Another Non-Cabover Choice...Northstar Vista

[CptnBG]

Here's another non-cabover choice. Not for me but I can see where there might be a market for this. Now if it was made in a pop-up style, maybe.....



Truck Camper Magazine Article

[Vic_R]

If there was a pop up version of one of these. I'd consider it as an alternative to a shell. Simple camper for 1-2 night trips for 1-2 people, but still low enough that I could garage my truck with it on.

A wide door (30") and heavy duty flooring would help and then it could do double duty.

I'm looking for alternatives to the color matched caravan shell I've been eyeing. Big $$$

[deltabravo]

That hitch cargo basket mounted to the front wall really detracts from the clean lines.

The door needs a window, and ditch the through-wall mounted air conditioner.

[Beau_Bo]

I agree with mkasner that the TC design is getting stale. I sometimes watch the show "tiny house" and I'm always amazed at some of the creative space saving useful ideas they come up with. A TC manufacturer needs to hire some of their brainpower to get some fresh ideas into the market.

[mkasner]

No worries I was just trying to make a point that the TC world has gone stale over the past few years and that bringing back old designs isn't going to be a secret money maker for the industry. Changing the look or location of the outside shower, really isn't going to cut it anymore.

The industry needs to start focusing on consumer input, QA, design and marketing. No one want's to spend $60,000 on a brand new camper only to turn around and have it sit at the dealership for things that were either broken during assembly or missed during PDI.

The case being, these truck caps A.R.E is already playing around with a shell that lifts up off the bed and allows for a "box to sleep in."

http://www.4are.com/product/topperezlift/

[JIMNLIN]

Did you grandfather also spend $13,000 on a box to sleep in?

No and he didn't spend 40000-45000 bucks for his brand new '71 1/2 ton Ford truck either...... .
Truck campers back then were cheap.
My 1st 8' slide in over the cab Idle Time brand was 895 bucks brand new.
My 2nd slide TC in was a new 9 1/2 foot Idle Time at a whoppin' 1750 bucks.
My 3rd slide in was a new 1975 10 1/2 foot Fields at either 2300 or 2700 ...I forgot.
Those were 1960-1970 prices.

Overhead TCs aren't for everyone.....and for various reasons.

[DWeikert]

Steve_in_29 wrote:
So you aren't actually working with JUST 20 gal then. How much bottled water do you bring along?

Is the only water you bring in the fresh water tank? I'd be willing to bet the majority of TC owners bring at least some bottled water with them and don't rely solely on the FW tank. Especially those that boondock in the boondocks. As to how much I bring, it depends on where I'm going. If I'll be at high altitudes I bring enough to drink about a gallon per day. Lower altitudes, I bring less.

Steve_in_29 wrote:
In this small of a camper where would you store those extra cases of water?

I use the space in front of the wheel wells, though I'm not sure that's available with this camper. There's also the back seat of the truck the refrigerator and the cargo box on the front of this Vista is good for 200 lbs. You can put a couple gallons there.

Steve_in_29 wrote:
My "three people" comment was for the Northstar claims not your comment.

Yet you seemed most focused on boondocking. Are you saying three people can't go camping with only 20 gallons of water? If you ever tent camped, how much water did you bring?

[Steve_in_29]

Less Stuff wrote:

Steve_in_29 wrote:

Not sure about how it works at Dodge but the last couple of times I ran the numbers on Ford's website the F250 was cheaper then a comparably equipped F150.

My last rig was a 2500HD Chevy drove that truck for 180,000 miles.
Last trip in my new RAM was 3000 miles.
Really Really prefer riding around in the RAM.
Wife actually would rather ride in the RAM than in her Malibu.
Plus Averaged 26.3 mpg using regular gasoline on that 3,000 mile trip.
Big campers and rough riding fuel sucking trucks are no longer fun for this old softy.



It is a delight to have a fuel gauge that moves ever so slowly.

It seems from your signature that you no longer own a TC so the 1/2ton isn't an issue in your case.

As far as rough riding, pretty much any truck that is going to be able to safely carry upwards of 4000 pounds of camper/equipment/people is going to ride the same.

[Steve_in_29]

CptnBG wrote:

coolmom42 wrote:
The 2016 F-150 Super Crew 3.5 L Ecoboost V6 4X2 156.8" wheelbase lists cargo capacity of 2660 lb when equipped with the heavy-duty payload package & 17" wheels. Swap the wheels to 18" and the cargo capacity goes to 2890 lb, presumably because of the tire size/load rating.

2016 F150 payload specs

Ahh, actual facts! Thanks for that link. I do wish the old 1/2, 3/4/, 1 ton thinking would go away. The lines are kind of blurred anymore.

The lines aren't really all that blurry.

The load capacities for 1/2 ton trucks are the MAX they should carry during infrequent use. While the ratings on the 3/4 and up are the loads they are expected to be able to handle on a DAILY basis, day-in-and-day-out, year-after-year.

Plus overloading the 3/4 or 1ton by 500 or so pounds isn't going to stress it any where near as much as a 1/2ton.

So if camper use is just a couple of times a year then a 1/2ton might be a valid choice but if you are constantly carrying the camper then 3/4 or up is a no brainer.

[Steve_in_29]

DWeikert wrote:

Steve_in_29 wrote:

DWeikert wrote:
I like it. Perfect for the single person looking to boondock. If I didn't have my Adventurer I'd give it serious consideration, although at 6'2" the 6' interior height would be a problem, but I've become very used to ducking over the years. Maybe a padded ceiling for safety? 🙂

Boondock? With 20 gal of water and a 7.5 gal gray tank? And they say it's good for THREE people with those tanks?

I'm having a hard time seeing the intended market for this unit.

Note I said "single person"? No way I would expect 3 people to stay in there. I work off a 20 gallon fresh water tank now and I can easily go for a week in the middle of nowhere. I generally camp near water but have yet had to refill from a local source, but I do have a pump and plumbing to do so if needed. I use the FW tank just for washing. I drink and cook with bottled.

So you aren't actually working with JUST 20 gal then. How much bottled water do you bring along?

In this small of a camper where would you store those extra cases of water?

My "three people" comment was for the Northstar claims not your comment.

[mkasner]

DWeikert wrote:

mkasner wrote:
but at that price point building one on your own I feel would be more satisfying.

Assuming you had the time, skills, tools, and space to build your own...

Supply and demand

[Less_Stuff]

Steve_in_29 wrote:

Not sure about how it works at Dodge but the last couple of times I ran the numbers on Ford's website the F250 was cheaper then a comparably equipped F150.

My last rig was a 2500HD Chevy drove that truck for 180,000 miles.
Last trip in my new RAM was 3000 miles.
Really Really prefer riding around in the RAM.
Wife actually would rather ride in the RAM than in her Malibu.
Plus Averaged 26.3 mpg using regular gasoline on that 3,000 mile trip.
Big campers and rough riding fuel sucking trucks are no longer fun for this old softy.



It is a delight to have a fuel gauge that moves ever so slowly.

[CptnBG]

coolmom42 wrote:
The 2016 F-150 Super Crew 3.5 L Ecoboost V6 4X2 156.8" wheelbase lists cargo capacity of 2660 lb when equipped with the heavy-duty payload package & 17" wheels. Swap the wheels to 18" and the cargo capacity goes to 2890 lb, presumably because of the tire size/load rating.

2016 F150 payload specs

Ahh, actual facts! Thanks for that link. I do wish the old 1/2, 3/4/, 1 ton thinking would go away. The lines are kind of blurred anymore.

[CptnBG]

Tough crowd! Those of us that own Northstars know they are built well and I'm sure this model is as well. If the price, tank size, small bed, windows, etc. are ok with a buyer, then what's the problem?

I do wish they would build a shell version similar to the 4wheel model, it could be customized by the owner or optioned at the factory.

[DWeikert]

mkasner wrote:
but at that price point building one on your own I feel would be more satisfying.

Assuming you had the time, skills, tools, and space to build your own...