Paul Davenport
Marion, KY
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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I am desperately trying to decide which camper will be the "best" buy for my dollar? I have a dually 3500 HO 6 speed,factory camper special and air bags installed. I was carrying a 96' RealLite with no problems but would like to upgrade to a newer unit. Any info would be welcome.
I am considering an Arctic Fox with a slideout. Is there any one out there who owns one and 1. Have you experienced any leaks with the slide? 2. Any problem with the weight of the unit on a dually, 3500 HD, with a camper package and air bags 3. Problems with dealers or manufacturer if you have needed service? I would appreciate any feedback you can provide me with.
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Ken in NM
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Joined: 11/23/2003
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Great question. Which is better Dodge, Chevy or Ford. I suspect it depends on the features you are looking for, how hard your dealer works to sell you one, the reputation of the service department and you can add some more important decision criteria. I have a good 87 Lance 9.5 on a really good Dodge 2500 4wd Cummings. I and the missus wanted to upgrade to something newer and more comfortable.I didn't intend to part with my hardearned money until I could find something that really impressed me. We looked for 4-5 yrs, almost bought a Bigfoot but finally settled on a HOST for a number of reasons that suited US. Today I ordered a GMC 3500 dually,4wd crewcab to pack it. Heck, it's only money and why should we leave it for the kids?
My advice, based on my experience is to do your homework. Look at, no study, each model, memorize their web sites and brochures and sooner or later one will jump up and say buy me. Thats what happened when my wife walked into the HOST. It was the one for her. Good Luck and most of all enjoy the process. Anticipation is at least as much fun as getting it.
Chevy DRW 4WD dual cab Duramax, 9.5 Host
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dndj
NorthWest Oregon
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Joined: 07/03/2003
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Hi Paul, welcome to the forums!
You'll find the question of "which is best" is a recurring theme. Here's a couple discussions from the recent past you can read through to get started, click:
http://rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseaction........ead/tid/541100/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
http://rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseaction........d/tid/13383937/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
http://rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseaction........d/tid/13227426/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
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retired4fun
Northern Colo
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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They are all excellent campers. Look at the features and see where you can get the best deal. Remember any camper is better than no camper. 
"03" GMC D/A
"04" Snowriver 9/6
"06" Bighorn 3055RL
"05" Polaris 700 EFI
"06" Polaris 800 EFI
"08" Polaris Ranger RZR
aka chopperbill
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Aktravler
Retired from Alaska, On the road
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Joined: 05/16/2002
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Welcome to the forum, we are glad to have you!
You missed quite a few in your list. Spend some time reading the forum and you will get lots of info.
Most of us think ours are the best for what we wanted. Our S&S is perfect to us.
Pay attention to holding tank sizes - we do mostly bondocking, so we needed large holding tanks.
Roof type, we definitely did not want a rubber roof.
Since we will be fulltiming in it, we needed good floor space, storage, an excellent kitchen with lots of cupboards and a slide out pantry and a large dry bath with a large linen closet.
Also heated holding tanks in in the basement, not hanging off the rear and a large basement tray suitable for holding fishing rods and our poles for our Add-A-Room were important.
Once you make up your need/want list you will thin out the makes/models.
As you start looking, determine how you will be using the camper and what is particularly important to you.
There are a lot of great and not so great brands, but the individual features of the different models have to be put into the thinking also.
Each model in the different brands for instance, may have different holding tank sizes.
We also shopped all the major brands. Although we did not get to see the Host in person.
Aren't choices grand!  
Hanging in N. Arkansas, Surfing on Hughes.net
Mine-'02 Ram 3500, CTD DRW
S&S Avalanche 11DBS-Torklift TD's,SH & FG's
His-'03 F350 PSD SRW & Raptor 3612DS TH
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Gas & Gumption!!!
26' Alweld, 200hp jet & prop
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Jothedog
Valley Mills, TX
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Joined: 07/09/2002
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There are many good camper brands to choose from, but everyone on this forum should agree that Arctic Fox is the best.
Hey! Just MHO! (;>)
2001 1150 Arctic Fox
2002 1-ton dually w/Duramax diesel and Allison tranny.
Torklift tiedowns and bags, SuperHitch
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sigma40
Neskowin, OR
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Joined: 08/15/2003
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That's spelled E-A-G-L-E C-A-P :-)
2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4 x 4 5.9l Cummins Diesel LB
2004 Eagle Cap 800 Camper
If you are offended by my American Flag-
Please call 1-800-LEAVE THE USA
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jdsledge
on the road...
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Joined: 12/20/2003
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Jothedog--
Absolutely! The only reason I bought a Lance was that I didn't really think I deserved an Arctic Fox. Perhaps some day I'll be worthy... 
Joe
'99 Dodge 3500 Xcab 6WD (dually),Cummins,5 spd.'04 Lance 1010. 11 pound weiner-dog.
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FishinCampingRV'n
Fife, wa
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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Host: Floor is 18" tall , over 12' exterior. VERY heavy; Each slide is 390lbs more than their specs. Priced outrageously!
Lance: only 1.5" walls. Still making switch from wood frame to aluminum. They will say the one they want you to buy is better.
Arctic Fox: Center of gravity is way far back behind axle. Very heavy! Very expensive. Anticipating lawsuits because they have too many problems with the big campers. No support under belly; tanks fall out the bottom of camper. Can't use with full tanks off the truck. Finally switching to aluminum frame in the near future but unitl then, they'll sell you on wood.
Eagle Cap!!! The most bang for your buck!
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Ken in NM
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Joined: 11/23/2003
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I think each of us selected our campers for our reasons and it is the best one for us. Thanks goodness their are lots of brands to choose from. The 60 gal potable water tank on the HOST was one thing that attracted us to it since we are boondockers here in NM. Another was the entry steps that work with the basement, no rickitty scissor steps which will become more important to us as the years pass. The low step up to the slide and to the bed also attracted us.
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