sunvalleylaw
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Re: Help a newb shop.
thedavidzoo wrote: Wasn't the OP talking about a NorthLAND, not a NorthSTAR? Anyway, can vouch that Northstar is quality built. Was talking about both. Found a hard side Northland first I was interested in, and the neighbor has the pop up Northstar I am trading for and starting out with. Thanks!447Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149659235@N03/sets/72157662572657948 Northstar Camper Here are a couple pics, if anyone is interested. Sound, and doesn't leak. A little TLC and a couple mods and it should be nice for what I want to do. It has the Rieco-Titan camper jacks, so as someone already said, it will be no big deal to add one more. I will want to make a sheltered outdoor cooking area off the port side opposite where all the kitchen stuff is inside. And other than that, should be pretty good!447Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
Well am getting the older but decent shape 90's Northstar for a trade for services so no out of pocket. It is my neighbors and he will help me put a 4th jack on it and do a couple mods I am thinking of. If I don’t like it, it will sell. Thanks for all the help folks!448Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
Justed looked at a big Arctic Fox that must be 11 or 12 feet, with a couple of feet of trailering extension on the back of a Chevy 3500, with a boat behind. Nice looking rig, and certainly doable. But confirms that is not what I am looking for. I had a pic of it, but I do not know how to upload it. Don't think it is necessary anyway, as most of you know what that looks like.447Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
Ranger Tim wrote: Good luck and maybe I'll see you out there on Idaho's beautiful back roads. There are few places that have as much to offer and aren't jammed with people. Thanks for all of that!! Will take all your good advice. May be able to get some pics of the Northstar soon too. I think my neighbor is bringing it back down from Fisher Creek where it is sitting at the extended family cabin right now. BTW, slept in it for the eclipse. I personally enjoyed the soft side and tent feel to sleeping and think my wife will too.448Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
Fortunately, tank wise, we camp where potable water is available, along with rest rooms. And if we camp further out, it will be part of a back pack trip, for which we will prepare accordingly, or will prepare as if we were car/tent camping as always, bringing some water, and also bringing our filters for back up. Now, we will have a tank we did not have before.447Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
SidecarFlip wrote: If you go with a Pup soft side retractable roof, a 3500 series truck is almost too much. I carry mine on a 1 ton Ford F350 with really not much in the way of suspension mods except air bags which are really there more for my gooseneck than the camper. My overload spring leaf never see's the snubber block even pulling a trailer behind. Pulling any trailer is all about tongue weight anyway. Aren't a F350 and a 3500 level the same level? Or I guess that is your point. You have it and don't fully use your suspension. I will do weight calcs, and try to get info on the old Northstar I have access to, but the new version, with a lot more equipment installed, weighs 1510 before any load or gear. http://www.northstarcampers.com/products/pop-up-truck-campers-tc800#Specs Unless they are framed now a lot differently or with different ultra-light style materials, the one I am looking at should be similar. So yeah, a 250/2500 level truck, possibly with air bags if I need them, should be enough. My buddy next door does it on his 1500 Silverado, which he says is not enough, but feels a 2500 will be plenty. Even with the boat. I am lucky as he and his Dad are very experienced RV'ers, and truck camp people. So I feel pretty comfortable, especially with your confirmation. It will be about finding a good truck at a good price.447Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
Also, @Ranger Tim, do you have any experience with the Northland hard side units, now called Rugged Mountain and made in Nampa/Caldwell?? http://www.ruggedmountaincustomrv.com/ The Northland 820 Yukon is basically an older model of the one they still make under new ownership and name. But now without the front window.193Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help a newb shop.
I wish there was a "Like" button I could push. Thanks all for the great help. Yes, I will seriously consider and/or choose a 3500 level. I was trying to shop for the camper I want first and then consider a truck. I also have a potential line on pretty new F350 SuperDuty diesels that a friend runs here locally in his business, and I could perhaps get one of those. Or just a good used gasser 3500 level. After sleeping on it, I will be taking my time with this. This is the BEGINNING of a shopping and consideration process. As I said, I was not trying to make an inside living space where 3-5 adults would hang out, but rather outdoor living space for the most part, with a comfortable and warm sleeping space. So I get what you all are saying with get everyone there and climb in and hang out, . . . but . . . that is not what we do tent camping, and I am really just trying to improve the sleeping for inside. This most recent post above from Ranger Tim is the most helpful yet with regard to setting up what I want to do outside. @Ranger Tim, we will be using this primarily at Redfish and Alturas lakes, once in a while at Anderson and/or Magic Reservoirs, and perhaps up at Fisher Creek, 4th of July Creek road, Iron Creek up by Stanley, etc. If we go to Utah to mountain bike, we will AirBnB it. I want full luxury and AC and a big couch and TV after a big day on the mountain bike in the desert. Up by Stanley, jumping into the boat, lake or heading over to Redfish Lake Lodge for one of their great Margs in the afternoon is how we entertain ourselves if it is warm. I am glad the Northstar is a considered a good unit, as this one, though older, is in excellent condition, and I can just add stuff on like power jacks, run propane for outdoor cooking, an awning on the side toward where most of the camps have the tables and dining set up, etc. and it is cheap. So I can spend money on good mattresses and bedding, improve the extra sleeping in the dining area with better pads, etc. Over time. The idea has potential. But will check it out with the family as you say. And also, we are able to just take it out and use it this fall as our neighbors have already offered that so we can test it all out and see if we like it. Pretty nice option there. And Jeff doesn't care if we decide it isn't for us. He knows he can sell it here. A very similar one that had been upgraded in terms of electronics just sold a mile away from us in town. So, I guess what we have to decide is does the rest of the family want to have the option to hang out inside, and how many are going to sleep inside. My daughter right now wants to continue in her tent. So, we shall see. Again, thanks all!165Views0likes0Comments
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