slidein campers

[ScooterH]

SLIDEIN CAMPERS

I know this subject has been hashed over a hundred times, but every year new products are released, and people have had more time to evaluate their new toys. In your opinion what would be the top 5 slidein campers? Someday I would like to get rid of my 11. 5 Coachmen(1988) and buy a new camper. So far the Bigfoot 3000 is my favorite. Any input would be helpful.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I agree the Bigfoot is nice, I think that will be my next one. My wife really likes our current Lance and doesn't want me to get rid of it until it wears out which won't happen soon. Another good one, similar to the Bigfoot is the Northern Lite. I have heard good things about it. There may be others but those are my top 3 choices and I wouldn't consider anything other than those 3. If you like pop ups, the Alaskan is about the best quality.

 

[dewdo]

Scooter:

Last year I was in the market for a new pickup camper and did a lot of looking before I decided on an 11. 5 Arctic Fox with all the bells and whistles including a slide out. Got awnings, generator, air conditioning, microwave, am/fm/cd/tape audio system. It didn't come cheap. From what I see on the road and in campgrounds I guess the Lance is the most popular. It was in the same price range as the Arctic Fox. My last camper was a Western Wilderness (now Alpinlite I beleive) and I bought it in 1988 and had it on a 72 Ford. Loved it. It was well made and rather than sell it I gave the truck and camper to my daughter and son-in-law who now use it nearly every weekend.



The Alaskan is a nice unit but a pricey rig. I guess Bigfoot would fit in some of the top rigs catagory as well. Like trailer, they make campers in just about every price range and to fit just about anyones pocket book. I think that would be the limiting factor. Keep in mind "you get what you pay for. "



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[ScooterH]

Arctic Fox

Well guys, you,ve got my curiosity up on this Arctic Fox. I think I'll go to their web sight and check them out.

 

[RobG]

I looked at the Big Foots recently (just on the net), and I must say I'm impressed. That is, until I realized their total propane capacity is a single 20 lb tank.



The upside is they have enormous gray and black holding tanks. Their freshwater tank is kinda small at 33 gal, but not too bad.



My Lance, however, has two 30 lb. propane tanks, but the holding tanks are half the size of the Bigfoot. I guess it comes down to what you need more of. Me, I think I'd rather have the propane, since it's easier to find a place to dump (gray, since I have yet to fill the black tank up in less than three weeks of constant use) than to find a place that sells propane, especially when boondocking and using the generator for the A/C.



What's the URL for Arctic Fox? I was at their site a while back but lost the URL. They're nice too, but all of their campers have sliders. I like the slider idea, but I don't need one.



So... whatever camper you get, look closely at stuff like propane and holding tank/freshwater capacity and decide what best suits your needs.



Rob

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Camper?= AlpinLite

I have owned our Alpinlite Odessa 9. 5' for almost 7 years and 150. 000 miles. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. It has been an excellent unit. We use it in our buisness and sleep in it about 120 nights a year. I have yet to replace a fuse in it, no wiring problems, no loose frame. It has a welded aluminum frame and I think this is one of the main reasons we have had no problems. If I was to buy another one I would look at the next size larger= more storage dry and wet. Before we bought the Alpinlite we owned a Northern Lite (made in Canada a spin off of Bigfoot) and had to sell it before it was 1 1/2 years old. The fiberglass was poorly laid up and much to thin. On our last trip the airconditioner started to come through the roof, the sewer lines broke as the fiberglass would shift and the door frame started to tear throug the glass . The company would not help us with our problems.

 

[dewdo]

The Arctic Fox is manufactured by Nash Industries in Oregon. They also make the Arctic Fox trailers. They have the two propane tanks which I thin are 7 gallons each. I forget the capacity of the holding tanks, but we have never had any problems. The slide out makes it pretty nice. We have a fifth wheel trailer as well, but the camper is very comfortable with the slide out. I had some initial problems with the slide motor, but the dealer has got that problem solved. I dont care for the square electric jacks on it. They are a bit flimsy for a rig weighing that much. The round jacks I think are better.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[klenger]

Artic Fox is at http://www.nashtraveltrailers.com/

 

[Archive]

I have a Nothland 10ft camper. I really like it and its layout inside. I have seen some very nice Lance campers, too.



One suggestion: if you plan on using a camper in the winter, get one that heats the holding tank to below the drain valves. This will prevent a big problem.



The other option is to pour some RV antifreeze in your holding tanks.

 

[Dieselnerd]

RobG, I too thought that all the Bigfoot campers only came with one bottle. A friend of mine is considering one and he got all the data from a Bigfoot dealer. On the spec sheets for every one the dealer had in stock was listed "optional dual 20# propane" installed. From looking at Bigfoot's web site you can get the impression they are not available. I bet a lot of people pass them up because of that.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Lance 1130

<font color = blue>

FWIW, I can only repeat what others have already said here in this forum.....

You get what you pay for and you pay for what you get! If used in very cold climates, then take special interest in the cold weather packages and what they are designed to protect.

How many good looking campers of the types you are shortlisting are still around after 5+ years and still giving good service?

Would their owners buy them again without hesitation?

Product reliability and after market sales and service both come pretty high on my list, especially as I'm over 11,000 miles away from my Lance Dealership.

 

[ScooterH]

People I can tell you from experiance, that I will never buy a camper that has a stick frame. My Coachmen had a leak around a window. Once water gets in it has no place to go and will rot the frame and you may not know it until it's to late. I rebuilt the entire front cabover portion. I did learn quite alot about the construction of a slidein. At this point in time, I would be in favor of an Alpenlite or a Bigfoot 3000 with optional aluminum frame. I really enjoy all the input I'm receiving.

 

[SlyBones]

Looking at all the ones down here on RV row, I would go with the Bigfoot if you need a cold weather camper. Otherwise go with the ArticFox. A new one with the full length slide, 11. 5 with the big kitchen and the smaller bath. And the works. Just looked at one today. $23. 5K with all the trimmings.

 

[LMautone]

Slide-in

I have been researching Slide-ins for awhile now. I was set on the Lance till a fellow TDR member turned me on to S&S Camper.

I still haven't decided but i'm down to a Lance, S&S, or a Fleetwood. It's probably just what turns you on more. They all seem good quality.

 

[RobG]

Is there a link to the makers of S&S? I'm always curious to see other brands of camper...



Rob

 

[LMautone]

S&S camper

The link for S&S is s-scamper.com

 

[ScooterH]

Summerwind

To whomever E-mailed me about the Citation, Okanogan, and Summerwind campers. Thanks! I deleted your E-mail accidently. The Summerwind does look pretty impressive. 2 in. walls, aluminum frame are great. Their webb sight could be a little more informative. Yet this camper, along with the Bigfoot and Alpenlite are major considerations. Thanks again

 

[dresslered]

I am definitely impressed with the Bigfoot 3000. I think that the reason some only have a single tank is that they are so efficient (it is the only slide-in that I know of that is truly rated to -40 degrees with dual pane glass, skylights, polyurathane insulated walls, etc. ).



Also, with the aluminum frame, they do not require the front support struts as many of the wooden framed campers do (they are extremely stiff). Because they are so stiff, frame mounting tie-downs are a requirement otherwise damage to the camper/bed will result. The basement design allows access to the spare tire where others often require removing the camper first.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Spare tire access with slide-in camper

Originally posted by dresslered

The basement design allows access to the spare tire where others often require removing the camper first.

<font color = blue> Whilst this may be the case for the majority, I can categorically state that with my Lance 1130 slide-in, I was able to remove my original factory tire and rim and replace it with a Rixon 19. 5 inch tire and rim combination WITHOUT having to remove the camper. A little inconvenient YES, impossible NO!!

 

[dresslered]

John-

I actually thought of your successes as I wrote those very words. How 'bout if I change it to read, "the basement design allows EASY access to the spate tire. "