I'm looking to make my tent camping days a thing of the past and I'm looking to purchase something hard sided and raised off the ground.
Most of my camping is in the backcountry of BC and a truck camper would allow me to get to those "off the beaten path" spots more so than a trailer I would have to haul behind the truck.
I drive a 2000 F150 5.4L V8 SuperCab 6.5 foot box - what are the options out there that would work for this setup...if anything. I'm having some trouble finding a straight answer on the internet so I thought I would join this forum because it seems like there are a lot of knowledgeable people on here.
I have been told to watch two things: the weight and length. To heavy and it could exceed the payload of the truck and too long could mean most of the weight is behind the rear axle---that is something I don't want to experience.
Any input you can offer would be great!
Thanks
Garnet
tenrag,
Keep it light and short, and you'll have lots of fun. I carried a 1250lb pop-up on my '98 F150 S/C 4.6L 5spd for years with no problems. I added airbags and it drove very nicely. I now carry the same camper on my '08 Silverado 1/2T with no mods.
If I were to do it over, I'd buy a long bed 1/2T and buy a light 8' pop-up. Most people on this forum will tell you to buy a 3/4T or 1T dually though.
I'm out of Cochrane(formerly Canmore), but I've got a place at Wasa, so you and I are virtually neighbors. I pass by your place every second weekend for 7 months of the year.........
It all boils down to what you want, brother(or what mama will tolerate*wink*). A popup is like a tent on the back of your rig, with a few extras thrown in. *************************** Figure out what your priorities are, and then start looking.
Good luck. PM me sometime. :thumb:
Paul
* This post was
edited 04/24/08 08:20am by an administrator/moderator *
CochraneCamper wrote: ....A popup is like a tent on the back of your rig, with a few extras thrown in. ************
Have you been in one of the higher end popup TC's or any pop-up for that matter. Most of higher end popup TC's have ALL the amenities of a comparable size hardside.
******************************
* This post was
edited 04/24/08 08:21am by an administrator/moderator *
There is a thread about what people are carrying on 1/2 tons. You'll have do some suspension mods for most hardside campers. Check peoples profiles to see what they have done.
TCing since 1970. 1997 Ford F150 SC 4x4. 2004 Lance 815. E range tires,Rancho 9000 shocks,Timbren overloads.
I have a Palomino 1200 on a 2007 F250 4x4 full size bed. Its a popup which is not only light , but has a lower profile when travelling off road. I really liked the full size door that the Palomino offers. I use mine almost exclusively off road (mountains, beach, etc)..I went without any head facilities to keep the weight down, and I have never had any regrets..the women I invite sometimes have a different take on that though. Basically, anywhere I can take my truck , the camper can go...still have to be careful, the camper is a little wider than the truck. I think Palomino has a pretty bare bones camper for short bed trucks.
You are pretty much limited to pop ups, but there are a few hard sides made for F150's. I believe Adventurer makes one, which is (for now) a BC company. Your main problem is finding dealers. Your best bet would be to take a drive to Vancouver or Calgary & shop around. You need to look at campers that are under 1500 Ibs, loaded, if possible.
Trouble is light often means not that well built. you need to ensure you buy something that will hold up on the rough roads in BC. I know well what you are refering to. Keeping that in mind, a pop up is probably your best option. Northstar, Outfitter & Hallmark would be my top 3 choices.
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good luck!
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