Camper fit to Truck
- Thread starter VanIsleCam
- Start date
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Haha, it's a toss up. If you're buying an older truck, expect to dump some money into it to get it ready to put a camper in. Once you do the nessessary upgrades you will be fine, or buy a newer truck for more money and upgrade less.
All I can say is having a truck camper is the best, and I don't have to do the maintenance like a trailer. No axles, wheel bearings etc to worry about. A trailer needs to be insured, with a camper the trucks insurance is all I need and its insured all year anyways.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I'd also say you can get farther into spots with a truck and camper vs. trailer, backing up and turning around on dirt roads will be easier as well. Although I am surprised how far some people go in the bush with a trailer.
Like most things, a compromise. Once you are parked it is nice to drop the trailer and wheel around. I don't like hauling a trailer and constantly worry about hot bearings, that's just me. I like a camper once it is on. Storage is important for both types of units, they do not like being left out in the elements year round. Keep it simple as far as the camper is concerned and you can keep the weight down considerably. We do not haul water as we are usually parked next to it and so on.
- Location
- Manitoulin Island
I run a 8' pop-up camper on an 2010 F-150 4x4 extended cab with 8' bed. This allows me to pull a 12' enclosed trailer with quad and other gear for moose camp. The pop-up has lower wind drag and clearance for bush roads. Had to bend u-channel risers for the camper to clear the higher bed sides on truck. Runs Ok but rear air lifts would be good idea to keep lights from aiming too high.
pop up are great but unless you are below 5ft i do not see how get in with the small door ... but again a great idea.
I've lost count over the years as to how many camper trailers I've seen missing a hub (or two) on the side of the highway. Not just in Canada, but all over the States, too. Just this last week in Saskabush I saw a Uhaul that lost a hub, and then I think the driver panicked, and put the whole shebang on its side on the shoulder. I don't think anybody was hurt, but I'm betting the seat cushions took a sh!t kicking when all the excitement went down.
It's a tradeoff when it comes to trailers. More room for extra stuff vs less insurance and maintenance hassles. Buying a trailer for a once a year activity is a very expensive proposition. If you can use it for other things during the year then it's easier to justify.
Lately I've been seeing 5th wheel campers with a boat being towed behind the camper. I know it's illegal in BC, and I haven't seen one of those rigs in the ditch, yet, but I wonder how strong the frame of those 5th wheels are whenit comes to lugging a boat trailer?
It's a tradeoff when it comes to trailers. More room for extra stuff vs less insurance and maintenance hassles. Buying a trailer for a once a year activity is a very expensive proposition. If you can use it for other things during the year then it's easier to justify.
Lately I've been seeing 5th wheel campers with a boat being towed behind the camper. I know it's illegal in BC, and I haven't seen one of those rigs in the ditch, yet, but I wonder how strong the frame of those 5th wheels are whenit comes to lugging a boat trailer?
what are you offering or thinking to remove the problem of the hubs?
in Yukon there is still towing a boat behind a 5th wheel and still legal, not what i will do anyway.
even pop up campers seem to weigh 1500lbs and up. with most people running half ton trucks camper choice is very limited, i'm starting to think a small 20' motorhome is the way to go... only camper i have found is a travel lite 625 or the travel lite air, they weigh in at 1100lbs and 1280lbs empty.. makes them doable for a half tom. pricing is $18-$22G in alberta
Did that one year. Was alright, just not a lot of ground clearance. Furnace quit three days out, got kind of chilly after that, but we made out. I think a smaller unit with a lift of some kind would be better. Maybe one of those unimog based camper units, or similar. - dan
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Nice! I've been using mine a lot since January for work trips down to the city and a trip to the island to visit buddies in Vic, city camping so to speak haha.
VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Dude - next time you are in the area PM me! Lunch on me.
Ok so now I have the right truck, the family came to look at it today and we have bought it. Just need belly bars and we are good to go... Can't wait. Promised the young gunner a hunting trip out where I soloed last year. Anytime in September once chicken is open. LOL wife is looking up covers so when me and another friend plus bro go moose hunting this year, we wont destroy the camper.
Ok so now I have the right truck, the family came to look at it today and we have bought it. Just need belly bars and we are good to go... Can't wait. Promised the young gunner a hunting trip out where I soloed last year. Anytime in September once chicken is open. LOL wife is looking up covers so when me and another friend plus bro go moose hunting this year, we wont destroy the camper.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Nice, your going to love a truck camper. I'll let you know if next time I'm on the island, would be good to hook up. This last trip was for a three day get together at the Phillips brewery, my two buddies that work there put it together. Was a paint/art jam with people from all over, lots of fun and drinking courtesy of the brewery. I parked the camper on the secure back lot and didn't go farther than the mobile beer trailer or the pub at night, was a great trip lol.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Yeah, their Blue buck is real good. Bet you wish you had a mobile beer trailer to tow behind the truck and camper lol, 4 beers and a local cider chilled and waiting. Was a great weekend with great people.
