Well, we finally picked up our 2017 Northstar 12' STC! In this thread I will try to review the camper in general and also our solar/lithium install as it progresses. I know there isn't yet a lot of info on this model, so I hope this helps others with their decision making.
Basics:
Truck is a 2014 Ram 3500 Laramie, CC, DRW, diesel, Aisin, 4.10, with no suspension mods. GVWR 14000, payload 56xx lbs. Added a DeeZee bed mat, Torklift Tiedowns and Fastguns. Before loading the rear wheel well height was 46 3/8", loaded with camper 39". Looks like it still sits fine.
We took the rig to a CAT scale on the way home. Weight includes:
Heki skylight, AC, bunk bed, new flip up footrest, 7 cuft Norcold DC compressor fridge, 13' awning, passthrough boot to truck, 4 aluminum chairs, wireless rearview camera, cassette toilet, maggie rack, dually swing out brackets
2x full propane, ~8 gal water
4 solar panels, 400Ah lithium batteries, controllers, BMS, inverter, 2 cheap temporary 12V batteries
Full tank of diesel, 360lbs of people and very minimal personal stuff
Torklift tiedowns, Fastguns, bed mat
Steer axle 5460
Drive axle 7720
Gross 13180
We were a little surprised to be this heavy already. We are still missing our 2nd son, the fresh water, food, clothes, toys, and STUFF.
MPG were roughly 19 unloaded with mostly interstate driving, 13mpg loaded coming back with interstate and lots of stop and go and some back roads. Hubby says truck handles fine but we did notice some sway on certain roads. Might add some Stableloads.
We had the dealer mount 4 160W panels on the roof (yes, I am aware of possible AC shading:R). As we chose to get 400Ah of lithium batteries, we will be doing the rest of the solar/battery install ourselves. I will post as our install progresses over the next 2 weeks or so. I have all major parts here but needed more measurements and hands on camper before I could narrow down placement of components and order cables and such.
We think the inside looks BIG despite the no-basement, no-slide thing! So far, overall we are VERY pleased with the quality of construction. This thing is SOLID. Fit and finish looks great. There were 2-3 minor things the dealer fixed right away. There is an unattractive "dimple" on the front cabover fiberglass that we will probably have the dealer take care of in August as we pass through on vacation. He says he will add some support from the inside to bubble it back out.
There is no wall switch for the bathroom lights, so one must reach to the ceiling to push one of the tiny LED light switches. Could be interesting groping for that at night.
They have added the flip up footrest to the dinette to make seating more lounge-like. Haven't tried it out for comfort yet. There is now also an extra removable cushion on the step up to the bed for extra seating. They made fixed backrest cushions instead of the loose ones. Nice 4-hook coat rack at entry. No more tiny umbrella/walking stick cabinet at door. Also, there is now a really nice sliding generator tray in the back (we don't want a genny).
Mods we requested:
additional insulation (not sure what that really ended up being)
Driver side shelved wardrobe (like passenger side) instead of standard shelf and drawer
requested NO TV and antenna delete
delete window above bunk bed
7cuft compressor fridge (hated the absorption fridge hassles)
few more 12V/USB plugs
2 separate 110V plugs strictly for 1500W inverter power (microwave, etc.)
Things we wanted that they FORGOT or changed:
add shelving in kitchen pantry/wardrobe (rod is useless to us)
more fat solar wire pre-installed (can't use the single run they added, has changed our solar wiring approach a bit)
rearview camera is now prewired only (dealer installs unit) but with an on/off switch on back cabinets instead of more logical prewire into running lights (could however turn it on at night to see "visitors", welcome or not)
Couldn't accomodate:
larger FW tank
wanted to initially delete the Heki but the hole was already cut
We spent 2 nights in our camper at the dealer with full hookups while they worked on stuff. An employee hooked up temp coach battery in reverse prior to our arrival, blew 30A fuse, we didn't know since we were on shore power and forgot to check 12V side (duh). At home we wondered why our lights weren't working. Also discovered that 7-way pin from Ram to camper stays on when truck is off. Must now remember to pull the plug if we stay parked (DC fridge!) or will have to come up with some permanent disconnect (we really don't want the alternator to charge the lithiums anyway)
I must admit we were getting a bit (a LOT) frustrated by Bill's (dealer) lack of communication after we put in our order in Mar/Apr. There were sooo many ignored emails and a few phone calls. After 30 years in the Army, we were used to near immediate response times and have been having a hard time adjusting to the "civilian" flow, or lack of it.
After living on Bill's lot for 2 days and working with him and his son, we fully understand why: he is incredibly busy with a severely undersized staff! He hasn't had a day off since January, hasn't seen his wife for a month. He is really a GREAT guy, willing to accommodate anyone, hands-on, does it all. We had to totally forgive him for neglecting us. However, the place is a bit inefficient which is part of his chronic behind-schedule problem.
We can highly recommend him. Rex was also willing to accomodate some of our whims (threw in some extra wood and paneling so we could build an additional matching box for some of our battery components).
First pics, more to come.
Basics:
Truck is a 2014 Ram 3500 Laramie, CC, DRW, diesel, Aisin, 4.10, with no suspension mods. GVWR 14000, payload 56xx lbs. Added a DeeZee bed mat, Torklift Tiedowns and Fastguns. Before loading the rear wheel well height was 46 3/8", loaded with camper 39". Looks like it still sits fine.
We took the rig to a CAT scale on the way home. Weight includes:
Heki skylight, AC, bunk bed, new flip up footrest, 7 cuft Norcold DC compressor fridge, 13' awning, passthrough boot to truck, 4 aluminum chairs, wireless rearview camera, cassette toilet, maggie rack, dually swing out brackets
2x full propane, ~8 gal water
4 solar panels, 400Ah lithium batteries, controllers, BMS, inverter, 2 cheap temporary 12V batteries
Full tank of diesel, 360lbs of people and very minimal personal stuff
Torklift tiedowns, Fastguns, bed mat
Steer axle 5460
Drive axle 7720
Gross 13180
We were a little surprised to be this heavy already. We are still missing our 2nd son, the fresh water, food, clothes, toys, and STUFF.
MPG were roughly 19 unloaded with mostly interstate driving, 13mpg loaded coming back with interstate and lots of stop and go and some back roads. Hubby says truck handles fine but we did notice some sway on certain roads. Might add some Stableloads.
We had the dealer mount 4 160W panels on the roof (yes, I am aware of possible AC shading:R). As we chose to get 400Ah of lithium batteries, we will be doing the rest of the solar/battery install ourselves. I will post as our install progresses over the next 2 weeks or so. I have all major parts here but needed more measurements and hands on camper before I could narrow down placement of components and order cables and such.
We think the inside looks BIG despite the no-basement, no-slide thing! So far, overall we are VERY pleased with the quality of construction. This thing is SOLID. Fit and finish looks great. There were 2-3 minor things the dealer fixed right away. There is an unattractive "dimple" on the front cabover fiberglass that we will probably have the dealer take care of in August as we pass through on vacation. He says he will add some support from the inside to bubble it back out.
There is no wall switch for the bathroom lights, so one must reach to the ceiling to push one of the tiny LED light switches. Could be interesting groping for that at night.
They have added the flip up footrest to the dinette to make seating more lounge-like. Haven't tried it out for comfort yet. There is now also an extra removable cushion on the step up to the bed for extra seating. They made fixed backrest cushions instead of the loose ones. Nice 4-hook coat rack at entry. No more tiny umbrella/walking stick cabinet at door. Also, there is now a really nice sliding generator tray in the back (we don't want a genny).
Mods we requested:
additional insulation (not sure what that really ended up being)
Driver side shelved wardrobe (like passenger side) instead of standard shelf and drawer
requested NO TV and antenna delete
delete window above bunk bed
7cuft compressor fridge (hated the absorption fridge hassles)
few more 12V/USB plugs
2 separate 110V plugs strictly for 1500W inverter power (microwave, etc.)
Things we wanted that they FORGOT or changed:
add shelving in kitchen pantry/wardrobe (rod is useless to us)
more fat solar wire pre-installed (can't use the single run they added, has changed our solar wiring approach a bit)
rearview camera is now prewired only (dealer installs unit) but with an on/off switch on back cabinets instead of more logical prewire into running lights (could however turn it on at night to see "visitors", welcome or not)
Couldn't accomodate:
larger FW tank
wanted to initially delete the Heki but the hole was already cut
We spent 2 nights in our camper at the dealer with full hookups while they worked on stuff. An employee hooked up temp coach battery in reverse prior to our arrival, blew 30A fuse, we didn't know since we were on shore power and forgot to check 12V side (duh). At home we wondered why our lights weren't working. Also discovered that 7-way pin from Ram to camper stays on when truck is off. Must now remember to pull the plug if we stay parked (DC fridge!) or will have to come up with some permanent disconnect (we really don't want the alternator to charge the lithiums anyway)
I must admit we were getting a bit (a LOT) frustrated by Bill's (dealer) lack of communication after we put in our order in Mar/Apr. There were sooo many ignored emails and a few phone calls. After 30 years in the Army, we were used to near immediate response times and have been having a hard time adjusting to the "civilian" flow, or lack of it.
After living on Bill's lot for 2 days and working with him and his son, we fully understand why: he is incredibly busy with a severely undersized staff! He hasn't had a day off since January, hasn't seen his wife for a month. He is really a GREAT guy, willing to accommodate anyone, hands-on, does it all. We had to totally forgive him for neglecting us. However, the place is a bit inefficient which is part of his chronic behind-schedule problem.
We can highly recommend him. Rex was also willing to accomodate some of our whims (threw in some extra wood and paneling so we could build an additional matching box for some of our battery components).
First pics, more to come.
Lithium is already bought.
I do believe I measured the wheel wells right. The rear end of the truck unloaded was way high. Definite slope up.
We are not using their prewire at all. They were going to put in 2 runs, one each side, but only did one, not sure what gauge, looks fat but most is insulation. We will probably take all that wiring out if possible. We will be doing 8AWG MC4 extensions to junction inside top fridge comp. to 4AWG to 2 controllers. 2x160W in parallel to one, 2x160W parallel to 2nd controller. 2/0 to batts, 2/0 to inverter. I know there will probably be 100 comments or suggestions, but this is what will best for our situation...I hope! Arrrgggh, generator. Plan to avoid by doing this!!!
Sliding, lighted gen compartment
missing umbrella stand area
coat rack
7cuft dc fridge, little smaller footprint that left enough space above for more storage
extra cushion
footrest down
foot rest up
wardrobe instead of shelf driver side
general messy view of inside
I do believe I measured the wheel wells right. The rear end of the truck unloaded was way high. Definite slope up.
We are not using their prewire at all. They were going to put in 2 runs, one each side, but only did one, not sure what gauge, looks fat but most is insulation. We will probably take all that wiring out if possible. We will be doing 8AWG MC4 extensions to junction inside top fridge comp. to 4AWG to 2 controllers. 2x160W in parallel to one, 2x160W parallel to 2nd controller. 2/0 to batts, 2/0 to inverter. I know there will probably be 100 comments or suggestions, but this is what will best for our situation...I hope! Arrrgggh, generator. Plan to avoid by doing this!!!
Sliding, lighted gen compartment
missing umbrella stand area
coat rack
7cuft dc fridge, little smaller footprint that left enough space above for more storage
extra cushion
footrest down
foot rest up
wardrobe instead of shelf driver side
general messy view of inside
