If you post what area you live in (general area) there may be a TC member near you. Visiting a camper in use will give you a lot more idea of what they are, how they can be used and whether you would like it or not. We're currently in mid PA with four other camper friends, watching the Patriots football game in AC comfort. Comfortable seats, good room and good friends. You will meet some really nice people in the TC community. Get to a rally or gathering if you can. Most TCers will talk your ear off about their rigs and why they like them.
We've spent six plus weeks at a time in ours, rarely spending more than two nights in one place and never using a motel. Taking your own bedroom, bath and living room with you beats what could be left behind in a motel room.
Joe - go Patriots
2008 Host Rainier 9'6" dual slide on a 2005 Ford F-350 Diesel DRW
On the Road Again from Rural Maine Our travel blog with photos
tracecom wrote: I am retiring next May and hope to travel extensively with my wife and (maybe) the cat, Jack. The idea of a truck camper appeals to me, but after reading posts here for the last four hours, I now understand how little I know about choosing a truck and a camper.
It seems that I could easily put $80,000 or more into a rig...if I wanted to spend that much, which I don't. So, understanding that I can't go top of the line, I am trying to figure what I really need. That is where I would like input from you all. (Yes, I am in the South.)
I plan to use a truck camper for trips of a week or so up to as much as three months at a time. We would likely spend every other or every third night in a motel. We need the truck camper for the other nights and for R&R along the way (eating, napping, resting). We need a toilet but not necessarily a shower, a refrigerator and a cooktop, no built-in generator, but with heat and AC (if that's possible without a generator.) I don't want a popup, but I do want good fuel economy and a substantial fuel range.
I don't see us setting up for more than a night or two in any one location, but that is just my front-end plan. I'm frugal but not cheap; in other words, I will spend more to buy up when it makes sense. I like the idea of diesel power for the truck, but I don't wany a rig so large that I feel like I'm not in control. I would like to avoid dual rear wheels, but if that's the wrong attitude, I would like to know. I would prefer to buy a good used rig, but I want something that I can have confidence in for the next several (10 or more) years.
So, with all that, what should I buy?
I think you have your needs/desires pretty well spelled out here.
I think a TC is a good deal for what you're doing. Every few nights in a hotel lets you clean the camper regularly and perhaps catch up on some laundry so that aspect seems to me to be a plus. The Truck Camper combination allows you more versatility in where you can go than most other RV types. Ground clearance, all terrain, parks just about like a truck, nearly no length restriction to worry about, watch those height clearances though.
That being said. I would shop craigslist for a truck and camper. I bought my 2000 F250 for 11000 and the 2000 S&S 9.5SC for 8000. You don't need to get expensive stuff, just be thourough on your inspection when you buy. Start with something a little less expensive to try it first or even rent then decide.
For a truck, my opinion would be to get a 2002/3 Ford F-350 Single rear wheel a with 7.3 liter a Powerstroke Diesel and probably the automatic trans. For a camper, I like a 9'6" bed length with a wet bath. There are many brands and some are better than others but all have their problems and good points. If you can get one like my 2000 S&S 9.5SC, you will have no complaints. Other really good ones are Northern Lite, Bigfoot, Citation, Eaglecap, Snow River among others. If you get a dual rear wheel, You could step up into the larger campers like a Lance 1191, S&S 11.5, and several others. A F-350 with DRW may not be enough truck for some of these.
We have really enjoyed our camper and have gone on several 14 day trips and many 3 or 4 day trips. We take our cat Charlie everywhere in it without problems. It may take a little time to get your cat used to it but you can figure that out.
You will get your best mileage with the diesel. A generator is nice but we have done fine without one and only a solar panel for the last three years.
If I were to do anything different, I would have bought an F-350 instead of the F-250 but I bought the truck before I ever thought about getting a camper. I'm a bit over loaded when we go but not by much and it has never been a problem for us. I may consider a 10.5' camper when we get our next one but we are in no hurry since the one we have works so well for us.
One more thing, when you look at a camper, go into the bathroom and decide if the throne will work for you. Some campers are roomier than others. If it isn't right to begin with, it won't magically fix itself later.
Hope that helps.
Jeff
* This post was
edited 09/20/09 03:34pm by Camper_Jeff_+_Kelli *
one reason I preferred a truck camper to a C was that you could get a NS bed in an extended version of the TC and they would be rare in a small C.
bumpy
We are retiring soon and plan on doing the Alaska trip as soon as we do. I had a pop-up on a 1/2 ton. More economical but much less room and convience. I love the slide. I went to a 3/4 ton single, then when we decided on the slide, bought a new DRW.
I like a lot of the comments (these guys are always the best, although some are really misguided???) I would look on the map at the front of the forum and look for TC'ers near and go look at their rig. Most all would say "come on down".
There are a lot of rigs for sale out there used. If buying used, make sure you know what to look for, but lots of great deals now. Also lots of trucks in the 2002-2007 years to look at...great deals is if you look around.
I love my DRW...its not really much different than a SRW after you have driven it a few days. It sure makes for a more stable ride.
We plan on spending almost all our nights in the TC with every 3rd or 4th maybe in a campgroud. I think you will find yourself in the camper instead of hotels once you get started. No carring stuff in rooms, no surpise hotel beds with weird smells, stains, mattresses.
This is the spirit of Camping. I like the TC because you can use it for so many things, Your bath room, kitchen, bedroom are in the parking lot while you expolore, shop at walmart, go to a ball game, spend time on the lake...etc.
Good Luck, and if you want to look at an Artic Fox, I live in GA.
B.Pettitt
Dodge, lwb, drw, 6.7, no mods
Arctic Fox 811
22' sunchaser fishing pontoon
97 Wranger for mountian roads
Jeepers92 wrote: We are retiring soon and plan on doing the Alaska trip as soon as we do. I had a pop-up on a 1/2 ton. More economical but much less room and convience. I love the slide. I went to a 3/4 ton single, then when we decided on the slide, bought a new DRW.
I like a lot of the comments (these guys are always the best, although some are really misguided???) I would look on the map at the front of the forum and look for TC'ers near and go look at their rig. Most all would say "come on down".
There are a lot of rigs for sale out there used. If buying used, make sure you know what to look for, but lots of great deals now. Also lots of trucks in the 2002-2007 years to look at...great deals is if you look around.
I love my DRW...its not really much different than a SRW after you have driven it a few days. It sure makes for a more stable ride.
We plan on spending almost all our nights in the TC with every 3rd or 4th maybe in a campgroud. I think you will find yourself in the camper instead of hotels once you get started. No carring stuff in rooms, no surpise hotel beds with weird smells, stains, mattresses.
This is the spirit of Camping. I like the TC because you can use it for so many things, Your bath room, kitchen, bedroom are in the parking lot while you expolore, shop at walmart, go to a ball game, spend time on the lake...etc.
Good Luck, and if you want to look at an Artic Fox, I live in GA.
Great summary! You captured it all.
BTW - Pleiku and Dong Ha, '67-'68, proud to have been there too.
tracecom wrote: no built-in generator, but with heat and AC (if that's possible without a generator.)
12 volt AC is possible -- here's the most promising one I've found. But you do need a pretty large battery bank, a good charging system, and the price is out of line -- $2699.
Quote: I do want good fuel economy and a substantial fuel range.
I don't think you're going to get 'good' fuel economy out or a TC, especially a hard side (or most any RV for that matter). As for range, you need a big tank.
tracecom wrote: I am retiring next May and hope to travel extensively with my wife and (maybe) the cat, Jack. The idea of a truck camper appeals to me,
I plan to use a truck camper for trips of a week or so up to as much as three months at a time. We would likely spend every other or every third night in a motel. We need the truck camper for the other nights and for R&R along the way (eating, napping, resting). We need a toilet but not necessarily a shower, a refrigerator and a cooktop, no built-in generator, but with heat and AC (if that's possible without a generator.) I don't want a popup, but I do want good fuel economy and a substantial fuel range.
I don't see us setting up for more than a night or two in any one location, but that is just my front-end plan. I'm frugal but not cheap; in other words, I will spend more to buy up when it makes sense. I like the idea of diesel power for the truck, but I don't wany a rig so large that I feel like I'm not in control. I would like to avoid dual rear wheels, but if that's the wrong attitude, I would like to know. I would prefer to buy a good used rig, but I want something that I can have confidence in for the next several (10 or more) years.
So, with all that, what should I buy?
Bin there done that!!!
Retired in 2006 since then we have traveled by camper from home (Washington state) to Canada, Alaska, US gulf coast, Florida, Mexico and many points in between.
The wife and I have spent as much as 4 months living in the camper and we are still married. No pets however. My wife has set her limit to camper life at 2 months now. My limit is unknown at this point I just love it.
I use the truck for my transportation without the camper. So dual rear wheels are OUT for me. Plus my truck has a regular cab somewhat unusual these days.
Our truck is a 2003 Chevy 4X4 Duramax/Allison 2500HD single rear wheel.
If buying again it would be a 3500HD model still single rear wheel though.
Our camper is a Lance 915. It has an 85 Watt solar panel which keeps the battery charged very well. We have no Air Conditioner. Our Furnace is well used and works great.
We ordered our camper with Twin Beds.
This came in very handy on the Alaska trip as my brother was with me. Wow did we ever have fun!!!!! Don't worry you can slide the twin mattress together when your sweetie is aboard.
The campers down sides are a rather small Gray tank (13 Gallons) and I have had rot problems. New 915's have more Aluminum in there construction but I would like even more.
Lastly the BEST part of truck camping is how handy a TC is when compared to any other RV. Camper vans come close BUT they are so darned cramped. Especially if you are like me tall.
Find the Camper that tickles your fancy then get the truck to handle it and have fun.
Something else to consider, is the cozyness of a tc is not for everyone. The bunk over the cab might be a physical challenge to some to get in and out of. Also the head is not as large as in some tt or 5er. I do a lot of standing outside waiting for dw to do her thing without me in the way. The dw and I can get along just fine without needing to go to a motel. The money saved sleeping in our own bed, plus knowing how clean it is, more than offset the price of the camper. I originally was going older cheaper- used ,with the every third night motel route, and then decided to spend more upfront money for newer,nicer camper. I ended up with one without a shower , but after looking I found I was to big for most any way. Outside shower install was fine, along with portable propane water heater. I already had the truck so that decision was already made , however if it died tomorrow , I would look for another just like it. 2002 f250 4x4 7.3 psd. It handles it just fine, gets good fuel economy, and supercab allows storage in back seat. I have less than $6 k in camper and all mounts and ties. My advise try one out for a few nights then make up your mind based what works for you and yours
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