Looking for new trailer

[RVJimofOregon]

I have a friend who is looking for a top quality Travel Trailer. He is a nut for quality and will pay for it. He was hot on Air Stream but wants slides (Air Stream slides are not that workable due to the tube design).
Can not be over 33 feet as that is the size of his garage. 30 or 31 would be better.
Need ideas as to manufactures that let's say are in the top 25% as to quality.
Thanks for the help in advance.
RV Jim

[Tequila]

4aSong wrote:
We have had numerous trailers and when we finally decided to upgrade to our latest which is a Lance. We shopped for over two years looking at the better quality built units and after two trips to the Lance factory in Lancaster California to see the manufacturing process we decided on the Lance model 1985.
No matter which manufacture you choose there will be shortcoming that could be improved upon.
Northwood manufacturing has nice units and I believe have the same quality characteristics as Lance but the weight was an issue and Airstream did not offer a slideout.

I disagree, I looked very closely at the Lance as I liked their floorplans and noticed lots of things I did not like. There was even a gap in the shower pan transition to the wall I could have stuck my little finger through. I also do not like units that don't have a wrap around fiberglass nose, even thoiugh they moved to those in theie truck campers. The chances of a front end leak is higher and i was shocked to see lance is still putting front windows in soem of theri units. They stopped doing that with their Truck Campers ages ago due to leak issues.The simple fact is that the lighter something is, the less sturdy it is (assuming the extra weight is not due to fibreboard of course). Since I have a one ton diesel, weight was not a primary concern. I just wish the Northwood was lower, like the Lance, as trees are alway a hazard where I camp.

[4aSong]

RVJimofOregon,

Like your travel map. looks like you have done extensive travels throughout the US and Alaska.

[RVJimofOregon]

Thanks for the information and the Air Stream had a slide for a couple of years but dropped it. I should of said that.

[4aSong]

aftermath wrote:
I will jump in with the Arctic Fox crowd. I have a cousin as well as a close friend that both have Foxes. Very well built but heavy in the scope of things. I suppose this is part of why they are so sturdy.

I am confused about the comment regarding the Airstreams. I have an Airstream but not one with a slide. I have yet to hear of complaints on the Air Forums about troubles with the slides. The issue with Airstream slides is that they stopped making them a few years ago. Apparently they were not big sellers and did add extra weight to the trailers. If he wants an Airstream he will have to look at a used one.

Dick,

I don't understand your comment about being confused regarding the Airstream, when we were shopping Airstream did not offer slideouts, hope that clarifies the post.

[aftermath]

I will jump in with the Arctic Fox crowd. I have a cousin as well as a close friend that both have Foxes. Very well built but heavy in the scope of things. I suppose this is part of why they are so sturdy.

I am confused about the comment regarding the Airstreams. I have an Airstream but not one with a slide. I have yet to hear of complaints on the Air Forums about troubles with the slides. The issue with Airstream slides is that they stopped making them a few years ago. Apparently they were not big sellers and did add extra weight to the trailers. If he wants an Airstream he will have to look at a used one.

[4aSong]

We have had numerous trailers and when we finally decided to upgrade to our latest which is a Lance. We shopped for over two years looking at the better quality built units and after two trips to the Lance factory in Lancaster California to see the manufacturing process we decided on the Lance model 1985.
No matter which manufacture you choose there will be shortcoming that could be improved upon.
Northwood manufacturing has nice units and I believe have the same quality characteristics as Lance but the weight was an issue and Airstream did not offer a slideout.

[Tequila]

I looked at a lot and also decided on Northwood, plus I have been to their factory a couple of times in the past and noticed improvement over the first time I was there. I avoided the cheaper, wood framed Nash line and went for the Snowriver. The Arctic Fox line are wider and I did not want more width. I liked the wrap around fiberglass noses as opposed to the filon on the Nash. I also liked the fact the roofs are not flat and water will not pool. Less chance of a leak, especially if you run the A/C a lot.

When I compared the chassis to several other brands, the Northwood was much heftier. I looked at Lance and was disappointed in the quality. Odd, since their Truck Campers are fine.

If your friend is in Oregon like you are, it is always an advantage to be within a days drive of the factory. They will do repairs but you have to wait for a slack period.

[Lowsuv]

Komfort
but you already own one .
under the radar .
Arctic Fox gets all of the ink
My 12 year old bought new " K " is holding up well .
A little heavy but well made .

[lhenry8113]

Check at Northwood Mfg, in La Grande, Or. They make Arctic Fox, Nash, etc. Well known for quality and customer care. Lars
http://www.northwoodmfg.com/

[Habemus_Quattro]

Dick_B wrote:
Tell him to go to the RV Consumer Group, www.rv.org, and get their latest Ratings Guide which contains reviews of most of the RV's out there. It surely helped me decide what to buy back in 2003.

I think this is an incredible waste of money. You don't really get any reviews about models, just some general, non-specific opinion about brands. I bought this a couple years ago and the data is not really worth anything.

For instance, there are 523 "model reports" for Aljo trailers, but the only difference between any of the reports is basic specifications (like length) that anyone can find. The "staff review" is identical for each and every report. There just isn't enough critical information about specific models to make this a worthwhile tool. What information you do get in the "staff review" are simply quotes from owners. You can find hearsay for free on the Internet.

[goducks10]

http://www.goevergreenrv.com/page/170/Element

http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers.php

[APT]

Northwoods specifically Arctic Fox.
Outdoors RV

I don't know what type of floorplan he wants, but 30-32' overall length means 28' box. For higher quality, that means the tow vehicle is 3/4+ ton.

[Dick_B]

Tell him to go to the RV Consumer Group, www.rv.org, and get their latest Ratings Guide which contains reviews of most of the RV's out there. It surely helped me decide what to buy back in 2003.