If you buy a HOST camper you may end up with this
Before you buy a Host camper you should know that they don't stand behind their product! We are the owners of a $40,000 camper that is falling apart at the seams.
PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING A HOST CAMPER!
We purchased a 2005 Host Truck Camper and after one short season (May to Sept. in NH) in 2006 started having problems with it. We went to Host thinking they would assume responsibility for the problem that to us was clearly theirs. After many phone calls and e-mails all we got from them was a "you're out of warranty". They did offer to give us a break on the cost of the parts if we brought the camper to OREGON! We took the camper to three (3) different repair places and they all agreed that the camper was structurally weak and poorly engineered and the repairs were going to be between $7,000-$10,000. Each and everytime we put the camper on the truck and hauled it to one of the repair shops for evaluation the damage got worse. The pictures don't show the problems with the slide outs (the slide outs won't come out without causing more damage) but they do show some of the other problems. I don't think any one should pay $40,000 for a camper and expect to get only a few short months before it can not be used. It is now a very expensive lawn ornament that we are still making payments on. I am trying to prevent anyone else from going through the same financial and emotional frustration.
The following picture will show how the slide outs have sagged. Please note the decals and how they no longer line up. The slide outs sagging have caused strain on the bottom of the camper and in fact have caused the frame to crack.
.
.
We are hoping to warn other people about our problems so that they do not purchase a camper that is so BADLY engineered that it is unsafe and not road worthy.
57 comments:
Now THIS could get REALLY interesting... (ww)
Boy I'm glad we ended up buying a Bigfoot after seeing all the problems with Host & no support.
We were working a deal this spring at an rv show on a host but couldn't come to an agreement on trade in. We went out to look at another unit & the slide was off track, crooked the sales guy said someone must of run into it but there were no marks indicating such.
This looks like you had the tie downs too tight to me. If they offered to fix it at a discount why would you not take advantage of that offer?
Looks like a piece of trash. Thanks for posting this I will never buy a Host Camper.
Why don't you try not tightening the tiedownS so tight you fucking loser, it's very obvious what happened by looking at the pictures, you are not fooling anyone here, seems like buyers remorse to me, if you can't afford something, don't buy it! SIMPLE AS THAT!!!
You mentioned you had in writing the tie downs were not too tight from the two service departments you took it to; could you scan these writings and post them?
I'm looking into a camper purchase and Host was on the list. --Don't know if they are any more. I do feel I need more info before going any further and the comments from the service department would be a good reference.
Thanks.
I've been looking at Host exclusively.I thought they were all about customer satisfaction and quality control.
As for the bozo with the foul mouth on a public forum, I've got the fast gun tie downs on my Artic
Fox torqued tight..........NO PROBLEM.Perhaps he is a Host employee??
Thanks for posting this,good luck!
wow, your an idiot
"We had fast gun tie downs put on from the beginning which I don't believe CAN be tied down too tight."
you believed wrong, as you found out by fuckin up your camper
there is a spring inside those turnbuckles for a reason, when you over tighten you are overloading the spring to its max, so when you hit bumps ... there is no spring to absorb the impact,which in turn can rip your shit apart(now you know sucka)
csI almost bought a Host. Except for the fact they are overpriced and for your input.
The dummies really ought to fix your camper. This is killin them.
There was a woman on Escapees I think who had a similar lemon fiver. She did what you are doing. Within a month they offered her a new trailer if she would take the site down. She did.
Keep at it. I support you.
Scott in Texas
Thank you for this information, we have been on the hunt for a side entry shortbox camper. With this information Ginny & I can take Host off our very short list.
My next choice is Lance, here's hoping someone is watching their product as well as you have Host!!
Thom Janulis
First of all, I am not an employee or a friend of the owners and managers of Host Campers, Inc. In Dec. of 2008 I purchased a Host camper. It is the best purchase I have made in a long time. The quality of the camper is outstanding. I contacted Host manufacturers(service dept)and they were friendly and very helpful. They went out of their way to help me. When I upgrade to a larger camper, I will go back to Host. Don't believe what you have read until you have heard from both sides.
Wow, very interesting. I am in Iraq on my second tour - looking at a combo deal - loved Hosts butttt - this really makes me think. Maybe I will go with Lance, Adventure or Eagle Cap. Was going to buy in lower 48 and have folks drive it to Fairbanks for me so I can take my wife, 3 little boys and Saint Bernard to our next duty station in SC - this sucks - I liked Hosts and grew up in OR, rats! Anyone have any ideas send me some info @ Alaskadaddy@gmail.com
thank you so much , Nancy and I have wanted a host for a while now,
well not any more. I had no idea host is like that. so
much for customer sevice. Lance
is starting to look good.
thank you Jim
Wow, this is all amazing to me. I have 2005 Host Yukon, I special ordered in 2004. I absolutely love it. We use in the winter on snow skiing trips more than we use it in the summer. been totally pleased in every way. I busted out my back window on Christmas eve 2008 and the company owner called me back that day to arrange shipping me a new one. And shipping was free to local dealer.
I was going to look into the HOST campers; however, you have changed my mind! Thanks for taking the time to do this!!!!
What a piece of crap! No HOST for me!
thank you very much for putting this info online. very sorry for all that you are going through. i will definatly take host off the list of my new purchase of a camper and i cant belive spending 40,000 they will not stand up for their product. proof's in the pudding. good luck, Robert.
deer island, OR
Thank you!!!!! passing on the host camper
i have a tahoe(06) and i just finished a trip to from ca to me and back,i had 47 inches of snow and 125 degees of heat and no problems.i love may host camper.
Hmmm? I was going to the lance camper suck's site and saw this here in search. Never heard of host camper's, I own a 2010 lance and am happy with it for the most part however i would be aware that since new to the internet i would really judge the pro's and con's of anyone posting regardless. The "lance owner's of america (LOA)" site in my opion is full of people telling you how great they are. I can only believe there are some lance rep's monitoring that site also? There is some helpfull information for lance fixes but a rep. posting to avoid what could be warranty problem's could save a bit of money. There is a "group", "niche", or whatever you might call it and be sure to "fit" it if joining that site.
Ps. I do think your tie down's were too tight. i have 30,000 miles on my rig this past 1.5 year's with nothing like your host problem. Alot of my miles were rough back road's.
Thank you for pic as i will be be more carefull with my tie down's to avoid a future problem.
To Me it looks like you had the tie downs too tight, and that when backing your truck under the camper you nailed the side of the camper. I dont think host is at fault. Remember when reading this, this is only one side of the story and the shops this guy took it to are going to support his claims. They want his business.
I have an 06 11 foot Yukon. My Host Camper is my 5th rv and it is, by far, the best one. The customer service I have received since day one has been outstanding. My camper has seen 9 degrees below and 120 degree heat and has never missed a beat. It surprises me how easily swayed some peoples opinions are by reading the rantings of a person that posted photographic proof that he does not know how to load or tie down his camper. I have taken my Host camper on roads that resemble a trail more than a road with not one negative problem with my camper.
Before you believe what you read call Host Manufacturing and go see one for yourself. I hope some of you looking at a camper purchase take the time to look at all of your options in person and don't just read rantings on a sour grapes blog.
Looks like HOST does not stand by their product OR value return business. Having had 2 Lance campers in the last 20 years with nothing but good things to say about them it is soo sad to see a manufacturer (HOST) that is not willing to extend good will.
Have a 2005 Bachelor that I purchased new. Carry it on a short box Chev 2500 HD. Have had no issues. The interior makes other campers look like they were designed by someone out of the 50's
I looked at Lance, Arctic Fox, and several others before choosing the HOST - it just had a lot more going for it.
The wife and I decided to step up to a slide out camper and trade our 1998 Elkhorn. The only problem that we had with the Elkhorn in the 10 years that we owned it was the heater thermostat going bad. In the 2 years that we have owned the 06 Host Rainer, it has been nothing but one problem after the other. It started out with the central controller for the jacks going bad, $400. The heater quit working which I was able to fix after having to spend a lot of time dismantling things to get it out due to piss poor engineering. I had a leak in the escape hatch due to more poor workmanship during installation. The toilet leaked from day one causing a smell that we thought was just a smell coming up through the holding tank. I finally was able to determine the problem being a poor seal around the base of the toilet were there was just a thin gasket was used to mate the toilet to the drain. Again, horrible workmanship and engineering. The generator has rattled to the point of almost being unusable due to poor engineering and workmanship. I have had to re-route the exhast to get rid of the problem. Now the fender wings are delaminating. Oh yea, take a look under the sink. It looks lik they cut the hole out with a hand saw.
Do yourself a favor and stay away from this brand. I wish I would have spent more time reviewing this brand before buying one.
We have a 2005 Tahoe 10.6 by Host. It has two slides. The kitchen on the left is small and has not given us any problems. But, the dinette slide on the right is very large and has been nothing but problems. The estimate to repair it properly went from $1,800 to $5,200 after they took a closer look at the poor engineering , design and workmanship. We have a $30,000 investment that we cannot afford to repair. We even stopped at the factory in Bend, OR to show them their problem. Being out of warranty, we were told that they wouldn't help with the repairs.
I owned a host Youcon from 2005 until yesterday. I put well over 40,000 miles on that camper and they were some rough miles at times. The only state that camper did not see how was Alaska & Hawaii. I have three children under the age of 12 that now want to bring kids with them when they go camping and that is the only reason I sold my host. Out of the 6 campers I have owned it was by far the best. I talked 3 other people into buying 1 and they all have been happy. With every camper comes problems, fix them and enjoy it.
I appreciate the comments pro and con. I've been looking at HOST campers since I found they have a side entry model. Had heard nothing but good things. I don't buy the theory that they tie downs were too tight. This is simply an engineering failure and the company is making a serious error in not stepping up to fix it.
To me its insane that anybody would spend $40-50k on a camper shell. For $30,000 I built my own lux 7 x 18 trailer with 2100 watts solar & I can fix everything myself and even rent it out in my driveway for extra money. Thanks for post what I already assumed before I built my cargo trailer. It also sounds like most of the Anonymous posters are idiots who work for Host and get paid with 420.
If you want something good, build it yourself.
http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/
I currently own a 94 Elkhorn, this camper has been nothing short of awesome. It has no slides but it sleeps my family of 5. I was looking at getting something larger with slides and I have to say 3 slides on the Everest look amazing. It is truly unfortunate the issues people have had. I do not believe an experienced camper would tighten the tie downs to tight. Judging by the comments I believe those who are happy with the product do not have the slide outs. I will not be getting a Host until I can be sure they will stand behind their product.
We have just purchased a 2014 Host Mammoth and it's fabulous. For those buyers out there please take a good look at each make and model seriously and see what is best for YOUR needs. The campers are all so different. We are having solar installed and Cillajet exterior protectant and do plan to have this camper for a very long time. Everyone needs to learn about and maintain what you buy, right? If there is a group of Host owners online please let us know where you blog, etc ....thanks, Suuzzii
Wow this sucks finally find light camper with slides and to find out host sucks is disheartening . I have a 2004 palomino maverick that I haul with 2500 ram Its a little heavy for dodge if you want to tow behind it Its been a good camper and I want to go to aluminum, frame to loss the weight.It gets mpg and has slide out after reading this I am considering a toy hauler as they can carry kids and my motorcycle . Thanks for posting this Host if I were you I would fix the camper and lick your wounds as this site has cost you over 270,000 in retail sales and if the customer is wrong why no lawsuit ??seems if I owned the company and someone was posting this I would sue if I know I am right or fix camper .I a not taking sides but in the internet age this will break you.I use trip adviser when I travel for a reason and this is prime example how it works.Contact your sales department and see how you are doing?? It would be easy for a structural engineer to find out what happened here. Good day to all just my two cents
Any update here?
I LOVE MY HOST, ME AND A COUPLE THREE LOTS NEXT TO ME BOTH LOVE OUR HOST TRUCK CAMPERS, HE HAS A 2009 AND MINE IS A 2007, I WAS VERY LUCKY TO GET MINE AT A BANK ACUTION FOR 1250.00 FOR A YUKON. I THANK THE GUY WHO MADE THIS WEB SITE. ITS LIKE AN AIRPLAIN, HAS TO BEND, SAME WITH THE TIE DOWNS, THEY NEED TO MOVE AND NOT BE TO TIGHT. WITH OUT INSTRUCTIONS AND NEW TO BEING IN TRUCK CAMPERS I WOULD HAVE LOCKED MINE DOWN TO TIGHT. I HAVE HAD NOW PROBLEMS WITH MY CAMPER OR MY NEIGHBOR. WE BOTH LEARNED TO WATCH THE MOLD UNDER YOU MATRIS IS YOU UP GREAD TO SOLID FOAM. YOU NEED TO LET IT VENT. AND I DO NOT TAKE MY CAMPER OF MY TRUCK MORE THAN 4 TIMES A YEAR, I USE CAR JACKS UNDER MY TUCK FRAM TO TAKE THE LOAD OF THE JACKS. ITS COMON SINCE PEOPLE, THEY ARE GREAT CAMPERS, AND I FEEL BLESSED TO OWN ONE AT THE PRICE I PAYED FOR IT. ITS NICE HAVING A SPACE THATS MY OWN, I ALSO USE AUTO POLES AND MAKE A CUSTOM DAY BED WITH A NICE 55 IN TV,
SORRY 12500.
Looking at the large Lance, Adventurer, Host and Eagle Cap now. Host looks the to be the best out of the bunch in 2016. Arctic Fox had trouble too and is now considered high quality. Before discounting any brand, you need to look at current offerings and not what was built 10 years ago.
We're just making our final decision on a new truck camper which was a Host Everest now I'm concerned about it... Host has 3 year warranty now but we all know how that works
I have a 06 Rainer 9.5 and has been great. I am only selling it because of extra children and need more beds. I talked with host several times before I bought it and they took plenty of time telling me what to look for and common problems with truck campers. Ithought it was nice of them to take the time to help me get a used one from an individual. They had nothing big to gain. I am very impressed with the aluminum construction. I have helped many of friends with leaks and trust me all wood means all rot if not found in time. I Put a life time roof on mine and love it. I have seen similar pics before on truck campers so don't just look at a few complaints. I have seen slides jump track on $450k motor homes and user error. Just saying. Insurance would probably cover what happened here to.
Kevin Pothier, kjpothier@hotmail.com
Jan 4th 2017, Been reading all the comments since 2007, I have a 2007 Yellowstone 1150 DS. I cris crossed Canada East to West. Now in British Columbia at -20c, at times worst. The expensive motorhomes and fifth wheel trailers are all around me. The mobile RV repair truck has been here 4 or 5 times this winter alone. I'm in my camper with a mico furnace set on 500 watts in the dumps station space and another in the camper. The furnace runs as required to keep optimum heat in the camper. I'm full timing and have been for 5 months so far. Will be heading out mid Jan and do not for see any problems. I'm quite happy having chosen Host. My only other option would have been Northern Lite. But this one has a dry bath, 2 slides, genset, lots of water for boondocking and storage galore. NOTE: I bought a single size electric blanket and put it under the mattress. Works wonders for a warm cozy bed.
I should have specified above the mobile RV truck was here for the others not me.
Al’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories. We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
RV dealer Oregon
There is something wrong with this review, and I find many of the reader comments particularly odd.
People are saying they will never buy a Host now, based on ONE PERSON'S experience. MY wife and I are planning to buy an RV, and after years of research we have determined a Host Mammoth triple-slide camper on a 350 or 450 Dually Ford is the best solution for us. It gives us the quality, comfort and SPACE we want, without having to tow a car.
We looked at many Class A's, B's and C's, and every time we came back to the Host.
We also researched this company AND their reputation, and have been doing so for several years. They are an Oregon company - where we live - so we are aware of their parent's business, also in the RV field.
The vast number of reports on Host products are outstanding, far better than virtually any other RV manufacturer in the country. The business is family owned and operated, with the owners actually handling many customer calls. Nothing I have read here in any way changes the FACTS I have learned in years of research.
I will be buying a Host Mammoth triple. I encourage you to do your own research, look beyond one angry voice on the Internet, and make your own decision.
YOU ARE A JOKE!! YOU WERE THE 2ND OWNER SO NO WARRANTY. WE KNOW YOU HAD A 2x4 IN THE FRONT OF THE BED UNDER THE CAMPER????? INSTEAD OF BEING A MAN AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY YOU CHOSE TO
YOU PROBABLY JACKED IT UP WITH THE HOLD DOWNS STILL ATTACHED. INSTEAD OF MANNING UP AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS YOU CHOSE TO ATTACK AN REPUTABLE COMPANY. OUT OF THE THOUSANDS SOLD YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Don't own an cab over RV yet but soon. A dealer here sells Lance and has a lifetime warranty. New and used. With all the problems I'm reading, I'm thinking the Rocky Mountain RV and Marine here in Albuquerque sounds good. It might not cover everything but it's free.
We have a 2018 Host Mammoth. EXCELLENT!!! So glad we chose Host-- there is nothing out there that is even close in quality and features. If you pick it up at the factory- they spend half a day with you going through everything... did this person do that or just bought it used and figured things out themselves? And, if you pick it up at the factory-- you save a lot in sales tax and registration fees--- check your state's laws on this. I looked at the pictures and read the comments of the person complaining about their Host and wonder if they unhooked their tie-downs before leveling the camper-- that's RV 101. Next, I'm wondering if they used Fast Gun tiedowns and knew how to get 300 pounds of tension or if they used turnbuckles which is a huge no-no. Mistakes of this magnitude would have people owning a Rolls Royce gripe due to the severity of the mistakes. I searched the internet for Host complaints and only came up with this post--- that tells me something too and the fact that they would take out and pay for a URL--- sounds fishy.
There was a comment about Jack controller going out, perhaps the unit was dropped onto the bed and this is why Host says no deal. Just say'in. Have you seen pix on the net of Jack failures?
have a Host camper you need repairs or upgrading contact PenPac RV 541-419-8319 we will get you camping again
I just purchased a well used 2006 Host Ranier. In spite of the PO using it hard it is in amazing shape structurally. I have owned several truck campers. The corners are as solid as the day it left the factory. There is no sagging under the slides. Misuse and improper anchoring can break any camper. Look at the build quality and consistent happy owners reviews before you let this guy influence your decision
Yeah what a jerk can't speak without being rude
I'm not buying a host that's for sure
What was your resolve now that it’s 2019? Did HOST ever offer you ANY help? Would hope they did something even if you did mistakenly use the jacks with the tie downs in place.
I have a 2018 Host Cascade. It's 1 year and 2 months out of warranty. Sucks to be me. If you have a problem, Host will tell you to pound sand.
So far, Dometic refrigerator has a bad mother board ( no authorized repair station will touch Dometic because Dometic will not pay shop rates for repair ). Converter is trashed ( AGM batteries are toast ). Luckily, Battery company has a two year replacement warranty. So, I have to replace the converter and the monitoring board.
Bottom line, look at all the truck campers. Evaluate the quality of the components. Do you homework. I should have bought the Lance.
I have a 2006 host tahoe, my passenger slide opens, but a crack at the bottom is getting bigger, took it in for a quote, the rail broke plus the frame support etc 4500 plus to repair- old host suck!
I have a 2005 Host Tahoe, I have a large crack in the passenger side front corner that’s now saging so bad my side has dropped 2-3 inches ( slide still opens and closes) this is my 2nd Host my last Host (2015 ) did the same, but the warranty covered it. I have had 2 Lance Campers prior since 1990, no issues structurally, just had roof leaks from expansion of aluminum roof. Also this Host has plumbing leaks from the plastic lines which now I have mold and rot- I believe it’s a structural design flaw in the early models, I also believe the craftsmanship back the wasn’t the greatest as it supposedly is today. My insurance hopefully will cover this, who know? It’s probably a total loss in there eyes. Other than these issues I like my Host Tahoe, better than the Lance for quality, but will probably go with a silver Fox or Northern next.
Buy the look of ur pictures.. its all human error.. of misloading... or misunloading..
U fucked ur camper up urself...
I just bought a Host Camper for more than an nice car. It had issues when I picked up from the factory, that they fixed before we took it off the lot. We drove it home, a two day drive. We discovered more major problems, such as the water heater not working and the shower heavily leaking into the basement storage area. Other minor problems included exterior storage door not latching properly and windows blinds broke on installation. We picked up our camper in September of 2021. We have overnight camped in it twice and have found nothing but problems. I have owned a variety of campers over the last 20 years, this has been the worst experience of my life. This camper is 3 months old and has spent more time, and my time invested in transporting it, at the dealership fixing the extremely poor quality of this product. I called Host to discuss, but it resulted in insults to me as a consumer, implying that I was irrational with my concerns regarding the quality of the product. They say several of there customers experience a “punch list” of problems with their campers, that they are happy to fix if you drive them back to Bend, Or, where they are manufactured. I guess if you are happy buying a high end product that come with a time consuming punch list, instead of time spent doing recreation, in addition to being treated like the manufacturing problems are your fault and not the manufacturer’s…..then this is the perfect product for you!
Post a Comment