Hello, I am looking at purchasing a Northstar truck camper. I have been lurking on the forum for awhile and see that their customer service gets high marks. I would like to know more beyond that. Customer service is important to me, but I am more concerned about how well the campers hold up. I know they are wood framed construction and there is a lot of debate about wood vs. aluminum. I am looking used around year 2010 but also possible a new Adventurer model that I have seen priced at 20k. They have a lot of options I like, non basement,(lower overall height), casette toilet, and dometic thermopane pop out windows. The filon fiberglass exterior concerns me, it seems there is probably better material to use besides that, and the rubber roof also concerns. I have thought about Northern lite, but they might be a little heavy for my 3/4 ton dodge long bed, but appear better built, and come with a basement. Also not many used. the ones I have seen are fairly expensive. Any thoughts on how Northstars hold up to rough roads and wet environments?

DieselBurps wrote:... The filon fiberglass exterior concerns me, it seems there is probably better material to use besides that, and the rubber roof also concerns. I have thought about Northern lite, but they might be a little heavy for my 3/4 ton dodge long bed, but appear better built, and come with a basement. Also not many used. the ones I have seen are fairly expensive. Any thoughts on how Northstars hold up to rough roads and wet environments?Personally, I think your concerns are well founded.I really do not think the Northern Lite is too heavy for a 3/4 ton Dodge truck. You may need some upgrades. But, my suggestion is to go with your comfort level. If you research and still have concerns, go with your comfort level. Personally, I am of the belief the molder fiberglass (Northern Lite and Bigfoot) are better built. That accounts for why you do not see many used ones for sale, and they are fairly expensive.I must say, I have a Bigfoot (1988) TC. It took me several years to find a molded fiberglass TC I could afford. Wayne

No doubt Northstar has a great rep...and they have been a round a long timeThey are pretty basic, tanks are not that big, construction methods are old school. However, none of those things should rule them out if they work for you. They are a proven design.We have had both wood and aluminum framed campers. There is not much difference to the user. I would not hesitate to buy a wood framed camper. In fact there are some advantages to wood (flex, thermal transfer).If we were looking for a no frills, well built, camper for 2...we would consider NS.Bill

I would not consider the Dometic plastic windows to be an advantage. To me they seem very flimsy, and being sold by Dometic will be very expensive to fix. Bigfoot makes/made non-basement campers, the 1500 series. As Reddog said harder to find used, but in my opinion a few steps above Northstar in quality/longevity. I don't think they ever installed a cassette toilet though. If you have 20K to spend you should be able to find a very nice used one (for maybe 1/2 that actually).

My 10 year old Northstar Laredo has pretty much been trouble free. No rot anywhere. One thing that will prolong the life of ANY camper is to provide shelter. Snow/sun/wind/ice all speed up the aging process.I have completely recaulked once, the nosecone seams maybe 4 times. I go over it yearly to check for cracked caulking and spot fix any cracks.

I have had a NorthStar 850SC since 2007 and have driven it for well over 90,000 miles and much on dirt/gravel roads in Alaska, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Death Valley (the Racetrack is the worst washboard road I have ever seen) and many other areas. The camper has held up very well with no construction issues. I have it on a Ram 2500 and have had no issues.My $.02Grant

Northstar truck campers | Good Sam Community

billtex
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2014
No doubt Northstar has a great rep...and they have been a round a long time

They are pretty basic, tanks are not that big, construction methods are old school. However, none of those things should rule them out if they work for you. They are a proven design.
We have had both wood and aluminum framed campers. There is not much difference to the user. I would not hesitate to buy a wood framed camper. In fact there are some advantages to wood (flex, thermal transfer).
If we were looking for a no frills, well built, camper for 2...we would consider NS.

Bill
Reddog1
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2014
DieselBurps wrote:
... The filon fiberglass exterior concerns me, it seems there is probably better material to use besides that, and the rubber roof also concerns. I have thought about Northern lite, but they might be a little heavy for my 3/4 ton dodge long bed, but appear better built, and come with a basement. Also not many used. the ones I have seen are fairly expensive.

Any thoughts on how Northstars hold up to rough roads and wet environments?

Personally, I think your concerns are well founded.

I really do not think the Northern Lite is too heavy for a 3/4 ton Dodge truck. You may need some upgrades. But, my suggestion is to go with your comfort level. If you research and still have concerns, go with your comfort level.

Personally, I am of the belief the molder fiberglass (Northern Lite and Bigfoot) are better built. That accounts for why you do not see many used ones for sale, and they are fairly expensive.

I must say, I have a Bigfoot (1988) TC. It took me several years to find a molded fiberglass TC I could afford.

Wayne

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