Hallmark Guanella vs Outfitter Appex 8 LB vs Northstar 850SC

[Ruppies]

Been lurking on the forum for a little while, first post.

First time Pop-up Truck buy. I'm sure many of you have felt this way but after months of research and reading I'm starting to feel like if I don't pull the trigger soon I'll never leave home .

Interested in actually user input - Hallmark Guanella vs Outfitter Appex 8 LB vs Northstar 850SC -- pros and cons.

Reading to date it seems obvious that all three of these comapnies have good to excellent reputations.

Our vehichle will be a Ford F350 SuperCab, 4x4 with a gas engine

By way of introduction we are recently retired first time camper owners. Hobbies include hiking, photography, occasional kayak/canoers, travel to wilderness areas and some urban destinations.Travel would be limited to North America, primarily the US. Severalmulti week trips per year and several “long weekend” jaunts a year. The “long weekend” jaunts mostly in the midwest, south and northeast. We (read 2 people in camper) enjoy our privacy and will not be spending much, if any time in “RV Parks”. Primitive campsites, off-road and boondocking mostly. With some occasional exceptions would probably break camp every couple of days. Shoulder and in season camping mostly. Do not expect trips with temperatures dropping below 20 f but do expect hot humid weather from time to time. We are not skiers or snowboarders but do wish to extend our camping abilities to cold weather.

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm a 20 yr Northstar TC800 owner. It's been really dependable but I'd love a 850SC for the shower/cassette toilet combo and the added mattress to ceiling height. They're well made and the price point is reasonable. Quite a bit of storage under the bed and lots of cubbies. There's a Northstar Facebook forum so you can ask questions. I know the other two brands make good campers too but I have no experience with them.

 

[Cummins_expo]

Of those listed I don't think you can go wrong. You might decide based on availability and proximity to dealer/ manufacturer support. I have owned a Hallmark in the past and my buddy an Outfitter the other a NorthStar. The fit and finish of the Hallmark and Outfitter was very high end boat feeling. The Northstar was a little more "rv". I think of the 3 similar equipped campers the Hallmark was the lightest. To be quite frank I would happily own any of the three and smile with the type of use you describe.

 

[ripperj]

Do the math, but I think you will find the Northstar to be a lot cheaper, like $15k.

The bed on the Guanella is east west vice the Northstar north south that most prefer


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[Porkchopexpress]

I have been reading as much as I can on the Hallmark and Outfitter campers, (not so much with Northstar so I can't compare). Hallmark has a good Instagram account with lots of pictures. Outfitter has some pictures on Facebook but not as extensive. From my research, here are the advantages of each are as follows:

Outfitter Apex:
-One piece fiberglass lower tub and fiberglass roof that is superior to just about any other type of camper construction short of high end earth roamers in my opinion.
-Basement for better cold weather heating.
-Taller entry door because of the basement. This is helpful in a pop up because the doors are typically very small.
-North South bed standard.
-Taller bathroom because of the basement that can be used with the top down. This would be better for bathroom breaks on the road. I would not fit in a Hallmark shower standing up.
-More water capacity.

Hallmark:
-General consensus seems that Hallmark has better quality control but it's hard to tell for sure.
-Walls are a fiberglass/balsa sandwich with seams along the edges so definitely a very high quality design I just think the one piece tub on the Apex is superior.
-Lower profile than Apex by about 6 inches. Should help fuel economy and clearance under parking garages or branches, ect.
-Optional North South bed but maybe not as sturdy as Outfitter because of lower profile.
-Several nice wood options for the cabinets, (I think Outfitter only offers maple).
-Most likely lighter than Outfitter depending on options.
-Hallmark seems to produce more campers so likely easier to find used, (but not so easy right now because of COVID

They both have excellent reputations for quality, have similar options and will cost about the same. They both have multi-layer soft walls with good insulation. They both have very similar lift systems and composite countertops.

If anyone has first hand knowledge and can confirm or correct any of my assumptions above, please let me know.

 

[mkish]

I have a 9 year old Northstar. I like mine. It's been trouble-free. The construction is pretty old school--there should be a bunch of old articles at Truck Camper Magazine with pictures. They do update windows and appliances but their decor is...um...not out of Architectural Digest. The others look a lot cooler.

I don't have the extra softwall insulation but the sidewalls are really well insulated. Pretty funny to see a family of 4 crowd into a tiny TC with the top down because it's 100 degrees outside and still cool inside.

Northstar has replaced their old lift system and supposedly that makes it possible to use the potty in the 850sc with the top down (with older models the bar went across the toilet). I'd test that before making a decision based on it of course. Or ask them how much space there is--if you ask them things, they will answer.

 

[GunshipDriver]

I cross shopped the same 3 brands and ended up with a used Outfitter Apex 8. I like it... though, if buying used, find the one in the best condition for the best price. All 3 are great.