New 2012 F350: Which camper should I buy?

My friends in the Colo Springs area all like the bigger TCs

These will require one ton trucks with duallys however. The DUALLY 4X4 TRUCK which will take you just about anywhere you want to go camping off the power grid...


Lance 1172 Floorplan



Chalet TS116 Floorplan

sample photos from google images-not mine


These both seem to be pretty much the same layout. I like the side door entrance models as that opens up a bunch of room inside...

There is almost as much room in these guys that some of the 5th wheels has...

Hard to imagine this is a TRUCK CAMPER interior photo.


The beauty of the truck campers is you can drop these to the ground and drive out from under them in a few minutes and use your truck for other things if you need to...

I would probably have to tow a medium sized enclosed trailer behind one for all my toys I bring along on my trips...


I imagine you could dump a bunch of monies in something like this.

I like our Eagle Cap 850 but it is on the heavy side. Well made, true 4 season camper and tons of storage.

We chose the Arctic Fox due to the insulation, build quality and on-board capacities. Northern Lite is a good choice if you can give up capacity and a slide. Also consider the Adventurer line of TC's when doing your comparisons.

I think you have to pick it yourself. I'd probably consider floor plan and options first.

Northstar igloo U

I think quality wise its pretty close with EP being a smidge above Lance and Lance being smidge over AF. I have had AF and Lance so far myself.

That being said, for the beach camping/boondocking I do, I would probablypick the AF as its got a lot bigger tanks.

First, i would like to say its smart of you to do your homework prior to laying out tons of money. I learned the hard way and wish i had done as you are doing.

I have owned AF and Lance tc's . Both AF and Lance quality was good , however the AF was a wood framed 04 and they had issues . The new models seem to be fine. All the top well made brands are pretty evenly matched . I would concentrate on intended use and a desirable floorplan to fit your needs.

It would depend on my intended use of any rv on which one i purchased.
The GM SB is a SRW truck,(thats what i drive) so after my experience with this, i would rather have a lighter camper as well as a shorter (like in taller) camper so it would handle the crosswinds better.
You cant beat the stabilty of a dually, so you have to be careful about height and weight when you use a SRW truck.
slideouts = weight and usually require a basement which makes the unit taller.
Non slides are warmer if you plan on extreme winter use but i loose a little headroom in the cabover area. But that lower profile helps in crosswinds. Everything is a toss up and only YOU can determine your needs.

I use much less propane on the Lance than i did in my AF slideout. The interior temps of my AF slideout model were not able to get higher than 68F when it was -25F outside and that using an electric heater as well as the furnace, but that might be different in 2013.
68F is ok, but it ran 24/7, it never shut up .
I can remember going outside to sit in -25F temps to get some peace n quiet , i also remembering thinking that i need to see a therapist!
The non-slide Lance interior can be 75F plus in those temps and NOT USE a 30# gas tank in 3 days. In my Lance i can use an electric heater most of the time, so propane is not an issue for me anymore.

If you plan on using it during normal 4 season use, then they all will be ok as far are staying warm.

Good luck in your decision, Bob .

If you go eagle cap owners site you may get more info. Very well made unit, Travel-lite is not in the ball park as EC, AF or lance but is not as pricey.

alstraub wrote:
Picked up a new 2012 leftover F350 SB and would like to buy one of these campers:

Travel Lite 900SBL
Lance 855S
Eagle Cap 850
Arctic Fox 811

Which one would you buy and why?

We've seen them all except the Travel Lite. Any other suggestions welcome as well. Thanks!

Al

Al,

We are over the state line in N.H. and really like our 855S.

Come on over if you want to see it and talk.

John & Cathy

serpa4 wrote:
I'm all in for AF. Loved my 1150, quality, insulation, etc, but heavy.

You did see that the OP has a SB truck?