I originally wanted to get a 8' camper that would stop at the end of the bed (actually I wanted a popup, but the wife nixed that one). I'm not interested in towing or carrying around a hotel room, so something small and light seemed like a good option.Since the SO is deathly allergic to mold and she couldn't step foot in many of the "clean" and "immaculate" TC's we found on CL, we decided that a fiberglass clam shell was really the best bet. Neither Bigfoot nor Northern Lite make a 8' model anymore, so the next option for a LB truck is 9'6". Although the truck is a 2016 Ram 3500 SRW LB Cummins, I have been focusing on lighter (1500 and 2500 series). I may be towing a horse trailer at some point (~5500# max loaded w/ 825# max tongue weight) and was thinking that might be a lot easier with the shorter model. The 10'2" mandates a Titan or SuperHitch. The 9'6" has the possibility of a 18" class 5 stinger.Does the extra space on the 10'2" justify the extra length? There's plenty of storage in the 9'6", so is the 10'2" that much better? Seems like finding a used 9'6" is tough, so I assume that's the one everyone wants. If you've had one or the other, would you do it differently? Regrets/likes/etc? The 1500 series was nice, but there's simply not enough storage IMO, so I've decided to go with 2500.I have to make up my mind in the next dayish, so prompt input would be extremely appreciated!TL;DR - Is there a big difference between the 9'6" and 10'2" Bigfoot/Northern Lite TC's? I wanted 9'6" but have put a deposit on a 10'2" pending inspection due to limited availability of the smaller model. Will I hate the bigger unit for livability/towing/etc?

Be very careful with that Northern Lite 10-2. They have pulled quite a fast one on everyone if you order the 10'2 EX.It no longer is 10'2" long. It is a 10'11" camper. Look at the inside floor measurement they list on their site 131 inches. 10' 11" I also think you will find that the Bigfoot models have the RV Queen bed and it is only 74 or 75 inches long instead of 80 inches. Many people over 5'8" tall like the full length queen bed. Bigfoot is missing the mark here, but they don't seem to care.

The one I'm holding is a 2006 NL 10.2. I don't have the model number yet, but I'll try to get it today.

I just got a 2004 Northern Lite 10'2" and can not comment on the 9'6". But, I'd suggest you spend a little time in the unit to see how you two will like it. Sit down on the toilet and stand in the shower to see if there is enough room for you. I like the bigger bed and the rig is big enough for me, I'm 5'10" but for someone taller, they might hit their head on the AC. I'm not sure what has been changed since 2004 but suggest you take your time and make sure the floor plan and inside fits your lifestyle. As for the rig itself, I like it. No leaks and lightweight. The extra couple of feet is fine for me; I pull a bass boat behind my 3500 diesel. Good luck

I have the 10'2 EX and love it. I picked it for layout, not for length. We turn the table area into a TV-watching couch using wedge-pillows. The TV is at the bottom corner of the bed and we swing it out towards the table to view. That's what determined our setup.With that said, TC's are tight and the extra space is wonderful. We underestimated how tight the TC would be, but have gotten used to it. Our other RV is a 30' Bigfoot and it now feels like a castle on the inside!Good luck!Bill

I have owned both a Bigfoot 9.6 and a 10.4, both 2500 basement models. The reason I went to the 10.4 was the dry bath (separate shower stall). Also what I viewed as a slightly better arrangement for us. The 10.4 is in fact 11' long. The 9.6 was lighter by about 700 lbs. The overhang from the camper was rarely noticeable (it was shorter than the tailgate folded down) and I could tow most anything with a short or no extension. The driving the truck was a little handier due to no significant overhang. The 10.4 is heavier, and the overhang becomes more noticeable. You definitely need an extension to tow. The truck is not quite as handy to drive due to the weight and overhang. You notice it more parallel parking, or parking in the supermarket - I have to be more aware of the length. This may be specific to the floorplans I had, but the 10.4 has significantly more storage space than the 9.6 had. More outside compartments and a little more inside too. I was happy with the 9.6 and might have kept it, the wet bath didn't bother me a great deal. The wife wanted a dry bath, and along with it we got the extra storage and the rear dinette. They are all a compromise, and it depends on what you value the most. If you were thinking 8', then going to an 11' is a fairly big step. You do quickly learn to deal with it.

Bigfoot/Northern Lite TC size opinions | Good Sam Community

bkenobi
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
I talked to the dealer today. He thought a good number to use would be 2775# for the camper and then add 500# for 36gal water, 2 batteries, 10gal propane, and a little slush over. So I'd be good on payload with room to spare. Then for the towing, he said the max tow weight is not including the truck weight. So that would be closer to 9000# for camper and trailer. He recommended considering overload springs or airbags if things needed leveling, but thought the numbers were better than good.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2017
I would look at the yellow tag inside the drivers door for payload. The max payload that Ram publishes is the absolute max. I was looking at it the same way you are and when my truck arrived it was 300# less payload per the yellow tag. Options add up....bed spray, leather trim, running boards and not to forget the bed LED lights.
markchengr
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2017
Northern lite actually weighs each camper as it leaves the factory. The weight in the closet tag is that weight. It would include awnings, jacks, fans, microwave and AC if equipped. You will have to add the weight of batteries, tie downs, propane and water plus people, pets, clothes, groceries and toys. These can easily and will probably exceed 1,000 lbs. This is based on my experience with our Northern Lite. I hope this helps with your decision. -Mark.
maxum1989
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2017
Wardster wrote:
bkenobi wrote:
That's what says 2775#. The rear tag says 2425#. I don't know what NL would have added on this unit since the base model should have everything but perhaps A/C as a standard feature.

A/C, microwave, boat rack, or dually brackets? These are all shown as options on my 2016 build sheet.
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plus batteries, propane, awnings, fans, rear bumper with step, electric jacks, etc, etc,
The list goes on and on.
Wardster
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
bkenobi wrote:
That's what says 2775#. The rear tag says 2425#. I don't know what NL would have added on this unit since the base model should have everything but perhaps A/C as a standard feature.

A/C, microwave, boat rack, or dually brackets? These are all shown as options on my 2016 build sheet.
Rickj91
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
As a point of interest NL is coming out with a dry bath in their new 8'11". I don't think it has reached their web site yet.
bkenobi
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
That's what says 2775#. The rear tag says 2425#. I don't know what NL would have added on this unit since the base model should have everything but perhaps A/C as a standard feature.
Wardster
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
bkenobi wrote:
That said, I'm not really sure what this NL means when it says 2775#. I'll have to call the dealership to check.

If this is a camper located at the dealer, then they can look inside the closet to see what the unit actually weighed (dry) when it left the factory. Then its just a matter of adding up everything else to see where you end up.
scout4trout
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
The older Northern Lites did have sliding windows, and you can still get the sliding windows on new units. They come standard on the Sportsman model which is a major reason we ordered that model, and I've heard that you can order the sliding thermopane windows on their other models.
bkenobi
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
I found an error in my numbers. Going back to the documentation Ram published for my truck, they show:
max payload = 4430#
max towing = 16,950#
max camper = 2970#

So, if I went with a 2500# BF/NL and had an additional 500# for options/wet, that gives 3000#. With a 825# max tongue weight for the trailer and a 8000# truck loaded. That makes:
payload = 2500+500+825 = 3825#
GVW = 8000+2500+500+5500 = 16,500#

Yes, I know there's gear and passengers, but it shouldn't be 575# worth. So, I'd say I'm good for both if I did that right since all of this is max loads.

That said, I'm not really sure what this NL means when it says 2775#. I'll have to call the dealership to check. I think I'd probably just carry less water if I was maxing everything else out. Horses need water at site, so I would need a clean water source and could fill the camper on site.