Owner Review of the Arctic Fox 865 Camper: Does the Four-Season Reputation Hold Up?

In Search of a Four Season Truck Camper

COVID-19 was disruptive to everybody and everyone. Canada, where we live, was no different. During the lockdown, traveling was limited unless you had your own camping setup. Here in Canada, inter-provincial traveling was prohibited, yet all the national and provincial parks were open and free of charge.

For us, this turned into an incredible time for camping. We could travel to places like Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise without crowds. There were no lines, barely any tourists, and the experience felt so much better and authentic. We even started camping during the winter season.

At that time, we owned a 1998 9.3 Vanguard truck camper mounted on our 2011 long box Dodge Ram 3500 diesel 4WD. We bought the camper cheap and fixed it up ourselves and got pulled into truck camper life almost immediately. This camper had one disadvantage though—it was NOT a four-season model. It made winter camping in Alberta so much harder.

While we were having lunch during one of our Costco trips in early 2021, we casually started talking about upgrading to a true four-season camper. At first, it was more of a “what if” conversation, but it quickly turned into something more serious. In Grand Prairie, Alberta there are multiple RV dealers, and we decided to test the waters to see what was available. Our preferences was for a true four-season, non-slide, similar size to our Vanguard camper, with a north-south bed. The search began.

At the first dealership, we told them exactly what we were looking for. We wanted either a Northern Lite or an Arctic Fox truck camper. The Northern Lite camper was impressive, but the layout didn’t work for us and the price point was out of our budget. Next, we looked at an Arctic Fox 865 and immediately we were hooked. The rear dinette combined with the kitchen created a very open feeling with almost 270-degree views thanks to the large windows. We could easily imagine living in it on extended trips.

Why We Chose the Arctic Fox 865

Several factors initially drew us to the Arctic Fox 865 and helped it stand out from other truck campers we considered. One of the biggest selling points was Northwood Manufacturing’s four-season marketing, which suggested it was designed for year-round camping in a variety of climates (more about this later). We also appreciated the north-south bed configuration, which makes getting in and out of bed easier than many east-west layouts, as well as the one-piece molded wet bath, a feature known for its durability and ease of cleaning.

The Arctic Fox 865 also impressed us with its spacious interior design. Despite being a non-slide camper, the layout feels remarkably open and comfortable. Ample interior storage provides plenty of room for gear, clothing, and supplies, making the camper well-suited for extended trips. Its large holding tanks further enhance its off-grid capabilities, with capacities of 42 gallons of fresh water, 32 gallons of gray water, and 31 gallons of black water, allowing for longer stays away from developed campgrounds and services.

Northwood Manufacturing’s Arctic Fox has long enjoyed a reputation for quality construction and durability, a claim that is prominently featured throughout the company’s marketing materials. That reputation was a major factor in our decision to purchase the Arctic Fox 865.

To better match our style of camping and travel, we customized the camper with several factory options and deletions before taking delivery. We opted for dual-pane windows, which we considered an essential upgrade for a camper marketed as a four-season model. We also added a curbside awning and 12-volt heated holding tanks to enhance comfort and cold-weather capability. At the same time, we deleted several standard features that didn’t fit our needs, including the microwave, television, and air conditioner. In place of the air conditioner, we chose an additional roof vent to improve ventilation, while the removal of the microwave created valuable extra cabinet storage space.

We agreed on a price and a delivery date of July 2021 and eagerly placed our deposit.

Delivery Problems

July 2021 came, but the camper didn’t. In fact it wasn’t even in production yet. Getting in touch with somebody/anybody at Northwood Manufacturing was difficult. Emails went unanswered, phone calls weren’t returned, and communication, overall, was poor. After threatening to cancel our order, eventually we were told that production was based on online scheduling rather than the order date. We finally took delivery of the camper at the end of April 2023—almost two years later, and just one month before a planned two-month trip to Alaska and Northwest Canada. Yes, we know COVID was disruptive to builders and suppliers, but Northwood Manufacturing didn’t communicate any of this with us.

When our Arctic Fox 865 finally arrived, we were excited to inspect it, but it quickly became clear that several items were missing or defective right out of the factory. Among the issues we discovered were LED taillights that had water inside them, missing shower curtain rails despite the curtain being included, and an improperly installed belly pan with gaps and openings that were not properly sealed, just to name a few.

We also encountered several functional and assembly problems. The tank heaters we had ordered were not installed, and one of the two 30-pound propane tanks turned out to be defective, which we only discovered later. Inside the camper, cabinet doors were poorly secured with screws that were too short and not properly fastened, making them feel loose and at risk of falling out. In addition, the bathroom door was rubbing against the frame, indicating poor alignment during installation.

Northwood Manufacturing supposedly takes pride in their quality control, but our inspectors must have been taken the day off after our camper was finished. Unfortunately, other Arctic Fox owners that we talked to experienced the same or similar issues. Our dealer did their best to fix most of the problems—often at their own expense—but these issues should have been caught at the factory.

Arctic Fox 865 Layout and Interior Design

One of the defining features of the Arctic Fox 865 is its mid-bath layout. Instead of placing the bathroom at the rear like most campers, it sits in the center of the camper, creating a natural separation between the living area and the sleeping area. This layout provides both functionality and privacy. It allows one person to move around, cook, or relax without disturbing someone who may still be sleeping. In reality, this separation creates in three distinct zones: the rear dinette and kitchen, the central bathroom and hallway, and cabover bedroom. Let’s take a closer look these and other areas of the camper:

The 865 Living Area

The 865’s rear dinette is surrounded by large windows, creating a bright and inviting living space. Combined with the slightly arched ceiling, and 9 feet 4 inch floor length, the interior feels open and spacious, something rarely seen in campers without slide-outs. The dinette sits four adults easily and is very comfortable and has big drawers underneath for storage. Overhead you find cabinet space. The dinette can be easily turned into an extra sleeping area.

The 865 Kitchen

The kitchen on the curbside of the Arctic Fox 865 has lots of counter space and ample storage. We opted for a three-burner stove and oven. The sink is our least favorite thing in the kitchen because of its size; a smaller or a divided sink to save on water usage would’ve been better. The Dometic water heater works great and and is very fast. The large, three-way, 8 cubic foot refrigerator-freezer has enough space to feed a football team.

The 865 Wet-bath

The wet-bath in the Arctic Fox 865 is built from molded fiberglass, making it durable and easy to clean. The space is large enough to be comfortable, which is not always the case in truck campers. The extra sky light and powered roof vent add to that feeling. The medicine cabinet is not very deep, but stores lots of smaller stuff. The only thing missing is a heater duct outlet, leaving the wet-bath cold in the winter. Having an indoor wet-bath significantly improves the overall experience during longer trips or when camping in colder or wetter conditions.

The 865 Hallway

On the opposite site of the bathroom, a large cabinet stores all our shoes and coats. Our gloves and hats are stored by attaching some netting to the outside wall of that cabinet. Under the fridge there is a large drawer and cabinet for all kinds off nick-knacks.

The 865 Cabover Bedroom

The sleeping area in the Arctic Fox 865 is one of our favorite features. The layout is perfect with the north-south, queen-size bed and the driver side and passenger side windows. It feels very spacious and open with lots light. There’s lots of storage space in the cabover. In both front corner cabinets as well as the right rear cabinet we added shelving, because we don’t bring a lot of suits and dresses when camping. The lighting is very thought out with reading lights by the bed and ambient light throughout that we call sexy lights.

The 865’s Exterior Features

Outside, there is some storage, more if you chose the 865 short-box version without the generator. In our case the 865 long-box version doesn’t come with a generator. Our camper came pre-wired for solar with a solar controller already installed, which is a very nice thing to have for DIYers.

The Arctic Fox 865’s rear slide-out storage tray is a very nice addition and works well for us. The right rear outdoor storage cabinet looks big until you open it and there is hardly any space behind it, this could easily be changed by the manufacturer. At the left front in the bathroom service area is another useful storage area.

Our camper was equipped with the Fox Value and Canadian Pack—a required option for Canadian buyers—which adds a range of useful accessories. One standout feature is the rear electric awning. It’s one of the best additions to the camper, creating valuable extra living space whether you’re dealing with intense sun or light rain.

We also opted for the curbside awning, and in retrospect, it was the wrong decision for us. Unfortunately, the factory installed the awning just below the roofline, placing it nearly 12 feet off the ground. At that height, it’s practically useless because the sun shines underneath it. Mounting it just above the kitchen window would have provided much better shade and functionality.

The electric jacks with the wireless remote are a must-have option. They make loading and unloading the camper a breeze.

We opted out of the popular Fox Landing steps because of the weight, price and added length to the unit. When you cross ferries as often as we do, every inch matters.

With regard to the weight of the camper, Northwood Manufacturing’s marketing is very misleading. The official dry weight is an acceptable 2,641 pounds, but what they don’t tell you is that the mandatory Fox Value Package adds an additional 595 pounds, even more with the mandatory Canadian Pack! This puts the dry weight of the Arctic Fox 865 well over 3,400 pounds. Fully-loaded with water and gear the camper weighs a hefty 4,500 pounds, meaning you’ll need a very capable, one-ton truck or higher to haul it.

Arctic Fox 865 Pros and Cons

There’s a lot to like about the Arctic Fox 865, starting with its surprisingly spacious interior. Even without a slide-out, the camper feels open and well laid out, making it comfortable for extended trips. The solid construction inspires confidence on rough roads, while the large holding tanks make it easier to stay off-grid for longer periods without constantly searching for a dump station.

The Arctic Fox 865 also excels in comfort and storage. The sleeping area is roomy and thoughtfully designed, providing a comfortable place to rest after a day of travel. The large molded fiberglass wet-bath is one of the best features of the camper, offering more space and durability than many competitors. Throughout the interior, abundant storage compartments make it easy to organize gear, clothing, and supplies for extended adventures.

Our primary criticism of the Arctic Fox 865 relates to Northwood Manufacturing’s four season capability claims. In our opinion, the camper isn’t a true four-season camper. In addition to the deficiency pointed out in a recent article here at Truck Camper Adventure, we found several areas where insulation is absent, including behind the battery compartment, around the propane enclosure, and near the exterior shower cabinet. In each of these locations, the only thing separating the inside from the outside is a thin plastic housing. For a camper at this price point—and one marketed for genuine year-round use—we would expect more robust insulation in these vulnerable areas.

We were also disappointed by the camper’s heating system. While the camper is equipped with a powerful Suburban 20,000-BTU forced-air furnace, the heated air is delivered through only two vents—one located beneath the dinette and the other aimed toward the galley and center aisle. Unfortunately, there is no ducting to carry warm air into either the wet-bath or the cabover sleeping area, two spaces where supplemental heat is especially important during cold-weather camping. As a result, these areas can remain noticeably cooler than the main living space, particularly on freezing nights.

As mentioned earlier, another concern is quality control. We encountered enough fit-and-finish issues to question the consistency of the factory’s inspection process.

Modifications made to our Arctic Fox 865

To make our Arctic Fox 865 better suited for extended off-grid travel, we completed several upgrades to improve its power system and self-sufficiency. We installed two 300-watt Renogy solar panels and replaced the tiny factory-supplied 80 amp-hour 12-volt battery with two, large 225 amp-hour 6-volt deep-cycle batteries, dramatically increasing our energy storage capacity. We also added a 2,000-watt Renogy inverter with an automatic transfer switch, allowing us to run household appliances and electronics more conveniently while away from shore power.

Additional modifications focused on comfort, connectivity, and long-range travel. We added roof vent insulation covers to improve temperature control, a cell booster for better communication in remote areas, and a solid-mount Starlink conversion for reliable internet access. For longer expeditions, we installed a spare fuel tank with a custom-built holder. We also added extra USB outlets in more convenient locations throughout the camper, making it easier to keep devices charged and ready for use.

The Verdict

Do we like the camper? After more than 200 nights of camping in the Arctic Fox 865, the answer is yes. We’ve come to appreciate “Foxy” as a capable and comfortable home on wheels. It’s a far from perfect camper, but with a number of modifications and hands-on improvements, we’ve been able to tailor it into a reliable mobile base for extended travel.

That said, it’s important to be realistic about what the Arctic Fox 865 is and isn’t.

First, the Arctic Fox 865 isn’t designed for technical off-road trails or tight backcountry routes. It performs best in more accessible off-road environments where comfort and self-sufficiency matter most.

Second, for those prioritizing true winter performance, Canadian brands like Bigfoot and Northern Lite truck campers may be a better fit, though they typically come at a higher price point. However, the Arctic Fox 865 does offer a strong layout, solid potential, and a good off-grid capability, making it a strong contender in the non-slide market.

Interested in learning more about the Arctic Fox 865? Go to Martien and Roeby’s YouTube channel to learn more. 

Have a truck or truck camper of your own that you would like to review? Contact Truck Camper Adventure at tcadventuremag@gmail.com and we will get you on the publishing schedule.