BeMurda
Canada
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Joined: 12/04/2022
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Hi all,
Looking to buy my first truck camper, used. Looking relatively modern (less than 15 years old) with good construction and power jacks. Are there any models you recommend for this size truck? Any that you think would be ideal?
What should I look out for as a first time buyer? Thank you.
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jimh406
Western MT
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Joined: 06/11/2006
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You are in Canada, so I think a NorthernLite would be appropriate. Note, they have a few different layouts, so keep that in mind.
Lookout for water damage and jack/tiedown damage.
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member
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Bedlam
PNW
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Joined: 06/13/2012
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Northern Lite and Bigfoot are well made Canadian campers which may be easier to source north of the border.
Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD
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Bedlam
PNW
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Northstar and Wolf Creek US built campers are some you may want look at too. Try to stay around 9' floor with no slide outs to keep close to your SRW ratings.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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Going used, it will be as much about finding one in good condition, no leaks, as much as brand. iMO
If there’s no water damage, no evidence of leaks in the structure or plumbing and everything works, that’s 90% what to look for in any/all campers.
The fiberglass clamshell types like Bigfoot are less susceptible to water intrusion. Although you kinda gotta treat any RV with care and maintenance/inspection to keep away from issues.
My only experience with TCs is Arctic Fox and I’d recommend them pending the above stuff.
Large fresh water capacity and a big fridge are the 2 of the primary things I was after.
And a slide out.
Had an 05 AF 860 we bought in 2013. Love it. No issues to speak of. Left it in AK (sold it up there before moving back to the L48).
Replaced it with the same model but 2003 (wood frame vs aluminum was the only meaningful difference). That one was virtually issue free as well. Only real issue was the bracing for the fresh water tank broke and dropped the tank. Although we used it frequently with full tanks, off the truck and unsupported. And it was not a difficult fix.
AF 811/860 (same basic camper) and AF 990/992 would both be in your future trucks wheelhouse.
Unlike some folks, I’d reccomend a slide out model. The addl room doesn’t seem like much until there’s 3 or 4 of you in it and that extra couple feet of width makes a big difference.
IMO don’t be afraid of older if the stuff above checks out. There’s not much difference or advancement in camper features and technology from the early/mid 2000s up through current models.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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Geo*Boy
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I would stay with a non slide out camper such as Northstar, Northernlite, Cirrus or Wolfcreek. Northwoods Mfg. recommends a dually truck for all their campers with a slide out.
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jimh406
Western MT
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Grit dog wrote:The fiberglass clamshell types like Bigfoot are less susceptible to water intrusion.
Not true since almost all of the water intrusion reported here comes in around marker lights with a bit from other openings in the top for vents, etc.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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jimh406 wrote:Grit dog wrote:The fiberglass clamshell types like Bigfoot are less susceptible to water intrusion.
Not true since almost all of the water intrusion reported here comes in around marker lights with a bit from other openings in the top for vents, etc.
They have probably 50' less of seams that are susceptible to leaking compared to the other style of TC construction. Idk why you'd say that.
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towpro
Compass PA
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I owned a wolf creek, it maxed out my 2006 Ram 3500 SRW but it was nice. Dealer did seal whole camper with geocell before he let me have it, I think may have seen water problems with them and this is his fix to keep his customers happy. But in the 2 years I owned it we had no problem with it. we traded it in on a AF990 after we moved up to a dually. I think he sold our Wolf creek in a week. I also would look at the other ones shown above, I seem to recall northern lights were a little heaver of those choices above.
2022 Ford F150
Sold: 2016 Arctic Fox 990, 2018 Ram 3500, 2011 Open Range
Sold Forest River Forester 2401R Mercedes Benz. when campsites went from $90 to $190 per night.
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BeMurda
Canada
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I think I will stick to fiberglass or aluminum types of construction. Lance, Wolf Creek, Northern Lite,
There is a Lance 950S with factory weight 3154 that I really want to look at getting but should probably go lighter. I did order the highest payload Dana rear axle.
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