Best truck for Northern Lite 10-2
My wife and I just ordered a 2020 Northern Lite 10-2 LE and are now shopping for a truck. I hoping to get some advice on which would be the best truck for our camper. We're planning a 1 year trip...
Forum Discussion
I agree with ardvark on the choice of truck for his camper and his use. I'm within months of replacing my 2003 Travelite SB camper. We've owned it since new, and have taken it to Florida many times, all over Canada, and even to Alaska earlier this year (we live near Buffalo, NY). I've always owned Ram / Cummins, mostly because I retired from Cummins after 40 years, and feel a sense of loyalty.
All that said, we've decided that it's time to move to a bit larger dry bath camper. The truck I currently have is a 2015 SRW SB. We know we need to move back to a LB to get the dry bath and size we want, the big debate is SRW vs DRW. I've never owned a DRW truck, all four of my Rams were SRW, three SB and one LB. I absolutely want to stay away from DRW if at all possible, because my truck is used more for grocery and Home Depot getting and pulling a snowmobile trailer way up into Quebec than hauling the camper. Don't want to deal with the DRW day in day out just so I can haul a camper a few times each year.
I think where we're going to end up is with a Ram or Ford SRW LB gasser, and a Northstar 12 STC camper. We spent some time at Truck Camper Warehouse in NH talking to Bill. Looked at NL, Northstar, and Arctic Fox. We had looked at Lance a couple months ago when we were in Oregon. Per ardvark's comments above, the Northstar 12 STC is 3600# wet, I think the Ram or Ford LB SRW gassers are rated to haul 4300 or 4400#. Just me and my wife, no pets or relatives to travel with, and we've learned over the years that we don't need to take much "Stuff" I'm much more comfortable running close to or at the weight limit than driving a DRW through snow and trying to park.
Another issue that is very unique to my situation is the camper will be stored in a heated pole barn with a 12'door. That reeeeeally cuts down on the camper choices. Bill and I climbed all over the Northstar with a measuring tape, and we will be close to 11' 3" to the top of the A/C shroud.
So, as ardvark said, it's about your "best fit" based on your situation. Lot's to take into consideration, there's no "Right" answer for everyone.
All that said, we've decided that it's time to move to a bit larger dry bath camper. The truck I currently have is a 2015 SRW SB. We know we need to move back to a LB to get the dry bath and size we want, the big debate is SRW vs DRW. I've never owned a DRW truck, all four of my Rams were SRW, three SB and one LB. I absolutely want to stay away from DRW if at all possible, because my truck is used more for grocery and Home Depot getting and pulling a snowmobile trailer way up into Quebec than hauling the camper. Don't want to deal with the DRW day in day out just so I can haul a camper a few times each year.
I think where we're going to end up is with a Ram or Ford SRW LB gasser, and a Northstar 12 STC camper. We spent some time at Truck Camper Warehouse in NH talking to Bill. Looked at NL, Northstar, and Arctic Fox. We had looked at Lance a couple months ago when we were in Oregon. Per ardvark's comments above, the Northstar 12 STC is 3600# wet, I think the Ram or Ford LB SRW gassers are rated to haul 4300 or 4400#. Just me and my wife, no pets or relatives to travel with, and we've learned over the years that we don't need to take much "Stuff" I'm much more comfortable running close to or at the weight limit than driving a DRW through snow and trying to park.
Another issue that is very unique to my situation is the camper will be stored in a heated pole barn with a 12'door. That reeeeeally cuts down on the camper choices. Bill and I climbed all over the Northstar with a measuring tape, and we will be close to 11' 3" to the top of the A/C shroud.
So, as ardvark said, it's about your "best fit" based on your situation. Lot's to take into consideration, there's no "Right" answer for everyone.
