Hi all, Just joined up, as I am about to buy our first TT! We are going to start used, and smallish, and see how we like it. I'm hoping to get some good advice and even simply your opinions on the following:I have targeted an Arctic Fox and a Nash, both pre-owned 19b Models. the AF is year 2000, and the Nash is 2007. There are some minor (?) differences between them, ie things like a roof access ladder (do we need that?) and swing out hand railing on the AF, but the floor plan is identical. I do know that the AF is a little higher end, but this Nash is quite well equipped also.What I'm wondering is; what is the life expectancy of a TT like these, if well maintained? I'm a little concerned about the age of these. Second question;I also wonder if I'm good to tow one of the above TT's with my 2008 Silverado 1500. It seems like there are so many half ton pickups towing big TT's, yet the on-line towing calculator I used seemed to suggest that these two trailers would be too much. Either there are many people overweight out there, or I am missing something. (I'm betting it's me!) I must be inputting something wrong, or interpreting the results incorrectly...Specs: The Nash has a dry weight of 3750lbs, GVW of 7000.Hitch weight is about 350lbs. The AF is slightly heavier with a dry weight of 4380lbs, but still a GVW of 7000. Hitch weight about 400.My Silverado is an extended cab standard box. GVW of 7000lbs, GAWR front and rear are both 3950. From my manual, the max combined GVW is 13000, max listed trailer weight is 7500, and my truck has the 5.3l V8, 3:73 gearing. All this stuff is making my head spin - I have a lot to learn.... HELP! lol

Either will last a very long time, provided annual maintenance is kept up. There were some early 2000's, their first venture in smooth siding, which had some delamination problems (although pretty minor compared to all the big RV makers around the same time).FWIW - there's still stick-and-tin TTs from the 70's and 80's on the road, from all brands!

My first trailer was a 1998 Nash 22H. Those things are built SOLID and if properly taken care of will last a LONG time. I just sold mine last fall, knowing we were replacing it over the winter. It had a previous leak in the roof when we bought it. That leak was covered without drying out the wood or repairing any interior damage, unbeknownst to us. We did have some gremlins when I opened up the roof to repair it. Other than that, it was a solid trailer.We simply outgrew the floorplan with our second child and my wife wanted bunks and a bump out. I would not hesitate to buy the older Arctic Fox (IF IT IS IN GOOD SHAPE, specifically the roof), and the Nash isn't very old at all.Either one should last you quite some time if take good care of it. That Arctic Fox might require a little more maintenance though. I took out my windows and replaced the butyl tape sealant around them. I noticed on my 1998 that it was dry and starting to crack. Its really a pretty simply process. I would recommend putting Eternabond tape around the ends of the rubber roof where it meets the sidewalls, as well as around the roof protrusions.Good luck!

I'm going to suggest finding out what these trailers actually weigh (somebody here on the Forum has got to own examples of these) in order to answer your questions. With these TT's loaded and ready to travel they will be closer to the GVW than to the dry weight (dry weights are polite fiction). Second, those tongue weights seem to me to be very low. Tongue weights generally should come in at 12-15% of the weight of the trailer for best road manners. JMHOOur Coachmen is 15 years old and still going strong because it is maintained. If these units you are considering were well-maintained you should be in good shape. Northwood is one of the better builders out there. Good luck.

Age makes no difference. It is all about condition. The first places you should look at on a trailer are underneath to inspect suspension, brake wiring, and the condition of the tires. The second is on the roof to see how well the sealants have been maintained. Check the corners of the interior and all over the floor for any water damage or soft spots. I have no input for you on the ladder and handrail. If they are useful for you, I guess that would be a buying point.About towing weights: The most critical factor for 1/2 ton pickups is the Payload rating. A combination of passengers, cargo, and the hitch weight of the trailer should fall below that rating. The hitch weights you posted above are fiction. You can measure for that using a bathroom scale, a fulcrum, and a stout piece of wood. Scaled weight is always most accurate. A fully loaded trailer with battery and propane tanks on the tongue weighing 6000 lbs. will have a typical tongue weight of 660->900 lbs.

We towed a AF 19B with our 2002 Tahoe, so me experiences will be very similar. Towing was OK, in other words it was just about all I would want to pull. Northwood products are heavy for their sise. The only issue we had was one cupboard door came apart one winter. Some carpenters glue and a corner strap cured that. As with any wood frame RV watch out for any signs of leaks. No matter what brand that could spell disaster. Making the bed every night is no fun and the horrible foam did not sleep well. We ended up having a custom wise mattress made and storing the cushions at home. Join the afnash club. Great bunch of people.

Life span of Arctic Fox or Nash trailers, and towing them

13 Replies

Drbolasky
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
I'm going to suggest finding out what these trailers actually weigh (somebody here on the Forum has got to own examples of these) in order to answer your questions. With these TT's loaded and ready to travel they will be closer to the GVW than to the dry weight (dry weights are polite fiction). Second, those tongue weights seem to me to be very low. Tongue weights generally should come in at 12-15% of the weight of the trailer for best road manners. JMHO

Our Coachmen is 15 years old and still going strong because it is maintained. If these units you are considering were well-maintained you should be in good shape. Northwood is one of the better builders out there. Good luck.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2015
My first trailer was a 1998 Nash 22H. Those things are built SOLID and if properly taken care of will last a LONG time. I just sold mine last fall, knowing we were replacing it over the winter.

It had a previous leak in the roof when we bought it. That leak was covered without drying out the wood or repairing any interior damage, unbeknownst to us. We did have some gremlins when I opened up the roof to repair it. Other than that, it was a solid trailer.

We simply outgrew the floorplan with our second child and my wife wanted bunks and a bump out. I would not hesitate to buy the older Arctic Fox (IF IT IS IN GOOD SHAPE, specifically the roof), and the Nash isn't very old at all.

Either one should last you quite some time if take good care of it. That Arctic Fox might require a little more maintenance though. I took out my windows and replaced the butyl tape sealant around them. I noticed on my 1998 that it was dry and starting to crack. Its really a pretty simply process. I would recommend putting Eternabond tape around the ends of the rubber roof where it meets the sidewalls, as well as around the roof protrusions.

Good luck!
carringb
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
Either will last a very long time, provided annual maintenance is kept up. There were some early 2000's, their first venture in smooth siding, which had some delamination problems (although pretty minor compared to all the big RV makers around the same time).

FWIW - there's still stick-and-tin TTs from the 70's and 80's on the road, from all brands!

Forum Discussion

Life span of Arctic Fox or Nash trailers, and towing them

13 Replies

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