1 Year Review and Rig Tour of my Northern Lite + F350 7.3L 4x4 Truck Camper

It's officially been just over 1 year in my rig. Here's a review.
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Truck/Camper gear that I use
Camper Tie Downs: amzn.to/49a25jW
Gas Generator: amzn.to/48Tkbqw
F350 tow mirrors: amzn.to/3SCzHBt
No electric heater: amzn.to/3SFOoUE
Portable propane heater: amzn.to/3UjU8o5
00:00-02:28 INTRO
02:28-05:32 The truck
05:32-12:01 Rig Tour
12:01-15:27 Pros of Northern Lite
15:27-17:07 Cons of Fiberglass Campers
17:07-19:55 Pros of a Truck Camper
19:55-23:16 Cons of a Truck Camper
23:16-25:11 What's worked well
25:12-26:02 Battery System Upgrade
26:03-28:30 Conclusion/Final Thoughts

[@1jackvalley580]

Our society now tries to make EVERYTHING CHEAPER AND COSTS MORE. The older Rigs like you have Is built so much better than the newer ones

[@BartBuzz]

An informative review. Like you said, it works. And it's hard to beat the comforts of "home" when you are on the road. Tent camping can be fun. But when you get to the campsite and the weather sucks, the truck camper saves the day...and night!

[@24smiler]

I'm in my mid 40s and have always been an outdoors kind of guy. I would do what you love when you're still young, I'm not saying you can't do it when you are older. I have had two hip surgeries now and struggle with hiking and don't even want to think about sleeping on a camping pad. As always I love your content. Keep up the good work. I personally like to see you doing some more cooking (cast iron or grill etc) plus recipes so we can try create too.

[@1jackvalley580]

The number one thing that will keep the mechanics of your truck to continue to be reliable Is, keep up on all the regular maintenance, keeping the fluids changed etc

[@josephdover198]

Not to be that guy... BUT that's the number one thing to keep absolutely every vehicle one owns reliable. If you don't maintain the vehicle it will not last.

[@marshallhadlock4390]

Hi Jonathan. Seems to be working for you. Wow. A year. I have never commented on a YT video before, but I like your drive, your enthusiasm. Keep On Keepin' On young fella. You make the difference !

[@JonathanYentch]

Appreciate the continued support!

[@-t21]

Man has it been a year already! My gosh time flies

[@JonathanYentch]

Tell me about it! Feels like I’ve only had it about 1/2 a year 😅

[@sharonb.9128]

You beat me to it! It seems like just 6 months ago he was working on the other camper walls and flooring!

[@debbywebby7234]

Your camper upholstery/interior colors are almost timeless, in a good way.

[@goooch888]

I've owned pull trailers, pickup campers, and motorhomes, they all have their pros and cons.

[@robertcave-xz9qz]

Always a relaxed enjoyable and articulate video. I'm a restaurant owner in the UK and your downloads keep me motivated as I reset the dining room. I too will one day have a camper. Just need the spare time to enjoy one. Robert

[@marshallhadlock4390]

I agree, Sir. When and if you ever can, check out an Overland Expo. Those provide every option out there with caravans, (trailers) , slide in campers like Jonathon's and pop-ups and truck bed rail campers. Currently. I'm really impressed with MoonLander out of Colorado USA. I have an old steel GemTop on my '97 F-350 these last 20 + years. In my 7th decade of life I want something taller - like that MoonLander. And they weigh under 400 pounds. Good Luck on your endeavors, Sir!

[@jeffreykropp7664]

Alas, enjoyment of comfort will sneak up on you…..😮

[@barbkugler7568]

It seems like pulling into the Mt Hood parking lot with a trailer behind you would not be as fun or easy. Love your setup.

[@JonathanYentch]

Definitely agreed. Was never interested in pull behind trailers!

[@deniseroberts460]

Even though you like hardcore camping, with the camper you are away from the city lights, noise, and craziness. You still have the camp fires, unbelievable scenery, stars, nature, seeing wildlife. By the way did you see the northern lights?

[@useritscarrot]

I had de lamination on my older fleetwood pacearrow too. It was on the same side. There's repair tips online if you really needed to diy. The repair is drilling a hole where the bulge is and inserting an adhesive, and then putting pressure on it. I did this by using a block of wood up against my fence, pressing against the bulge. Then address the hole surface and paint the hole. 👍👍

[@JonathanYentch]

I’ve made rough plans to fix mine but it hasn’t caused any issue nor gotten worse after many many miles so I’m just being lazy for now. Maybe one day!

[@larrywade9041]

You made one comment that is very true. Camping (i.m.o.) should be first of all about spending time in the great outdoors. I'm not trying to put anyone's rig down, but after watching "Playing with Sticks" youtube channel, I have to agree that these tear-drop trailers are a great way to go. If you don't know much about them, I would suggest that you might want to watch his videos. Have a great day! Cheers!! Illinois, USA

[@MrAndy91486]

Love your videos, man! It's what I look forward to after a long day of work

[@Vanliferoamers]

Such a great looking setup!!

[@lorid6544]

One word after watching this video: Jealous! To borrow Dr. Suess, "Oh the places you'll go!"

[@D2K1530]

i like your videos!! one day your video popped up and since then, I've enjoyed them. your videos give me a sense of chill and peace and fun. sometimes, i enjoy them over and over again to study English

[@sheilacaine]

Great review and honesty. ❤

[@Veesaki]

Terrific review and........ I love your channel especially your fly fishing adventure ! Be safe ! 👏

[@stacymuff964]

Very cool video..Thanks Johnathan 😊👍

[@JonnyDIY]

Love the rig, but I can sense you're getting the itch for something different 😂 Id love a pop up for spring and summer and a hardside for fall n winter. One can dream 😆 ohh and a garage to store them both

[@JonathanYentch]

That would be the dream lineup! Can't help but feel like the hard side year round is excessive for me. We'll see what happens. Haha :D

[@kenlandreth2161]

That's a great rig you have. Keep that F350 for ever it's better than a new one. We have had truck campers for about 45 years. We have also had fifth wheels, motor homes, and toung pull trailers but always gone back to the truck camper.

[@Mario-jr7fb]

I have the same NL camper, it’s also a 1999 and it’s just perfect to travel and explore with this unit. After 25 years i hope to keep it because it’s my first class traveling equipment.

[@hollsee9266]

I am from where these rigs are built. They are top notch campers and the used ones are awesome also. @desinationadventure. He has one but is older and some of the places he is getting into with his rig in the wilds of British Columbia is pretty amazing. The fellow I am with has one for his Tacoma but he has the smallest one. It’s very compact. They are rated for 4 seasons. His hasn’t a bathroom. I ended up buying myself a little Boler. These were the beginning of the fibreglass campers and so proud that they were created in Canada and not the Unites States.

[@themountainwanderer]

Good video and some great thoughts. Very helpful. I am always looking for future options. Right now I am just enjoying tent camping out of a wagon and only a couple weeks a year at that. In the future I'd like to travel a lot, several weeks at a time for long distances (up to AK). For that my current plan is a minivan buildout with a removable setup for bedding and cooking. Advantages are great fuel economy, nimbleness and simplicity, disadvantages are being limited to campgrounds with facilities and you have to tolerate bad weather periods in a cramped space or just bail out to a hotel. I am fine with campgrounds, no need to worry about emptying toilets and finding fresh water. I can forego 4WD roads, it seems the cost is just too high to have a setup capable to safely access them. There are plenty of alternatives anyway. The ideal for me would be the VW California (specifically the new California Ocean 4x4) with the popup top, so one has a decent amount of room (with headroom) and a basic kitchen built in. Too bad VW is refusing to import it to North America.

[@osc6389]

Looking a bit more swole my guy. Keep up your content. I started following you when you had your OG tundra lol

[@lenzgodeep5053]

Cool Video Bro!

[@georgetuider654]

Excellent summary!

[@SquatchZone]

I love this video. Very very informative, and touched on just about everything a person would need to decide if this is right for me. I had a nice rig comparable to what you have there in the 90's except it wasn't fiberglass. I took my 6 kids camping all over the place in Cali and Oregon. I've been watching you throughout your KZbin adventures, and when you bought that first camper, it got me to thinking about putting together a rig, but this time go fiberglass with a 4x4 truck. I think you're right about the 7.3, and it being older, no DEF. A huge plus. Sure it's older and going to have some problems older trucks would have, but it is cheaper to fix, and I did say no DEFright? lol!!! Thank you for this really informative video bro, and keep them coming!!

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@raisethe3]

Wow, time flies!

[@dhawkr.3678]

Have you ever thought of getting a smaller truck and putting a Hiatus (hardsides) folding camper? It's a bit pricey, but it makes the truck nimble and be able to fit in the garage.

[@JonathanYentch]

I would love one of those campers. They are certainly pricey and also have a long lead time but maybe one day.

[@stephennowicki7158]

Good video and information.

[@bobdrago6965]

Fuel consumption $$$ must be draining. Lucky you have subscribers which helps with expenses.

[@JonathanYentch]

The truck chugs down dollars 😭

[@michaelsalmon6436]

Great review! I appreciate that you shared so many details. Thanks for doing this! How about some details about the costs of some of those maintenance issues with the truck, such as the transmission overhaul or rebuild? If you had to do it all over again, what would you change? Again, many thanks for taking the time to prepare this youtube. Happy travels. Stay safe out there!

[@JonathanYentch]

Transmission rebuild was around $6k with the upgraded components. If I was going this same route I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently! I bought the camper when the market was extremely hot so I overpaid for it but it was ready to go and has needed minimal work so money well spent. 👍 thanks for watching!

[@ISUBlueStarsvet90]

One thing I would have loved to hear you talk about is the impact to fuel economy. I also have an extended cab super duty (3/4 ton) 7.3 longbed and have my eyes set on an older 9-6 northern lite, so your videos have been very informative. Have you done tests with that unloaded vs loaded?

[@JonathanYentch]

I average about 11-12mpg with the camper on. Unloaded, I’ve gotten about 15-16mpg on the highway. Diesel guzzling truck for sure.

[@ISUBlueStarsvet90]

@@JonathanYentch that’s really not terrible considering. How is it going uphill? Do you have difficulty maintaining speed?

[@1jackvalley580]

I think your personality likes FREQUENT CHANGES, and there isn't anything wrong with that if it only affects you, and if you can afford it.

[@topshopbuildandfabricate24]

That’s what I have always done I like to push myself to the extreme sometimes just to know I can do it and that helps you to push even harder. I like to camp sometimes in luxury to although luxury for me is sleeping in my truck hahaha. Keep pushing yourself further and further every once in a while.

[@mikara9108]

Hope youll take this rig to Canada one day!

[@pablosmith9515]

The Tacoma with the Slumber Queen was the coolest setup in my opinion as much as i like your current setup!

[@JonathanYentch]

That was the OG rig for sure!

[@Zewestcoaster]

I will add this.... With the truck and camper, it permits you to tow a variety of items. I flat tow a 1999 Suzuki Vitara when I know I will be requiring that off road capability that I don't have with the truck and camper. 10' inflatable on the Vitara to hit those remote fishing lakes, or for fall hunting. I can also tow a utility trailer that has a 12' aluminum boat on top when I know the lake is reasonably accessible.

[@JonathanYentch]

Very good point! I personally haven’t towed with the rig but it would be great to have a little boat or extra small vehicle on the road or a cargo trailer.

[@veetour]

How about going on a road trip to Kelowna, BC, the birth place where your truck camper was made? Lots of nice scenery, camping, and trails.

[@davidbaron6647]

Nice Jonathan. Sold my 2003 F150 4X4 FX4 5.4L. got a 2008 Nissan Titan PRO 4 X 5.6L 4 DOOR 285/70/18 tires, the ford had 285/70/17 gained like 75HP and 75 torque. Its a BEAST!

[@PNWXOverland]

We should go camping if you get over to Bend again!!

[@JonathanYentch]

I'll be down there soon enough I'm sure!

[@KevinWaldsAdventures]

I had the same northern lite just one year older and I really get the not wanting to push yourself due to comfort, until I moved into it... now im in a 2001 ten 2000 and the space is perfect for full time living, definitely seasons in life can make a rig too big and comfy and too small, cheers!

[@JonathanYentch]

If I was living full time in it I’d definitely appreciate having the comforts! I mean, I appreciate them for my trips too but I definitely question if it’s necessary haha. Either way it’s been a great rig and I’ve loved it so far. Hope you’re enjoying your 10-2!

[@russellweber3466]

Trucks have rear windows with sliding glass windows and quite a few slide in truck campers have a sliding glass window thar matches up to the rear truck window so you can get into the truck cab thru the 2 sliding glass windows.

[@juliemarkham4332]

I like your camper, I think it serves you well. You can always take a pup tent on a trail for overnight, if you really want to.

[@joesprague1464]

A lot to think about in this episode.

[@michelebullock9867]

FYI There is a NW truck camper rally in beautiful Cashmere in July. FWIW.

[@elena8642]

Would you ever consider a pop up truck camper? Or what do you think about those? Thx for the year review that was great.

[@JonathanYentch]

Pop up campers are less ideal for winter camping typically due to the canvas sides. I have always wanted to try out the hard sided pop ups like Alaskan Campers or Hiatus Campers. Perhaps one day!

[@TheSkeetergirl]

I want an update on the last rig. Has the new owner ever given you an update?

[@beebop4333]

SUGGESTION order new headlights as yours are damaged by UV. Also order led lights

[@edwil111]

I like your videos... but I think they can usually be 8-10 minutes shorter. (FWIW)

[@JonathanYentch]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@rone7927]

Have you tried oiling the steps?

[@marcl5048]

Bring back the puppy!

[@martyb3783]

I am surprised that you didn't mention the moisture issue. I considered a truck camper (and still am) but I am 6'4" and am having a hard time finding one with a bed that is big enough for me to be comfortable. Great video as always!

[@SquatchNomad]

If the bed is north to south, remove the 2 nightstands, and you can fit a cal king and now sleep opposite. That's what we did.

[@JonathanYentch]

I actually did talk about it when filming but cut it out because the video was much longer than I wanted 😆 I figured most people are aware of moisture issues with campers and RV’s by this point. Sounds tricky with finding the right size bed, fortunately I don’t have that issue LOL

[@chilidog73]

Hey Jonathon! You should do a collab with Softroadingthewest.

[@bradlybradshaw5972]

WD-40 those steps!

[@deanmarshall6345]

Can you get from camper to truck via the back window if you needed to?

[@mrgregweber]

Great Vid. I have a Bigfoot C9.5 Deluxe, which is same layout and very similiar. I would consider a pop-up hardside alaskan to be a better adventure rig. Hardside but low center of gravity and slides down like a shoebox with top over bottom.

[@hollsee9266]

Originally Big Foot builders and Northern Lite were together. They had a falling out and separated and started their own business’s. Northern lite is a bit bigger than the big foot campers but both are high end build qualities

[@mrgregweber]

@@hollsee9266 What did you mean by Northern Lite is a bit bigger? I'm guessing production numbers, which I haven't seen. I'd be curious if you could share. Some Trivia: Neither are owned by the original or second owners anymore. Bigfoot is over 40 at least . Northern Lite is over 35 at least. Product Size: NL makes a 611 model again which is handy for smaller truck beds. Bigfoot makes trailers too but before the 611, BFs 8.2 was smallest available camper and BF 2500 series has a model bigger then any NL made. NL feels pretty roomy though as very open in center. My issue and experience: They were a bit tail heavy with fridge at the back and wanted my back rear passenger to sink easier in soft ground. It put my 3/4 overweight on rear axle (1ton was fine)while bigfoot didn't since fridge and pantry was up front on this model. New model NL except 611 have same layout so 1 tons are needed. 1tons are generally better for truck campers as work with more models.

[@hollsee9266]

@@mrgregweber Northern lite and Big foot were one company at one time and they separated. The fellow I am with has a Tacoma short box single cab truck. He has a short box and for a time Northern lite and Big foot made campers for the smaller import trucks. They stopped production of them in the 1990s. The fridge is towards where the bed is located not at the back. There is no bathroom and it came with a chemical toilet that stowed away in one of the lower cupboards. It came equipped with an outside shower. The two nomads I have watched that had his camper are “She Roams Wild.” And another lady that goes by “Tails Of Wonderlust.” They have both sold there campers. Both units like Johanathon’s camper were found here in British Columbia. They are 4 season units and fit a small truck bed. She Roams Wild gutted hers and outfitted it with Baltic birch interior and new sink and stove set up. She just sold it and has moved to Colorado. Johnathon got his on the Sunshine Coast and drove it back to the states. They are coveted. Northern Lite has just started making new versions of the small camper with a different set up on the inside. I think they are selling for over $35k Canadian dollars. Maybe your camper was like Destination Adventures Camper where the bathroom was at the tail end. But he is driving his fathers old bush truck and its a solid bed that its supported on.

[@hollsee9266]

@@mrgregweber my guy has the old version of the camper from the early 90s. He has it on the back of his Toyota Tacoma. They are going to bring them back into production again.

[@EddieBarksdale]

Do you run the same tires year round or something else for winter? Do you still have to run/carry chains? I'm still terrified of getting stuck or much worse on 26 in the winter so any tips you might have would be appreciated! 🙏

[@JonathanYentch]

I run the same tires year round. I have chains I’ll carry when the weather is really dicey! They do a great job at grooming 26 and all of Hood so as long as you’re driving conservative and have 4x4 there shouldn’t be much issue.

[@useritscarrot]

My wife and I were watching your usa camper video again, and was saying that you should have kept that camper and use the red tundra? That way it's a bit lighter and smaller for those trails! But maybe get the version without the 2 sides that fold up for less leaking like you said was an issue.

[@JonathanYentch]

Yeah that was a really nice setup. Minimalistic and simple, great for more rugged adventures.

[@SonyaLargo]

Where's kaya?

[@lenzgodeep5053]

A+++++

[@tanbl6746]

Hi, is that a Taylor Swift friendship string bracelet you're wearing on your wrist?

[@JonathanYentch]

It’s a bracelet from a monastery in Thailand.

[@gator701]

Where did you get the stairs? How many steps is it?

[@EfficientRVer]

It came with the camper. TorkLift makes it. I installed a set on Box Van Dee's box truck in 2021. They are very high quality, and available in all different numbers of steps, widths, and a couple of tread depths. TorkLift has all sorts of info online, or feel free to check out Dee's videos from July 2021 for a bit of info. Their customer service was awesome, also. They had an engineer take some specific measurements I needed, to see if I could stow it where I needed to on her rig. We bought the 4 step version, but it ended up that the sizing chart online had been right and we only needed 3. You can add or remove steps yourself, though it involves many bolts and paying attention to the order that washers and parts go together when mating everything back up.

[@prestonwhite6267]

Where do you shower? If you only used it once.

[@1jackvalley580]

Truck Campers are the best, because your not dragging a long cumbersome trailer, which is a pain going into gas stations or anywhere for that matter

[@shermancase1494]

are you thinking of solar for the camper?

[@JonathanYentch]

Yes eventually!

[@user-dq6bi4ip4d]

Yere as solar is so expensive in the states.

[@Zewestcoaster]

7:13 Careful what you wish for.... That "swim deck" extends 25" past the end of the camper. I was looking at purchasing a new Northern Lite 10-2. The interior floor length is 131" which translates to 10' 11", add the 25" of the swim deck on the back of the camper and the whole rig extends 5' past the end of the truck box.... Just too big.... The new Northern Lite 9-6 campers have an interior floor length of 110" which translates to 9'2" Add the 25" for the swim deck and things become more manageable for connecting trailers etc. However, the newer Northern Lite campers have changed the floor plan and the storage simply isn't there any longer....

[@JonathanYentch]

That is definitely a good point. Pros and cons to everything right?

[@masterful7574]

"Intresting" is not a word.

[@EfficientRVer]

The first e is silent in many dialects within the USA. If you have a brain, use it to translate what people say, into what you would have said, if you can't handle even a small nitpicky thing like regional pronunciations. It was the most common pronunciation (though more like "intristing") where I grew up in NJ, and a perfectly acceptable pronunciation at the pretty high-end university in Cambridge, MA which I went to. One where if you got in the 8-item express line with 9 items, they asked "Do you go to Harvard and can't count, or MIT and can't read?" Of course, anyone getting into either could do both, better than the average bear or cashier. As an engineer, then engineering manager, then project manager, then consultant, I considered it part of my job to translate rather than criticize, when I understood exactly what someone meant, but they had made a common error in expressing it. Do I want to sometimes tear my hair out when someone makes the same mistakes about saying amps instead of amp-hours? Yes. Do I let them know the correct way to put it, in a way that doesn't humiliate them? Yes. But do I correct the same person 100 times for repeating the same error again and again in the months and years to come? No. I may leave a comment using the correct units in a way that makes clear they are the correct units, but I don't go on a crusade to punish them every time they make the mistake. Bob Wells is a prime example of getting it right half the time, wrong half the time, and catching his own errors half the time.

[@pam2719]

Where’s the dog

[@gordaro2828]

Knock knock...B.C. Here...stop stealing our campers...hehe

[@strawberryrhubarbpie]

Can you be in the camper when it’s not on the truck?

[@user-dq6bi4ip4d]

Fair dinkum !! You 😢

[@propwash66]

Who's dirt bike

[@eddieterrell5457]

Hell you barely went out in the last year😂

[@D-Balderas]

Why arent you using your old outro each video?

[@user-py2gn5ue3b]

7 tree

[@beebop4333]

SUGGESTION go get your ford engine BULLETPROOFED. You wont regret it.

[@michaelknox9349]

The puppy stopped him from camping again.

[@michaelknox9349]

And that was after nothing last week.

[@user-dq6bi4ip4d]

​@@michaelknox9349 What puppy? He took it to the animal shelter.

[@michaelknox9349]

@@user-dq6bi4ip4d How do you that?

[@SuperExTINCTGAMING]

First?

[@iPeterHerr]

You beat me, second!

[@WHATDAHEEZZY]

Third

[@josephdover198]

It's a good thing that you couldn't afford a new diesel truck. They're powerful but they're trash. They also costs as much as a house. You have ideal power and torque. It is the well known bulletproof diesel. 5.9 Cummins Dodge are solid as well but not like the 7.3 Ford. The 6.0 that replaced the 7.3 for Ford is hands down one of the worst diesel motors ever manufactured. The other thing is there's no drastic decline in the value of your truck or the camper. Buy new and a year later they're worth about 2/3 of what you paid, max.

[@Castorguy123]

What do you mean a rig tour it's like your third or fourth camper in a year.

[@andrewbartholomew5876]

Gas milage is prob terrible

[@JonathanYentch]

It is. Around 11-12mpg. Although, that's not bad gas mileage for a home on wheels..

[@mattcook5375]

Let's be real ... who are you trying to convince?? Yourself?... you know you want a 4by4 van ... far superior!

[@darrylwindle5331]

honestly dude that is the most boring video tou have ever done..................

[@JonathanYentch]

Thanks for the feedback

[@user-dq6bi4ip4d]

One of many ! It's up up there with ya SLURPING UR BLOODY COFFEE.

[@johnhahn8464]

​@@JonathanYentchthe negativity is unfortunate