Hi again. And sorry again if this is covered in 100 other threads...Was visiting a dealer local to me about two weeks ago to look at a camper that we think is "the one" ;) when we can pull the trigger later in the year.While I'm chatting with the sales guy I ask him if he ever ordered his campers with the Arctic option for the brand we're looking at. I think I made it obvious to him that I thought this option was a good thing to have and was basically waving extra money in his face. So his reaction kinda made me do a double take. He scoffed at the idea and stated in so many words that he never ordered his units with the Arctic package because he thought it was a huge waste of money...I even told him I wanted the option of not only more comfortably extending my camping season/options but that I had read that this May help with Air Conditioning in summer... Still he dismissed the very idea. Stating he thought it was a waste.Another dealer located an hour or so farther away from me will sometimes make a big deal about having the Arctic package and to top it off they seem to be quoting a price several thousand lower... Unless I was getting some bait and switch. I made it clear to both dealers that I was doing homework only at this point...The dealer closest to me scoffs at the idea of a Arctic package but "seems" to still be asking a lot more $$$ for the same Trailer. The guy farther away seems to make a big deal out of the Arctic package and "seems" be have a lot better prices...I'm just trying to figure out - what I'm missing? Are these Arctic packages a waste? This one would include an enclosed, insulated, heated underbelly and some sort of foil extra insulation in the roof as opposed to just a enclosed underbelly in the standard version of the trailer... Is it a waste? It was less than 1,000 according to the manufacturers web site. Maybe one of these dealers are playing some game I don't get... I'm just worrying and maybe confused. You thoughts or experience is welcome.

Maybe he has one on a back lot that doesn't have the Arctic/Polar package that he plans on "finding" and offering to you. It could even be on a local dealer lot that he knows he can get for a good deal. Maybe even get it from the factory but already built. The point is, maybe he doesn't want to order one because he can make more money on an existing (maybe left-over) unit.PS: I agree with you: Get all the insulation, insulated glass, belly wrap, tank heaters, increased furnace A/C size you can get.

4 Seasons Packages are NOT a waste of money. I wouldn't have ordered mine without the dual pane glass, etc!WoodGlue

Hi,Artic packages make the rv more comfortable year round. They are quieter inside, too.

We bought our Creekside because of the 4 season package.I like the heated underbelly and tank valves.Floor is warmer and the unit is just plain more comfortable.I would think it would be worth getting in any brand trailer if has heated tanks and floor, and more insulation.We use it a lot in early spring all the way into November.

Just be sure you know what an Arctic Package really includes.Otherwise the local guy likes to sell base model stuff at a loaded price.

Arctic/Polar/Cold weather packages. | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

USMarine0369
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
That's great! I am looking at the Starcraft AR 309.
pbohart
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Farm Camp -

You made the right choice IMHO. You got the added protection that cost very little, and what you lost with the Dual Pane windows you can correct with a $150 dehumidifier purchase later.

BTW...even if you had purchased the DP windows you STILL would have needed to buy the dehumidifier later because condensation forms EVERYWHERE (windows, doors, walls, inside cupboards, etc.).

You're good to go!
nevadanick
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Enclosed and heated by the furnace beats tank heating pads when you cant be plugged in all the time. In my KZ i have been in -12 and been able to use everything in the trailer and i am sure they never intended for it to be in those temps.
Farm_Camp
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Hey there again. I was surprised that this thread popped back up. But again thanks for all that gave their input.

After doing a whole lot of research and even more consideration about how we are most likely to use a camper we ended up ordering a new 2014 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 329BHU and are looking forward to it being delivered later in June.

I did however change dealers and went with one located a little farther away from me. I just had a bad feeling about my more local dealer.

I went with their "regular" Arctic package that includes heated and enclosed underbelly and some extra foil insulation in the roof and slides.

I decided not to worry about thermal windows. I completely understand their value - I just decided that for my situation and the way we are most likely to use the camper a small dehumidifier will work for moisture control. If I ever thought I'd be camping in very-very cold weather for extended periods of time I would have likely looked for a thermal pane option.

For me - cost/benefit wise the dehumidifier if we do ever camp in the cooler months will do what I need at much less expense. In all things I also completely discounted the impact to resale because I just do not see the extra up front cost making that much of a positive impact on resale in my area. Your mileage may vary. ;)

Anyway. I'm excited for our baby to arrive. I'm thrilled as well that Starcraft has adopted a 2 year warranty just like their Jayco cousins. (Starcraft is owned by Jayco). Looking forward to getting out there after almost two years of research and planning!
USMarine0369
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Farm Camp wrote:
Hi again. And sorry again if this is covered in 100 other threads...

Was visiting a dealer local to me about two weeks ago to look at a camper that we think is "the one" ;) when we can pull the trigger later in the year.

While I'm chatting with the sales guy I ask him if he ever ordered his campers with the Arctic option for the brand we're looking at. I think I made it obvious to him that I thought this option was a good thing to have and was basically waving extra money in his face.

So his reaction kinda made me do a double take. He scoffed at the idea and stated in so many words that he never ordered his units with the Arctic package because he thought it was a huge waste of money...

I even told him I wanted the option of not only more comfortably extending my camping season/options but that I had read that this May help with Air Conditioning in summer...

Still he dismissed the very idea. Stating he thought it was a waste.

Another dealer located an hour or so farther away from me will sometimes make a big deal about having the Arctic package and to top it off they seem to be quoting a price several thousand lower... Unless I was getting some bait and switch. I made it clear to both dealers that I was doing homework only at this point...

The dealer closest to me scoffs at the idea of a Arctic package but "seems" to still be asking a lot more $$$ for the same Trailer. The guy farther away seems to make a big deal out of the Arctic package and "seems" be have a lot better prices...

I'm just trying to figure out - what I'm missing? Are these Arctic packages a waste? This one would include an enclosed, insulated, heated underbelly and some sort of foil extra insulation in the roof as opposed to just a enclosed underbelly in the standard version of the trailer... Is it a waste? It was less than 1,000 according to the manufacturers web site. Maybe one of these dealers are playing some game I don't get... I'm just worrying and maybe confused. You thoughts or experience is welcome.

I have a Starcraft Autumn Ridge and it boasts the extra insulation. It is the 256BHS. It also has heated tanks (just forced air heated I believe). However, it only has single pane windows. I am seriously thinking of going to a different make/ model that has:
1. Thermal pane windows
2. Heated tanks (forced air is fine with me)
3. Heated underbelly (pretty much the same as above)
4. Enclosed Knife valves
5. Fully enclosed underbelly

In my opinion, if you are going to get an 'arctic pkg', make sure it covers what you want in an arctic package. It is worth 1000's of dollars to do your own research, rather than rely on a salesman who doesn't know what he is talking about.
WoodGlue
Explorer
Mar 14, 2013
mlts22 wrote:
Now that is something I'd like to see installed in RVs... some type of built-in dehumidifier that can pull the water out of the air, dump it in the grey water tank, or perhaps just outside the rig. I've seen 1-2 roof-mounted A/C models that have a dehumidifier separate from the air conditioner, but it would be nice if this were a standard feature on all AC units, perhaps with an electric heat strip as well. If heating the air and on shore power or 120VAC from a generator, might as well make the air dry.

X2 I couldn't agree more. Some sort of built in unit would be great (as an option even)

WoodGlue
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 14, 2013
Hi,

Just for fun I wrote the Exeltech.

"I’m hoping to have a 3000 watt (3 x 1000 watt) with 12 volt DC input (two battery banks, one 500 amp-hours, one 375 amp-hours) pure sine wave unit.

It would be used in my class C motor home. It would be replacing a Cobra 2500 Watt msw unit.

I need to know the physical size of such a unit, and of course the cost."

and their reply:

"This unit would measure 9" W x 7" H x 15" D and is $3319."
westend
Explorer
Mar 14, 2013
miltvill wrote:
From the Starcraft brochure:

"Our optional Arctic Package extends your camping season and provides protection against frigid temperatures with its insulated, heated and enclosed underbelly.
For additional protection, the optional full-foil wrap boosts your R-values to R-24 in the floor, R-19 in the walls and R-22 in the roof."

This is close to the Jayco's Polar Package. Also, Arctic Fox and many other TT's have some type of foil-wrap to increase the R-value. Many people use a reflective type of wrap on their TT's windows for better cooling and heating. So the stuff must work.

I would get the Arctic Package for sure.
The Autumn Ridge specifications list the standard insulation as R-7 fiberglass--walls, ceiling, and floor. The bubble wrap will increase that all to R-7.5. There is just little argument about the physics of this. In order for any plastic to attain R-values equal to the airspace, the structural cavity would have to be perfectly sealed. Even in that case, the 2" wall cavity would never be R-19 unless it was filled with Aerogel. That would make the Autumn Ridge a $100K trailer.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 14, 2013
Hi,

Those are huge R values.
miltvill
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2013
From the Starcraft brochure:

"Our optional Arctic Package extends your camping season and provides protection against frigid temperatures with its insulated, heated and enclosed underbelly.
For additional protection, the optional full-foil wrap boosts your R-values to R-24 in the floor, R-19 in the walls and R-22 in the roof."

This is close to the Jayco's Polar Package. Also, Arctic Fox and many other TT's have some type of foil-wrap to increase the R-value. Many people use a reflective type of wrap on their TT's windows for better cooling and heating. So the stuff must work.

I would get the Arctic Package for sure.