My Outfitter experience

[milo12]

I have an Outfitter Apex 9.5 pop up camper. I've taken it out on and off road and I have learned a few things.

First it is way too heavy. Full it weighs around 2800 lbs and it ruins the usability of the truck. It is roomy and nice inside, has every luxury, but in my opinion it is a bad compromise. With it on the truck I am restricted from going anywhere too rough. I might as well have a real rv, be more comfortable and not deal with the popup.

I have seen the pictures of others with full size trucks and an Outfitter doing the White Rim trail. That is the extreme limit of what you could do. I wouldn't be comfortable taking this on anything more than a dirt road. It just feels too ponderous and clumsy.

So what I think i will do is sell the Outfitter and get a Four Wheel camper. It is over 1000 lbs lighter which should help me regain my off road capabilities. Of course I will give up the AC and generator but that is not a problem. Real shame to sell a 1 year old camper that is still new but I guess I learned an expensive lesson.

What do you think? Is a FWC a good idea? Another option is to start with a shell and make a camper inside like the Toyota drivers do.

 

[Rockcrawler]

I see you also have the Lorenz Suspension for you Dodge. How do you like it? Do you have the mini packs or the dp leaf springs?

I'm currently running the dp leaf springs w/ airbags and my Hawk FWC. I'm still fine tuning the setup, but think it can be setup as a very capable option. I've been impressed with it so far...

Let me know what other questions about the FWC you might have.. KC on this site is also a great resource. He has been instrumental in making many of us, me included, part with our hard earned cash in exchange for a FWC.

Kyle

 

[VikingVince]

I have an Outfitter Apex 9.5 pop up camper. I've taken it out on and off road and I have learned a few things.

First it is way too heavy. Full it weighs around 2800 lbs and it ruins the usability of the truck. It is roomy and nice inside, has every luxury, but in my opinion it is a bad compromise. With it on the truck I am restricted from going anywhere too rough. I might as well have a real rv, be more comfortable and not deal with the popup.

I have seen the pictures of others with full size trucks and an Outfitter doing the White Rim trail. That is the extreme limit of what you could do. I wouldn't be comfortable taking this on anything more than a dirt road. It just feels too ponderous and clumsy.

So what I think i will do is sell the Outfitter and get a Four Wheel camper. It is over 1000 lbs lighter which should help me regain my off road capabilities. Of course I will give up the AC and generator but that is not a problem. Real shame to sell a 1 year old camper that is still new but I guess I learned an expensive lesson.

What do you think? Is a FWC a good idea? Another option is to start with a shell and make a camper inside like the Toyota drivers do.

Thanks a lot for posting the feedback on the Outfitter. I've looked at them as a future possibility with a 1 ton truck like you have, mainly because I'm looking for more luxury. But my first concern was the weight and the higher COG so appreciate your feedback.

I think the FWC is a great choice. I've often thought there would be one in my future. With your 1 ton truck you could get one of their larger models and have more room. Storage is a bit of a challenge in the FWC but it's got a lot else going for it.

 

[milo12]

I also have the dual purpose leafs but I have not installed them. I have the stock leafs with airbags a hellwig anti sway bar and extended bump stops. I know that seems like a lot but it's what it took to tame the camper sway and rolling. Honestly the swaybar was a waste of money. The airbags are nice for raising the rear but ride like rocks. The best mod was the extended bump stops. They are probably all I need. On my previous 2002 Dodge I wouldn't have needed the airbags but the new trucks have much softer rear springs. I will install the dual purpose leafs and Timbrens when I get the new FWC. Another needed change is upgradding the shocks to 2.5 inch Kings. The Bilsteins can not keep up with a truck and camper this heavy.

I agree that storage is an issue. The Outfitter has tons of storage. That is probably good and bad. Great for carrying stuff but then I end up taking things I don't absolutely need. I need a little more self discipline so I can pack lighter. But even with the Oufitter I wanted a little more storage for tools and spares. What I plan to do is remove the bed and purchase a FWC made for a flatbed. They produce them for their overseas customers. With the extra storage and boxes underneath I should have plenty of places for whatever nice and low.

One thing I have discovered is the Dodge truck has an incredibly low center of gravity. I guess it is the heavy axles and frame and engine/ transmission. I have gone out with a friend in a new Toyota and he can not go across slopes I can. Of course he has IFS which hurts the side slope capability. Having driven the truck over things most people wouldn't think a full size truck should do I am a bit more sensitive to the effect of the high CG from the heavy camper.

I have run some numbers and the FWC should be about 1400 - 1500 lbs lighter and have a lower CG. I'm hoping that should make a big difference.

 

[kcowyo]

I've had the chance to sit in Wyoming Shooter's Apex 8 and I thought it was really a nice layout with all the fixin's. When he has his ATV trailer hooked up he looks like he is set for anything.

I imagine the 9.5 is a big beast to haul around off-road. The FWC would be a lot easier to manage and handle on off the beaten path adventures if that's your thing, but I'm not going to say one camper is better than another. However if your needs are to get as far back in as possible, I would agree that a FWC would be a great option.

On a 1 ton with a Cummins, I can't imagine you would even notice it on the back of the truck. And yes, the limited storage in a FWC has been wonderful for helping me eliminate dead weight and gear I don't always use.

I like your flatbed idea as well. With a Dodge on 35's, you'll want some really long jacks to get it up onto the bed.

:campfire:

 

[Wyoming Shooter]

What a Country!

Mr. Milo - I'm sorry the Outfitter 9.5 doesn't work for you. If you're inclined to difficult trails, I'm sure the FWC will fit your needs better. There's no denying it's lighter, lower, and smaller.

I'm pleased with my Outfitter Apex 8. I'm just back from a long weekend on the Red Desert at the southern foot of the Wind River Range here in Wyoming. We drove about 10 miles on some fairly decent "two track" to our traditional camp site. With air bags inflated to about 100 p.s.i., the truck felt well planted. Having almost all the conveniences of home was a good thing.

Once at our destination, we used ATVs to access the steeper, narrower, and rockier trails. For my particular needs, the Apex 8 is tough to beat.

Best of luck to you. Should you decide to sell, I think you'll find that Outfitters hold their resale values better than most truck campers.

 

[milo12]

Yes I agree the Outfitter is a great camper. I in no way meant to imply there is anything wrong with the camper. The problem is me. I didn't do my homework well enough and ended up getting a camper that didn't fit my needs. I bought the Outfitter because I have heard they were the best, and they are. One thing that would have helped a ton is a test drive. If I had been able to drive the camper on my truck I probably would have gone with something lighter. Maybe even a smaller Outfitter.

I think the FWC will fit what I am trying to do. I have found the only limits on the truck are size related. So if I stick with a light setup I should be able to keep it that way.

Offtopic - but what I am dreaming of is a rear steer setup. Man If I could have rear steer I could go on any trail no matter how tight the turns.:jump:

 

[Wyoming Shooter]

Mr. Milo - I'm sure you'll be happy with the FWC. I believe there's a clean, used one for sale in Riverton, WY. I'll check further if you're interested. Coincidentally, I bought my Apex 8 from Sean Lorenz - the maker of your Dodge suspension. Again, best of luck with your camper shopping. ELN

 

[smuller64]

Am new to the portal and want to add my good experience with the Apex 8 on my 3/4 ton Dodge. Have used it for 3 1/2 yrs on-road and off with no stability probs using std leaf springs & manufact installed air bags. This includes 2 month, 11,000 mi round trip to Alaska w/ 15% grade roads in BC w/ haipin downhill curves. The Cummins was awesome and w/ Edge chip I get ~ 22mpg clean & ~17mpg w/ camper on. For two of us the Apex 8 has been great ... am selling this summer to downsize, and will miss it. Steve M.

 

[Regcabguy]

Another option is a Northstar TC800. I'm going on 12 yrs with mine on two Dodges. It logged 33 Baja trips on typical service roads down there on my '98.5.

It's been on the back of my '07 for four yrs now. With 30 gal H2O,6 gal H20 heater,furnace,Dometic fridge,exterior shower,racks,awning etc. it tips the scales@ 1800# wet.

We just returned from a 2000K run through northern AZ and southern UT with a fair amount of wheeling and the doors and drawers still close and all components are funtional.

Thank God for a popup as the winds were howling.

The best fuel economy I've ever gotten with either truck and camper has been 16.3 mpg. Going to the Toyo Mt's ate 1 mpg over their AT cousin I had previously. I only achieved 13.4 mpg this last trip with all the wind.