The better 5th wheeler?

[Wo_ody]

"Truck campers are too small; lets check out 5th wheelers" says the DW. You bet ... I'm in trouble.:)

Being a "know nothing", I would appreciate your opinion as what you consider the 3 "better built" brands/models of current manufactured toy haulers.

Tow vehicle will be a F350 PowerStroke long bed DRW.

Thanks for your replies.

[Acdii]

I just sold my Coleman 247BH last week and started looking at Bunkhouse 5ths. Had a list of 9, narrowed it down to 4 models, then went and looked at them, several times. Narrowed down to two, a Keystone Sprinter, and an Arctic Wolf. The price difference between them is $4,000. The Keystone had massive quality issues, the cabinet doors were cheaper than Home Depot budget cabinets, parts were loose around the slide, about the only thing it did have was an upgraded suspension. It didn't even have auto level.

Next I looked at the Arctic Wolf, a 3660SUITE. Solid cabinets, well made doors, no rattles, about what you could expect for your kitchen. Includes auto level, and the command center that lets you run all the controls from your smart phone. Montana is one of those brands considered higher end, they run upwards of $100K, yet I had a cabinet door come off in my hand.

Pays to research and inspect them all, price of the unit doesn't mean it is quality, yet sometimes you can find higher quality in a lower cost one. The Arctic Wolf is $41,995. I know the OP is looking for a TH, so this post just as a reference of what to look for. IOW don't discard a lower priced one without first looking at it. A similar Montana was $74K.

[JAC1982]

EDIT: Shoot, just saw you mentioned you're after toy haulers. You may want to ask this question in the toy hauler forum as well. We were plenty happy with our Keystone Impact toy hauler... it was just big. Most toy haulers are unless you want your toys stored next to your kitchen (aka no separate garage). Keep in mind that your living space isn't that much bigger than a truck camper unless you buy a really big trailer, since most of it is taken up by garage.

We did a lot of research when we purchased our current rig. We downsized from a Keystone Impact toy hauler.

My first suggestion is to figure out a floor plan you like. I found that pretty much every manufacturer makes almost the same exact floor plan. Some are even the exact same, but different lengths, so just more space between "things". I narrowed ours down to Grand Design Reflection and the Keystone Montana High Country as both had a floor plan we liked along with the size we wanted (under 35') I really liked the Grand Designs but they did not offer a Gen Prep option which was a deal killer for us.

I did look at Arctic Fox at an RV show as their boondocking capabilities were appealing and it felt dated and had the exact same floor plan as my in laws 1998 5th wheel down to the shower opening directly next to the bed. No thanks.

[schlep1967]

dblr wrote:
W You also might want to look at the brand new line called Alliance, they really listen to the consumer and also have been very customer supportive so far, now there are not a lot of them out there just yet so time could tell a different story. Good luck on your search.

I was going to mention the same company. What I've seen is the new startups provide good customer service and build a name for themselves for the first 5 years. Once they build a good customer base, one of the large conglomerates offers them more money than they can walk away from. The founders retire and the new customers, buying on the recommendation of the early customers, start finding there are no corners in the new units. Why no corners? Because the bean counters at the conglomerates cut all the corners to save money.

[dpgllg]

Durb wrote:
I hear some good things regarding the Grand Design Momentum toy haulers.

That was before they were taken over by Winnebago. Now the customer service is horrible. I cannot advise anyone to buy a Grand Design product.

Dave

[work2much]

lhenry8113 wrote:
One that stands out is Arctic Fox, by Northwood MFG, in Oregon. And it's a 4 season 5'vr, comes with a larger water heater than most 5'vrs They make their own trailer, which comes standard with shock absorbers. We have owned 2 A.F.-bought new. The last one-model 29 5T we probably put 50,000 miles on it-from So. Calif. we took it to the Yukon Terr.-to Florida and many points in between. https://northwoodmfg.com/

Does AF make a 5th wheel toy hauler now? I hadn't seen that. They have the desert fox toy haulers but those are tow behind trailers.

[dblr]

We currently own a River Stone Legacy and are very happy with it, it actually might be a bit heavy for your current truck but I let that decision up to you. You also might want to look at the brand new line called Alliance, they really listen to the consumer and also have been very customer supportive so far, now there are not a lot of them out there just yet so time could tell a different story. Good luck on your search.

[Durb]

So many nice comments regarding Arctic Fox fifth wheels. They don't make a toy hauler. Northwood, who builds Arctic Fox, makes the Desert Fox toy hauler. All their models are minumalists with no slides.

I hear some good things regarding the Grand Design Momentum toy haulers.

DRV makes the Full House toy haulers. All their models are 44 feet plus long and weigh nearly 20,000 pounds dry. In fifth wheel lingo, "That is a long, heavy trailer". I'm sure their quality is commensurate to their weight and their price.

[SDcampowneroper]

Build and features are different animals, with an Arctic Fox or its like you get better quality build with extreme weather capability vs same priced units with more glitz and features.
DRV , New Horizons, are 2 that do both, for $$$ to $$$$ Excel did a fine job of straddling the line with shortish 5ers with great build heavy load capability and harsh weather capability. Sigh, they are gone.
Be mindful of Mfgr. claims about tank capacities, insulation values, a wall or access door has only the R value of its thickness so claims of additional films etc. to add R value are gimmicks .
Shorter, heavy for length should get you a durable unit. The 'Lite' unit is not for durability. . Be certain the tires, axles exceed weight rating, that suspension springs and shackles are greasable.
Do not hesitate to demand name brand tires with ply rating higher than stock as a last bargaining issue.

Next to loose trim, $ to fix, tires and suspension are the most troublesome $$$ to fix.

[JIMNLIN]

There are no 3 best or better built 5th wheel trailers. As you will see its the one you own in most cases. Just like which trucks is best/better question.
Like Steve says just look at the floorplans you like and at the interior/exterior differences....and I would add at the costs. You want it cheap you get it cheap. Quality will cost more. And of course what one sees as quality may not be so too others.

[StirCrazy]

some are built better than others. the best way is to just go out there and look. check out the cabnet construction , the finnishing and every detail. we went with a cougar because we found there were some better build qualites in the interior, but every unit will have some issues.

the second best thing to do is take your time to find the floorplan that works for you. there are hundreds to chose from, check out things like can you pull over in a rest stop and have a nap with out putting out slides, can you access the fridge or washroom, with out putting out slides, is an outdoor kitchen on the wish list... there are so many option and features, just take your time and enjoy the looking.

Steve

[lhenry8113]

One that stands out is Arctic Fox, by Northwood MFG, in Oregon. And it's a 4 season 5'vr, comes with a larger water heater than most 5'vrs They make their own trailer, which comes standard with shock absorbers. We have owned 2 A.F.-bought new. The last one-model 29 5T we probably put 50,000 miles on it-from So. Calif. we took it to the Yukon Terr.-to Florida and many points in between. https://northwoodmfg.com/

[TXiceman]

Or you can go with a custom built unit from New Horizon....better have deep pockets for the trailer and the Freightliner to tow it.

Ken

[Lwiddis]

Gee, that’s women! Just two days ago you were wantin’ to buck up your truck for a camper.

[Michelle_S]

If you have lots of money, DRV has or did have a very nice up scale Tow Hauler.