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Slide in camper for short bed truck
kimi
Member Posts: 44,723 ✭✭✭
I'm thinking about getting a lightweight, slide in camper for my short bed truck, but I'd like one small enough to store in my garage which would would also have a limiting of size factor. Do any of you folks have experience with them? Another option would be for me to sell my truck and buy an existing truck-camper combo. Any ideas will be appreciated.
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http://www.allterraincampers.com/
Here are few other makers
http://www.livinlite.com/truck-campers.php
http://www.travellitecampers.com/truckcampermodels.htm
A 1/2 ton truck needs a light weight trailer so you are not killing the suspension. The camper is going to effect the ride and as stated it will make the truck top heavy unless its one of the pop-up types
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Is your short bed a half ton? I think you'd want at least a 3/4 ton pickup. At any rate, I would investigate a camper that expands up. My grandfather had one that worked very well.
It's 1/2 ton 4x4 Z71 with the heavy duty tow package. Thanks for the note about the expanding feature.
If you said that before the 1984 EVO motor came out
I would say you needed it empty to pickup the broken down Harley [}:)][:D]
Oh hell,now Doc will be pissed. [:D]quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
I don't like them, they make the truck top heavy and the handling of the truck goes to poop in a hurry. Even the "light weight" ones are really too much for a non 1 ton truck. A small pop-up camper that you pull would be a far better choice.
You mean he has a sense of humor?!!!!!!![:D][:D][:D][:D]
If you said that before the 1984 EVO motor came out
I would say you needed it empty to pickup the broken down Harley [}:)][:D]
Oh hell,now Doc will be pissed. [:D]quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
I don't like them, they make the truck top heavy and the handling of the truck goes to poop in a hurry. Even the "light weight" ones are really too much for a non 1 ton truck. A small pop-up camper that you pull would be a far better choice.
At this current time I am still in the possession of a super nice enclosed car trailer. I and I say IF the bike just has to be hauled it goes in the trailer.
Why am I always involved in thread hijacks?
I see some of them around here, too bad that a lot of these tourists do not understand nor care to understand the limits of a truck and why they have tow ratings and Gross Vehicle Weight ratings. It's a wonder and a miracle that they make it through each and every day they travel. Some of the ones using those slide in campers are lucky the front wheels of the truck are still touching pavement. Way way way overloaded.
You make some very valid points. Ones that I want to ensure that I steer clear of too. All I would want and/or need is one just big enough that the wife and I could use it to travel and sleep in. We could use facilities in an RV camp, and use a motel or hotel on occasion to get a better nights rest and relaxation. I have even been thinking of a Class B, Conversion Vans, or any other van that might have a good sleeping space in it.
I see some of them around here, too bad that a lot of these tourists do not understand nor care to understand the limits of a truck and why they have tow ratings and Gross Vehicle Weight ratings. It's a wonder and a miracle that they make it through each and every day they travel. Some of the ones using those slide in campers are lucky the front wheels of the truck are still touching pavement. Way way way overloaded.
It would need to be loaded pretty heavy on the tail gate to make it light in the front end. It's more a problem with trailers than with a camper.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
If you don't mind roughing it a little I would just get a truck cap and a good tent you can stand up in.
The money you will save on something that you are not going to use very much will pay for a whole lot of hotel rooms.
or maybe something like this:
http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TruckCandyMenu/CampingGear.htm?gclid=CPDL7NSp2rgCFcFj7AodHDgA6Q
Those slide in campers are nice but I can find better things to do with 10 grand!
Awhile back Four Wheeler Magazine (October 2012) had a short article on truck camping. One truck had the $10k All Terrain Camper Arb Roof top tent ($1600).
the other truck had a ladder rack with a sheet of plywood on top of the rack and a cheap pup tent on that.
For entertainment, the expensive truck had the latetest generator with tv.
The cheap truck had a Ruger Vaquero and golf balls.
I have a copy here. Will see if I can find it online.
http://www.allterraincampers.com/pricelist.htm
Those slide in campers are nice but I can find better things to do with 10 grand!
That is a fact! 10K will buy a lot of days at the motel 6[:D]
The people that buy those are either well off and want a toy or they are hard core offroaders who are out in the boonies most weekends.
quote:All I would want and/or need is one just big enough that the wife and I could use it to travel and sleep in
If you don't mind roughing it a little I would just get a truck cap and a good tent you can stand up in.
The money you will save on something that you are not going to use very much will pay for a whole lot of hotel rooms.
or maybe something like this:
http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TruckCandyMenu/CampingGear.htm?gclid=CPDL7NSp2rgCFcFj7AodHDgA6Q
Thank you, Sam. I think I'll explore this variation that I'd not given any thought to whatsoever!
I have a low profile shell on it now, and I might even look into one with more room in it! Thanks!
http://www.allterraincampers.com/pricelist.htm
Those slide in campers are nice but I can find better things to do with 10 grand!
Awhile back Four Wheeler Magazine (October 2012) had a short article on truck camping. One truck had the $10k All Terrain Camper Arb Roof top tent ($1600).
the other truck had a ladder rack with a sheet of plywood on top of the rack and a cheap pup tent on that.
For entertainment, the expensive truck had the latetest generator with tv.
The cheap truck had a Ruger Vaquero and golf balls.
I have a copy here. Will see if I can find it online.
Neat! I'm guessing that this is similar to what Mr. P. had mentioned.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/131-1210-hi-tech-or-red-neck/
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Here's the article:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/131-1210-hi-tech-or-red-neck/
Thank you. I can't see where I'd be getting off road with it, but who knows?!
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
You bet. I would look for a cab-over, personally.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
You bet. I would look for a cab-over, personally.
Do you mean one similar to the low profile that Sam06 posted about? The Mini Alaskan would be perfect for what I have in mind. I'll have to check on the price of one.
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
You bet. I would look for a cab-over, personally.
Do you mean one similar to the low profile that Sam06 posted about? The Mini Alaskan would be perfect for what I have in mind. I'll have to check on the price of one.
That one would work, but I don't think I'd insist it be that low profile. YMMV. [:)] Looking around, there are a lot of makers. My grandfather's was a cab over hard side that popped up.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
You bet. I would look for a cab-over, personally.
http://www.alaskancamper.com/pricelst.htm
$15K to $32K!!!
I'd go buy Suburban for that money and put a cot in it.
Mr. P. what happened to the post that you just made showing the link to pop-up low profile cab-over camper that you were liking...it disappeared.
I deleted it because it wasn't quite what I thought it was, and in light of other posts above, seemed redundant. Here it is again though:
http://www.ezlitecampers.com/index.php
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Built right here in La Grande, OR!
http://northwoodmfg.com/index.php
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
http://www.alaskancamper.com/mini.html
Nice, Buddy, thanks for the link!
You bet. I would look for a cab-over, personally.
http://www.alaskancamper.com/pricelst.htm
$15K to $32K!!!
I'd go buy Suburban for that money and put a cot in it.
$15K would be worth it to me...it's really an ideal type of product for what we'd want and need, both.
quote:Originally posted by kimi
Mr. P. what happened to the post that you just made showing the link to pop-up low profile cab-over camper that you were liking...it disappeared.
I deleted it because it wasn't quite what I thought it was, and in light of other posts above, seemed redundant. Here it is again though:
http://www.ezlitecampers.com/index.php
Thank you. It is certainly worth a look as I see it.
Wolf Creek. Designed for 1/2 ton trucks or bigger.
Built right here in La Grande, OR!
http://northwoodmfg.com/index.php
Thank you. I'll spend some time at their site and check it out!
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by kimi
Mr. P. what happened to the post that you just made showing the link to pop-up low profile cab-over camper that you were liking...it disappeared.
I deleted it because it wasn't quite what I thought it was, and in light of other posts above, seemed redundant. Here it is again though:
http://www.ezlitecampers.com/index.php
Thank you. It is certainly worth a look as I see it.
If you mirror this layout (top image to bottom image) you have basically the lay out of my grandfather's and I considered it nearly ideal. Only other change was he had a toilet where there is a closet in this image (and I think a shower head too). You had to hand pump all water faucets.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by kimi
Mr. P. what happened to the post that you just made showing the link to pop-up low profile cab-over camper that you were liking...it disappeared.
I deleted it because it wasn't quite what I thought it was, and in light of other posts above, seemed redundant. Here it is again though:
http://www.ezlitecampers.com/index.php
Thank you. It is certainly worth a look as I see it.
If you mirror this layout (top image to bottom image) you have basically the lay out of my grandfather's and I considered it nearly ideal. Only other change was he had a toilet where there is a closet in this image (and I think a shower head too). You had to hand pump all water faucets.
Thanks again for your time and effort with my searching. I might make a run down to Chehalis, since it is close, just to check out the Alaskan Mini. I also need to check out the other low-profile that you posted about too, since it is attractive in many respects.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Damn redhead never wanted to travel unless it was to a new Walmart grand opening [:(!]
I'd prefer to spend $10K on a used travel trailer. Unless you are gonna slide it out once at the camp ground, I'd hate to have to pack it up and haul it around town when I wanted to leave the camp ground. But you may stay put, when we go to the camp ground in Myrtle Beach were out and about driving everyday so a trailer unhooked for the week would be more practical for us.
Thanks for the comments. I'd keep it attached to the truck since we'd be using it primarily for travel, which is why a very lightweight, low profile would fit our needs very well.
I've been dreaming about a Toy Hauler. Bry'ann loves to travel but she isn't into bike trips. I like riding so with a toy hauler we would both be happy [:D]
Damn redhead never wanted to travel unless it was to a new Walmart grand opening [:(!]
[:D]
Unfortunately, the maximum weight for a sidle in camper for my shortbed truck is only about 800 pounds. What would I need to do to beef-up the suspension to accommodate about 1300 pounds?
You might see if you could get a 3/4 ton rear end for it, but really the main limiting factor is going to be braking power.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
To be honest I would scrap the slide in camper idea for that truck, a short bed 1/2 ton isn't really designed for that, sure you can get away with more, god knows I've overloaded my trucks many times but the risk of an accident grows considerably.
The rating on your truck just isn't the ability to hold the weight, it is also the sway bars, braking system and in extreme cases even the frame but a camper isn't going to tweak your frame.
To correctly raise the carrying limits of your truck you are getting into some work. However Add A Leaf will help as will the airbags.
No problem James. Hope you can get past JBLM with all the traffic.[xx(][xx(][B)]
Very good point, I'd have to try and time it just right to get through that mess!