Pros/cons of Host vs Arctic Fox

We have a Host Mammoth.

We have been very happy with it, the floor space and very large bathroom area is impressive.

Host has been very responsive to the problems we have had with it. My only complaint is the drawer stays suck.. I'd love to have the newer hardware, with the pop-out knobs, but that means changing the drawer fronts or filling holes.

What I was getting at, in my convoluted way, was that local dealers can handle most repairs....but if something serious or structural needs attention, and only the manufacturer can do this......than the mfr. with the best reputation is the way to go.

This was the case with our slide out repair. Local guy did not want to do it.

GeoBoy wrote:
The subject is pros and cons on Host and Arctic Fox TC's, so are you implying that Arctic Fox campers are bad TC's?

The subject "was" pros and cons of Host and Arctic Fox. The thread morphed into hypothetically if you should consider how well serious repairs are handled or not and whether you should just buy one that you don't expect to need serious repairs.

No, I'm not implying any brand is bad.

jimh425 wrote:

CAJW wrote:
This is actually an extremely subjective question.

Not really, just don't buy a trashed camper and don't buy a brand that normally needs serious repairs under normal use. Of course, all bets are off if the camper has been destroyed by lack of care or abuse.

The subject is pros and cons on Host and Arctic Fox TC's, so are you implying that Arctic Fox campers are bad TC's?

CAJW wrote:
This is actually an extremely subjective question.

Not really, just don't buy a trashed camper and don't buy a brand that normally needs serious repairs under normal use. Of course, all bets are off if the camper has been destroyed by lack of care or abuse.

jimh425 wrote:
How about choosing a brand that doesn't need serious repairs? :)

This is actually an extremely subjective question. Any brand of camper left out in the elements subjected to driving wind, rain, freezing temperatures, relentless sun,temperatures over 100 degrees, freeway driven vs. off road use, stored indoors or out, climate controlled storage etc., will have a bearing on how a particular camper will,(pun intended), weather the storm.

When reading about a particular owners experience with a specific make/model of truck camper, to form an informed opinion of that camper, all the particulars of storage and use would need to be known. It is highly improbable that there is any make/model of TC that would not require serious repairs if it was not maintained and cared for properly. Yes, there have been instances of brand new units that haven't had an opportunity to be abused that have had issues, but those instances in name brand TC units are far and few between. Many great TC models are out there and it boils down to what one wants and believes to be true. The best advice I can give to anyone is to read all they can get their hands on, talk to as many owners of the model that they are interested in and find out how their units were used/cared for, before forming an opinion if that model has a tendency to have issues. If one purchases a new, name brand unit, I don't think you can make a bad decision when it comes to reliability and construction.

How about choosing a brand that doesn't need serious repairs? :)

Been out of the loop since 2004 when we sold our 2000 AFox 1150. It was a dandy. Both factories are in Oregon. Guess the thing to do is find out who has the best warranty for serious repairs.

AFox did a slide out re-build and strengthened it, out of warranty, no charge, at their factory in LaGrande. Also reinforced a outside compartment so I could add 2 (or 4...I forget)....6 volt batteries. No charge.

I haven't had any issues with my AF811. This is my second Northwood RV.
I looked at other brands, but the prices were quite a bit higher on the other brands I looked at. I chose AF because I was familiar with the brand, and liked them better than the other brands. The interior wasn't a cheesey looking as some of the other brands when I bought back in 2010.

We have owned our AC for 1 year now. LOVE IT. We looked at AF and an Eagle Cap (with the king bed). More storage and features in the Arctic Fox for a better price. We do use a DRW F350 to carry our camper. We have not had any major problems with the camper in the first year. We had to have a minor repair on the awning that was covered. Since the awning is made by an aftermarket company it was not an AF quality issue.