Any truck camper guys on the board?

[aigel]

I was camping with a group of friends a couple weeks ago and was invited to stay in one guy's truck camper. A pop up unit that fits in an 8' bed. It was very nice to get off the floor and out of the weather and the perfect size for what I'd still consider camping and not bringing your entire household. I really liked it. To the point wher I am jonesing such a unit.

I dream about a sportsmobile van (4x4 ford van), but those things are $50k even used and they are far far away, some time in retirement, maybe.

I can probably get a decent one ton 4x4, extended or crew cab truck, with a longbed for $8k and a very nice used pop up camper for $5k or less to put on it. This way I can get into most places to hunt and fish. Also, it will be just a truck with a camper, not an RV, trailer or other "boat" type possession that's tough to unload in the future.

What trucks do you have for your camper duty?
How hard is it to take the camper on and off?
What kind of camper do you have? Pop up? How large? Shower and john?
You think my estimate of $8k for truck and $5k for camper is realistic?

Cheers,

George

[URY914]

Truck Camper Magazine | Truck Campers Go Anywhere

[Rick V]

Napier Backroadz® Series Truck Tent | Bass Pro Shops

[jyl]

I had a F250 4x4 w / a Lance truck camper, a short one that did not overhang the bed. The good: loved driving the truck w/o the camper; w/ camper, the rig could go on some fairly serious trails; comfortable w/ bathroom, cooking, bed, dinette, etc. The bad: w/ camper the rig got 6-8 mpg; there is nothing as ugly as a truck camper up on stands in your driveway; loading the camper into the truck took about 1/2 hour.

I say, if you have a need for a pickup truck anyway, and some place to store the camper, then it isn't a bad way to go.

Used campers are cheap, I ended up giving mine away.

[billybek]

I had a Starcraft SportStar popup camper. Very light and simple.
Was good in the back of my old shoe box style Jeep Truck, but the truck was a bit too light for the work.
I put it in the back of a 3/4 ton GMC and the truck didn't even know it was there.
Upside. Low centre of gravity, light weight and low clearance height for getting back in the bush.
Downside. Dropping the top and putting everything away every time you want to move.
I sold it two years ago for the same money I bought it for. We needed the room in the yard and it came down to a vote.
The vote was tied at one to one and I lost and sold the camper. I still miss it.

[Seahawk]

Just curious, why a one ton? I'm guessing family?

My son and I have camped across the country twice, with extended time along the L&C Trail, in his Tacoma. We borrowed a small pop-up from a friend and the whole thing was great. Very capable on the trails.

He camped outside and I slept off the ground. I grew up camping with my family, had summer jobs that had me sleeping on the ground all summer: I like a little comfort these days

But it was just us two, so I understand if you need a bigger rig.

Here is an interesting take: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/77181-quot-Minimalist-quot-slide-in-truck-camper-that-won-t-kill-my-MPG

[HardDrive]

Dad has an F-350 with a Lance. It was an expensive rig, but he has gotten a hell of a lot of use out of it.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Just curious, why a one ton? I'm guessing family?

I would like to buy a used camper, and from what I see out there, most o them are not the very light weight units that will work on a 1/2 ton. It is a good point though - maybe I should shop for the camper first and if I can get a light weight unit, get the 1/2 ton truck later. A 1/2 ton truck would be cheaper and offer more choices.

The requirement for the truck is 4x4 and crew cab or good size extended cab, so we can fit 4 people. A 1 ton + and long bed would just be gravy to have a more solid rig.

Finally, an ultra-compact camper will not work, as I have 2 dogs that travel with me and they would ride in the camper and in hot weather their kennels would still have to go back in the camper.

G

[aigel]

And a general THANKS guys for your input. Very valuable, especially all the links. I am already knee deep in my research!

G

[whiskyb]

We love our Lance. It hangs a few feet past the bumper and then we put a 36" deck on as well. It sits on our 01 F350 diesel dually 4X4 with a 4" lift kit. Drives like a dream. We gave up up our 32' fifth wheel and bought this. Not as much room but now we can get a enclosed trailer to take the 911 with us. Bought a Zodiac inflatable that we store on the roof. Truck campers are the way to go

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by aigel

And a general THANKS guys for your input. Very valuable, especially all the links. I am already knee deep in my research!

G

This is one of the interesting systems engineering projects out there. I have a 2003 4Runner that I really enjoy so I am looking at off road trailers. There are a ton of really interesting models available.

Expedition Portal has a whole section on them.

This one is a good example: Off Road Trailer Build

It is really a question of matching need and equipment...it is all out there.

Enjoy. Getting out is the best tonic.

[jyl]

Couple more thoughts.

If you will be off-roading, then get at most 1" of overhang (so, an 8' or 9' camper), and remove the jacks (they will get torn off; rig up some other way to load/unload the camper). I'd buy the truck first, campers are a dime a dozen. Find an RV storage yard to keep the camper in. If I were doing it again, I'd get the fold-down type of truck camper (roof collapses flush w/ truck cab) because gas mileage is so much better and, when off-roading, you won't be ripping branches off trees or tearing up the camper roof. I "think" the door can still be opened and dog cages put inside with the roof down.

If you will not be off-roading and will be traveling w/ the family, then I'd strongly consider a small trailer instead. The truck campers have very little open floor to move around in, they are cramped compared to a trailer.

Also remember the difference between a towable (trailer) and a self-contained (motorhome, truck camper). With your trailer at the campsite, if you need to drive to the store for milk, you hop in the truck and are back in 10 minutes while family hangs out in camp or in the trailer. With the truck camper, you have to stow everything, raise jacks, herd everyone in the truck, drive to store, find parking that isn't parallel-parking, drive back, level jacks, set up camp again, took an hour to get that damn milk. It is such a pain that you basically find yourself "trapped" in the campsite. That's why motorhomes tow little cars or carry bikes/scooters.

[Seahawk]

5 Off Road Camping Trailer Options

I have been thinking about this for a while...all the reasons that jyl listed are why I am headed more to the trailer solution.

[aigel]

A trailer is out:

- I do drive into the boonies - dirt roads, snow, etc. and a trailer is not going to go into those places, at least not easily.
- I do not like to go 55 mph vs. 70 or even 75. That's a 30% time savings to not tow.
- Yes, it is not good to have to pack up every time you want to drive somewhere. But I do not go for milk when I camp. I am usually parked and done. No store close by anyway.

Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

G

[jyl]

"I do drive into the boonies - dirt roads, snow, etc."

A crew cab 4x4 with a pop-up slide-in camper, like a Alaskan, is made for your needs then.

The other alternatives are Land Rover Dormobile, VW Vanagon Synchro Westy, and the various quasi-military Unimog thingys. All incredibly cool but kind of esoteric and when they break down in Random Small Town USA, the local NAPA won't have the parts.

The pop-ups are not as common as the standard truck campers but you should still be able to find a nice used one.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a 1968 Avion truck camper that I am restoring and haven't used it yet but here are some comments. I have been involved with RV's for a fairly long time so have a decent amount of knowledge. RV's are like boats, you start smaller and work your way up it's just a natural progression. Truck campers you basically have pop ups and hard side. Pop ups are generally lighter in weight with less creature comforts. Hard sides are more prevalent and generally have more creature comforts. Regardless of which type the MOST important part when buying used is looking for leaks. Virtually any RV from a pop up trailer to a 500,000.00 motor home will leak somewhere if not maintained. You have to look everywhere. Now once you find the camper you want you have to put it on a truck. Don't even think you can go 1/2 ton it is a waste of time. You go 3/4 or 1 ton the heaviest you can afford. Truck campers are fairly heavy and then you load them with junk, water, food, TV, canoe and before you know it you have 10k to 12k rolling down the road. Oh then you get the bright idea to pull a boat, car trailer, motocross bikes etc. and now you have 15-16k thundering down the road ! Think panic stop or evasive maneuver you need a REAL truck so you have some safety margin !!! Loading/unloading the camper, this fun job is really based on how well you can back up. Some can do it in 1-2 tries with no help, others need a team of family members yelling and screaming to get the rig loaded. Lift jack come in manual or electric and generally you will have four of them. You will quickly turn into a cartoon character running around the camper manually jacking up the jacks ! Electric are much easier but more expensive. All lift jacks can tear out and leave your camper laying on the ground crushing you and family members if you are not careful........revert back to water leaks. Number one reason for jacks tearing out/collapsing is the flimsy wood they are screwed to has rotted away. Buy the best you can afford. My camper rides on a one ton dually diesel 4 x 4........I have safety margin Good luck in your search, a good website is RV.NET they have a very good truck camper forum.

[craigster59]

Somebody got a helluva deal on this one. I've always loved Alaskan campers.
Vintage 1958 Alaskan camper Trailer Restored | eBay

[URY914]

Everything you need to know about pop-up truck campers for off road use can be found here........

Pop-up Truck Campers - Expedition Portal

[aigel]

Thanks again for all the input and leads.

What do you guys think about a 4x4 Chevy 2500 crew cab long bed for a hauler? 454 cubic inch V8. Is it prohibitive gas mileage? I read sub 10 mpg on forums for this vehicle even without a camper. Ouch.

G

[jyl]

Sounds right. My oversize 460 ci F250 4x4 supercab did a little better than 10 mpg on freeway, but the biggish wheels probably helped. With camper, about 6-8 mpg.