I can't believe I've had my "new" EC double-slide for all of six months, now I'm considering the newest triple-slide from Host, the "Mammoth". Can get it with a fireplace, king size bed, and a big slide-out storage tray.I talked at length yesterday with the one of the co-owners at Host. He sent me a ton of pictures, and a price sheet. Optioned out the way I want, would be between $50-$54k, the variable being the genny for $4k. I don't need a genny, I run a ton of batteries and a big inverter. My last AF had both - genny and inverter, I sold it with 4 hours on the genny.Anyway, he said "Lance and AF are great, well built TC's, but more like Bayliners - mass produced, good products, great for the masses. Host is for people who have already had one or more TC's and want to step up". I thought that was a rather bold statement.So, anyone have one, or seen one in person yet that can comment on it?I took these images from thier website---

Was thinking on the same unit myself, need to see it in person and I am concerned about having the only one in Canada.

Let's see if this works:https://plus.google.com/photos/118308876259664909109/albums/5908855050295852945I've had it since July. The capacities are just enormous, and it's a very enjoyable camper. The only real downside is the toliet - it's too high, and there is no real step area to put your feet. Not much they can about that however.I did not order the generator (gulp, $4500 for that POS?), esp. since we mostly just do overnight weekend camping; I put two batteries in the generator compartment along with a Outback GFX1312 gridtie/boosting inverter/charger, and walla, we have enough power for a weekend, along with a 200 amp lift gate connector and 4 gauge wire (parts are 2 gauge)The only major disappoint to me was when the fresh water tank seelevel sensor stopped working, to find that a block of foam used to hold the tank in place had bubbled the sensor away the tank. It was quickly fixed once I found that, but it's a very tight spot to get in there.I also weighed it, and it's almost spot on for the weight tag.And yes, I carry it on a SRW Ford Superduty, with the HD suspension, but not camper rated.

Looked at one closely at the recent Hershey RV show. It had some very nice features and extremely roomy. Things I saw that I feel needed some attention by the manufacturer: the cabinet to the right side of the TV/fireplace (resembles a pantry with shelves) had very flimsy shelves, almost like 1/8" luan board. They were sagging already and did not fit well. Some of the molding along the flooring was loose. The piece directly under the toilet was pulled loose and looked like it was hardly nailed/stapled. The sliding bathroom door had some issues with the top mounting hardware and the door track (maybe this was caused by someone abusing it at the show), or maybe the door needs to be beefed up with better mounting hardware.

I had no idea they were doing multiple slides in TC. That is really nice! They don't come cheap though!

tad94564 wrote:Let's see if this works:https://plus.google.com/photos/118308876259664909109/albums/5908855050295852945I've had it since July. The capacities are just enormous, and it's a very enjoyable camper. The only real downside is the toliet - it's too high, and there is no real step area to put your feet. Not much they can about that however.I did not order the generator (gulp, $4500 for that POS?), esp. since we mostly just do overnight weekend camping; I put two batteries in the generator compartment along with a Outback GFX1312 gridtie/boosting inverter/charger, and walla, we have enough power for a weekend, along with a 200 amp lift gate connector and 4 gauge wire (parts are 2 gauge)The only major disappoint to me was when the fresh water tank seelevel sensor stopped working, to find that a block of foam used to hold the tank in place had bubbled the sensor away the tank. It was quickly fixed once I found that, but it's a very tight spot to get in there.I also weighed it, and it's almost spot on for the weight tag.And yes, I carry it on a SRW Ford Superduty, with the HD suspension, but not camper rated.So tad, I'm definitly not the dreaded weight police...I say do what you want to do, but I'm curious of the weight you that you got when you took it over the scales. Can you enlighten us?Also do you have any pics of that beast on your SRW truck....you know; inquiring minds would like to know/see.Thanks!

New Host Mammoth - anyone have one? Reviews? Opinions?

JTCHess
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
Truck campers have certainly evolved since my Fleetwood Elkhorn that I had several years back. I have always been enamored by Host truck campers as they seem to be manufactured in such a manner that make them easy to repair. Admittedly they are costly and you need a heavy duty truck to haul, but I am amazed at the new Host Mammoth certainly looks like a premium camper. I may have to reconsider truck campers having switched to a class C several years back.
kerry4951
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
The Host Mammoth that I was in at the Hershey RV show needed some attention. I have an earlier post of what I observed. I love to give credit where credit is due, and it had some very nice features. But is was also lacking in several areas that needed upgrades to make it right as far as Im concerned, mostly quality of construction issues.
MrPhelps
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
rjchristensen wrote:
I am from the Bend Oregon area and have seen the new Host in person and spent a lot of time looking and crawling all around it it.Host is made in Bend Oregon.
I own a Eagle Cap 1165 2013 (special order) and I think the fit and finish of the Eagle Cap was better than the Host.

I have had a ton of issues with my Eagle Cap but all were handled under warranty. I think Eagle Cap/Adventurer owner has a more stable backing ($$$$$)than Host owners,
Just my opinion.... I have toured both factories and also the Chalet factory in Albany Oregon and think Chalet's fit an finish is also better than the Host.

Rick

Would you mind elaborating a bit more on this opinion? What specific factors did you consider that led to this conclusion ?

I would agree the resources of Host are smaller compared with the larger companies being compared, but the actual difference in the quality and manufacturing portion of your conclusion is what interests me.

Thanks
rjchristensen
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
Update: 03/08/14
Just went to the Central Oregon Sportsman Show in Redmond Oregon:
We had Host (2 campers) there and Arctic Fox (about 6 campers there)
Here is what I saw
Host 3 section front cap
Arctic Fox 1 section front cap
Host: Front jacks mounted with 4 thru bolt and lag bolts
Arctic Fox: All lag Bolts
When I toured the Chalet Factory : 8 stainless THRU Bolts/ 4 each direction.
Rick
tad94564
Explorer
Dec 14, 2013
One of the reasons we went with a truck camper, instead of a trailer or a class c, is the parking laws the city enforces.

To keep a trailer or actually anything with wheels at the house, I'd have to pour a concrete pad, and install a curb cutout. Big time dollars around here. With the truck camper, I do nothing. It's because the truck camper is consider cargo, not an RV by those laws (no wheels = not a vehicle)

We like our Mammoth, esp. with the king size bed. Mattress sucks, but I just put a memory foam topper on it, and it's much better now.

The tank capacities are great, and the layout makes it very easy to get lots of people inside comfortably.

If there is something else you want to see, post a request here and I'll see what I can do.
Mich_F
Explorer
Dec 14, 2013
That Mammoth is a nice looking slide in. The weight and price are certainly (to me) exceptionally high. In comparison, I have a 32 1/2' Class C on an E450 cab and chassis. With my wife and I in the motor home, fully loaded for camping, our GVW is exactly 100# more than tad94564's GVW - 60# on the front axle and 40# on the rear axle.
The cost was only $6,000 higher than the $54,000 in the OP.
It's an apple and orange comparison, but really points out the difference in type of RV pricing.
btggraphix
Explorer
Dec 14, 2013
I gotta say I love that rear floor to ceiling window...... The only campers I could imagine liking more than our 1191 would be one with 3 slides and a rear couch. Would be great for lounging in if full-timing and/or had guests over for 'hanging'.
Boatycall
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
kerry4951 wrote:
jimh425 wrote:
kerry4951 wrote:
Why not just upgrade to an EC 1165.

Interesting that an Arctic Fox owner is encouraging someone to stay with Eagle Cap. Is that what you are shopping for, or are you just making conversation?

I might go bigger eventually, but for now, mine is big enough.

My reasoning is based on the fact that he would probably get a better deal if he traded an EC for an EC. Plus the Mammoth that I looked at had very little cabover storage. Might work for some but not for us.
Im not shopping for anything since I am still very happy with my AF and have no need to go any bigger. Besides, I already have the best built TC out there. LOL

I actually like the minimal cabover storage in trade for a king mattress, plus I don't like the kitchen island the EC1165 has, it makes for a very cramped feeling kitchen.

Worth noting, though... I've seen a EC1165 in person, I have yet to see a Host Mammoth in person.
kerry4951
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
jimh425 wrote:
kerry4951 wrote:
Why not just upgrade to an EC 1165.

Interesting that an Arctic Fox owner is encouraging someone to stay with Eagle Cap. Is that what you are shopping for, or are you just making conversation?

I might go bigger eventually, but for now, mine is big enough.

My reasoning is based on the fact that he would probably get a better deal if he traded an EC for an EC. Plus the Mammoth that I looked at had very little cabover storage. Might work for some but not for us.
Im not shopping for anything since I am still very happy with my AF and have no need to go any bigger. Besides, I already have the best built TC out there. LOL
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2013
kerry4951 wrote:
Why not just upgrade to an EC 1165.

Interesting that an Arctic Fox owner is encouraging someone to stay with Eagle Cap. Is that what you are shopping for, or are you just making conversation?

I might go bigger eventually, but for now, mine is big enough.