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Camper guys, got a question

bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
in General Discussion
My 2000 Dodge * has only 567,000 on it, I am keeping it until 1,000,000 miles.  I had the standard bed replaced with a flat bed a few years back.  Will standard slide in campers fit onto the flat bed?  I have looked at some purpose built flat bed campers and those suckers cost about two Cessna 172's!  I am looking at used for under 20K.  I do not want a trailer, It must have A/C and a generator for dry camping in the summer heat.  I do not want a pop up type either.  Cozy and easy to use is key here.
Just tire kicking for now, thinking about retirement....  Wise words of wisdom, snarky remarks and smart axxed comments are appreciated.  Some one responding with real information is a bonus on this thread.
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Comments

  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    WTH...... R A M is a no go word, who is the PC police here?????  What were they thinking?
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  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭
    I know you love your truck but if this is for retirement I think I would go for a newer vehicle?
    However, If you are dead-set on using that flatbed, I think I would build a box on it.


    Now that the important stuff is out of the way.... R. A. M.

    Ram
    a derogatory term for an unattractive member of the opposite sex.
    I can't believe you made out with that girl. She was a total ram.
    http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/ram

    RAM Ranch
    A ranch, probably in Wyoming, ran by Grant Macdonald and Dr. Phil. It is infamous for cowboy orgies.
    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
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  • Ricci.WrightRicci.Wright Member Posts: 5,127 ✭✭✭✭
    Don't see why this wouldn't work. You could save some money if you left off the fancy back porch but I think I would keep it.
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,306 ✭✭✭✭
    I've seen lots of truck campers on flatbeds around here.  Leaves a nice space underneath for coolers/boxes.
    https://northwoodmfg.com/truck-campers/wolf-creek/
    These are a well built, light weight camper.  I've got the heavier version, the Arctic Fox brand. 
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  • serfserf Member Posts: 9,217 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2020
    You will need to strap it down and have stops to stop sliding and ever how long your bed is the limiting factor on size. I have a eight-foot bed so it can take a bigger camper. All RV stuff is in high demand now because of the virus pandemic. You picked the wrong time to buy used or new. Sorry to  tell you a bargain is going to be hard to find.
                                                serf
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    I am keeping the truck.  It has been insanely well maintained, if it ain't right I get it fixed (my co. pays and does all repairs and maintenance on it).  I wonder if a slide in with overhang rear entry would work on the flat bed.  I see some for sale within 200 miles that are in the 14-18K range 5-10 years old.  My main concern is getting it to fit my truck bed and having A/C and genset installed or ready for one.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,541 ✭✭✭✭
    Ricci.Wright said:
    Don't see why this wouldn't work. You could save some money if you left off the fancy back porch but I think I would keep it.

    The front suspension must be rough on the roof
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,284 ******
    Not sure what you got in mind, but love the picture Ricci posted,,,,
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  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,573 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2020


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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,171 ✭✭✭✭
    A regular slide in camper on a flatbed?  How redneckerson do you really want to be?
    Safety wise it's a bad idea.
    1: With nothing to hold the camper, it's going to require more/bigger/tighter tie downs and the framing of slide ins isn't all that sturdy.
    2: There's going to be a big gap above the pickup cab causing far more wind drag increasing the "lift" on the front of the camper adding to what #1 pointed out.
    3: The access height will be increased by several inches as will the overall height. 
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,464 ✭✭✭✭
    you say you are looking in the $15,000 range,  that sure buys a lot of motel rooms and no hassle to haul or clean up.......
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    Flying Clay Disk said:
    Well, I know you said you don't want a trailer, but I'm going to be "that guy"...hopefully you will read on.
    A camper on a conventional bed pickup is kind of a PITA to get on and off, and the tying down takes time.  With a flatbed this will be even more of a PITA and require more time.  This leaves you with the old "motorhome" analogy...(i.e. unless you want to disconnect all your power, sewer and water to go to the store for that forgotten item, you're going to have to tow something like a 2nd vehicle anyway).  With a trailer, you take it to where you want to go and drop it.  This way your tow vehicle is available to go on excursions.  Plus, a trailer is going to afford you a whole lot more space to relax in than a camper ever will.
    I've had the motorhome bug since I was a kid and took a trip in one, but the impracticality of a motorhome was lost on me then.  I've had to talk myself out of a camper / motorhome repeatedly over the years.  A trailer is just a far better option.

    You have a point.  In Alaska I dry camped in a slide in for up to 11 days out in the boonies, it carried 23 gal of water and I never ran out.  When I got the pusher motorhome we used it 49 out of 52 weekends one year.  It had a heated basement with 90 gallons of fresh water on board.  I camped at Eureka Lodge many times snowmobiling in the winter and never froze up!  The heated basement kept things warm, the genset never shut off.  It was as cold as 25 below on some weekends.
    I have been thinking more about a trailer now.  My plan, (if you want to call it that) is to go to lakes, camp, fish and enjoy the outdoors for 2-5 days.  I have not fished much in years and I do miss it.  If I retire and am forced to sell the Cessna due to cost issues a camper could still give me the get away time I desire at much lower costs than flying my airplane someplace, renting a car, paying for hotels and the like.
    I like being alone, I thrive on it.  A camper might be the best option as the purchase of a good genset sitting on the flatbed with enough power for the A/C unit might be the best, least costly option.  I looked at some very suitable newer used units in the 10-15K region that would serve that purpose well. 
    Going with a trailer would also prevent me from having to break camp every time I needed a beer run... It is unAmerican to not have beer whilst fishing.
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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,312 ✭✭✭✭
    hillbille said:
    you say you are looking in the $15,000 range,  that sure buys a lot of motel rooms and no hassle to haul or clean up.......
    Agree, just toss the room key and pay the bills, can't beat that at all, especially the cost.  I've traveled all over this country in all sorts of ways, nothing beats the comfort of a clean motel / hotel.  ;)

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • Toolman286Toolman286 Member Posts: 3,257 ✭✭✭✭
    Since you have the flat bed, look into either a 5th wheel or goose neck trailer. They tow much better. You can set up the flat bed with low storage & your genny.
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  • danielgagedanielgage Member Posts: 10,592 ✭✭✭✭
    I use an old goose-neck horse trailer with livings quarters up front and room for horse or 4-wheeler or what ever else you want to haul in the back
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    After perusing the online ads for campers and slide-ins I think a camper is about right.  Adding to this thought a toy hauler, small and compact, might be interesting since I have a Honda Pioneer 500 that might come in handy.  I will go look at some of the available units in the next few weeks just to tire kick and see if anything strikes my fancy.
    I have extensive experience with camping in Alaska in both a Coachman 115RB slide in and the Coachman Santara 35' diesel pusher.  Both were the source of many days and weekends of pleasure.  The slide in was heavy when loaded.  It taxed the Ford F-250 that first carried it.  When I got the V-10 Dodge dually it carried a lot better.  I would carry the camper and pull a 22' Alumaweld boat to Homer almost every weekend.  When pulling the boat I had to use a 4' "stinger" hitch extender I built to get past the back of the camper that hung 3'6" over the back of the truck bed.  The V-10 power made it easy to climb the big hills heading to the Kenai Peninsula pulling the boat and carrying the camper.
    Things have changed a lot in the past 20 years so careful eyballing and learning more is the first step in deciding what unit fits the bill and IF I want to actually pull the trigger on doing this.  Twin axles is also a must for reasons stated already. I like the idea of dropping the trailer and having both the truck and the Honda handy for excursions.  West Virginia has a lot of trails to explore and the Honda would be a lot of fun heading out to the hills.  Dumping the camper leaving the truck free to go would also be a huge plus.
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  • susiesusie Member Posts: 7,696 ✭✭✭✭
    Screenshot_20200808-223259_Samsung Internet.jpg


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  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    KenK/84Bravo said:

    Personally, I would think it would lead to structural problems on the Camper. I do not believe it would be a good idea to have the walls unsupported. At the very least, I would use two screw jacks on each side leading up to a pressure treated full length 2X4. (Or similar.)

    The sides of the camper are self supportive, and don't rely on the truck bed sides to support them...
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11206486#Comment_11206486

    We bought a toy hauler hybrid.....same height as a standard camper, but is still a toy hauler. We went with a Cherokee Grey Wolf 26RR. We love it so far!

    Make some minor upgrades after your purchase, better tires for sure, and it's a great travel trailer!

    Jon

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  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited August 2020

    If you're going to get out and about frequently, a class C MH is the way to go, IMO. There you have it all in one package. You can haul a small tow car, or carry a motor bike or scooter for short runs to wherever for whatever. Staying in motels is great provided you don't t want to get out in the boonies to stay at a campsite, but the cost of motel living for frequent and extended periods would be extremely costly. A trailer would be my next option.


    Added: if I was to buy s trailer, a used Escape is hard to beat:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4qMsQssoo_0

    What's next?
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