Hierarchy of hard sided campers that handle the snow/winter?

[sn_85]

Resurrecting this thread for some questions:
The page isn’t loading super well, but I am not seeing a total composites/cascadia, etc fully built out camper with all the amenities anywhere near the price range of some of the probably lesser quality more name brand campers that are easier to get and build out (Scout, Lance, Northern Lite, Soaring Eagle). I have an 8ft bed so want an 8ft floor and would prefer a camper with no overhang.

I live in my truck camper 5-10 days/month for work year-round, and I live in the Tetons so it gets very cold. I am making do with my current truck Camper, but would definitely prefer something with a diesel heater, double pane windows, etc. I reached out to a couple of companies about building out a Cascadia composite shell, and ended up in the $70-$80,000 range every time. On the other hand, I can get a Scout with all of the amenities, diesel heater, knowing that the R value of the walls is probably not as good, but build the entire thing out for $44,000 and have a warranty. My current truck camper has a poor R-value, but it heats up just fine/quickly, I just get condensation with the propane heater. If the temperatures are below zero, I have to find a place to plug in and use a space heater so I don’t wake up in a freezer box. Keeping it warm isn’t really the issue, the condensation and everything that comes in through the windows is my biggest problem. It would be nice to have something more modular so that I would have the option to use water When the temperatures are borderline. Right now I have a full water system that gets winterized so basically can’t use any water or the toilet (its not cassette) in the camper at all for about six months of the year. Looking at other options like a Soaring Eagle Aerie for around that same price though it’s a more traditional camper build. Because I live in it a portion of the month, I do want a sink, fridge, indoor shower option, stove, water heater, cassette toilet.

Right now a Scout Kenai checks the most of my boxes and is the most affordable. There are lots of opinions that it’s not a great company, just great marketing. But would love to see some fully complete build outs of a Cascadia or similar with all the amenities I am needing for $50,000 or less.

I don’t really have strong opinions about Scout. IMO they’re kind of crappy. Construction methods are inferior to anything TC or Cascadia. The “features” are minimal and lacking by intention. All that or $40K, it’s not a free camper by any means. The reason why a TC or CC is expensive is because they are quality units that aren’t just built using the cheapest RV/camper products bin as many other campers use. IMO if you’re spending 5-10 nights a month in Teton country I’d get something more robust. The Outpost is nice for the price. I would even recommend stepping up to the Adventurer over Scout. Their new ones the 80RB and 65RB look decent. Adventurer mfg is Scouts parent company.

Scout IMO is more of a weekend unit. With only 5 gallons of water you’ll have to bring extra jerry cans or you’ll be filling up every 1-2 days. This is not to mention how much thermal bridging and condensation issues those units have. The Goal Zero system they use is quite unreliable as well. It ends up failing and you’ll have to replace the unit or go with a different system. Check out their FB group if you want to see all the issues people deal with. I don’t know that the quality in the Adventurer is any better but at the very least it has more features and luxuries that that make spending a significant amount of time in a camper more palatable.

 

[sn_85]

Looks like Adventurer is bringing a smaller unit into production

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/announcing-the-adventurer-65rb/Announcing the Adventurer 65RB - Truck Camper Magazine

 

[84FLH]

Winning line of the day. Thanks sn_85!

"I don’t really have strong opinions about Scout. IMO they’re kind of crappy."

 

[kdawnz]

I don’t really have strong opinions about Scout. IMO they’re kind of crappy. Construction methods are inferior to anything TC or Cascadia. The “features” are minimal and lacking by intention. All that or $40K, it’s not a free camper by any means. The reason why a TC or CC is expensive is because they are quality units that aren’t just built using the cheapest RV/camper products bin as many other campers use. IMO if you’re spending 5-10 nights a month in Teton country I’d get something more robust. The Outpost is nice for the price. I would even recommend stepping up to the Adventurer over Scout. Their new ones the 80RB and 65RB look decent. Adventurer mfg is Scouts parent company.

Scout IMO is more of a weekend unit. With only 5 gallons of water you’ll have to bring extra jerry cans or you’ll be filling up every 1-2 days. This is not to mention how much thermal bridging and condensation issues those units have. The Goal Zero system they use is quite unreliable as well. It ends up failing and you’ll have to replace the unit or go with a different system. Check out their FB group if you want to see all the issues people deal with. I don’t know that the quality in the Adventurer is any better but at the very least it has more features and luxuries that that make spending a significant amount of time in a camper more palatable.

Thanks!! Haha, I forgot to mention that my current camper is an Adventurer 80RB (2018). It’s okay, but has many issues I’d like to rectify in my next camper. Some dry rot in the nose because of the tag lights leaking, apparently a very well known issue. Those are sealed now but the interior wall is a bit squishy. The non-modular water system/toilet means I essentially can’t use water at all for 6 months of the year. The frame seems to have bent a bit over time so the door doesn’t seal properly anymore (i can see a sliver of outside with the door shut). Mine has single pane windows. The propane heater heats up quickly, but you burn through the 5 gallon propane super fast so I basically only use it when I wake up first thing in the morning and for getting ready. Plus, propane isn’t great for condensation so when it’s really cold (less than 15, which is a very common occurrence in my neck of the woods) I have to park somewhere with hook up so that I can run a space heater (i know, not the safest). Otherwise I wake up in a freezer box. I use an electric blanket, so don’t need heat on all the time otherwise, but the condensation is so terrible with either the propane heater or nothing. Even with the windows cracked.

Anyhow, I super appreciate the feedback on Scout. I’m going to have a Cascadia Composites shell built out. I have an 8ft bed so Outpost wasn't a great option until they come out with one, and the CC shell seems to be the best of all the composite options. Between a better shell, double pane windows, modular water system, diesel heater, I think I will be in much better shape overall!

 

[sn_85]

Thanks!! Haha, I forgot to mention that my current camper is an Adventurer 80RB (2018). It’s okay, but has many issues I’d like to rectify in my next camper. Some dry rot in the nose because of the tag lights leaking, apparently a very well known issue. Those are sealed now but the interior wall is a bit squishy. The non-modular water system/toilet means I essentially can’t use water at all for 6 months of the year. The frame seems to have bent a bit over time so the door doesn’t seal properly anymore (i can see a sliver of outside with the door shut). Mine has single pane windows. The propane heater heats up quickly, but you burn through the 5 gallon propane super fast so I basically only use it when I wake up first thing in the morning and for getting ready. Plus, propane isn’t great for condensation so when it’s really cold (less than 15, which is a very common occurrence in my neck of the woods) I have to park somewhere with hook up so that I can run a space heater (i know, not the safest). Otherwise I wake up in a freezer box. I use an electric blanket, so don’t need heat on all the time otherwise, but the condensation is so terrible with either the propane heater or nothing. Even with the windows cracked.

Anyhow, I super appreciate the feedback on Scout. I’m going to have a Cascadia Composites shell built out. I have an 8ft bed so Outpost wasn't a great option until they come out with one, and the CC shell seems to be the best of all the composite options. Between a better shell, double pane windows, modular water system, diesel heater, I think I will be in much better shape overall!

That's awesome!!! IMO you're going to love a full composite camper like the Cascadia and you made the right long term decision. Even if it takes a bit longer to build out the interior it'll be totally worth it in the end. Your camper is really going to kick butt in the winter.