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!!!

[jaycocreek]

I have never owned an Arctic Fox but when I was looking for a new TC last year,two people referred to the AF truck camper on sway..Both said the AF-811 was the worst TC they have ever had for sway..One was compared to a Northland 990 on a Dodge DRW and the other a Lance 990 on a F-350 SRW

Some people can handle sway and others, it scares the heck out of them..

I also just watched a 1-year review of the Northern lite 10ft and all the leaks he had..It has to be calked all around the seam where the shell comes together as well as the windows and vents..I really do not see an advantage there in calking or leaks..

[burningman]

Northern Lite is a great choice, mainly for durability.
They aren’t “stick built”, they don’t have roof and wall seams to leak.

[Hemi_Joel]

I had a 2006 AF 1150 for several years. I sometimes spent 6-8 weeks at a stretch living in it during my winter vacation. It is an awesome camper, very well built, well insulated, large tanks, looks nice, comfortable, and reliable.

[Grit_dog]

OP, true story about the weight. They're pigs for sure. You won't have less than 4klbs in the truck bed with even the smallest model 811/860, period.
That worries some people (obviously). To each there own.
For a reccomendation, we had an aluminum frame 860 for a couple years and now a wood frame 860 for several years. Only get used sporadically, avg a few weeks a year total, but so far both the old 05 and current 03 model have been almost 100% trouble free. Biggest issue with either of them has been one Jack rusted up and I had to remove it and take it apart and get er lubed up again.

[Camper8251]

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

I just sold mine about a month ago and loved that thing for 10 years.. I could get in many places I cant with my new trailer, It was great for my wife and I but once the kiddo came along and grew up things got a little cramped...

I do have to say it was a little scary with a SRW and all that weight at times, but I think it was well worth it... since you are running DRW not an issue. plus the nice thing is you can get a super hitch and tow a boat or what have you behind you if you want. That Versatility is huge.

AF I think makes a great well insulated camper, of course there are other builders out there that put out a good product. some being Lance Host and Eagle Cap. For that type of camper, of course there are other builders out there as well that are great depending on the type of camper. But those are the heavy hitters in 4 season rigs IMO....

BTW Thanks for Serving!

[Grit_dog]

GeoBoy wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
No, Northwood doesn’t recommend DRWs for all of their truck campers. I’m thinking you heard that at your local truck dealer. 😄

Starting in 2013 and right to today, in Arctic Fox TC literature there is a statement under Camper Safety Tips and it states, a dual wheel truck is recommended for ALL Arctic Fox campers.

That’s the snoflake-geezer clause. They weighed the same in 2012,lol

[work2much]

They have the same disclaimer on the Wolf Creek product catalog. I think they are just CYA. SRW one ton is often the same truck as a DRW if you upgrade a few things. I can tell you from owning one (Arctic Fox) they are heavy beasts, especially on the passenger side with the full wall slide.



Click For Full-Size Image.

[jimh406]

Most of us in the Northwest regularly see different models on SRWs. The dry weight of a 8 ft model is under 2900 according to their website. I don’t know, but I think the Wolf Creeks are lighter. Also OP could have a DRW or maybe has a SRW 3500.

That image says advisable not recommended. Northwood also makes Wolf Creek.

Based on the words in their manuals, they clearly think you can use something other than a DRW. Or, they think DRW capacities are radically different.

Anyway, their 2015-2016 manual has the following words.

RECOMMENDED METHOD OF TRUCK SELECTION:
To estimate the total cargo load which will be placed on the truck add the following:
1. The weight of all passengers in the truck camper
2. The weight of supplies
3. The weight of tools and all other cargo
4. The weight of installed additional or optional truck camper equipment and appliances
5. The truck camper weight figure supplied by the manufacturer–be sure to add weight of options
The cargo weight rating for the truck must be equal to or greater than the total cargo load of the maximum combined loaded weight of the truck and camper.

[work2much]

This is from their catalog.



Click For Full-Size Image.

[GeoBoy]

jimh425 wrote:
No, Northwood doesn’t recommend DRWs for all of their truck campers. I’m thinking you heard that at your local truck dealer. 😄

Starting in 2013 and right to today, in Arctic Fox TC literature there is a statement under Camper Safety Tips and it states, a dual wheel truck is recommended for ALL Arctic Fox campers.

[Lwiddis]

I tried a TC but like to leave camp and explore without extra duties. Will you be happy? Space is another issue.

[kohldad]

If you often stay in one location for days before moving, than I would stay with the TT. When I had a TT, my hookup time was just as short as time it takes to load a TC, so if you unload each time you stop, you aren't going to save any time. If you like to explore during the day and then finding a place to stay for the night than a TC may be better choice. We have a TC because the journey is more of the adventure than our destination.

In regards to the Artic Fox, they are well built but heavy. I have a Lance Lite 815 which weighs 2,400# wet and loaded. Originally carried it on a 2004 SRW Dodge 3500 diesel 4x4 and I was only a couple hundred pounds under GVWR. The lightest Artic Fox will push you over the GVWR by several hundred pounds. Even with my newer 2015 which has a 4,300# payload, I would still be right at my GVWR with an Artic Fox. Have to remember the payload rating is for carrying a heavy bulk like blocks or cement, not necessarily capable of carrying a high COG load such as a TC, especially a basement model.

[jimh406]

No, Northwood doesn’t recommend DRWs for all of their truck campers. I’m thinking you heard that at your local truck dealer. 😄

[GeoBoy]

Arctic Fox campers are heavy and Northwood’s recommends dual wheeled trucks for their campers. Northstar TC’s are nice and made for SRW trucks.

[romore]

I had a tc which was great for the rough country but after the fiver would never go back. So much more room and I can set up camp and leave it while exploring or beer runs. Arctic Fox is a well repected brand but watch your loaded weight, it can add up in a hurry.