Possibly looking for another 5vr...

[steved]

OK, here goes... our 24 footer is probably going to get outgrown really fast in the next couple months.



I decided to start keeping an eye out for another 5vr, that's how I happened onto this little guy we currently have.



Probably looking no bigger than 30 foot, under 10k in weight. Probably limited to something in the late 90s/early 2000s price range... hopefully under $10k.



I'm also looking for one that doesn't use a wooden frame. If I am going to buy another one, it will be the last one for some time. After the rot issues with my slide-in, I really don't want to go that route again. This 5vr has a wood frame, but it seems in ok shape, but might have found a bad board this weekend at the doorway (still need to look at that)...



What would be a decent outfit to look for? What should I look for in the roof materials?? What about the exterior panels?

 

[Grizzly]

You can't go wrong with an Arctic Fox. They are aluminum frame. We have the 27', which we really like. All AF are 4 star rated. You can alway get something better, like a Hitchhiker, but they're bigger, heavier and more spendy.



The same manufacture also makes the Nash, which is also a 4 star rated and very good 5er, however they are wood frame. There's nothing with wood frame if they're built right and sealed correctly which Northwood Manufacture does. A Teton is wood frame and you can't get much better then that. My Lance truck camper was wood frame. Never had a problem with it.



Look at Northwood's broacher. Northwood Mfg.

 

[B.G. Smith]

If you can find a Newmar American Star(they made a 30') with a metal roof, hard to beat and a good unit, alumionum framing. The rubber roof is good but not as bullet proof as the metal. bg

 

[RVTRKN]

I'll second that, bought a 05 Arctic Fox for $17. 5K and it is wood frame. Love it and would recommend it, there is a web site you can check out Northwood RV Owners Association and you can see the issues like TDR.



But let me warn you about posting on that site, any mention of anti-Obama, your thread/post is removed. I got into a conversation about the inefficient Standard furnaces that a RV uses, and the thread was complaining about it and wanted Northwood to offer a more efficient furnace so he could run it longer on the battery in below freezing weather. My post was about the fact that the current furnace is adequate and he should carry another battery if in those conditions for longer intervals before recharging would be required. If there is a more efficient furnace then the Obama/Libs will require it in all applications costing us even more money. I politely cancelled my subscription.

 

[RVTRKN]

If you can find a Newmar American Star(they made a 30') with a metal roof, hard to beat and a good unit, alumionum framing. The rubber roof is good but not as bullet proof as the metal. bg

If you have/buy the EPDM roof (rubber) than you need to be very careful about what cleaners you use, any petroleum distillates will ruin them.

 

[steved]

As far as roof materials, what is more durable (if properly maintained)?



I would really like an aluminum frame on the next one... then all worry about wood rot is eliminated.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have had the EPDM rubber, the stuff that Newmar is using now, which a kinda firm plastic type material, seamless metal an Airstream and some kind of composit that was on an Explorer I had one time. Have had leaks on all or them except the Airstream and it even had some moisture get inside the skylights. The big problem with them all is if you use them and they sit outside the seams where the roof meets the sides and end caps deterioate and that is where most leaks occur. The rubber is succeptable to being damaged by overhanging tree limbs while in transit. I have decided that the only ones that don't leak would be those parked under a water resistant roof and not pulled on the roads. You just have to keep an eye on the caulking and check inside after rainy weather if it is outside. bg

 

[Grizzly]

I'll second that, bought a 05 Arctic Fox for $17. 5K and it is wood frame. Love it and would recommend it, there is a web site you can check out Northwood RV Owners Association and you can see the issues like TDR.



But let me warn you about posting on that site, any mention of anti-Obama, your thread/post is removed. I got into a conversation about the inefficient Standard furnaces that a RV uses, and the thread was complaining about it and wanted Northwood to offer a more efficient furnace so he could run it longer on the battery in below freezing weather. My post was about the fact that the current furnace is adequate and he should carry another battery if in those conditions for longer intervals before recharging would be required. If there is a more efficient furnace then the Obama/Libs will require it in all applications costing us even more money. I politely cancelled my subscription.

Arctic Fox 26' and smaller are still wood frame as are all Nash. An Arctic Fox 27' and longer are aluminum frame. Again, not a thing wrong with wood frame as long as you get a trailer of quality, such as anything by Northwood Mfg. If the wood frame is built and sealed correctly, it won't rot.

 

[RVTRKN]

Arctic Fox 26' and smaller are still wood frame as are all Nash. An Arctic Fox 27' and longer are aluminum frame. Again, not a thing wrong with wood frame as long as you get a trailer of quality, such as anything by Northwood Mfg. If the wood frame is built and sealed correctly, it won't rot.

The information I have on the A/F is that the 05 MY was wood frame in any length, mine is 34', and unless you got the silver fox edition which are aluminum, it is a wood frame. But I think the new 09's might be 27' or less, would be a wood frame. But that is a fact I'm not aware of. I just know that there is a large following from the A/F owners because they have excellent quality and will back you even when the warranty is up if your willing to haul it to La Grande Oregon were there plant is. I was just waisting time, you can do that when your semi retired, and was looking at some other brands 09 35' 5vers and realized just how much more room mine seems to have even though it was the same size and class. For their class of RV they are on top and the price is affordable, I highly recommend you consider one.

 

[Grizzly]

The information I have on the A/F is that the 05 MY was wood frame in any length, mine is 34', and unless you got the silver fox edition which are aluminum, it is a wood frame. But I think the new 09's might be 27' or less, would be a wood frame. But that is a fact I'm not aware of. I just know that there is a large following from the A/F owners because they have excellent quality and will back you even when the warranty is up if your willing to haul it to La Grande Oregon were there plant is. I was just waisting time, you can do that when your semi retired, and was looking at some other brands 09 35' 5vers and realized just how much more room mine seems to have even though it was the same size and class. For their class of RV they are on top and the price is affordable, I highly recommend you consider one.

We have an 08 Silver Fox addition in a 27' 5th wheel. See my signature.



I called the plant in La Grande today, since I know some of the reps, and asked when they switched to Aluminum frame. I was told that prior to 05 everything they made was wood frame. In 05 they started making the 27' and larger Arctic Fox with aluminum frame. Everything else, including all of the Nash line are still wood frame. I didn't ask about the Desert Fox. He also said that they don't have a problem with wood framing rotting because they are well sealed. He went on to say that they put wood inside their aluminum studs so that when they screw cabinets and partition to the outside wall they have a firm place to hold to.