ygur
California
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Joined: 09/02/2010
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Hi All,
My wife and I decided that TC is the way to go for us. However, some off-road ability is important to us and we really like remote camping (not in a campground). At this point we do not own a truck or a camper but we start to zero in on some options.
Camper:
We feel pop-up is the way to go since we want to take it off-road. It's for the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 boys (11 & 8). We really like the design of the Outfitter Juno 8.5 (the kids can stay in the tent room) and I was wondering if anybody owns one or know anything about them? Also, generally, what's the opinion on Outfitters?
I like the fact that Juno is designed for a short bed since I was thinking a short bed will be more convenient as a daily driver and shorter wheelbase is easier off-road. Am I wrong?
Truck:
I really like the new super duty trucks. I keep my cars for a long time and I don't mind spending the money on a new truck.
I am thinking 2011 F-350 6.7 diesel 4x4, SB, off-road package and camper package is the right choice. What are the opinions on the camper package? Will I still need to do any after-market work? Anything else I should get?
Sorry for all the newbie questions,
ygur
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dadwolf2
Henderson,NV
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Joined: 10/24/2004
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The Outfitter is a great truck camper and your choice of trucks is excellent too. My only concern is that your two boys are 11 & 8 and before you can blink a couple times they will be 6' tall and pretty much any truck camper with 4 good size people will be pushing it.
I would recommend a toyhauler. I've got an offroad package on mine with increased clearance. It also has built-in generator and large holding tanks for boondocking. After the kids are off to college is when I would move to truck campers.
OH WAIT!! I'm describing myself!! Want to buy my toyhauler so I can buy an Outfitter : )
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD,4X4,NV5600,Pullrite superglide
2005 Skyline Rampage 289
2011 Outfitter Apex 8 (Love it)
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ygur
California
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dadwolf2 wrote:The Outfitter is a great truck camper and your choice of trucks is excellent too. My only concern is that your two boys are 11 & 8 and before you can blink a couple times they will be 6' tall and pretty much any truck camper with 4 good size people will be pushing it.
I would recommend a toyhauler. I've got an offroad package on mine with increased clearance. It also has built-in generator and large holding tanks for boondocking. After the kids are off to college is when I would move to truck campers.
OH WAIT!! I'm describing myself!! Want to buy my toyhauler so I can buy an Outfitter : )
Thanks! By the time they make it to 6' I'll be giving them each a tent  .
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kbaum
Out West
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Joined: 11/19/2008
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You will like that model of Outfitter the inside is spacious and unique with the passenger side entry way. Very well done in cherry wood, at least the one I saw. I have been to the factory several times and have toured the camper you mentioned. The camper will obviously hang over the the rear of your truck, as mine does, so it will have an effect on some of the places you can go. But the inside roon will be worth it to you, my opinion at least.
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TCINTN
USA
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Check with Outfitter because I have heard from them that they are going to tweak the design some to make it even better.Long bed and short bed.
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Maya Angelou
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cewillis
Tucson, az, usa
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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Sounds like two good choices to me -- and I have a GMC.
I suspect that, at most, you will want taller bump stops to engage the Ford top overload springs sooner.
Cal
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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ygur wrote:Camper:
We feel pop-up is the way to go since we want to take it off-road. It's for the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 boys (11 & 8). We really like the design of the Outfitter Juno 8.5 (the kids can stay in the tent room) and I was wondering if anybody owns one or know anything about them? Also, generally, what's the opinion on Outfitters? How big are your boys? They might do more fighting then sleeping in that fold-out.  I am not up on where Outfitter is taking the Juno but if they build a LB version I would recommend it over the SB based on the amount of storage/floorspace that 4 people will need.
The people that own an Outfitter generally have a high opinion of them. Owners tend to be MUCH more connected to their campers since for the most part they had a lot more involvement in the building of it then your average walk-in-off-the-street-take-the-factory-cookie-cutter-built-unit buyer. Outfitter will pretty much build you anything you want by way of options and modifications.
Quote:I like the fact that Juno is designed for a short bed since I was thinking a short bed will be more convenient as a daily driver and shorter wheelbase is easier off-road. Am I wrong? Depends on the truck. In Fords an extended-cab/long-bed is only about 2 inches longer overall then a crew-cab/short-bed.
Quote:Truck:
I really like the new super duty trucks. I keep my cars for a long time and I don't mind spending the money on a new truck.
I am thinking 2011 F-350 6.7 diesel 4x4, SB, off-road package and camper package is the right choice. What are the opinions on the camper package? Will I still need to do any after-market work? Anything else I should get? If they still offer it get the "Snow Plow Prep" package as well. That along with the "Camper" package will give you the highest spring rates on both ends. My truck carries my LOADED Apex9.5 without the need of any suspension mods and still sits slightly tail high.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5,270W solar,SolarBoost2000e,2 H2K's,2KW inverter,2 20lb LP on slide out tray,4 Lifeline AGM bats,Tundra fridge
95 Bounder 28' ClassA sold
91 Jamboree 21' ClassC sold
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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Steve....do you have the plow-prep package on your 350? If so, how does that ride w/o the TC?
J
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ygur
California
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Thanks for all the replies!
We test drove a 2011 F350 last night and it's a nice truck. The only concern I had is that on concrete slab highway the truck was bouncing up and down like crazy. Since most of the time I plan to use it as daily driver empty I am worried about such ride quality.
Is the F250 with the camper package a little smoother? LB vs. SB makes a difference?
Thanks,
ygur
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Oldtymeflyr
Littleton, CO
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Joined: 04/18/2004
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I would look at the gas engine options in the Ford trucks. You do not need a diesel for a TC especially an Outfitter. If you are going to pull a big trailer then maybe. A 250 will work fine with an Outfitter.
I would also do some checking on Fords history with diesels, I think you will find a gas engine much more reliable and much cheaper to operate especially after warranty.
I know the 6.7 is supposed to be new and the best, but my experience with new designs is that its best to wait a couple of years to see how it shakes out.
Good Luck.
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