Host Aspen SB triple.

I know this is a short bed camper, but with a triple slide camper I would want the rear couch seating area.

It is nice to see another side entry short bed camper on the market. I don't think anyone else makes that configuration now since Lance discontinued their 830 after the 2012 model year.

skyhammer wrote:

Your experience with Host was the polar opposite of mine.
My Everest, which is much larger than a Cascade, cost $43k, $12k off MSRP, or 21.18%, that was the offer before bargaining.
My Everest included, up graded escape hatch, dry bath, 2.5k Onan Generator, rear view wireless camera, LED TV, stereo, Microwave convection oven, regular oven with 3 burner cook top,8cuft fridge, AC, power awning, 1500 watt inverter, 2, 30lb propane tanks, 2 GC batteries, storage bay slide out and more.
Dave never bad mouthed the competitors, but does think his campers are better.

Yes, I think it was you that related that experience to me back when I posted about which way to go. Based on your experience, I went back to Dave several times, but nope, he wasn't budging. And of course that's fine, it's his business, he's apparently got his production line full and doesn't need to discount, that's certainly his option. I did a lot of price checking, and unlike several years ago, the market has firmed up and the 25-30% discounts that were pretty easy to get in 2009/2010 with a simple web search just don't seem to be happening as much anymore. I was able to talk the local AF dealer down just over 16%, which was better than anywhere, but it took awhile. Any even slightly discounted new AF campers were leftovers with none of the common options that I would want anyway.

To be clear, I really like the Host layout - you hear occasionally issues with minor fit and finish, but nothing major, and I loved the idea of having a 10'9" camper with no extended rear bumper, entry off to the side of the rear cap, and inset stairs - lots of storage, nice layout, just a unique design.

But it wasn't $15k nicer, and Arctic Fox has fewer naysayers (and a lot more campers) - the only issues I read about are the delaminations in 04-06 campers (which my 860 also had) but little since.

YMMV -

- Clay

claymcc wrote:
That'd be a nice rig for someone with a Dodge Megacab dually -

- Clay

I'm trying to convince my wife of that. :B

skyhammer wrote:
The long bed version is a double slide with a rear entry, while the short bed version is a triple slide with a side entry.

It looks like it would make sense to swap the rear entry door with the rear pantry on the LB version. Then you could get in the camper without functioning either slide. You may still need to function the driver side one to use the bathroom on the road, but that'd be better than having to function both slides.

claymcc wrote:
That'd be a nice rig for someone with a Dodge Megacab dually -

I looked at Host just before ordering our AF992 (hopefully to be delivered in January), and base price for a Cascade was just over $39k, no generator or other options. Optioned out the way I wanted? $54k, about 27% more than an optioned-out AF992. Dave (who I think is the owner) is very nice, very helpful, has not much good to say about competitors, and wouldn't come off the MSRP more than a total of $500, so though I liked the Cascade layout very much, I went with AF.

- Clay

Your experience with Host was the polar opposite of mine.
My Everest, which is much larger than a Cascade, cost $43k, $12k off MSRP, or 21.18%, that was the offer before bargaining.
My Everest included, up graded escape hatch, dry bath, 2.5k Onan Generator, rear view wireless camera, LED TV, stereo, Microwave convection oven, regular oven with 3 burner cook top,8cuft fridge, AC, power awning, 1500 watt inverter, 2, 30lb propane tanks, 2 GC batteries, storage bay slide out and more.
Dave never bad mouthed the competitors, but does think his campers are better.

claymcc wrote:
Dave (who I think is the owner) is very nice, very helpful, has not much good to say about competitors, and wouldn't come off the MSRP more than a total of $500, so though I liked the Cascade layout very much, I went with AF.

- Clay

It turns me off when all I hear is someone knocking the competition. I want to hear the positive things about their product, not the negative about all the others. I can find all that out myself.

That'd be a nice rig for someone with a Dodge Megacab dually -

I looked at Host just before ordering our AF992 (hopefully to be delivered in January), and base price for a Cascade was just over $39k, no generator or other options. Optioned out the way I wanted? $54k, about 27% more than an optioned-out AF992. Dave (who I think is the owner) is very nice, very helpful, has not much good to say about competitors, and wouldn't come off the MSRP more than a total of $500, so though I liked the Cascade layout very much, I went with AF.

- Clay

The long bed version is a double slide with a rear entry, while the short bed version is a triple slide with a side entry.

Anybody have a rough idea how much a rig like this would coat? I know you can option the heck out of them, but just a base cost.

Just curious . When people look at floorplans like this , what do they see ? extra room ? Do people look any further than that ?

......it got me thinking, shortbed ?
Ford once made a SB dually on a 350 . I know someone who owns one and his A/Fox 860 will max it out rolling down the road...one slide.

1. When I was hanging out at my friends dealership all I saw was rv after rv come into the shop with slideout issues. It really opened my eyes.
With all the posts on this site involving slideout problems , why would anyone want to have 3 of them ?

2. slideouts with kitchens ( and as I see now, bathrooms as well ) don't have the best track record for repair. Plumbing and electrical issues due to moving parts was common.

3. Looking at the extra weight of a slideout (x3), I cant see this being a light camper.
Its beyond me how some company 'claims' its lighter than one with one slide. If its the same size box, how are they saving the extra weight ? Balsa wood and helium ?
They all use the same appliances which weigh the same.