Advice for a Truck Camper novice
I have owned everything from an Airstream travel trailer to a 40' Eagle I never converted. Had a Airstream B190 that I loved, but sold about a decade ago. I have wanted a truck camper forever but neve...
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I'd look on Craigslist. Craigslist has served me well over the years.
Been TC-ing since 2009, with extended trips up to 7 months, with rig as in signature.
As I am carefully looking around for something newer, here are some thoughts I have after 5 years of TC camping, and perhaps it will help you with your decision making:
- Heated/insulated tanks & plumbing, if&when I buy a newer TC, this will be a must.
- Absolutely NO U-shaped dinette ever again, never, because: Wobbly small table on a tube (no different than 1970's custom vans, where's the progress?), and the U-bench is inconvenient seating (if you ever have more than 2 adults in the TC it's a major inconvenience; it might work for little children). A booth dinette with separate benches and table attached to the wall is the way to go.
- Storage, especially storage for stuff you don't want inside the camper or truck cab (E.g. BBQ grill, dirty boots, folding chairs/table, jerry can w/fuel, shovel, etc). I am considering a flatbed with toolboxes to match to the contours of the TC; I will probably buy a flatbed w/toolboxes before I buy a newer TC. A setup kinda like btggraphix who posted just before me.
- BIG fresh water tank. I found fresh water to be the bottleneck when I am camping. Besides my TC 29 gallon fresh water tank, I now also carry two 7 gallon portable water cans.
- Spare tire accessibility. You really don't want to have to unload the TC off the truck to get to your spare tire...
Good Luck making the best choice for you & your family.
Wishing you happy & safe travels!
Been TC-ing since 2009, with extended trips up to 7 months, with rig as in signature.
As I am carefully looking around for something newer, here are some thoughts I have after 5 years of TC camping, and perhaps it will help you with your decision making:
- Heated/insulated tanks & plumbing, if&when I buy a newer TC, this will be a must.
- Absolutely NO U-shaped dinette ever again, never, because: Wobbly small table on a tube (no different than 1970's custom vans, where's the progress?), and the U-bench is inconvenient seating (if you ever have more than 2 adults in the TC it's a major inconvenience; it might work for little children). A booth dinette with separate benches and table attached to the wall is the way to go.
- Storage, especially storage for stuff you don't want inside the camper or truck cab (E.g. BBQ grill, dirty boots, folding chairs/table, jerry can w/fuel, shovel, etc). I am considering a flatbed with toolboxes to match to the contours of the TC; I will probably buy a flatbed w/toolboxes before I buy a newer TC. A setup kinda like btggraphix who posted just before me.
- BIG fresh water tank. I found fresh water to be the bottleneck when I am camping. Besides my TC 29 gallon fresh water tank, I now also carry two 7 gallon portable water cans.
- Spare tire accessibility. You really don't want to have to unload the TC off the truck to get to your spare tire...
Good Luck making the best choice for you & your family.
Wishing you happy & safe travels!
