Forum Discussion

Nwatkins176's avatar
Nwatkins176
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017

Down to 3 choices

Okay I still have to sell my Toy Hauler but I've narrowed down to three choices and all three have about the same floor plan. We are looking for a single slide dry bath. So that means Adventurer 910DB, Lance 975, and Arctic Fox 992.

We have a Ford F-150 LB. Just Kiding! 2011 Ram 3500 LB DRW crew cab 4X4. There will be dry camping and towing a built 2016 Rubicon on a car Hauler. Gen is mandatory and so is AC.

Really leaning toward the Lance but wanted opinions. I think due to pay load any of the double slides are out of the question as that would max the truck out and towIng might be an issue. Any other single slides I should look at? The misses says at least 1 slide is mandatory, although she wants two.

Thanks.
  • adamis wrote:
    Not exactly on topic to the camper but a sidebar discussion for you to consider. If your going to be towing a lot, consider having your tow trailer tongue modified to be extendable so that it reaches the hitch on the truck without the super truss extension. I had a local trailer shop do this for my 12ft cargo trailer. When the camper is off the truck, I can tow the trailer in a normal configuration. When the camper is on however, I pull a pin on the trailer tongue, slide it out about 4ft and replace the pin. Now my tongue will easily reach the hitch on the truck. No need to hassle with a heavy super truss setup and it reduces the stress on the truck as the closer your hitch is to the axle, the less moment arm there is exerting pressure.


    Any clearance issues when turning? Or do you use a foldable jack? I like that idea
  • Not exactly on topic to the camper but a sidebar discussion for you to consider. If your going to be towing a lot, consider having your tow trailer tongue modified to be extendable so that it reaches the hitch on the truck without the super truss extension. I had a local trailer shop do this for my 12ft cargo trailer. When the camper is off the truck, I can tow the trailer in a normal configuration. When the camper is on however, I pull a pin on the trailer tongue, slide it out about 4ft and replace the pin. Now my tongue will easily reach the hitch on the truck. No need to hassle with a heavy super truss setup and it reduces the stress on the truck as the closer your hitch is to the axle, the less moment arm there is exerting pressure.
  • I own 2014 Adventurer 910db which is a well built, well insulated heavy TC with a king bed, oversized dinette, and good storage especially in outside slide. Having said that I would lean towards the Lance. Seems like a nice floorplan. Especially like the ultra deck option.
  • That's excellent. Thank you. Frustrating that a single slide and trailer more than maxes out duallys. I couldnt imagine hauling around a 3 slider on anything less then 5 class.

    BTW what she really wants is a Super C diesel, but let's not get crazy here. I like having a truck.
  • Without an extension, your Rubicon on the trailer is going to add 660# to the rear axle. So with an extension, you can figure it is going to be closer to 690#. This assumes just the jeep and trailer, not much gear or spares stacked on it.

    Quick look at the floor plans and I'll rule out the Adventurer 910DB because there isn't hardly any storage down in the main floor. Putting all the gear up by the bed isn't convenient, especially on those mornings when your wife wants to sleep in but you want to hit the trails early to beat the rush.

    TCM wet weights for the other two are AF992 @ 4,900 and Lance 975 @ 4425. But since the AF comes with more standard features, the weight is probably going to be much closer than the numbers show. Both of those campers are well built so it basically comes down to the floor plans.

    In floor plans, I have to give my nod to the AF because of the smaller sink but larger floor space of the bathroom. After all, do you really need a large sink space in the bathroom?

    With the weight, figuring about 6,200# total, you will need to at least have a heavy duty rear sway bar and probably air bags to be happy with the ride. May also want to think about an equalizer hitch for the trailer which will help transfer the tongue weight off the rear axle.

    By the way, I use to haul a built CJ-8. Then I finally realized wheelin was fun, but just camping was relax. Enjoy your adventurers.