Planing on getting an Arctic Fox TC

[GunnyJ]

I'M getting tired of hooking up my TT and looking into an Arctic Fox TC wondering and looking for out put from you all, Ok Thanks for that Information to all that replyed so I'm changed my mind on the Arctic Fox TC and will be going to checking out the Northern Lite TC's it is a little more costly but I like the Ideal of being able to go in all 4 seasons again thank you all for your input!!!

[zzyzxpat]

I have an AF865, 2020 model year, on a SRW 2000 Dodge 2500 that I ordered new with a camper package. Drives like a dream, little sway in and out of parking lots but nothing bad. Little overweight, nothing severe, I have a DANA 80 diff rated at 11,000lbs, and switched to 18" wheels to be able to use tires that are rated at almost 3800 lbs. I have CAT scaled it, being lazy and not walking out to get the weight slip, but it is nothing way out of range wet. The quality of AF is very good so far.

[SoonDockin]

When I was looking, Northern Lite was at the top of our list. Wife really loved them. In the end, the size of the holding tanks and external storage is what led us to choose an Arctic Fox. Bought it in January, used it a lot and no regrets. All RV's can leak if you don't maintain them. I would just plan to inspect it regularly and not worry about that.

[jimh406]

burningman wrote:
Seams along every corner and edge can leak. Seams that don’t exist can’t.
Slides are virtually guaranteed future leaks and trouble.
That’s why the good rigs don’t have them.

You have seems down the middle of the sides of your TC, so by your definition those will leak. Your rig has seems around your skylights/vents and virtually every hole that was cut/drilled in your roof/sides. Watch out ... they are going to leak. 😉

My slides are almost 14 years old. Guess what ... no leaks and no issues. Maybe in another 14 ... who knows. 😄

Funny that you say good rigs don’t have slides ... not true .. but if that helps you justify why your rig is so cramped it’s fine with me. 😄

[burningman]

jimh425 wrote:
Most leaks aren’t in the main part of the material that covers the TC. Most leaks seem to be in marker lights followed by other holes made installing antennas, sky lights, etc. Those leaks seem to be the cause of the delamination. Water has to enter somewhere to penetrate the filon.

The advantage of a Bigfoot/Northern Lite vs other types is fiberglass generally doesn’t delaminate. 😄 Although there was the guy who bought a new Northern Lite who posted here about a similar buckle in his new one. That being said, aluminum doesn’t delaminate, and Azdel doesn’t either. Filon processes not done right will definitely delaminate if done wrong and a leak happens.

If you do have a leak in a Bigfoot/Northern Lite, good luck fixing it once the insulation collects water. Host has a vacuum process to build their walls. So far, my almost 14 year old TC outside is fine. (It was actually built in 2005. YMMV.

As noted, if you want a slide, Northern Lite is off the table. There are some Bigfoots with a slide.

Seams along every corner and edge can leak. Seams that don’t exist can’t.
Slides are virtually guaranteed future leaks and trouble.
That’s why the good rigs don’t have them.

[trail-explorer]

srschang wrote:
My wife and I are also looking to replace our 16 year old Travelite with a new Arctic Fox 1140 ..... I'd like to stay away from a dually if at all possible,

Both AF 11xx series campers will absolutely need a dually.

[GeoBoy]

srschang wrote:
My wife and I are also looking to replace our 16 year old Travelite with a new Arctic Fox 1140 or a Northstar 12STC. In fact, we're heading up to Truck Camper Warehouse Friday to look at them. I will also be buying a new Ram longbed to haul the new camper. I'd like to stay away from a dually if at all possible, as 75% of my driving is without the camper, often pulling a snowmobile trailer long distances.

If you want to stick with a SRW truck go with the Northstar TC. Arctic Fox will be too heavy.

[jimh406]

srschang wrote:
My wife and I are also looking to replace our 16 year old Travelite with a new Arctic Fox 1140 or a Northstar 12STC.

I would consider a smaller TC if you don’t want a DRW even if you add 19.5 wheels/tires or high capscity 18s..

[srschang]

My wife and I are also looking to replace our 16 year old Travelite with a new Arctic Fox 1140 or a Northstar 12STC. In fact, we're heading up to Truck Camper Warehouse Friday to look at them. I will also be buying a new Ram longbed to haul the new camper. I'd like to stay away from a dually if at all possible, as 75% of my driving is without the camper, often pulling a snowmobile trailer long distances.

[jimh406]

Most leaks aren’t in the main part of the material that covers the TC. Most leaks seem to be in marker lights followed by other holes made installing antennas, sky lights, etc. Those leaks seem to be the cause of the delamination. Water has to enter somewhere to penetrate the filon.

The advantage of a Bigfoot/Northern Lite vs other types is fiberglass generally doesn’t delaminate. 😄 Although there was the guy who bought a new Northern Lite who posted here about a similar buckle in his new one. That being said, aluminum doesn’t delaminate, and Azdel doesn’t either. Filon processes not done right will definitely delaminate if done wrong and a leak happens.

If you do have a leak in a Bigfoot/Northern Lite, good luck fixing it once the insulation collects water. Host has a vacuum process to build their walls. So far, my almost 14 year old TC outside is fine. (It was actually built in 2005. YMMV.

As noted, if you want a slide, Northern Lite is off the table. There are some Bigfoots with a slide.

[jaycocreek]

burningman wrote:
I’ve never heard of anyone needing to caulk the top/bottom joint on a Bigfoot or Northern Lite especially within a year. And that joint overlaps, too.
There are always hatches, windows and vents, but the fiberglass shells have a huge advantage with no roof-to-wall seams, no corner seams and no rubber roofs.
These things are the most leak-resistant available.

For what it's worth...3 year examination of the Northern lite 10-2 living full time in it..

Northern lite water leaks

[Grit_dog]

GunnyJ wrote:
I'M getting tired of hooking up my TT and looking into an Arctic Fox TC wondering and looking for out put from you all, Ok Thanks for that Information to all that replyed so I'm changed my mind on the Arctic Fox TC and will be going to checking out the Northern Lite TC's it is a little more costly but I like the Ideal of being able to go in all 4 seasons again thank you all for your input!!!

Huh?
Anywho, NL campers are top notch as well, but not any more "4 season" than a AF camper.
NL advantage, clam shell exterior, generally more weather proof with less maintenance.
AF advantage, slide out. If you want the room of a slide out then no clam shell.

[burningman]

I’ve never heard of anyone needing to caulk the top/bottom joint on a Bigfoot or Northern Lite especially within a year. And that joint overlaps, too.
There are always hatches, windows and vents, but the fiberglass shells have a huge advantage with no roof-to-wall seams, no corner seams and no rubber roofs.
These things are the most leak-resistant available.

[deltabravo]

Camper8251 wrote:
WEIGHT WEIGHT WEIGHT....
Being a former AF811 owner on A Chevy 2500 Duramax Short bed...
All I can say is check your weights.

I know someone that has an 811 and it puts their 2009 Silverado 3500HD well over the GVWR of that dually. He is single and travels lightly loaded.

[Grit_dog]

^ I can relate to that, although I’ve only hauled the 860’s save for a big ole Lance something or other on a buddy’s old F250 that I put a 6” lift on. That thing was a handful but coincidentally I only drove it in a blizzard pulling a trailer, heading north with a stout west wind!
I’d imagine the AFs being about the tallest and heaviest per ft, similar to Host, eagle cap and big lance campers would affect body roll more than lighter lower profile campers.
Either way, drove the first one to AK, towing a substantial trailer with only air bags on the mega cab. It was bouncy, but didn’t feel out of control. (Once you’re used to the sway, it puts you to sleep, lol)
Adding spring wedges and a rear sway bar = big difference. It’s not like a dually by any stretch, but it is considerably better.
Takes a few band aids to make a srw truck ride good with a 2ton + camper in the bed.