Forum Discussion

Joe417's avatar
Joe417
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014

What issue should I be aware of on used Northern Lites

We are very happy with our AF990 but it's heavy. (wife said no DRWs)

So, we decided to lighten it up. The only non-slide TC we've gotten to look at that seemed to feel open enough (wife said so) was a NL 10-2CD. That will drop our gross by 1000# and lower the CG a bit.

We want to find a used NL 10-2 so, what NL issues should we be aware of when looking.

Searched and spent hours last couple of nights looking at NL threads. Mostly Pros and very few cons. Cons don't discourage me they give me an insight into what is will take to put it into shape. (Bought my first TC knowing it had a lot of issues but bought it at a reasonable price)

Would like to hear issues to be aware of from NL owners experiences.
  • saw the video and it looks like a nice unit. all of the used ones that popped up had been sold so it seems to be a popular unit.
    bumpy
  • I love my 10-2 cdse,only issues I have so far (2yrs.)are that the batt.,propane,and gen. compartments always have some dampness. Propane compartment is the only one with a drain which drops through gen.compartment. I saw on here where somebody figured out tying them together, (can't find it right now) but will in a few months when my season is over. Batt. compartment is vented well so it's not as damp. Also the small plastic L shaped hook to hold the door get's very soft in the sun and pretty much render's it useless, needs to be more rigid. Very well insulated to keep you nice and toasty in Oct. and Nov. & Dec. Minor things are easy fixes with the help of all the people on this forum. I looked for a used one but their few and far between. I've had five various RV's over the years and our NL is the best we've owned.
  • I agree, the compartments do get damp, that is the only thing I can think of that has been an issue with either NL I have owned (2004 10.2 CD and current signature NL).
  • I love my NL, but like all RV's they can have issues. Check all the standard issues that you normally would, look for soft spots around windows, doors and vents. Check the floor (in the basement if it has one) for soft spots or signs of water. Look in cupboards for signs of water. Also look along the side of the camper, especially around the start of the cab over for bulging and separation of the fiberglass.

    Many things can be easily fixed or adjusted if the camper is in overall good shape.
  • I had quite a few leaks with mine. But now I love the camper after attacking all of them. The most difficult one to locate was the leak getting into the campers belly from the outside propane compartment door hinge. I would have never known it if I had not seen the water running inside except I had cut an access hole to get under the bathroom sink. As soon as it rained water would run from somewhere forward, under that sink and toward the rear. A good NL owner should store his camper so it's got a slight angle to the rear sewer outlet as any leak will advertise itself there that needs attention. The door hinge was unsealed and would have never been able to find it till I squirt water at the camper to locate it. It was very frustrating otherwise.

    I was around boatyards with larger yachts for about ten years. It taught me the correct way of sealing leaks to a fiberglass body. I'm very fortunate to have this experience and bring my NL camper up to that standard as it had many leaks from the first day I brought it home brand new.

    The other frustration was the basement structure failing/ falling under the campers own weight. I fixed that also, knowing that I'm a better craftsman than the builder, I declined the manufacturer's offer to repair it, even though the offer was well beyond warrantee and very commendable on his part to make such an offer...