KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Joined: 03/16/2008
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I'm shopping for a travel trailer for our family of 5 and a dog. Right now I'm really liking the Winnebago Voyage 3033BH for it huge gray tank capacity, big 4 door refrigerator, and lots of storage. Other brands I think are in this category are Jayco Eagle, Keystone Courgar, Grand Design Reflection, and Forest River Heritage Glenn.
Are there some others I should be looking at?
I intend to take multi-week trips of several thousand miles so I need something that will hold up well. We often end up camping with no hook-ups, thus the need for larger tanks.
I know Airstream are supposed to be good but I just can't see spending that much. I'll probably only have it for about 5 to 7 years and then our kids will be gone and the wife and I will get something smaller.
I know Lance and Arctic Fox are supposed to be good but they are just too small.
I can't do a fifth wheel so I don't need any suggestions on that.
Thanks for your help.
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deltabravo
Spokane, WA
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Joined: 09/08/2003
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Nash, Arctic Fox (From Northwood Manufacturing) and Outdoors RV.
The nice thing about these is they all build their own frames instead of outsourcing the frame manufacturing to Lippert (LCI).
Since 2003 I've owned quite a few RVs from the above companies. I've owned two Arctic Fox Truck camper, a Desert Fox Toy Hauler, a Nash 22h and 17K and an Outdoors RV (ORV) 24RLS.
I've also participated in multiple discussion groups for all the above brands since 2003 and have never heard of frame defects, cracks, breaks, failures like you hear about with LCI frames.
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator
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Second Chance
Wherever...
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Joined: 07/23/2013
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deltabravo wrote:Nash, Arctic Fox (From Northwood Manufacturing) and Outdoors RV.
The nice thing about these is they all build their own frames instead of outsourcing the frame manufacturing to Lippert (LCI).
Since 2003 I've owned quite a few RVs from the above companies. I've owned two Arctic Fox Truck camper, a Desert Fox Toy Hauler, a Nash 22h and 17K and an Outdoors RV (ORV) 24RLS.
I've also participated in multiple discussion groups for all the above brands since 2003 and have never heard of frame defects, cracks, breaks, failures like you hear about with LCI frames.
This is just a question for my edification... I like the fact that the brands you mention build their own frames - I'm FAR from an LCI fanboy. Do these brands do a better job with the suspension, e.g. the spring hangers, brackets, wet bolts, etc., that are problematic on the Lippert frames?
Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015
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goducks10
There
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Joined: 02/22/2010
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Very rare for an ORV or NW trailer to have suspension/frame issues. The Grand Design Owners forum is littered with suspension issues from broken spring hangers to undersized springs and axles.
ORV uses the CRE3000-4000 equalizer, Dexter wet bolts, KYB shocks and 16" GY tires on all their trailers. Frames are thicker and are made with USA sourced steel.
NW uses the same steel but different suspension parts and shocks.
The only similarity between ORV/NW and the Elkhart trailers is the components like fridges, WH, stove, etc. They all buy from the same parts bins.
FWIW 15" tires are standard but 99% of ORV trailers on dealer lots come with the upgraded 4X 16" wheel/tire option. No OSB, dual pane windows as well.
They're not immune to problems but when you get through the typical RV problem stage you have a much more robust trailer.
For 2024 ORV and NW have updated their interiors which was long overdue. I'm ending my 5th season with my ORV trailer and it's as solid as day one. There's a reason they weigh more than their competitors.
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