Small trailer vs. Truck camper
Hello experienced Mexico RV travelers, I am debating going with either a small travel trailer or a truck camper for trips to Mexico and beyond. I am not new to driving down there, I have done three t...
Forum Discussion
Dieselburps, it sounds like you will be comfortable in a camper, so if you can find a good one within your budget, I would say - go for it.
Not being a camper guy, I can see that there is indeed a "height issue" with a camper. Or rather a "center of mass" issue. This is why some people buy pop-up campers. Overall height of a "normal" camper on a truck (not a pop-up) looks like the same as trailer so in terms of height clearance a camper isn't worse than trailer. But check the specs yourself, maybe I'm totally off. There are some low trailers and tall campers.
Qtla911 is right - trailer provides more comfort for the money, and is not a problem in Mexico as long as you keep to main roads. It won't take you to some obscure beaches that a camper will. But you can unhook the trailer, leave it on the camp, and take your truck wherever you want. There are trade-offs with either choice. And you mentioned Central America - it's different from Mexico.
You might be able to live in a +20ft trailer while working, more comfort than in a camper. A 17ft trailer is a bit small for fulltime living. For a long term it could be easier and cheaper to rent an apartment close to your work than live in a trailer park.
In terms of "getting there", camper wins. In terms of inside comfort, check the specs and floorplans. A long camper on a full-size truck bed will provide same room as 17ft trailer. Like I said, 17ft trailer means 13.5 box.
Bigfoot has 17ft long 8ft wide campers. This is MORE room than 13.5 box of 17ft trailer.
Alaskan - the best known manufacturer of pop-ups - has 14ft long 6ft wide campers, as I can discern on their website. Nice pop-ups, but surprisingly poorly made website.
Not being a camper guy, I can see that there is indeed a "height issue" with a camper. Or rather a "center of mass" issue. This is why some people buy pop-up campers. Overall height of a "normal" camper on a truck (not a pop-up) looks like the same as trailer so in terms of height clearance a camper isn't worse than trailer. But check the specs yourself, maybe I'm totally off. There are some low trailers and tall campers.
Qtla911 is right - trailer provides more comfort for the money, and is not a problem in Mexico as long as you keep to main roads. It won't take you to some obscure beaches that a camper will. But you can unhook the trailer, leave it on the camp, and take your truck wherever you want. There are trade-offs with either choice. And you mentioned Central America - it's different from Mexico.
You might be able to live in a +20ft trailer while working, more comfort than in a camper. A 17ft trailer is a bit small for fulltime living. For a long term it could be easier and cheaper to rent an apartment close to your work than live in a trailer park.
What I am not sure about is how bad the compromise will be by taking a small trailer 17ft through Mexico and Central America?
In terms of "getting there", camper wins. In terms of inside comfort, check the specs and floorplans. A long camper on a full-size truck bed will provide same room as 17ft trailer. Like I said, 17ft trailer means 13.5 box.
Bigfoot has 17ft long 8ft wide campers. This is MORE room than 13.5 box of 17ft trailer.
Alaskan - the best known manufacturer of pop-ups - has 14ft long 6ft wide campers, as I can discern on their website. Nice pop-ups, but surprisingly poorly made website.
