Instead of continuing the Bigfoot thread, I thought I would toss out a new one as I window shop for a TC to replace my '83 Tioga 26' C.
My primary use for the TC would be hunting, fishing, ATV and snowmobile trips. Off-roading will be limited to Forest Service roads. Anything rougher, narrower, steeper or off-camber will be traveled with the Jeep or ATVs in tow.
I have a Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4 long bed. I've wrastled with hardside vs pop-up for a couple of years now and continually find myself landing on the hardside of the argument. I do understand the benefits of lower height, lower CG, etc of the pop-up and that's what makes the decision so much less clear-cut than I had hoped. I just continue to fall back on the perception that I want something that "sort of feels like my C inside".
Anyway, the latest find is a 1998 Jayco 9.6 - seller says the book weight is 1910 empty. Hope to get to look at it this weekend.
Thoughts? feedback? Experiences with the Jayco line of TCs?
Thanks!
Greg
'83 Tioga 27' Ford E-350 460
'97 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 in need of a TC
If you want to use the camper in the wintertime for your snowmobiling trips - you should look for a camper with :
1. Heated and enclosed holding tanks - this usually implies that the camper is designed with a basement - the little bit of air is ducted off the furnace to go throught the basement and back to the living quarters.
2. Thermal Pane Windows - they don't sweat with condensation - although in the dry climate in colorado that might not be as much of an issue. The thermal panes also insulate much better and make the battery last longer with less furnace use. They are typically heavier, but some, like Northern Lite are using acrylic thermal panes that are light.
Quote: Anything rougher, narrower, steeper or off-camber will be traveled with the Jeep or ATVs in tow.
....well then, that seals it: a hard-side is perfect
Why would you go with a truck camper as old as that ??? What price range are you looking in?
Silver-
'cause I'm a cheap SOB? under $10k, and $5k would be better.
Seriously, must be a personality twist ... , my truck is a '97, my Jeep is a '95, my Tioga is an '83, my snowmobiles are '80 and '81 ... my guns are 20 to 100 years ...
That t/c is 9 years newer than mine. Having said that, here's the usual list of what to watch for. Is that the dry or wet weight? Also, see if you can find a sticker on it (some are outside, some are hidden in the cabinets) with the weight/capacities. Check for the usual water leaks/stains. Any buckling in the siding anywhere should tell you to proceed with caution. Look closely at the jack mounts and tie-downs. Check the critical measurements of your truck (tailgate opening, wheel well width, cab height from bed) against the corresponding measurements on the camper. Now the biggie - does it have a front cab-over window? If you answered yes, you can plan on re-sealing that at least once, but the good news is the sealant (butyl tape) is fairly cheap and it's easy to do in an hour or two.
Thanks, Buggsy. Don't know about the weight specifics yet - seller just said in his email "book says weight is 1910 empty".
I rebuilt my C cabover, so I think I have a pretty good idea what to look for, and still have butyl tape from that job (resealed all the windows) if I have to reseal any windows. Hmmm, I wonder what the shelf life is on buytl tape?
I thought about eliminating my front windows in my Tioga. Wish I would have now (no leaks, but that would have been the time to eliminate more leak sources). If I end up having to rebuild a TC, that will be an item I do.
under $10k, and $5k would be better.
Offline
