Ford TC

From what I read we are talking about relabeled campers, so not really Ford manufacturer campers.
I remember when about 10 years ago everybody was focusing on driving Hummers and towing them with DP.
Now seems American public changed the focus to driving Fiat 500 or F150 and camping in no-bathroom campers.
Fiat 500 was design 40 years ago as "poor man car" .
I let you think about conclusions.

Just an update to this thread, the campers are out in the wild:

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/tcm-exclusive-2016-ford-8-6-and-6-8-truck-campers



Check out the nose cone, not sure what I think of it yet:

joeshmoe wrote:
I didn't say Ford or any auto manufacturer doesn't have QC issues.
I can assure you that my truck will outlast my caulked and wood screwed together foam box of a TC. Especially considering that I use the truck for everything. If I used and abused my TC the same way, I bet it wouldn't last even 5 years, if that. Are you seriously comparing, excuse me, RV design and QC with that of auto manufacturers? If Lance or Northwood sold half as many units as Ford does trucks, they'd fail.

If you look at behind the skin of some of these "quality" brand campers, it's a little scary what they consider quality. I've had to fix or make right multiple things on my "absolute Northwood quality" camper. If I had as many assembly/fit and finish issues with my truck within the first year as I've had with the camper, it would qualify as a lemon. But, since apparently I'm supposed to "deal with it, it's a camper". I do.

Ford isn't going to put their name on an endorsed, licensed product that has shoddy assembly and quality control. That's all I'm saying.

I just read on the Ford website that there will be engineer input.

I'm with Joe. Comparing all the camping trailers I've had to all the vehicles I've ever owned, it is clear that the RV manufacturers get away with a lot more. Fit and finish in the interior, wiring with so-so routing, slide mechanisms ... etc. We expect a power sliding door in a minivan to work all the time, every time in all kind of weather. It is engineered for that. Yes I think most of us accept slide out mechanisms that will have some kind of trouble here and there. To me that means they could have been engineered better, but aren't.

My understanding is that on top of that the NHTSA regs are different between trailers going down the road and automobiles.

All that to say is that the first thing I thought of when I read this was that this has a chance to a better QC camper than what we usually see in the industry.

I don't mean to bash - I like what I've seen of Livin Lite so far - but there appears to be a different mindset between RV and auto engineering. I'd like to see some cross-pollination in the right direction, and maybe Ford will make that happen.

As a very happy owner of multiple Ford vehicles I look forward to having a Ford option in campers.

I think the only time Ford stubbed it's toe (tow) in recent memory was with the 6.0/6.4 diesels. Their gas engines have been good.

As a very happy owner of multiple Ford vehicles I look forward to having a Ford option in campers.

JM, the point you made that i wanted to. Well put, and although I am not in the market for these combos ( I can't afford it!) An innovative Company like Camplite and a quality leader like Ford may improve the RV industries products.

Partnered or not I always pass on package deals as they are usually compromises to reach a price point instead of a performance point. My choice in set up will be made regardless of what they do. Just as I have done before I will continue pick my truck and its set up, and pick the camper of my liking to go in the bed.

Me too! But, maybe you and I like to do that. Others might like the total package deal especially when being financed by Ford (if that is part of this program) and perhaps even being warranted by Ford. That would be interesting, a real warranty on a truck camper that lasts longer than a year or two. If that is the case, then Ford will likely up the ante for camper quality as no automaker likes paying warranty claims. And then will Tork Lift or Happijack get an endorsement from Ford as well. Lance has always been endorsing HappiJack; this year TorkLift was at the latest Lance factory rally and even provided some prizes. Definately the industry is changing and probably for the good for all of us.

jmtandem wrote:
What will be interesting to watch is what Chrysler/Ram and GM does with this Ford camper since being upstaged is not in the auto industry's lexicon. So will it be Lance with Ram and Northwood with GM, and then who will partner with Host, Northstar, Northern Lite, Outfitter, Hallmark, Four Wheel, etc.

I too wonder the same. How many more sales will be made. Eddie Bauer Fords, Harley Davison Fords etc. This combo and the marketing of TTs and 5ers also is appealing.

jmtandem wrote:
What will be interesting to watch is what Chrysler/Ram and GM does with this Ford camper since being upstaged is not in the auto industry's lexicon. So will it be Lance with Ram and Northwood with GM, and then who will partner with Host, Northstar, Northern Lite, Outfitter, Hallmark, Four Wheel, etc.

Partnered or not I always pass on package deals as they are usually compromises to reach a price point instead of a performance point. My choice in set up will be made regardless of what they do. Just as I have done before I will continue pick my truck and its set up, and pick the camper of my liking to go in the bed.

What will be interesting to watch is what Chrysler/Ram and GM does with this Ford camper since being upstaged is not in the auto industry's lexicon. So will it be Lance with Ram and Northwood with GM, and then who will partner with Host, Northstar, Northern Lite, Outfitter, Hallmark, Four Wheel, etc.