best truck camper, manufacturer
best truck camper, manufacturer
mzclaus77 |
Sep 16 2010, 10:17 AM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 16-September 10 Member No.: 4,773 Favorite Truck Camper(s): need to find out what is best Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: dont own 1 yet want to find out what kind of camper i like 1st Type of Tiedowns used: do not have Truck and Camper Setup: do not have it yet, want to live year round in truck/camper combo doing research to figure it all out this looks like a great site to help me figure out combo |
i would love to have advice on who manufactures the best and most reliable truck camper
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redrocker |
Sep 16 2010, 04:34 PM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 13 Joined: 24-September 08 Member No.: 2,970 Favorite Truck Camper(s): lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: f250 crew 4x4 7.3 Type of Tiedowns used: happijac Truck and Camper Setup: airbags |
QUOTE(mzclaus77 @ Sep 16 2010, 03:17 PM) I myself like the Lance I'm on my second one my last one was 22yrs old and everything worked when I sold it My new one is a Lance 820 2003 that I bought used and I'm very happy with this one also but there are so many others that are nice also I just like the Lance because there still in business are they are in C.A. not far from me Hope this helps |
KY_Campers |
Sep 20 2010, 04:51 AM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 137 Joined: 14-June 10 From: ....... Member No.: 4,413 Favorite Truck Camper(s): ..... Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: ...... Type of Tiedowns used: ....... Truck and Camper Setup: ......... |
I like Sunlite truck campers!
They don't weigh all that much, and mine has a bathroom! ... I did have to put airbags on my truck, because I pull a boat. My camper will fit a short bed, But the tailgate has to be let down. -------------------- . . . .
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drjay |
Oct 9 2010, 09:15 PM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 9-October 10 Member No.: 4,845 Favorite Truck Camper(s): okanagan Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2008 dodge quad cab 3500 sb srw Type of Tiedowns used: torklift front happijac rear Truck and Camper Setup: ram 3500, super sway stops, timbren rubber overloads, bilstein shocks, curt industrial class v underneat oem hitch with okanagan 90 w |
i have a 2008 okanagan there are still a few out there the company stopped assembly on the okanagans but the warranty is still good from the date of purchase. Excellent cold weather camper. I looked at arctic fox and host. I dont know what exactly your looking for but these three are all built well. my deciding factor was the price i got the okanagan for because it was a leftover. These three are also among the most expensive but I myself will spend extra on a little quality.
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John Sardaro |
Oct 15 2010, 07:35 PM
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#5
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Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 7-June 09 Member No.: 3,164 Favorite Truck Camper(s): artic fox or lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 4x4 SRW Extended cab Type of Tiedowns used: ? tiedowns are bolted to truck frame Truck and Camper Setup: F350, air springs, frame mounted tie downs, Lance mod. 1150 |
QUOTE(mzclaus77 @ Sep 16 2010, 03:17 PM) We had a Lance that we just traded, because we wanted a slide. Actually, we really liked the lance. Traded it for an arctic fox. Wish I had not! The quality of the arctic fox is good, We find everything on the outside, user unfriendly. Can't reach the gas bottles to turn them on or off. Had to install a three step fold out stair, just to get in the door. Asked the dealer for help with the entry steps and they didn.t even humor me with a reply. So, as I see it, don't buy an arctic fox , because the dealer (mine at least) didn't want to know me after the sale. I like the torque lift tie downs, never had a problem with them. Before you buy, make sure you set it on your truck, before you say that you'll take it. Then walk around it and see if you can reach everything, that needs to be reached.(including the entry door!) John |
insp1505 |
Oct 17 2010, 12:55 PM
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#6
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 17-October 10 Member No.: 4,873 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: GMC K3500 Dually Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift Truck and Camper Setup: 2010 Arctic Fox 1150DB 1996 GMC K3500 Dually Torklifts, superhitch, airbags |
QUOTE(John Sardaro @ Oct 15 2010, 06:35 PM) Had to install a three step fold out stair, just to get in the door. Asked the dealer for help with the entry steps and they didn.t even humor me with a reply. So, as I see it, don't buy an arctic fox , because the dealer (mine at least) didn't want to know me after the sale. John I am sorry you ran in to a poor dealer. All too often a terrible dealer can make the manufacturer look bad. Arctic Fox is a great camper and recommending that people not buy one because of your bad experience with the dealership is unfair to Arctic Fox. It would be better to recommend to people not to buy from that dealer instead. I bet they misrepresent all their product lines (not just AF) and mistreat many of their customers. The easy solution would have been for your dealer to recommend (or throw in on the deal like mine did) an extra step that attaches to the bottom of the normal step. I carry mine just to the left of the normal step and when I need it I attach it. I have found I have only needed it when the ground slopes down at the rear of the camper making it a further reach to the door, that's when I attach it otherwise it just goes along for the ride. I will try to post some pics of it and how it is stored for those that haven't seen it. Here are the pics of how I store my second step to the left side of the bumper. I think Arctic Fox is the best camper, I have spent the last 5 months living and camping in mine, and heading into winter I am glad I will be inside an Arctic Fox. |
agwallace |
Nov 29 2010, 09:44 AM
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#7
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 28-November 10 Member No.: 5,045 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Host Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F250 Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: F 250, air bags with compressor, torklift with fastguns, super truss hitch, fully loaded Host McKinley T |
We love Host! We looked at tons of different brands when we were looking for our truck camper and we just kept going back to them because of their quality. The only dealer near us was Lance, but everything about them seemed cheaply made. So even though it would have been the easy choice, we couldn't do it.
Host might be a little pricey, but the quality and features are great! |
rasha |
Feb 29 2016, 06:00 AM
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#8
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Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 29-February 16 Member No.: 8,765 Favorite Truck Camper(s): HANFI Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: KLJDFKLJ Type of Tiedowns used: KLFKL Truck and Camper Setup: F-350 |
The only dealer near us was Lance, but everything about them seemed cheaply made. So even though it would have been the easy choice, we couldn't do it.
-------------------- == crossword puzzles ==
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17 Oaks |
Mar 1 2016, 12:22 PM
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#9
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Group: Members Posts: 56 Joined: 27-June 15 Member No.: 8,291 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox 1150 Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: '15 F 350 Dually 4x4 CC/LB King Ranch Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift Truck and Camper Setup: '15 F350, Rancho 9000XLS, StableLoads, Hellwig Big sway bar |
Wife and I looked for years at TC's before we bought. Looked at everything on the market. Key to me was a 4 season unit. It was not the cold, but the heat since we lived in Phoenix at the time and now S Tx. When its 110+ outside you want to be cool inside. That narrowed our choices. I also did not want a wooden infrastructure, again narrowing our choices.
Its us and 5 dogs which meant a slide, again, narrowing out choices. We also need large and have a F 350 Dually to support it, again, narrowing our choices. Since wife and I are both engineers we look beyond and below the beauty and skin. It came down to 3: Arctic Fox, Host and Eagle Cap. In the end it was a toss up of Arctic Fox/Host. Eagle Cap has had some ownership challenges and we held back for that reason, but the units are of excellent quality. We chose the Arctic Fox due to its internal lay out and storage space. That was 7 years ago and would have no hesitation on buying another Arctic Fox....We almost bought a Host 3 slide last year, but were unable to find the build out of the model we wanted and did not have the time to do an order. We own a business and the high season came upon us and we had to end our search for the Host for that reason. For a large unit F350 long bed dually and slides. Arctic Fox and Host would be our choices. |
Jknight611 |
Mar 9 2016, 10:14 PM
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#10
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Group: Members Posts: 35 Joined: 9-March 16 Member No.: 8,785 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northstar Adventurer 8.5 Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2018 Chevolet 3500 Duramax Crew Duelly Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: Totally stock, nothing needed |
Our Northstar Adventurer 8.5 makes us Happy Campers! On our 2500 with bags and Big Wig sway bar the truck drives just fine. I like the 7 feet wide profile of the camper. Roomy inside, and less wind drag. A good compromise. Excellent workmanship!
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Freespool |
Jun 3 2016, 07:12 PM
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#11
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Group: Members Posts: 167 Joined: 2-June 16 Member No.: 8,975 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Still deciding Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 GMC3500dualyy4x4diesel Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: The plan will utilize a 3500 GMC with a 11 or 12' TC with a full compliment of Torklift hitch components and tie downs. Stable loads if needed will be installed. |
Well it all depends on what you need. IMO Northern Lights and Northstar are best, however both are very old fashion, meaning they do not use slides. Basement options are very limited as are generators. Google both builders and see what you think.
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twilliams |
Jun 26 2016, 10:14 PM
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#12
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Group: Members Posts: 34 Joined: 25-June 16 Member No.: 9,025 Favorite Truck Camper(s): northstar larado sc Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 dodge ram 1500 sport 4x4short bed Type of Tiedowns used: torklift Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 dodge ram 1500 sport 5.9 short bed 4x4. rear airbags. have a 2001 northstar 8 ft larado. with torklift tiedowns |
QUOTE(redrocker @ Sep 16 2010, 05:34 PM) I myself like the Lance I'm on my second one my last one was 22yrs old and everything worked when I sold it My new one is a Lance 820 2003 that I bought used and I'm very happy with this one also but there are so many others that are nice also I just like the Lance because there still in business are they are in C.A. not far from me Hope this helps I had a starcraft popup tc. i thought it was built well. i moved up to a hardside northstar larado sc. very nice camper |
judithcarol |
Oct 3 2016, 11:21 AM
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#13
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Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 3-October 16 Member No.: 9,203 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Mercedes-Benz Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 319 Type of Tiedowns used: Custom Truck and Camper Setup: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 319: Custom tiedowns |
I also think that Arctic Fox and Host are the best truck campers.
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SidecarFlip |
Oct 16 2016, 11:11 AM
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#14
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
QUOTE(mzclaus77 @ Sep 16 2010, 10:17 AM) In reality, there is no 'best' truck camper or manufacturer. It all distills down to what your truck can haul (safely) and what your parameters are. All manufacturers share the same sub component providers so no matter what you buy, the camper will have say a Dometic Fridge or a Suburban water heater. Diifferent builders build different ways. Some use an aluminum frame, some wood. Some clad in aluminum sheet, some clad in fiberglass. Some offer hard sided campers, some offer soft sided campers, some offer both. Some are stupid heavy (Lance) and some are way light (Alaskan). Some are loaded with options, some aren't. It all boils down to what you can afford and what your intended uses are. No such thing as an 'ideal all around camper'. My suggestion is sit down and compile you needs and wants and visit manufacturers websites and peruse the net. Gave fun.... |
Bill&Cin |
Apr 4 2017, 08:56 PM
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#15
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Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 4-April 17 Member No.: 9,495 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Pastime Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 Type of Tiedowns used: Custom Truck and Camper Setup: Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 with air bags and Torklift stable loads Pastime 840LT |
I like the Pastime Campers I have had two and they have held up very well, I just bought another one the pastime 840LT. I will be picking the camper up next week.
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Sidehillsoup |
Sep 2 2017, 10:22 AM
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#16
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 28-August 17 Member No.: 9,729 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northern Lite Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2017 Sierra SLE, 3500 HD / 4x4 / Duramax with a 6 speed Allison Transmission Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift Reciver Hitch, Torklift Tidowns and Torklift Super Truss Hitch extension. Truck and Camper Setup: 2018 Northern Lite 8-11 EX Dry Bath, ordered with U Shaped Dinette, No A/C, instead an extra Fantastic Fan, three MaxAir vent covers, propane / elec hot water tank, 1/4 inch propane quick-connect, with Torklift Reciver Hitch, Torklift Tidowns and Torklift Super Truss Hitch extension. |
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SidecarFlip |
Sep 3 2017, 11:47 AM
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#17
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
My final comment is.... any camper thats paid for....
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mbrink |
Jan 1 2018, 07:44 PM
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#18
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Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: 27-December 17 Member No.: 9,913 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Artic Fox Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ram 3500 CC, short bed, diesel Type of Tiedowns used: Fast Gun Truck and Camper Setup: 2018 Dodge, 2011 811 Artic Fox, Torklift tie downs and hitch |
I had a Lance 820 for 15 years. Bought new and never had any issues. Sold it to get one with more room - and generator and AC. Bought a 2 year old Artic Fox 811 which has been great.
I think the one piece "roof" of the Lance was better. I think Lance has an aluminum roof, vs AF vinyl? Neither has leaked. I like the new nose of the Lance cabover. Like others have said, no camper is perfect for all occasions. The AF has all the bells and whistles, but is heavy and more complicated with the slide out. Also considerably heavier. Would be nice to have the Lance for deer camp/off road traveling, and AF for all road camping. We have been happy with both. |
Colorado_Kid |
Jan 27 2018, 08:41 PM
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#19
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Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 9-July 16 Member No.: 9,053 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: None Type of Tiedowns used: None Truck and Camper Setup: Have none yet but will be buying one within the next year. |
Hallmark has a very good reputation of a well built truck camper.
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Xcbiker |
Jan 31 2018, 02:11 PM
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#20
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Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 26-January 18 Member No.: 9,945 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northern Lite Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 Chevy 3500 DRW, CC, D/A, 4x4 Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift talon and fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: Camper coming soon. Northern Lite 10-2 SE loaded. Debating air bags. |
Ditto to sidecar's first response. If you don't need a slide and can afford it -- consider the Northern Lite. I did a lot of research and chose theirs. There are many good quality campers out there.
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