Suggestions for a good 4 season RV?

[Oregonbound]

My wife and I are seriously considering becoming full-time rv'ers. We have the tow vehicle (could pull our house) and now "all" we have left to do is buy an RV that will keep us cool in the summers and warm in the chilly Oregon winter mornings.

Can anyone share their experiences with "4 season" rv's? We are looking to buy a slightly used RV (2010 or 11). Does anyone have any recommendations as far as manufactures and/or models to consider? Thanks all

 

[REWahoo]

Travel Trailer? 5th Wheel?

I suggest you post your question on iRV2 and RV.net. You'll get a ton of information on those RV forums.

 

[NW-Bound]

Whatever you buy, new or used, motorhomes or 5th wheels, make sure you check and reseal all the skylights, roof vents, seams, running lights, window seals, in short anything that represents a cut or a joint in the roof or the sidewalls. That is particularly true for someone bound for Oregon.

Judging from personal experience as well as what I have seen from the Web, RV manufacturers' negligence in sealing against water intrusion is so bad, it's criminal!

 

[tinlizzy]

A retiree on my route just bought one of these EarthRoamer » XV-HD

I asked him if he was planning on going on an overland trip thru Africa. Nope, just the Southwest.

 

[audreyh1]

Whatever you buy, head south of I-10 for the winter. It's just not worth it otherwise.

(advice from a 5 year full time RVer)

 

[NC 57]

For a four seasons RV look at Arctic Fox by Northwood. Northwood Manufacturing: Arctic Fox

 

[NW-Bound]

Whatever you buy, head south of I-10 for the winter. It's just not worth it otherwise.

(advice from a 5 year full time RVer)

I read the blog of a Canadian RV'er who was stuck north of the 49th for the winter. Aye, aye, aye...

Initially I thought it would be OK to be south of I-40. But then, looking at the map just now, I think you are right.

The builder of my boonies home and his wife lived in a travel trailer (with hookup) while building some more spec homes after mine. Being at 7,000 ft, and with temperatures down in the single digits and negative range (Fahrenheit of course), their TT did not offer much warmth with 1" of insulation. One cold spell, they cried "Uncle" and told me they left early the next day to get back to civilization at lower elevation.

Usually, once the house they built got walled up, they would be able to camp inside out of the elements, but the timing may not work out. Next winter, they procured a larger 5th wheel, with plenty of heating. Still had to fight the problem of water and sewer hoses freezing. Aye, aye, aye...

 

[jambo101]

If you are living in an rv full time i'd head for southern areas in the winter and northern areas in the summer.If the unit is going to permanently stay in one place then you may as well keep the house.

 

[padlin00]

Agree with NC57, Arctic Fox by Northwoods for a 4 season but there are others. Being in Oregon you should have no trouble finding them, new or used. Lance also has some 4 season trailers, nice layouts much lighter weight. Depending on your budget there are others, look at the Excel's if you want top end Excel RVs: The Nations Top-Rated Luxury 5th Wheel - Excel RVs

 

[audreyh1]

BTW - most of the 4 season 5th wheel trailers are very heavy (triple axle and all) and require a huge truck/tractor to pull them.

For example, the one above is listed as 14,000 lbs unloaded and without water. You can expect to add at least 2000 pounds of personal items, and then you need to add weight for water, propane, waste tanks.

When you cross that 10,000 pound fully loaded barrier you are really taking on a lot more trouble. You need an upgraded license in some states, but most importantly, you need far more truck to safely pull and stop the thing. The truck you need is not really appropriate as a personal vehicle for sightseeing or running errands around town either.

Usually people become full time RVers to travel North America. What is the point if you are going to stay in Oregon all year?

 

[REWahoo]

BTW - most of the 4 season 5th wheel trailers are very heavy (triple axle and all) and require a huge truck/tractor to pull them.

+1

Many of them are so heavy (pin weight on the 5th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck) that they exceed the load limits of a dual rear wheel pickup. The critical factor for most 5th wheel rigs is not the ability of the truck to pull the weight of the trailer, it is the ability to carry the load of the pin weight.

 

[Oregonbound]

Thanks to all for your responses. We've thought more about it based on us moving to Oregon's Willamette Valley, where it rarely gets below freezing, we are leaning towards looking for a "water tight" unit rather that a "4 season" unit. This should help in the weight area as well.

We'll have to research for the best Rv caulking on the market and dose the unit's seams with it.

 

[REWahoo]

We'll have to research for the best Rv caulking on the market and dose the unit's seams with it.

Be sure to check out a highly regarded alternative to caulk - Eternabond tape. Unlike caulk, it never needs replacing.

 

[travelover]

I'm an all fiberglass fan. In that realm, Bigfoot trailers stand out as being available with true four season capability.

2500 Series Travel Trailers - Bigfoot RV - Truck Campers & Travel Trailers - Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer

All Bigfoot Travel Trailers feature our light-weight two-piece fibreglass exterior and high density insulation, along with thermal pane windows, making them an ideal multi-season towable RV. High-quality standard interior features such as porcelain toilets, spring filled mattresses, day/night shades, skylights and deluxe fabrics make the Bigfoot experience second to none. To make your Bigfoot travel even more enjoyable Fantastic Fans, dual propane tanks with auto changeover, black tank rinse, and heated & enclosed water tanks are standard in all of our trailer models.

 

[Donzo]

A retiree on my route just bought one of these EarthRoamer » XV-HD

I asked him if he was planning on going on an overland trip thru Africa. Nope, just the Southwest.

Very cool looking and well made machines.....but $240,000 - $400,000 average pricing....! I would buy a second home in the south!

 

[tinlizzy]

Very cool looking and well made machines.....but $240,000 - $400,000 average pricing....! I would buy a second home in the south!

Isn't is cool! They are currently trying to sell their primary home for 700K so they have the money. They have a second home in Colorado already.

More power to them - if you have the money, you might as well spend it!

 

[REWahoo]

More power to them - if you have the money, you might as well spend it!

+1

 

[Oregonbound]

BTW - most of the 4 season 5th wheel trailers are very heavy (triple axle and all) and require a huge truck/tractor to pull them.

For example, the one above is listed as 14,000 lbs unloaded and without water. You can expect to add at least 2000 pounds of personal items, and then you need to add weight for water, propane, waste tanks.

When you cross that 10,000 pound fully loaded barrier you are really taking on a lot more trouble. You need an upgraded license in some states, but most importantly, you need far more truck to safely pull and stop the thing. The truck you need is not really appropriate as a personal vehicle for sightseeing or running errands around town either.

Usually people become full time RVers to travel North America. What is the point if you are going to stay in Oregon all year?

We're not sure if we'll like Oregon or, within the Willamette Valley, where we want to settle. Having an RV will allow us to move around more easily until we find a place to settle for good. Maybe at that point we'll get a house.

 

[growing_older]

I know you mentioned that you already have a tow vehicle, but at a recent RV show I was very impressed with new Class A motorhomes, that seem to be coming in with much lower pricetags. Quite substantial homes that seemed solid and well weatherproofed at 100K to 200K, which is much lower than I expected from looking at Class A's years ago.

 

[Supremekohrt]

Keystone cougar

We like 5th trailers with slide outs . Our dream model is Keystone Cougar. Very nice. The Montana line is more luxurious but we don't see it being with it. My son in law works for mike Thompson rv in fountain valley, ca as the Internet manager and he is a good guy, caring person that loves to match people to their rv. Ok he is my son in law, but I would recommend him anyway.

 

[gerrym51]

you asked and i will tell you.

Triple e regency 24mb ford with a murphy bed. around 100,000 triple e based in canada.

specialises in 4 season rv. 24mb is great and i would own one if wife was as enthusiastic about rv as i am.


if spouse not with the program forget it.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

We like 5th trailers with slide outs . Our dream model is Keystone Cougar. Very nice. The Montana line is more luxurious but we don't see it being with it. My son in law works for mike Thompson rv in fountain valley, ca as the Internet manager and he is a good guy, caring person that loves to match people to their rv. Ok he is my son in law, but I would recommend him anyway.

I am glad to see you recommend this RV dealer. We will be looking there when we visit FIL down in Orange Co next month.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks to all for your responses. We've thought more about it based on us moving to Oregon's Willamette Valley, where it rarely gets below freezing, we are leaning towards looking for a "water tight" unit rather that a "4 season" unit. This should help in the weight area as well.

We'll have to research for the best Rv caulking on the market and dose the unit's seams with it.

I noticed (when RVing) that the Willamette Valley had very mild/comfortable summer temps as well in August, so if that's going to be home base, I don't think you need a 4 season unit.

 

[Brat]

A couple years ago we were considering buying an RV. We purchased a software program from a publisher in NW Washington (RV Consumer Group?) that is akin to the Consumer Reports for RVs. Big Foot was very highly rated as was, to my surprise, Winnebago. What floored me is that smaller is not better from the standpoint of stability and safety, there is a sweet spot for axle length and weight distribution.

I too live in the Willamette Valley where the building (including RVs) envelope is very important. For that reason I would lean to fiberglass as it can be mended by a boat yard.

We opted out because of the expense.