Thoughts on Arctic Fox 5 ers

[ADQ K9]

Researching our next trailer the DW and have decided that it will be a 5 er. Keystones current line up has no floor plans we like, however Arctic Fox does have one. They seem well built I am sure they have issues like any other RV.
I think a major part of owning any RV is the relationship you have with the dealer for service and warranty work, so lets put those issues aside and tell me what you think of their construction use of materials etc.
I know their slide in campers are really nice the dealer here really doesn't stock trailers from them but will order one if we want.

[notanlines]

Mike, which model Fox are y'all enamored with?

[xranchflunky]

We owned a small bumper pull 2004 Arctic Fox (22H). We just sold it last March, and it was still in great condition. Yes, it was very well built, insulated, but heavy for it's size. I know Arctic Fox has introduced aluminum frames units that are lighter. I used to belong to the owner's forum and it lots of info and good folks participating. We did not go with Arctic this time as their are no local dealers near us anymore. Good luck!

[ADQ K9]

We are looking at the 32-5 M. I told the DW that the TV would be upgraded to an F-450 if we did it. The only down side is that a 450 won't fit in the garage. :facepalm:

[Ken / Claudia]

I had a AF990 truck camper for 9 years. I went to the factory, the tour was done by the GM. There is a reason there heavy, the construction, they pretty come with everything standard. That GM stated that the wooden framed 990s are 75 lbs lighter than the metal frame, who knows why. He did not know. We were going to a AF 5fer at trade time from the camper. I need a small to med size to get through NF service roads and campgrounds. Those size 5 fers tend to have ladders into the bed. We had 3 truck campers at that point and no more climbing a ladder to the bed.
Than a AF TT of same size of the listed cougar TT run around 15 to 20,000 more than the cougar when we looked at MSRPs. Wife was Okay with the cougar knowing it is using less expensive construction and things like the bed, upholstery have less quality just to name a few. Most appliances are the same.
I think their only made in Oregon, but not sure. I took mine back to the factory by appointment to fix delambed front. That camper was pretty much trouble free. It was sold before the dealer had time to go through it, I think it was there 6 days.

[ADQ K9]

We love our Cougar but it being our first trailer there are some things we have learned.
1.To be able to access the refrigerator without opening a slide
2. On board generators are always usually on 5 ers and not TT
3. A 5 er will b e better suited for the trips we plan on making in the future. (Snowbirding between Alaska and Nevada)
We also plan to live in it as we build our retirement home in Nevada, the first thing to go in will be an RV pad with 50 Amp service, water and possibly sewer.

[Fishsizzle]

Yes, built in La Grande Oregon along with Outdoors RV down the road. Overbuilt, people who buy them, they have an almost cult following. Many say that claims are fixed quick, no questions. Some say they have spoken to the owner at times.

For me, I just thought floor plans were wonky for my needs, and the cost difference was tough to chew on. They didn’t have king beds when we looked, but that could be different now.

[ADQ K9]

The king bed is optional on the model we are looking at DW likes the floor plan of the 32-5 M (most counter space) in theory is looks like the fridge will open with the slide in.

[notanlines]

Mike, your Arctic Fox model isn't much, if any, heavier with comparable models in other brands. The pin weight is in the dually range, but the gross weight is right in line. I'm afraid this model won't allow refrigerator access without opening BOTH slides. Also keep in mind that the relatively small living room TV is not actually visible from the two easy chairs. I found my information at this site: http://northwoodmfg.com/arctic-fox-2/arctic-fox-32-5m/

[Snoking]

I agree with Jim, the refer will not have access with the slides in. Most likely can not get past the sink island with the door side slide in also. Here is the floor plan we have in our BH3575el. We can get in three of four doors of frig with slides in. Dishes and silver is in butlers pantry area and we can make lunch without putting out slides. Counter on both sides for the stove, island and butlers pantry(full length)

Theater seating across from 48-50" TV. Same 16K GVWR with a lower 2435 dry pin weight. We tow it with a SRW 3500 2015 RAM.

Check on insurance before buying the F450(which do have a good wheel cut for sharper turning).

[travelin texans]

These good points that all who a looking at rvs;
Can you access bathroom, fridge & possibly the bed with the slides in?
Do you have look up or 90 degrees to watch tv? IF so you won't like it for very long!
Personally we like a seperate room for the toilet, not next to the sink or shower.

[Snoking]

As they say, look at a rig with slides out AND IN before making that final decision.

[itat]

The need to access the refrigerator with the slides in depends on how long you’ll be on the road and where you’ll be able to stop. Its no where near a priority for us because we don’t travel more than 4 hours and we’re happy to either stop at a truck stop or take a lunch in a cooler bag. Having access to the bathroom is not a problem for the floorplan the OP is looking at.

Northwood Manufacturing seems to use many of the same appliances and entertainment systems as other RV manufacturers so you’ll have to focus on whether or not their construction techniques and after-sales support are so much better to warrant the higher price tag. They do have some nice features and I like the fact that they install shocks on their models but is it good value for the extra money? My Rockwood Signature has some very nice features including Dexter Torflex torsion axles, soft close drawers and Corian solid surface countertops but would be lighter weight and not as well insulated compared to an Arctic Fox.

IMO, if you are going to use your 5er a lot, then it would be worth considering an Arctic Fox trailer but if you are like us - weekend trips and a few week long trips each year - they might not be worth the extra cost.

Good luck with your shopping.

[MattE303]

We are looking at the 32-5 M. I told the DW that the TV would be upgraded to an F-450 if we did it. The only down side is that a 450 won't fit in the garage. :facepalm:
I'm just curious, why an F450? The 32-5M is heavier than typical non toy hauler fivers in that length, but it's not crazy heavy (GVWR and pin weight is less than my 36' Carbon). A late model dually F350 would be plenty of truck for that trailer. Even if you want an aux fuel tank, etc. I think you'd have a hard time getting anywhere near max payload.

[gearhead]

With a 16,000GVWR I don't see needing a F450, if I'm looking at the right specs.
But hey, if you want a F450...

[goducks]

Northwood like ORV make their frames in house. No Lippert stuff. Shocks are a bonus but IMO nothing to get all crazy over. Northwwod is kinda out dated a little cosmetic wise. I guess you could say subdued compared to others. Bling costs more so you can't have both. Bling and overbuilt. Fiberglass rear cap is almost unheard of in the 32-5M price range. Montana used to have it then like many MFG they started cutting back on stuff to keep the prices down.

[ADQ K9]

Been busy and traveling off the site for a while.
I don't Need a 450, but as said Tighter turning radius, and commerical 19.5 tires wear a little longer. Comparing the price difference between a 350 and 450 with the same options / packages the 450 seems the better value.
I did this with my current truck also. I spent roughly 60K on a diesel CC 350 with an 8ft bed, instead of 57K on a 150 CC with a 6.5 ft bed. We are still open to other options and still in the research stages. I Thank you all for the replies.

[JRTJH]

Mike,

Run that F450 idea past your insurance agent and your state driver's license division before any final decisions. In some places, the F450 is a "commercial truck" and insurance rates are double or more than a comparable F350. Licensing, in some states requires a commercial CDL based on the truck's rating. None of this may apply in your situation, but best to know before signing any contracts.

As for the "tighter turn radius and 19.5" tires, there is an optional package on the F350 that includes the F450 front end and the 19.5" wheels while keeping the "lower GVW" which puts it in the "private truck/not commercial truck" category. Explore all your options !!!!!

ADDED: I may have spoke too soon... The Heavy Duty Towing Package may not be available on the 17/18/19 F350 DRW trucks. It was available on the 15/16 models, but I couldn't find it in the "build and price" pages on the Ford website. Maybe it's a special order, maybe it's no longer offered ???? IDK.

[ADQ K9]

Not really worried about insurance Will be insured as a "recreational vehicle", I commute back and forth to work on a Boeing 737, Have a Class A CDL with mutiple endorsements.
This is copied from the state of Alaska CDL manual,
Who is required to be licensed – A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required for anyone who is driving a vehicle intrastate or interstate with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. If you will be driving a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or transporting hazardous materials, regardless of the GVWR, a CDL is required. A commercial driver may have only one license and that license must be issued by their state of domicile. Those exempted from the commercial driver licensing requirements include drivers of recreational, military and emergency vehicles. Farm vehicles are exempt if controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products or machinery to and from a farm, not used in for-hire or contract carrier operations, and if driven no further than 150 miles from the farm.

Further down on the page...
COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE CLASSES, ENDORSEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

GCWR = Gross Combination Weight Rating: The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

Class A Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group A, provided the GVWR of the power unit is at least 26,001 or more pounds; and the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. (18 wheelers, logging)

Class B Any single vehicle with a GVWR in excess of 26,001 pounds or any such vehicle towing another vehicle that does not weigh 10,000 pounds or more (dump trucks, cement mixer trucks, box trucks, motor coaches).

Class C Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds falls in Group C or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. However, vehicles of this size are included in the CDL program only if they are: (1) Designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or (2) Used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F) or is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73

California is the only state I know of that requires a CDL for a recreational vehicle I am sure there are others
Is there a resource that tells what states require a CDL for an RV? I do not know of one. Seems like a PITA if you happen to be from a state that does not have the requirement. I know it is up to the state for licensing. and one has to research state by state if traveling just to stay out of trouble.

[JRTJH]

As far as towing a privately owned RV for personal use (not commercially) if you're "legal in your home state" then you're "legal in all 50 states" as far as licensing goes. You still have to meet the physical requirements in every state and follow their laws regarding double/triple towing, speed limits, passengers in trailers, vehicle weight limits and size (length/width/height) limits, etc imposed by stated through which you tow, but the basic "license to operate the vehicle" is valid in all 50 states if it is valid in the home state. National reciprocity is a good thing, now if only they'd all agree on professional licensure and other forms of "state regulated permits".....

[ADQ K9]

True, I am only legal in 38 other states with my "other regulated permit" I know this because there is a resource for it.
Back to the 5 er subject, we are keeping our eyes open and hopefully we can fly down to a show to get a good view of what is out there in 5th wheel land. Gonna be looking at west coast shows primarily but might go as far east as Texas.