Purchasing New Host Everest 11.6, Help Please
Hi all! Just joined the forum after a few weeks of lurking;) I am seriously thinking about moving forward with purchasing a truck camper. I have narrowed down the model to the Host Everest based on my...
Forum Discussion
I think I can help. I purchased the Host Cascade in January of this year and it rides on the back of my Ram 3500 CTD 4WD Dually. As far as options go, you can't go wrong with the selections you made. As far as size for a family of four, well my opinion is that I didn't buy any kind of camper, truck-through Class A, to go sit in another version of my home. I RV camp to get back to nature and the outdoors and appreciate a warm/cool place to sleep with a bathroom and a kitchen. Yes it's nice to have a TV/DVD player etc for those unexpected rainy days, but I think you'll survive the smaller quarters just fine. I wish I would have elected to NOT get the Onan genny and devise a way to fit a smaller/quieter Honda genny in the empty cavity. That way, you take it when you need it, and don't have to haul the extra weight when you don't need it.
I live in Texas and purchased mine from Tom's Camperland in Mesa Az. Since I am out of state, they drive across state line into New Mexico to sign the papers, thus saving me the full sales tax. Had a friend that did the same. They are a great bunch of guys and the sale and process was easy. Sales guy was Allen Greeley, awesome guy...tell him Greg Baxter sent ya.
Now, for some after purchase facts. I weighed mine the other day, and I am 480 pounds over my GVWR of 14000 but under on both axle ratings with a slightly above average load. Yours may be more as it's a bigger camper. I'm comfortable with this and will adjust where I can to decrease it. I have always used air bags on my rear axle with my past and present truck camper just to level it out, because it will sag. I did install the Torklift lower Stable-Loads to engage my lower overload spring sooner. And may consider the uppers for the upper overload springs, and possibly a Sway bar. It handles pretty good as is, so I am going to give it some time to see if I need the other upgrades.
My other suggestion, is look it over VERY carefully. The quality is as good as any other, but I've already had issues with mine from the start. My fridge will cut out on AC power and not switch over to propane automatically. So I frequently have to check to see that it's on, cycle the switch and it starts right up. The Jensen RV stereo/CD/DVD player recently started cutting out and losing all volume in any mode. The rubber filler trim that covers the screws in the channel joints from the sides to the front bullnose both left and right sides have blown out at two different occasions. And, I've found loose sheet metal attach bolts that are stripped out on both slide out lower slide tracks. A few minor plumbing and shower leaks, some interior trim issues and the Water Heater Anode looked like it was 10 years old when I pulled it out to drain the WH. Now, all of this would be warrantied and if I lived in Mesa I would take it straight to them and I am sure they would rectify it. I've contacted them and they have been great about sending me parts to replace on my own such as the Anode and exterior trim. The Fridge and stereo (which you will have no way of knowing if they will fail) have to be diagnosed by an RV repair facility which I plan to do this winter. The loose slide out bolts, is poor quality in my mind and should have never happened. I will have that looked at this winter as well. So, again, take as much time as you need and go over it very thoroughly during your delivery. Check that all systems work and operate them as many times as you need to feel comfortable. I believe Host makes a good product and I'm sure once the bugs are worked out of mine, I will be even happier than I am now with it. After that, go and enjoy and make some memories. Hope I have been helpful. PM me if you have any questions I can help with.
Greg Baxter
I live in Texas and purchased mine from Tom's Camperland in Mesa Az. Since I am out of state, they drive across state line into New Mexico to sign the papers, thus saving me the full sales tax. Had a friend that did the same. They are a great bunch of guys and the sale and process was easy. Sales guy was Allen Greeley, awesome guy...tell him Greg Baxter sent ya.
Now, for some after purchase facts. I weighed mine the other day, and I am 480 pounds over my GVWR of 14000 but under on both axle ratings with a slightly above average load. Yours may be more as it's a bigger camper. I'm comfortable with this and will adjust where I can to decrease it. I have always used air bags on my rear axle with my past and present truck camper just to level it out, because it will sag. I did install the Torklift lower Stable-Loads to engage my lower overload spring sooner. And may consider the uppers for the upper overload springs, and possibly a Sway bar. It handles pretty good as is, so I am going to give it some time to see if I need the other upgrades.
My other suggestion, is look it over VERY carefully. The quality is as good as any other, but I've already had issues with mine from the start. My fridge will cut out on AC power and not switch over to propane automatically. So I frequently have to check to see that it's on, cycle the switch and it starts right up. The Jensen RV stereo/CD/DVD player recently started cutting out and losing all volume in any mode. The rubber filler trim that covers the screws in the channel joints from the sides to the front bullnose both left and right sides have blown out at two different occasions. And, I've found loose sheet metal attach bolts that are stripped out on both slide out lower slide tracks. A few minor plumbing and shower leaks, some interior trim issues and the Water Heater Anode looked like it was 10 years old when I pulled it out to drain the WH. Now, all of this would be warrantied and if I lived in Mesa I would take it straight to them and I am sure they would rectify it. I've contacted them and they have been great about sending me parts to replace on my own such as the Anode and exterior trim. The Fridge and stereo (which you will have no way of knowing if they will fail) have to be diagnosed by an RV repair facility which I plan to do this winter. The loose slide out bolts, is poor quality in my mind and should have never happened. I will have that looked at this winter as well. So, again, take as much time as you need and go over it very thoroughly during your delivery. Check that all systems work and operate them as many times as you need to feel comfortable. I believe Host makes a good product and I'm sure once the bugs are worked out of mine, I will be even happier than I am now with it. After that, go and enjoy and make some memories. Hope I have been helpful. PM me if you have any questions I can help with.
Greg Baxter
