Facing a conundrum, what to do?
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...
Forum Discussion
I really appreciate all the feedback! I'm going to reply to each as best I can...
Downunda; this is why I posted this topic and question. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. It's just is the $20k difference worth it? It's still an RV no matter what. I plan to keep whatever we buy for at least 10 years.
bucky; we will always be RVers in some fashion. Wherever we end up relocating to, we will still RV as we do now, in the weekender fashion along with the week long or 2 week trips throughout the year.
DutchmenSport; the wife is equally fine with either option. Each one has it's own strong points that she likes but she is a-ok with either one. She has said numerous times that it is up to me since I'm the one pulling it around and dealing with the mechanics of it.
rhagfo; that is another big plus with the Fox that I observed early on in the searches and am well aware how important it is for full-time living which is why it has been such a strong contender for us. Aside from it just being plain comfortable to be in. It has always just felt like home whenever we step inside. The Jayco also feels nice, we just haven't spent much time in one yet.
Veebyes; I would much prefer a used unit and I've been looking however 2 issues so far: 1-AF units are very limited on the used market. Their production numbers are so low compared to what comes out of Indiana that there just is not many units to go around. It also seems people that buy them, keep them and don't turn around and sell them like other rigs. 2-the 319 floorplan from Jayco is new for this year so there are not used units to be had yet. Given time I'm sure they'll start to pop up.
ACZL; I'm a gut feeling guy but since I'm a realist and a numbers guy, I look into and study things likely too deep. Looking at the cost (purchase, registration and ins all together), the weight, the size, how things are built, manuf reputations, etc are why I'm so hung up right now. Both units would work a-ok, I'm just trying to avoid an unhappy, regretful experience like with what I had with the super c (long story).
troubledwaters; sure it could be done however I want to end up in something that I do not have to do that sort of work to. When I was younger I might've done that if necessary but no thanks now. My time is way to valuable now.
Lantley; I'm 260lbs / 6'5" so I generally can feel things pretty well in my feet as soon as I step foot in the door. I was expecting the Jayco to feel a bit less sturdy than the AF but my feet seem to say it felt pretty solid. We're weekender status for now but aiming to do the full-time in the future at some point for a period of time. After that we would go back to weekender status.
4x4ord; there just doesn't seem to be any on the market that we are looking for. Also I would really like to be the one in charge of the roof and seals from the get-go with buying new. The super c we just sold had delamination issues because the original owner did not keep up on it correctly.
jmtandem; exactly why the Fox is so strong on our list.
MarkTwain; if we were only weekenders without the possibility of going full-time, I would go for the Jayco without question. But because of the full-time goal, the AF is a key player here.
laknox; we looked at them at the Pomona show but they did not do anything for us so that's only as far as it went.
downtheroad; my truck would handle it, but it would be at the limits and can make for tiring travels. I'm not ruling out converting it to a dually if needed. I have no desire to replace the truck, I've owned it since new and know every one of its quirks. It's also paid off and the new trucks have way to many things that can go wrong. (thanks EPA)
ScottG; thanks, I appreciate the feedback on your experience!
BB_TX; exactly, 20k is a big chunk which is why I'm looking at the Jayco as an alternative option. I know it'll always be the 'what if' no matter what, I just would really like to avoid the 'I should've bought the AF instead' or on the flip side 'was it worth the extra $$ to buy this thing instead of the Jayco?'
The cost figures are also part of this, not just purchase but yearly expenses (registration and insurance) which are less on the Jayco.
Durb; been looking, AFs don't seem to come up used much at all. There are other floorplans but not the one we want. One did come up but it seems to be quite used, not just gently.
time2roll; exactly. Not looking to get rich (this is an RV afterall, not exactly an investment!), just looking to enjoy life and minimize the 'should have I' or 'what if' etc. I know, never can eliminate it.
Downunda; this is why I posted this topic and question. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. It's just is the $20k difference worth it? It's still an RV no matter what. I plan to keep whatever we buy for at least 10 years.
bucky; we will always be RVers in some fashion. Wherever we end up relocating to, we will still RV as we do now, in the weekender fashion along with the week long or 2 week trips throughout the year.
DutchmenSport; the wife is equally fine with either option. Each one has it's own strong points that she likes but she is a-ok with either one. She has said numerous times that it is up to me since I'm the one pulling it around and dealing with the mechanics of it.
rhagfo; that is another big plus with the Fox that I observed early on in the searches and am well aware how important it is for full-time living which is why it has been such a strong contender for us. Aside from it just being plain comfortable to be in. It has always just felt like home whenever we step inside. The Jayco also feels nice, we just haven't spent much time in one yet.
Veebyes; I would much prefer a used unit and I've been looking however 2 issues so far: 1-AF units are very limited on the used market. Their production numbers are so low compared to what comes out of Indiana that there just is not many units to go around. It also seems people that buy them, keep them and don't turn around and sell them like other rigs. 2-the 319 floorplan from Jayco is new for this year so there are not used units to be had yet. Given time I'm sure they'll start to pop up.
ACZL; I'm a gut feeling guy but since I'm a realist and a numbers guy, I look into and study things likely too deep. Looking at the cost (purchase, registration and ins all together), the weight, the size, how things are built, manuf reputations, etc are why I'm so hung up right now. Both units would work a-ok, I'm just trying to avoid an unhappy, regretful experience like with what I had with the super c (long story).
troubledwaters; sure it could be done however I want to end up in something that I do not have to do that sort of work to. When I was younger I might've done that if necessary but no thanks now. My time is way to valuable now.
Lantley; I'm 260lbs / 6'5" so I generally can feel things pretty well in my feet as soon as I step foot in the door. I was expecting the Jayco to feel a bit less sturdy than the AF but my feet seem to say it felt pretty solid. We're weekender status for now but aiming to do the full-time in the future at some point for a period of time. After that we would go back to weekender status.
4x4ord; there just doesn't seem to be any on the market that we are looking for. Also I would really like to be the one in charge of the roof and seals from the get-go with buying new. The super c we just sold had delamination issues because the original owner did not keep up on it correctly.
jmtandem; exactly why the Fox is so strong on our list.
MarkTwain; if we were only weekenders without the possibility of going full-time, I would go for the Jayco without question. But because of the full-time goal, the AF is a key player here.
laknox; we looked at them at the Pomona show but they did not do anything for us so that's only as far as it went.
downtheroad; my truck would handle it, but it would be at the limits and can make for tiring travels. I'm not ruling out converting it to a dually if needed. I have no desire to replace the truck, I've owned it since new and know every one of its quirks. It's also paid off and the new trucks have way to many things that can go wrong. (thanks EPA)
ScottG; thanks, I appreciate the feedback on your experience!
BB_TX; exactly, 20k is a big chunk which is why I'm looking at the Jayco as an alternative option. I know it'll always be the 'what if' no matter what, I just would really like to avoid the 'I should've bought the AF instead' or on the flip side 'was it worth the extra $$ to buy this thing instead of the Jayco?'
The cost figures are also part of this, not just purchase but yearly expenses (registration and insurance) which are less on the Jayco.
Durb; been looking, AFs don't seem to come up used much at all. There are other floorplans but not the one we want. One did come up but it seems to be quite used, not just gently.
time2roll; exactly. Not looking to get rich (this is an RV afterall, not exactly an investment!), just looking to enjoy life and minimize the 'should have I' or 'what if' etc. I know, never can eliminate it.
