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I have posted several times about handling so having had a Hallmark popup and now a NorthStar hard shell contrasting the two seems a natural and I invite input from others on their experiences.
First of all, with CAT slips in hand on both campers fully loaded and ready to go as we normally load them, the small differences in weigh between the two campers is remarkable given that they are nearly identical in terms of options and loading.
Our truck, empty bed with my wife and I along with a full tank of gas (2012 F350, LB, SRW) weighs 7,640 pounds. Same truck and occupants included in camper weights on same scale at same truck stop. Both the campers noted below are full or nearly fully optioned i.e. air conditioner, power jacks, microwave, etc.
Ready to hit the road the Hallmark rolls over the scales at 10,820 pounds, under our gross weight of 11,000 pounds and well under our axle and tire limits. That is a whooping 3,180 pounds for the camper and payload. Manufacturer’s website says base weight is 1,643 pounds without options.
Our new NorthStar enters the contest at 10,940 pounds, only 120 pounds more than our Hallmark. So 3,300 pounds, not at all what I expected given the manufacturer’s website weight of 2,090 pounds. Rhetorical comment, do base weights even have value?
Long term gas mileage turned out to average 11.5 mpg for both campers so even though the pop-top was about 18″ lower when on the road, 9 feet to top of AC unit versus 10 1/2 feet it is hard to tell mileage was much improved. Of course factors such as wind and terrain vary so a direct comparison is not possible. There also were differences in length given the Laredo bed is north/south and the UTE was east/west.
Handling differences between the two campers are pronounced. The Hallmark makes for a very easy drive. It is impervious to wind gusts, even in Wyoming. It feels like it is part of the truck, even with standard Ford shocks. The NorthStar not so much. It is not a white knuckler, but it requires more attention and the back end feels loose as though even with the “camper” package on the truck so we have a rear sway bar, more has to be done to make this a relaxed drive when we normally range 1,000 to 3500 miles at a time.
In the end, I would summarize by saying this:
1.if you haven’t been to a CAT scale all bets are off on your weight.
2. Assumptions about wind resistance and mileage based on profiles may be misleading.
3. Not many truck campers are available that will be within the GW rating of SRW pickups, perhaps none with slides?
3. Purchasing a factory “camper package” may still result in trucks that are only marginally ready to haul truck campersSteve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SCGreat info! thanks for posting.
we will be getting a F350 2020 gasser and a 2020 9.5′ Hallmark, so pleased to read how well your somewhat similar rig handled with your Hallmark.
?Have fun with it! One thing I didn’t mention is when it came time to sell, I posted it on Craigslist at 9:00 one night and it was leaving our house at 2:00 the next afternoon with another buyer waiting in case the first one decided not to move ahead. We went back and forth on whether to upgrade to a new Hallmark versus trying a hard side. It was not an easy decision! 🙂
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SCMike,
I debated that, but am never sure what you are looking for. Kind of interesting though isn’t it? What I am trying to do step-wise is dial in our current combo to mimic the feel we have with our fifth wheel. First I did Ranchos on the front, Ranchos for the rear come tomorrow. Then reevaluate for sway. And I just finished increasing the riser height 1 1/2″ to get the camper off my cab lights. Couldn’t go horse stall pad as I have fiver hitch rails in the bed. Maybe increase sway bar size, maybe try something else.
Steve
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC
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