Community Forums

Cliffy · 03-19-2018, 01:13 AM

Does brand really make much difference if all we are looking for is 5-8 years use? If buying new and finding the floor plan we want, wouldn't all of them make 5-8 years down the road?

Trying to sort through what? 30+ different makes is getting tiresome.
At 15K (at sales pricing not list, 20 - 30% off, finding numerous ones in that range) and under I could throw it away if it went 8 years and not think twice about it.

Really like the Arctic Fox 22G but I don't like the price for what we need. No deep snow for us.

I guess our design is @22', rear bath, 8' wide or more, full queen fwd (N/S) and tall enough inside so I don't have to stick my head into the skylight to take a shower. @5,000 loaded. 1 slide or none is OK. 2 axles a must.

Looking on the web there seems to be way too many to choose from and still be able to define well built (I know, that's relative to price). Right now its giving me a headache trying to weed them all out.

I'm watching a couple other recent threads also.

Dropthejacks · 03-19-2018, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

Does brand really make much difference if all we are looking for is 5-8 years use? If buying new and finding the floor plan we want, wouldn't all of them make 5-8 years down the road?

Trying to sort through what? 30+ different makes is getting tiresome.
At 15K (at sales pricing not list, 20 - 30% off, finding numerous ones in that range) and under I could throw it away if it went 8 years and not think twice about it.

Really like the Arctic Fox 22G but I don't like the price for what we need. No deep snow for us.

I guess our design is @22', rear bath, 8' wide or more, full queen fwd (N/S) and tall enough inside so I don't have to stick my head into the skylight to take a shower. @5,000 loaded. 1 slide or none is OK. 2 axles a must.

Looking on the web there seems to be way too many to choose from and still be able to define well built (I know, that's relative to price). Right now its giving me a headache trying to weed them all out.

I'm watching a couple other recent threads also.

You can pretty much get horror stories on just about all of them, so I say find the floorplan that best suits you, in a weight you can safely pull and price you can afford and go with it.

MRUSA14 · 03-19-2018, 03:45 AM

I am a motorhome guy, not a trailer guy, but with motorhomes, it’s not the eighth year you have to worry about, it's the first! Certain brands are more prone to design or construction defects. I suspect the same is true with trailers.

Construction defects are mistakes or carelessness during assembly. If these are present, you need a good dealer or go back to the factory to have the problem area redone. Good servicing dealers are very rare. Many are incompetent. The others are so overbooked for service that it can take months to get the work done.

Design defects are even worse, as you are generally stuck with them for the life of the unit unless you make modifications on your own dime.

As I say, this is based on motorhome experience and not trailers, but I have heard service related dealer complaints from my trailer freinds too.

blueridge-fl · 03-19-2018, 06:14 AM

You can have problems with any brand. You can also find an occasional great trailer from a manufacturer with a bad reputation. So it is all about playing the odds. Some brands seem to have fewer problems than other over a large number of units. I would include Lance, Airstream, Winnebago, and Grand Design amongst this group.

Cumminsfan · 03-19-2018, 08:41 AM

The AF 22G would be the best buy. Just because it's rated 4 seasons and you don't camp in the snow shouldn't be a deter ant. It will be better in the heat as well with dual pane windows. If you haven't walked in any then you really need to do so. You'll notice a more solid feeling when walking thru AF's than the other brands. I would put Lance right behind AF. Been thru many. AF uses plywood throughout, not MDF or OSB. Most systems are done in a simple way without a bunch of valves to turn to change the process. It's the KISS method. Solid in house built frame as well. You do get what you pay for sometimes.

Normal_Dave · 03-19-2018, 09:40 AM

For your price point, consider used: Nash is a wood-framed Arctic Fox (generally speaking)
https://mohave.craigslist.org/rvs/d/...499052170.html

Also take a look at (used) Winnebago Micro Minnie. Winnebago bought out prior favorite Sunnybrook to get into the trailer business and designs flow from the former Sunnybrook, and are still good quality for a production trailer for the price, vs. most.
Example:
https://www.scottsdalemotorgroup.com...rizona-5056669