How long did it take to find the perfect camper?

[homefor2]

I have been looking for an Arctic Fox 990 for a few months and have only looked at one so far. It was pretty rough so passed on it. I found one without a gen and air so passed on that. Another was a 2010 but the guy thought it was worth $30,000. Not. I would love to buy new but the sticker shock is just too much for us.

How long did you take to find your gem? I have placed a "Wanted" ad in the local on line RV sections in my area of Vancouver Island. I would be willing to travel to find the right one.

[punomatic]

Jean S wrote:
homefor2, you may find an arctic Fox 990 to buy, but you will never find a perfect camper for the same reason that you will never find a perfect boat.

My brother always says, "Every boat is a compromise," to which his DW replies, "And every husband is a compromise." :B

[dakonthemountai]

I haven't found mine yet, but I "think" it's a Lance like Buzzcut has. DRY BATH!! The truck?.... well, I really like my old Chevy dually... For me, after full timing for 9 years acroos the US, the amount of time I camp now isn't worth the mega dollars for an F450 or F550 or Kodiak, etc. As long as the truck is up to the challenge, which could be any of a number of current new factory trucks, I'm happy! I'd also like to just have a little pop up with a raised short bed 4 x 4 for those special off road adventures. My needs are little I suppose.. but they make me happy! 🙂

Dak

[Shiv_Too]

We rode the motorcycle home from N. Carolina in a cold rain (650 miles). I casually mentioned to DW that a TC would let us ride the long flat distances in the truck - tow the M/C - and live with our own shower/potty/bed while we toured the pretty places. Just a thought. She said "When are we lookin' at 'em?" Looked at a Lance 1050S in Ft. Worth, looked at Adventurer 86B on the web, and bought it at Princess Craft in Round Rock Tx. Didn't fit my truck! She (dealer) offered me a Lance 950S w/gen and every option for an exceptional price as consolation for the trouble. (Great folks.) Wouldn't look back, but WHEN do we get free to go?

Shiv Too

[serpa4]

4 TC later, still looking.
Think it might be a slightly modified Host Cascade with double slide.
1) Want dual slides
2) want couch
3) Want floor above bed rails
4) Want large holding tanks
5) Want to be underwight with my 3500 Dually.
6) Dry bath (thank my current TC for that requirement)

Don't want
1) too big/long

[rkortes]

homefor2 wrote:
I am the OP and I found and bought a camper yesterday about a 1 hr drive from my home. It's a 2007 Arctic Fox 990 exactly what I was looking for. A retired guy owned it and kept it in a garage. It's had very little use and has plastic mats covering the carpet. Oven and microwave have never been used. He had a second older camper that was his hunting camper. When I saw the condition it was in it took about 5 min. to make up my mind. Now the fun begins. I pick it up in about 10 days.

Very nice find... looks like you have plenty of truck for that rig. You will not be disappointed with that rig. 2007 was a good year for AF!

[Testudo]

It took me about 30 years...

I would say that I first started to notice truck campers in the 1970's. I liked the idea of the vehicle being available for dual use (camper and utility vehicle when the camper was 'parked' the other 330 days of the year). I figured truck campers might be a good way to travel once they had indoor shower facilities.

Fast forward, ...we figured the time had finally come but when I noticed how much time RV owners seemed to waste servicing their plumbing, I decided using the campground facilities was good enough for me. We had been doing it that way for 40 some odd years, after all, while tenting. After looking around, my wife started to hone-in on the FOUR-WHEEL products. After asking for some advice on the RV.net, 'Steve-in-29-Palms'; 'Silversand', and 'Balbir' got me pointed toward the OUTFITTER products. At the time, that was the only company who would guarantee that their roofs and lift system would handle the weight of an air conditioner - - something I really wanted.

OUTFITTER customized a short-Caribou to my specifications. I did a little tweaking on it after we had some practical experience with it. The rest is history.

I figure it must be "perfect" because I have a hard time conceiving of ever letting go of it - - even if we bought an eight footer with indoor plumbing. I guess you too will eventually find out if you found the "perfect camper".

[Buzzcut1]

homefor2 wrote:
I am the OP and I found and bought a camper yesterday about a 1 hr drive from my home. It's a 2007 Arctic Fox 990 exactly what I was looking for. A retired guy owned it and kept it in a garage. It's had very little use and has plastic mats covering the carpet. Oven and microwave have never been used. He had a second older camper that was his hunting camper. When I saw the condition it was in it took about 5 min. to make up my mind. Now the fun begins. I pick it up in about 10 days.

Excellent!! two words of advice:

ROAD TRIP

LOL

[homefor2]

I am the OP and I found and bought a camper yesterday about a 1 hr drive from my home. It's a 2007 Arctic Fox 990 exactly what I was looking for. A retired guy owned it and kept it in a garage. It's had very little use and has plastic mats covering the carpet. Oven and microwave have never been used. He had a second older camper that was his hunting camper. When I saw the condition it was in it took about 5 min. to make up my mind. Now the fun begins. I pick it up in about 10 days.

[bens170]

The mrs and I have been looking for a TC for 4 years, we finally found one. A used 2003 Lance 1161. We got the truck first, purchased an truck bed tent & never used the tent. Hopefully, we pick it up next month. To all veteran's past, present, and future, THANK YOU.
USAF Cold War Veteran

[Ripit]

Took me about a year to figure out what it wanted. I found this one on Craigslist but it was more camper than I wanted but the more I look the more I wanted it. I drove 12 hours to check it out and brought it home. Its a 2007 Outfitter Apex 8 and it works great for me. Lovin' it so far. Good luck.

[Wallace_9967]

The first TC was purchased in 2001 used (815) we made it to Ankorage , Ak . Then my wife found our second (845) (more room) . Then in 2005 my wife found our last and perfect TC (881) So I guess that is our response!

[kbaum]

Do not know if I am there yet but after 35+, hopefully I'm getting closer to the perfect camper if one exists!

[bigfootford]

After about 25 years and 4 old campers and 1 new Motor home we decided to get something that would last us the rest of our lives.
We decided we did not want a camper that was going to be prone to leaking and after seeing the new Northern lite and the Bigfoot's we said that's it!
After looking for about a year we bought our 9'6" 2500 Bigfoot in 2000 and we love it more now than we did when new. So in 13 years it has traveled almost 200,000 miles and rode on 2 ford trucks..



Jim

[CAJW]

usmcshepherd wrote:


Lastly...make an honest assessment on how long you will keep it! We bought a rig that we plan to keep for a long time as we think ours is perfect for our requirements. Best of luck and keep asking questions...Truck Campers are some of the most friendly folks you'll meet...you might also consider attending a TC rally and seeing different rigs and talking to folks!

Excellent advice! I've had many folks come up at campgrounds asking questions and like many, I'm happy to answer them and give them a tour (with the DW's permission, of course)! Talking with people that actually use the product vs. sales guys is always the best way to go, no matter what you're spending your hard earned cash on.

BTW, Thanks for your service to our country, retired, not former, right? 😉