Arctic Fox 27-5L

[RVA_Jeff]

I'm seriously considering purchasing this unit, and am curious whether these are still as highly regarded as they seem to have been in the past. I live in Richmond, and it's going to cost me about $3000 to have it shipped to me from Montana, but I'm willing to spend that if Arctic Fox is really as good as everyone says they are.

Basically I'm looking for something small, but full-time livable that can be used in all sorts of weather (though not sub-zero temps or anything too extreme) and, more importantly, something which will hold it's resale value if I decide to go in a different direction in 3-4 years.

The price point is about $50K, which is about what I want to spend. I guess I'm asking for some encouragement, or for some other recommendations that meet my requirements. One of the biggest things in addition to high quality is the size, slightly under 30 feet. I haven't found many units that have the layout I want (A long slide wall where I can basically do anything I want to without having to work around built in cabinets or anything like that).

Any input is appreciated.

[Njmurvin]

I bought my 2011 27.5L a year ago for about half of what you're talking (to give you an idea of resale values). It took me over a year to find a used one within a 2 hr driving radius. Totally agree about the chair. We have it at home in our family room. It's a tank. You'd better have a 350/3500 to pull it or you'll likely be overloaded. Everything is accessible with slides in except the pantry in the kitchen, one nightstand drawer and 3 drawers under the wardrobe slide. We looked at lots of trailers and, IMHO, the quality on this unit was clearly visible. It's not perfect (hate the fading decals) but I would definitively buy it again.

[nevadan660]

I purchased a AF 295T 2015 with many options included. I considered The 275L but did not have enough storage, it compares to the Cougar by Keystones floor plan. Northwood MFG. gets credit for designing an attractive RV for the PRICE, but they face manufacturing challenges like everyone else, I searched and studied all RV MFG's fifth wheels and Artic Fox (Northwood MFG.) was the best fit for the dollar. There is no perfect trailer out there, a lot of the decision making is going to be based on YOUR NEEDS.

[RVA_Jeff]

Thanks for the input guys....I feel a lot better about this now. Plus I found a dealer in PA (which is not even on their website) who happens to have a 2018 27-5L, so I think I'm going to drive up there over the weekend to see it. Also, I've been looking at other campers in that price range that are that size, and they don't compare, even on paper. For one thing, I haven't found a single 30 foot fifth wheel with dual pane windows....even as an option. Problem is, all the higher end models for companies like Keystone, Heartland, etc. are 35+ feet

[ScottG]

The points about the frame really are valid. They don't just do a better job of welding, they do a better job of designing and reinforcing.
I ordered mine with a hitch on the back for a bike rack. I'm amazed how this thing is attached - must add 100#!
I believe you could lift the entire trailer by it. Then there's the gusseting where the springs mount.
The only thing I dont like is that they weld the propane tank base on so it can't be repositioned slightly (it's in the way of my snap up brackets) and they weld the stab jacks on. The latter beig something one may have to replace eventually and because they're welded, it will be a pain.
I do have one other defect; a couple or ripples in the bathroom floor vinyl. (I may fix that myself)

[RollandB]

We've had our 27-5L for two years now and still happy with our decision. For the money I believe you will be hard pressed to find a better option especially when you look at and consider the frame it is sitting on. We had a few minor warranty things that got addressed hitch was no different than a new 2008 Komfort TT we purchased did. Our cabinets are fine and I've repaired a few stripped screws. Like Scott G, we were looking at Grand Design but there were many things that we felt weren't great they put in their rigs. We were very interested in Glacier Peak, went to look at a floor plan our local dealer didn't have , saw our 27-5L and didn't look back.. Glad we did.

I've done many mods including installing solar so have crawled around ours many times. Northwood does build a good rig and with many better componanants (like converters) better than others in the same price point.

If you are on Facebook look at their post done a few days about about the building of their aluminum frames

[RVA_Jeff]

Durb wrote:
The 27-5L was on my short list for a while except I couldn't find a used one for the right price which is probably good news for a potential buyer. I like that they have flocked or carpeted ceilings which make for a higher end look and a quieter coach. The chair seemed out of place when sitting inside. If it is an option I would not check the box. Make sure you get the MorRyde pin box if it is not standard.

Yeah that chair seems ridiculous, lol. I'd probably remove the table and chairs, and the sofa (which is really love-seat sized) and put a real couch there and some TV tables and maybe a small desk.

For anyone who has seen the 27-5L with the slides in, is everything pretty much accessible when it's closed up? It seems like every would be...other than maybe the cabinets on that one side of the bed

[RVA_Jeff]

It seems like (with many RV manufacturers) the further you go back in years, the better quality they seem to be. Most of these bad reviews are of 2016 or 2017 models. It would be nice to think that no "lemons" ever come off their lines, but that's just not reality with any of them, I don't think. The onus is on the customer to know what to look for and to insist on having a fully testable unit for the walkthrough...including water, etc.

[FMB]

Our AF is a 24-5N, one of the very first 2004 models. It never had to go in for any warranty service. I'm in California and drove up to Guarenty Chevrolet in Oregon to make the purchase, as nobody nearer were interested in discounting from the mfg suggested price. IIRC, I saved somewhere between 20 and 25% by driving up to Oregon.

Over the past 14 years we have driven cross country several times, up to Alaska 3 times, and many short trips. We full timed for 9 months a few years back. The roads that were the hardest on the Fox were;
2005 - Dalton Highway to Coldfoot, Alaska, in the early spring. Imagin, a nice gravel highway, 40-45 MPH, see a little stick on the side of the highway with a short length of ribbon fluttering in the breeze. I had no clue what it was there for until we were upon a frost heave. I must have hit it at over 35 and could swear we went airborne. Being a quick learner, we slowed way down for little sticks with ribbons. When we arrived in Coldfoot and entered the Fox, we found the dinette table had detached from the wall, came apart, in a neat stack, with all the parts on the overturned table top. Put it back together in Fairbanks in the Home Depot parking lot after buying some deck screws. Table has been no problems since. Oh, broke the glass shelf in the refrigerator but never replaced it.
2010 - Dempster Highway through Yukon Territory to Inuvik in Northwest Territory. It's about 450 miles of gravel highway. Some rain, some mud, some very smooth dirt road. The Fox was so dirty, the sides were solid brown. When we got back to Dawson City, a woman stopped by at the RV park, pointed at the Fox, and said "Dempster Highway, huh").

Anyway, we just got back from Alaska last month again which puts the mileage on the Fox at about 84,000 miles. I've changed the shocks after the first two Alaska trips as they were beat to death on all the gravel roads.

What else have I had to repair? Replaced the thermostat, just replaced the brakes and bearings this year, two hubs this year, bathroom fan blade blew apart one day a few years back (very loud noise that assisted with the reason I was in there with the fan), and replaced a plastic trim piece in the bathroom. Oh, on the second Alaska trip, we stayed at Muncho Lake in BC and after returning from a walk we smelled propane. I tracked it down to a connector where a copper line branches off to the BBQ connector on the side of the Fox. The copper had been beat to death (flattened) and the nut had been hit more on the top part than the bottom, so it was loose. Tightened with a wrench, the copper held pressure till we got home and I removed it.

I've toured the factory a few years back and was very impressed. I looked earlier this year for a new Fox but my DW said why replace it? It is the perfect size for us and we haven't found a Don's Steak House parking lot we haven't been able to get in and out of (naturally, not the drive through). She loves their fries and they are consistent all across the country and Canada.

If we were to purchase again, I'd sure do my due diligence, but would keep the Fox at or very near the top of the list.

Oh, pull it up any hill at speed limit with my 2015 RAM 3500.

[TxGearhead]

RVA Jeff wrote:
Virginia 🙂

Best one!

[ScottG]

RVA Jeff wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I just got the one in my signature - I've had it one week.
They really are well built and have lots of little extra's that you may not even notice on first inspection but you will appreciate as the years go by. Little things like gusseting where the springs mount and heavy duty shackles and wet bolts. Also lots of windows and a Revolution Water pump. The list cold go on and on.
As an experienced RV owner you will notice the design that go into these trailers.
I am not disappointed one bit in mine and in fact, I keep finding things that impress me as we explore it.
I say go for it!

Let me know if there are any specific details you'd like to know about.

I was on the Northwood forum and saw a slew of complaints about stripped screws, cheap cabinetry, etc. all of which is really contrary to everything else i've read. I don't know if that thread just attracted a lot of complainers or whether it's really true of the current models...

I found 4 or 5 stripped screws in the cabinets. Cabinets are of typical quality I would say. They use hardwood on the cabinet doors and that wrapped-finish wood (real wood) on the frames but the finish on the frames is basically a sticker like so many others.

Don't get me wrong, these things are still not perfect or ultra high quality. They're equal or better quality than any other premium brand TT I looked at IMO. I consider it a hair above Grand Design which I came close to buying.
Still, there is plenty of room for improvement.

Stripped screws
Messy wood putty application
bits of styrofoam in the AC duscts

All pretty minor stuff to me.

[Durb]

The 27-5L was on my short list for a while except I couldn't find a used one for the right price which is probably good news for a potential buyer. I like that they have flocked or carpeted ceilings which make for a higher end look and a quieter coach. The chair seemed out of place when sitting inside. If it is an option I would not check the box. Make sure you get the MorRyde pin box if it is not standard.

[RVA_Jeff]

ScottG wrote:
I just got the one in my signature - I've had it one week.
They really are well built and have lots of little extra's that you may not even notice on first inspection but you will appreciate as the years go by. Little things like gusseting where the springs mount and heavy duty shackles and wet bolts. Also lots of windows and a Revolution Water pump. The list cold go on and on.
As an experienced RV owner you will notice the design that go into these trailers.
I am not disappointed one bit in mine and in fact, I keep finding things that impress me as we explore it.
I say go for it!

Let me know if there are any specific details you'd like to know about.

I was on the Northwood forum and saw a slew of complaints about stripped screws, cheap cabinetry, etc. all of which is really contrary to everything else i've read. I don't know if that thread just attracted a lot of complainers or whether it's really true of the current models...

[RVA_Jeff]

Virginia 🙂

[TxGearhead]

Doesn't make any difference, just curious, are you in:
Richmond, Texas
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, California
?

[Lwiddis]

Depending on where you like to camp, 38+ feet can inhibit you.