Forum Discussion

atleif's avatar
atleif
Explorer
Jan 28, 2018

Help deciding and alumn vs wood frame question

I am going to buy my first travel trailer and have narrowed it down to a 2018 FR Wolfpup 18TO black label edition (has upgraded insulation, alumn wheels and some cosmetic upgrades) and a 2018 Outdoorsrv 18DB (backcountry edition which has base camp package). I am kinda torn between the 2. The wolf pup is about 400lbs less,cost about $4,000 less, has a slide and my gf likes the couch and floorplan better than the other one. On the other hand the Outdoorsrv has a solar panel, offroad suspension/shocks, and is a aluminum frame. As a newbie I'm not sure how big of a deal it is to have a aluminum frame vs wood. Will the outdoorsrv last that much longer than the wolfpup assuming equal level of maintenance? I will be living in it for about 6 months of the year in the Oregon high desert at my job roughly May-Oct. Any input would be appreciated.
  • The_Owl's avatar
    The_Owl
    Explorer
    Jan 28, 2018
    donn0128 wrote:
    Outdoor RV will be much better overall trailer. 4K is nothing to sneeze at, but at the end of the day is a small price to pay for better. Not only is Outdoor an aluminum frame, it has an in house built frame compared to FRs Lippert frame.
    IMHO either frame mayerial can be good or horrible depending on how its put together.


    Absolutely I’ve seen good and bad examples of both. Might want to look at some other Northwood products (Arctic Fox and Nash). Had one for 5 years and still would have it but outgrew it.
  • atleif's avatar
    atleif
    Explorer
    Jan 28, 2018
    donn0128 wrote:

    If your close enough come to LaPine state park next summer and say hi.

    I will be at Prineville Reservior SP so I might be able to do that sometime. As far as finding one that has both 20k is right at the top of my price range. I should've also noted that 18ft is about my top weight range (grand cherokee of mine is listed as 6500lb tow max) I am up for other suggestions just those 2 are the ones that have popped so far.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 28, 2018
    “On the other hand the Outdoorsrv has a solar panel,”

    A solar panel capable of producing how many watts? Is it for battery maintaining or battery charging? Can you add more panels with the installed controller?
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jan 28, 2018
    Pros and cons about both...floor plan that fits your needs best should come first.

    but, I think you can find a trailer that has what you like about each one of these all in one trailer....ie, slide, the couch your girl likes, cosmetics, and smooth sided, aluminum framed, etc.

    My advice, keep shopping.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 28, 2018
    Outdoor RV will be much better overall trailer. 4K is nothing to sneeze at, but at the end of the day is a small price to pay for better. Not only is Outdoor an aluminum frame, it has an in house built frame compared to FRs Lippert frame.
    IMHO either frame mayerial can be good or horrible depending on how its put together. So dont let that alone sway you.
    If your close enough come to LaPine state park next summer and say hi.

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