eagle cap versus host

[kassiejax]

I'm planning on buying a TC preferably late model (2 - 3 years old.

I'm going to be full timing, so I am looking for one with several slide outs, lots of storage separate sitting area and dining area.

The floor plans I like are the eagle cap 1160 or 1165 and the Host Cascade or Everest. I'm also going to need to get a stable lift installed on it. And yes I know I will need a one ton dualy.

I would really appreciate feedback from people with some knowledge about these campers.

Since I live in Florida, I am one or more thousand miles from any place selling them so I'd like to make sure I'm looking at the right one before I drive to a dealership.

Thanks so much for any advice.

[snowcrustracer]

GeoBoy wrote:
Truck Camper Warehouse in NH has a used 2015 Host Aspen for short bed trucks. Bedlam is right, if you are considering a triple slide camper a 550/5500 is mandatory forget all the background noise about a 1 ton dually doing it. Unless you absolutely have to have a TC, a class C would be a better choice.
Truck Camper Warehouse use to sell EC and dropped them because of quality issues and lack of support from the manufacturer.

He also has a truck for sale that will carry it.
. :C
There was a brand new Mammoth there too!

[lightning_drive]

Reddog1 wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
I have a 11.5 foot 1500 series Bigfoot TC. The decal says 1900 lbs. Loaded and on the truck, it is 4,200 lbs.

Well, as you know, Bigfoots are known for being very heavy, and your camper is 2 ft longer and at least 25 years older and built with heavier process. It's also hard to say how much your beer weighs after you pack. 🙂

Using Bigfoot's decal dry weight of 1900 lbs, I must have 2,300 lbs of beer. :R

Which of course means I want to be camping with you:W

I'll bring the 1000 LBs of peanuts and pretzels.

[lightning_drive]

mike/kellie wrote:
I agree with Bedlam. I'm currently doing it on a 1 ton dually with a Host Mammoth and researching a Ram 5500 cab and chassis to purchase in the next couple months. It's no fun trying to shave weight for a 2 week trip, let alone full time in one. With a class 4 or 5, storage is possible without thought to consequences. That includes carrying full waste tanks looking for a dump station.

mike/kellie
You won't be disappointed.
I hauled my 11J caribou with a F350 DRW for a couple years. Just Adequate and did notice sway when pulling out of parking lots. I have since gone to an F550 and the difference is night and day. Far better ride and I don't need to calculate weight. Exterior wise no bigger than the F350. 19.5" H rated tires. Dana 135 4.88 rearend. 7.3 powerstroke. 15 MPG empty 10 to 12 loaded. OK closer to 10 :{) Best move I ever made.

[Reddog1]

jimh425 wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
I have a 11.5 foot 1500 series Bigfoot TC. The decal says 1900 lbs. Loaded and on the truck, it is 4,200 lbs.

Well, as you know, Bigfoots are known for being very heavy, and your camper is 2 ft longer and at least 25 years older and built with heavier process. It's also hard to say how much your beer weighs after you pack. 🙂

Using Bigfoot's decal dry weight of 1900 lbs, I must have 2,300 lbs of beer. :R

[jimh406]

Reddog1 wrote:
I have a 11.5 foot 1500 series Bigfoot TC. The decal says 1900 lbs. Loaded and on the truck, it is 4,200 lbs.

Well, as you know, Bigfoots are known for being very heavy, and your camper is 2 ft longer and at least 25 years older and built with heavier process. It's also hard to say how much your beer weighs after you pack. 🙂

Seriously though, even if his Aspen was 4200 dry, it carries 65 gallons of water and two propane bottles, so that's pushing 4900 lbs wet.

[Reddog1]

josh0939 wrote:
My host Aspen sb triple slide is 4200 dry.

Just out of curiosity, is that per decal or actual weight? I have a 11.5 foot 1500 series Bigfoot TC. The decal says 1900 lbs. Loaded and on the truck, it is 4,200 lbs. I really do not think I have added 2,300 pounds to go camping. I should add, mine is a non-basement TC without slides.

Wayne

[josh0939]

My host Aspen sb triple slide is 4200 dry.

[Fastbrit]

mike/kellie wrote:
Just checked the plate. 3340 is base weight, as equipped is 4,712 lbs. That's empty. I've weighed it once comfortably loaded. Borrowing somebody's nic name I'm 3 tons.

6500 pounds loaded sounds pretty accurate for such a luxurious cp of that size:W

[jimh406]

I wouldn't trust any weight until you get to the scale. From a practical standpoint, any camper with all options at max length is going to be really heavy. I compared a bunch a few years ago. It seemed to me that the following was pretty close for round numbers.

slide - 250-500 lbs
1 ft - 250-500 lbs

Go from 9 1/2 to 11 1/2 and add three slides, and you've added up to 2500 lbs over the 9 1/2 with zero slides. Or, like mine, it "says" 3571 on the plate. I can't say I've worried about if that is the real dry or not. My Host had literally every option at that time for the 9 1/2 Rainier Double Slide including the dinette bunk.

Any newer DRW will probably be fine. After that, you go up to 450/550 if you want better brakes and other options that the bigger trucks have. I do know that I'm under my 14500 GVWR at what I'd consider my heaviest on one of my longest trips to Yellowstone with full tanks all around and I started with 60 gallons of water and that was before I dumped.

[mike_kellie]

Just checked the plate. 3340 is base weight, as equipped is 4,712 lbs. That's empty. I've weighed it once comfortably loaded. Borrowing somebody's nic name I'm 3 tons.

[Fastbrit]

mike/kellie wrote:
My Host has a name plate with date of origin, serial number etc. There is also a weight number. I'm not home to look but it's 4300 # +. Possibly 4,500. You can PM for further questions. I also know of a 2016 Host Mammoth coming up for sale soon in So Cal. Meticulous owner.

Did you weight your Host Mammoth
Imho 4500 pounds empty is not even close. My chalet ts116 is 5950 pounds full of water and ready for a long weekend camping.;)

[mike_kellie]

My Host has a name plate with date of origin, serial number etc. There is also a weight number. I'm not home to look but it's 4300 # +. Possibly 4,500. You can PM for further questions. I also know of a 2016 Host Mammoth coming up for sale soon in So Cal. Meticulous owner.

[billtex]

kassiejax wrote:
I really appreciate the responses from so many of you. After numerous phone calls to manufacturers I have an answer, albeit not the one I wanted. I initially fell in love with the EC1165 but also looked at the 1160 and the Host Cascade and Everest.

What no one brought up was the difference in weights between the two companies. The dry weights of the two host vehicles are 2800 and 3300, while the two eagle caps weigh in with dry weights of 4600 and 4800.

Given that I will probably get the first used host with the right age and location.

Thanks again everyone.

Excellent...I see you are in Fla...we have some land to sell you....real cheap!

Those host campers must have the helium option...

[Grit_dog]

Fish mojo wrote:
you might want to take a look at this one. Priced fair for a triple slide quality unit.

2013 Chalet Craigslist Oregon

Holy smokes that is a beautiful camper!
Not sure what else a guy could want in a TC!