Northstar Arrow 8.5 - How Many Batteries?

I second the suggestion to call Rex and discuss any customization you would like. Great folks to deal with.

My Arrow is set up for a long bed truck. When I ordered mine I opted for a 20 gallon fresh water tank instead of the standard 30 gallon. This gave enough room up front under the cabover stepup for two AGM batteries. I have two Grp 27s but Grp 31s will fit. With my one solar panel I have never come close to running out of battery power.

The cassette toilet has an independent water supply so doesn't draw from the fresh water tank.

Northstar makes a very rugged camper. I have traveled over 55 thousand miles with mine including Alaska in 2009. Going again next year! I do wish they would make one with a small slideout though.

The photo of the rig on the Northstar website when you select the 8.5 Arrow is my rig when I picked up the camper in Oct 2007.

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
We are also looking at a 2014 Wolf Creek

Structurally and functionally, the 2014's are unchanged. The only obvious differences that I know of are diamond plate added to the lower area, the graphics on the outside, different interior decor, and the optional rear bumper w/step and Fox Landing (which I plan on getting at some point). Oh and LED lighting, which you already have.

I can understand why NW would add the bumper/Fox Landing option. What a pain to climb in and out.

Yep, and don't forget about the bathroom step, rear ladder, and roof rack. We also want a 6 CU FT 3-way Refrigerator.

While the bath step is convenient, even if it wasn't there, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Same with the ladder and rack. Unfortunately, the ladder that NW installs is your typical, cheapo, topline ladder with I think, only a 200-225 lb cap. I've only gone up on the roof once in the 4 weeks we've had the camper. I'm not a small guy, and it's kinda scary the way it flexes and bows. I plan on just using a collapsible ladder. I can see the rack coming handy in the future though.

The extra space of the 5 CU fridge is nice, but the 2 way feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a truck camper. A 3 way is a must IMO. (if anyone has a suggestion on what to do with a new 5.0 CU FT Norcold, let me know ;))

Seems like most of these things you could figure out a mod. for your Wolf Creek.

I've already investigated this with NW. A ladder and roof rack cannot be retrofitted because there isn't any blocking in the wall and roof to support these. I can install a nice 3-way fridge, though. The bathroom step is no biggie for me but the wife would like one.

Do you own a 2014 WC model?

Why yes I do, Mike. I sent you pics of it.:B

You've done so much to yours. You want to get rid of it already?

-Aaron

Ahh, that was yours? Yes, your camper is very nice.

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
We are also looking at a 2014 Wolf Creek

Structurally and functionally, the 2014's are unchanged. The only obvious differences that I know of are diamond plate added to the lower area, the graphics on the outside, different interior decor, and the optional rear bumper w/step and Fox Landing (which I plan on getting at some point). Oh and LED lighting, which you already have.

I can understand why NW would add the bumper/Fox Landing option. What a pain to climb in and out.

Yep, and don't forget about the bathroom step, rear ladder, and roof rack. We also want a 6 CU FT 3-way Refrigerator.

While the bath step is convenient, even if it wasn't there, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Same with the ladder and rack. Unfortunately, the ladder that NW installs is your typical, cheapo, topline ladder with I think, only a 200-225 lb cap. I've only gone up on the roof once in the 4 weeks we've had the camper. I'm not a small guy, and it's kinda scary the way it flexes and bows. I plan on just using a collapsible ladder. I can see the rack coming handy in the future though.

The extra space of the 5 CU fridge is nice, but the 2 way feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a truck camper. A 3 way is a must IMO. (if anyone has a suggestion on what to do with a new 5.0 CU FT Norcold, let me know ;))

Seems like most of these things you could figure out a mod. for your Wolf Creek.

I've already investigated this with NW. A ladder and roof rack cannot be retrofitted because there isn't any blocking in the wall and roof to support these. I can install a nice 3-way fridge, though. The bathroom step is no biggie for me but the wife would like one.

Do you own a 2014 WC model?

Why yes I do, Mike. I sent you pics of it.:B

You've done so much to yours. You want to get rid of it already?

-Aaron

We have dual Type 27 batteries on a slide out tray on our Arrow.

Also geared up for no dirty dump stations, plus 200 W solar, they are a really nice camper, they will build anything you want...

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
We are also looking at a 2014 Wolf Creek

Structurally and functionally, the 2014's are unchanged. The only obvious differences that I know of are diamond plate added to the lower area, the graphics on the outside, different interior decor, and the optional rear bumper w/step and Fox Landing (which I plan on getting at some point). Oh and LED lighting, which you already have.

I can understand why NW would add the bumper/Fox Landing option. What a pain to climb in and out.

Yep, and don't forget about the bathroom step, rear ladder, and roof rack. We also want a 6 CU FT 3-way Refrigerator.

While the bath step is convenient, even if it wasn't there, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Same with the ladder and rack. Unfortunately, the ladder that NW installs is your typical, cheapo, topline ladder with I think, only a 200-225 lb cap. I've only gone up on the roof once in the 4 weeks we've had the camper. I'm not a small guy, and it's kinda scary the way it flexes and bows. I plan on just using a collapsible ladder. I can see the rack coming handy in the future though.

The extra space of the 5 CU fridge is nice, but the 2 way feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a truck camper. A 3 way is a must IMO. (if anyone has a suggestion on what to do with a new 5.0 CU FT Norcold, let me know ;))

Seems like most of these things you could figure out a mod. for your Wolf Creek.

I've already investigated this with NW. A ladder and roof rack cannot be retrofitted because there isn't any blocking in the wall and roof to support these. I can install a nice 3-way fridge, though. The bathroom step is no biggie for me but the wife would like one.

Do you own a 2014 WC model?

Truck camper Magazine just did a review of the Arrow U.

Mello Mike wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
We are also looking at a 2014 Wolf Creek

Structurally and functionally, the 2014's are unchanged. The only obvious differences that I know of are diamond plate added to the lower area, the graphics on the outside, different interior decor, and the optional rear bumper w/step and Fox Landing (which I plan on getting at some point). Oh and LED lighting, which you already have.

I can understand why NW would add the bumper/Fox Landing option. What a pain to climb in and out.

Yep, and don't forget about the bathroom step, rear ladder, and roof rack. We also want a 6 CU FT 3-way Refrigerator.

While the bath step is convenient, even if it wasn't there, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Same with the ladder and rack. Unfortunately, the ladder that NW installs is your typical, cheapo, topline ladder with I think, only a 200-225 lb cap. I've only gone up on the roof once in the 4 weeks we've had the camper. I'm not a small guy, and it's kinda scary the way it flexes and bows. I plan on just using a collapsible ladder. I can see the rack coming handy in the future though.

The extra space of the 5 CU fridge is nice, but the 2 way feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a truck camper. A 3 way is a must IMO. (if anyone has a suggestion on what to do with a new 5.0 CU FT Norcold, let me know ;))

Seems like most of these things you could figure out a mod. for your Wolf Creek.

Any of their campers can hold dual batteries. If the camper has one internal battery box you can remove it and place two AGMs there.

Mike- another possibility that may affect number and location of battery configuration: The first camper had the fresh water toilet and the newer one has the cassette. How all the components and batteries may be affected by the type of plumbing choice because of where they are all located. I am not positive on this conclusion, but something to think about.

d3500ram wrote:
Mike- here are some photos. I forget how to size down the first one. Please go ahead and edit it for proper width.

This is the old one with the single battery on the left side. I do not remember if it it had a slide tray... don't think it did:



This is my current short bed Arrow with permanent side saddles:

Awesome! Thanks!