Full timing in a truck camper.
The wife retires in 18 months and we are planning on getting a truck camper and living in it full time. Were wondering if others are doing this. we are in the process of clearing out our house and mak...
Forum Discussion
My wife and I and two cats traveled full time for 2 years in a Northstar Iglo. The Iglo is a 9.5 foot camper without slides. We never wanted or needed more space. There is plenty of storage for 4 seasons of clothing, books, piles of photography gear, archery equipment, art supplies, etc, etc. In fact we had two large storage areas minimally in use. Those were the entire backseat of the crew cab truck and the 3 x 3 x 6 foot bunk over the dinette.
Based on our experience I would recommend looking at something smaller than the Host. First I did not have nor want any slides. We spent weeks visiting relatives doing urban "camping". That would not have worked with slides. We even stayed in places like the town of Jasper. As long as you are polite, considerate of the neighbors and quiet you can stay almost anywhere.
If you must have more space than our 9.5 footer, I suggest looking at the new 12 foot Northstar. Again, no slides, but plenty of room. Also think seriously about a cassette toilet. Few national forest or even national park campgrounds have dump stations. A cassette can be emptied into an outhouse toilet. I have used campground flush toilets as well but I do avoid dumping my cassette if anyone else is using the restroom. It is not messy but it does smell unless you use plenty of chemicals.
Don't think twice. Get a generator for running A/C if needed and get solar panels which will handle routine electrical use.
I never felt the need to "stretch out". We spent most days outside hiking and exploring. We were never trapped in the RV for days at a time due to bad weather. At the longest we might have sat out a few hours of heavy rain.
There are plenty of advantages to a truck camper. When the issue arises I always mention our exploration of places like the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. Those with trailers or class A rigs need to drive their tow or towed vehicles. I travel in my camper, pull off the side of the road for a decent cooked meal, often take a nap and use my own restroom. The big rig and trailer crowd must carry a sack lunch. No nap. No private restroom, just heavily used outhouses. At the end of the day, they hurry back to the campground. We often linger, watch the bison while we have dinner and travel back to the campground after sunset.
If you want to stretch out, want an easy chair, want a washer and dryer and the amenities of home, then you can go with a trailer and live in trailer or RV parks. If you are more interested in traveling, stopping in the middle of nowhere and can get by without hookups, then a truck camper can be a great choice.
Based on our experience I would recommend looking at something smaller than the Host. First I did not have nor want any slides. We spent weeks visiting relatives doing urban "camping". That would not have worked with slides. We even stayed in places like the town of Jasper. As long as you are polite, considerate of the neighbors and quiet you can stay almost anywhere.
If you must have more space than our 9.5 footer, I suggest looking at the new 12 foot Northstar. Again, no slides, but plenty of room. Also think seriously about a cassette toilet. Few national forest or even national park campgrounds have dump stations. A cassette can be emptied into an outhouse toilet. I have used campground flush toilets as well but I do avoid dumping my cassette if anyone else is using the restroom. It is not messy but it does smell unless you use plenty of chemicals.
Don't think twice. Get a generator for running A/C if needed and get solar panels which will handle routine electrical use.
I never felt the need to "stretch out". We spent most days outside hiking and exploring. We were never trapped in the RV for days at a time due to bad weather. At the longest we might have sat out a few hours of heavy rain.
There are plenty of advantages to a truck camper. When the issue arises I always mention our exploration of places like the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. Those with trailers or class A rigs need to drive their tow or towed vehicles. I travel in my camper, pull off the side of the road for a decent cooked meal, often take a nap and use my own restroom. The big rig and trailer crowd must carry a sack lunch. No nap. No private restroom, just heavily used outhouses. At the end of the day, they hurry back to the campground. We often linger, watch the bison while we have dinner and travel back to the campground after sunset.
If you want to stretch out, want an easy chair, want a washer and dryer and the amenities of home, then you can go with a trailer and live in trailer or RV parks. If you are more interested in traveling, stopping in the middle of nowhere and can get by without hookups, then a truck camper can be a great choice.
