New Northstar Igloo 9.5

[sbryan]

Just picked up our new Northstar Igloo 9.5 from Truck Camper Warehouse today. Took all day to get everything just the way we wanted but we are now ready to hit the road. The F350 handles the Igloo great with just the upper stableloads and Sumo Springs. Had to bring it home in a blinding snow storm - the new Nokian Rotiivas handled the wet slushy snow extremely well. Great baptism for the brandy new camper - now sitting behind the house covered with snow. Will run it over the scales tomorrow but I'm going to guess we are right around 3,000 pounds which will put me right at my GVWR of 11,500. Seems like the Igloo is a perfect fit for the F350. Pictures to follow tomorrow when it is light enough to see.

[frank33v]

Good job on the weights. My rear axle ended up at 7100# and I am now wondering about 19.5 wheels and tires.

Did you have water in the fresh tank?

[Jgwoods]

I am sure you will love it! In 2013 I did the same thing, almost. I bought an Igloo 9.5 from the fine folks at Truck Camper Warehouse and put it on an F350- only mine is a dually. Next I took it to Alaska and enjoyed a 17k mile maiden voyage over 3 months out west.
I haven't got my CAT scale readout but as I recall the total was 13,900 with everything on board. I'm getting 12.5mpg average with the 6.7 motor. Best wishes for a great time wandering the country.

[sbryan]

Finally got a chance to fill the truck with diesel and run the camper on the truck over the scales. No real surprise but with all the extras installed (batteries, tie downs, fast guns, solar, most of our camping/traveling supplies) here are the weights for those who care about such things:

Front axle - 5,360
Rear axle - 6,780
Gross - 12,140

Truck GVWR is 11,500 so we are 640 pounds over GVWR but within both the front and rear GAWR of 6,000 and 7,000. Upper stable loads and Sumo springs have made handling a non-issue. Truck sits level.

I am pretty pleased with where we have ended up.

[sbryan]

Anxiously waiting for our first camping trip with the new Northstar Igloo. Many thanks to the great folks at Truck Camper Warehouse for a great purchasing experience. Looks like we should consider camping a bit farther south!:S

[sbryan]

s1214 wrote:
Welcome to the growing number of Vermonters with NorthStar's. If you haven't already, connect with the Northeast Truck Camper Jamboree. Lots of great folks and multiple get togethers each year. Rumor is there will be a spring Jamboree in Southern Vermont in 2017.

I discovered the website last year while browsing around truck camper forums. It looks like a great group of folks and the jamborees look like a lot of fun. Thanks for the tip.

Based on what I have seen so far, the Northstar quality is first rate. We haven't done a night or two out yet but are hoping to do a bit of winter camping soon. Still figuring out how we want to arrange all the junk we want to bring with us.:?

[s1214]

Welcome to the growing number of Vermonters with NorthStar's. If you haven't already, connect with the Northeast Truck Camper Jamboree. Lots of great folks and multiple get togethers each year. Rumor is there will be a spring Jamboree in Southern Vermont in 2017.

[jefe_4x4]

Bryan,
Sounds like your plan is coming together nicely. You will really enjoy the versatility of a well appointed truck camper on your AK voyage. Remember to find gravel pits to hole up in. Why? Cleaner; better view of the surrounding landscape and fewer flying insects.
Near Coldfoot, north of the Arctic Circle with the Brooks range behind, the last set of mountains before you descend to the Arctic Ocean: This was June 20th, 2003, at about 10 p.m. The sun never set while we were here:


As long as you are plotting your AK voyage, here's my take on the best time to go there. Arriving about the last week of May for a one month stay is as good as it gets. Before the State Birds (mosquitos) hatch; before the hoard of tourists arrive; the most comfortable temperatures (little day night change); and the least likelihood of precip.
jefe

[frank33v]

Congrats on the new Igloo. I got mine last year from TCW also. Getting mine ready to head south in a week or so...

[sbryan]

Thanks guys. Pictures still to come but it's cold and snowing and the rig is filthy from the trip last night in the snow storm so maybe tomorrow.

[billyray50]

Congrats on your new Igloo TC from TCW!

[DOITHARD]

Congratulations

[towpro]

congrats. I remember crossing Vermont from Albany NY TO TCW with my old 3500 Dodge SRW, with summer tires on it, with Posi Rear, and no weight in bed, in several inches of snow in the higher elevations, heading to TCW to pickup my last camper.

I had the same batteries and 200w solar on my last rig. Never had to plug it in sitting at home, sun kept it charged all year. even with refreg running on gas.

[sbryan]

I have no doubt this is going to work out great. The truck is a perfect fit for the Igloo. Two 27 AGM batteries with 190 watts of solar should keep us powered when we have sun. If not, the Honda 2000 will power us up and I really like the way the Honda fits in the left side of the Igloo - no need to take it out of the compartment. Splurged on the rear view camera and the digital TV (the boss likes her news). Took out the memory foam and put in the Froli bed system.

Now to start plotting our AK trip.

[thedavidzoo]

Awesome! Glad you got it all figured out! Let us know how the space works for you and the 4-legged kids.