DiscoChicken
Lawrenceville, GA
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I have a 2011 F250 4dr Short Bed. I also have a 2004 Lance 845. I want a newer, if not brand new, Arctic Fox 865. AFs seem to be so heavy but they have the floor plan I like. Any thoughts from owners of an AF 865? How do AFs handle? They look to be not only heavier but higher ceiling as well. I know I'll be overweight, but I've faced facts: it's impossible to have a TC and not be.
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Lots of Stuff
WA. USA
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Joined: 10/18/2003
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Truck Camper Magazine has a Buyers Guide listing the AF865.
Scroll down to the 865
TCM does a good job coming up with real world ready to camp weights.
I to like the AF865 but think it too heavy for my truck.
* This post was
edited 12/03/10 08:31pm by Lots of Stuff *
DG
03 Chevy Silverado Regular Cab 2500HD 4X4 Duramax
04 Lance Lite 915
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Dirtpig
Qualicum Beach, BC
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I would say go for it. You may need to help out the springs in some form if the rear end sags too much. Just stay within your rear tire load capacity, drive cautiously and attentively and you will be fine. You may find that you need to upgrade your tires to a higher load index as I had to when i put my arctic fox 811 on my 2005 F350.
As for handling, I have no complaints, no scariness. I do notice that the height of the camper increases wind resistance and I have found that this AF 811 increased fuel consumption noticeably over my old lowerprofile northern lite camper.
The best mod i did in regards to improving handling of the camper was the adjustable rancho shocks. The most unnecessary was airbags which i took out immediately, a detriment in my application.
AF campers are nice, absolutely love ours no regrets buying it !! good luck!
2009 Arctic Fox 811 /w 140watt solar
2005 F-350 Diesel 4x4 CC SB SRW: Rancho 9000xl shocks, Torklift stableloads, torklift tiedowns with fastguns, 4" MBRP stainless, Toyo 285/75/R18 M/T
2001 Honda XR400: many mods(toy)
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kerry4951
East Central Pennsylvania
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Did you check out Northwoods new line of truck camper....Wolf Creek 850? Its a non slide lighter TC, similar floorplans. It just came out.
I have an AF1140 on my dually. They are heavy but the truck handles it very well. Overall we love our AF. Its better built than my old MH.
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually D/A, Supersprings, Stable Loads, Bilstein Shocks, Hellwig Sway Bar, Front Timbrens.
2010 Arctic Fox 1140 DB, 220 watts solar, custom 4 in 1 "U" shaped dinette/couch, 59 interior and exterior mods to date and still adding
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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DiscoChicken wrote:.... I know I'll be overweight, but I've faced facts: it's impossible to have a TC and not be. No it's not!! A buyer just needs to do their homework properly. If someone wants a BIG TC then they just need to buy the appropriate truck. Or downsize their TC dreams to fit the truck they have.
Of course you can do anything you want, I'm just pointing out the fallacy of your comment.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5,270W solar,SolarBoost2000e,2 H2K's,2KW inverter,2 20lb LP on slide out tray,4 Lifeline AGM bats,Tundra fridge
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Well, as you stated, once you load her up you will be overweight. Depending on where you travel this could be a problem as at some point you may be asked to unload it off the truck as I suspect you will be at least 1000 pounds over the allowable weight for that truck.
Also, depending on where you intend to buy it, they (the dealer and salesman) may not sell it to you if the weights are too high as this jeapordizes the dealers license and the salesmans license. Some provinces and states are tougher on this kind of thing than others.
Good luck in whatever you choose...and be safe.
* This post was
edited 12/03/10 07:17pm by John & Angela *
2003 Revolution 40C Class A. 2002 Vanguard 22 foot Class C. Diesel smart car Toad or pulling a 2009 Timeout Tent Trailer.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but rather by the moments that take our breath away.
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TBH219
South East, Charleston SC
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After close to 2 yrs of reading,, reaserching and studying all the differant brands/makes/models of TC's out there I have decided to go with the Northstar Laredo SC for my 2011 f-350 CCSWB SRW 4X4.
The Artic Fox line of campers are very nice, and well built campers, but do seem to be a bit on the heavy side. I didn't want to have to do any suspension upgrades on the truck to feel comfortable about hauling a camper.
I decided to start out with something that my truck would handle with out any problem at all. The Northstars might not be as lavish as the Artic Fox, but I feel that I have a good decision being that this is my first camper.
According to TCM buyers guide the Artic Fox 865's dry weight is 3,236lbs and wet is 4,254lbs. This is for a base model without any options and those will also add weight. Then throw in you gear,clothes, tools, yourself, etc and the weight will climb up there.
Just remember to enjoy what ever you decide to go with. Happy camping
Blake
2011 Ford F-350 CC SWB 4X4 SRW 6.2L 4.30 Gears Torklift tiedowns/Fastguns
2011 Northstar Laredo SC 4ea.AGM'S 240 watts of solar and some other stuff.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Quote:I know I'll be overweight, but I've faced facts: it's impossible to have a TC and not be.
Cop out cause putting one on a short bed 250 isn't even trying.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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DiscoChicken
Lawrenceville, GA
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Thanks for the helpful replies. According to TC Mag's weights I'll be over by 1500 lbs!!! Of course, I'd never travel with all that water, but I have a baby, Wife and two 50lb Vizsla bird dogs. 500 lbs of "stuff" seems like a lot, but I know it adds up QUICK. I've traveled overweight before in my previous rig. I had an AlpinLite Sante Fe 1150 on a 2003 F350. It was a bit scary to drive. I do plan on the Rancho shocks being on the truck and when Hellwig comes out with its' TC sway bar for my truck I'll add it too. The tires are golden - I've got E rated on 20" wheels. This 845 is a breeze to drive with only the airbags but, I really like the living area and bed being separate on the AF 865. Our Alpinlite was split like this and the kid slept like a champ up in the bed while we entered/exited the TC. I guess the weight is moot TO ME (others opinions may differ, respectfully). My main question is how might the AF 865 handle on my truck. Does anyone have an 865 on a 250 or 2500? I REALLY don't want to be matched up like I was before - not worth it to drive scary like that. Thanks again y'all!
@John & Angela - Who would ask me to unload it?
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Dirtpig
Qualicum Beach, BC
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DiscoChicken wrote: The tires are golden - I've got E rated on 20" wheels.
Just check the numbers, not all E rated tires are created equal.
If you are concerned about weight, weigh the rear axle of the truck empty, then you will see how much weight you can carry and how much breathing room you will have in your tires.
95%+ weight of the camper will be on your rear axle.
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