I’ve come to the conclusion that any truck camper manufacturer with the word, “Northern” in their moniker is a good bet for winter camping. I’m also of the opinion that a hard side camper has the edge when it comes to winter camping/living. 4-season campers have come a long way in the past 5 years, with euro style instant on hot water heaters, dual pane windows, aluminum, no rot aluminum frames, and space age layered insulation. The problem is they are heavier than the 3 season types. I like our 1998 Lance Lite a lot, mostly because it is the narrowest, least tall, lightest hard side camper made at the time, and we’ve gotten our money’s worth out of it ($6500 used/3 years old used 3 times; now about 225 nights in the box) but I’m looking around for a replacement as a 20 year old camper, no matter how well cared for is getting long in the tooth, especially the way we man handle it off road. Our 165-s Lance has small tanks. That’s what keeps the weight down. It also has very little insulation. That also keeps the weight down.
Here’s a video link to last week’s run up the Diablo Drop Off:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfj5y93wsd7vfkw/jefe%20does%20sand%20hill%20at%20dry%20wash%20of%20the%20devil%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
and a full trip report with pics and vids here:
https://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29610085.cfm
Choosing the right 4-season camper goes hand in hand with the choice of truck to carry it. Always, always, always buy more truck than you think you will need. Did I say always? If you plan to live in said camper, you want more space and amenities than a week-ender would need. Subscribe to any number of RV/truck camper forums and do a diligent search for all your queries. You are in a good position to learn from others’ mistakes.
jefe
2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
