Are there dealers with models actually on lot somewhere?

U

urbex

Observer
I've had several truck campers over the years, got very familiar with what "minor" water intrusion actually does, and got good at spotting issue points in other campers. After going class B for a while, needs have changed, and I'm looking to get back in to a truck camper again.

After having rebuilt several rotten wood framed campers, I absolutely positively 100% don't want another project like that again. I don't care if other people consider it a minor thing, I'm completely burnt out on major rebuilds. Went out to look at several campers over the weekend, and cheap or expensive, didn't matter...every one of them was described as "100% solid, needs absolutely nothing", but were full of issues when I showed up and every one of them had obvious water damage.

So I started looking at new ones again, dug a little deeper, and found there are models on the market that while still more than I really wanted to spend, are not out of the realm of doable. But actually finding one on a dealer lot here in Arizona? Impossible.

Looked at webpages of several dealers in the area....1 dealer has 4 new campers in the entire state of Arizona. Another dealer 3..."coming soon". Another dealer "I think we have one...over in the corner somewhere..behind 50 Class A monsters packed in like sardines..so we can't even get to it. Shall we start a credit application for you?" I did find one locally with half a dozen Palominos...but the reveiws I've read on Palominos suggest running away.

Is this just the way things are now - you make a decision off web site photos, and hope to God you actually like it when it shows up? Or is Arizona just a bad state for truck campers?
 
Roverrr

Roverrr

New member
We are also in the market for a truck camper (no wood frame! ) and quickly realized we will have to travel long distances to see them. Almost nothing in So Cal!
 
dstefan

dstefan

Well-known member
urbex said:
I've had several truck campers over the years, got very familiar with what "minor" water intrusion actually does, and got good at spotting issue points in other campers. After going class B for a while, needs have changed, and I'm looking to get back in to a truck camper again.

After having rebuilt several rotten wood framed campers, I absolutely positively 100% don't want another project like that again. I don't care if other people consider it a minor thing, I'm completely burnt out on major rebuilds. Went out to look at several campers over the weekend, and cheap or expensive, didn't matter...every one of them was described as "100% solid, needs absolutely nothing", but were full of issues when I showed up and every one of them had obvious water damage.

So I started looking at new ones again, dug a little deeper, and found there are models on the market that while still more than I really wanted to spend, are not out of the realm of doable. But actually finding one on a dealer lot here in Arizona? Impossible.

Looked at webpages of several dealers in the area....1 dealer has 4 new campers in the entire state of Arizona. Another dealer 3..."coming soon". Another dealer "I think we have one...over in the corner somewhere..behind 50 Class A monsters packed in like sardines..so we can't even get to it. Shall we start a credit application for you?" I did find one locally with half a dozen Palominos...but the reveiws I've read on Palominos suggest running away.

Is this just the way things are now - you make a decision off web site photos, and hope to God you actually like it when it shows up? Or is Arizona just a bad state for truck campers?
Click to expand...
Take the short drive to Flagstaff and visit Ovrlnd Campers. No show room, but you can see how they build them. Great folks and a great camper product if you’re not looking for travel trailer to drop in your truck bed. Mine has never had an issue or leak in 4+ years of use.
 
U

urbex

Observer
Sparse Gray Hackle said:
Look for a Northern Lite and/or Bigfoot dealer. Apache Camping Centers in the PNW has both lines.
Click to expand...

I have a Northern Lite dealer here...with exactly zero units available...which is why I'm asking this question.

PNW...1500 miles away...can't say as I've ever taken a vacation specifically to go shopping, lol. But I'd still rather do that than buy on the whim of a few photos.


dstefan said:
Take the short drive to Flagstaff and visit Ovrlnd Campers. No show room, but you can see how they build them. Great folks and a great camper product if you’re not looking for travel trailer to drop in your truck bed. Mine has never had an issue or leak in 4+ years of use.
Click to expand...

I actually prefer small and relatively basic, though it is looking like I may have to get an optioned out thing kind of like buying a new car...I want the leather seats in my truck, but not the rest of the $10K luxury entertainment package...in the case of the campers, I do want an inside shower and an oven, but those seem to be lacking in many of the smaller, basic, campers whereas they were available 20 years ago. But I don't want a microwave that takes up half the cupboard space, or a TV or the little solar panels...or any of the other fancy tech things these days.

I also don't want a pop up. I want to be able to pull off the road somewhere, and go straight to taking a nap, or making a quick meal without having to set the thing up first. Or having to deal with drying the canvas out after a good rain before packing everything up. Minor things for sure, but also the biggest annoyances of my RTT and prior pop-up trailers.
 
mog

mog

Kodiak Buckaroo
I'd bet if you posted an 'I'd like to check out your xxxxxx camper' here on the Expo Portal, not only would you find a fellow Expo member close to you to let you check out their xxxxxx camper, but you could get a lot of first hand feedback from them in person to their likes and dislikes. Probably a lot more honest face to face feedback, as people are certainly cautious with what they post on-line these days.
 
Sparse Gray Hackle

Sparse Gray Hackle

Geezer
urbex said:
I have a Northern Lite dealer here...with exactly zero units available...which is why I'm asking this question.

PNW...1500 miles away...can't say as I've ever taken a vacation specifically to go shopping, lol. But I'd still rather do that than buy on the whim of a few photos.

(clip)
Click to expand...

Give the factory in BC a call. They might have an owner willing to give you a tour.
 
S

simple

Adventurer
urbex said:
As in...British Columbia? It's been a while since I've been in school, but I seem to recall that being even farther away from Arizona..
Click to expand...
Guessing he was referring to getting a contact for an owner in your area.

What is your budget?
 
Sparse Gray Hackle

Sparse Gray Hackle

Geezer
simple said:
Guessing he was referring to getting a contact for an owner in your area.

What is your budget?
Click to expand...
🏆
urbex said:
As in...British Columbia? It's been a while since I've been in school, but I seem to recall that being even farther away from Arizona..
Click to expand...
Yup… get on the phone and ask about owners in your area. Keith Donkin the CEO is probably the guy you’ll speak with. Just out of curiosity, did you ask your local dealer the same question.

In the past, I owned a NL, and if I were to buy another hardside, that would be first on my list to consider. BTW, have a 1 ton if you’re thinking about a full size. Maybe even a dually.
 
vintageracer

vintageracer

To Infinity and Beyond!
Try this if you want cheaper, light and no frills.

I looked at these at the Southeast Overland Expo at Brushy Mountain Prison in TN. Pretty impressive for less than $2K AND easy to install and remove.

Look at the video about half way to see them at the show.

thaircamper.com

ThAirCamper

Discover the convenience, comfort, and security of ThAirCamper
thaircamper.com thaircamper.com

 
S

simple

Adventurer
vintageracer said:
Try this if you want cheaper, light and no frills.

I looked at these at the Southeast Overland Expo at Brushy Mountain Prison in TN. Pretty impressive for less than $2K AND easy to install and remove.

Look at the video about half way to see them at the show.

thaircamper.com

ThAirCamper

Discover the convenience, comfort, and security of ThAirCamper
thaircamper.com thaircamper.com

Click to expand...
Does it have a system that compensates for temperature changes to keep it from exploding? How do the doors and windows seal?
 
86scotty

86scotty

Cynic
urbex said:
I also don't want a pop up. I want to be able to pull off the road somewhere, and go straight to taking a nap, or making a quick meal without having to set the thing up first. Or having to deal with drying the canvas out after a good rain before packing everything up. Minor things for sure, but also the biggest annoyances of my RTT and prior pop-up trailers.
Click to expand...

There is a simple solution for you. It's called a van.
 
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