jimh425
Western WA
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Joined: 06/11/2006
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I think you should keep what you have. My reasoning...NLs have a fairly small area of floor space as well, so you really wouldn't be gaining much comfort at a considerable increase in carrying weight. Obviously, your current camper is fine for what you do.
On the other hand, there are some other campers that would have a dramatic increase in comfort. Take my double slide for instance...
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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Eugarps
Hagerstown, MD
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Joined: 09/26/2002
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Lets keep those lovely Earthroamers in mind as well. They are huge but are hard-sided and apparently go about anywhere. I'd like to own one but certainly would keep my trail ahead thoroughly in mind. Their Jeep build-up is a pop-up but much less luxurious than the Outfitter Apex. The Jeep model, however, did the Rubicon Trail....
Steve, for where your 2x4 (I think..) truck will take you the NL is a great camper. Buy a 1 ton 4x4 and the decision becomes more difficult. How much winter camper do you do. Although the Outfitter is quite capable of keeping you warm, the NL could be more pleasant on a really bad weather day.
My $0.02,
Bill
Current Truck - 2007 Tundra 4x4 DC TRD
1978 27' Southwind MH - Gone
1982 19' Terry Taurus TT - Gone
1990 24' Prowler TT - Gone
TC and different truck coming SOON!
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Quote:why not buy a folding kayak to go with the NL? Folbot and Klepper both make dandy expedition grade kayaks
At this risk of going off-topic for a second:
...what I love about the Folbot (the unit I use) is that they can be flown in cargo and taken with you anywhere on the Planet, relatively inexpensively. I think that the NL may have a basement compartment large enough to re-pack a skin-and-frame kayak or 3 into....a cheap solution to "porting a kayak".
Used FBs come up for sale from time to time in great condition...
Cheers,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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PNWWade
Lebanon, Oregon
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Joined: 10/21/2008
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I guess it's time for me to toot the horn for Northern Lite! Wandered a many mile with it. Has been a nice quality camper.
.....and it has the boat rack!
Wade
2004.5 Dodge Ram SLT 2500 Cummins 4x4 Firestone Ride Rite Airbags
2009 Northern Lite 9.6Q Classic Special Edition w/Boat Rack
Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power 4600
Torklift Tie Downs w/Fastguns
Honda EU2000i
Trek 4300.....my bicycle!
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Murgatroid
Nevada City, CA
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Joined: 04/15/2008
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I thought I'd give everyone an update. I decided to go for it and get a Northern Lite and will sell the Outfitter at some point. Apache Camping Center in Portland had a new 9.6Q Classic with electric jacks and Heki skylight for a good price, so I bought it. They were great to work with. They included 2 batteries in the price. I asked to see if they could fit a pair of 6V instead, and they did without any upcharge. They also added the plug in the bed of my truck for no charge. I already have the tie downs (Torklift w/fastguns).
I am VERY impressed with the fit and finish of this camper. I've had all the drawers out and have looked at all the stuff behind the scenes. It's all neat and tidy. I do wish NL would include a more modern battery charger/converter since the rest of the camper uses nicer than standard appliances and fittings, but I have a Progressive Dynamics 4600 on it's way. The only head scratcher I've found so far is that the valve to drain the fresh water tank is about 3 feet down from the access point (the front dinette bench). You'd have to be a knuckle dragger to reach it. I did manage to get my leg in there and open/close it with my foot.
I was very surprised how nice it was to carry on my truck (I only have Pacbrake airbags with stock shocks at the moment). I didn't have everything packed for camping, but I did have a full water tank, propane, and some of my gear in it. It didn't feel heavy at all, and sway was minimal through the I-5 curves in the Siskiyous. I was expecting a lot worse.
Stupid me didn't bring a camera, and now it's off the truck and winterized for now. In any case, I"m a happy camper and am looking forward to some trips soon. We have booked 4 days in Yosemite in April, but I hope I can get out before then.
-steve
2009 Northern Lite 9.6Q Classic
2009 Outfitter Apex 9.5
2009 Sundance 2800RLS
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC LB CTD 2WD
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Sounds great! May you have many, many years with your new NL !
Please continue to give us updates on your new hardside vs the pop-up.
Cheers,
Silver-
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Eugarps
Hagerstown, MD
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Joined: 09/26/2002
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Congratulations! NL makes a really nice camper with, what seems to be, a really long useful life. Here's to many years of great trips!
Bill
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mylundboat
Wisconsin
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Joined: 09/02/2009
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You are going to sleep very well in this unit. Keep us posted
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CleaverID
Boise, ID
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Joined: 12/07/2009
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Good post that will be brought up again and again. I thought I'd put my 2 cents in. I currently have an 06 990 silver fox and am looking at going the other way to a pop up. We are looking at getting a Jet boat in the next couple of years and need to downsize the camper so I am not overloading the truck. (the 990 is @4000 lightly loaded.) Adding a 5000 lb jetboat to an extended hitch may not be a good idea. The 990 has been an amazing camper but it is more camper than we really need. The Outfitter and the Haulmark are the 2 I am looking into. Hard to choke down that they cost over 18k though. I will be looking at used when we are ready. The Apex looks nice, congrats on the NorthernLight.
Cleaver
2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Cummins LB 48RE 4x4 Pro comps ES9000's Overloads, 2" lift, Firestone airbags, Airaid intake, Bullydog downloader, bully monitor, shift kit, 4" exhaust
2006 Artic Fox 990 Siver Fox
20' custom raft trailer and 16' Air Jag cataraft
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kbaum
Out West
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Joined: 11/19/2008
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Good luck with the new camper. I believe I met you when you were picking up your Outfitter, what a nicely optioned unit it was. Didn't you have a large hardsided camper before the outfitter?
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