Community Forums

Drakentol · 01-15-2008, 01:35 PM

hello all
Im a newbie in the RV world ready to buy a new 5th wheel. I have narrowed my choice to an Arctic Fox or a Rockwood Signature Ultra light unit. Im am looking for some feedback on the quality of these units. I have heard the Arctic Fox is one of the best, if not the best, at this price point. The Rockwood unit also looks good to me, although I am novice with not much experience at what to look for. I would just buy the Artic Fox, but I think I like the Rockwook floor plan a bit more. Not much more, but enough to try and get some unbiased opinions. Dealers are useless for this. I am hoping to keep this unit many years so Im trying to do everything I can to make the right decision. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance

Drakentol · 01-15-2008, 01:35 PM

hello all
Im a newbie in the RV world ready to buy a new 5th wheel. I have narrowed my choice to an Arctic Fox or a Rockwood Signature Ultra light unit. Im am looking for some feedback on the quality of these units. I have heard the Arctic Fox is one of the best, if not the best, at this price point. The Rockwood unit also looks good to me, although I am novice with not much experience at what to look for. I would just buy the Artic Fox, but I think I like the Rockwook floor plan a bit more. Not much more, but enough to try and get some unbiased opinions. Dealers are useless for this. I am hoping to keep this unit many years so Im trying to do everything I can to make the right decision. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance

TXiceman · 01-15-2008, 04:52 PM

Look in to the nooks and crannies and inside cabinets to see which one is built better. Think you will see a big difference in construction with the Arctic Fox.

And a big howdy and welcome to iRV2. Hope you can get a lot of help here.

ken

guardmmr · 01-16-2008, 08:43 AM

We owned an Artic Fox 5th wheel and loved it. While on vacation, we toured an Everest and fell in love with it. The biggest mistake we made was trading the Artic Fox for the "prettier" Everest. The quality does not come close to that of the Arctic Fox. We had no problems with the Fox, and problems since day one with the Everest. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Fox and have persuaded two of my friends who were looking for trailers to purchase the Fox. Neither of them have been disappointed.

450Donn · 01-16-2008, 10:04 AM

You mentioned that the Rockwood is Ultralight? Northwood definitely does not make light weight equipment. Again, I would opt for the Arctic Fox.

Rick A · 01-17-2008, 07:42 AM

Hi and welcome to IRV2. I used to own a 2001 Rockwwod Ultra lite 5th wheel. The difference between the Rockwwod and Actic Fox is the Rockwood is an ultra lite and the Arctic Fox is not. I had no complaints or major issues with the Rockwood at all. We only bought the Rockwood because we were shopping for a light trailer and it was in my opinion the best ultra lite. If weight is not a concern, the Arctic Fox is a much sturdier and better built trailer and would be my choice hands down. If weight is an issue, then I would not hesitate to buy another Rockwood. By the way, our current Wildcat is made by Forest River who also builds Rockwood. I am very happy with Forest River products.

Randy the sly old fox · 01-20-2008, 07:28 PM

I have owned several TTs over the years and currently own an Arctic Fox and love it. I don't know if Rockwood's ultralight construction is like many others where there is no framing in the walls - the Filon, foam, and luan are simply glued together and attached to a top and bottom frame. This makes for a real lightweight unit with moderate strength. In their Silver Fox editions, Arctic Fox assembles a full aluminium frame with wood inserts at the joints that gives the screw something other than the metal to bite into. Foam blocks are laid into the frame and then the filon and luan are vacuum bonded together to create the sidewall. After the bonding process the windows and doors are routed out on a computerized routing table. Arctic Fox also builds their own frames. I think that if you are looking for a unit that will last more than 10years the AF is the unit for you. Also the factory support can't be beat. If you want to read more on the AF go to www.afnash.com it is the forum for Arctic Fox and Nash owners - like me

Rick A · 01-22-2008, 08:32 AM

If I recall corectly, my '01 Rockwood was a full aluminum frame in the sidewalls, with Filon exterior, foam core insulation, and the luan interior walls. I don't know if they changed their construction methods since though.

xc-mark · 01-27-2008, 06:07 AM

I dont own a AF but I can tell you from looking at them a shows If and when I replace my 2001 31' holiday Rambler I will most likely find a arctic fox. Hard to beat the hiden features that are standard in a AF . I camp year round way up north, often times its -10 ~ -15 F at night . Thats well below the comfort rateing of most brands , my HR has thermopane windows , insulated floors but compareing numbers the AF is still better. Quality wise , fit finish and building pratices you will not find anything better. Example compare axle rating to whats really sitting on them ,most spec out the bare min maybe 1000 lbs to spare on the rating . think about it that 250 lbs under the tire max weight limits , if your running your tires 5 psi to low your going to have a blow out and the tire may only last 2 seasons !!!

Drakentol · 01-27-2008, 08:15 AM

Wow, thanks for that info Mark. I didnt know that and that is a huge issue to me. As a comparison on the axle rating, do you know how the Arcitic Fox unit compares? As far as actual weight to the rating. Thanks for the info. I think this has sealed the deal for me to go with AF.

CD · 01-27-2008, 08:38 AM

Drakentol
This is not an answer to your question but just some personal info. Our Nash weighs about 9K when we travel & I have a lot of unnessary "things" that we don't need. The GVW is 10400. The Nash is an older lower class than the Artic Fox (both by Northwood). Before we bought it I read an article in the paper that Ron Nash wanted an RV built for the rough NW roads that you can encounter when off the main roads. IMHO he succeeded.