Fifth Wheel Decisions - Arctic Fox vs. Dutchmen Infinity

[babysvt]

I apologize in advance for the lengthy post but my head is on information overload from all my research and I thought reaching out to everyone would be easier.

The husband and I are looking to replace our current fifth wheel (2011 Chaparrel Lite 28ft) with a newer, larger, four season unit. So far I have my eye on the Arctic Fox and Dutchmen Inifnity because we want to stay in the $65K or less price range. I have a hard time finding any negative comments about the Arctic Fox but find a ton on the Infinity. The only negative I have come up with on the Arctic Fox is that if you have a warranty issue it can sometimes be challenging to get it done if you are outside of the Pacific Northwest.

My biggest concern is the four season aspect of these two because we have a tropical bird that travels with us and we need to make sure he is warm when dry camping. Our current fifth wheel is not insulated at all and running the furnace seems to heat the upper bedroom and not the lower area of the fifth wheel where our bird's cage is. I have considered putting in 12v fans in the ceiling to push the air or install an inverter to run his heater but knowing that we will be upgrading to a four season sometime in the near future has caused me to put these things off for a bit. How well insulated are four season fifth wheels? I love the brochures telling me they are great for subzero temperatures and summer heat but what can I realistically expect from these? We plan on eventually going to the southwest and exploring in the winter months and then returning to Washington state in the spring, summer and fall. In the spring and fall we do get cold temperatures below freezing.

Also, if anyone has advice on the quality between the two that would be great. We want a fifth wheel that will last us for a very long time with few issues. So far we have had two fifth wheels (Keystone and Coachmen) and have had minor issues with both. I know there are always little bugs to work out of a new fifth wheel and we are ready for that. I just don't want something that will be in the shop more than I get to use it.

My must have requirements for the fifth wheel are:

Under 40', king bed, w/d hookup, 12 cubic fridge, bypass on the outside control so I no longer have to crawl into the storage compartment to winterize and the husband likes having an island. Anything else would be frosting on the cake.

If you know of other options in my price range please let me know because I am currently researching everything I can.

Thanks so much!

[kemperb]

I still have a very old 2001 Arctic Fox 4 season TT IMHO you cant go wrong.Over time still hard for me to think of any other RV.

[babysvt]

We are headed down to Broadmoor in Pasco because they have the 35-5Z and 32-5M in stock. Our local dealer didn't have the 35-5Z. They are both about the same price so I am leaning more towards the 35-5Z because I get the extra couple feet plus the island. I haven't checked dealers on the west side of the state yet. May have to do that in order to lock in the best deal. Thanks!

[n7bsn]

Northwoods routinely authorized non-dealer repairs if a dealer is not available, ie on the road.

Which you you going to? Personally I would check all the ones close enough to drive to, for us that was four. We ended up at the one basically farthest away (Sumner RV)

[babysvt]

Thank you so much for the super fast replies! I am headed to a local dealer this weekend to look at the Arctic Fox. Looking at the 35-5Z. LOVE the floorplan!

[twins89]

ARTIC FOX hands down. If they were available on the east coast, we would have one. Love my Jayco but it is not Northwoods.

[Dog_Folks]

babysvt wrote:
I have a hard time finding any negative comments about the Arctic Fox but find a ton on the Infinity. The only negative I have come up with on the Arctic Fox is that if you have a warranty issue it can sometimes be challenging to get it done if you are outside of the Pacific Northwest.

Your really have answered your own question in what you said above.

JMHO but Arctic Fox has an excellent reputation. Dutchman, not so much. I'd go with the Arctic Fox.

[B_O__Plenty]

We have a Arctic Fox dealer here in MN. I wouldn't let the warranty issue scare me. I'm sure the manufacturer would authorize an independent shop to work on it if that became an issue. I would question the four seasons capability of a Dutchman or for that matter most RV products. With the solid reputation Northwoods products have I don't think I would look much farther than an Arctic Fox. JMHO

B.O.