Jayco, Arctic Fox, Grand Design
Ugh... Why oh Why is making a choice so hard. Wife and I went looking today.... Jayco seem nice but local dealer doesn't have a lot of inventory but it seems to be missing options I think I wa...
Forum Discussion
n7bsn wrote:
Of the three, Jayco isn't really close.
Grand Design are well appointed, but if you are interested in getting into some rough country Arctic Fox is your choice.
One of the things we love about Arctic Fox (owned the first one for 10 years, and it was used when we bought it) is the quality. They may (and do) lack "glitz". But they are solidly built. They build their own frames, vrs buying Lipperts (see Lippert failures).
The pressure test their rigs to ensure they don't leak. Having an R-99 wall and ceiling does you little choice if the wind blows through gaps in the construction.
One thing to bare in mind about "claimed" R value, some builders are including a new reflective membrane with high "claimed" R values. These are not really borne out and you don't find these claims in say homes, where the R ratings are regulated.
I'm going to guess that your "local Washington" dealer is Sumner RV. They really are a family. A lot of the staff is related by blood, marriage, or something. When we bought they beat another dealers price by a comfortable margin.
I haven't been able to find much info on the AF frames past that they are made in house VS Lippert. We do like the idea of off the beaten path, gravel roads, out in the grass at the wife's family property.. A 5th wheel isn't a 4x4 trailer I know.
Good point about the claimed R value VS leaky trailer. I recall grand design claiming a high value, don't recall if they have dual panes or not. I know in our current 5th wheel the heat cycles often, plugged in not really an issue but dry camping and its pointless to turn the heat on. what I don't like is the condensation in the morning.. Water just = wet in my book and wet in a camper is bad.
Yes Sumner RV is like 10 miles from the house, we didn't' get a chance to look yesterday as they were closed. But knowing that they are a family affair and now that I think about it super close for any warrantee work I really should take another look.
Up until yesterday the wife wanted 30-32 feet now she is game for 35.. that opens up a lot of options in the 3 lines. She is basically done shopping.. and just wants a new tent.
