Feedback: AF 25W vs Lance 2285
I've been reading these forums for several years and am looking for some feedback. I think there's a lot of great feedback on this site. I'll give some background. I don't want a Ford v Chevy argument...
Forum Discussion
"I'm looking at longer trips in retirement and want something I can stay in for maybe 2-3 weeks at a time."
Our 2013 25W...Many things I don't like and many we love. Left Seattle early Nov and still on road (6 months?). Will make it home early June. In the NW we like our tiny class C. AF was for extended travel.
Spent 1 month next to an older AF that has about 140,000 miles on it and still going strong, no problems. Most pleasant surprise for us is the outside storage "shed". I thought it would be handy but has proven to be really useful. Costco size...One case of paper towels and one case of toilet paper fits real good on top shelf.
Have no fear, there will be things to fix even on one directly from factory. With us was a cabinet screws, and added a fence post sewer tube holder because the drain is just out of reach of the sewer drains at some parks. So I carry extra length of sewer hose. Drain is approx in between outside storage door and window if you are looking at a floor plan. Being it is a rear kitchen little bit more bouncing. Fridge racks have fallen twice in 6 months. I'm finding a way to shim them up just bit. I'm not sure if racks are not made to spec's or what. I don't like Marathon tires so replaced the totally new marathons with other tires and load range E. Tows like a charm with cheap hitch. Pulled fantastic fan from bedroom and put in kitchen. Then installed a fantastic with remote in bedroom. Nothing like being almost asleep and just mash a button. No longer does someone have to get up stand on bed to shut the fan off. (How's that for ultimate lazy?)
Lots of little things we did't notice until later. (There are hose clamps on the water line. We were told to keep them tight and watched rv guy tighten them. We thought OK, they are tight now and every year we'll make sure they are tight. Wrong; tighten them twice a year or every 3,000 miles). Back to little things you don't notice until later. One hose clamp came loose and I found out that water pump is below the wooden floor level so when hose clamp leaked there was no problem. Water did get insulation wet around water tank, but no water damage to floor or wood.
When we get back home I'm going to pull out the chairs/sofa and make a bench type seat that will also extend the kitchen counter and storage underneath and also make it into bunkbeds for grandkids. Even though the 25W is basically a "grown up model" I will have lots of sleeping room for grandkids and still good when just the 2 of us.
I could write a lot more but best insight might be checking out http://www.nroa2003.com/forum/ Right now there is a posting of how many NW products people have owned. Many return buyers. And also posting about their summer get together. I'm sure they would welcome you. I think web site free for so long then 20 bucks a year.
Overall AF is very good but have yet so see a perfect RV. Usually always I want to upgrade or change something. For example, thermostat is a hassle to reach. A water pump switch in bathroom would be great, so you don't have to open both doors. Back door to turn on pump, then use bathroom (front door) and then back to rear to pump switch off.
AF dealers for the most part, not to many may complaints. The AF dealer in Sumner many seem to like. I won't go out on a branch and say AF is the best ever made. But will say we are overall pleased.
Our 2013 25W...Many things I don't like and many we love. Left Seattle early Nov and still on road (6 months?). Will make it home early June. In the NW we like our tiny class C. AF was for extended travel.
Spent 1 month next to an older AF that has about 140,000 miles on it and still going strong, no problems. Most pleasant surprise for us is the outside storage "shed". I thought it would be handy but has proven to be really useful. Costco size...One case of paper towels and one case of toilet paper fits real good on top shelf.
Have no fear, there will be things to fix even on one directly from factory. With us was a cabinet screws, and added a fence post sewer tube holder because the drain is just out of reach of the sewer drains at some parks. So I carry extra length of sewer hose. Drain is approx in between outside storage door and window if you are looking at a floor plan. Being it is a rear kitchen little bit more bouncing. Fridge racks have fallen twice in 6 months. I'm finding a way to shim them up just bit. I'm not sure if racks are not made to spec's or what. I don't like Marathon tires so replaced the totally new marathons with other tires and load range E. Tows like a charm with cheap hitch. Pulled fantastic fan from bedroom and put in kitchen. Then installed a fantastic with remote in bedroom. Nothing like being almost asleep and just mash a button. No longer does someone have to get up stand on bed to shut the fan off. (How's that for ultimate lazy?)
Lots of little things we did't notice until later. (There are hose clamps on the water line. We were told to keep them tight and watched rv guy tighten them. We thought OK, they are tight now and every year we'll make sure they are tight. Wrong; tighten them twice a year or every 3,000 miles). Back to little things you don't notice until later. One hose clamp came loose and I found out that water pump is below the wooden floor level so when hose clamp leaked there was no problem. Water did get insulation wet around water tank, but no water damage to floor or wood.
When we get back home I'm going to pull out the chairs/sofa and make a bench type seat that will also extend the kitchen counter and storage underneath and also make it into bunkbeds for grandkids. Even though the 25W is basically a "grown up model" I will have lots of sleeping room for grandkids and still good when just the 2 of us.
I could write a lot more but best insight might be checking out http://www.nroa2003.com/forum/ Right now there is a posting of how many NW products people have owned. Many return buyers. And also posting about their summer get together. I'm sure they would welcome you. I think web site free for so long then 20 bucks a year.
Overall AF is very good but have yet so see a perfect RV. Usually always I want to upgrade or change something. For example, thermostat is a hassle to reach. A water pump switch in bathroom would be great, so you don't have to open both doors. Back door to turn on pump, then use bathroom (front door) and then back to rear to pump switch off.
AF dealers for the most part, not to many may complaints. The AF dealer in Sumner many seem to like. I won't go out on a branch and say AF is the best ever made. But will say we are overall pleased.
