New Trailer

[Superslif]

Why do you think the Timber Ridge RV's tow better than the run of the mill RV trailers? On our way to Alaska last summer we looked at Arctic Fox in MT.

Heading out west to Yellowstone next month and want to "touch & feel" some ORV's. Problem is I can't find a dealer besides Denver of any size. After Yellowstone I have 4 days to make it to KY. for our next stop.

[brulaz]

Besides their overall weight and the shocks, our 240RKS has a very high % of the weight on the tongue. Over 15% IIRC. If your truck can handle that, and you have a good WDH, I think it helps.

[Waunacamper]

Superslif, Idaho Falls is not that far from Yellowstone. It is a Camping World and they treated us well and we got a great price.

As far as towing goes i'm sure it's a combination of things, better frame & suspension, heavier total weight and tongue weight. Our Outback didn't tow bad but not as solid feeling as the TR. Both using a Equilizer brand hitch, old was 10,000 lbs new is 14,000 lbs.

[Superslif]

Looking forward to doing a day trip to Idaho Falls. Just a little leery of CW...Every time we have visited ours in NE. Ohio, we get the high pressure treatment.

I like the way they (ORV) divides up the RV trailers they make into 3 styles of RVing: Totally off-grid 99% of the time you get the BackCountry series. 50/50 mix of regular camping mixed with going off-grid when needed, you get the Mountain Series. And if you like being more pampered and like higher end details you go for the Titanium Series. With some of the same floorplans in both the Mountain & Titanium series. I'm leaning towards the Mountain series. Just have to find that floorplan both the DW and myself can live with.

[Waunacamper]

We did our deal over the phone so don't know how pushy the salesmen are. We offered them an out-the-door price and they accepted it. At pickup time we did have to listen to the sales pitch for Insurance and fabric/fiberglass protectant, but that is the same for any dealer. They all try to push the extra's as that is mostly profit. I brought my own WD hitch and they tried to charge for setup. Just told the salesman no and he worked it out. The tech we had for walk through did the hitch setup also. He was very good and the hitch setup was perfect. Sometimes you get lucky!

[Randy the sly old fox]

Superslf - Both ORV and AF/Nash take great pains when designing their chassis. When designing the floorplans, they design the chassis too. Then they build a prototype trailer and take it for a test tow under various load conditions and if they don't like the way it handles - they correct it by moving the axles around until they get it right. Not may mfgs take the time to do this - most use the same chassis for several floorplans - ORV only does this if it tows well.

As for Camping World - I agree they can be pushy I think it depends on what the dealership was like before CW bought them. I just checked their inventory and they only have 3 ORV units showing.

In addition to Denver, you could try the dealer in Casper WY, or even Missoula MT (I know that is a bit of a backtrack).

I did a quick search of the Casper and Missoula dealers between the two there were about two dozen units in stock. The Casper dealer had some very early 2017 models - more like late 16 models (old colors and without the Mountain/Titanium choice.

I don't think any dealer is going to have one of everything - hopefully they will have the ones that are most popular. But you are probably going to have to go from a floorplan sketch and photos.

Just a little background, we have an AF 22H and love it - went looking for something similar but with a walk around bed - we started at the Creekside 23BHD and then to the 20FQ - DW said both felt cramped and she did not like the side bath in the 20FQ - found the Timber Ridge 25RDS and she said this was it - side bath, slide and all Sometimes seeing on in person is the best way to buy.

[Waunacamper]

Superslif - there is also Stewert's RV just south if Salt Lake City. They show 8 units on the lot. About 6 hrs south of Yellowstone and sort of on the way.

[hi1pockets]

Originally Posted by Superslif

Why do you think the Timber Ridge RV's tow better than the run of the mill RV trailers? On our way to Alaska last summer we looked at Arctic Fox in MT.

Heading out west to Yellowstone next month and want to "touch & feel" some ORV's. Problem is I can't find a dealer besides Denver of any size. After Yellowstone I have 4 days to make it to KY. for our next stop.

RVs Northwest in Spokane Valley have a good selection of ORV products
If you go through Pasco Wa, Broadmore RV has a decent selection on trailers but no very many 5ths.

[egwilly]

Originally Posted by Waunacamper

Well, we got back from picking up the TR Thursday night. Left home Saturday morning and arrived in Idaho Sunday night. We left dealer in Idaho Falls Monday around 1 pm heading south east to Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Stayed at a KOA over night then on to Custer State Park in South Dakota. What a horrible drive that was. We had snow and sleet most of the way and strong winds all the way. Ram pulled it fine with plenty of power but mpg (7.7) really suffered against that wind. Stayed at Custer for 2 nights to rest up then home the next day, against a strong wind also. I thought heading East I would have a tail wind but nooooo.

Overall the Ram did great and the TR pulled straight and true. Noticeably better than the Outback did. We love the trailer, lots of storage, comfy, quiet. Now we just have to figure out where to put everything. Wife already has a list of projects for me to make it ours.

Welcome to the ORV family!
You had a great shakedown cruise for sure on your trip.
Have a ball making it yours....I do.

[Mamabuchu]

Originally Posted by Waunacamper

Well, it finally got warm enough to take the cover off of our Outback and get it ready to sell. We cleaned it out, washed it and put the add on craigslist Saturday March 18th. Sold it 5 days later for asking price. They picked it up on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we called a dealer in Idaho about a 2017 Timber Ridge 27BHS w/ X4 Off Road option. Made them an offer and they accepted. We put money down to hold it and will drive out and pick up on April 3rd, last day to get free 80watt portable solar. Printed out my PDI checklist and are ready to go. If weather cooperates we will stop in the Black Hills area for a night or two on the way home.

Almost forgot, we flew out to Oregon and did factory tour first part of March. It really helped to confirm our decision to buy ORV.

Want to thank all of you that have answered our questions, they were very helpful.

We are very excited to go get it!

Just bought one, too, pick it up in June. By any chance do you have cabinet, drawer, pantry measurements so I'll know what organizer bins will fit?

[Lac]

[QUOTE=Randy the sly old fox;3548621]Superslf - Both ORV and AF/Nash take great pains when designing their chassis. When designing the floorplans, they design the chassis too. Then they build a prototype trailer and take it for a test tow under various load conditions and if they don't like the way it handles - they correct it by moving the axles around until they get it right. Not may mfgs take the time to do this - most use the same chassis for several floorplans - ORV only does this if it tows well.

Interesting...This is the first I've heard of ORV building a prototype and test towing. Just wondering who told you this? I know each chassis is supposed to be designed for each different model trailer. I tried to tour the ORV /AF chassis shop but not allowed. Both AF and ORV frames/chassis are built by Northwood the parent Company of ORV. I was told that my ORV chassis is used in similar AF/Nash models as well as ORV models.

Do you know what benchmarks ORV engineers used to determine what the perfect handling chassis? Will have to ask the ORV crew at the campout this year or Hopefully the ORV rep who checks the owner's forum can fill us in in the details.

Coops

[Randy the sly old fox]

I was told that when I toured the factory. it is also in one of their videos.

I have also seen prototype trailers from the AF/Nash plant during their owners club rallies. Their prototypes are often torn apart and rebuilt several times during the development process.

Not surprised that the frame plant was off limits for a tour - I have been on two AF and one ORV factory tour - and have not seen the frame plant once. I know that the AF factory tours are held at lunch time and afterhours. The ORV tour was during working hours - I just dropped in. The frame plant is probably very dirty and could have hazardous materials siting around. It is also removed from the main AF and way away from the ORV plant.

I toured the AF in 07 and both in 15 - in 07 we toured the plant where they made the laminated sidewalls - in 15 that line was not on the tour and ORV has a separate building.

[Tuquala]

Took a tour in March of 2016, which included the frame shop for ORV. It is in the shop building next to the admin buildings. Frames were built there, axles & tires under, some gas lines installed and undercarriage wiring. Then out door to the lot and into the main assy building. At the time I was there, they were running the new (at that time) 270RKS in the three versions (TR, WR, BlkSt) for early 2017's. Also some Creeksides were being built. Nothing was said about the frames being built elsewhere.

ORV's lamination shop is on site, next to the final assy shop.

[Randy the sly old fox]

I also remember seeing that building in 15 but I was also told on the tour that the frames were made a few miles down the road at the Northwood frame plant. Maybe this is where they do modifications like the 4x off road stuff - I really don't remember much about that portion.