Forum Discussion

ampreston's avatar
ampreston
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013

Four Seasons vs. R-Value

My husband and I will be purchasing a travel trailer fall 2013. Our plan is to live in it while he attends college and I get my MAT, approx 3 years. We're both just fed up with paying someone else's mortgage and having nothing to show for our investment in someone else's property. Enough of the back story, onward to the questions. Oh newbies...we're so eager to learn!

We will be in a fairly mild climate (St. Louis, MO area) and will travel to Colorado, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina for vacation and school breaks.

The great debate of the week...four seasons vs. something with a high-ish R-value/rating.

Four seasons Pros
- Heated underbelly
Great insulation/r-value
Better built (at least it seems that way)
Four seasons Cons
More expensive
For our budget less “living” space

Anyone in the St.Louis/Southern Illinois area?? Give us newbies a little schooling. Do we really need four seasons for the sometimes freezing winters of Southern Illinois, or should we just bite the bullet and get a large LP tank for the winters, down comforter and have more living space?

This being our first, we will most likely buy a 2012/2013 new model or something that is 2010-2013 used.

Our favorite models so far include (but clearly are not limited to...)

Four Seasons
2013 Denali 261BH
Artic Fox
Desert Fox

Coachmen Freedom Express 298REDS
V Cross 30VCBHS

We really prefer a front bedroom and back bunk or front kitchen back bedroom (no bunk in this case).

Alright enough blabbing any advice would be greatly appreciated. Especially from folks around the St. Louis area would be AWESOME!

Thanks in advance!
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    I would add Outdoors RV Mfg to Northwood Mfg (Nash, Artic Fox) and Lance as 4- season manufacturer.

    Just make sure you get the Dual-Pane thermal windows options on all these trailers.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Irregardless of any type of "4 seasons" or other package you're able to find, there will be other winter time preparations so that you can live comfortably and have the plumbing work. You'll have some sort of auxiliary heat and a dehumidifier. You will also have skirting and if you plan to travel in the Winter, you should consider how you'll make the skirting easy to assemble and disassemble.

    Full-timing in the Midwest isn't for sissies but if you prepare correctly, it can and is done.

    BTW, get the most complete 4 seasons package that you can. That package would include dual pane windows and an insulated underbelly.
  • RVcrazy's avatar
    RVcrazy
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    The only one of those you list that I would winter in is the Arctic Fox. On a hot day, go in an ARctic Fox and then go in the others in the same conditions. YOu will see what a true 4-season coach is worth.
  • mwebber78's avatar
    mwebber78
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    There are a lot of companies that throw the "glacier package" term out there but have exposed tank dump valves, no compartment for water hookups, and basically some foil insulation stuffed around your tanks. If you're truly living in this unit dump any "lightweight" trailers off the list and stick with a Nash product. They manufacture their own frames in house, build a heavy duty coach, and are truly built for living and cold weather use. Another plus, unlike most aluminum framed walls, Nash has wood cored aluminum framing to ensure no voids in insulation and provide a solide surface to screw into.
  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    R-Values and 4-Seasons go hand in hand. I would trump genuine R-Values over Four Season claims all day. Good luck.
  • Mr__Camper's avatar
    Mr__Camper
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    We have a 4 Seasons and it is great. I should caution you that (I just to live in St. Louis) and they can get cold weather and snow, lots of snow. You're going to have to protect your sewer hose and water hose regardless of what you get. Life is an adventure, and why not go for it.

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