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RE: Is bigger really always better.
Approaching retirement, SIMPLICITY is my goal. Everything I own from a vehicle to a rusting hand tool demands my attention. I am tired of it. For me, it is not big or small or "making do," it is simplifying my life to focus on what is most important. Usually that does mean smaller, but not always.
One of the greatest discoveries from using our former 23 foot motor home to our planned small truck camper is not figuring out what I think I NEED to bring along. Instead, I relish finding out how many things I DON'T NEED. Everything I leave behind is one less thing to store, unpack, repack, fix, insure, clean and so on. To me THAT brings me far more comfort than an extra couple feet of leg room and space for more toys.
Finally, I don't really "camp" much. I travel and explore. All I need at night is a place to relax, write in a journal and sleep. Often this means boondocking in a field, truck stop or Walmart until the next day's adventure dawns.
That is why I am working hard to assemble a simple, comfortable truck camper on a half ton F-150 heavy duty base. I travel to escape all the "things" that control so much of my life. The smaller and simpler the better for me. I know that to be comfortable, others want to take along a lot of toys and creature comforts. Both styles and everything in between works, but only IF you come home happy and relaxed.
That's about how I think. I don't camp as much as travel and explore. I rarely stick around one place for more than one night. I don't carry much because I don't need much. Even with my old 7' hard side I constantly came to places where the truck and camper was too wide and tall and to fit. I didn't like pushing tree limbs and brush out of the way with a wood framed, aluminum sided camper. I also realized how much extra junk I packed "just because" when I cleaned it out to sell it. I was quickly reminded why I started with a short bed crew cab half ton. Small(ish), short wheel base, small turning radius etc. If I end up having the camper made that I've drawn up, it will only be 6' floor length, no wider than the fenders, jacks removed, roughly 14" taller than the cab at most, etc. It will still offer waaaay more comfort than a tent and an ice chest!
A lot of people want much more comfort, more space (I prefer to be outside), more junk etc. I want to be able to go anywhere and have a place to cook, sleep and clean up out of the weather.
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brianjw
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04/25/12 05:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: THE HEAVY DUTY F150 HAS ARRIVED - First report ...
I think you'll be in good shape if you stick with a small simple camper and load it lightly. My f150 is a crew cab 4x4 heavily optioned, 35" tires, airbags, sway bar, frame mounted tie downs, carrying a 7' hard side (no bath) with water, battery, wife, gear and gas around 8000lbs. May have been less actually. So I'd say a similar equipped hardside would be within limits and handle very well, the right popup would be even better (8' four wheel with no jacks?). I will be interested to see scaled weights though.
My next camper will be a pop-up, shorter in length/width/height, jacks removed, no more frame mounted tie downs, hopefully no air bags, etc. Most of my reasoning isn't as much for weight, but to keep a lower profile, more compatible with off road use, and to keep it on the truck most of the time.
Is the new 8200lb gvwr f150 still shipping with a 10.25" axle or is the 9.75" being used across the board now? It seems like I've seen the 9.75" rated from 4500-4800 lbs, and the 10.25 at 5300 or more.
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brianjw
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04/24/12 06:04pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Camper Jacks vs. Air Shocks?
Next time you load up the camper, let the air out of one bag and inflate the other to max psi, see how much adjustment you get from that. You may find that they will work just fine for what you want. If you want to be really sneaky, get a compressor and in cab controller. I personally never did anything more than find a reasonably level spot and park, but that's me.
As mentioned already, air shocks are not designed for heavy loads. Even if they were they would fade and not work well in that type of application, and the shock mounts are not load bearing. If you want something to that effect you might as well go with a full air ride suspension set up.
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brianjw
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04/11/12 08:27pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Long or Short Vacations?
I would take one long trip. Cover more ground, have more time to relax, and if fuel is a concern you would burn it at a slower rate over five weeks, right...?
That's me though, there sure seems to be a lot more to see and explore on this side of the Mississippi, get away from home for a while!
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brianjw
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03/31/12 03:21am |
Truck Campers
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RE: CG Aft of Rear Axle - Not Prefered but is it Safe
I've seen at least a handful of campers with the COG marks behind the rear axles, especially with the longer units with slides in the back. Sure enough, I've never seen them steer out of control while trying to make a turn.
That loading isn't ideal, but it doesn't mean that it is unsafe. 200 lbs is still a small amount. The difference between a 3000 lb camper that adds 50 lbs to the front axle and one that takes 200 lbs off of the front axle really isn't a huge difference. When you look at the overall distribution of weight on the front vs rear axles, it won't be that different. Being mindful about loading items into the truck and camper may help a bit too.
If it handles well, I wouldn't sweat it.
Realistically, different engine/transmission combinations (as well as bumpers, hitches, etc) can make up more than that difference in weight. You could argue that you would unload the springs a little, but big deal. The trucks all come with different springs from the factory anyway, is it unsafe to drive a truck with HD front springs without an extra load up front? I don't think so.
If it handles okay, rock it and be happy with it.
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brianjw
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03/31/12 03:17am |
Truck Campers
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RE: I know , get a F350
Give it a shot. Air bags will help. I bet the hard side I owned (same truck) was heavier and it worked great with a few mods.
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brianjw
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03/31/12 02:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Camper for 1/2 ton truck?
Lots of generalizations here about half tons. Truth is, they are all different. I wouldn't want to haul around much camper weight on an early 2000's half ton, and many current half tons. But plenty of recent half tons are very capable of hauling a small camper.
My truck did require air bags with a 1400-1500lb camper to sit right, but I also have a 2" leveling kit. I already had bilstein shocks and d-rated 35" tires, a 5.4l engine with a few small mods, 4.56 gears etc. Power and braking are no problem whatsoever, even with 35s. The brakes are as big as you can fit inside a 17" wheel. I hauled the camper over 8700ft passes with a 6x10 cargo trailer in tow without brakes, absolutely no problem up or down the mountains. Handling was great with mentioned mods.
Overweight? Yeah, a little. But it would have been within gvwr if I had the same truck with the hd payload package, I have the heaviest f150 setup with the lower payload (softer leaf springs).
I just sold the camper because I have other projects to work on, but fully intend to have a smaller pop-up built eventually that will stay on the truck full time. My truck has several years of hauling a camper shell loaded with tools, and thousands of miles with the camper and trailer and it sure isnt falling apart, and never scared me once.
The new owner of the camper drives a Chevy 1500hd. We loaded the camper on his truck (completely stock) and the back sunk a couple inches, but is nice and level front to back. Now if it has a 5.3 it is probably miserably underpowered but again, there are plenty of good options.
If you want something to fall into the weight category you're looking at, some of the lightest hard side campers might be a travel lite, they have a few models that work great on a good half ton. For pop-ups, there are many options. Four wheel, ATC, Phoenix, etc. It is true that you will need to pack light. If you tend to lug around tons of extra junk a half ton isnt going to work well with any camper.
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brianjw
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03/24/12 12:09pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Hunting for a replacement Cat back exhaust kit
A few years back I had a shop in hillsboro weld up a single exit before the rear tire with a new muffler for $150, so I wouldn't be overly happy with spending $200 already if you're trying to go cheap. Did you bother asking a shop anywhere?
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brianjw
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03/07/12 11:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Energy Suspension sway bar upgrade..
I actually talked to a Bilstein rep when I bought my 5100s. He told me that basically the 5100s were for lifted or leveled applications, and the HD shocks were for stock applications. He also said that the valving is so similar that you probably would never be able to tell a difference between the two anyway.
For what it's worth, I've been very happy with the 5100s hauling the camper on my F150. I was equally happy with the HDs on my Ford Ranger with a canopy and tons of junk in the back. They are great on the road, great while hauling and towing, but a little stiff off road.
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brianjw
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03/06/12 12:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Closing off the pass through window
I also use a piece of reflectix, with the curtain closed over the front. I have no need to see through that window but I do use it for fresh air when it is raining.
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brianjw
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03/06/12 12:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: 2008 F150
A basic travel lite will work okay, if you do travel without a ton of stuff. The basic hard sides are lighter than their pop up campers too. You will probably be a little over the gvwr rating but with a few mods it will handle great.
I have a 2011 travel lite 700 that I haul on my 06 f150 supercrew 4x4 short bed (5.5'). I have bilstein shocks, air bags, d rated tires and a hell wig rear sway bar and it works great. I moved from Kentucky to Oregon and pulled a 6x10 enclosed trailer behind, loaded from top to bottom with zero issues.
However it is over gvwr. I'm looking at selling my camper and having a smaller pop-up built but it isn't due to weight, I want something smaller that works better off road.
If you want something that fits in the gvwr better, stick with a bare bones four wheel camper pop up or something similar.
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brianjw
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02/12/12 03:23am |
Truck Campers
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RE: burglar alarm system
Insurance policy and either a 12 gauge, a .45 pistol or both.
Oh and my truck just has a factory alarm. All they do is make noise anyway, which everyone ignores. They are usually easy to disable anyway.
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brianjw
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02/04/12 07:54pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Pop-up vs. Hard-Side Dilemma
I haven't owned a pop-up (yet) but my 7' hard side camper poses zero issues with handling and stability on my half ton with 5.5' bed. I drove 2600 miles with it, pulling a 6x10 enclosed trailer loaded up, through severe thunderstorms, and steady 40-50 mph crosswinds in Nebraska.
With the proper suspension and tire setup, either should be fine.
I want a pop-up now, but 99% of the reason is because I cannot physically fit the big camper on trails and get it off road. I expect a pop-up to be louder inside, not as well insulated, etc. But if I can fit the whole setup into the places where I cant take the hard side it is all worth it. The other side is, I'll have it built lighter weight and keep it in the truck 90% of the time so it is much more convenient, and I don't have to store it. I'm only home 12 out of 28 days anyway so I don't mind a smaller camper on it full time.
Anyway you have to really think about how you will use the camper. I like camping more than rv'ing, taking spontaneous trips and getting well off the beaten path, that's why a pop-up makes more sense to me now. If handling and/or mileage is your only real concern, just go with a hard side.
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brianjw
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02/02/12 08:52pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Lockers for 4WD
When I re-geared my f150 I installed a Detroit locker in the rear (most people hate them), and an Eaton e-locker up front. Althouh just like my last truck, I really haven't needed the front locker since the rear works so well.
A selectable locker in the front is the way to go in my opinion. When you REALLY need more traction up front, a limited slip is only going to do so much. With an e locker, you are not stressing anything when its unlocked, but have all the traction you need with a limited slip.
I love the Detroit out back because I hate driving around anywhere with an open rear differential. Limited slips are great on dry roads but beyond that, the traction often just isn't there when you need it.
I will disagree with brad though, I would take lockers over a winch any day. Both are better though of course. Since I've started locking my trucks I have only used a winch once, in about 2 feet of snow. Even then it was only because I was side slipping off the trail on a steep incline. Without lockers I never would have got anywhere near that spot and so many others.
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brianjw
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01/15/12 04:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Suspension Lift with TC equipment
I carry a camper on my half ton with a 2" leveling kit and 35" tires and it handles very well. I don't blind anyone because I aimed my head lights properly.
I replaced the factory 2" rear blocks with 3" blocks that still have bumpstop tabs. The airbags mount to the top of the block so the springs sit just as they use to, and engage the overloads just the same.
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brianjw
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01/15/12 04:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: What do you give up with a pop-up TC vs a hardside?
My small light hard side truck camper definitely isn't top heavy, but in the Pacific northwest I have the problem of being to tall for the places I like to go. I do like it for cold weather camping and the occasional "stealth/urban" camping. It is nice having storage for food up top, and having the bed always made up.
But I think I'm going to sell my camper to have a custom pop-up built. Something more narrow (80"), jacks removed, and just enough room to leave the bed made up. With the lower weight ill carry an extra battery, solar and two propane tanks. The idea would be to leave the camper on nearly full time, avoid paying for storage, and using it a lot more. And I could actually get to the spots I love out in the mountains/forest, and stay out longer. I could do with a lot less, and a pop up is still a huge upgrade from a tent!
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brianjw
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01/12/12 05:40pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: QUESTION ABOUT SHORT TRUCK CAMPERS
If you want something light, simple and inexpensive you may want to check out travel lite campers in Indiana. They are always happy to give a factory tour and sell direct.
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brianjw
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01/10/12 11:15pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: New truck and camper finally in the driveway!
Very nice setup! But you are doing yourself a huge disservice in bypassing the Oregon coast and the Pacific northwest in general. Just head north from San fran until you hit seaside or Astoria Oregon. Just my opinion, I've driven almost every section of the trip you mapped out. Otherwise you'll be doing days of boring driving on the way back and missing some of the best spots.
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brianjw
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01/10/12 11:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Help me level out!!
A rear sway bar wont hurt anything. It's a big long tall truck anyway, adding a rear bar will not have any negative effect, other than transmitting a few more bumps to the truck.
Adding a very stiff rear sway bar to a small sports car may induce a small amount of oversteer, but you adsolutely will not regret it on your camper hauler.
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brianjw
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01/03/12 09:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: BFGoodrich Tires MUD-TERRAIN T/A KM2 255/80R17
Some old school opinions of mud terrains in this thread!
I have a set of 35x12.50r18 KM2s on my f150 now with 47k miles on them, at least 50% tread remaining. Great traction on road and off, snow, rain, mud, etc. Also the smoothest and quietest mud terrain I have ever owned. When I do replace them, it will be the exact same tire.
But no I don't have them on a drw chevy. ;)
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brianjw
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12/21/11 08:06pm |
Truck Campers
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