RE: Okanagan triple slide wieght
I'm surprised the weight isn't actually more. They are packing all of the features of a travel trailer and more. Triple slide weights add up and let's face it, if they build a camper that is missing 3 sides of the box stands a chance in heck of staying together, the little frame remaining has to be stout which means thicker metal and bigger gussets.
Personally, I really hope the triple slide holds up because it will attract people to truck campers who normally wouldn't buy one. If they experience the problems that could come from this construction, they will think all truck campers are that bad and the reputation for TC's will go back into the fringe.
RE: TC vs 5'er....
The biggest downside in your case is your wife's bad shoulder and that will be the biggest issue. Of course a camper is much more maneuverable and versatile than a 5ver, but if your wife dreads getting in and out of the camper and then dreads crawling in and out of the cab-over bed, then the 5ver will win out. Look for Truck Camper units that come with the slide in and out one piece aluminum stairs like I've seen in Snowriver campers and like I'm sure others will have an option for. Making the entry/exit as easy as possible will be the big sell with your wife.
RE: Reclassifying TC at the California DMV
I'll say this, you certainly are doing your homework Snowranger. I like that you could find a definitive answer to the 4-door pickup registration question. I certainly won't second guess your personal preference in this matter as you have done plenty of research before you ever get to a DMV office. I'd have a printed version of the 4-door pickup memo and a printed version of the CVC section that allows you to register an "altered" pickup truck as a passenger vehicle with you when you go to the DMV. I expect it will be a******shoot as to whether the clerk you get that day will be able to get past saying "no" to your request, even if you legally can, if the clerk hasn't done it before, I'd bet big money that they would assume that means you can't rather than looking at the law.
RE: Reclassifying TC at the California DMV
I just don't get it. This isn't an attempt to flame, I just don't see the point. If you intend to put a camper on your truck and never take it off, what's the point of owning a TC? Why not buy a good Class C for less than it costs to put a good truck and camper together? The whole point to me is that the TC can come off. I understand that many here keep the camper on most of the time, but they all have the ability to leave the camper behind, either to go somewhere like the Highway to the Sun in Glacier NP or to Home Depot to get a load of landscaping blocks. You go registering the truck as an RV and you have just diminished the reason for a TC. Just how much do you expect to save a year with this idea? Is it really more than a couple hundred dollars, which is what, 3 tanks of gas?
Sorry if I come on strong with this line of questioning, but the idea just seems, well, I've said it.
RE: Opinions on 05 Eagle Cap 800
EC went through some quality issues between 05 and 06 when they were trying to do some new things on a shoestring budget. I have an 04 850 that has preformed well in the 4 years I've owned it and it has had few issues and no major work has been required.
RE: Is a TC a recreational "vehicle" ..??
Here in CA, an Truck Camper is not legally a Vehicle. There is no registration. The lawmakers who saw fit to exempt Truck Campers from vehicle registration obviously did not envision the 20 grand plus sticker prices campers would one day cost and therefore that they have now missed out on all of the registration fees. I sure hope no contemporary CA lawmaker ever catches on in this state. :)
