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rickm's avatar
rickm
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013

Starcraft AR-ONE

Just purchased ( 3 weeks ago) a new 2012 Starcraft AR-ONE 15RB. Sold my Jayco Eagle TT. Actually, found this one left over, and got a good deal on it, so, bought it and sold my other. Anyone that tells u its hard to sell in the fall is wrong btw. Anyways, decided the Eagle was to big, at $1.25 a litre of gas, and climbing, it was costing too much to tow. When the GF and i thought about it, all we use the trailer for is to sleep in, so size really doesn't matter ( lets not go there). I have owned hybrids before, both were used, both had had water leaks, and had been fixed. This time, i decided to go brand new, so i can maintain it from new ... thats the biggest problem, maintenance! Also, the AR-ONE is aluminum exterior except for the back. Not as pretty, but just look at how many trailers suffer from delamination. This trailer is basic, but saying that, it has what i need to camp ... no fancy this or that, just the right things. We used it for the 1st time this week, oh, how nice it was to be sleeping in a pop-up like bed again.... to hear the sounds, to feel the breeze, even here in Ontario at this time of year. So, i will be using it again before putting it away, but will report back on this trailer .... are there other AR-ONE owners?

10 Replies

  • rickm's avatar
    rickm
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2013
    the only reason to lubricate the antenna is to make it go up and down easier ....never had one leak before, and yes, the AR-ONE group is not a good one
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2013
    Thanks for the tip on the antenna! I never thought about it much, but it makes sense. I'm not too fond of the white wheels either, but I put a good coat of wax on them each year and so far, no rust.
    Question to you, since you have experience with the antenna. The literature I got with the trailer says I need to lubricate the antenna O-rings twice a year to prevent it from leaking in through the shaft. So far, I don't see how to do that. Have you been able to do that on past trailers?
    As far as the AR-ONE forum goes, it is pretty dead. Never any activity. Once you post something, you have to wait hours before you post anything else. This is a much better forum, though not dedicated to the AR-ONE.
  • rickm's avatar
    rickm
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2013
    The trailer had been sitting on the dealers lot for almost 2 years.... so, he gave me a good deal. It was actually cheaper than US pricing. I told him i wanted the caulking checked while they were getting it ready for delivery. Got it home, went up on the ladder, of course, the caulking was cracking. There was caked in dirt between the antenna and the roof, so nothing was inspected. Speaking of antennas, and this is a tip for anyone.... learned this from my older Jayco Eagle i just sold... the antenna rubs on the rubber roof, and in time can wear on the rubber roof. I went to a body shop i know, and they gave me this rubber/vinyl material, i cut to size, and stuck it where the antenna rubber rubs on the roof, preventing wearing thru. Also, the white steel wheels are rusting, so i told them, and they are getting me two new ones.... those white wheels are junk, they rust in no time, but hey, it's new, i want it to look that way!
  • mleekamp's avatar
    mleekamp
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    We had a Starcraft AR-ONE 16BH. A great quality little camper. We only had it 6 months due to the fact we were camping more and more and need more room for the kids. Would love to own one again for just the wife and I...
  • gheicher's avatar
    gheicher
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    rickm wrote:
    I saw your mods on the AR-ONE group site. Tried to join, but when i had to confirm e-mail address, it would say e-mail not found. Tell me, the locks on the rear bunk, are they the same keys that unlock the door? My door keys do not work, called dealer, they called me back, they think they have a key that will work .... thats the problem with Campgrounds that want to be RV dealers too ... they have no clue


    My rear bunk fold-out, main entry door, and baggage storage doors all have separate keys (3 keys for everything). I suspect that a key for any AR-ONE rear fold-out will probably work just like the keys for baggage door locks made by the same manufacturer.
  • rickm's avatar
    rickm
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    gheicher wrote:
    My 2011 AR-ONE 15RB. See mods at My Campers

    Below pic of trailer without the fold-out deployed since I was camping alone. Nice to have the ability to expand when others come along.



    I saw your mods on the AR-ONE group site. Tried to join, but when i had to confirm e-mail address, it would say e-mail not found. Tell me, the locks on the rear bunk, are they the same keys that unlock the door? My door keys do not work, called dealer, they called me back, they think they have a key that will work .... thats the problem with Campgrounds that want to be RV dealers too ... they have no clue
  • Mvander's avatar
    Mvander
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    Great trailer. Congrats. My parents got an ar one in the spring and love it.
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    We have an AR-ONE 17RD and love it. My wife didn't want any "tent material", so the hybrid was out for us. The AR-ONE is a no-nonsense basic camper but seems to be pretty well built. We've never had any problems with it whatsoever. We tow it easily with a 6cyl Envoy and still get 12 MPG. Before this we had a 21' Class C. It was really nice, but it got 8 MPG (all the time, at least now I can unhitch and get 20 MPG!!). We've had the 17RD for a couple of years now, and have taken many a trip. The nice thing about a smaller trailer is I can park it next to my house without the neighbors complaining, and we can take a last minute trip without thinking "oh man, I have to tow that thing around again??". Perhaps when we retire and want to take those month+ long trips we'll get something bigger, but for now we're quite satisfied!
  • gheicher's avatar
    gheicher
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    My 2011 AR-ONE 15RB. See mods at My Campers

    Below pic of trailer without the fold-out deployed since I was camping alone. Nice to have the ability to expand when others come along.

  • Davidlatham2012's avatar
    Davidlatham2012
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    Own a antiqua, made by starcraft and a hybrid. If its any hope it is a 2004 and no leaks and in great shape. You will enjoy it!

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