Not impressed with 2014 Arctic Fox (VIDEO INSIDE)

[skydiver31]

I just bought this Arctic Fox 2014 and pretty disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W4nWFTf7shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W4nWFTf7s

How many of you would overlook these kind of things and not worry about it? My biggest fear is that if they were this bad with the interior, what is going on inside those walls?

I need some advice on how to handle this.. I can't help but feel depressed about my purchase. This is supposed to be a BRAND NEW trailer and all of these things bug me. I worked HARD to be able to afford this, and I feel that the crew who assembled this just didn't care -- or were seriously stoned/drunk.

Again, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W4nWFTf7shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5W4nWFTf7s

[Adam_2]

I have to say I am impressed in the calm way this poster handled his disappointment. I was expecting another rant and rave post but was pleasantly surprised! Yes I suppose he could of contacted Northwood before posting his video but even so he was offering constructive criticism in the video. I was really impressed that he even went so far as to offer solutions to prevent the situations that concerned him. He has even handled the feedback well. I would be surprised that given his even temperament that this does not turn out well for him in the end. 🙂

[Ron3rd]

Is there audio with this video? I don't hear anything.

[jmtandem]

Could they improve build quality? I think so. Will they? Most likely not because they don't need to - they are better than most - sad as that is.

A few high end manufacturers incorporate torsion axles and disk brakes on their trailers. Northwood does not! Northwood's products have their own in-house frame and probably a little more insulation than most others. All the applicances, axles, tires, brakes, roof material and side gel/filon is basically the same as most other manufacturers. So what the customer really gets is a good frame and extra insulation. I think the OP is starting to figure that out. The rest is pretty standard stuff across the spectrum of RV trailers and is only as well built as the people putting it together.

[BZawlocki]

In the past couple of years, Northwood has declined in build quality and customer support - there is just no other way to say it.

You just do not get the same level of "customer satisfaction" that you did when Ron Nash was involved. It seems it's all about keeping up with the competition and production volume.

Now I will say that I think Northwood uses the very best components they can find for their Silver Arctic Fox. And yes it's sad about build quality but Northwood Arctic Fox is just about the best quality of what's available today.

Could they improve build quality? I think so. Will they? Most likely not because they don't need to - they are better than most - sad as that is.

Bill

[nomad297]

Ron Nielson wrote:
"You WILL find some problems with your new trailer - every trailer has problems. When you find those problems, please just make a list of them, and give us a call for an appointment and we will fix the problems."

This IS what my dealer (Reines RV in Manassas, VA) told us -- and we bought a used trailer. They were the original seller of our trailer when it was new, so maybe they knew there was nothing wrong with it. The only problem I ever had to take it to them for was what turned out to be a loose wire nut at one of the bedroom lights.

To the OP: all of the problems you have will be taken care of. Stop worrying so much.

Bruce

[amandasgramma]

Ron Nielson wrote:


If I were the dealer, I would tell every customer, "You WILL find some problems with your new trailer - every trailer has problems. When you find those problems, please just make a list of them, and give us a call for an appointment and we will fix the problems. We want you to ENJOY your purchase, not work on your trailer. Promise you will do this for me."

And if you were a dealer, you'd be so busy 🙂 🙂 Would be wonderful if all dealerships or repair shops would have that attitude.

[mark1228]

Wow, I guess I have a little different take on this. I don't believe that there is no quality in the RV industry. My $400,000.00 house has walls that are not straight and some cabinets that had to be adjusted. It even had some sheetrock that cracked as it settled. My house does NOT go down bumpy roads at 65-75mph. As for the quality of new cars, I guess my experience has been different than some of you. I bought one new pickup in my life. Over 3 years and 32k miles I was towed in 9 times! My wife and I bought a new Nissan Altima about a year and a half ago. It has had 3 recalls, the stereo failed, the left rear window squeaked something terrible when going up and down and the right front strut has failed already. I still think it's a really nice car, but it only has 12k miles on it. I have owned many new RV's including 4 Arctic Fox models. I live where there are some earthquakes and the way I look at it is that when you are towing that "box" down the road for an hour and a half it would have a similar effect as having a constant hour and a half earthquake shake and rattle my house. I wonder what my house would look like then?

Sure, the RV industry could use some better quality control, but in the 13 brand new RV's I have owned, I have never had a major failure. I have never had to have one back in the shop 9 times in 3 years. In fact, none of mine have had as many problems as my Nissan has had already so I for one am pretty happy about my RV ownership experience.

[Ron_Nielson]

FWIW - This is my post on AFNASH.com:

I am wondering how much the dealer is at fault here?


In my opinion, a LOT! When they received the trailer, they should have notified Northwood of the apparent problems, fixed them, then displayed/sold the trailer.

If I were the dealer, I would tell every customer, "You WILL find some problems with your new trailer - every trailer has problems. When you find those problems, please just make a list of them, and give us a call for an appointment and we will fix the problems. We want you to ENJOY your purchase, not work on your trailer. Promise you will do this for me."

[n7bsn]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
..
I also understand the concept of a final inspection. That process where the average buyer thinks problems should be caught and resolved. Not so. As a service guy on equipment for 20 years, I can tell you I used to have the same attitude when I found faults that came directly form the factory. I was amazed that they would say a unit has passed inspection and sent out to us (dealer) when there where things blatantly wrong. But I learned, over time, that final inspection is a guy with a clipboard who merely checks off the list of required items spec'd on the unit. He is also under pressure from his boss to get the units out of the factory and delivered. Stopping the whole works to fix a scuff on a cabinet will mean other work stops and chain reaction of delays starts....so, unless a component is missing or completely broken / damaged, send it out and let the dealer fix the little stuff on their end....any thing sold through a dealer is a sales driven environment -- sales takes precedence over doing a good job.

By random chance (I was dropping off our trade-in) I happened to be at the dealer when our new AF was delivered (custom order) and got to do a really quick walk through of the rig, as delivered. While I only spent about 10 minutes looking I didn't see any obvious defects.

We spent about three hours doing a personal inspection of everything we could find, before we signed the final papers and drove away.
The list we did find was short, but why we did the detail walk through to help ensure no serious issues.

[n7bsn]

HGL wrote:
..... Took the trailer to the local repair shop (Sumner RV - WILL NEVER TRUST THEM!)...

I have to say that I've been dealing with Sumner RV for over a decade and never, ever, had an issue with their service, period.

[Fisherguy]

I woulda followed up with the dealer and manufacturer before posting it all on here and I would not have taken it off the lot with that hole in the ceiling.
Where in Canada are you (it's and place) and what dealer did you get it from. Naming in mind prevent problems for someone else.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

skydiver31 wrote:

amandasgramma wrote:
Steve S beat me to it. I fail to understand your complaints because you SHOULD have done that kind of inspection BEFORE you agreed to buy it. My husband crawls under and on top of ANY rig we buy. Yes, new ones shouldn't have any problem, but they do. Any problems that came from the manufacturer SHOULD have been fixed by the dealership ---- after THEY discussed it with the manufacturer. How do you know those problems weren't caused by the DEALER????? Putting down a good manufacturer for this doesn't seem right.

The dealer does not install the cabinets and handles. I don't quite understand that...

I can tell you that the dealer may not install parts that make up camper, but stuff CAN and WILL happen to cause some issues like some of yours while the unit sits on the their lot. Sure, the cabinets where built crooked, not the dealers fault, but much of the more cosmetic stuff is very possible to happen on the dealers lot.
Think about this - your unit was built in fall of last year and most likely delivered to the dealer within a short time. Then it was on display for the buying public for how long? 6 months, give or take maybe? How many people toured through it? Possibly yanking on the grab handle inside the door way too hard and pulling it crooked? Maybe some sales guy was carrying a clip board and reached over the heads of some persons on a tour to point out feature and gouged the ceiling with the metal clip on it.

We bought our first TT last fall, and I am thankful that the sales guy was honest and the dealer overall was reasonable (at least I believe so based on the horror stories I read around here) Salesman freely admitted to the troubles they have with customers who think a walk-through is like a trip to the jungle gym for them and their kids and that was why the unit we where interested in was kept locked up until a customer was escorted through. Even at that, we found a tiny ding in the cabinet face around the TV and he admitted they install the TV's as part of "dealer prep", so his shop guys must have done it. They blended it in so it's not noticeable at all prior to delivery.


I have also learned enough to know that the RV industry, outside of custom built really high end units, is just like most other manufacturing -- assembled as fast as possible by workers of mediocre skill to try to keep the product at a competitive price to the end user -- the only difference between manufacturers is the design / engineering specifics of how thick / well insulated the walls / structure is and which materials are used throughout -- the guy screwing the window mounting screws crooked in an AF is the same kinda worker who left the bathroom door trim loose one my Keystone Mfr'd unit.


I also understand the concept of a final inspection. That process where the average buyer thinks problems should be caught and resolved. Not so. As a service guy on equipment for 20 years, I can tell you I used to have the same attitude when I found faults that came directly form the factory. I was amazed that they would say a unit has passed inspection and sent out to us (dealer) when there where things blatantly wrong. But I learned, over time, that final inspection is a guy with a clipboard who merely checks off the list of required items spec'd on the unit. He is also under pressure from his boss to get the units out of the factory and delivered. Stopping the whole works to fix a scuff on a cabinet will mean other work stops and chain reaction of delays starts....so, unless a component is missing or completely broken / damaged, send it out and let the dealer fix the little stuff on their end....any thing sold through a dealer is a sales driven environment -- sales takes precedence over doing a good job.

[Beer_Belly]

The Cabinet issue looks like, what I think is a false front (top drawer), is installed crooked, and just needs to be repositioned...the Cabinet doors look straight. The handle going out the door would be as easy fix, just drill new holes...top a little to the left, bottom a little to the right....as long as they old holes can be covered, but with the new holes being so close to the old, this may weaken the area, so may be better off leaving it. The roof cut would be the deal breaker for me, never would have left the lot. the dents in the appliances would need to have them replaced, the dining seats may be able to adjust something here and there, but wouldn't let that bother me too much....the vent in the floor issue is a non issue. The cut on the underside of the rear of the camper.....I'd be under that puppy and resealing every spot to keep critters out.

[HGL]

I did send you a PM about this. My husband and I purchased a TimberRidge from the sister company, Outdoors Mfg. We drove 6 hours to buy from a dealer in a different state as the trailer was customized to all of our specifications. We did the walk through, noted all of the issues that needed to be fixed, got the approval for those to be done at our local dealer, under warranty and drove off the lot. All the items were really cosmetic and we were willing to overlook them.

In August 2013 we picked up our brand new bunkhouse. September the rear stab jacks would not raise electronically - got out the drill motor and headed off for our first trip, due to work schedules. Came home with a list of things that broke on the dry run. Took the trailer to the local repair shop (Sumner RV - WILL NEVER TRUST THEM!), they had the trailer for 3 1/2 weeks, creased our bumper to the point of not being usable for sewer hose. Trailer did fine until April when we were prepping for our first trip of the year...the slide wouldn't retract. The axle sheered off due to only one tack weld. Took the trailer back to Sumner RV - they had the trailer for over 6 1/2 weeks! They also put scratches over a foot long in two walls, items requested for repair not touched, holes in wall near rear door and dents in the floors. Missed 3 - week long trips due to the time it took. On our return trip the slide stops fell off the trailer. We knew that we would not be taking the trailer back to Sumner RV for repair work as we feel monkeys would do a better job! Called my dealer, called the factory and went through everything with a fine tooth comb. Found some other items along the line that needed fixing.

Took our trailer to the MFG, which is a 5 hour drive one way for us. Walked through it with not only the shop manager but the Warranty Manager as well. We looked at everything with them. We dropped off three weeks ago, a week before they were ready for us due to our schedules. Still waiting on the call to get the trailer back, but we don't expect that for another week. We asked them to fix all the items that we were overlooking because of the headache, heartache and the stress involved. Outdoors Mfg is doing their best to make sure that we are happy with our purchase as we plan on having this trailer for the "long" haul. We do know that a lot of the issues are cosmetic and others are out of their hands as they are parts made by someone else, but the wires that have screws drilled into them, a knife rack that has both the gas line and electrical lines running directly through it, now those are safety items, plus the worry of having a slide "fall" out during transport is not idea of fun.

The moral of the story, call Northwoods on Monday - tell them what is going on. If you don't trust your dealer to repair things, then get it in writing that they will authorize another repair facility for you. Good Luck!

HGL

ps. the teams building the rigs are putting out between 9 & 32 units a day. The more they roll out, the better the bonus. The QC teams are not catching everything. The more we as consumers complain to the MFG's about this the more that they will start to listen.

[B_O__Plenty]

Passin Thru wrote:
Call the company yourself and email them pictures of all the problems. Don't complain to us as we can't do anything for you. I don't mean to be harsh, I'm trying to help. Be as nice as you can. Anger won't get you anywhere. Tell them the problem, give them a solution and then tell them how it will cost them money if you were to tell everyone. I owned a Peterbilt and when I had trouble with the dispatchers I went to the Supervisor of lease ops and told him how much money it cost. Got my own way, really good loads and my choice of them because they always told everyone what a nice guy I was. If they knew how angry i got at times..... If you want a new trailer, tell them, they may be happy to give it to you.

"If you want a new trailer tell them, they may be happy to give it to you" ???? What does the sky look like in your world? NEVER will this happen..

B.O.