Forum Discussion

claymcc's avatar
claymcc
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013

Host Cascade vs Arctic Fox 992

Hi all -

We're considering trading in our '04 AF860 for a newer model. DW really would like a dry bath, plus a little extra lounging room - I'd like more storage. I went with the 860 largely because I didn't want a large rear overhang - parking ends up being an issue, and I also tow heavy trailers (up to 12k lbs) and I preferred not to deal with a Superhitch and the departure angle issues on rough mountain roads if I could help it.

Since it now looks like a Superhitch is going to be a given anyway, it seems to me that the bumper on the AF992 vs the straight back and entry of a Cascade would need about the same extension, even though the floor length on the Cascade is almost a foot longer - you don't have a bumper to deal with. AF recommends a 46" extension for the 992 anyways. It might even be able to be significantly shorter with the Host.

I've done a lot of online research, and am familiar and comfortable with AF, plus I have a local AF dealer. I've never seen a Host and won't have an opportunity to, but the entry and rear slide are a big draw for the Cascade. There aren't a lot of reviews on Hosts out there, and what I've found have been a bit mixed, but better for the more recent builds. AF has almost exclusively great reviews, once you get past the delam issues up through a few years ago (which I also experienced with my 860).

I'm assuming the weights will be within a few hundred pounds of each other; my 860, loaded and ready to go, is about 4,200 lbs. A couple hundred more won't make a big difference to my '11 GMC 3500HD Duramax dually.

Can anyone share their recent build quality/service experiences with Host?

For the AF, I'd be ordering the full wall wardrobe in the cabover, as well as the lounge instead of the dinette. Has anyone done that, and what did they think? The local dealer doesn't currently have any in stock to look at.

Thanks for any help or random thoughts y'all might have -

- Clay
Truck Campers
  • billtex's avatar
    billtex
    Explorer II
    Oct 01, 2013
    You might also look at Eagle Cap 995 (dry bath) and some of the other AMLRV campers...the new "theater seating" is very comfy...

    Good luck, Bill
  • 97psdhost's avatar
    97psdhost
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    I have a 2009 Host Cascade and absolutely love it.
    The build quality is better than a Lance in my opinion. I looked at both very closely. The only thing I can think of is the previous owner cracked and then repaired the shower pan. Not sure if this is a manufacturer issue or not. The manufacturer did send me another one. But I haven't installed it yet. The repair is holding and that looks like a big job. I haul a jet ski double trailer with a Yamaha waverunner on one side and a Honda XR650L on the other side. I use an 23 inch extension and the ball mount just clears the rear cargo door and does not impact the camper when turning. I am planning on replacing the camper with a new Host Mammoth in the near future!
    Hope this helps.
  • RICKIM's avatar
    RICKIM
    Explorer III
    Oct 01, 2013
    We considered the Cascade before we bought our AF because we liked the side entry, but there didn't seem to be a whole lot of storage, both inside and out. Don't know if the newer ones do now. Other than that, they seemed like they were well built units.

    Good luck

    R
  • campn4walleye's avatar
    campn4walleye
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    I see that you're in WY, take a trip to Henderson CO and look at the Eagle Caps. They have the extra room/storage you're looking for. Very nice units, but heavy.
  • skyhammer's avatar
    skyhammer
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    RICKIM wrote:
    We considered the Cascade before we bought our AF because we liked the side entry, but there didn't seem to be a whole lot of storage, both inside and out. Don't know if the newer ones do now. Other than that, they seemed like they were well built units.

    Good luck

    R


    There is quite a bit storage in the Cascade, you have a fairly large basement outside, and if you don't get the generator you will have even more.
    You have a drawer at the bottom of the couch in the rear slide that is nearly the length of the couch, and a 3 door cabinet on the top of the slide.
    You also have 2 drawers in the dinete. The wardrobe closet in the bedroom is also fairly large.
    The kitchen has one fairly large cabinet door and 2 medium size door.
    If you don't get the oven you will have a large cabinet that replaces the oven, plus a silverware drawer that comes with or without the oven.Under the kitchen sink is another cabinet, and there is one in the bathroom, plus a medicine cabinet. If you get the 6cuft. rather than the 8 cuft. fridge you will also gain a pantry.
  • skyhammer's avatar
    skyhammer
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2013
    I use a 42" extension with my Everest, I started with a 48", but whacked off 6".
    I would probably use a 30" with the Cascade,I like the hitch a little further back than some.
    One thing about Host, is that if you don't like something or want something added or deleted they will do it.
    I was at the factory in Bend a few weeks ago and looked at a Mammoth being built.I would love to have one, for me, the way the floor plan is makes it better for a single person.
    I would have them deleted the fireplace and add a cabinet, and I don't need 2 TV's, especially the one in the bedroom.
    Host's customer service has been excellent. While I haven't had many problems, most of which were user error, everything got fixed with no problem.
    I had a switch for the dinette slide that was arcing and they they sent me one, took 2 minutes to install.
    I was the guinea pig in 2011(2012 model) for their new drawer latches, they replaced them as they would not hold. I tore off the basement door because I left it open when I unloaded the camper and the door caught on the hitch, the replaced it for cost.
    Just recently I was putting in the rear slide( I was not level) and the slide wobbled a little and tore off the awning switch, if I had been paying attention it would not have happened. Host is sending me a new switch for no cost.
    The only other complaint is that they put the smoke detector over the stove,they don't do that anymore.
  • claymcc's avatar
    claymcc
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    Thank you all for the input -

    I've researched Eagle Cap as well, there've been great reviews on their quality and customer service during the past few years (a bit hit or miss before that), but at the end of the day, they seem about equivalent to an AF in terms of quality and price (though I've never been in one). Since we have a local AF dealer, I don't gain much from going out of state (Henderson is 300 miles) and losing easy access to a dealer.

    Eagle Cap has some stuff I like - fiberglass caps, etc - but lacks stuff I like (more storage in bathroom, slide tray in basement which the EC995 doesn't have for some odd reason, etc) The big difference is the rear access - I usually have a trailer, and I'm just sick of a straight bumper with a fold-down step that interferes with the jack on the trailer, and makes access difficult. It's not like we're older with limited motion, but sooner or later, someone is going to biff it getting in/out of our camper over a slippery/icy trailer tongue and hurt themselves. I really like the Fox Landing to move the stairs off to the side and avoid the trailer.

    The Cascade is enough different that losing local dealer access might be feasible. I REALLY like the fact that it gains floor space over the AF/EC offerings, has the rear slide, BUT has the door to the right rear, flush with the rear of the camper, with steps that don't interfere with the trailer. You have a camper with a longer floor and a rear that has LESS overhang and needs only a 2' extension, instead of close to 4', because it has no 8" bumper and step that you need to clear. That's a big draw. The big factor there is PRICE - options are significantly more money than they are with AF for the same thing.

    Still pondering - does anyone have any experience negotiating with Host on a new build price?

    - Clay
  • tad94564's avatar
    tad94564
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    On the Host, for warranty repairs, you do not have to take it back to the dealer you bought it from.

    Host will do some wiggle on prices, but not a whole lot.

    On my Mammoth, there was some issues from the factory, that they paid to fix. It didn't help the dealership I picked it up from also made some dumb mistakes (hooked a battery up backwards, which does wonders to a electrical system..). We are in the process of getting a few other things fixed now, that I call 'teething' pains because the Mammoth is a new design.

    I was originally going to get a Cascade, but the wife wanted the fireplace, and I can actually use the bathroom in a Mammoth..
  • billtex's avatar
    billtex
    Explorer II
    Oct 02, 2013
    claymcc wrote:

    I've researched Eagle Cap as well, there've been great reviews on their quality and customer service during the past few years (a bit hit or miss before that), but at the end of the day, they seem about equivalent to an AF in terms of quality and price (though I've never been in one).

    Eagle Cap has some stuff I like - fiberglass caps, etc - but lacks stuff I like (more storage in bathroom, slide tray in basement which the EC995 doesn't have for some odd reason, etc) I really like the Fox Landing to move the stairs off to the side and avoid the trailer.

    The big factor there is PRICE - options are significantly more money than they are with AF for the same thing.

    Still pondering - does anyone have any experience negotiating with Host on a new build price?

    - Clay


    EC995 has basement slideout tray EC website
    We just purchased an EC850 last week. The storage is great both in/out. On par with AF...
    The EC basement drawer is huge!

    The EC construction is unique also...very robust...feels soild like BF or NL...no luan walls in EC!
    Pricing for TC's is kind of funny. We found Lance to be the most $ we looked at.
    AF the least $!
    You never really know if it is the dealer or the Mfr???
    We did get what we think was a very fair deal on our EC.

    It came down to EC or AF for us...and they are very similar. The EC had a larger dinette bed and bigger bath. Deal breakers for us.

    In any case, I encourage you to look at all contenders before you lay down $
    In a year...it won't matter where you bought it...
    (3 yrs for Eagle Cap warranty...)

    Good luck.

    Bill

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