Considering switch from TT to truck camper

I always wanted to do the TRUCK CAMPER as well. I like to get back off the trails alot and it seems like the TC would be a good thing for that.

The draw back for me was loss of precious storage space by losing the truck bed. I carry alot of supplies and support items in my present truck bed setup and the front deck on my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer.

I would most likely have to pull a small utility behind the truck camper to solve this problem.

I also would have to unload the camper off the truck to be able to drive around and do some sight seeing or going into towns for supplies... I know that isn't a really big effort to do but then I would be worried sick someone would steal my truck camper sitting on the ground while I was out of the area...

If I pulled an off-road JEEP behind my truck would work but then I lose out again on precious storage space.

There really isn't alot of extra room with the truck campers. You truck will also have to be a larger unit probably with duallies to safely carry the camper...

I still wish I had a truck camper however ever time I see one...

I too am getting up there in years as well - I'm 74 now...

Just some of my thoughts
Roy Ken

Try climbing into the bed of a few to see if it works. There are ladders made for the purpose and that may be an option and of course there is the dinette for sleeping as well.

Good luck.

TT man,
A TC is not a good fit for anyone with mobility or strength woes. The first thing I would do is actually climb in a small hardside (that is actually on a truck) up and down the steps, over and over, and go through ALL the motions of staying in one for a couple weeks. Here is the enemy of mobility:

Of course the first thing to 'try out' would be the bathroom, toilet, shower, sink. Then make sure you can go up and down the stairs and the two big steps up to the bed. Make sure you can do the TC Ballet, with a belly-against-the-wall while your lover passes by. Where will your clothes go? Can you live with that small a fridge?
The lack of floorspace affects people in different ways. We have one of the smallest full featured hardsides around and over the past 14 years have learned to live with it. I offered to get Jeanie a new XP Camper but she deferred saying she was used to this one and it has become a trusted friend on the road.....and it's paid for.
A lot of people have faced the mobility threshold and have switched to a low entry class C to live out the rest of their time in the RV saddle. This only works if you do not need your truck for hauling and can do without it.
A TC is simply not for everyone.
regards, as always, jefe
camping ON the beach in N. Calif. in June 2007. Not a soul around. If you have a 2WD 2500 your entry altitude will be lower than the 4WD Dodge below:

IMO mobility/health issues wouldn't lend themselves well to a TC where you have to climb up 3-4' to get in and another 4' into bed coupled with a bathroom you have to go outside of to change your mind. Lol. Not to mention, hooking a trailer is much easier than loading a camper.
No towing and easy access is Class C or A territory.

Vis mobility issues and truck camper:

I think that you should look at hard-side truck campers in the 22xx to 25xx LB dry weight range (add 600~750 LBS of cargo to those numbers), then, at a dealership with a stock of several models in your weight hauling range, pretend to go about your every-day routines (both get up onto bed; try bathroom almost all the way; pretend you are cooking; climb in and out of camper from the ground; etc...); one or the other should move around inside the camper as you pretend these activities to get a feel for life in a truck camper. Then, a few weeks later, do it all over again. 2500HD and 8.1L big-block (and you have the Allison transmission with this big-block) is plenty of truck to haul around the number I outline above. Also, you may want to consider Super-springs and air bags and beefier tires (~3900 LBS rated) and air bags just to level the camper, not as a primary suspension aid!

Also, consider that you MAY have to remove the camper from time-to-time. Get the dealership to guide you through a REAL dry load/unload run, too.

Good luck.

If the above does not work out for you, perhaps try a used Class B+ ?

Cheers,
Silver-

With health / mobility issues, a TC may not be a good fit. You need to climb into the camper and climb into bed. Your truck's payload, limits your options in TC size / weight. You're looking at smaller hardsides and pop-ups.

I have a smaller hardside. Don't enjoy the climbing. The bathroom is so small, it's difficult changing your mind. Forget about changing clothes or showering in there. With mobility issues, it could be difficult just getting into the bathroom. With just two people, somebody is always in the way. Took the wife on a two week trip, with the TC, she said never again. It works good for a couple guys on hunting trip.

Maybe, a better option would be downsizing the travel trailer and changing to a lighter hitch. Possibly and Andersen WD hitch.

bedell wrote:
The truck has a big V8.

8.1 liter?

Lots of options since you have an 8' bed.

Northwood Manufacturing has the Wolf CreekWolf Creek

The Arctic Fox campers that are currently available will put you over the limits of your truck.

Years ago there was an Arctic Fox model called an 805. I think it only was built about 2 years. That might be an option to consider.

Regarding having "mobility issues".... will those issues limit your ability to climb in and out of the bed in a truck camper?