New Arctic Fox 811

[996Pilot]

Picked up my new Arctic Fox 811 last Thursday from Nelson's R.V. in Boise, ID. Wow - I'm impressed with Northwood build quality and the features of this camper. Drove it from Boise to San Diego after picking it up (968 miles). Encountered 40mph cross winds north of Mammoth Lakes CA and while it was a bit of white knuckle, I slowed to 45 mph and it seemed to handle fine (thanks to the last minute Timbren SES install). Kept the cruise control on 65mph for most all of the trip and the ride was great. Soon I'll change out the tire to 285/75-18 Cooper AT3 with the 4080 lb. load rating.

[3TV]

Travelin Jim wrote:

I may buy an 865 from them tomorrow...Need to buy a Ford f350 but not sure it has a big enough payload for the wet wt of 4300lbs. What rig are you using and is it big enough? Thanks Jim

I just bought a 2019 SRW F350 two weeks ago. Payload capacity with the 11,500 lb GVWR rating is 3552 lbs. So, a bit short of the 4300 lbs needed. Better plan on a DRW F350 for that camper

[Reality_Check]

Travelin Jim wrote:

996Pilot wrote:
Picked up my new Arctic Fox 811 last Thursday from Nelson's R.V. in Boise, ID. Wow - I'm impressed with Northwood build quality and the features of this camper. Drove it from Boise to San Diego after picking it up (968 miles). Encountered 40mph cross winds north of Mammoth Lakes CA and while it was a bit of white knuckle, I slowed to 45 mph and it seemed to handle fine (thanks to the last minute Timbren SES install). Kept the cruise control on 65mph for most all of the trip and the ride was great. Soon I'll change out the tire to 285/75-18 Cooper AT3 with the 4080 lb. load rating.

I may buy an 865 from them tomorrow...Need to buy a Ford f350 but not sure it has a big enough payload for the wet wt of 4300lbs. What rig are you using and is it big enough? Thanks Jim

Looks like a quad Dodge..

lol, his signature:

2018 Arctic Fox 811
2015 RAM 3500 SRW Laramie Longhorn 6.7 Cummins 68RFE Timbren SES, Lower Stableloads

[Travelin_Jim]

996Pilot wrote:
Picked up my new Arctic Fox 811 last Thursday from Nelson's R.V. in Boise, ID. Wow - I'm impressed with Northwood build quality and the features of this camper. Drove it from Boise to San Diego after picking it up (968 miles). Encountered 40mph cross winds north of Mammoth Lakes CA and while it was a bit of white knuckle, I slowed to 45 mph and it seemed to handle fine (thanks to the last minute Timbren SES install). Kept the cruise control on 65mph for most all of the trip and the ride was great. Soon I'll change out the tire to 285/75-18 Cooper AT3 with the 4080 lb. load rating.

I may buy an 865 from them tomorrow...Need to buy a Ford f350 but not sure it has a big enough payload for the wet wt of 4300lbs. What rig are you using and is it big enough? Thanks Jim

[billtex]

mr goodbar wrote:
We had a great trip to Nelsons RV in Boise and picked up our new AF 811. I was pleasantly surprised at how well our Dodge RAM 2500 did with it. I could tell there was more weight but it handled just fine on the trip back to Montana (8 hour drive)over several passes. We stopped for the night at Craters of the Moon National Park which is a cool place to see. I would recommend Nelsons RV and found them to be great to work with and friendly.

Beautiful! Congrats on a successful maiden voyage-many more to come.

Nice rig!

Safer travels, Bill

[Bedlam]

My F250 did just fine with the AF811. You just have to be smart about which upgrades you apply rather than throw a bunch on hoping for the best.

[jaycocreek]

The AF 811 is going to overload every single 3500 SRW truck out there..Without a doubt and a big portion of 3500 DRW's...

You can put bandages on it,but it will be quite overloaded and drive accordingly.

Nice TC though..

[mr_goodbar]

We had a great trip to Nelsons RV in Boise and picked up our new AF 811. I was pleasantly surprised at how well our Dodge RAM 2500 did with it. I could tell there was more weight but it handled just fine on the trip back to Montana (8 hour drive)over several passes. We stopped for the night at Craters of the Moon National Park which is a cool place to see. I would recommend Nelsons RV and found them to be great to work with and friendly.

[burningman]

mr goodbar wrote:
Congrats on the new TC! It looks good! I am on my way to Nelsons Rv next weekend to pick up mine. How is the weight of the TC? I have a 2016 RAM 2500 SB with air bags currently using a Palomino TC without issues. Nelsons is installing a sway bar for me to help with my air bags. Is that enough for the 811? Thanks!

Sorry to report but I think you’ll be trading into a different truck the day after you put that on the coil spring Ram. A friend of mine bought one and set his camper on it, a lighter one than an AF811, and tried to drive it. Never again.

Spring stiffness and center of gravity isn’t the problem.
The problem with the coil spring Ram is the springs are too far inboard in the chassis.
The effective rear width is too narrow.
The leaf spring trucks aren’t better because of a leaf vs. coil difference, it’s because the leafs are mounted further outward, with a wider stance.

You’re really, really gonna want any 3/4 or 1 ton other than a newer Ram for heavy camper hauling.

[anutami]

How is the center of gravity? I saw an 811 on a swr ram at the lone pine ranger station and it appeared to be behind the rear axle seems like a lot of camper for that truck. Those ram short bed trucks appear to have a really small bed.

[deltabravo]

My 811 was over 4000 lbs with just batteries, 2/3 tank of water and 2 batteries on the way home from buying it.

Truck was 7800 alone.

Truck with long bed 811 and ZERO of my "stuff" in it: 11920

[Jack_Spratt]

We really enjoyed our 811
4,000# with everything topped off.
Big Wig sway bar had it handling like a go cart.
Also had air bags and super springs
Never had any buyers regret with this model
You’re going to have a lot of fun with your new camper.

[mr_goodbar]

jimh425 Welcome to Montana! I will try Lolo and if not run over to exit 96. Thanks!

[jimh406]

mr goodbar wrote:
jimh425 do you know if the scale in Lolo allows you to just stop in and get weighed? Thanks!

I’m new to Montana and haven’t checked to see.

I’ve only weighed at the cat scale at the Flying J at exit 96 on I-90.

[mr_goodbar]

Thanks brholt for the response. I will find out next weekend and share my experience.