Another Non-Cabover Choice...Northstar Vista

Steve_in_29 wrote:

Not sure about how it works at Dodge but the last couple of times I ran the numbers on Ford's website the F250 was cheaper then a comparably equipped F150.

My last rig was a 2500HD Chevy drove that truck for 180,000 miles.
Last trip in my new RAM was 3000 miles.
Really Really prefer riding around in the RAM.
Wife actually would rather ride in the RAM than in her Malibu.
Plus Averaged 26.3 mpg using regular gasoline on that 3,000 mile trip.
Big campers and rough riding fuel sucking trucks are no longer fun for this old softy.



It is a delight to have a fuel gauge that moves ever so slowly.

coolmom42 wrote:
The 2016 F-150 Super Crew 3.5 L Ecoboost V6 4X2 156.8" wheelbase lists cargo capacity of 2660 lb when equipped with the heavy-duty payload package & 17" wheels. Swap the wheels to 18" and the cargo capacity goes to 2890 lb, presumably because of the tire size/load rating.

2016 F150 payload specs

Ahh, actual facts! Thanks for that link. I do wish the old 1/2, 3/4/, 1 ton thinking would go away. The lines are kind of blurred anymore.

Tough crowd! Those of us that own Northstars know they are built well and I'm sure this model is as well. If the price, tank size, small bed, windows, etc. are ok with a buyer, then what's the problem?

I do wish they would build a shell version similar to the 4wheel model, it could be customized by the owner or optioned at the factory.

mkasner wrote:
but at that price point building one on your own I feel would be more satisfying.

Assuming you had the time, skills, tools, and space to build your own...

Did you grandfather also spend $13,000 on a box to sleep in? This is a great alternative to an overhead camper and for those that cannot climb into the cabover, but at that price point building one on your own I feel would be more satisfying.

People are funny. They see no benefit of a different style/layout RV other than the one they own.

In 1971 my grandad was 78 years old and had a slide in TC with no overhead. He and grandma were to old to crawl up into and get back out of a over cab TC bed. The 6' tall slide in worked great for them.

My first TC was a 1968 48" slide in unit with double doors on the rear. The bed was across in the front. This unit had no accessories so the coleman stove and ice boxes/cooking and eating gear had to be brought along in a camp box.
Would I think about buying one now ??? Nope....but it would work for some folks .

Deb and Ed M wrote:

realter wrote:
With the bed opened up to its 48" width, where do you set the porta potty to sit on it?

At the bottom of the steps ;-). HAHA

And back to the 48" bed.... I see this as a one-person camper. You've gotta REALLY be in love, to share a 48" bed with another person.

Rex is a shorter and thinner than average. The inside height and bed width seem normal to him. My wife wouldn't sleep in the bunk, so I would have to, and that's one of the reasons I don't care for my current cab-over TC.

Definately a solo camper.

The pictures show fairly large windows on both sides. The options page at their website lists a window in the door for about $70. Mine came with a lower window, I took it back to the factory year later and got an upper window installed. A Heik skylight is a $900 option if one is claustrophobic. Nice wide door is 26". Most campers doors are 22".

tTCmag says watch for a spring announcement. I'm wondering if they will come out with a longer model.

I think this is a solo, single person camper. Where's the windows? I would be claustrophobic in this camper: Lose the upper "bunk" and increase the passenger side window size. Lose the air conditioner and install a window over the hole. Add a window in the door.

As far as I can tell from the Northstar web page, the porta potti is impossible to use. It can't be used where it is stored, and, once it's full of liquid, can't be lifted out for use. It needs to slide out of storage for use. The porta potti location was obviously an after thought.

If Northstar wants to market this to two or more people, and keep the size and weight down, they might consider an east-west twin bed size(38" x 75")cabover.

realter wrote:
With the bed opened up to its 48" width, where do you set the porta potty to sit on it?

At the bottom of the steps ;-)

And back to the 48" bed.... I see this as a one-person camper. You've gotta REALLY be in love, to share a 48" bed with another person.