Truck Campers - need advice please

[JJEH]

Fellas,

you have helped me learning about RV trailers and boats. I haven't bought either one due to your advice and the size of my wallet.

But I'm still looking for a nice solution that makes it more enjoyable to spend a day or two at the lake, fishing, shooting, relaxing. Would also make a good add on for a bug out vehicle, right?

I know we had a thread about truck campers here a long time ago but I couldn't find it.

In the current issue of American Hunter Magazine is a camper featured that cost new ~$14k. I know they can get higher, but I'd like to look for an used one.

Now the one I like is the Camplite 6.8 Ultra Lightweight Aluminum Truck Camper

Camplite 6.8 Ulta Lightweight Aluminum Truck Camper Overview | Livin' Lite RV

Still too expensive new, but the size/features are nice.

What are good brands to look at?
And what do I have to look for when buying used?
Is it just a hassle as with the trailers?

Thanks for all your advice, I appreciate it

[OFT II]

That's a good looking camper. I don't like overhead campers on a pickup. I had one several years ago and it didn't have the room of a trailer. If you're camping and want to go into town you have to disconnect it. Another problem was driving in high winds, especially a strong cross wind. But then the wind never blows in Oklahoma.

[307-Niner]

If a slide-in camper had enough room for me (need more space for the kids & dogs for a few more years), I'd be after a pop-up camper. Less top heavy, less wind resistance, same interior space. Some day it will just be me & the wife, and that will be perfect.

[EugeneNine]

I prefer the truck camper over a trailer, much easier to maneuver in the woods.
I bought an old popup truck camper, its only a few inches above the cab when down then you crank the roof up a couple feet when you stop.
Mine was well used but I lucked into at a cheap price because the guy that was selling it tried to put it on a Tundra and had to sell it.

[JJEH]

After re-thinking it for a long time we decided not to buy a trailer. We are not gonna stop at a big RV park and stay there for several days/weeks. We'd just like to have a getaway at a local lake. So we can manage less space, even though we are a family of five.

And one day - just like 307-Niner said - one day it will only be my wife and I...

@EugeneNine, would you mind sharing a picture of your camper? What brand is it?

Is saw campers online, made by Westways. They might be old and extinct but they look very cool.

[jarhead1178]

Capri truck campers in Texas makes a good basic camper at reasonable prices. A lot of the rodeo cowboys use them when competing in rodeos.

[TXSWFAN]

My wife and I have enjoyed our Lance 1181. It's been perfect for us and the dogs. I can get into some deep woods spots and then drop it off in less than three minutes. It's meant to stay in on or off the truck. Now you have a vehicle to drive around. It doesn't need to be registered. You use the license plate off your truck, so no yearly fees.

The 1181 I use weighs 5000 pounds loaded, so you have to use a dually. It's a one bedroom apartment. Queen bed, full head, galley, slideout, fridge/freezer, A/C, heater, solar powered, propane powered and A/C powered if you're at a full hook-up campground.

We've had some great times in ours. The handling isn't bad even it high winds. It was worth it.

[Farmer17]

Truck campers are not near as popular as they used to be and a friend who worked RV Sales told me their resale is very low. He said pop-up camping trailers also have pretty low resale and the canvas tends to stink. If you pull a boat then a camper is about your only option, but if not towing I would much rather have a hard side trailer. Personally, I like to keep things as simple as possible so I would get a pretty plain one that is roomier, cheaper, and easier to maintain, and after all, your just camping in it, if you want a 5 star hotel then STAY in a five star hotel.

[EugeneNine]

Mine is an old Palomino.



I've had to rebuild most of it though, that brand doesn't hold up as well as most others. It just levels out my 1/2 ton truck.

[JJEH]

Thanks TXSWFAN for sharing. We only have a 1/2 to truck, so we need to get a bit of a smaller size. I plan on installing these suspension helper springs


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/he...model/ram-1500

but still cant exceed a payload of 1587 lbs.

A pop-up might be the way to go.

Will check Capri as well, thanks jarhead1178.

[gregintenn]

You can rent a LOT of hotel rooms for the price of buying and upkeep on a camper.

I had a pop up, and every time I got it out, mice had been in it. Last time, they totally destroyed it. I sure was glad to see it going out the driveway behind someone else's truck!

[Doug M.]

If you are using a half-ton P/U (it is not a truck - trucks have 3 axles, 400+ HP, 1650+ ft/lbs of torque, and at least 10 and preferably 18 gears and probably pull a 48' trailer ), you have nowhere near the capacity you need. Getting the load moving is only a tiny part of the issue. Suspension capacity, tires, steering, and brakes are all less capable. I would not even consider a camper, trailer, or any other style of RV with less than the biggest P/U you can buy. I've seen too many wrecks.

[307-Niner]

Originally Posted by gregintenn

You can rent a LOT of hotel rooms for the price of buying and upkeep on a camper.

I had a pop up, and every time I got it out, mice had been in it. Last time, they totally destroyed it. I sure was glad to see it going out the driveway behind someone else's truck!

But you can't take that hotel room and park it next to the fishing hole at the lake. Or the river. I could go on....

I guess my thinking only applies if you are the more "outdoorsy" type. When I want to get away, I try to get out to the woods, away from people.

[307-Niner]

Originally Posted by JJEH

Thanks TXSWFAN for sharing. We only have a 1/2 to truck, so we need to get a bit of a smaller size. I plan on installing these suspension helper springs


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/he...model/ram-1500

but still cant exceed a payload of 1587 lbs.

A pop-up might be the way to go.

Will check Capri as well, thanks jarhead1178.

Those look decent! I like the cushions under the preload adjusters, would keep em quiet. No clanging & banging.

Edit: I just saw the price on those. For a few dollars more, you could have air bags. Far more adjustability, better ride when empty, and more capacity too. The new kits are very easy to install.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[JJEH]

Originally Posted by Doug M.

I would not even consider a camper, trailer, or any other style of RV with less than the biggest P/U you can buy. I've seen too many wrecks.

I respectfully disagree. A 1/2 to P/U is perfectly fine for a small RV trailer or camper. It's limited, yes.

Originally Posted by 307-Niner

I guess my thinking only applies if you are the more "outdoorsy" type. When I want to get away, I try to get out to the woods, away from people.

I so agree with you.

[jinx]

This has nothing to do with campers. EugeneNine: Can you tell us about that crazy telephone pole in the back ground of your top photo.

[JJEH]

Originally Posted by 307-Niner

Those look decent! I like the cushions under the preload adjusters, would keep em quiet. No clanging & banging.

Edit: I just saw the price on those. For a few dollars more, you could have air bags. Far more adjustability, better ride when empty, and more capacity too. The new kits are very easy to install.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Yeah, I'm looking at the ride control kits as well.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fi...view/year/2003

Not sure yet what way to go.

[EugeneNine]

The phone pole was just me trying to figure out photobucket's blur tool.
I went with the popup partly because of the lower weight and CG. The truck handles it fine, its not overloaded, braking is fine and I can handle WV mountains. Any real '1/2 ton' truck can handle those little ones.
I'm not looking to sit in some RV park next to a bunch of other people sitting in RVs with generators running so they can play their xbox. Mine is so I can park on the farm or someplace and have a base camp while we go outdoors.

[307-Niner]

If you are on the fence, go with the air bags. Hands down, they are better in every way. And later on, you can add a compressor, gauge, in cab switches, whatever you desire. They even have wireless remote controls for inflation-deflation, if you wish.

Here's my gauge with built-in switches, made my Air-Lift.

[gregintenn]

Originally Posted by 307-Niner

But you can't take that hotel room and park it next to the fishing hole at the lake. Or the river. I could go on....

I guess my thinking only applies if you are the more "outdoorsy" type. When I want to get away, I try to get out to the woods, away from people.

Oh, I'm with you. My wife and kids, however, think camping is staying at the campground at the nearest lake. We know just about everyone there. To me, it is a trailer park at the lake.

[307-Niner]

Originally Posted by gregintenn

Oh, I'm with you. My wife and kids, however, think camping is staying at the campground at the nearest lake. We know just about everyone there. To me, it is a trailer park at the lake.

Luckily, my wife feels the same way I do. Hopefully your wife will someday get tired of the nearest lake campground, and you can get her off the asphalt.

[orbruce]

I have had three truck campers over a period of 30 years, all in the 8' to 8'10" range. The fist was a 8' light weight, bare bones camper I used on a 1/2 ton Ford, the second was well equipped 8' 6" on a 3/4 ton Chev and the current is a "deluxe" 8' 10" on a one ton Ford. What I looked for most was storage space; hunting/fishing gear, food, pot/pans/ clothes, etc. all take storage space. Finding a camper with sufficient, accessible storage for all your stuff is challenging. The camper I have now is a Snowbird (also known as Snowriver) made in Canada, unfortunately they when out of business in the 2008 recession. It is by far the best equipped and has the best storage layout of all the campers I have had. I have air lift leveling air bags, adjustable shocks, and a steering stabilizer on a one ton Ford that came with a "camper package. The combination provides for a very stable and great handling setup.

B. Mower

[Grayfox]

I grew up in a camping family. Started with the old heavy canvas tents and upgraded over the years finally ending up with a 28 ft trailer. We did our stint with a slide in. More trouble than its worth. As mentioned, you have to completely unhook to go anywhere. Also consider that width is limited to the size of the pick-up bed. No floor room to speak of and just wait until it rains and the whole family is cooped up in that small space together. Can definately put a strian on the relationship.
Now myself, I'm a tent camper. I just prefer it that way. But as I get older, I find a desire for more of the simple comforts.
Lately, I've been thinking pop-up.

[walkinghorse]

25 years ago, we had PU camper for my wife , son and myself. Saying the timeframe as PU campers have undoubtably improved since then?
Several, issues came up that made me decide to never have another.
First PU was a1/2 ton. Added helper springs to handle the camper weight. Found out that if you use the PU empty the helper springs spring the PU rearend up very fast, making driving very uncomfortable and hard on the back when the PU was empty
This solved by going to a 3/4 HD PU.
Next issue was putting the camper on and off. Camper had 4, one on each corner, hand cranks for raising and lowering. As the PU was used during the week, the camper was installed on Friday evening and taken off on Sunday night. If it was windy or raining, this an aggrevating experience. Especially if you were tired, or it was late.
My wife did not like being in the camper when it was off the truck, so loading and unloading was aggravating for her.
Make sure you have hard , level, stable, surface for loading & unloading, and storing the PU camper.
As others have mentioned, windy conditions, rainy roads, and high center of gravity, can make driving interesting.
Good luck with your choice.

[Kanewpadle]

Alaskan Campers


My dad is on his second one. Couldn't be happier.

Camper, The Alaskan pickup truck camper RV sold by Alaskan Campers

[MORSNO]

Originally Posted by JJEH

What are good brands to look at?
And what do I have to look for when buying used?
Is it just a hassle as with the trailers?

Thanks for all your advice, I appreciate it

Your first consideration needs to be what weight your truck can handle. Hit the scales with your truck and then subtract that weight from the max weight rating for your truck (should be listed on the decal on your door). then find a camper 800-1,000lbs under that weight. Once you add propane, batteries, water, food, gear, etc you will be maxed out. Your trucks tires are almost always the weakest link, no matter how much you beef up the suspension, those rear tires carry 95% of the camper weight. You need to look at the weight rating on the tires, just because it says load range E 10 ply, doesn't mean they can handle the weight of a truck camper, they very from 3,000-3,900lbs normally.

What to look for: camper weight, roof leaks, working furnace and appliances, wood rot in the rear fender well area (back corner where the tire spray hits the camper), tweaked body around the jacks, damaged roof corners from clipping trees, etc.

Truck Campers dominate if you have a 4X4 truck and camp off road, pull a trailer with ATV's, snowmobiles, motorcycles, horses, etc. 5th wheels and travel trailers are great for large families and RV parks, Truck Campers are great for getting away from the crowds in the back country.

[JJEH]

I see, not getting far with my 1500 p/u truck...

[Brian41]

I had an older one that was nice but a bit heavy. It took air bags on a half ton Chevy to level out the truck. My cousin and I took it way back in the boondocks deer hunting once and stayed several days. You couldn't have pulled that off with a trailer.
I sold it as I had sold my pickup and want to replace it with a newer, lighter one and possibly a popup. It's just my wife and I so one should be big enough for us. One problem we found on our hunting trip was where to store all our gear. We managed but it was tight.
I'm still debating a truck camper or smaller travel trailer. One advantage of the truck camper is we could tow a boat or trailer for my quad. Another is my wife feels she could drive the truck camper but doesn't feel like she could ever drive towing something. That would leave me as sole driver and that wouldn't work well. We plan some extensive trips in a few years and I'd need a relief driver.
Good thread and I'm learning about some new brands out there.

[THE PILGRIM]

Campers can be fun! You can go and camp in some great places.
Make sure that your truck can handle the camper and all your gear.
Many folks start with a truck that will handle the camper weight but is overloaded with the fuel, water and gear.
It never hurts to find a close-by cheap scale, usually a moving company and weigh the truck.
Surprise! Many times the actual rolling weight is more than the handbook number. But your max gross weight didn't go up.
Once upon a time a buddy of mine bought a non cab over camper mounted on a home made pickup bed trailer.
Hook that behind a Landcruiser, now you are ready to go into the woods.

[LoboGunLeather]

For years I had an old Red Dale "fishing hut" style truck camper. About 900 lbs dry weight, so it was a considerable load for a half-ton pickup. Interior was small and cramped, really barely enough for one person and even then not enough headroom to stand up. I usually took along a tent, cots, etc, to complete the camp and have some measure of comfort. Eventually I did away with the truck camper completely and used a tent.

Recently caught a nice deal on a used AeroLite 21' trailer. 8X18' floor area. Fully self-contained, dual axle, all aluminum frame and construction so only 2800 lbs to tow (former owner pulled it with a V6 minivan, so it is no problem for my V8 F150 4X4). Toilet, shower, range, oven, microwave, 3-way refrigerator, furnace, A/C, can sleep up to 5 so it is absolute luxury for just me! I can use the bed and leave the dining table set up instead of setting up as a bed at night and reverting to seating in the morning. Two onboard deep cycle batteries provide lots of juice, and I'm integrating my solar panels, charge controller, and a third deep cycle to increase electrical storage to over 300 amp hours with constant solar charging during daylight hours. Should be able to get by without a generator for several days easily; if not I can plug in to the truck and let it idle for awhile (high output alternator in the truck).

So that's my solution. Like a little house on wheels. Truck bed can still be used for the ATV and other gear, too.

I usually camp at 10,000 feet-plus in the Colorado National Forests, no campgrounds, unimproved roads. I expect no problems. Improved campgrounds would be a breeze.

[EugeneNine]

Originally Posted by JJEH

I see, not getting far with my 1500 p/u truck...

Thats why I went with the smaller popup.
Also my truck is a gas engine and has the same sheet metal in the front as a diesel. The diesels have a second battery and parallel them when starting for more current. It was easy to buy the second tray from a dealer and bolt it in. So now I've moved the heavy battery from the camper to the front of the truck where it helped some with the weight distribution and is always maintained.

[David LaPell]

I am more of a simple person to this problem I guess. I can't afford a camper and I would never be able to justify it even if I could. This weekend when I went camping I took my truck and went more rugged than anything else. I had found a set up where a person made an A-frame out of PVC pipe that went into the pockets and a tarp went over that and staked to the ground. I think the cost ended up being under $100. This was my weekend set up, believe it or not, it was quite comfortable. I slept a good night's sleep Saturday in this.

[EugeneNine]

If you can't decide you could always go get a $600 one like I did and upgrade later

[Owen49]

I"ve been wanting an M725 for a hunting/fishing/camping vehicle, but I've got fairly simple, plebian tastes.

[J. R. WEEMS]

Originally Posted by OFT II

That's a good looking camper. I don't like overhead campers on a pickup. I had one several years ago and it didn't have the room of a trailer. If you're camping and want to go into town you have to disconnect it. Another problem was driving in high winds, especially a strong cross wind. But then the wind never blows in Oklahoma.

I got a pop-up in 2008, last good trip was 11,030 miles. No wind problems, whatsoever-- hooks up in a minute -- the soft sides have kept me out of a couple campgrounds in the West-- but wasn't a big deal. Air is nice as well. What ever you do though, learn to do your own wheel bearings-- no big deal, but you can get ripped off if you don't do them yourself--- Hogan& Sons is good at that---- We do a LOT of day trips, span overhead wouldn't do for us. If you do go pop-up, put a cap on the truck. You will be glad you did. Trust me on this. I love laying there hearing the rain fall.

[JJEH]

Originally Posted by David LaPell

I am more of a simple person to this problem I guess. I can't afford a camper and I would never be able to justify it even if I could. This weekend when I went camping I took my truck and went more rugged than anything else. I had found a set up where a person made an A-frame out of PVC pipe that went into the pockets and a tarp went over that and staked to the ground. I think the cost ended up being under $100. This was my weekend set up, believe it or not, it was quite comfortable. I slept a good night's sleep Saturday in this.

I know right, I'm a simple person too sometimes. Even thought about just getting a camper shell and an airbedz truck bed mattress... for some one on one time...

Originally Posted by EugeneNine

If you can't decide you could always go get a $600 one like I did and upgrade later

I'm not sure... cheapest I could find around here is $2.5k.

Originally Posted by Owen49

I"ve been wanting an M725 for a hunting/fishing/camping vehicle, but I've got fairly simple, plebian tastes.

They are readily available

M725_Kaiser_Jeep_page

M725
350 engine, turbo 400 transmission, power steering, power brakes, asking; $6,000 OBO.
Lowell A. May; (785) 485-2180, [email protected] (KS). 9/14-14

Classifieds | Military Vehicle Preservation Association

[feralmerril]

In 1962 to 1965 I job took me all over the country with a average of two or three months at every locale. I bought a new 17 1/2 ft Pathfinder travel trailer. I had a Chev or GMC 1/2 or 3/4 ton trucks issued to me. They usualy were the straight six`s but my last one was the V6. The trucks pulled it well. But on two occasions I was lucky to escape with my life once in the mountains when the brakes got hot and another time for whatever reason I was thrown all over a wide freeway on a downhill right on the california/oregon border on I-5. Later years a friend rolled his blazer and travel trailer on the exact same spot!
In those years except once for about two months I almost NEVER paid to set up my trailer! I just would pull over in a field, rest stop, old quarry or gravel pit along the road and NEVER was bothered about it. Now no one would even attempt that. Yeah, most of us have ATV`s, Boats or a airplane and motor homes. Truthfully very few of us can justify the expense of owning one. If you GAVE me a paid for motor home I couldnt afford to keep it. Once had a cheap class C too. When you consider the park fee on any overnight hookup and insurance not to even mention the cost of extra gas, maintenance and storage when not used a truthful person will have to admit you dont buy those things to save money even if they give them to you. Ever notice its unusual to see over 15 or 20,000 miles on a 10 year old machine? Oh well, I suppose it helps the economy for people in the business. Just saying there isnt ANYONE who can financially justify owning one. Maybe other reasons but not financial can be justified though.

[EugeneNine]

Thats one of the nice things about the truck camper. I've pulled in a normal car size parking space, popped the top and camped. No need to find a long vehicle with trailer spot. I get some *** looks when we go through the starbucks drive through with it

[tops]

Originally Posted by David LaPell

I am more of a simple person to this problem I guess. I can't afford a camper and I would never be able to justify it even if I could. This weekend when I went camping I took my truck and went more rugged than anything else. I had found a set up where a person made an A-frame out of PVC pipe that went into the pockets and a tarp went over that and staked to the ground. I think the cost ended up being under $100. This was my weekend set up, believe it or not, it was quite comfortable. I slept a good night's sleep Saturday in this.

I was a kid in the 50s and when grandpa and I went fishing at night he would throw a tarpaulin over the side boards of his truck and make a pallet of old quilts so I could take a nap. The fiberglass shell on my truck is really high class compared to grandpas rig but I have never had a better time in my truck than I did with him. Larry

[REM 3200]

Years ago we (wife and I only) had a 8.5 ft cab over on a 3/4 ton Chevy. We used to go to Padre Island to fish.

Now, Tom Bodet leaves the light on at the motel for us.