1 Year & 154 Nights! 2020 Northstar Liberty – Off Grid Camper!

We’ve owned our 2020 Northstar Liberty camper for 1 year and used the camper for 154 nights! In this video, we give a quick update and share some of the problems and overall ownership experience has been.

Our truck camper has been extensively modified. Be sure to check out the earlier videos to see the changes we’ve made.

Problems:
1. Cut the roof edge on tree branches. This was resolved by installing aluminum corner trim along the entire roof edge (front/back). It allows the branches to slide along the camper edge without cutting the TPO rubber roof.

2. Acrylic Window Scratches. This is fairly easily resolved with some acrylic buffing/polishing compound. It takes 30 minutes or so to get them shined up after a trip.

3. Fridge door not staying closed. We are still working on solutions. We removed one of the interior shelves and secured the other one in place. We may add an additional lock for off road travel.

4. Propane smell. Propane cabinet is not vented. It has a small drain hole and propane gas has come into the camper through the fridge compartment (setting off the CO2 detector). We will be installing a cabinet vent.

5. Rear exterior light failed. May be the LED bumb or contacts. Will investigate further.

Overall, we love the camper size and it’s rather comfy for such a compact space. It allows us to travel for 10+ days completely off grid.

#truckcamper #northstar #overland

[chrisantoniscountryman-pur]

Important to know the difference between a propane detector and a carbon monoxide detector!

[a.w.]

I'm sure you hear this a lot, but your videos are fantastic! We've learned a lot from them and enjoy watching your adventures. Since there is not a 2 year review (yet? 🙏), a few questions.

1. Given y'all have a compressor fridge, can you provide some feedback on sizing battery amp hours with this fridge? Are 2, 100Ah sufficient when paired with enough panels? Have y'all run into any problems on a multiple streak of cloudy days? Or even better, how many kwh hours it uses in a 24 hour period opening the fridge 4xs to simulate usage 😅? There is simply a lot of debate on compressor vs. 3-way when boondocking/dry camping. Additionally, if one is able to factory order a TC w/o the circulation holes cut in, that might appeal to some - but the 12v fridge needs to be reliable first.

2. Do y'all track your battery usage via a Victron app or anything when dry camping? Simply curious if 2, 100 watt solar panels paired with 2, 100Ah batteries might be sufficient in your energy usage experience - if the panels were not flexible and able to tilt. Thoughts? (We realize the additional height of rigid panels is not suitable to your application, but potentially ours.)

3. Would a button strap across your fridge door be sufficient enough to keep it closed on rough roads, or is something more robust needed?

Any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated - we poured through all your videos and hope you haven't already addressed these questions in your comments to this extent. Thanks 💛

[tomguertin]

I’m going to go look at one just like yours tomorrow. Thanks for all your info. Peter.

[angelacummings]

I have a 2021 and I'm having major problems. Heat has broke down twice and I can never seem to use any power from my battery. For example, I'm in Rock Springs, Wyoming as I write this, on my way to Jackson, and I have no heat and none of my electric outlets work for even a small space heater or heated blanket. I'm not sure what is going on or if it's just user error, but yours seems like all your upgrades were very needed to be functional as a 4 season. The silly windows that lead to the outside are HORRIBLE for air to come in, even after I fitted them with insulation.

[jimburger]

Nice! I've been wanting/looking forward to this review; after what you have put this camper (and truck) through, you are certainly qualified. As I have mentioned in past comments, I am seriously looking at moving away from my FWC and into a hard-sided, slide-in camper for all the reasons you did.
An excellent and thorough review - thank you Peter and Faith

[kr]

Thanks, Always learn something helpful!

[mikephelps]

Thanks for the review! We recently bought a used 2016 N* Laredo SC and love it. It has 2 AGM batteries and 170W solar panel. Our next step is to upgrade the electrical system. We have to use a generator on cloudy days. Trying to decide whether to upgrade to lithium batteries first or a DC to DC charging system like you guys installed.  
Your videos have been a great resource for us and fun to watch. Keep up the good work!

[slmjake]

Love the details and your guys knowledge. What is your loaded wet and full of gear weight for the camper?

[kikojofraserrano]

Nice review. I have seen all your videos and I am about to purchase the same camper. A question for you guys. If money were not an issue, which camper would you go for? And i mean for the same truck you guys have, not a 3500.

[Rachskull]

We have a F-150 with a 20 foot TT. We boondock a lot, but being from Michigan, open spaces are few and far between. Now looking for a truck camper to be able to park in more places. Having a hard time finding a truck camper with bathroom for 1/2 ton vehicle. This states that it will fit 1/2 ton. What are your thoughts?

[usmcshepherdE]

Did you consider any other campers over the NorthStar and or why did you go with NorthStar?

[utahpiper]

Thanks for long-term review, I'm thinking of moving to Liberty for the reasons you have reviewed. Two questions: 1) With all your solar and battery upgrades, might make sense to get rid of the propane fridge and go with the upgrade Dometic CR1110? Or maybe just unhook the propane from your fridge and run it 12 VDC only; maybe giving a better seal between external propane compartment and interior fridge compartment. I would be interested whether your solar/battery setup would sustain DC-only fridge. 2) If I remember, you opted to not get Air Conditioning. Has that been working out in Southwest heat? In this review you liked the cross-ventilation of the large windows and insulated walls.

[BLCustoms]

I moved from a Northstar popup 850SC to the Liberty funny thing is I still duck down while and after entering...that thing brain washed me after so many years...hehe. Glad you mentioned the roof rail, gonna do that before bad things occur. I'm ordering a bathroom door through Northstar but their not cheap ($). I'm also thinking of a exhaust vent in the bathroom...help keep bad smells out along with keeping it dried out. Probably have to tape the inside while on dirt roads to keep dust out though. Think that would be useful?

[acurrano]

Can you post where you got the corner trim pieces that you used on the roof? We have a Laredo SC and I just noticed a small tear in the roof near the corner so I'm thinking of doing the same thing. Thanks!

[allisonyeary]

Thanks for all of your informative videos. Wondering if you guys put anything out regarding your solar panels in detail? We’re trying to decide if we are going to go flexible or rigid, having a hard time deciding. Thanks!!

[eucxp]

Thanks for the videos! Got me inspired on a setup. Thinking of a Tundra w/ the Liberty. Your advise? And, how to custom spec on the camper, with a dealer?

[infrequentgamer_greg]

Very valuable insight of the durability Liberty camper, thanks for posting.
I am not sure understand how a branch ruined the edge of the camper? Did a branch dig into the top? Is the problem is the "TPO" top (not sure what that is)...is it not a durable enough a material? Or, was the problem caused by Northstar not putting edging? As a comparison for your FWC Hawk, did this also have problems, that needed repairs? (Curious if one type needs more maintenance.) I enjoy the channel...keep us posted on further reports!👍

[randystanczak]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a F250 6.2 gasser. What kind of mileage are you getting?

[Ridermedic]

Did you install those windows? Can I get them aftermarket?

[jgpietsch]

18-24 month wait if you buy to order today 9/21 -- off the list due to COVID backlog ;-(