Outfitter Camper
I have been all over the western US with the 9.5 Apex with lots of options since 2007 mounted on my 2005 Ford F250 HD 4X4 XLT with custom Bilstein shocks and air bags and haven't had any major trouble with either, and certainly no load problems. I had a leak in the toilet which Outfitter fixed, and the front panel to the long pull-out under-bed storage drawer popped off on me because it had been screwed on from the back for aesthetic reasons. I re-screwed it from the front and no problems. I really load up with heavy stuff--chains, jacks, etc., but keep the weight far forward. On top of that, the looong cabover with the two under-bed storage compartments may help shift more weight forward. I haven't checked the cg; haven't felt the need. It handles well. If you buy one from the factory, just check for the details that matter most to you. Good idea to visit the factory first and see how they're built.
I was worried about the cold and heat, but we travel mostly in the fall and late fall and we just set the thermostat to 55 degrees and have not noticed any problem from cold--I had expected that I might have to roll over at night to warm up the outside side of me, but I couldn't tell the difference between the Outfitter's cloth and the wall of the Lance I had before. When I got that Lance off and put the Outfitter on, I could really tell the difference. MUCH better stability on the road, like taking off in a sports car was what I said after my first run out of the factory. We also camp a lot in the desert, and I think I've run the AC more in the driveway than anywhere else. The roof is white and well-insulated and I suspect that with the awnings out and some ventilation, it should take the heat pretty well. If I had it to do over, I probably would get the AC anyway, just in case. I want to keep my wife happy, hence the 9.5 for more storage, plus oven.
Regarding overhang, the Outfitters don’t have a bunch of junk hanging down like some other campers, so the bumper is going to drag first if anything does. Everything is in the “basement.”
I strongly suggest that anybody buying a camper work hard at matching the camper to the “mission.” I liked my luxurious Lance, but I was glad to get rid of it. I really hate to get rid of the Outfitter, but I’ve recently acquired a Fuso FG with a Callen custom RV body for even more extreme off-road/bad-road work, so I’m going to get rid of my Outfitter and pickup.
Maybe I’ll see y’all at the Expo next month . . .
