Hello all -I'm thinking of getting a 2017 Northern Lite 10'2" Special Edition model, and have a couple questions that the dealer didn't have much to say about one way or the other. Hoping any of you that own one of these can give me some feedback.The first question involves the entrance door, and ventilation. I noticed that the outside door is held open, apparently, with just a strut at the bottom of the door. How do you hold the outside door in place if you want to keep it open, with just the inside screen door being closed? I would be using the camper in pretty windy conditions a lot of the time. My other RVs (travel trailers and a 5th wheel) always had/have a latch to secure the entrance door to the side of the RV.The second question involves the location of the battery cutoff switch near the floor in the hallway just as you enter the camper. Do you sometimes accidentally kick this switch as you walk by? This seems to be a less than ideal location to put this cutoff switch, and I am concerned about kicking it as I enter and leave the camper.Lastly, the dealer has quoted me this camper with a factory installed Onan LP generator. I will be using this in below freezing conditions some of the time, so I thought that would be nice to have. However, a friend of mine who has a Lance camper with an Onan generator said if he had to do it again he wouldn't get the Onan and would use two small portable generators instead, which are quieter in his opinion, and used less fuel.What are your thoughts on this? Appreciate your thoughts and input.John

We use a bungee to keep our door open. The little plastic gadget is a PIA.In 4 years of usage we have never come close to hitting/kicking the battery disconnect.When we need power, the Honda 2000 does the job quietly and inexpensively.We use our 811 around 30 days a year and it has held up very well both inside and out.

EfonFred wrote:We use a bungee to keep our door open. The little plastic gadget is a PIA.In 4 years of usage we have never come close to hitting/kicking the battery disconnect.When we need power, the Honda 2000 does the job quietly and inexpensively.We use our 811 around 30 days a year and it has held up very well both inside and out.I apprciate your response.I hadn't thought of using a bungee on the door, but that just might work. I would want it to be one of the heavy duty ones though, because the winds where I am in SW Montana can sometimes be sustained ones over 35mph, and with gusts over 50mph, and that's not on a windy day!I already have one Honda 2000i, so it would be lots cheaper to just get a second one, if needed to run a couple things simultaneously.John

We have never hit the battery disconnect switch going in or out. As for the door, that thing on the outside that holds the door open is plastic and not very good. Ours broke on our recent trip and will have to be replaced. The bungee cord in really windy conditions would be a good idea. In talking to Keith at the NL factory, he says the Onan built-in generator is very noisy and didn't recommend it. He recommended the Honda 2000 as it will power the AC they use. It costs about $1000 vs $4000 for the other. I think there are pros and cons to both. With it built in you don't have to worry most likely about it being stolen never mind being able to start it from the inside which is a plus. We love our NL and it is a great camper.

If you have problems with those parts of the camper, give Northern Lite a call at the factory. They seem to be responsive and want to do what customers want based on what others have posted here.

The new door NL started using for the 2017 model stays open just fine without the use of anything more than the strut you mentioned. I am actually surprised by how strong it is. With respect to the battery disconnect, we have never had an issue with it. The new NL units come with the Coleman Mach 8 AC, so it can be ran with one of the Honda EU2000 suitcase generators. In fact, we could run ours with the generator in ECO mode without any issues.

Questions for Newer Model Northern Lite Owners | Good Sam Community

a_flyfisher
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
I appreciate all of your thoughts and comments.

My friend who has an Onan installed in his camper also mentioned how noisy it is compared to the 2000 watt Yamahas that he also has. I think I'll pass on getting the Onan after seeing you guys comments. I do like the idea of having a second Honda though, so I'll probably be buying another to go with the one I already have.

I do wonder though why Northern Lite doesn't put a door latch on the back side of the camper to hold the door open. It would seem to be a simple thing to do.
Tizi
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
We run ours with a Honda 2000i. Never had an issue with the battery cut-off. The door stop that came with mine works just fine.
gregchambers
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
We don't own a NL but a Lance. I thought the built-in generator was a great idea and almost purchased one until I did some research. They are very loud compared to the Yamaha 2000 we purchased. The pushbutton start was attractive until I read about if your batteries are low (one of the reasons to have a generator is to recharge them) the generator will not start and there is no manual way to do so. They are heavy at around 125lbs on the rear of your camper where you can least afford the extra weight. They are difficult to service and repair being built-in. We ordered the Mach 8 and carry the generator, gas cans and custom cord on a modified cargo carrier on our front hitch where we have extra weight capacity. Since we have solar, we rarely take the generator and I have used ours more for work projects than camping. Invest your generator dollars in solar panels and use the generator you already have!
Wardster
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
The new door NL started using for the 2017 model stays open just fine without the use of anything more than the strut you mentioned. I am actually surprised by how strong it is. With respect to the battery disconnect, we have never had an issue with it. The new NL units come with the Coleman Mach 8 AC, so it can be ran with one of the Honda EU2000 suitcase generators. In fact, we could run ours with the generator in ECO mode without any issues.
jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 06, 2016
If you have problems with those parts of the camper, give Northern Lite a call at the factory. They seem to be responsive and want to do what customers want based on what others have posted here.
Hgreen
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
We have never hit the battery disconnect switch going in or out. As for the door, that thing on the outside that holds the door open is plastic and not very good. Ours broke on our recent trip and will have to be replaced. The bungee cord in really windy conditions would be a good idea. In talking to Keith at the NL factory, he says the Onan built-in generator is very noisy and didn't recommend it. He recommended the Honda 2000 as it will power the AC they use. It costs about $1000 vs $4000 for the other. I think there are pros and cons to both. With it built in you don't have to worry most likely about it being stolen never mind being able to start it from the inside which is a plus. We love our NL and it is a great camper.
a_flyfisher
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
EfonFred wrote:
We use a bungee to keep our door open. The little plastic gadget is a PIA.
In 4 years of usage we have never come close to hitting/kicking the battery disconnect.
When we need power, the Honda 2000 does the job quietly and inexpensively.
We use our 811 around 30 days a year and it has held up very well both inside and out.

I apprciate your response.

I hadn't thought of using a bungee on the door, but that just might work. I would want it to be one of the heavy duty ones though, because the winds where I am in SW Montana can sometimes be sustained ones over 35mph, and with gusts over 50mph, and that's not on a windy day!

I already have one Honda 2000i, so it would be lots cheaper to just get a second one, if needed to run a couple things simultaneously.

John
EfonFred
Explorer
Oct 06, 2016
We use a bungee to keep our door open. The little plastic gadget is a PIA.
In 4 years of usage we have never come close to hitting/kicking the battery disconnect.
When we need power, the Honda 2000 does the job quietly and inexpensively.
We use our 811 around 30 days a year and it has held up very well both inside and out.

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