Anyone here with a Bigfoot TC?

burningman wrote:
The Bigfoot 10.4 has a great panoramic view out the back. That’s really cool, I like that a lot.
I’m not crazy about the narrow aisle and that the fridge doesn’t open all the way without the door hitting the opposite wall and a couple other things about the Bigfoot 10.4 and some of the other models but I’d still sooner have one than ANY stick-built camper! You can’t go too wrong with one. They’re built well.

Every floorplan has some compromises. The ideal one for me would be the Bigfoot 5th wheel floor plan. That unit was only slightly longer than a camper and could have been 2' shorter without affecting the interior much. You'd have an 11' camper with excellent room inside, full size queen (east west) good size bath, large dinette, no narrow isles, even better 180 view out the back. It requires a side door though. I've owned 8 RVs now, the BF 5th was the best floorplan of the lot, and in a small package too.

I was in Tulsa week before last. Full hook ups. I think it got down to maybe 12 one night. I used a $8 WalMart electric heater with the thermostat about halfway. The BF furnace set about as low as it would go. One overhead vent cracked open. Plenty comfortable. Low speed furnace fan would be awesome.

The Bigfoot 10.4 has a great panoramic view out the back. That’s really cool, I like that a lot.
I’m not crazy about the narrow aisle and that the fridge doesn’t open all the way without the door hitting the opposite wall and a couple other things about the Bigfoot 10.4 and some of the other models but I’d still sooner have one than ANY stick-built camper! You can’t go too wrong with one. They’re built well.

Oh it's WAY good enough. Too good. It runs for only a few minutes, the temp overshoots the thermostat by 10 degrees by the time it catches up. I wanted something that would run longer (circulate more air to the bed & bath to prevent condensation) and ramp the temp up more slowly so the thermostat could keep up.

The dual speed runs at two outputs, 16,000 and 25,000 btu if I recall. It fits in the same hole, swap in replacement except you have to also change the thermostat. The thermostat has a couple of modes, low, high and automatic. On automatic, it will run in high until within 3 degrees of the setpoint, then switch to low. Usually I run it on low, but sometimes automatic if I come in really cold and want quicker warmup.

16,000 is plenty for the BF10.4 (I do have the winter option) in any weather we've been in. Lowest about 10 degrees. Up in AK at -40 maybe you need more, but I'm quite sure 25K would be plenty. An additional benefit is on low speed it is quieter and draws a little less power.

HMS Beagle, is the 30,000 BTU not good enough?

54suds wrote:
2019 Bf brochure 2500 series still used uses 1.5 inches of High Density EPS insulation rated r8

Yes - EPS, not XPS. Big difference.

Hadn't thought of the sound insulating value of the dual pane vs. plastic windows, but it makes sense.

I'm 6'4" and find the Bigfoot adequate - not too much trouble hitting my head, feet hang over the mattress. Could be better but livable.

If I was having a new Bigfoot ordered, I'd have them put in the Atwood dual speed heater. I swapped this into mine and am quite happy. Does a nice job on low, but if it's 10 deg outside you can bump it up to high for a quick warm up.

generaly prefer late 90s some where in this time they improved their gel cote to a more durable formula. On a used unit if
1. no floor curvature is visible ,
2. No outside wall to internal wall joint separation or wall to dinette & cupboards separation is showing by now. you should be fairly safe considering it was assembled correctly and will last a very.long time

ps I would Buy another northern lite in a heart beat , IF they had glass double pane windows And if they put in better" grade" insulation and at least 1/2 thicker to be up to BF grade those differences give a large difference in comfort and reduce outside noise in the camper ( we camp stealth heavily in DAV/ VFW /ELKS /American Legion /Eagles/Moose property. membership in all ,with permission )

Northern Lies are scarce as hen's teeth here in Alaska. Bigfoot has a dealer here who has an amazing rep for repairs on all rv's. A 30,000 BTU furnace isn't overkill here, and thanks everyone for ideas on where to look for issues. The BF I found was rarely used, kept under cover it's entire lifespan. Pictures look good (but can be deceiving). I looked at Northern Lite. Problem was the one I wanted was clear over in Florida. Husband didn't want to drive that far. The dry bath in the BF will hopefully make up for the short queen. My husband is 6'2, but sleeps curled, so I don't think it will be an issue. And-he is used to ducking his head.

54suds wrote:
Bigfoots year 2006 especially ...

54suds,
What's your opinion on much older Bigfoots. I'm looking at a 1999, 1997, and 1988.

2019 Bf brochure 2500 series still used uses 1.5 inches of High Density EPS insulation rated r8

plastic windows I had , were not on BF camper, allowed an active or curious pet ( young black kitten in our case) to escape very easily when the is window open.The screen is very flimsy & separated from frame at slightest touch showing animal a open spot use to wander .away