Match the rig to the vehicle just like you would with a trailer because I’ve seen transmissions blown from folks hauling too big of a trailer. A friend of mine just purchased a new Arctic Fox truck camper and a new Dodge Ram and paid around $80,000 for the pair. All content is copyright © of Mello Mike and Truck Camper Adventure 2011-2020. Like a backpack for your truck, these very portable campers are manufactured by Adventurer Manufacturing. Some of best camping trips were in a slide-in. We tried multiple times and couldn’t make it up the steep incline before the truck lost traction again. Whether you’re totally new to camping or have taken a few trips of your own, read these top mistakes that new campers so you can avoid them on your next venture outdoors… we saved the best for last! And the reason why they charge that amount is that people are stupid enough to fork over that amount of money because “they have to have it”. I am thinking a very long lock through the sawhorses and the roof rack? The diesel advantage is no struggling at all, especially at altitude, due to the turbo charging. One of the most devastating mistakes that you can make with your truck camper. Rushing to a deal. 5 Reasons to Avoid Class B RVs. Its a matter of what you want. All of that extra weight will make stopping your 12,000 pound rig harder and take valuable seconds of response time. Avoid the temptation of the outlet mall or other shopping areas. Avoid the RV shows because the salespersons push the buyers to make a hasty decision. Call it the truck camper dilemma: Do you, or do you not, dismount the camper from the truck when you’re out camping? Go anywhere at any time , There are almost to many good reasons for a slide in. Lots of choices these days but I don’t see nearly as many slide ins like back in the old days. They’re Heavy (Require a Big Truck) Many truck campers are very heavy and typically require an expensive, heavy duty truck. Truck campers can be great campers for weekend getaways or shorter road trips, but they leave a lot to be desired for many full-time RVers. 10 Best Lightweight Truck Campers; 10 Best Small Truck Campers Perfect For Getting Away; These campers are very economical, convenient, and simple to use. (Disclaimer: If RV parks are your thing, that’s great! But if you have a family, lots of belongings, or just can’t afford a heavy-duty truck, a truck camper probably isn’t the best choice for you. Avoid refueling your rv at truck stops if you can. Truck camper prices vary depending on the type, age, etc. When you’re looking for an RV that fits your travel style, there are many factors to consider. This one might surprise you. When you combine all three, it is the most effective way to keep pests out of your camper. Also, if you like to take your camper off your truck … Think about it. Make sure to check the seals around your windows, door and roof every three months. The best way to avoid storing steps inside the RV and eliminate the hassle of detaching steps during transit? Therein lies another advantage of newer truck campers. It has a wet weight rating of 1600+ lbs. If she sees a couple of junkers, she will not be receptive when we find a good one. Sleeps up to 5 Lance makes a good camper, is about half of all truck camper sales a year, and (in my opinion) will last a long time with proper maintanance. Best Time To Buy A Travel Trailer (Avoid Buyers Remorse) RV Depreciation Chart (Year-by-Year RV Value Loss) What is the Average RV Length, Width & Height We know that truck campers will be perfect for some travelers. Most truck bed campers that have a single slide will incorporate the fridge and kitchen into the slide. Floor Length: 8'6" Dry Weight: 1837 Lbs. Feb 25, 2017 - Like it says on the tin. But if you are taking your camper off the truck to store it, you should use some additional supports instead of relying on only the camper jacks to support your camper. In this post, lets explore ways to prevent mold in camper and also see what methods can be used to get the already grown mold out of your RV. If you’re solo, a truck camper can be great! So small that 42 states don’t count them as RVs but as cargo instead. Avoid overpacking on that off-road camping trip with these simple tips. The thought of what might happen if we ever forgot to pull up the jacks prompted us to stop doing this. This difference brings with it numerous benefits, but also some disadvantages. 850 Short/Long-Bed Trucks. Little by little, the truck takes the full weight of the camper. This might be another item to place on both your departure and arrival checklists. 3 small lance campers. A truck camper is like a tent on wheels. These errors can be caused by a lack of knowledge, a careless moment, inattention, or a simple case of driver’s fatigue. If you need to do so, get a checklist so that this vital step isn’t overlooked. While on the trip, we stopped at several spots to see some units in person. Dangers of Driving Lifted Truck Campers, You will see in this accident how lifted camper trucks are at risk when taking sharp corners or driving to fast. Since Alpenlite is no longer making them we went to look at other campers. A truck camper mistake we see probably the most. Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! They have to make room for the plumbing, the water tanks, the propane, and all the other systems that make the camper work. This way I don’t have to remember the numbers. I put the truck into 4×4 and tried again and again. We've decide to get a used truck camper. Some of these factors might include size, drivability, amenities and creature comforts. Their experience navigating [read more], The year 2020 has been a crazy year with a worldwide pandemic, riots, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding all taking place. And then the legs of the camper start rising off the ground. Truck campers are usually supported by the truck hauling them. Recommended RV Articles. Diesels are cool. When you buy a diesel the weight of that engine is subtracted from the payload capacity of your truck. I stand corrected, those are really low payload ratings for Dodge 3/4 ton even with a gas engine. This week’s Question of the Week was, “How do you prevent condensation in your truck camper?”. Avoid camper-trailers with labour-intensive set-up and pack-up If you’ve seen people struggle with a particular camper’s set-up or pack-up process, then you should consider another camper. Everyone’s spirit is high, and you cannot wait to explore the world. Fortunately, you don’t have to follow in the footsteps of others. I know you said above that you stand corrected, but just wanted to share. 14,000 GVWR gives me a lot of cargo capacity to work with, which was very helpful once bumpers, winches, fuel tanks, super single wheels and tires, etc. Yet it’s an unfortunate reality that sometimes they miss the mark. They can be loaded and unloaded with one person. It doesn’t matter if you’re hauling a pop-up or hard-side, driving the same speed you normally would without a truck camper isn’t wise. However, new luxury truck campers have easier-to-use jack systems. He currently rolls in a 2013 Ram 3500 with a 2021 Bundutec Roadrunner truck camper mounted on top. When I went shopping for a truck that was a better tow vehicle for our vacation rental business, the first truck I found that met the requirements happened to be a 2014 F-450. Even the 3/4-ton pickup truck has benefited from these wars with much higher payload ratings. Tunnels, bridges, low hanging branches, and roof overhangs are just a few of the hazards to your truck camper rig. Living in a truck camper is so exciting, but comes with so many questions. Second, while motor homes remain intact while parked, campers must be separated from their trucks when set up in a park if travelers which to use the truck to shop, sightsee, etc. Typically truck camper shells are made from either fiberglass or aluminum. Ect .ect. Avoid distractions when driving and pay attention to what you’re doing and where you’re going. If you do run low, truck stops like Pilot/Flying J or Loves has places to dump your holding tanks and refill your fresh water. #5…. Which brands of truck campers to buy and avoid. Truck campers are kind of like backpacks for trucks – and usually come with many of the same things a regular RV has. Truck campers started it all. He also does some RV consulting, repairs, and inspections on the side. Truck Camper Adventure is a free, online magazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. I had a 2017 RAM 2500 Crew cab long box 4×4 with the 6.7L diesel, even with 10k GVWR the payload was only 2,100 lbs. Mine is 22 yrs old almost 200 k on it. See how your truck handles with your truck camper first before spending money on any mods. We started out in a tent, went to a small travel trailer, the a small mini winne, small toyhauler to behind, 35 ft 5th wheel. It also makes emergency maneuvers that much harder without flipping over (see number 8 above). That doesn’t leave much room for belongings, clothes, dishes, or food. Failure to do so can result in a very bad day. Exceeding the speed limit is dangerous not only for yourself, but also for others who are sharing the road with you. Truck campers are best suited for overland-camping solo travelers or small families on road trips. See more ideas about truck camping, camping, truck camper. Used the truck for work when not camping. The back end of the truck comes down. Sure a heavy-duty rear sway bar like the Hellwig Big Wig can help alleviate this issue, but it can’t correct it entirely. Torklift International just upgraded their website giving customers and dealers a more user-friendly experience, including automated application guides, dealer portal and mobile friendly viewing functions. If they put in any miles, yeah they are feeling the rv (ruined vacation) trip. Scout Campers says its units work with full-size pickups or larger, but the camper itself is pretty easy to install. Fully equipped with solar,propane heater, 2 slides full dry bath. It is hot in…, While waiting for Jefe to get back to you, try a google search on 'Styrofoam Blue Board rigid XPS 4″…, Harvey, good to hear from you again. Mike , Overtime the payload rating of 3/4 diesel power truck have gone up. If you’re interested in putting a pop-up truck camper on a diesel-powered 3/4-ton, you should be okay, but putting a large hard-side truck camper on it will leave you both overweight and unsafe. For those of you who are not dainty, a truck camper is a great way to see the country. If you have difficulties loading and unloading, you’d better go back to driving school! 650 Short-Bed Trucks. You’ll want the lower end of each camper bump stop to come into contact with the top edge of the truck bed, allowing it to act as a spacer between the truck camper itself and the truck. A communications expert, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 as a CWO3 after 24 years, worked in project management, and now runs Truck Camper Adventure full-time. Generally folks using truck campers don’t follow the norm anyway. I’ve since traded it in for a 2015 Ford F-350 Crew cab long box 4×4 also with a 6.7L diesel, SRW so not a dually, and got about 1,200lbs more payload. Use laundry baskets for storage. Safer in bear country than a tent. Without a doubt one of the top 10 truck camper mistakes and pitfalls. Camped in all three many times. Doing this is neither safe nor smart. With record numbers of RVs on the road due to the pandemic, it was [read more], The payload wars between Ford, Chevy, and Ram have yielded big results for today’s consumer. That’s fine. Truck campers are the smallest RVs out there. #10… A little late to the party here, but still an article worth commenting on. If you want fun, freedom, and adventure, you want a truck camper. We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. Floor Length: 6'10" Dry Weight: 1700 Lbs. Why You May Want To Avoid Small Campers Small campers are great for solo travelers or RVing couples. Let’s take a closer look at each method. A DIY truck bed camper is the best option for those travelers who don’t want to pitch a tent or drive a huge trailer. Check your driver's door area for your payload sticker. Oh, and make sure the turnbuckles you use are spring-loaded. Test drive your truck and camper to see how it handles first before rushing out to spend money on suspension modifications. Lets check out why. Some truck stop gas stations will put a $500 hold on your bank account every time you refuel your motorhome. The average camper trailer, per an article on our site, is 24 feet long and about 5,200 pounds. Plus, You need to learn how to load & pack. For example, truck campers tend to be as tall as 11 or 15 feet. From their perspective, it isn’t motorized, and it’s not a separate towed vehicle. What causes truck camper owners and truck camper newbies the most trouble? Powered by WordPress. We flat tow our drive around vehicles. Once the camper is in position, I shut down the truck, get out again, and use the remote to retract the camper’s legs. Campers and trailers can be more economical — as long as you already own the truck or SUV you need to haul them. Let’s dive in. Mello Mike is an Amazon.com associate. The #1 reason why I have one is because we want to be able to take something with you for your trip. Truck camper bump stop With a universal fit to any truck camper, the camper bumper kit is 8"x2.5"x2" and allows for truck camper installation. You can take them anywhere and just snap them to your pick-up truck with less effort that it takes to change a flat tire. Obviously, neither is good, though the latter would be preferable. Some owners like to extend their jacks when camping to keep the camper firm during windy weather or to level it. if you invite someone to join, they must also answer the questions. Truck campers are great because they’re compact and allow campers to get far off-grid. This very week they raised the 11’8″ bridge in Durham NC to 12’4″ so hopefully there will be a few less trucks damaged. We have been searching all over the internet for the best truck camper to live in, and which truck campers to avoid. 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