Forum Discussion

Troutguy's avatar
Troutguy
Explorer
Jan 29, 2017

Arctic Fox 811 Short-Box to Long-Box Conversion

I'm considering buying a long-box dually to replace my Chevy HD short-box truck. My AF 811S is the short-box version. AF makes the 811 in both versions with, to my knowledge, the only difference being the two rear storage compartments.
I haven't contacted Northwood yet as to the availability of parts and the difficulty of doing this. I would be doing the conversion myself and am aware of losing the full generator compartment and the extra storage on the left rear box. I will not carry a short-box camper on a long- box truck with the 18" gap at the front of the truck box. Those of you that do this is your choice, not for me.
So has any one done this conversion on a AF 811 SB or vice versa? Any info would be appreciated. I'm the original owner of this 811 and a new camper is not in the cards at this time. Also I would want a new truck w/8' box so I can upgrade to a AF 992 or 1150 in a couple years.

Thanks
TG
Truck Campers
  • Troutguy's avatar
    Troutguy
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2017
    jimh425 wrote:
    I think I'd speak to Arctic Fox to see if they have guidance. If it has the generator in the compartment, that would be more difficult.



    My 811S does not have the onboard generator but it is generator ready.
    Thanks for your comment.
  • Troutguy's avatar
    Troutguy
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2017
    AnEv942 wrote:
    Yes if there's no plumbing or structural reason sounds like a simple task. Northwood should be able to confirm.
    However its the comment "...so I can upgrade to a AF 992 or 1150 in a couple years..." that makes me wonder if worthwhile. DRW should be less affected by weight transfer so dealing with the 18" back for a while less a hit than modifying camper. If you really hate it might force the 'dream' camper into reality sooner.
    Maybe it does not matter- but selling or trading modified camper seems
    might decrease its value to the point getting replacement that much further out? Then again might open larger market if more long beds in your area.


    The 811 can be converted to either version at the dealer level, however I'd like to do this work myself. A new truck will cost between $70-80k and another $30-40k for a new TC....not in the budget for the next couple years. Maybe I could start a Go Fund Me account! As I said in my original post.....I won' t put a short-box camper in a long-box truck.....this has been argued before. An 811 can be converted back to the SB model to make it saleable to a SB truck owner quite easily.
    Thanks for your input.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 29, 2017
    RoyB wrote:
    Grit dog wrote:
    Focus Roy....op said he don't care to load the camper back.


    Grit Dog
    Yeah - I know - was just dreaming again about owning a Truck camper...

    Sorry to bother you guys...

    Roy Ken


    im sorry it was uncalled for.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Jan 29, 2017
    Yes if there's no plumbing or structural reason sounds like a simple task. Northwood should be able to confirm.
    However its the comment "...so I can upgrade to a AF 992 or 1150 in a couple years..." that makes me wonder if worthwhile. DRW should be less affected by weight transfer so dealing with the 18" back for a while less a hit than modifying camper. If you really hate it might force the 'dream' camper into reality sooner.
    Maybe it does not matter- but selling or trading modified camper seems
    might decrease its value to the point getting replacement that much further out? Then again might open larger market if more long beds in your area.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jan 29, 2017
    Grit dog wrote:
    Focus Roy....op said he don't care to load the camper back.


    Grit Dog
    Yeah - I know - was just dreaming again about owning a Truck camper...

    Sorry to bother you guys...

    Roy Ken
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jan 29, 2017
    I think I'd speak to Arctic Fox to see if they have guidance. If it has the generator in the compartment, that would be more difficult.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 29, 2017
    Focus Roy....op said he don't care to load the camper back.

    Troutguy, the storage and generator compartment are not integrated from what I've seen. Should be able to dismantle and then cut back the wings and re-cap the exposed front edge.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jan 29, 2017
    I do not have the truck Camper but have always wanted to have one... I carry too much extra junk on my off-road trips I reckon... Truck with truck camper pulling my trusty ole Jeep has been one of my dreams for years...



    I guess the 18-inch area between the truck and the camper would make for a great place for a tool box or perhaps a bigger Battery box...


    google images

    I'm guess you would lose your passage way between the truck and the camper???

    Roy Ken

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