This topic contains 53 replies, has 14 voices, and was last updated by 
Scott VanArtsdalen 2 weeks ago.
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sorry, a typo. I meant to state: Keystone, LAREDO Light, the 265SRK model.
As my criteria is 30 feet, my choices come down to 2 units only:
a/ Arctic Fox 27-5L, at LOA 29’5″, 9650# dry, est usd $48,000
b/ Laredo 265SRK, at LOA 29’11”, 8750# dry, est usd $42,000
The Fox has almost 2x the fluids capacities and better R factors, but is $6,000 and 1000# dry more, but can carry 1000# more, and seems best build quality of all 5Ws. Perhaps the lower price is why the Laredo is a strong seller. Certainly, for say $1000 extra investment, the Laredo can possibly be customized and still be a high value/price ratio. But the $5k extra for the Fox may be justified for all its other advantages: eg. 2x liquids is great for boondocking. Creates incentives to research all models deeply. pros and cons.
Of course, for those who want larger RVs, the choices are far greater and the decision more difficult.
thanks for reading my blog!
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by
rob grune.
I think I’ve settled on or about 35 feet as the perfect length for us. Still huge to me as I’ve never towed anything larger than a pop-up trailer. But it seems to be the shortest length out there that you can still squeeze a washer/dryer into.
Does anyone have any experience, first-hand knowledge, legends, or rumors of how these full-wall slide outs work out? I understand how they work but are there any drawbacks? Avoid them? Embrace them?
I’m intrigued by this trailer:
http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2013-Lifestyle-Luxury-Rv-LS32FW-112901338
AnonymousThis looks very similar to GoneNoMad’s unit. They have a YouTube channel, but they may not respond as they work intensely for the summer and travel in the winter.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1mC19d7mVmWxqLFNePLcrQ/videos
Just watched some of their videos. That looks like a Cougar to me. I didn’t have the sound turned up so not sure if they ever said what their trailer was.
From experience, the slide-outs are a mixed blessing. They add room, and weight, and means for yet more water leaks and more bugs to wiggle their way into your space, and require maintenance. If anything becomes misaligned somehow, you have a big problem, especially if you cannot push back “in” prior to a road trip. The Airstream trailer I had was minus slides, and I did well with no slides though sometimes cramped. But the slides are addictive: the extra room is great! I had the rack system on my old beater (custom DIY job), but am willing to try the new cable system next time. Try your RV with slides “in”, so you know exactly what you face when they will not go “out’. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHICH BRAND/SYSTEM IS FOOLPROOF, PLEASE LET US KNOW !!!
IF size, weight, and money are no objects for you, then definitely the best 5W I have seen/toured so far is the Arctic Fox: their new +34ft units can be prepped for W/D! I go far out of my way to tour these and to find owners: so far, no owner is dissatisfied. I really like the 2015 29T model, but it is heavy and will require a F250 or Chevy2500 to pull it, and thus fuel consumption is a big added cost. The only cons to the Fox are the weight (easily +1000# over other brands) and the extensive use of non-marine grade plywoods (only marine grade resists water soaking without rot, mould and damage). Northwood seems not to permit custom orders: a pity, because marine ply is only a cost factor, and so far no Fox units are prepped for backup cameras (hopefully will change soon).
One suggestion for your shopping is to acquire as much info/photos as possible, and then create a comparison table for the units you see. The comparisons might surprise you: mine sure did.
Lastly, do not overlook your pinbox! If you can, get an airbag model.
good luck and best wishes.
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by rob grune.
AnonymousKeystone Cougar 28 SGS
Well after researching a lot of coaches, the licensing requirements here in California where I live, and warrantees of the various coach manufacturers, I have decided to go for the Grand Design 326X.
Grand Designs Solitude 326X
Reasons:
In my state if you want to tow a 5th wheel that is over 15,000 lbs GVWR you need to get a non-commercial Class A license. I couldn’t even legally tow my trailer until I got the license. Legally. The 326X comes in right at 15,000 lbs GVWR so is legal. No special license needed.
The Solitude line is warrantied for “extended living”. I’ll have to read the warranty to see what that really means. I take it to mean full time living. The Keystone I had my heart set on is not warrantied for full-time living and if they find out you are living in it full time they will deny the warranty claim. This just happened to a friend.
I figure that given I will not need a special license to tow this 5er in California where I live, and will have to live for probably the first year of full timing, and given that it will also come in below the requirements for a non-commercial class A license (or whatever they call it) in Texas, and none is needed in Florida, I feel this is the best 5er for us. It provides the easiest transition.
Construction seems sound, we like the floorplan, the storage, and craftsmanship. There are others I like better like the Heartland Bighorn 3010RL. But it exceeds the GVWR allowance in California. I like the Keystone 293RK, but it is not warrantied for full time living.
So there you have it. Decision made!
For now.
wow, that Solitude looks to be excellent. looking forward to reading more about it.
I toured a Fox Mountain 235 recently at a dealer. Seems to be good. Smaller and lighter than the Arctic Fox models. Perhaps a tier 2 level for Northwood? Anyone have any comments about these Mountain models?
We went to the Pomona RV show a few weeks ago and found out they are discontinuing the 326X series… BUT! They are replacing it with this:
Has the same great floor plan, and more importantly, the same GVWR of 15,000 lbs which make it legal to tow in California without a non-commercial Class A license. I’m still conflicted. This one is nice and small and light but after going through all the models, my wife likes the model below the best.
- This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by Scott VanArtsdalen.
Larry
- 29 Palms, CA, United States
If you went to the Pomona RV show and are sold on that solitude then you didn’t see the Montana or the Landmark 365 fifth wheels. Montana beats the solitude on every point….much more for your money and the Landmarks are heads and tails above them both. Just what I found from going into every fifth wheel at the show!
Only problem with Keystone products is that they tell you flat out they will not honor the warranty if you live in the unit full time. Since I want to live in my RV full time I’m faced with either lying when I have a warranty problem or not getting it fixed. Grand Design is OK with full-timers and go out of their way to fix problems with the coach. I know they don’t have the fanciest rigs out there but their product support is what sold me.
It depends on which model Keystone you buy I know the Montana is a fulltime living coach and is warranted that way. It is there luxury line. The lower lines are considered Weekenders
Hi Scott I would not worry about the warranty, Keystone will try to wiggle out of the 1-year one on you down to the last day. The warranty on all the components, like fridge, water heater, ect. that out last the cheep 1-year one you get from RV company’s.
I still can’t figure out how you can get a truck with all the bells and whistles with a 5-year warranty, but pay the same on a 5er RV and only get a 1-year. For $38,000 to $60,000 out of your pocket you should be able to live in it anytime you want.
They don’t want to back there product very well, do thay.
Best bet is to find a good dealer who will be on your side and go to bat for you when it comes to warranty repairs.
Most manufacturers don’t care about a single customer but will care what a profitable dealer says or asks for to please their customer. Our TV broke in the first week. rather than quibble they said go buy yourself a new TV and give us the bill, we will take care of it. The dining room table had a hairline crack we didn’t even see and they made Keystone pony up a brand new table.
RVHH Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - LoveYourRV.com - This reply was modified 1 year ago by
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