4 season rv recommendations

[TnTtravelers]

DW and I are considering trading in our Everest fiver as retirement is soon approaching and we're considering heading out on the open road, indefinitely. Not sure what the future holds but we're looking for a 4 season fifth wheel trailer to live at least 6 months per year in, maybe more. Looking around I've seen a few models where they claim to be 4 season rigs but some were pretty out of touch for my investment potential. A couple of more affordable units that I found that claimed to be 4 season were Montana and Jayco North Point. Can I trust that these are truly worthy of the 4 season classification? Are there some makes out there that claim to be but really don't fit the bill? Any suggestions? I'm anxious to hear everyone's experience and input and thank you all in advance.

[mockturtle]

Your best bet is to follow the sun in winter and the mountains in summer. The big advantage to an RV is that it is, in fact, mobile.

[memtb]

justme wrote:
Lots of good advice. My question is: Are there any trailers that don't sound like a drum when its raining?

While we can certainly hear the rain on the roof, it’s not offensive! At least not to us....however, we like to hear a little rain on the roof!

[justme]

Lots of good advice. My question is: Are there any trailers that don't sound like a drum when its raining?

[kerrlakeRoo]

OP never gave a number to what he thought was an outpriced rig, nor was new vs used mentioned.
If you are looking new, and don't mind ordering and waiting, many brands will build your unit with thermopane windows, which will greatly improve both summer and winter livability.
Enclosed underbelly is now standard on anything above the most entry level units.
Camco wave heaters cut way down on propane consumption in all but the coldest weather but come with their own concerns in the ventilation/condensation areas.

Plenty of folks out there are fulltiming in Cougar style units, (mid grade North south bed) they use saran wrap or tinfoil insulation in windows and skylights, and add insulation to other areas where they can.

There are plenty of mainstream brands and lines which claim full time capability,
Keystones Montana, Alpine, Avalanche for example, Smaller makers such as Outdoors RV make units claimed as 4 seasons that are a little higher priced but can be easier to find with some 4 season options from the factory.
Pick a major RV show in your area and start walking. Stomp through a lot of units watching features vs pricepoints and make your decisions. If you can talk to some reps you can get better ideas on availability of some premium features you may want that the average salesman may not be aware of. From what you were saying time is your advantage here, you are in no rush so use that to your best advantage.

[memtb]

This is “totally” dependent upon what you classify as 4 seasons! 4 seasons in the Florida Keys....is far different than 4 seasons in some of the north-central states, and or parts of Canada. Here at our home, we will see temperatures from -20 F ( sometimes quite colder), to above 100 F. To live comfortably in those extremes, without substantial DIY modifications ( skirting, auxiliary heat in the basement, etc.) requires a pretty good unit. There are few (very few), manufactured today, that can meet those requirements!

Those that meet those requirements, and at a working mans salary, are regrettably .....no longer manufactured!

However, there are used (preowned.....for the politically correct) available, at very reasonable prices!
Some to consider: Teton Homes ( -20 F guarantee), Excel (-10 F guarantee), Carriage ( upper end models), and New Horizons. Arctic Fox is probably the best made today at an affordable price.....but I question there capabilities at well below 0F temperatures!

You will find that true 4season units come with a “weight” price tag....they will be heavy! Unless you have NASA’s budget and technology, and are willing to spend that budget/money on a custom rig......the RV will be heavy!

[rhagfo]

topjimmy wrote:
I gotta disagree with the Above .I have been fulltiming in 3 Montana's for 8 years now a 2004 a 2012 and my current 2015 here in the NW and have been "Snug as a Bug In a Rug" in all of them just use a heated hose in the Winter and if it gets REALLY cold put a little space heater in the basement storage and you are all good, Yes you will go thru propane and suck up electricity for sure but unless you are in Alaska or Canada etc.. where it gets Extreme you will be fine

Well we have spent time on the Oregon Coast that last two winters, several days of temps below freezing. Never cold, we have the Cheap Heat system installed on our gas furnace, no need to use dangerous space heaters. we have closed in the underbelly and have tank heaters. See signature for 5er.

[lee_worsdell]

who would want to full time and live in regina lol iam in Ontario and I want to get out dodge here in the winter. Head south where its warm

[jdb7566]

We have a Grand Design Reflection FW, and it has a 4-season rating. Is it really? No, as it has single pane windows and a bath and kitchen roof vent. However, one can make it more comfortable in cooler temperatures by reducing heat loss. Are dual pane windows worth the extra cost? Maybe, it depends on when and where you park. In our situation, south in the winter, north in the summer, we don't full-time so for us, the extra cost is just that. IMO, anything north of 32 deg latitude could be very uncomfortable Dec-Mar.

[rmoparman]

Yes i would have to agree. I have a Arctic Fox and its good. But for winter weather i dont think so.

[Ralph_Cramden]

"4 Season" is a marketing term the same as "Ultralight", "Lightweight", "Amish Craftsmanship", "Quality and Value", "Azdel", etc.....etc.....etc.

You can only ever get X amount of insulation value from 1/4" coroplast, 2" thick walls, and 4" thick roofs no matter what you stuff into them or print on glossy brochures and put up on websites.

[Bierp]

pianotuna wrote:
Where I am it gets to -37 c (-34 f) for weeks at a time.

Great googly moogly! That's not one of the four seasons! Just reading that made me hurt!

[topjimmy]

Yep like I said unless you are in Canada etc.. you will be fine BUT there is no way I would fulltime in ANY Brand 5th wheel in that kind of weather unless I had to

pianotuna wrote:
Hi topjimmy,

Where I am it gets to -37 c (-34 f) for weeks at a time. My peak load for heating is 7100 watts and I average 5500 watts.

[TnTtravelers]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi topjimmy,

Where I am it gets to -37 c (-34 f) for weeks at a time. My peak load for heating is 7100 watts and I average 5500 watts.

YIKES! Yeah, I don't plan on surviving a winter at those temps. We'd probably head South long before that point, LOL. I do see, though, why you feel that way about rigs just not being capable of 4 season use. I suppose it's all relative to geography, yet I'd sure like to have the best that I could afford, as far as insulation and draftiness is concerned.

[pianotuna]

Hi topjimmy,

Where I am it gets to -37 c (-34 f) for weeks at a time. My peak load for heating is 7100 watts and I average 5500 watts.

[topjimmy]

I gotta disagree with the Above .I have been fulltiming in 3 Montana's for 8 years now a 2004 a 2012 and my current 2015 here in the NW and have been "Snug as a Bug In a Rug" in all of them just use a heated hose in the Winter and if it gets REALLY cold put a little space heater in the basement storage and you are all good, Yes you will go thru propane and suck up electricity for sure but unless you are in Alaska or Canada etc.. where it gets Extreme you will be fine