New truck and camper before we're too old

[scout4trout]

After considering the Big Foot, we went with the Northern-lite. First we put a deposit on the 8'11" Classic Queen Special Edition but it had so much more than we wanted, including big rear deck area, side awning, tv, etc. With persistence, we managed to find an 8'11" Classic Queen Sportsman that a dealer had on order and we got to add just what we wanted, and it has the glass sliding windows rather than the Dometic acrylic windows that we didn't want. And the 2017s now have nice big windows in the door with shades between the glass. The total wet weight should be about 2,750. So then we ordered a 2017 Ford F250 XL supercab gas with the options we wanted and the price wasn't bad. We're not sure if we need to go with airbags since it's rated for approximately a 2,750 lb. camper. We also ordered the 10,000 gvwr, so we'll finally be below our gvwr. With everything, we should be within the 3,560 payload. The best thing is the bigger tires. We should get the truck and camper in early March so we'll be all set for another fun season of camping in the Yellowstone area. This will be our last truck camper setup.

[deltabravo]

scout4trout wrote:
Perhaps I'm not that old at 71 but the years go much faster now!

Congrats on the new rigs.

I am trying to figure out a way to get out and go camping more, but working full time makes it hard.

[Farmerjon]

scout4trout wrote:
Perhaps I'm not that old at 71 but the years go much faster now!

I'm also 71 and I sure agree with that.
That's why we need to do things now rather than later.

[GeoBoy]

happycamper1942 wrote:

scout4trout wrote:
Perhaps I'm not that old at 71 but the years go much faster now!

Yes, once you get over the hill you pick up speed lol. Trust me I know:)

Boy, isn't that the truth. I just got to the top of the hill and I am not going to waste time thinking about what is at the bottom. Just do it!

[happycamper1942]

scout4trout wrote:
Perhaps I'm not that old at 71 but the years go much faster now!

Yes, once you get over the hill you pick up speed lol. Trust me I know:)

[scout4trout]

Perhaps I'm not that old at 71 but the years go much faster now!

[deltabravo]

Congrats on the new truck and camper.

[deltabravo]

So how old are ya?

[scout4trout]

We first put a deposit on the 8'11" Special Edition in Bozeman. It had the old style door where you can't see out. The new door has two large windows with shades between the glass. They said that if were ordered, we wouldn't see it until October. I wasn't sure about that so I did check with a couple of other Northern-lite dealers and was told the same, and that it may not turn up until next year. We were lucky to find a dealer in Henderson, CO that had a couple of the Sportsman models on order but not built yet, so he called the factory and gave them the options and color we wanted. But we did order the truck in Bozeman and since we were cancelling the camper, decided that we would at least get the truck there. Got a good price. Would obviously have been more convenient to buy in Cody. The Yellowstone had issues late last summer, although I did fish it in the park. Spend a lot on time early season on the Firehole. Camp at Madison. We retired here in 08 from the East.

[a_flyfisher]

scout4trout wrote:
After considering the Big Foot, we went with the Northern-lite. First we put a deposit on the 8'11" Classic Queen Special Edition but it had so much more than we wanted, including big rear deck area, side awning, tv, etc. With persistence, we managed to find an 8'11" Classic Queen Sportsman that a dealer had on order and we got to add just what we wanted, and it has the glass sliding windows rather than the Dometic acrylic windows that we didn't want. And the 2017s now have nice big windows in the door with shades between the glass. The total wet weight should be about 2,750. So then we ordered a 2017 Ford F250 XL supercab gas with the options we wanted and the price wasn't bad. We're not sure if we need to go with airbags since it's rated for approximately a 2,750 lb. camper. We also ordered the 10,000 gvwr, so we'll finally be below our gvwr. With everything, we should be within the 3,560 payload. The best thing is the bigger tires. We should get the truck and camper in early March so we'll be all set for another fun season of camping in the Yellowstone area. This will be our last truck camper setup.

I was wondering where you are getting your Northern Lite camper?

I just ordered one as well from the dealer in Bozeman, since they are the closest dealer to me and their price was reasonably competitive. Mine will be the 10'2" Special Ed, and it is supposed to be here next spring - I didn't want it earlier since I'm in PA during the winter. I already have the truck - a 2011 F350 dually. Maybe we'll cross paths sometime, since I spend the summer on the Yellowstone River, north of the Park.

[scout4trout]

Sierradiesel asked why not go with an F350 rather than the F250 since we're ordering the truck and the camper. I have a Chevy 2500HD gas now and it's fine with our Alpenlite and it's got a wet weight more than the Northern-lite. If we had gone with the Queen 8'11" Special Edition, then a one-ton probably would have been in order, but the unit we're getting is almost 300 pounds less than that model and should be fine on the F250. We will add airbags, as we have them on the current truck. I've been on this forum long enough to know that most would think we should go with a one-ton. If anyone knows a specific reason that we really need to go with a one-ton, let me know since the order doesn't go in until next month and we can change it.

[Eugarps]

Congratulations! Your rig sounds like a sweet setup. I'll third, four, or fifth the motion to post glamour shots. The advice I keep hearing is to load it and drive it before adding suspension enhancements. I'll be starting with a 2013 Ram 3500 SRW SB and goo from there.

Happy Camping and please share your travels with us.

Bill

[happycamper1942]

Not sure what you consider to be too old, but I am 74 and my wife is 72. We have a 5th wheel and a truck camper and still use them both. In the summer we had a 5 week trip to Yukon and Alaska and are making plans for our annual trip to either California or Arizona in the spring.
Our motto is "Just do it while you can" 😄

[stufarmer]

Congrats on a new Truck & camper ..!

[Farmerjon]

Congrats on your new truck and camper.
We are also gearing up for more camping and we are going to be doing much more trail riding and camping.
I am 71 and we bought my last truck 2 years ago,we won,t be buying another truck in 20 years from now.
We just bought a new horse trailer and we are probably going to order an Adventure truck camper.
We might be old but we aren't worn out yet and we aren't ready to quit.
Have fun looking forward to your new rig and then jump in it and go have fun.