I second the thought that the best camper varies by the user needs.
So you keep the weight police off your back (and for safety) you should be looking in the 8 - 9 foot range (assuming you have a long bed). If you stay within the length of your bed, towing doesn't require any extensions. If you go longer, you get more of everything. For me, the biggest advantages are the additonal water & storage as well as the rear camper bumper and the single fold up rear step. The 9 foot units get you into the center/dry baths league.
My version of the decision was based on the camper with the best combination of features, construction, and a local dealer. That local dealer thing ruled out some good campers like Bigfoot, Northern Light (would have also been eliminated because of short cabover bed in short bed size), Eagle Cap, etc. In the end, it was down to Lance 820(more creature features), Northstar Laredo SC (more compact), and my Alpenlite Laramie (better construction, Closer/better Dealer, more features that were on my definitely can use now list). I haven't regretted the decision - particularly the quality construction as I see a lot of problems in the forum that I don't have. Good luck!
IMHO it is Northern lite. Rated 5 stars for 4 years running by RV Consumer Group and the only one to reach 5 stars! I have had mine 2 years and love it!
However, you clearly need to understand your needs before you buy anything. Fot instance, NL doesn't have a slide and sits very high above the ground.
We have a Lance camper and really like it and has given great service over the years. Our camper is over 10 years in age and the only mechanical repair was water-pump replacement. I've had the unit re-caulked (roof, windows, etc) just once, however, our dealer suggests every three years, point is, I'm pleased with our Lance.
I'm told you'll need a dually for a slide-out due to the additional weight.
You might want to check out www.hostcamper.com as they have several slide-out models including a dual slide, limited dealer network though. I like the aluminum frame construction also, Lance is wood.
authurmcw
There are a lot of good campers out there. You will see more Lances on the road.Thats because that is all they make.There are some others which just make campers but only make a couple hundred per year like Snowriver of Canada. Great product.
The best way is just go look at as many as you can and see which one fits your need. Do not buy something just because it is the cheapest or the only one,because you will have to live with it for some time.Also,remember that there are some things which you can add after purchase and save that way.
We went to the manufacturer show in Louisville one year and had some one get us in and looked at a bunch of them. Do I like mind? Yes Do Ilike others?
Yes. Just go do it and remember,quality is number one,and service is a close second
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Maya Angelou
2003 G MC Sierra SLT, CC, short bed, 4x4, Duramax/Allison, Rancho 9000x shocks, Firestone air bags, Helwig anti-sway bar, Torklift tie downs
2005 Eagle Cap 850, dinette slide, Onan 2.5kw generator, air conditioning, satellite dish, 15" Zenith lcd tv, am/fm/cd/dvd player, microwave, Xantrex Link 10 battery monitor
Hi
S&S makes one of the best truck Camper that I have seen, not to say that others don't, but it does has an impressive method of paying attention to all the details.
Good Luck and Happy Trails
2007 Dodge 3500 4X4 MC,SRW,CTD EB
2004 Citation 29NP
Equal-i-Zer
Yamaha EF2800i
Nascar24 A lengend in my own mind, A Scary thought in someone else's!
The top three in order are Bigfoot, Northern Lite, and Alpenlite (by Western RV in Yakima, Wash.). During the process of finding a new camper (which turned out to be a Bigfoot), the bottom of the pile as far as construction quality belonged to Fleetwood and Lance. I know some people like them and that is okay with me if it is okay with them. I don't understand why a person can pay $80K for a van camper when a nice Class C or a pickup and a Bigfoot 2500 camper can be bought for a lot less. It all boils down to different strokes for different folks!!!
The reason they buy a B class over a C is quality. Another reason is safety ever seen the remains of a class C or A in a wreck. You can also get a sportsmobile in a 4X4 configuration, still think a truck camper does this better but everone has reasons.
Each person buys a product based on need, price and service. Many people need to buy price first some quality first ect. So I just hope everone buys what is best for them at the time.
When it is all said an done though you are much safer in a truck or a van than any of the other rv choices, with the exception of a bus.
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