AF 990 feedback requested

Grit dog wrote:
If you have the means, get a diesel.
Guess I'm used to the comfort and convenience of having considerably more power than needed to do the job.

That's exactly why I love my diesel truck... effortless travel while hauling the camper and towing.

If you have the means, get a diesel.
Guess I'm used to the comfort and convienence of having considerably more power than needed to do the job.
And I like the fuel range, getting 30% or better mileage.

Anyone interested in the Arctic Fox 990 should check out the video's a new guy is making full timing in one.Heck,it's got me wanting to overload my dually with one.(laughing)

Taylor Dzaman full timing in AF 990

DaveInVA wrote:

In your travels and experiences, is there a reason I should really consider a gas motor other than the initial cost?

NO, especially if you look at doing 25K+ miles per year.

The second truck in my signature, I put about 25K per year in the 2 years I owned it. I used to for RV Transport between LaGrande or Pendeleton, OR and Spokane mostly. The majority of the miles were between April and September, because I didn't haul RVs in the winter

I'd never run a gasser for that duty.

Yukoners wrote:
Couple of suggestions for AF to consider is battery cut off switch outside in Batt compartment would be better than under the sink that way you can run slide in and out without being hooked up to shore power.

Location of switch makes no difference on whether you use slide with or without shorepower.
The battery switch controls all power to the camper, so if it's OFF, regardless of location, the slide won't move.

Reading between the lines, I guess the OP means if the switch is off, you can plug in to shore power to have the converter power the DC Systems to run the slide out.
...And if the switch is off and you weren't plugged in, having the switch accessible from outside would make it easier to turn the switch on instead of having to climb in the camper and shimmy between the bathroom door and dinette to get at the switch, which is mounted in the cabinet under the sink.

I use my slide all the time without shorepower. It operates on DC power.

DaveInVA wrote:
Have you had any issues with the fridge being in the slide?

Are you satisfied with the slide mechanism?

No problems with the fridge or the slide in 8 years of ownership of my AF811

Here's another source for information on AF campers

DaveInVA wrote:
If your a winter camper, how much propane are you using on average and does the furnace run that often to hold a reasonable

Too many variables involved to give an accurate answer - the answer will be all over the board because outside temperature affects propane quantity used.

ME? I am still running on a tank I filled 2 years ago.

I know someone that full times in a 990. Canada winter, he goes through a tank in about 4 days.

DaveInVA wrote:
I always appreciate everyone's posts. Lots of great information.

I am thinking a Chevy/GMC 3500 diesel to go with it. I am going to be in the neighborhood of 25-30k a year, so thinking diesel is just the better way to go.

Based off of the data I can find on weights, the AF plus myself and the kids when with me will be right at the top of the payload for the trucks. My initial pick was the 1140, but the 990 keeps the weight under the payload rating.

In your travels and experiences, is there a reason I should really consider a gas motor other than the initial cost?

The additional payload with gas would open up my options.

Dave, we have a GMC 3500 HD dually gas with the AF990 and it is a pretty nice combination.

Have had ours since 2012 they are a great camper no major issues and have used it a lot. Had the hot water heater replaced under warranty and other than that no major issues, just wish we had a ten gallon.

We use it a lot, winter and summer, boondocking and travelling. No issues with slide, fridge works fine its big for us and good for a week. We camp as low as minus thirty Celcius after which it is a little less comfortable. Always pack our Honda 2000 and run it all night when needed both for a little electric heater and to keep the batteries up (they will only last one night with just the furnace running we have two 6 volt, still good after five years).

The suggestion above from Towpro is a good one to wire the fan to the basement to run separately as well lets you run just the little electric heater when you can get by without the noisy furnace.
30 pounds of propane only lasts a couple of days when really cold. We winterize and stop filling water when it starts to stay ten below Celcius at night (October?) and go blue bucket.

Couple of suggestions for AF to consider is battery cut off switch outside in Batt compartment would be better than under the sink that way you can run slide in and out without being hooked up to shore power.

We do not like or use the house lights on the dimmer switch I have sensitive hearing and they produce a high pitched whine...still plan on replacing that. We also upgraded to all LED lights they are so much better for batteries.

Add an additional slide switch up by control panel to draw in slide at night when stealth camping or to keep warmer.

Also wish the bathroom sink would drain to the black tank Triple E does this and you can boondock for longer grey doesn't fill quite as fast and adds more water for dumping black.

We have on board Onan 2500 propane that we love for quick roadside stops but it is very noisy with lots of vibration. Not for use while camping except for short specific periods.

Would definitely recommend solar install if you have a choice, I use a free standing separate 100 watt solar charger when we leave it at the lake for a week to keep the fridge running.

Only change I would make would be to go with a one ton Dually right from the start. Love the diesel for the hills but that is really a personal choice the newer gas jobs have improved both mileage and power.

Cheers.

John, if you put a digital thermostat in the camper, you can wire is so you can have the FAN switch control the fan that circulates heat into basement while running your Olympic heater.