Northern Lite 8-11Q SE Truck Camper Spring Update

[@ppineault]

I'm a bit late in the game here but thanks so much for this vid!...working in a confined space can be stressful and the whole point of camping is to DE-stress, not add to it so your organizational ideas for maximizing and utilizing interior space are genius, showing your use of the horse trailer mat in the truck bed is so inventive and love those pop up dish racks with tubs...have to get me so of those! thanks so much again, so very clever and inventive!...thanks so much for sharing your expertise 😊👍

[@DanChanPiano]

You're welcome Patrick and thanks for the nice compliments. I've got to credit my wife with many of the enhancements, but together we are always looking for efficiencies in whatever comes our way. It's satisfying if you can come up with a better mouse trap. All the best to you on your camping adventures.

[@ppineault]

@@DanChanPiano You're welcome, Dan!😊...I was really struck by how organized everything was! :)...I've often joked with people that OCD often gets a bad rap because if you're willing and able to, you can 'turn that frown upside down' and put those tendencies to really productive and effective use and you and your wife have done that in spades! ..thanks again 😊👍

[@joesilva4479]

Thank you for posting i love your camper so much....Joe in northern calif

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks Joe, Nice to hear from Eureka.

[@rvlee8577]

Greetings from Napa, Nice rundown on your good looking rig. Happy trails

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks Lee. Nice to hear from the wine country.

[@wingnutbert9685]

I just watched your first shake-down video and gasped a bit at the cab over clearance. I believe Ford's do have higher cab heights. Since you go boon-docking, I'd be temped to add a 3/4" sheet of exterior grade plywood under your stall mat. I think it be an additional safety factor. Just 3/4" stall mat didn't look like enough. I think 3" would be my min. comfort space. But YMMV. :) If you like the plywood, you could paint it white so it looks nice and, if needed, add some sort of method to prevent it sliding in the bed. Though, if your stock bed mat is under it and is soft enough, it may hold it in place well enough. About to watch your Alabama video. Any new updates coming on the truck and camper? Things you like and things not so much or drive you nuts? :) Thanks!

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks for watching my videos Bert. I'll consider your suggestion about the plywood, but to date the camper cabover section has never contacted the top of the cab and we've been on some really rough roads. The only update to the camper is going with two 6v batteries in series instead of the two 12v. This seems to have solved the problem of our batteries being drained overnight by some unknown power draw. Overall, still loving the camper.

[@wingnutbert9685]

@@DanChanPiano Glad it's worked out Dan! I see a lot of people go to 6v x2. I've only got room for one AGM in my old rig. Maybe in a new one. Heavily looking at Bigfoot or N.L. But would order a stripped out version. Don't need stereo/speaker, AC, TV wire/antena, etc. Must have would be dry bath and thermal glass windows. Both these brands 10+' versions are very similar to our 10.5 Okanagan which is 90% perfect, save the wet bath and that it's not a fiberglass clam shell. One thing I wish they'd done in these was, as in our OK, is lower the dinette window height and put a storage cabinet above the table.

[@joesilva4479]

Thanks for the update on your spring prep.....Joe Silva Eureka Calif

[@orionsmagipi2255]

you should post links to the items you use for storage and etc... for amazon or ebay... you could make a little extra coin to put towards your camper... just a thought because you have good ideas and storage....

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks for your suggestion. Up to this point I haven't explored the idea of channel monetization as that was never the purpose for me to put up videos. But, you have reminded me that my channel does indeed qualify for the partnership program and monetization and I'll look into it.

[@jonworley5200]

Very nicely organized. Can you tell me the dimensions of the cloth baskets that you added? Thanks and keep up the nice videos.

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks Jon. Bed Bath and Beyond SALT™ Canvas Storage Bin with Chevron Print. Medium bin measures 12.75" L x 9.75" W x 7.5" H REGULAR PRICE $12.99 BEYOND+ MEMBER PRICE $10.39

[@spudthegreaterusa8386]

i had a similar issue with my cabover clearance, i bought an 8x4 piece of dow blue styrofoam insulation , has a 25psi compression rating, that sits on top of a rubber truck mat. its about 2 inches thick and works great. gives side wall clearance and cabover clearance. I have a 1999 elkhorn 9T sitting on a 2006 F250 long bed, seems the older campers just aren't compatible with the newer truck dimensions...Anyway, the rigid styrofoam board gives some floor insulation which is great being my camper isnt a 4 seasons setup.

[@DanChanPiano]

Two inches is a good bit of added clearance and I like the insulating aspect. Looks like you've found a good solution to the issue and thanks for commenting.

[@MrDadAce]

First time I've seen your videos. But I'm going to keep watching, cause I see your a fan of Spam! Love the stuff always glad to know others do to.

[@DanChanPiano]

Spam, the food of the Gods!

[@mainframe0199]

Very neat and organized. Love it!

[@glenndahlgren2572]

Hi Dan, Excellent video. We plan on buying a new Northern Lite for a short bed F350. We just ordered a 2020 with the new 7.3 L gas engine. We don’t have the final payload figures yet but I think the 8.11 series should be a good fit. . I see that you have a late model F350 short bed. How is the performance with the Northern Lite? Do you have the blind spot detection system and does it work with the camper? You’ve given me some good storage ideas. Thank for posting your videos I’m really enjoying them!

[@DanChanPiano]

Thanks Glenn, Our 2017 6.2 gas model f350 is plenty capable and does just fine with this camper. Your new 7.3 should do even better. Just don't expect to get all this power and towing capacity and good fuel mileage too. We're averaging 10 mpg with a full load. It's just the price of doing business. Blind spot detection functions with camper on, but we now have a rear camera high on the camper's back and get wide angle video of what's in back and to the sides. I have a few more camper videos on the channel that talk about this. Congratulations on your new rig. CORRECTION! Blind spot warning indicators do not function with the camper on. Sensors blocked.

[@michaeljones8079]

Thanks Dan for this video. May I ask how you play the weight game? I fear that if I go with NL, I'll end up over the GVWR, whic is 11,000 lbs. I have the GMC 3500 SRW with the diesel...

[@DanChanPiano]

We don't try to accurately measure our GVWR. That would require driving to truck scales, of which the thought of has crossed my mind. We go with the attitude of "save weight wherever we can, refrain from bringing everything plus the kitchen sink, travel dry and fill up near the destination whenever possible, make sure tire pressure is correct etc". I'm sure there have been times when we have exceeded the limit but trying not to overload is always on our minds. This method has kept us out of trouble thus far.

[@adventurerhoades]

Are you still really liking the 811. Did you keep the f350 stock? We have a 2020 f350 payload rated @ 3970. Thinking about the 811.

[@DanChanPiano]

Yes, still happy with the rig and camper. No alterations on the truck save for adding the rear anti sway bar. Good luck with whatever you purchase.

[@sarasarah723]

Thank you! How do you like your northern light camper?? Do you camp long durations?

[@DanChanPiano]

We're still really liking the camper. Two weeks has been our longest trip and as long as we can find a source for water and dump station, longer camping trips would certainly be possible.

[@homeontheroad018]

Do you still keep your tailgate on ? My tailgate is stuck and won't come off. We are getting a new 8'11- 2022 in May

[@DanChanPiano]

The camper extends way past the tailgate. It has to come off.

[@donf18]

Northern Lite recommends maximum 3/8" bed mat and specifically not to use a horse stall mat...but if it works for you I won't tell them....

[@DanChanPiano]

I had to do what I had to do to get the clearance. I'm curious to know why specifically not to use a stall mat, but I bet they didn't elaborate. I see no harm chemically with recycled tire rubber in contact with fiberglass. Or could it be the density? We've had no adverse effects whatsoever with the current setup. Thanks for your info.

[@donf18]

@@DanChanPiano Hi Dan, not sure why but in my 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 Sportsman manual they explicitly recommend against it. My GMC mat is 3/8" thick so I am going with that and the underside of the front of the camper is about 3" clear of the crew cab roof...

[@themanfromvan]

Great video! I've got a 2010 NL camper and I'm curious about that cover. Can you please give me the make and model number. Thank you.

[@DanChanPiano]

Sure, themanfromvan. Mine is the model for 8-10ft campers and I see it's gone up $15 since I bought mine. Here is the description and Amazon link. Classic Accessories OverDrive PolyPRO 3 Deluxe Camper Cover, Fits 8' - 10' Campers - Max Weather Protection with 3-Ply Poly Fabric Roof RV Cover (80-036-143101-00) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019ZLPLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[@alexzanderarmstrong]

Do you think you could have gone with an ford F250? I know the payload is ok just wondering why you went 350? we are looking at exact same setup as you with an 8.11 from northern light...Thanks!

[@DanChanPiano]

I think you'll like the camper. Yes, an F250 would work with this camper, but we also pull an ATV trailer on many of our trips. Memories of our old lifted 2001 F250 with the big 35" tires and stock gears struggling with the load on the hills, steered us to a truck that was sure to be able to handle what we threw at it. This, although now, with 17 years of truck development, modern F250s would be much more capable. Heavier suspension and brakes on 350s are a plus. It definitely has a stiff truck ride though and gas mileage is not good, but then again, the F350 is our occasional trip and go get lumber and concrete vehicle, not our commuter.

[@takayama1638]

I agree on F350. That's what I'd want with a truck camper of about any kind. And gasoline engine. Diesels just too expensive to maintain and repair.

[@frankiebpr]

Great video. What is your payload on the 350? I have a 2017 F250 Kingranch with 2K payload. Thanks Frank

[@jorgeplaza3406]

Ford f250?

[@DanChanPiano]

F350