Host Mammoth Triple Dog Dare Challenge Report

[jimh406]

This article reviews the Host Mammoth by the Host General Manager.

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/host-industries-triple-dog-dare-challenge-report/?utm_source=ma...

Kind of a weird concept with credit to Truck Camper Magazine, but I found this version by Host pretty good. For those of you who don’t know, Host is never in Truck Camper Magazine. Host isn’t an advertiser.

The comments are also interesting. I like to read comments whenever there are any for all types of articles. Whether you agree or disagree, I find comments pretty entertaining.

[work2much]

skyhammer wrote:
I have a Host Everest that is same height, width and length as the Mammoth. I bought it direct from from Host as they didn't have any dealers at that time.
Mine weighs about 4000lbs with all my gear and 25 gallons of water. I also tow a 4500lb jet boat.
I have never traveled with full tanks, in fact I have never used the toilet. I make 3-4 trips from N. Calif. to the Bend area each year.The route I take is 90% 2 lane steep curvy roads.
The handles everything just fine, don't even notice the semis passing by.
All my tanks are in the basement, while the Mammoth has their tanks in the slides.
My 2011 Ford DRW is plenty of truck(400hp, 800lbs. torque). My payload is 4900lbs. Newer F-350 DRW's have even more power and payload.

Fresh water and grey water tanks are in the basement. Black water tank is in the drivers slide.

[Bedlam]

pnichols wrote:
I'm not a TC owner -> I own a Class C 24 footer on an E450 dually chassis, but:

The Host TC photos seem to indicate the same negative that I have with our motorhome ... and that is it's wind catching, upward center of gravity shifting ... HEIGHT!

That Host TC looks very tall - which of course can make for handling uneasiness on highway curves, in strong cross-winds, and on the sideways-tipped surfaces of back country roads - even when taking into account the wider rear stance of a dually chassis.

It seems to me that the ultimate design/engineering challenge would be to design a hard-sided popup TC that packed in as much as possible off-grid capability. I wonder what would result if HOST applied their considerable expertise into offering an off-grid hard-sided popup with over the top capabilities.

Most TC owners modify their trucks with heavy stabilizer bars, greater damped shocks and increased spring capacity to counter sway. Some will even upgrade to 19.5" wheels to reduce sidewall flex. If your motorhome is wallowing in the wind, you may want to take look at some of the upgrades done in this section of the forum to help counter tall COG loads.

[skyhammer]

I have a Host Everest that is same height, width and length as the Mammoth. I bought it direct from from Host as they didn't have any dealers at that time.
Mine weighs about 4000lbs with all my gear and 25 gallons of water. I also tow a 4500lb jet boat.
I have never traveled with full tanks, in fact I have never used the toilet. I make 3-4 trips from N. Calif. to the Bend area each year.The route I take is 90% 2 lane steep curvy roads.
The handles everything just fine, don't even notice the semis passing by.
All my tanks are in the basement, while the Mammoth has their tanks in the slides.
My 2011 Ford DRW is plenty of truck(400hp, 800lbs. torque). My payload is 4900lbs. Newer F-350 DRW's have even more power and payload.

[Lwiddis]

"Host is never in Truck Camper Magazine. Host isn’t an advertiser."

That just can't be! It just can't!

[Kayteg1]

The hard-sided pop-ups don't gain popularity.
I remember Alaskan makes them and when they have their enthusiast, IMHO the negatives outweigh positives for most of the owners.
Height of TC alone is not an issue. I own 2 campers, where 1 with basement is about 18" taller than the other one. They both have the same lengths and weigh difference is minimal.
My dually doesn't care about 18" higher roof. Even mpg difference is not measurable.
But bear in mind in single slide the heaviest part is water tank, what is placed in front center. When you start making 3 slides, heavy generators, 200lb of batteries - the weight goes up and on the sides, not mentioning rear and that is not helping in handling at all.
When Host might be top of the line TC, it will never become Prevost, although some might hope so.

[pnichols]

I'm not a TC owner -> I own a Class C 24 footer on an E450 dually chassis, but:

The Host TC photos seem to indicate the same negative that I have with our motorhome ... and that is it's wind catching, upward center of gravity shifting ... HEIGHT!

That Host TC looks very tall - which of course can make for handling uneasiness on highway curves, in strong cross-winds, and on the sideways-tipped surfaces of back country roads - even when taking into account the wider rear stance of a dually chassis.

It seems to me that the ultimate design/engineering challenge would be to design a hard-sided popup TC that packed in as much as possible off-grid capability. I wonder what would result if HOST applied their considerable expertise into offering an off-grid hard-sided popup with over the top capabilities.

[mike_kellie]

I don't believe anybody covered the topics of price and weight with the 3-d challenge and that includes both TCM and TCA. The challenge is to have manufacturers experience the final product and deem it worth the expense or consideration.

[mike_kellie]

I saw the article and also read the comments. We had the unique opportunity to by direct from Host as our camper was a consignment of sorts and got to know Randall and also met the ownership. Obviously we love our camper and have been aware of the judgments cast by TCM for years. Occasionally there would be a Host listing below their articles and I'm sure it was dealer related, not manufacturer.
The comment about weight and needing a 450-550 has been thrown about a lot but I'd be willing to bet the majority of Host campers are delivered to dealers on 350 platforms. Sure they're empty for the most part, however they are not enjoying the scenery to the destination.

[jmtandem]

Thanks for the Host overnight report. I appreciate it and think Host makes an excellent product.