Northwood’s ruggedly built dual-entry trailer maximizes storage space and year-round livability
RVmanufacturers are constantly refining their travel trailers to better meet consumers’ wishes and wants, resulting in floorplans, features, options and pricing that are attractive to even the most finicky shoppers. A great example is Northwood’s Arctic Fox 25Y, a single-slide 30-footer with dual entry. The ruggedly built and elegantly appointed trailer has been one of the most popular-selling models in the company’s premium line since the floorplan’s debut a few years ago.
Built for four-season use, the 25Y is one of the heavier trailers in the class, with a dry weight close to 6,900 pounds. Its weight can be attributed to the robust steel chassis and welded, heavy-gauge boxed-aluminum framework covered with one-piece, multilayered composite-substrate walls filled with high-density foam-block insulation.
Although the microwave is small, the 10-cubic-foot refrigerator-freezer, three-burner range and dual sink make up for it.
Storage space is a big part of the 25Y. The trailer has a large slam-latch access door on each side of the pass-through storage compartment under the front bedroom. Above the streetside end of the pass-through is a chute from the bedroom for dirty laundry to be dropped into a basket. There’re also a pair of convenient exterior storage compartments in the lower portion of the streetside dinette slideout and a narrow triple-shelf storage compartment just forward of the slide’s picture window.
Dual entry is a welcome design for early birds and night owls, allowing entry to and exit from the front bedroom without bothering those in the aft living and kitchen space. Entering through the rear brings you into a wide-open living space with an L-shaped counter separating the galley from the jackknife sofa that spans the width of the rear picture window.
The layout and decor are very comfortable. All cabinetry appears to be well made, and the cabinet doors are solid wood. The curve in the dome-shaped 6½-foot ceiling eases any sense of claustrophobia, and LED lighting brightens an already airy interior.
The aforementioned slide moves the convertible street-side dinette, so there’s bountiful walk-around space in the living room and kitchen area. A single push downward drops the table into the bed or bay-windowlike seating for guests. The layout also includes a pantry between the dinette and the entertainment-center wall.
The optional electric fireplace with LED lights for flames creates a nice ambience on cold days and complements the 32-inch 12-volt DC LED TV and sound system that’s standard on this model.
The galley is the traditional setup found in travel trailers, and the 10-cubic-foot RV refrigerator/freezer is a welcome upgrade. On the downside, the microwave is puny, and there’s no option for a larger unit.
I loved the split-bathroom arrangement, with a closet-size private room for the porcelain foot-flush toilet located on the curb side and the glass-enclosed shower, washbasin, vanity and medicine cabinet in a bright, roomy streetside space.
The convertible dinette in the slideout maximizes living space and allows for ease of conversation between the sofa and galley.
The queen-size bed is comfortable, with plenty of walk-around room. The LED reading lights swivel, and the bed flips up to reveal a huge storage compartment for linens and other bulky items. Clothes are easily managed in the wardrobe closets that flank the headboard, and the clothes-hanger retainer strips are anchored in place so even the heaviest coats will stay put.
Northwood’s designers and team that assemble the Arctic Fox 25Y should take great pride in what they have produced. As with most of the finer things in life, there’s a cost for the added level of build quality, but the comfort and conveniences of the 25Y more than
justify the expense.
Northwood Manufacturing | 800-766-6274 | www.northwoodmfg.com
Special thanks to Guaranty RV Super Centers in Junction City, Oregon.
800-283-9163 | www.guaranty.com
A respected automotive and RV journalist and longtime Trailer Life contributor, Bruce W. Smith has held numerous editorial titles at automotive and boating magazines, and authored more than 1,000 articles, from tech to trailering. He considers his home state of Oregon a paradise for RVing and outdoor adventure.
