Forum Discussion

rvshrinker's avatar
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Apr 26, 2017

help choosing: Arctic Fox of similar 'medium' TT

OK,

After literally years of research (and posting here) I've finally ordered the tow vehicle of my dreams, which is a full ton RAM 3500 megacab SRW with the Cummins diesel and AISIN tranny. My TV is no longer going to limit me!

I'm looking for a TT that has the following abilities:

- sleep 4 comfortably in good weather for a week, 6 in a pinch, could supplement with a tent

- sleep 4 in the winter for a weekend

- serve as a guest room at our house for 1-2 weeks at a time - will have hookups - guests will have access to our house

- have sufficient capacity to boondock for 4 for several days up to a week at a time, even if it means conserving water

- be able to handle rough forest service roads (not true off road)

- be small enough to take into forest service and national park campgrounds. We stay away from the KOA type places.

I'm thinking of a 1-2 slide Arctic Fox or a Nash, based on quality/reputation, but open to other suggestions, tips, and pointers.

I'll be looking used to save money. I have a friend with an 07 or so Komfort which slept 7 with the rear bunks which was perfect but unfortunately I delayed so long on the TV that she ultimately sold it.

thanks!
  • jarata1's avatar
    jarata1
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2017
    Great choice anything from northwood mfg or outdoors rv are great choices just remember they are very heavy
  • ParkCountry's avatar
    ParkCountry
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2017
    jarata1 wrote:
    Great choice anything from northwood mfg or outdoors rv are great choices just remember they are very heavy


    We are in the market for a new trailer (currently Arctic Fox owners) and have checked out the offerings from Outdoors RV. Granted, they are an offshoot of Northwood Mfg. but I have gone through some of them and I am NOT impressed. For a manufacturer who claims to build for the National/State Parks and National Forest niche market, the trailers seem flimsy, in my opinion. They have gotten scratched off of my list. Not even under consideration.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2017
    ParkCountry wrote:
    jarata1 wrote:
    Great choice anything from northwood mfg or outdoors rv are great choices just remember they are very heavy


    We are in the market for a new trailer (currently Arctic Fox owners) and have checked out the offerings from Outdoors RV. Granted, they are an offshoot of Northwood Mfg. but I have gone through some of them and I am NOT impressed. For a manufacturer who claims to build for the National/State Parks and National Forest niche market, the trailers seem flimsy, in my opinion. They have gotten scratched off of my list. Not even under consideration.


    In what ways have you found them "flimsy"? My ORV Creekside has about 30,000 miles, including hundreds of miles of off-pavement driving, sometimes requiring the winch to pull it up the super steep stuff. The frames and axles are bigger than the equivalent trailers from Thor and Jayco, they are insulated better, and much bigger tanks than the Thor offerings.
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Apr 26, 2017
    I see a 2014 23BHS ORV Creekside near us, supposedly used 3 times with 1700 miles and asking $20k. I think that's high but I do like the floor plan (I'd really like the bunks).

    How do these do in the cold? We'd only use it skiing a couple times per year but wouldn't want to freeze. Are any of the tanks insulated?
  • CascadeCamper's avatar
    CascadeCamper
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2017
    I am new to the forum but we have been RVing for years. I have been reading the forum for years.
    We are currently on our fourth new trailer. We started with a 1999 Viking 2480 pop-up, great unit but needed more room.
    Our next unit was a 2006 Jayco 213, also a great trailer we owned for 8 years.
    The next was a 2015 Keystone 272BH I have to say I was disappointed in that unit, poor build quality. We had a historically bad winter in Idaho this year and it was totaled in a warehouse collapse. Funny thing was all previous trailers were also all stored in the same warehouse while we owned them.
    Our new trailer is a 2016 Outdoors RV Timber Ridge and I'm hear to tell you they are anything but flimsy!
    The model we have is a 26CIS and it's amazing. I would highly recommend you go to their website and watch the many videos they have and check one out in person.
    A true 4 season camper.
    Just my 2 cents....
  • wsc7050's avatar
    wsc7050
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2017
    I have a 2015 Nash 25c and so far it has been great. My tv is a 07 mega cab 5.9 2500. It tows the camper and my family and all of our stuff well. Your 3500 should work well for what you are looking for. We have been camping at state parks and boondocking for the last 3 months. I'm really glad I didn't go bigger as some of the campgrounds have been tight! I'm not afraid of a dirt road and feel like the clearance on the camper is adequate. But I also don't kid myself that it is truly off road capable. I'm nearly 55' feet long and 15k! I feel like the Nash is built well and seems to keep the heat in relatively well. We have camped in temps in the 20s and the heater will run, but not continuously, We have had no issues with frozen tanks or lines. From what I have seen, there are a ton of units out there, you just have to find one that works for you, then take care of it and try not to exceed its capabilities too often! Good luck!
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Apr 27, 2017
    rvshrinker wrote:
    I'm thinking of a 1-2 slide Arctic Fox or a Nash, based on quality/reputation, but open to other suggestions, tips, and pointers.


    Northwood (AF / Nash) or something from Outdoors RV (sister company to Northwood) are the only ones I'd consider.

    Arctic Fox are quite a bit more upscale than the Nash, and are priced higher as a result.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2017
    I too am a fan of the Northwood and OutdoorsRV trailers generally speaking. I would also consider something like this Highland Ridge Light. I think it comes close to checking all your boxes.
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Apr 27, 2017
    Thanks folks, sounds like I am on the right track.

    re: Nash vs AF, are Nash equipped for 3.5-4 seasons? Would they handle the ski weekends? I don't need luxurious at all, in fact where we live we don't even need AC or heat (though we'd use the heat skiing).

    re: luxury options, it'd be nice to have an outdoor shower attachment for sandy feet, and I've seen a few Trailers that have a slide out outdoor kitchen or burner or grill which would be pretty fancy.

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