New Fifth Wheels

GoPackGo wrote:
I also wanted to look at Arctic Fox because of good reviews, but there were no dealers close to Florida. They seem to want to be a national company; I wish they would set up at least one dealer in every state.

Tim

You don't really see much of them in the South, I wish they would get some more dealers too.

I also wanted to look at Arctic Fox because of good reviews, but there were no dealers close to Florida. They seem to want to be a national company; I wish they would set up at least one dealer in every state.

Tim

Willcamp4 wrote:
After looking at what was out there, I liked Arctic Fox. They seemed well made and solidly built. Their frame is built to be driven off road, which in the RV industry is apparently rare. They are not a hugely mass produced trailer, giving them the opportunity to produce with quality. I have two friends that own them; one about six years old and one new. Both are happy with few reported issues. If I was buying today, that's what caught my eye. ...

Something I left out of my earlier gripe session was, how I can't understand how any company can sell a trailer for $100K+ that has any issues at all, but they are out there.

I've got a lot of gripes too about simple things not being on RVs that are needed by everybody. Urgh. Towel and toilet paper holder in bathrooms, lock on the bathroom door, water pressure regulator, ceiling vents that are adjustable (can close/open), etc. I think a smart dealer would add all of those things or offer a package to add the things the manufacturers are too cheap to add.

I also liked what I read about Arctic Fox. The downside is that my wife wanted a bunk house which I don't think they offered AND there is no dealer in Utah for Arctic Fox 5th wheels. Surprisingly we don't have an Airstream dealer either.

Friends of ours has the Mountaineer and LOVE it.

After looking at what was out there, I liked Arctic Fox. They seemed well made and solidly built. Their frame is built to be driven off road, which in the RV industry is apparently rare. They are not a hugely mass produced trailer, giving them the opportunity to produce with quality. I have two friends that own them; one about six years old and one new. Both are happy with few reported issues. If I was buying today, that's what caught my eye.

I have an Alpenlite that is in its tenth season of heavy use. We have had very few issues since new, so it is a hard task to try and match the level of use and quality that we already had. The reality was that we were looking for a new trailer as we disliked the sofa that it came with. We solved it by buying a new sofa. Problem entirely solved, and we still have the trailer that has all the really nice features that we wanted and were used to, but couldn't find with the new trailers. Unfortunately, Alpenlite went under long ago.

Something I left out of my earlier gripe session was, how I can't understand how any company can sell a trailer for $100K+ that has any issues at all, but they are out there.

The Forest Sandpiper River 365 SAQ is a beautiful unit. We looked at one before we purchased our Sandpiper 366FL and had very few issues with our unit. Biggest issue was a faulty hydraulic valve on the slides, that was right after we purchased, and have not had any issues since. One thing we did not like about the bunkhouses were lack of a family area to watch TV and the beds were too short for my tall son. Good lunch with your hunt.

Willcamp4 wrote:

Since you asked I will give my positive advice. There are many companies out there that have been in business for many years, that make quality products and stand by their products. They are the tried and true backbone of the industry. Look for a trailer that uses those products and installs them well. That should be the trailer you choose. It will take some work and research, but you might be happier. Remember the old saying that really applies; where there is smoke, there is fire.

Which companies do you think make a quality product? In my shopping, I kind of resolved myself to the fact that they are all about the same and that I should choose based on which has a good reputation for honoring the warranty.

GODUCKS10 - I think it's my fault more then yours. I jumped to a conclusion I should not have. I apologize.

To the OP - I have a 2014 Bighorn 3010 that stickered at over $80k. I paid low/mid 50s for it, if you want to stretch your cap a little. I bought from one of the large multi-brand 'internet' dealerships who is actually not ALL that far from you. I saved a lot of money, but that meant I didn't have a local dealer, which might be important to you. I'm full timing so it didn't matter - I have no local anything !

I wish you luck. Recently I was looking at the current crop, and I wasn't happy. I came out of the experience with a very soured opinion, which I am now dumping here. I suspect that it is an opinion that may be shared by many. I understand that some of these companies are just barely staying in business, and are forced to cut corners in order to make a profit, but even some companies with a decent reputation are falling victim of this.

There was a time when you bought an RV and it wasn't a hodge-podge of cut-rate products from a well known manufacturing company that builds junk. Of course that is my opinion and others will tell tell you otherwise, but just my experience with what I have seen, left me appalled. One company, new to the awning business made their electric awning without an automatic stop, so when you rolled it out it could roll itself up inside out. Lots of thought went into that. The same company made furniture that when the hide-a-bed folded out it wouldn't sit flat on the floor. Everyone seems to now use inflatable mattresses in the hide-a-beds. Saves weight, but they none of them hold air very long. I saw an RV 6-volt battery from a company with an otherwise stellar reputation, that had only 75 amps of storage, installed in a big trailer. Do they really think we are that desperate to buy things just because they are fashionable; they must because they are selling them. People are buying RVs and the manufacturers aren't standing behind their products. Also, there is a reason that one trailer might weigh less than another, and it often is because corners have been cut. This site is filled with stories about the issues people have run into.

I certainly understand the desire to keep the cost and weight down, but it seems to be at the expense of quality. Everything is made pretty, but it seems rare to see them made well.

Since you asked I will give my positive advice. There are many companies out there that have been in business for many years, that make quality products and stand by their products. They are the tried and true backbone of the industry. Look for a trailer that uses those products and installs them well. That should be the trailer you choose. It will take some work and research, but you might be happier. Remember the old saying that really applies; where there is smoke, there is fire.

Hey, thanks..... I'm gonna keep looking for that great deal. My Cardinal has been pretty much trouble free but just want something with the new upgrades and better seating in the main area. Mine has terrible seating if trying to watch tv or even just hang out. Thanks again!