Just a Truck Camper? Clearly Not! The Arctic Fox Is More Like a Truck-Mounted Home

Folks, truck campers have always been a go-to solution for the outdoor lover, and these days, there's a plethora of manufacturers to choose from. One crew worthy of our attention is none other than Northwood Manufacturing, the one and the same that's been active in the industry since 1993.

Well, this time around, I've decided to bring to light their Arctic Fox lineup of truck-mounted homes in the homes of helping you find your forever camper, if there is such a thing. As to why I've chosen this lineup, it's simply because Northwood somehow managed to fit all the features we need into one neat, simple, and no-fuss unit.

Overall, this lineup comes with eight variations from which to choose, but to make things easier to understand, I've decided to shed light upon one the largest of the units, the 1140 layout(s). Being the largest, it's also one of the most equipped versions from this manufacturer, giving us a clear example of what's possible.

Now, what we're looking at is a hunk of fully welded machine with an aluminum frame construction. From here, it's onto corona-treated fiberglass walls with high-density foam block insulation. But, the real attraction is this lineup's ability to expand interiors with the use of slideouts.

That's right, what you'll be hauling down the road won't be what your campsite ends up looking like. Upon arriving at whatever destination you've got on your map and unloading your home, you'll be able to simply press a button and watch your Arctic Fox come to life.

With your mobile half-shell now sitting on its own four feet, let's climb inside and see what the fuss is all about. If you haven't checked out the images in the gallery, now's the time to do so.

As you do, let yourself feel the space around you. Picture yourself washing up in the morning in either a wet or dry bath, cooking up some breakfast in a galley with all the features you'd need to do so, and then waking the kids so you can enjoy your meals at the modular dinette. Maybe let the kids sleep and carry them one by one to the cab-over bed sitting at arm's length away.

These little moments will be supported by appliances and systems the likes of a 10 cu ft fridge, 22 in oven, three-burner cooktop, 6-gal water heater, and a 20K BTU furnace, to name a few. This thing is even generator-ready, and solar prep is clearly standard. Once we throw in things like satellite prep, porcelain toilets, and cabinetry that appear to be able to last a lifetime, we're looking at a truck camper that can very well be dubbed a truck home.

Now, what I enjoyed most about this class of campers is the fact that Northwood also created the Arctic Fox with the outdoor lover in mind; it doesn't just offer a heavily equipped and comfortable interior. With that in mind, let's head back outside and get a feel for what's possible.

Picture your unit on the edge of some forest treeline, accessible only by vehicles that can handle some off-road assignments. Remember, the beefier your truck and its suspension, the deeper into the wild you will be able to venture, and truck campers are a great way to not have to worry about you leaving some trailer behind because if you couldn't handle a riverbed or rock garden; there is no trailer! But be sure to know how to handle such a top-heavy piece of machinery, or if you don't, ask the experts.

Since you've taken the time to add a few extras to your unit, you'll soon find yourself in the midst of a full-blown campsite with an awning unfurled, the smell of BBQ filling the air, and even some e-bikes waiting to be unloaded. Yes, an outdoor shower is also spotted, and music will be blaring out of marine-grade exterior speakers. Oh, and if you've got anything mounted on the roof or your 1140, don't be afraid; climb up there and get that stuff down. We're treated to a fully walkable roof here. It's your daydream; do as you please.

But, the all-important question that remains is: just how much is one of these babies going to cost us? The answer to this question depends on an array of aspects, mainly the bond you have with your local dealership and the features in place. But, as a general rule of thumb, a 2024 1140 can be spotted selling for around $50K (€46,300 at current exchange rates), which might be a tad higher than what we're used to paying for a truck-mounted home, but you can see why; it's a year-round living machine that doesn't require you to ditch your existing vehicle, and that's worth landing on any outdoor lovers to-consider list.