Slide-in Campers

[MRoberts]

I've started shopping for a camper. I borrowed a buddies Elkhorn 9T for hunting this year, what a blast. I've looked at Arctic Fox, Elkhorn and plan on checking out Northernlite. So far the Arctic Fox is in the lead. Any real world input? Other recommendations? Safe and Happy Holidays to all TDR's.

 

[klenger]

I sure like my Arctic Fox 5er. Great company. They use pretty much top of the line appliances and components.

 

[Reddog1]

It's all about money. There are some absolutely great slide-ins out there. I think we are only limited by the weight we can carry and the money we are willing to spend. Spending $20,000 for a slide-in appears pretty easy to do.



I haven't decided if I am frugal, poor or just plain cheap, but I am greedy enough to want a slide-in , 5ver and money for diesel and B. O. M. B. parts. I currently have all of these. I don't have a $20,000 slide-in or 5ver.



Go with what your wallet and weight will allow. LOL





Wayne

 

[dewdo]

Oo. I have a 2000 model Arctic Fox and have been real happy with it. I owned a Western Wilderness (now Alpinlite) and was happy with it as well. Like it was mentioned previously: get the most for the least if at all possible. These slide in dealers don't budge much on price, so figure paying just about full bore for one. Mine with tax and license came to $25,000. 00 in 2000.



The Arctic Fox was one of or the first manufacturer's to come out with the slide out on the slide in, so they didn't budge much on price. I did get them to toss in a few extra's like air bags and a few other goodies they normally charge extra for.



Good luck and Merry Christmas



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[L_Rutigliano]

I've owned a 93' Lance but outgrew it. Went shopping at the RV show after looking at Arctic Fox, Lance, Elkhorn, S&S, Citation, etc and ended up buying a Eagle Cap.



Go to http//www.eaglecapcampers.com



They make a very nice slide-out with welded aluminum frame and fiberglass shell with every conceivable "option" as standard. The price is $8k to $10k less than a comparible Lance. They are out of La Grande, OR.

 

[smartineau]

We are realy impressed with the Northern lite 10-2000. I also liked but (she didn't like the lay out) of the Snow River. But as mentioned earlier both are spendy, NL ~ $20,000 and SR ~ 21,000. the SR is several hundred heavier but has a slide out.



steve

 

[TowPro]

See what others have carried for weight in there 2500's. My slidin has a sticker that says something about 1800 lbs before water and gear. Even with the 8800 lb option, I was pushing my limites on what Dodge says I can carry. Just watch you don't get something that will cause you to need to buy a 3500.

 

[mbaston]

camper

I purchased a 9. 5 foot Western Canada RV Adventurer with slide out dinette. I love it but found it too heavy for my 2500 even with air lifts and Rancho 9000xs (even though they helped a lot). Oh darn, I had to buy a new truck



Love the camper; well constructed and solid. I wish it had a bit larger heater is all.

 

[rrl989]

Lance has a good website www.lancecampers.com



Check out a Lance Lite and compare, you get what you pay for !



Ron

 

[BV]

campers

Maybe this review will help.



Have you looked at any Pastime brand campers. They are built in Mt Angle Oregon and are high quality construction, mid-level luxury and priced very well.



Apache Camping Centers sell them.



EDIT: Pastime (Pastime Mfg. ) 503-845-6886

 

[Boomer II]

I've lusted for a Bigfoot, but they're a lot of bucks. I've owned an Alpenlite, nice rig well built.

 

[RAPID RICK]

Artic Fox camper

I own a 2000 Artic Fox 990 with slide out & have had to take it back to the factory 3 times for major repairs. 800 miles round trip each time. Plus replaced the 2 of the P. O. S. Happijac camper jacks

twice,2 of them once & all 4 jack motors TWICE because they were soooo noisey you could here them 1/2 mile away. I now have 2 of the jack motors that are less than a year old (SUPPOSED to have 1 yr. warranty) that need replaced again. Happijac won't honor thier warranty. Wouldnt wish these pieces of c**p on my enemies. The one thing I can say is Artic Fox has been good about honoring thier warranty. Thanks for letting me vent. I feel much better now.



Rick

 

[mbaston]

My camper came with the Atwoods and they have been great so far.

 

[DPelletier]

We don't have ready access to some of the brands that seem real popular in the states, such as Lance and Artic Fox. Hear great things about both of them. Of all the ones I looked at before buying, the Bigfoot was at the top of the heap with nothing else really close except the Northern Light. We liked the Bigfoot's layout better than the Northern Light and there were a few areas where the Bigfoot's quality seemed to be slightly better. I just got back from a brutal off-road trip in Baha and despite several repairs required to my truck because of the pounding, the camper held up just fine. My 2 pennies.

although I will readily admit that a large part of my love of Bigfoots has to do with the moulded fiberglass look.

- As far as weight goes, you definitely want to keep it in the forefront of your mind when your shopping. The manufacturer's tags are without options! Things like AC, larger fridges, optional 30lb tanks, etc, etc. add up quickly. I am overweight with my 2500 9. 5 on my 2500 Ram. The truck handles the camper OK with the Rancho RS9000x's and doesn't touch the overloads unless you really fill it up with gear, BUT if I was buying a new truck, I would get a dually.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[mbaston]

When I bought my Western Canada RV 9. 5, the tag said 2800lbs. I looked real close at it the other day. The weight was with an ice box with 40# of ice. This isn't even offered on this model. I strongly suggest getting a true weight of the model. Perhaps the dealer will facilitate hauling to a scale and setting on its jacks on the scale.

I can't tell you how much better the dually is over my 2500 even with airlifts and 9000x shocks. I am not fearful of going around corners etc. The 6 speed and HO engine are a plus too.

 

[dblake]

There a quite a few used northern lites for sale in the northwest and B. C. Just look on the net. I just got back from picking up my 95 for a shortbed for less than 7k in B. C. There were quite a few more up there and when you take the canadian price and multiply by . 68 you'll see that you can save quite a few bucks new or used up there. Heck,all the prices I saw up there were the same but with the exchange rate it's like getting 32% off. Good luck!

 

[alaskagrizz]

You'll not be sorry with a Lance......

I shopped campers extensively before ordering my Lance Lite 915 a year ago. My wife and I have used it extensively in the past year, all over the state we are blessed to call home, and in pretty harsh weather! There is a whole lot more to the "Lance being Alaska tested tough" than just a sales slogan. A company that has built only campers (no fifth wheels, trailers or motorhomes here) for that many years must be doing something right. Their customer service is awesome as well. That's just my two cents worth. Oo.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Northern Lite experiance

I owned a northeren lite camper and had a very poor unit. . We bought it new and the door would not close properly when we got home, After a adjustment at the dealers it was ok. After about 600 miles there was a crack and fiberglass tear at the bottom of the door amd tje sewer cpnnection lines were broken from a flex or sag at the rear of the unit. We took it to the manufacturer (in Kalone BC) and they repaired it for us and also installed and roof air conditioner. About 6 months later on the way back from a trip to so Cal. the air conditioner started to come through the roof!!!! A call to the company left us stunned- it was out of warrenty!!!!!!!!!!!!:--) We were now on our own with a near ruined camper just 1 year old. Luckly there was a Alpinlite dealer in Mt Vernon WA that took it in on trade. That was in 1995 We still own the Alpinlite Odessa and have well over 200,000 miles on it. The structure is in very good shape. The interior showes wear but I have not had to so much as replace a fuse so far. We use our camper for buisness spending about 100 to 120 nights a year in it. This is not just road time we so some mild off roading with it also. . I could not say enough about the welded aluminum frame. I would reccomend that if you look for a long term camper go aluminum frame at least. IMHO

 

[musclefixer]

Okay Folks.

I haven't posted for quite a while, but I am now in the situation where you can probably help.

The wife and I are looking into a Bigfoot 2500 camper. It's the 10. 6 unit. This has a DRY weight of 2610, has 50 gal fresh H2O, and 43 gal of grey/black tanks. Along with the 2-20 lb propane tanks, I think I'm pretty close to maxing out. I know I am if I have the gen set and all the rest of our junk.

We are thinking, do we need the DRW to drive safely with this camper???

Please shed some light on this for us.

Will obviously have to modify my sig if all goes well...

 

[NETim]

In a word, yes. To do it safely (and legally) you'll want a dually.



Mind you I have no first hand experience with a "big" slide in on my truck. Just a little popup on my old 2500. But the wife and I are angling for a 10 or maybe even 11 foot camper, which push 3K.



I've done a lot of reading here and irv2.com about what it takes to tote around a big slide in like you describe and 95% of the responses indicate a dually is needed, not only for safety but for enjoyment on the road. Too many stories of white knuckle drives with 2500's and big campers and interstate speeds and passing semi's.



Personally, I think the 2500 can handle a bigger camper, but the problem is, that's under ideal conditions which as we all know, are a myth.



Your 2500 probably can only handle about a 2300 lb camper if you do the math.



We bought a 3500.



Tim