Road-tripping is an excellent way to unhinge from the hustles and bustles of life. This is particularly crucial for those who put their noses to the grindstone day and night.
A week-long camping escapade with your family or friends is all you need to restore your slowly fading enthusiasm.
However, the outdoors can be equally stressful if you head off unprepared. The mere lack of basic amenities, such as a toilet, bedroom, and kitchen, will put your adaptability to the test.
But why go through that if you can travel snugly in a recreational vehicle? This beast is outfitted with amenities to help you enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort.
Travels Made Cozier with Travel Trailers
Once exclusive for the well-off, travel trailers are now a standard camping rig. Of course, tent users are still in their thousands, but many adventurers are beginning to realize just how valuable a travel trailer is in their travels.
Not only does it provide the comfort and safety of a home, but it also lets you go on longer journeys stress-free. In fact, many Americans have already chosen to travel full-time because of their travel trailers.
Then again, travel trailers are not made equal. Countless makes and models have been released since its introduction to the market, each with unique features.
Thanks to the vast selection, you can choose exactly the size, style, amenities, and firepower that suit your needs.
Arctic Fox and Nash are two of today’s most sought-after travel trailer brands. If you’re considering investing in a travel trailer, you should check them out. Here are some of their specs.
| Specifications | Arctic Fox | Nash |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Axle Weight | 4936 to 7864 lbs | 4177 to 6564 lbs |
| Dry Hitch Weight | 599 to 1030 lbs | 589 to 796 lbs |
| Net Carrying Capacity | 1965 to 2106 lbs | 2634 to 3340 lbs |
| Tire Size | ST205/75R15 to ST235/80R16 | ST225/75R15 |
| Exterior Dimension | 23’10” x 11’4″ x 8’6″ to 34’4″ x 11’11” x 8′ | 22’4″ x 11’1″ incl. AC x 8′ to 32’4″ x 11’6″ incl. AC x 8′ |
| Sleeping Capacity | 4 people | 4 to 10 |
| Fresh Water Capacity | 50 to 67 gal | 50 gal |
| Gray Water Tank | 42 to 55 gal | 35 to 40 gal |
| Black Water Tank | 35 to 42 gal | 36 to gal |
Arctic Fox and Nash are designed with user comfort and convenience in mind. Their large storage capacity makes hassle-free long drives possible.
Like other travel trailer brands, they come in several styles and capacities to meet specific road-tripping needs. Small units are ideal for couples, while the big ones are for a family of three or four.
Choosing between Arctic Fox and Nash can be tricky because both have their upsides and downsides. Fleshing out and comparing some of their specs will help you make an informed decision. Let’s look at the most critical aspects when choosing a travel trailer.
Comparing Nash vs Arctic Fox
Weight
Those who have operated a heavy vehicle before understand why factoring the travel trailer’s weight into your choice is paramount. After all, heavy vehicles guzzle up more fuel than regular-size ones.
They are also more challenging to operate, so much so that you need a separate license to operate vehicles weighing more than 20,000 lbs.
Between Arctic Fox and Nash, the first has a heavier lineup. A minimum dry axle weight of 4,936 lbs is pure mass. It’s more than 700 lbs the weight of the smallest Nash model.
That’s also why Arctic Fox travel trailers have a less net carrying capacity than Nash; there’s no more room for extra weight. So, if you’re looking to add additional equipment or invite friends over for a cabin party, the lighter one is the better option.
Storage
Because Arctic Fox travel trailers are heavier, it’s safe to assume they are also bigger, and a travel trailer’s size reflects its storage capacity. By storage, I mean the fresh water tank and the refrigerator.
You can use the extra space to upsize a few appliances, including your fridge. It also pays to have a high-capacity freshwater tank. You never know how long you’re going to stay in the wilderness.
So you better have as much clean water for drinking, washing, and showering as possible.
The exterior dimension of the smallest Arctic Fox is 23’10” x 11’4″ x 8’6″. It gets bigger as you check out newer models. Nash’s smallest model is even smaller than Arctic Fox’s smallest, starting at 22’4″ x 11’1″ incl. AC x 8′.
They were able to scale up with their more recent makes, but the biggest one is still short of a couple of feet to go toe to toe with Arctic Fox’s flagship model.
Sleeping Capacity
Okay, you can store much food and fresh water in the TRAILER, but how about the sleeping area? How many people can sleep in it?
Remember that one of the reasons you are buying a travel trailer in the first place is you want a comfortable place to rest after a tiring day exploring the outdoors. Smaller TRAILERs usually have a French corner bed.
Larger ones have an island bed, which takes up a lot of space. Generally, though, these beds are only for two people.
Arctic Fox and Nash models are equipped with efficient bed solutions to accommodate more people. For example, most Arctic Fox travel trailers have a combination of an island bed and a French bed snug into a slide-out, which is suitable for four people.
The biggest of the Nash lineup, however, has an island bed, a slide-out sleeping area, and a double over double bunkhouse, which enables it to accommodate up to ten people. So, if you’re traveling with a large group, Nash’s 29S is the ideal choice.
Slide-Outs
While a travel trailer serves as your home away from home, it sometimes feels hardly like it because of the limited space.
Thankfully, most of the latest travel trailer models now have slide-out rooms to add a few square footages to the floor. These extended sections of the travel trailer can be utilized as a living room, a dining room, or a sleeping area.
Arctic Fox and Nash models have two slide-outs extending on one side of the trailer. The biggest of the Arctic Fox—the 32A—has a slide-out with a two-fold sofa and another one with a freestanding table and four chairs.
Nash’s 29S, on the hand, has a slide-out used as a dinette and can be converted into a sleeping area and another one with a sofa. They are designed to make your RV feel a little bigger and comfier.
How to Choose a Travel Trailer
Choosing a travel trailer takes some on-the-ground experience. If you don’t camp out at least twice a year and have never experienced the harshness of the boonies first-hand, you are likely to pick the wrong unit.
But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in a travel trailer. You have to consult an expert, perhaps a friend or relative who owns a recreational vehicle and has been traveling in it for years. Nevertheless, you must consider a few key things when investing in a travel trailer.
- Tow vehicle – Do you have a big pickup to tow the trailer? If you opt for a full-size travel trailer, you need a truck that can pull up to seven tons of cargo.
- Budget – Decent travel trailers may cost between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on the brand and model. Some customized units even cost more.
- Capacity – How many are you in the family? Always assume everyone is joining (because no one wants to be left behind while the rest of the family is having fun). A trailer that can house more than five people is the best choice.
- Brand – Of course, you must ensure the manufacturer is reputable. Otherwise, you’ll invest your money in a clunker that will go straight to the scrap yard after a few years.
Embracing the Traveler Lifestyle
Traveling is no doubt an exciting hobby. Some Americans give up their nine-to-five jobs, businesses, and home and invest in a recreational vehicle to travel the country worry-free. It’s a life-changing decision that must never be made impulsively and uninformed.
Do your homework before investing in a travel trailer like Arctic Fox and Nash. You did your research when you purchased your car, right? This one requires even more in-depth research.
Talk to people who have travel trailers and ask for advice. Reading independent reviews of every make and model you find interesting also helps. Knowledge is critical in achieving a fulfilling traveler lifestyle.
