of it. $20,000 is not an inconsequential amount. The AF may be better quality, but $20K better?

And if the heavier pin weight of the AF is too much for your current truck payload rating, then you may need to upgrade that as well.

Don't put yourself in a financial bind. But if money is no object, then get whatever makes you, or more importantly your wife, happy.

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