2017 Northwood Wolf Creek 850 Review
The Northwood Wolf Creek Truck Camper is loaded with enough features to take you far off the beaten track in comfort but with the versatility that comes with a lower weight package.
From the two floorplans available, we’re going to delve into the 850, which has a dry weight of 2,008 lbs. On the outside, it measures 16’2” long, 7’7” high and 8’ across. It has a floor length of 8’8” and, with both short- and long-truck bed options, it fits most three-quarter ton and some half-ton trucks. The 850 has generous holding tank sizes for a truck camper, allowing you to roam free a little longer: the fresh water capacity is 33 gallons (including water heater), gray water tank capacity is 19 gallons, and black water capacity is 20 gallons.
The Wolf Creek 850 has welded thick-wall aluminum frame construction with continuous fiberglass laminated sidewalls and high-density bock foam insulation. Its seamless construction from the cabover all the way to the bulkhead ensures minimal chance of leaks. All compartment doors are 1” thick and insulated, including the battery compartment, which can house two full-size batteries. Dual five-gallon propane tanks with auto-changeover regulator and a six-gallon quick recovery water heater will help ensure you’re not running out of heat when you need it.
Other features include a diamond plate knee wall armor, 12-volt Reico Titan 1200 lb. electric jacks, exterior shower, and 12 V power awning. A fold-up ladder takes you up top to access the roof rack and TV antenna. The 850 is also satellite and solar ready, and has a landing-ready rear bumper.
Before you head inside, you’ll notice the entry door has friction hinges, which makes it wind-resistant to prevent swinging. Of the two windows on the door, the lower one lines up with the passenger window at the front of the camper, giving you a clear line of vision when backing up. You have the option of adding a step up to the door.
Inside, the U-shaped dinette area has two large-view windows with fabric night-shades. The slide-away table makes for easy access to the under-bench storage on each side of the dinette. Above, there’s a flip-down overhead bunk, providing sleeping space for two people.
In the kitchen, you’re set for storage with a full-size wardrobe pantry, under sink cabinet, and three drawers. Custom-made cabinetry is found throughout, with hardwood doors and drawer faces and roller bearing drawer glides. All cabinetry is secured directly to the walls and ceilings.
Both the kitchen range and deep-bowl sink come with a cover to maximize counter space and, if you still need more, there’s an optional quick set-up counter extension.
A three-burner cooktop and a storage drawer below come standard but, if you prefer a full-size range, you can opt for that instead. The kitchen is equipped with a residential microwave oven, range hood with a light and multi-speed fan, and a five-cubic-foot refrigerator with integrated freezer compartment and insert panel.
The kitchen countertop also serves as the camper’s master control area: AM/FM CD player with Bluetooth (DVD player is optional), digital thermostat to control furnace and optional AC, and a panel with switches for lights, water heater, and pumps.
Underneath the three kitchen drawers and under the fridge, there’s pass-through access to your truck bed. A pass-through window lines up with that bottom entry door window mentioned above. Inside the step-up to the cabover bunk area, you’ll find more storage and access to many of your utilities.
In the cabover bunk, both sides feature cross-ventilating windows, LED reading lights, charging center with USB ports, and electrical outlets. Storage-wise, the driver’s side has a shirt cupboard, cabinet, and cubby, while the passenger side has an optional shirt cupboard and large cabinet to store your countertop extension. An accordion partition blocks off the bunk area for privacy.
A fold-up step up takes you into the wet bath, where you’ll find a full fiberglass surround shower with bubble skylight for head clearance, and a shower curtain on a curved track. The bathroom also features a mirrored medicine cabinet, integrated sink with brushed nickel faucet, pullout handheld sprayer, porcelain toilet, and exhaust fan.
Pricing for the Northwood Wolf Creek 850 starts at around $23,000. For more information, visit http://northwoodmfg.com/.
