Considering Slide-in

[IdaH.O.Train]

I am considering getting an Arctic Fox 990 slide-in and I'm wondering who out there has slide-ins on 2500's. I would appreciate info on what you're hauling, what it's on and your set-up.



Thanks

 

[SMorneau]

9-1/2 Elkhorn

I have a 9-1/2 foot elkhorn on my 92 2500 4x4. The book says it weighs about 2,000lb with water and propane. Add in our personal stuff and it probably goes 2500+. I have RS9000 shocks all around and firestone airbags in the rear. The truck came with a camper package so I have the stabilizer bar.



I don't have much experience with other rigs but mine does fine. Very easy to drive and handle. If you are looking at campers My advice is to keep it as light as possible. IMHO, A 3000 lb. camper is going to be a bit much for a 2500 with stock wheels and tires.

Either way keep your speed reasonable spend your time looking around and your tires, brakes, and insurance company will like you better.

 

[wcjp]

I have an older slidein. I'm running the stock camper package with Rancho 9000x's. Go for the Torklift frame mount tiedowns. Some on this forum suggest using the HappyJack spring loaded tiedowns with the Torklift. This didn't work for me. I upgraded to the spring mounted Torklift frame mount tiedowns.

 

[gradylaw]

Northstar TC850 popup works well. 17 mpg hwy. Low profile helps with handling a bunch. Does not feel topheavy and is very comfortable. Highly recommended. MHO

 

[randyn]

Gradylaw,



Can you give us some more info on this camper? Where did you buy, weight, appointments, etc.



Thanks,



RandyN

 

[Midnite]

1969 Alaskan popup--oh yeah!



The lower center of gravity and less wind resistance is definitely nice.



Mike

 

[roadranger]

Originally posted by NoCalH. O. PO

I am considering getting an Arctic Fox 990 slide-in and I'm wondering who out there has slide-ins on 2500's. I would appreciate info on what you're hauling, what it's on and your set-up.

Thanks

I traded up to an '03 Eagle Cap with a slide out dinette. This unit has HUGE holding tanks in it. Weighed at a truck scale in full up ready to camp condition it's at 4130lbs. That puts my actual GVW at 11,800 lbs.



I've upgraded the truck with the following;

4 leaf helper spring pack

19. 5 in 4500lb each wheels

Load range H tires 4950lbs each

Helwig HD sway bar



Flame away--but the truck handles just fine,as long as you DON'T drive it like a Miata!

 

[Midnite]

Roadranger, I imagine that your exhaust brake comes in handy with that kind of weight?



Heck, my camper only weighs about 1200 lbs, and I wish *I* had an e-brake!



Mike

 

[randyn]

Alaskan Popup

Mike,



Can you tell me something about your popup? I like the idea of a popup, but am having trouble finding info on them.



RandyN

 

[Midnite]

Alaskan Campers

Randy, you can check out the ones they're currently manufacturing on their website, www.alaskancamper.com.



They're very well made and have lots of options. The Alaskans don't have canvas sides like other pop-ups do; instead, the top slides up and down. The top raises and lowers via hydraulic pistons. The old ones have a hand pump similar to a bottle jack, but the new ones have an electric motor. Not sure when the switchover happened.



The overlapping top provides much better insulation for cold weather use vs. a collapsable canvas wall. My dad likes to tell the story about when he had his 1969 Alaskan on his old Chevy pickup in the early '70s, and he broke down on the Denali highway one night when it was fifty below zero. He fired up a small catalytic propane heater he had, climbed into an old GI mummy bag, and soon overheated!



Let me know if there's anything else in particular you were curious about, and I'll tell you all I can.



Mike

 

[gradylaw]

Got it from PrincessCraft in Pflugerville, Tx (just outside Austin). All they do is slide-ins. Nice people, excellent service (not affiliated in any way-just a satisfied customer). Northstar makes a pop-up a little bigger but I like having one that doesn't go past the back bumper. Queensize spring matress that my feet don't hang off of (6'6", 240lbs. ) Showers inside and out, heater, two burner stove, I installed a rooftop a/c with no problem as the factory leaves a 14" square in the middle of the roof with no plywood, just the aluminum skin and inner paneling (the rest looks like 3/4-1" ply). So far, so good. The roof cranks up in about 30 seconds after undoing 4 latches. 2 minutes after parking altogether. The only gripe I have is that it has a cassette toilet that only holds 5 gal. but it actually works better than I thought it would and is very easy to service.



Not as fancy as some like the Alaskan but not quite so pricey and amazingly comfortable for such a small space. Definitely worth a look. Sorry for the long post for MHO.



http://www.northstarcampers.com/



2001 HO 6spd LB 4X4 QC