PU Camper info

[ray1933]

As many of you have read we are looking to find a good used camper with slide



I would like your thoughts about the Snowriver. One just the size we want came up on craigslist today. It is a 2003 9 !/2 footer loaded with every option there is except air conditioning.



I did a lot of research on the net today and of course they are not built with aluminum frame work but from all I could find on the RV forum i read they were well built but of course no longer in business.

 

[wcoomes]

I've seen a few, they get high praise from their owners. There are quite a few posts regarding Snowriver @ truckcamperforums.com and some by the owner of the company.

 

[LILHauler]

Hello Ray
You are looking at one of the best TCers made. Very high marks by anyone that had them. I had met the manufacturer (Bob) back in 2005. Very few folks out there that would build a product and back it even if it was passed warantee. Bob said he still treated them like they were his and would go above and beyond the repair needed. . We want to upgrade to a SnowRiver someday even though they are not made anymore. His slide system was the best out there. He helped pioneer the slide-out on the Okanagan Trailers before he went on his own to make truck campers.
Unfortunately when the RV industry took a hit last year, sales feel and he was unable to keep his shop afloat. He had no choice but to take early retirement. He made sure every employee left with what they were owed and more.
You can find a ton of info with North American Truck Camper Owners Association. If you join up on the forum, you may be even able to chat with Bob. The head moderator is his best friend. Paul can fill you in with the latest on the SR TCer.
Very well thought out campers!!

 

[ray1933]

PU Camper info/Snowriver Campers

Well I missed out on the Snowriver camper, he emailed me a few days ago.



We are going to get a 990 Arctic Fox next Friday. It is going to take some getting used to after having the 5th wheel. More the wife than me though.



But now I can at least take our boat along when we want to go to the lake.

 

[LILHauler]

Well I missed out on the Snowriver camper, he emailed me a few days ago.



We are going to get a 990 Arctic Fox next Friday. It is going to take some getting used to after having the 5th wheel. More the wife than me though.



But now I can at least take our boat along when we want to go to the lake.

This goes to show how well the TC folks recognize a great product. Even if the company is out of business, they are still sought after by many. If you check out the Auto Trader(us and Canada) and search under SnowRiver and SnowBird (Canadian version) Truck Campers, I'm sure you will find another one for sure. You may have to travel to Alberta or BC for it.

Good luck on your hunting.



One last thing, a good thing to do before you buy... have a SealTech done on what ever TCer you choose. This will point out any minor or major leaks the camper may have. It's the best thing anyone could do before finding out there is interior water damage. If it costs you $200, it is great peace of mind to know that you have no structural problems internally.

 

[Grizzly]

Well I missed out on the Snowriver camper, he emailed me a few days ago.



We are going to get a 990 Arctic Fox next Friday. It is going to take some getting used to after having the 5th wheel. More the wife than me though.



But now I can at least take our boat along when we want to go to the lake.

You're doing good by getting an Arctic Fox. A Snowriver is well rated, but so are Arctic Fox, Lance and Host. All have a 4 star rating on the RV Consumer Group Guide.

 

[ray1933]

We picked up our 2010 990 Arctic Fox yesterday.

Our truck said thank you ,, it would rather haul it than pull it.

 

[Jrork]

#ad




Beautiful setup! We too made the change a little over a year ago going from a 34' trailer to a Lance 992 (similar to yours) and absolutely love it. One thing you might double check is the weight on the rear axle. I was surprised when we weighed ours and I checked the load range of the tires (E). I'm right at the limit. With that said, we've driven it all over Washington and love it.



Congrats and happy travels... ... . john

 

[fkovalski]

I do not want to rain on your parade as I know the excitement of a truck camper... that said...



... unless Arctic Fox has made significant improvements I would never buy one. I suggest that you read this link about the problems with his AF: https://www.rv.net/forum/index. cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23214823/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1. take your time and read the post... it is long.



The most concerning part about the trouble that the poster had is the tie down points. It is unbelievable!



Again, I wish you the best and hopefully the R&D at AF has improved on the new TC's

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Maybe you could talk me inot selling my 05 Alpenlite 9. 5 with a dinette slide. Nice unit but we are thinking of going to a living quarters Featherlite.

 

[LRutigliano]

I do not want to rain on your parade as I know the excitement of a truck camper... that said...



... unless Arctic Fox has made significant improvements I would never buy one. I suggest that you read this link about the problems with his AF: https://www.rv.net/forum/index. cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23214823/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1. take your time and read the post... it is long.



The most concerning part about the trouble that the poster had is the tie down points. It is unbelievable!



Again, I wish you the best and hopefully the R&D at AF has improved on the new TC's

One post on RV.net and you condemn all Arctic Fox campers?? The guy bought a used RV and unfortunately didn't inspect it enough before his purchase.



My experience with RV.net consists of many unknowledgable people complaining consistently and asking many newbie questions...



Arctic Fox is a great brand and I congratulate the OP on his purchase...



My first RV was a used Lance truck camper and I was a NEWBIE! I found out it had dry rot in the RH rear corner, but I didn't comdemn Lance... I fixed it and learned new things in the process and it helped me decide on my next truck camper - An Eagle Cap.



I've done the opposite of the OP. Started with truck campers, outgrew them and now have a 5er. We take two rigs when we camp with boat.



There are many ways to get all your toys to the campground...



Enjoy the new camper!

 

[ray1933]

PU Campers

I do not want to rain on your parade as I know the excitement of a truck camper... that said...



... unless Arctic Fox has made significant improvements I would never buy one. I suggest that you read this link about the problems with his AF: https://www.rv.net/forum/index. cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23214823/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1. take your time and read the post... it is long.



s

fkovsalski

We have had PU campers < alpinelite and Lance since the early 70's an learned right off the bat

that each fall and spring one checks seams and I mean all of them. That will keep a camper from to from getting leaks and dry rot.



That being,, said I toured the AF factory a couple of times to watch the construction of them. The new ones a are a darn site better built than than the old wooden frame ones. Even though mine has been used very little I still checked all the seams where it could leak this fall. One thing nice is I only live 11 miles from the factory.

 

[fkovalski]

One post on RV.net and you condemn all Arctic Fox campers?? ... .

Nope. Just bringing an FYI for one to consider.

Ray, it is good that you visited the factory. That can go a long way for consumer confidence. I posted my reply as a sort of "caveat emptor. " I would hope that they (AF) would peruse RV forums to see/ read consumer issues and resolve possible problems.

My post was more a an FYI just like some folks will not buy Fords due to past issues... the same might be said for TC's... and there are issues with some that are more prevalent than others- like the wing rot issues on Lances.

It is too bad that you missed out on the SR. I saw that add and thought it to be a good deal. If I were in the market for a TC with a slide, the SR would be the only one I would consider... but I prefer non slides.

Best of luck and enjoy it!

 

[Grizzly]

I do not want to rain on your parade as I know the excitement of a truck camper... that said...



... unless Arctic Fox has made significant improvements I would never buy one. I suggest that you read this link about the problems with his AF: https://www.rv.net/forum/index. cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23214823/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1. take your time and read the post... it is long.



The most concerning part about the trouble that the poster had is the tie down points. It is unbelievable!



Again, I wish you the best and hopefully the R&D at AF has improved on the new TC's

I agree with LRutigliano. You can't just condemn Arctic Fox because of one mans bad experience. We don't know who owned that camper before him nor how he treated it or what he did with it. Arctic Fox truck campers have a solid reputation as well as Lance.



I too congratulate ray1933 on making an excellent selection.

 

[Grizzly]

Nope. Just bringing an FYI for one to consider.



Ray, it is good that you visited the factory. That can go a long way for consumer confidence. I posted my reply as a sort of "caveat emptor. " I would hope that they (AF) would peruse RV forums to see/ read consumer issues and resolve possible problems.



My post was more a an FYI just like some folks will not buy Fords due to past issues... the same might be said for TC's... and there are issues with some that are more prevalent than others- like the wing rot issues on Lances.



It is too bad that you missed out on the SR. I saw that add and thought it to be a good deal. If I were in the market for a TC with a slide, the SR would be the only one I would consider... but I prefer non slides.



Best of luck and enjoy it!

I don't believe it's too bad Ray missed out on the Snowriver. The Arctic Fox he purchased has a better rating on RV Consumer Group as far as Value and Reliability. Both the SR and AF are 4 star rated however. It's just that the numbers are a bit better on the AF.



george

 

[jeepit]

Nope. Just bringing an FYI for one to consider.



Ray, it is good that you visited the factory. That can go a long way for consumer confidence. I posted my reply as a sort of "caveat emptor. " I would hope that they (AF) would peruse RV forums to see/ read consumer issues and resolve possible problems.



My post was more a an FYI just like some folks will not buy Fords due to past issues... the same might be said for TC's... and there are issues with some that are more prevalent than others- like the wing rot issues on Lances.



It is too bad that you missed out on the SR. I saw that add and thought it to be a good deal. If I were in the market for a TC with a slide, the SR would be the only one I would consider... but I prefer non slides.



Best of luck and enjoy it!

Ok. I have a Lance. What is "wing rot"?

 

[fkovalski]

Ok. I have a Lance. What is "wing rot"?

I will again defer to a link to RV.net. Granted as a member previously pointed out that there are a lot of complainers and noobs (which I agree to a point... ) ... It does have a higher percentage of RV issue discussion than TDR.

See this link for an example:RV. Net Open Roads Forum: Rebuilding the Wings and Lower back Wall of My Truck Camper.
It is an example of a fairly newer Lance that has rot on the rear wings or skirts.

Now before y'all jump on me about bashing the Lance brand... I am not. It is just an FYI observation for the fellow member that asked. But, any RV will suffer from neglect regardless of it's age... I have just read about this more so on the Lance's than any other brand. Heck... I have done some pretty significant repairs to 2 Northstars I owned... and it is slated to have one of the better reputations of truck campers.

 

[Grizzly]

I will again defer to a link to RV.net. Granted as a member previously pointed out that there are a lot of complainers and noobs (which I agree to a point... ) ... It does have a higher percentage of RV issue discussion than TDR.



See this link for an example:RV. Net Open Roads Forum: Rebuilding the Wings and Lower back Wall of My Truck Camper.

It is an example of a fairly newer Lance that has rot on the rear wings or skirts.



Now before y'all jump on me about bashing the Lance brand... I am not. It is just an FYI observation for the fellow member that asked. But, any RV will suffer from neglect regardless of it's age... I have just read about this more so on the Lance's than any other brand. Heck... I have done some pretty significant repairs to 2 Northstars I owned... and it is slated to have one of the better reputations of truck campers.

That's because there are more Lance truck campers sold than any other brand.



You were bashing Ray about his new Arctic Fox truck camper. An Arctic Fox camper is a heavy gauge aluminum superstructure with fully welded joints, so how's it going to rot?

 

[jeepit]

Ok, I see what the wings are and i don't have any. My entire Lance camper is level with the bed. It is an 8ft Lite model.

 

[fkovalski]

Hey Grizz... I musta' really hit a raw nerve. Afterall, I am outwardly and intentionally bashing 2 camper brands that you own or have owned. (LOL)...



... but, you can choose to read what I post with whatever grain of sand you like. I posted them for the benefit of others to read. If you took offense to them them I will publicly apologize to you here. They are what some folks have experienced and I am a firm believer in learning vicariously through others' experiences.



Now for whatever reason that folks have had misfortunes of camper related problems (be it neglect by consumer or factory defect) then let those who own a camper gain from that situation. I have taken apart and refurbished many campers and things that are noted by other I will pay attention to... I would think that you would want the best for you fellow TDR members with TC's to benefit too by the free exchange of information.