meadowcreek
NH
New Member
Joined: 07/06/2010
View Profile
 Offline
|
I am brand new to truck camping and finally have the opportunity to try it out. I have a ford F-150 reg cab 8 foot bed and I would like to start out with something small and light. I came across a 2000 sun-lite eagle rk and I have been told this would fit with my truck as it is. Does anyone have any thoughts on this (agree or disagree)? I do not know where to start but I believe I have to purchase some type of tie-down. Which ones should I get? Also I found out that sun valley went out of business. What do you think about purchasing a brand that is no longer selling parts etc if I need something. Or is there very little too need and there are plenty of generic parts on the market? Of course that is if I need somehting, not sure what truck campers need in regard to maintenance, wear and age. Last question, when I go to look at this camper what should I be looking for? Of course they said it is in great condition, not sure I would know the difference. I very much appreciate any help!!
|
fishfinder
Colorado, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/14/2003
View Profile
|
meadowcreek wrote:I am brand new to truck camping and finally have the opportunity to try it out. I have a ford F-150 reg cab 8 foot bed and I would like to start out with something small and light. I came across a 2000 sun-lite eagle rk and I have been told this would fit with my truck as it is. Does anyone have any thoughts on this (agree or disagree)? I do not know where to start but I believe I have to purchase some type of tie-down. Which ones should I get? Also I found out that sun valley went out of business. What do you think about purchasing a brand that is no longer selling parts etc if I need something. Or is there very little too need and there are plenty of generic parts on the market? Of course that is if I need somehting, not sure what truck campers need in regard to maintenance, wear and age. Last question, when I go to look at this camper what should I be looking for? Of course they said it is in great condition, not sure I would know the difference. I very much appreciate any help!!
My Dad had an 8' Sunlite on his F150 long-bed for several years. It must have been light because he used stake-pocket tie-downs, which aren't the best.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy it, even though the manufacturer is out of business, since truck campers have so few problems and you can fix most things yourself.
When you go to look at it, look for evidence of water leaks, and try to verify that everything works.
Good luck with your purchase.
fishfinder, Colorado
'08 Chevy K1500 Ext.Cab 5.3L/3.73
'03 Phoenix Pop-Up Truck Camper
'98 Four Winns 18' Fish & Ski Boat
|
fishfinder
Colorado, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/14/2003
View Profile
|
I found Sunlite Eagle RK specs on the internet.
Sunlite Eagle Specs
It looks like a good camper, with a dry weight of 1270#. So, fully loaded and wet, you should be around 1700#, which is good news.
You may need a little suspension help (airbags or helper springs), but you won't need to change your tires.
|
alex k
jim thorpe pa
Full Member
Joined: 10/01/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
i have an 2005 eagle ws ( a little larger )on my 250 and have had no major problems with it .so it should be fine .
solid construction..
|
Vic R
Spanish Springs, NV
Full Member
Joined: 03/10/2004
View Profile
|
We've had our 2000 Sunlite since it was new and no problems to speak of - they are so simple there really isn't anything to worry about. I'd buy one again. -Vic
2000 Sunlite Eagle SB pop-up truck camper on a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton Cummins Turbo Diesel, 2wd, 6-speed, quad cab, short bed.
|
|
|
meadowcreek
NH
New Member
Joined: 07/06/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
Well thanks for everyones thoughts on the sun-lite. I did purchase it. I am happy with it already. It is 100 miles from here so now I have to get the truck ready to get it back home.
Fishfind, you mentioned stake pocket tiedowns, I will look into trying to find these locally. I'm thinking I could use these to get it home.
Vic R, I'm curious to what you use for tie-downs. I have to use rv dealers advice and it has been all over the place. One said torklift for both front and rear should be used. One said that was overkill for such a light camper and maybe torklift in the front, happyjacks in the rear.
One person made their own and one person only used stake-pockets.
I was also told I need to get something for my bumper because the Ford's need extra support??
again, thanks for the help!
|
Alschott
Connecticut
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Don't bother with the stake tie downs, there are safer tie down systems out there. My Sunlite is tied with spring loaded Happi-jack system. The front is attached to the outside of the bed between the cab and bed, the other is attached to the rear fender (not my idea of a good place, but it works so far).
I ordered them from the factory, and the install wasn't hard at all.
The only thing I replaced on my Sunlite 6.9 was the front roof vent - white plastic can only live so long before the UV radiation breaks down the plastic and makes it brittle. I've added some creature comforts and electronic do-dads to monitor battery and make hooking up the laptop easier.
Add a set of spring boosters - F150's aren't known to be load carriers.
Al
|
ticki2
NH
Senior Member
Joined: 07/09/2008
View Profile
|
Not sure where in NH you are or what direction you are going to pick up the camper . I'm in Campton and have a set of stake pocket tiedowns that I can't use , I have a flatbed . Let me know if it will help.
'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A
|
Chuck and Di
Ontario, Canada
Full Member
Joined: 09/28/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
My Sunlite is held on with tie downs made by Billis Billis R.V.E. They are similar to Torklift in design, but much cheaper - I think I paid about 1/3 back in 2003.
The stake pocket stuff really should be avoided for this application. The camper might be light, but it's still going to be between 3/4 and a full ton when loaded with food and water and gear. The stake pocket approach just won't cut it. Why risk bending up your box - or worse?
|
