My wife and I had a tour through the Northern-Lite factory. Small world as I learned I knew the tour guide, the purchasing manager's, mother. I was really impressed with the appearance and the quality of the truck campers. This is what they focus on, though they also have a 13 ft. trailer. The wood work is sapele wood which is a brazilian hardwood that has a richness that is a different appearance than oak.
The fridges have a mirror coat that makes the space feel a lot more open,stainless steel burners oven, they use
windows from Germany that work well with vinyl window frames that help create a thermal break, DVD/CD combination plus flat panel tv great for entertainment concerns. 60x80 inch bed, large opening sky
light The truck campers have
fiberglass toilet/shower combinations which is lacking on their trailer. This is to keep the
weight down and one less tank, the toilet space on the trailer is not a
fiberglass unit. I would want to explore what the difference would be to have the
fiberglass shower,with accompanying
weight issue and cost issues. There are hardwood cabinets all aound the dinette area. No particle board is used. The rear bumper is quite substantial and if I wanted to haul bicycles there I would wonder about an extension to the spare tire holder so that two bikes might fit there. I think one might fit there now in the space between the spare tire and the trailer but not sure where rubbing might take place. When one walks in the trailer, the door is very close to the front of the trailer, on the right, the front, there is a large hanging closet. It seems too big for week end trips but for longer trips it would be great. Some of the tanks are enclosed at the foot of this closet. This may help with tongue
weight.There is a lot of space on the tongue, space for
battery, and two
propane tanks with a fiberglass cover. A lot of the material is all in house, cabinets, fiberglass, etc. and it was nice to see a lot from local suppliers. A factory from my town provides the access doors etc. Tanks are locally made etc.
Its relatively a small factory, and the people pleasant to talk with. The trailers are not their main product but I believe their experieince with truck campers has given them a lot of experience and skill. They would like to do more with the trailer and I think they might be willing to work with a customer to have a satisfied cusomer. Each camper: had a work order sheet going down the line, with customers wishes highlighted, options that a dealer believes will satisfy their clientele etc. four campers were being loaded up for North Carolina.
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Wife was really impressed with the colours of upholstry, 4 different choices, colour of hardwood, neutral headliner etc.