Arctic Fox 865 awning

[RandyAmy]

Hi Everyone,
First truck camper.

We're in the process of ordering an Arctic Fox 865
One of the options is the side awning 8', 9', and 10'
Which size awning do you think would be beneficial?
What size do you have and are you satisfied?

Also the grapevine is saying to always get your awning on the passenger side if you have a choice.
Your thoughts?

What options do you think we should order?
Do you have any options that you don't use and probably wouldn't get again, or wish you had ordered?

Thanks for listening.
Randy
Dodge RAM 3500 dually and soon to be AF 865

[JRS950]

My suggestion is to evaluate how you plan to use your TC. For me, nothing better than sitting under awning so I would get the longest available. YMMV.

[RandyAmy]

Thank you so much JRS950
Randy

[laj]

I got an 8’ on mine. I would check and see if all those lengths are actually available. I didn’t look at the 865 brochure just now, but i did at the time look at several 865’s The one thing i would get is a 3-way refrig. depending on how your going to use it.

main thing is have fun.

[RandyAmy]

Thanks, laj
I do believe these are real options, it comes from the dealer and he gave us two weeks or there-a-bouts for most of the options. The rest of the options he said he would do if we want them or change our mind.

Awning options
8’ along box and 6’5” extended out
9’ along box and 8’ extended out
10’ along box and 8’ extended out

I was wondering about the 3-way fridge too. This dealer is very against it, gets passionate. Says the 12-volt will do nothing but drain our batteries down real quick. He said we’ll be fine with propane and 110-volt when we’re plugged in.
Do you find you use 12-volt often or can’t do without?

Thanks again for taking the time and giving us your input. I look forward to real life use information.
Randy

[RandyAmy]

Thanks, laj
I do believe these are real options, it comes from the dealer and he gave us two weeks or there-a-bouts for most of the options. The rest of the options he said he would do if we want them or change our mind.

Awning options
8’ along box and 6’5” extended out
9’ along box and 8’ extended out
10’ along box and 8’ extended out

I was wondering about the 3-way fridge too. This dealer is very against it, gets passionate. Says the 12-volt will do nothing but drain our batteries down real quick. He said we’ll be fine with propane and 110-volt when we’re plugged in.
Do you find you use 12-volt often or can’t do without?

That's the plan, have fun.

Thanks again for taking the time and giving us your input. I look forward to real life use information.
Randy

[JRS950]

I'm with laj on the fridge, get the 3-way. More options for you on how you use your TC.

[laj]

I wouldn’t be without my 3-way. I wanted it for a specific type of trip, but find i use it quite a bit. The more options i have the better i like it. 99% of what i do is boon-dock.

I take my magna when i am going to use cgs.

[laj]

the other is i prefer curbside awning.

[bauerb]

Waiting on a Northern Lite. It does come with a 10" side awning so we are looking forward to putting it to use.
As far as the 3-way frig. goes I don't think its that big of a deal. We have been off the grid a few times and never have used much propane for the frig. Can't see wasting battery power when propane will do.



Bill

[greenno]

We ordered our 2019 AF 990 back in May of 2018 and picked it up around the first week of June about 4 weeks after ordering. So I can recommend a few options to go with. DONT get the generator option for 4k, it will be generator ready so you can purchase your own for $600 put in in the same compartment and connect up to propane and electrical (takes 2 minutes) and your good to go.

We also deleted the Stove/Oven combo and went with the (2) large drawers below for pot and pan storage which works great and upgraded the Micro to a Convection/Micro and works great.

Go with the dual-pane windows worth the $ in colder weather.

I also asked them to upgrade the solar controller to 30a(ZAMP) which they did at no cost and then I added 530w of solar on the roof and we have more than enough 12v capacity.

I guess I'm in the minority but I would stick with the 2 way 7cf rig/freezer that is standard. I'm sure you have the (2) 30lb propane tanks so you have all the propane you need to run your rig. I have been off-the grid for up to 3 weeks before needing any propane.

We ended up getting the 9' awning mounted on the drivers side because of having the slide out on the passenger side and use it all the time with no issues.

GET THE FOX LANDING it costs a bit but it makes entry so easy. I have a 2019 Ford F350 SRW with 35" tires and I fabbed up an EXTRA step that I can bolt on when we get to the campsite so the wife has easier access in and out of the camper.

We added our own 24" TV/DVD player and mount up front that swivels out to view from the dinette area.

You will love the camper. They are on the heavier side but built pretty solid.

Compared to ALL the other campers I have seen AF seems to me to be the best value.

We have used the S--- out of ours and have zero complaints. Kind of a hands on guy so little issues are easily remedied and both my wife and myself being retired we love the reliability of things working as they should. We ended up driving up to Northwood in Oregon from San Diego to pick ours up and spent a week driving down back home as our shake down cruise.

Good luck on your purchase.

[RandyAmy]

Thank you so much greenno.
Exactly the kind of information we're looking for.
Randy