Forum Discussion

rvshrinker's avatar
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Sep 25, 2017

Close to pulling trigger on ORV 23 DBS

This model has the 4x4 package and mountain storage package. It has an interior floor length of 24'.

First question is any last thoughts about ORV. They seem solid and true 4 season. We'll use this for skiing at times, and for guests in the cold rainy winter at other times. Needs to stay warm and dry (at home it would be under a shelter). Only other brand we seriously considered is Nash.

My second question is about after-market adds on/mods and the current config of the model.

Model has a 13.5k AC unit. Powerful enough for this size trailer? We live in a mild climate.

Model has a 35k BTU furnace. Powerful enough for temps down to the single digits?

The bunk in this model has pretty thin mattresses. Like foam. We'd like to upgrade to an actual mattress but the shape is weird/odd (not a quadrilateral). Is there a company that makes/sells mattresses to fit weird RV spaces?

Where do we buy/add the larger solar panels? This model is prewired but comes with only a 20w solar. Want to add at least one 160w.

The only thing we don't like about the floorplan is the rotating TV between the queen bed and the main area. We'll put up some kind of plywood and face the TV toward the common area.

Any other tips for a first time RV buyer? The dealer has a good reputation here and elsewhere.

Thank you
  • Area13's avatar
    Area13
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2017
    Haven't had mine long enough for a thorough review, but the AC was fine on our 1 hot trip this summer when we hit 100, nice and cool inside. These rigs are well insulated and sure the furnace will be more than adequate.

    Not sure exactly where in the NW you are located, but I preferred Sumner RV over Apache.

    Compared to most TT's I looked at, these are super well built rigs. If you like the model and get a decent price, buy it.
  • 1SAST's avatar
    1SAST
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2017
    My family just bought the exact same trailer earlier this summer. Very pleases with our decision. Sorry I can't help with many of your questions. We had ours for 2 nights in an rv park next to a casino in Redding Ca. This was during July and daytime temps were between 105-110. The rv area itself was nothing more than level concrete with no trees or shade at all. Our a/c struggled during the day to cool the trailer, however as soon as the sun went down it began to cool and by morning the wife and kids were complaining it was to cold. I consider this though to be an extreme use situation. Very happy with our purchase.
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Sep 25, 2017
    Thanks for that info, both of you. Can you tell me what options you got or didn't get? Anything after market you preferred?
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2017
    Mine has the 15k BTU A/C and it cools fine, with nearly double the square footage. I will say that having slide topper makes a big reduction in heat coming through the slideouts, most of which radiates from the ceiling, since the slideout ceilings are much thiner than the main ceiling.

    Mine also has the 35k BTU furnace. It heats fine, but in single digits or less it does run a lot, and will deplete the batteries overnight. But again... double the square footage, with 4 slides means lots of area for heat loss.

    As for the mattress... Maybe just try trimming a memory gel topper to fit?
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Sep 27, 2017
    Best offer I'm getting is 26.5% off MSRP. I think that's fair even if not great. No others come close.
  • Vintage465's avatar
    Vintage465
    Nomad
    Sep 27, 2017
    My wife and I are happy with our Creek Side. If we bought another trailer, it would almost certainly be an Outdoors RV unit. We have 300w solar on ours and really take care of our needs. I've done a ton of little mods to make the livability easier. Yours will be 4' longer so you will probably need fewer mods.....unless you're more of a pack-rat than me! The 13.5 a/c unit keeps our rig cool on hot days but I wouldn't say it freezes us out. Heater should be fine for your needs.
  • barko1's avatar
    barko1
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    I just bought a 20FQ in Pasco, WA and dragged it 3000 miles back home to GA! So I'm getting to know it fast. As for Solar consider getting a portable unit that you can position for best sun catching. Solar will be vastly reduced if you are parked under trees. I already had a 130w portable and the new unit comes solar ready so I just plug my panel into the external post provided.
  • Downwindtracke1's avatar
    Downwindtracke1
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2017
    We have a ORV '13 Creekside 20FQ.Every year at the RV show we see improvements in the model. They have some pretty thick and well made walls now. Lots of insulation. I've enjoyed dealing with the factory. Just because they are the best made trailer out there, doesn't mean there isn't room for mods.

    4x4 means gravel logging roads only.
    four season means eastern Oregon.

    Drying out , unless your install a wood stove, that's going to be tough. A couple of electric space heaters and a big genny might work. With the wet snow we have, look at a Gore-Tex.

    Portable solar is the only way to go in the land of the big trees.
  • epeters's avatar
    epeters
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2017
    You'll be happy with either the Nash or ORV (we just bought the Nash. The ORV didn't have the floor plan we needed, otherwise, I would have been seriously temped!

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