Truck camper magazine and Host?

[Devocamper]

New to the truck camper world and still in the research stage for going from fifth wheel to a new truck and truck camper and have found truck camper magazine to be a great resource but wonder why there is no mention of host campers such as the mammoth anywhere on the site ? is there something going on between the magazine and Host ? It seems they review or write about every other manufacturer but Host ?
Mike

[bjohns]

bka0721, as usual, you nailed it. Thnx.

[Reddog1]

My observation is that a review by any source on any subject is of questionable value. I do not think Truck Camping Magazine any different than any other source of other products. If you want to know about features on a given TC, they may be a good resource. If you want to know about the negatives, I doubt Truck Camping Magazine would include them in their reviews. To be fair, I think this is true of most sources reviewing any product. If a real pro/con review is wanted, your best review is one that has customer input.

Wayne

[jmtandem]

TCM doesn't pretend to have a comprehensive list, but I'm sure a lot of new to the TC world don't realize that based on new folks posting here.

This might be true but in TCM's buyer guide on the website it lists brands. Maybe a disclaimer should be added that the brands listed do not represent all the manufacturers of truck campers just those associated with the magazine. I can't believe Outfitter, Host or Bigfoot has quality issues, disrespects TCM, nor does not want to grow as a business that would preclude TCM from listing them based on their FAQ's reject criteria.

[adamis]

My own thoughts about TCM is that it is a small mom and pop type operation that has it's limitations on what it can be. You can't review what you don't have in front of you and Host and Bigfoot are in the smaller niche of the market and may not have the resources available to provide demo units for review. Could simply just be a matter of resources.

I don't believe there is a print edition at this time though I hope some day that might be possible. I'll take a look at back issues of "Trailer Life" magazine at my library on occasion but wish there was a printed version of TCM to browse instead. Yes I know it's available online but there are times that I prefer reading a printed magazine while relaxing outdoors in a shaded chair next to a creek instead of burning my eyeballs out staring at an electronic device.

Unless anyone can cite actual proof that TCM refuses to review campers from companies that don't advertise I think it would be better for us to not just assume the worse. TCM likely doesn't make a lot of money and we wouldn't want to risk it's demise because we had poor information. Since there are a few people who have actually met the owners, perhaps they might be able to offer some firsthand knowledge on the topic.

[jimh406]

TCM doesn't pretend to have a comprehensive list, but I'm sure a lot of new to the TC world don't realize that based on new folks posting here. You can believe their reviews or not, but at most, they are only able to give their opinion based on their experiences and what they've seen.

Unbiased doesn't exist no matter what the topic or hobby. If you want more than one opinion on a particular Truck Camper, this is still the only site for that information where people share information freely with minimal moderation. No this site isn't perfect either, but it is way above second place.

[bka0721]

Many of us here consider Gordon and Angela personal friends, the publishers of Truck Camping Magazine. That is because they are the rare exception in the journalistic field, in that they actually live, work and recreate in the product that they write about. As well as only publish on Truck Campers.

This topic of TCM being supported by the industry and only write about what they are supported by, in advertising revenue, is baseless. To be honest when you don't see something written about a topic, in TCM, it is often because they don't support the product and or manufacturer. While it would be informative to have the negative too, sometimes that takes away the opportunity to provide praise in the products and manufacturers that truly deserve TCM's reviews and support.

Read whatever you wish, into the topic on Host and their products.

Here is a link in regards to this question, posted on the TCM Web Site;

Truck Camper Magazine FAQ Clicky


b

[jmtandem]

Kind of makes you wonder about the credibility of reviews.

I have never seen any mention about Outfitter campers in TCM either. When TCM lists truck camper brands it is not really all that complete.

[Big_Rig1]

I have never known them to be anything but credible. I have followed them from the beginning & they perform a fantastic service for the Truck Camping community. You can get reviews of campers & equipment, a section on how to match truck & camper, you can see the mods that other Truck Campers are doing and there are all kinds of surveys to see what folks think & how they are solving problems associated with Truck Camping. There are personal stories, etc. The list goes on. If you want go to a rally, they post the rallies submitted to them.
What a great resource it is for us. If you have a question about why they haven't covered a certain TC, go to their web site & find the contact button & send them an e-mail with your question instead of speculating about the reason. They are great folks, give them a break & talk directly to them.
Their magazine is also free to you, no charge!

Big Rig (John)

[TxGearhead]

I've been wondering the same thing. Never a mention of Bigfoot, which seems right up their alley...no slides. They do seem very partial to certain brands and after market brands. That's fine if they're partial based on reviews. But they are like other magazines in that I never hear them say anything really bad in a review. Usually just little nit picky stuff. Sure makes me wonder about their credibility.

[mkasner]

Does truck camper magazine actually print a paper copy of their 'web blogs'? I have found over the years, their site to be subjective to who helps them out (financially to run the website) and on upgrades, accessories...etc. There are other sites out there and YouTube videos that do a great job

[Bedlam]

The best reviewer is yourself. Visit the factory, a high volume dealer who sells them or an RV show to set your eyes on them. I got some insight by going to the factory, but also like to visit the shows and dealers because you can compare different brands side by side and see where the quality exceeds or lacks others and what layouts and options work for you. There is not one camper for everybody, so the more models you see will give you an idea which one fits you and your lifestyle the best.

[Reddog1]

jimh425 wrote:
They aren't an advertiser of TCM as far as I know. That makes them not exist on that site. That's similar to other sites, btw. Don't advertise ... Don't get a mention.

Kind of makes you wonder about the credibility of reviews.

Wayne

[jimh406]

They aren't an advertiser of TCM as far as I know. That makes them not exist on that site. That's similar to other sites, btw. Don't advertise ... Don't get a mention.

[mike_kellie]

Just my 2 cents worth of opinion. I don't think they want to "buy" into a relationship of purchasing this type of advertising to help promote business. They tend to counter the typical builds of other manufacturers by going large and put innovation towards comfort in lieu of saving weight and off road capabilities.
Being discovered has a type of magnetic pull that is more linear than the typical camper shopping experience. Most of the comments posted here are about seeing one at a show or dealership and then the comparison. It's not a bad business plan if the quality matches the expectations.
There is an little write-up in the new Trailer Life Magazine in your mailbox yesterday. But it's not a review or comparison to other triple slides. It mentions base weight and options, dually truck required as well as tank capacities, king size bed options etc. So we know it will be heavy and base price is listed. I think the more you ask from this point on, the commitment towards this brand is a little stronger.
Again, just my 2 cents. I also visited the facility in Bend which in terms of a favorite hobby is "get the net".