Movement Brtween Pin Box and Camper Body

[RVTRKN]

I asked Grizzly about his Arctic Fox 5ver and what his RV magazine reported on them. They were on the money about the evaluation and he highly recommended Arctic Fox. Because I was buying a 4 year old used unit with a tail light warranty, I inspected as much as I could with my limited knowledge and accessibility. But it had been winterized and something's I couldn't test due to the route I was taking home would be in teens if not below zero. I was very impressed with the frame, as it seemed to be built way stronger than needed.

Kilgore, once your Couger is fixed you might as well upgrade to a higher quality. When I was finally able to check everything it was as new and the owner either took good care of it or the quality was as reported. The only thing that bothered me was the Maxxis tires.

 

[Killgore]

RVTRKN, you're right about an upgrade to higher quality. The thought is constantly on my mind, and of course Northwood (Arctic Fox) has to be right at the top of the list. My only problem is that their distribution is somewhat limited. There is an outside chance I could locate one on the Gulf Coast that some poor Snow Bird was unable to pull back North due to medical, logistical problems or frustration. If I decide to take the leap, I won't act in haste but approach this opportunity with more than a little caution.

I appreciate your concern over tires. I just bought a complete set of Maxxis M-8008's the first of the year. Thankfully they were made in Thailand. Unfortunately, a good selection of ST tires to fit the 15" rims is very limited quality-wise as you are aware. My decision to go with the Maxxis' was based not on price but rather quality and the experiences of many others pulling campers. If I could outfit a camper correctly, it would definitely have 16" rims so that I could use a LT tire. Heck, if I could put together a shopping list of affordable items it would also include 6,000 lb. axles, 12" brakes, and of course electric over hydraulic disc brakes.

Thanks for your input. - Ed

 

[GAmes]

When you decide to take the plunge, remember that RVs can be delivered if logistics don't allow you to go get it. RV transport companies will do it for a nominal fee, or it is possible the seller will bring it to you as part of the deal. The seller brought us our first one because I didn't have a vehicle to pull it. I delivered our Monaco to the buyer because he is going to live in it and not travel, so he didn't have anything to pull it with.

 

[Killgore]

And GAmes, you're absolutely correct. That is an option that is always available.

My other concern is my age. At 72 I have to consider how much time I logically have to run the roads. Becoming a full-timer has become an obsession, but I also need to leave some time to build another home if possible, closer to my kids and grandkids, so that my wife won't get hung out in some place like BFE, (she's considerably younger than myself). All of that thinking is subjective, but it has to be included if I am to remain practical.

If Camping World, USAA, me, or whoever gets the Cougar squared away, common sense tells me that running between Dandridge, TN and Foley, AL is not unreasonable given the present equipment and the ability to avoid weather extremes. Do I want to make a run to Alaska? I would love to, but the reality of that trip means I would be considered an undesirable by Canadian laws and standards, (Lifetime Member of the NRA, with a LEOSA 50-state carry certification, and a decal on my rear-window that says 'Molon Labe', LOL). No way would I consider crossing the Canadian border. I respect them and I would not intentionally attempt to break their laws. I will just stay on my side and look across if the occasion presents itself.

I have met people way up in their eighties that were still running the roads with confidence, and I know folks in their sixties that I wouldn't ride around the block with, so age is subjective. As young men we knew no boundaries; but, as we get older we recognize that they have always existed, we just didn't have the common sense to be able to see them.

- Ed

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm hearing good things about Maxxis as well, and I had the 16" LT version as OEM on my Arctic Fox and were on the 5ver for close to 10 years although the 5ver was moved less than a mile for 4 of the last of those 10 years. Thats another plus of up grading to a bigger RV you can go to 16" and your tires are upgradable to high quality safer tire. FWIW, Arctic Fox had a plant in Virgina until the economy hit a wall, I know this because that's where my 05 AF was built. So you might find a good used unit on the So East Coast.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Comments on forums i have read researching trailer tires is almost all positive on Maxxis.

 

[GAmes]

At 72 I have to consider how much time I logically have to run the roads.

Do I want to make a run to Alaska? I would love to, but the reality of that trip means I would be considered an undesirable by Canadian laws and standards, (Lifetime Member of the NRA, with a LEOSA 50-state carry certification, and a decal on my rear-window that says 'Molon Labe', LOL). No way would I consider crossing the Canadian border. I respect them and I would not intentionally attempt to break their laws. I will just stay on my side and look across if the occasion presents itself.

I'm not far behind you, I'm 68. We went to a smaller 5er for 2 reasons. One is that the Monaco was too long to hook my boat to (limited to 65' in TX), the other for our trip to AK next summer. Towing the 13,000 pound Monaco up there wore me out, not to mention considerable exercise of the exhaust brake. While my wife was oohing and aahing , I was cussing.

Unless you have some kind of conviction on your record it doesn't matter what sticker is on your window or if you belong to the NRA. Of course you have to leave your firearms at home, no big deal, they'll survive the loneliness.

 

[Killgore]

Aha GAmes, it was a way of life for too many years; I would feel naked! But your reasoning was sound. I would shudder to think my Cougar might fall apart half-way up the AlCan. I would have to leave it as roadside litter.

 

[GAmes]

The Alaska highway (no longer called the AlCan) is paved all the way, and really not any worse (actually better IMO) than the interstates in Oklahoma. Frost heaves are marked giving you enough time to slow down. If you fish, nearly ever provincial campground in BC is next to a lake. During our last trip I never saw another fisherman (or a game warden). A pr of hipwaders and a Meps spinner, I love Canada, especially BC. I tell people that is how the NW was before the white man screwed it up. Banff NP puts Glacier Natl Park in MT to shame. I can't wait to travel AK again either.