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Hello all! I've been researching trailers and campers for several years now and think I've zeroed in on a truck camper as the one that will do what I need with the most versatility. I'm looking ...
Forum Discussion
I happen to be in the Spokane area myself and just got finished doing what you are doing.
I bought the truck a couple of years ago new. I bought an F-250 SRW, with off-road, heavy duty and camper package so it was the heaviest suspension they could stuff under it. It is basically an F-350 underneath without the higher GVWR. In hindsight, buy an F-350 and probably consider a dually. I added airbags, 18" wheels, a tire upgrade and Rancho 9000XL's to complete the package. I'd have rather had all of it on an F-350 to get the GVWR on the sticker.
We settled on an Arctic Fox 865, we did not want a slide. We have had it out three times since we purchased it this summer. It is a winner and other than a few tiny things everything worked perfectly and fit correctly. We had it in a twelve hour cold rain storm down on the Clearwater river for Labor Day and loved it. Nothing leaks, heat is a flick of the switch and dinner is on the stove. We were warm, dry and playing cribbage while it poured outside. Then we went to bed in warm bed, dry and off the ground. Getting up to take a leak at 2am was two steps away.
Truck campers win if you want to get into the woods or off road into places where dragging a trailer is a bad idea. I want to use mine for hunting season and down a few logging roads, that is why it beat a trailer.
Everyone lies about weight. Every TC we looked at was heavier than the sticker. I think the TCmagazine weights are close to reality. Remember,,awnings, air conditioners, water, gear and any option over the base model is not included in whatever lie the dealer told you or the base weight on the sticker.
We walked thru several different dealers locally, looked at several different brands and really liked the Adventurer 86FB. Adventurer makes a high quality product in Yakima so we liked the idea of keeping the home state working. The local guy was a crook in my opinion and after getting jacked around on price, we moved on. I found our camper on-line, the local Arctic Fox dealer said they do not sell non-slide campers. I made 90% of the deal over the phone or via email and arranged financing thru our bank. We drove down, got the tie downs and electrical installed and picked up the camper in a day. The guys we dealt with were fine, just avoid the over-priced company store if you can.
I've always wanted one, I am pleased with my purchase and every outing has made me smile. We have no intention of getting rid of the camper, if we purchase a new truck it will be bigger. That being said, our first time out we stopped for lunch and a couple with a nice looking Arctic Fox 811 on a SRW F-250 parked right next to us. He had been enjoying his for three years with no issues, even towed a fishing boat.
We now look a little closer at truck campers on the road, most of them are on SRW trucks and nobody is crashing. Plenty of people are packing a large camper, pulling boats and ATV's with no problems. Driving a top heavy box down the road means you just have to go a tad slower, brake a bit sooner and control your speed in the curves.
I bought the truck a couple of years ago new. I bought an F-250 SRW, with off-road, heavy duty and camper package so it was the heaviest suspension they could stuff under it. It is basically an F-350 underneath without the higher GVWR. In hindsight, buy an F-350 and probably consider a dually. I added airbags, 18" wheels, a tire upgrade and Rancho 9000XL's to complete the package. I'd have rather had all of it on an F-350 to get the GVWR on the sticker.
We settled on an Arctic Fox 865, we did not want a slide. We have had it out three times since we purchased it this summer. It is a winner and other than a few tiny things everything worked perfectly and fit correctly. We had it in a twelve hour cold rain storm down on the Clearwater river for Labor Day and loved it. Nothing leaks, heat is a flick of the switch and dinner is on the stove. We were warm, dry and playing cribbage while it poured outside. Then we went to bed in warm bed, dry and off the ground. Getting up to take a leak at 2am was two steps away.
Truck campers win if you want to get into the woods or off road into places where dragging a trailer is a bad idea. I want to use mine for hunting season and down a few logging roads, that is why it beat a trailer.
Everyone lies about weight. Every TC we looked at was heavier than the sticker. I think the TCmagazine weights are close to reality. Remember,,awnings, air conditioners, water, gear and any option over the base model is not included in whatever lie the dealer told you or the base weight on the sticker.
We walked thru several different dealers locally, looked at several different brands and really liked the Adventurer 86FB. Adventurer makes a high quality product in Yakima so we liked the idea of keeping the home state working. The local guy was a crook in my opinion and after getting jacked around on price, we moved on. I found our camper on-line, the local Arctic Fox dealer said they do not sell non-slide campers. I made 90% of the deal over the phone or via email and arranged financing thru our bank. We drove down, got the tie downs and electrical installed and picked up the camper in a day. The guys we dealt with were fine, just avoid the over-priced company store if you can.
I've always wanted one, I am pleased with my purchase and every outing has made me smile. We have no intention of getting rid of the camper, if we purchase a new truck it will be bigger. That being said, our first time out we stopped for lunch and a couple with a nice looking Arctic Fox 811 on a SRW F-250 parked right next to us. He had been enjoying his for three years with no issues, even towed a fishing boat.
We now look a little closer at truck campers on the road, most of them are on SRW trucks and nobody is crashing. Plenty of people are packing a large camper, pulling boats and ATV's with no problems. Driving a top heavy box down the road means you just have to go a tad slower, brake a bit sooner and control your speed in the curves.
