Montana vs. Arctic Fox vs. Grand Design

[Leo_Smith]

My wife and I currently own a Cougar TT that has served us well for weekend camping trips and week-long road trips. As we get closer to retirement, we are looking at fifth wheels for extended road trips. Looking ahead to our next RV (a fifth wheel) we have narrowed down our search to 3 brands: Montana, Arctic Fox, and Grand Design.

The Montana Dealer in our area has a good reputation (also the same dealer where we purchased our Cougar). The Arctic Fox dealer in our area has a stellar reputation. The Grand Design dealer in our area has a so-so reputation.

At the risk of starting the Ram/Ford/Chevy debate, I would appreciate the perspective of current owners of these three brands. Has the quality of Arctic Fox gone downhill with the passing of Ron Nash? Has the quality of Grand Design gone downhill since they have been acquired by Winnebago? Should I put the quality of the dealership ahead of the quality of the fifth wheel?

[Likes_to_tow]

We have the exact model and year 5th wheel as yours.   There have been issues along the way but we have pulled this trailer across the nation into the Rockies 6 times.  It has a lot of miles on it.   What I'm upset about most is the how the rear wall of the trailer is not fastened very well to the floor.  This allows the entire wall to move back and forth an inch or more when it's being towed.   The reason we know this is because the aluminum skirt on the bottom side wall is bent or bowed out on each side right where it meets the corner trim where the rear and side meet.    After removing this short section of trim between the slide and rear wall I could actually grab hold of the ladder and push/pull really hard and see the rear wall move!!    I removed the sofa and saw the method they used to secure the rear wall to the floor.   They only used  a thin 3/4 inch aluminum angle and where it was screwed into the back wall was just lauan with no metal support behind it.   All the screws had came out of the thin wood and were laying everywhere under the sofa.    This trailer is well beyond the 3 year structural warranty so I performed my own repair.    Heavy 3 inch angle and screws going into the internal aluminum studs behind the lauan.   Now I have no movement.    Check your trailer for a bow on each side in the back near the rear wall.    I've seen a youtube on this and it's common on Reflections and also other brand of trailers.

[southernsky]

We have a 2016 GD Solitude. It's never been back to the dealer. We use a mobile tech or independent rv repair shop. You have to get GD ok first. The support after the sale is one of the best. They even paid for work done on our trailer 2 yrs out of warranty.

[hondapro]

We are also considering moving to a 5th wheel soon.
At the last rv show in Hershey,Pa we compared the Grand Design Solitude and the Montana and also the Reflection and the Cougar.
All were the rear living floor plan.
We liked both Grand Design units alot more than the Montana or Cougar.
We thought the fit and finish was better and they just seemed to be put together better.

[B_O__Plenty]

Don't worry about how good the dealer is, if you go full timing you won't see them again. I would put the Montana on the bottom of the list. Arctic Fox is decent but not the best on the market. Grand Design has a good reputation and is well liked by their owners. of the three that would be my choice.
B.O.

[rhagfo]

We are looking at the GD Solitude 344GK, we have looked at this unit at a couple RV shows. Impressed with design, layout and quality. Arctic Fox would be my next choice. One of the little things I noticed in the Solitude level, NO Floor heat vents, all in walls or under cabinets. Our current unit has floor vents, and if metal they bend quickly, unless you buy the higher quality units. They still bend, but take longer.

[ScottG]

No, from what I saw at this years Seattle RV show, if anything the 2020 AF's are better quality than they my 2018 was/is.
Although that grey interior is enough to make a person need to slam vitamin D.
I think there are other choices though (hope).