Community Forums

memilanuk · 03-10-2020, 05:56 PM

We're looking at moving from a TT to a short-ish 5'ver, and the AF 27-5L is probably at the top of my 'short' list (hah!)... but the Fox Mountain 235 and the Outdoor RV 26RKS are also contenders.

We've been pretty dissatisfied with the fit/finish of the last couple trailers we've had - a 2013 Forest River Salem T21RBS, and our current 2018 Cougar 28RLSWE. Cheap and shoddy, looks good when new but doesn't hold up well, even after only a few years. We've walked into trailers 10 years older that looked nicer than ours - and we are not 'hard' on them, as far as I can tell.

I've always heard good things about Arctic Fox... and I was under the impression that Outdoors RV was very similar in build quality, and Fox Mountain was somewhere below the two, but perhaps better than the typical Keystone/Forest River stuff?

consolenut · 03-10-2020, 06:50 PM

Artic fox would be my guess top of the list buying new. Me personally no sold on outdoors rv not been around long enough to say on durability. Yes there are older travel trailers and 5ver that are legendary as well. Nuwa, Excel, Newmar made smallish 5vers that will serve you well.

To answer your question built far better then FR or thor etc.

keymastr · 03-10-2020, 08:37 PM

OutdoorsRV share the same frame shop as Arctic Fox, both companies along with Nash being started by Ron Nash who recently passed. Outdoors have far better floor plans and interior design in my opinion, Arctic Fox designs look like the '90s to me. They are both very well built trailers sharing some pedigree in building tough four season trailers. AF is quite a bit more money since everything is an upgrade where ORV has distinct trim levels, in the 5th wheels it is mountain series or Titanium series and the Titanium pretty much has everything. I think you save a little by bundling the upgrades in packages that way.

All ORVs come standard with Progressive Dynamics converters, thermal pane windows, off road suspension with KYB shock absorbers, and many other things folks often add later.

As you can see from my signature I might be biased, lol.

consolenut · 03-10-2020, 09:15 PM

Artic fox never focused on what you see. they focus on what you dont see. which is to me most important if extended trips or full time is intended. you dont want your rig falling down around you. To me ORV if cheaper is a midline version so to speak of an Artic Fox. give me well built and insulated over bling any day. Inside can be edited and changed fairly easy.

Cumminsfan · 03-10-2020, 11:45 PM

I've owned a Fox Moutain 235 and now an ORV. Fit and finish is the same. After doing mods on both and seeing whats behind the access panels and drawers there's no difference.
We had a 2013 FM 235 for 6 years before getting our Timber Ridge 25RDS. Our ORV is far from perfect and slightly less perfect than our FM 235 was.
We haven't hand any mechanical or build issue failures. We do have some quality control cosmetic issues.

I've looked at plenty of NW and ORV trailers. We were torn between several models before getting our ORV. I found just as many QC problems in all of them.

Of all 3 you're looking at, the 27-5L is much nicer than an FM 235 and much more roomy and livable than the 26RKS.

MtCamper · 03-11-2020, 08:37 AM

We own a 27-5 and have owned an ORV. We travel with friends who own a FM 235. Fit and finish are decent. You will still have a few things you'll want to tweak. We like the big window in the 235 but really like the big kitchen and wide body of the 25-5.

Given your TV, you should look at the 235 unless you plan to upgrade to one ton diesel. You wouldn't be happy with the 27-5 if you plan to travel much.

Cumminsfan · 03-11-2020, 09:17 AM

Here's why we traded our FM 235 in on an ORV. !st off it could've been any trailer for the reasons we traded. Nothing to do with quality.
The toilet room is cramped. We're not big people but when sitting up and down on the toilet your head almost hits the wall.
The step up into the bed got old after 6 years.
The kitchen counter is way too small for cooking and having somewhere to set things, like a coffee pot.
The area in the rear where the recliners would go is too cramped. Even with wall huggers the recliners will intrude into the entrance door area. It always felt cramped.
Hardly any closet space and drawers for clothing on long trips.

We got the ORV 25RDS because it gave us way more kitchen counter, much more room in the rear, plenty of storage for clothing and a more usable bathroom.

It was also much cheaper than a Glacier Peak. My truck can't tow, or at least I wouldn't want to tow the 27-5L with it.

Everyone has different needs and wants so what works for one doesn't for another. Just throwing some food for thought out there.

jjackrash · 03-11-2020, 01:15 PM

We camp regularly with several Arctic Fox owners. My impression is they are pretty nice rigs, but not the be all and end all of quality. I seem to spend the same time helping them fix things as I do helping others in our group, and the fit and finish is nice, but far from perfect.

450Donn · 03-11-2020, 01:27 PM

No mass produced RV has the quality you might think. That applies to Northwood and OutdoorRV products too. They seem to be a cut above, but still expect warranty work.
BTW the 27 5L is about 35 feet long. I thought you said you were looking at a shortish one?

memilanuk · 03-11-2020, 02:19 PM

Everything I've read puts the 27-5L at 30-31'. You might be thinking of the 28-5C?

egwilly · 03-11-2020, 06:07 PM

We love our ORV Glacier Peak fifth wheel. Some very small issues came up early on, nothing I couldn't repair or tweak. ORV was very responsive to my requests for parts the first year with no questions asked.

To me, the fact that they stand behind their product is priceless. No runarounds, fast response to my emails, etc. Try that with the others.

I tow it with a 1 ton diesel single axle. No issues at all. I think a F250 gas with the big V8 would do fine, however gas mileage would be less than diesel. It's all about the pin weight and load capacity.

Take your time deciding and pick the floor plan that works for you. You can't undo a bad decision if you pick the wrong one.

The length of our 26RLS is actually 33 feet pin to bumper. The industry lists and measures the main body section as their marketing.

ALLOY · 03-11-2020, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolenut

Artic fox never focused on what you see. they focus on what you dont see. which is to me most important if extended trips or full time is intended. you dont want your rig falling down around you. To me ORV if cheaper is a midline version so to speak of an Artic Fox. give me well built and insulated over bling any day. Inside can be edited and changed fairly easy.

X2

I'd add what you can't see will be reflected in the resale value.

GP28 · 03-12-2020, 09:58 AM

A couple years ago started searching out well built trailers that had off grid capacity to stay out for a week and had good to excellent quality, reviews, and dealership ratings. For standard trailers/5th wheels (not custom built) the top 3 I boiled it down to were, Outdoor RV, Artic Fox, or KZ. It just worked out that for us the Outdoor 28rks worked perfect. It is very well built but like almost anything one buys there are probably quirks or mods one would like when you begin to use it, but quality build has never been in doubt.
What we found to be a really pleasant surprise last time we had it out, there were 2 couples in our trailer, us and son/daughter in law. Next camp spot had other daughter/son in law and 3 kids. One night had them all in our trailer cooking, eating, visiting and playing card games and the trailer never seemed to be over crowded. My wife said I could sell them I like ours so much, LOL.. She also said that should have never shown her the Outdoor before other (not the 3 I listed) brands as it made them feel cheap or just mediocre quality on interior/cabinets etc. and just all around. Just my $0.02