Driving With a Pop Up vs Hardside??
Currently drive a '18 Ford 350 LWB, SRW. What is the feeling between driving a 2000lb (OEM Wt) popup vs a 3000lb hardside?? Daylight and Dark?? Or something you get used to and then no big deal?? ...
Forum Discussion
I would think the choice would be highly dependent on how you use your camper. If you are trying to skimp on the specs and cost for your truck, a popup would definitely help. If you want to do off road camping, a popup would certainly be an improvement and would allow you to travel where a larger and heavier truck camper should not venture.
When I bought my truck camper, my wife and I were preparing for full time travel and did so for 2 years. A hard sided camper gave us more comfort and more storage. It was way more convenient for stopping at the side of the road for lunch or a quick nap or use of the toilet.
We also did a lot of "stealth" camping. People who go camping at a local campground often have no idea or use for this technique. Our travel often consisted of driving long distances between major National Parks or other attractions. Once there we spent our days exploring and doing photography. All we needed at night was a place to park. We rarely stayed in RV parks and often did not stay in campgrounds. Stealth camping was often our choice for cost and convenience. A popup or a slide is not stealthy.
Just to explain this further, stealth camping means keeping a low profile and does not equate with camping illegally. I can give endless examples but one should suffice. When we visited my wife's sister for several weeks in Mill Valley, CA, we stayed next to the golf course. We checked with the police department. We could park in the same location without moving for up to one month. Even so we went full stealth as a courtesy to the neighbors. We have done the same in many similar locations.
When I bought my truck camper, my wife and I were preparing for full time travel and did so for 2 years. A hard sided camper gave us more comfort and more storage. It was way more convenient for stopping at the side of the road for lunch or a quick nap or use of the toilet.
We also did a lot of "stealth" camping. People who go camping at a local campground often have no idea or use for this technique. Our travel often consisted of driving long distances between major National Parks or other attractions. Once there we spent our days exploring and doing photography. All we needed at night was a place to park. We rarely stayed in RV parks and often did not stay in campgrounds. Stealth camping was often our choice for cost and convenience. A popup or a slide is not stealthy.
Just to explain this further, stealth camping means keeping a low profile and does not equate with camping illegally. I can give endless examples but one should suffice. When we visited my wife's sister for several weeks in Mill Valley, CA, we stayed next to the golf course. We checked with the police department. We could park in the same location without moving for up to one month. Even so we went full stealth as a courtesy to the neighbors. We have done the same in many similar locations.
