Arctic Fox travel trailers

I was impressed by the Arctic Fox and looked hard for one when I was in the market for our first fiver. But they are very very rare in Florida, about as rare as the critter they are named after.

All of the Northwood Mfg. products seem to very high quality. Built on a frame made by Northwood exclusively for each unit they always seem to get great reviews. They now make a few in the Lite line which are rated well also. When I looked at them I could not find one that would fit under my limited storage height. Otherwise, they would be on the top of my list.

FYI
Find out of the rig was made at the (old-closed) eastern plant vrs the main Oregon plant.
While the basic quality would still be there, the eastern plant used 3rd party frames, vrs making their own. Yes the frames were made to Northwoods specs, but they aren't Northwood frames.

Some rigs made in between 2002 and 2006 had delamination issues. Northwoods fixed this with tighter environmental controls in the factory.

These may effect your final choice on this rig.

Both of our last two rigs, the 1999 24-5N we had from 2001 to 2011 and the 2012 29-9E were made in the Oregon plant.

Obviously we think well of them.

Northwoods rigs are heavy, they are built to stand up to off-road use. They generally have a large cargo capacity, both of our rigs had a 4000 lb cargo rating.

They are built tight, both of our rigs are tight enough that if you leave the entry door ajar and move the main slide, the air pressure will move the door.

They are well insulated (for an RV) most come with Thermo-pane windows (it's an option, the factory tells me that 90% of them ship with Thermo-pane windows)

They'd be my first choice. I couldn't find one that fit my needs when shopping (used - couldn't afford new). I went with a lesser brand and have been paying the price ever since.

agesilaus wrote:
I was impressed by the Arctic Fox and looked hard for one when I was in the market for our first fiver. But they are very very rare in Florida, about as rare as the critter they are named after.

Some friends in Texas drove to Florida to buy their used 29-5T

They are better than avg. but still have problems. If you buy that model be sure to check the rollers for the slide from time to time especially when new. When the slide is out, lift the carpet flap and check the plastic rollers. They have a poor mounting method and tend to collapse into the floor. The slide will still work but it will labor.
This would not keep me from buying one but just be aware of the problem.

n7bsn wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
I was impressed by the Arctic Fox and looked hard for one when I was in the market for our first fiver. But they are very very rare in Florida, about as rare as the critter they are named after.

Some friends in Texas drove to Florida to buy their used 29-5T

I looked for 5 or 6 months for one. But never found one. I thought one of the snow birds might sell one. The nearest dealer was in Texas IIRC.

BK

ScottG wrote:
They are better than avg. but still have problems. If you buy that model be sure to check the rollers for the slide from time to time especially when new. When the slide is out, lift the carpet flap and check the plastic rollers. They have a poor mounting method and tend to collapse into the floor. The slide will still work but it will labor.
This would not keep me from buying one but just be aware of the problem.

Never had that happen in 12 years of owning two units.
Also never have seen that complaint on the Northwoods products forum.

mcsandman wrote:
...mcsandman
New Horizons 19' 5er.

FYI, I put them at a slightly lower quality then New Horizon, which I think are the best made RV

n7bsn wrote:

ScottG wrote:
They are better than avg. but still have problems. If you buy that model be sure to check the rollers for the slide from time to time especially when new. When the slide is out, lift the carpet flap and check the plastic rollers. They have a poor mounting method and tend to collapse into the floor. The slide will still work but it will labor.
This would not keep me from buying one but just be aware of the problem.

Never had that happen in 12 years of owning two units.
Also never have seen that complaint on the Northwoods products forum.

That's wonderful for you but you'll notice I did not make the comment on NW trailers in general. I was specific to the new model the OP is looking at. I never said it was some sort of historic issue with them.

A close friend of mine bought a new 25P (same chassis) and his did as I describe. The dealer said it had become a common issue. We looked at some newer arrivals at the dealership and they had been built in a similar manor and only time will tell if they still fail.
This is why I commented and I think the point is important.