Hi all. I'm looking to full time in a fifth wheel. I'm a one man show, looking to downsize and travel domestically for a few years.I'm having a terrible time figuring out how to choose a fifth wheel. I found my way to the Keystone Montana, which gets good reviews for overall quality. However there are zero comparison websites that show equivalent Forest River or other brand models.I'm looking for a model with insulation that will help the summer and winter months. Any full timers out there that can point me towards a specific model or two?If but a model, then insulation tips to beef up a regular unit?Thanks

Beefing up an RV can be done...drapes, rugs, vent foam...but start with a four season unit and watch for indoor air pollution issues and condensation.

All but one or two will have similar insulation values. You can only cram so much insulation into a 2 inch wall cavity.Montana, by Thor will be similar to FR Cardinal and Cedar Creek. Look at Arcric Fox for a better product at a similar price point.

Insulation in an RV is a joke at best. Measure how thin the walls are. You'll either run the A/C continuously in the summer or burn lots of propane in the winter. A real house has 4 to 6 inch thick walls with real insulation, on average, while the typical RV is maybe a third of that with a slab of styrofoam.RV's have wheels so they don't have to winter in the freezing cold or summer in scorching heat.

A wall is only as insulated as the window in it

I agree with joke at best. Forget the insulation and concentrate on moving with the temps. We like to stay just a touch on the cooler side. It's easier to heat a little than having to cool. It's a fine art of balancing between what fantastic place you may want to be in and how warm or cold it is. Run of the mill RV's and temp extremes dont mix. You look at the weather on your phone and adjust your course.

Full time fifth wheel Insulation confusion | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 08, 2018
Beefing up an RV can be done...drapes, rugs, vent foam...but start with a four season unit and watch for indoor air pollution issues and condensation.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 09, 2018
All but one or two will have similar insulation values. You can only cram so much insulation into a 2 inch wall cavity.
Montana, by Thor will be similar to FR Cardinal and Cedar Creek. Look at Arcric Fox for a better product at a similar price point.
azdryheat
Explorer
May 09, 2018
Insulation in an RV is a joke at best. Measure how thin the walls are. You'll either run the A/C continuously in the summer or burn lots of propane in the winter. A real house has 4 to 6 inch thick walls with real insulation, on average, while the typical RV is maybe a third of that with a slab of styrofoam.

RV's have wheels so they don't have to winter in the freezing cold or summer in scorching heat.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
May 09, 2018
A wall is only as insulated as the window in it
azrving
Explorer
May 09, 2018
I agree with joke at best. Forget the insulation and concentrate on moving with the temps. We like to stay just a touch on the cooler side. It's easier to heat a little than having to cool. It's a fine art of balancing between what fantastic place you may want to be in and how warm or cold it is. Run of the mill RV's and temp extremes dont mix. You look at the weather on your phone and adjust your course.
TXiceman
Explorer II
May 09, 2018
Look at the Arctic Fox line if you want a good 4 season RV. Forget Keystone, Thor and Forest River and their Polar and Arctic packages.

Ken
donn0128
Explorer II
May 09, 2018
TXiceman wrote:
Look at the Arctic Fox line if you want a good 4 season RV. Forget Keystone, Thor and Forest River and their Polar and Arctic packages.

Ken

Foxes are still built with 2x2 sidewalls, so insulation values are still the same. The difference is AFs dont use Lippert frames, and are better put together.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
May 09, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
All but one or two will have similar insulation values. You can only cram so much insulation into a 2 inch wall cavity.
Montana, by Thor will be similar to FR Cardinal and Cedar Creek. Look at Arcric Fox for a better product at a similar price point.
I agree. Dual pane windows help also.

B.O.
goducks10
Explorer
May 09, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
TXiceman wrote:
Look at the Arctic Fox line if you want a good 4 season RV. Forget Keystone, Thor and Forest River and their Polar and Arctic packages.

Ken

Foxes are still built with 2x2 sidewalls, so insulation values are still the same. The difference is AFs dont use Lippert frames, and are better put together.

The only thing that separates AF from the rest is the frame. AF isn't made any better any where else. Plenty of disgruntled customers on the AF forum. Sign of the times I suppose. Every MFG is cranking out RV's as fast as they can.
One thing to AF's credit is they don't tout fictitious R values. I think they tout 18 for roofs and ceilings. Not the 30-40 garbage that many do.
When looking for 4 season RV's you really have to rethink the 4 season part. None will be comfortable in Death Valley in the summer or Anchorage in the winter.
dblr
Explorer
May 09, 2018
Check out the new River Stone and their Legacy line, they have 3 14" walls but with any rv extra measures are needed for extreme cold, Teton was one of the best for cold but finding a one in good shape for sale might be tough.