Purchased a new Artic Fox 25W

[Dave1956]

Dear Friends,

Wife and I sold our class C and are picking up our new AF 25W this week. It has been 15 years since our last tongue pull. This one will go behind a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel .

I will need to add (on my own) a slide topper, 120 converter (for small appliance use) and perhaps one additional solar panel.

I welcome any advice/comments moving forward.

Thanks,

Dave

[JHinman]

That looks like a very nice layout! I think you will enjoy it!

[1Blue78]

Congrats!

We have a 25Y and really like it. Yes, it has had a few issues but I am happy with the service I have received. I believe you are sitting on the same frame we have but with a rear kitchen so weight distribution might vary a bit. My trailer pulls great crosswinds or passing truck do not bother it. Northwood has been great at responding promptly to a few questions I have sent them.

Enjoy!

[3putz]

I've added a few things to our Arctic Fox that you might consider:

1. soft start for the a/c. It lets a/c run easily on a Honda 2200 or 120 VAC at the house. The generator fits in the compartment intended for the factory installed genset.

2. Wacko a/c silencer. Kind of pricey but well worth it. You can actually have a conversation, hear the TV or sleep without earplugs.

3. Rear view camera. RDS 10 with the rearview mirror mount. Much, much better than the Furrion it replaced.

[Dave1956]

Good tips, thanks. Ours came with a backup camera. I have been reading about the ac quieter. What is involved with the soft start for the ac? I am planning on buying a generator so we can use coffee pot etc. Had not thought much about needing ac living in Colorado.

[3putz]

The soft start required some rewiring inside the a/c housing on the roof. It wasn't difficult and for me well worth doing. There are times when I prefer to load or unload at home in the driveway where I don't have 30 amp service.

You're likely aware of it but it bears reminding that any gas fueled generator's efficiency decreases with altitude. My 2200 watt runs my a/c just fine here at 3800 feet with the soft start but struggled at some higher altitudes.

One thing I added and forgot to mention was the TST tire pressure monitor system. I added it before we ever left the dealers lot. We had it on our last fifth wheel and it saved the day on one occasion.

[Dave1956]

Thank you

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by Dave1956

Dear Friends,

Wife and I sold our class C and are picking up our new AF 25W this week. It has been 15 years since our last tongue pull. This one will go behind a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel .

I will need to add (on my own) a slide topper, 120 converter (for small appliance use) and perhaps one additional solar panel.

I welcome any advice/comments moving forward.

Thanks,

Dave

You are talking a converter, what you mean is an inverter. The inverter changes the 12 VDC to 120 volt AC. Your rig should all ready have a converter installed, because some new converters also have a battery charger incorporated in the design.

There are a different styles of inverters out there. Decide what you want to use it for as far as appliances. One style is a full rig that can supply power to the whole rig. Another style is dedicated just for certain outlets or a single appliance like a residential fridge has a dedicated inverter. The second style I described is what is in our Road Warrior we have a residential fridge.

[MtCamper]

The NROA site has lots of mod suggestions for AF. Including the mods you're looking for.

[Dave1956]

Thank you. I will join the other site for access.

[Digitdav]

The solar panel regulator can handle adding (2) 210 watt 12v plus 100 watt panel mount on either side of roof ac. Replace solar panel connection to a three plug
Connection to handle the add panels the wire going to regulator is a number 6ga and will hand 30 amps.

Put a 2000watt inverter, fuse box and 200amp fuse under bench seat (shower wall). Run two red/Black Cable 1/0 welding cable and disconnect switch front compartment and batteries.

Remote control and gfi outlet on the bath room wall between shower and door.

Replace replace jumper cable between battery to 1/0 cable.

[Parafango]

I have a 2017 AF25W and have modified a couple of things:

• Morryde 3000 suspension kit
• Expansion tank under the seat by the pump (no pump running during night time bathroom visits!)
• 165W solar panel mounted to luggage rack on roof, with EPEVER 30A controller.
• Torklift glowstep for front and rear doors
• Toilet bowl flush spray nozzle
• progressive industries power management/monitor
• Renogy Battery monitor
• Good Year Endurance Load Range E tires
• Axle alignment
• under sink cabinet, motion activated LED strip lights
• Carrier tray in rear hitch for generator and tank flushing hose container
• AP Products slim shade for front and rear entry doors (mounted upside down on purpose)
• 5 lb dry chemical fire extinguisher near rear door
• C O / smoke detector added
• Cardboard filler plate over opening on floor under bathroom sink
• insect screens on refrigerator vents, water heater vent, & heater vents
• Maxxaire roof vent covers
• added wood panel in back of front most drawer by table where the things in the outside storage would interfere with the drawer.
• cup holders near recliners
• arprv fridge defend refrigerator monitor
• Bright LED light on rear carrier tray on separate switch
• center brake light on back of carrier tray with brake light converter so it doesn't blink with blinkers.
• 3" strips of copper tape on vent lid over bed to block light
• Blue Ox hitch with Lippert Straptek weight tension straps

Issues that have popped up:

• bathtub/shower had a crack in it near the door
• refrigerator door was bent but sealed ok
• excess tire wear corrected with alignment
• C O / LP detector near rear door floor went end of life
• defective smoke detector
• small leak under bathroom faucet
• leak inside in emergency exit window from top of window exterior seal
• shower door not on straight, wears out the gasket at the bottom
• recurrent issues with door closers need tightening

We bought this trailer because I got tired of stooping next to the bed with the 24-5L 5th wheel. ( but dreaming of a 27L 5th wheel!)
I think we've towed this about 17,000 miles or so and not done yet.

[Parafango]

Originally Posted by Dave1956

Dear Friends,

Wife and I sold our class C and are picking up our new AF 25W this week. It has been 15 years since our last tongue pull. This one will go behind a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel .

I will need to add (on my own) a slide topper, 120 converter (for small appliance use) and perhaps one additional solar panel.

I welcome any advice/comments moving forward.

Thanks,

Dave

I completely agree on the slide topper. If you find a good one, let me know!

If you're considering adding the TorkLift Glowsteps to your rig, I created a video of the install of one set of the steps and posted it to YouTube.
Here is a link to the video.
Glow step install

[IdahoBob]

Update your "signature logo" when you get a chance!

Bob