Hallmark Pop-up Truck Campers

Scott16 wrote:
Thank You again for the replies.
After reviewing the 9.5 Apex Outfitter and the Hallmark 9.5 Cuchara. I will have Defiantly have schedule some vacation time to come back to the main Land and go to Colorado and check out both Companies. Its pretty close between them. Do any of you have the Honda EU 2000 Generator or the AC Polar cub. How about the Solar packages #1 or #2,and the Rhino Rack, Yakima or Thule rack system with the Cargo Box.
I'll let you all know when i will be in Colorado. Might be in a year or so. Planning is in progress. Talk with you all later.
Scott

Sounds like a good plan, Checking them out in person.

I have the Yakima system on top of my Apex 8 but if I did it over again I would prefer the Thule. Only difference for me is the round bar vs square ish bar debate. Certain accessories rotate on round bars when you don't want them too.

I have the Honda generator and the AC polar cub. I use it mostly for packing up the camper while home in the Vegas valley...then we leave and go for higher cooler temps and don't use the AC. The generator is going to work pretty hard to run the AC.

Don't know what the solar packages you are referring to are. I consider 95 watts minimum, 150-200 preferable.

Before the storm:


During:


Good room:

Closet is great for long guns, coats etc

Under bed storage. Very nice!


Friends dog spent time comfy with heat

Threerun533 wrote:

Scott16 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I have been researching Truck Campers and I have a question about the Hallmark Cuchara XL 9.5' camper. I would like to go off road and figure they would be a good fit with the low profile in the woods and hills. I am not an Extreme off roader just want to explore and dry camp, fishing included. They are rated for four seasons, but i don't think i would want to test 20 below in the Camper. Good or bad what do you thing.
Thank you for your inputs.
Scott

Hi Scott! I own a 2009 Hallmark Guanella and have been using it a lot over the past 3 years. I'd say all-in-all I've logged 60 days/nights in the camper during all 4 seasons here in Montana. Let me share my experiences with you:

1. Hallmark Service- Absoltely the finest I have seen anywhere, any industry! I travelled to CO 3 years ago right before Thanksgiving to visit family and even though Hallmark was 'gearing down' for the holiday they still accomodated me. The owner(s) gave me a great tour of the plant, I was able to see various models under varying degrees of construction and I was just totally impressed. I came back day after Thanksgiving and they had my truck and camper ready to go in 4 hours. They know what they are doing. Staff is long tenured and skilled. You cannot find any finer in the T/C camper industry at this price point.

2. My camper sits on a full size Dodge Ram 2500 diesel (3/4 ton). I have run my camper loaded to the scales at the local dump and I generally weigh right in at 2,000lbs. That's with gear ready to go hunting. My truck needed no additions or modifications and carries it just fine. In fact when I first drove the camper back from CO we hit a blinding snow squall and 65+mph winds in Livingston MT. I didn't notice the camper at all. Rock solid and planted.

3. I can drive my truck on most forest roads around here. Really off road? No way. Not in the forest. My truck is too big for that. Reality dictates where you are going to go with a camper this size on a 3/4 ton quad cab 8' bed you are simply limited period. However I get to 90% of the places I want to go. Base camps for hunting, hiking etc.. It's nice to backpack a few days in the wilderness then come 'home' to the Guanella.


4. I have no toilet or shower in mine. It's a 8' foot model. I'm a lifelong tent / backpacker. I never did a #2 in my tent and quite frankly I don't want to do it in an enclosed camper. My friend has a toilet in his. It smells like porta potty chemicals. Not my cup of tea. My camper has an outdoor shower and my wife and I and our two kids camp where there are not a lot of people. I rigged up a quick copper tube frame for a shower enclosure and we shower outside using a teak shower foot frame . I've even showered outside in the winter. Plus adding a shower and toilet adds weight. For us it's easier to simply go outside like we always have.

5. Speaking of 4 people. Summer camping no problem- we make due. Best suited for 2-3 max though. Winter camping? Tough for 4. We were at Glacier Ntl park last January in the snow and -10. With all the gear and coats- it's tough. We live with it though.

6. Cold weather- This past hunting season I was at a base camp in Montana. Started out 70degrees and sunny then hit with a 2-3 day snowstorm an -20 degrees temps at night. I was the only one to tough it out. The camper stays WARM and toasty and the water did not freeze up at all WHEN the furnace is working. My problem was that I let a propane tank get less than 1/4 full and at that temp you get damn near zero BTU output. The furnace went out in the middle of the night and the water pump froze. I was without running water the rest of the trip, even though I hooked a fresh LP tank up. I called Hallmark and they said "no worries- you'll be fine once it thaws out". They told me how to access the pump and I set up a heater next to it once I got home and sure enough once it thawed it kicked right up. No damage to the water system or lines. They do not use copper lines so it would take a lot to burst these lines. This problem was MY fault and not a camper fault. I can attest that I was warm and comfy during the harshest parts of the storm.!

7. Camper fit and finish- fantastic camper, thoughtful storage and attention to detail. Do things break? Sure- I have some things come loose. Like the mini-blinds near the sink- the end caps at the base came off. I found these little screws and plastic pieces on the floor one day and I couldn't ID it. I called Hallmark and asked and within 10 seconds of describing it they knew what is was. Did I tell you they have great service!? Other than that it's been minor litle things that I can fix with my on board tools, epoxy etc. Nothing major.

8. Add-ons- I bought my camper lightly used and it has solar and some internal LED lights. When we were looking for a truck camper and thinking of buying new we would have not opted for solar. BOY AM I GLAD I GOT SOLAR! I have never run out of juice! Even in a 3 day snowstorm I had enough juice to run the furnace darn near non-stop! In normal use I can use lights, furnace- the radio and it will take about 25% from the battery and the next day it's fully recharged by early afternoon. Sweet!

I hope this helps a little, but I can assure that you will be so impressed by Hallmark. Think long and hard about what you really, really need vs. what you want. Like I'm glad we don't have a toilet and glad we have solar. For my needs the benefit of solar is obvious but I was dead set against it at the onset. I don't go to places with 'shorepower', and I don't like generators- this makes total sense.. Let me know if you have any questions. I can also post some pics if you wish!

Thank you for the reply,
It will be a few years until i retire from the Ship Yard (before i retired from the Navy). Plan to relocate up to Wyoming, looks like either Sheridan or Cheyenne, heavily in favor of Sheridan. So i am working on my list.
Yes i'am looking at the Hallamrk. It feels like it might be the best for what am looking to do. I will make some time to go down to the Hallmark factory and inquire, when i come to Wyoming for a visit.
I'll look into the Guanella and a Solar system is on the list of things to get. I have come to the conclusion that i my need a smaller camper to go do my fishing, and camping. Will be buying A F-350 SRW Diesel so it would be prefect for my use.
If you get chance would to see some pictures, You can PM me.
Thanks,
Scott

Scott16 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I have been researching Truck Campers and I have a question about the Hallmark Cuchara XL 9.5' camper. I would like to go off road and figure they would be a good fit with the low profile in the woods and hills. I am not an Extreme off roader just want to explore and dry camp, fishing included. They are rated for four seasons, but i don't think i would want to test 20 below in the Camper. Good or bad what do you thing.
Thank you for your inputs.
Scott

Hi Scott! I own a 2009 Hallmark Guanella and have been using it a lot over the past 3 years. I'd say all-in-all I've logged 60 days/nights in the camper during all 4 seasons here in Montana. Let me share my experiences with you:

1. Hallmark Service- Absoltely the finest I have seen anywhere, any industry! I travelled to CO 3 years ago right before Thanksgiving to visit family and even though Hallmark was 'gearing down' for the holiday they still accomodated me. The owner(s) gave me a great tour of the plant, I was able to see various models under varying degrees of construction and I was just totally impressed. I came back day after Thanksgiving and they had my truck and camper ready to go in 4 hours. They know what they are doing. Staff is long tenured and skilled. You cannot find any finer in the T/C camper industry at this price point.

2. My camper sits on a full size Dodge Ram 2500 diesel (3/4 ton). I have run my camper loaded to the scales at the local dump and I generally weigh right in at 2,000lbs. That's with gear ready to go hunting. My truck needed no additions or modifications and carries it just fine. In fact when I first drove the camper back from CO we hit a blinding snow squall and 65+mph winds in Livingston MT. I didn't notice the camper at all. Rock solid and planted.

3. I can drive my truck on most forest roads around here. Really off road? No way. Not in the forest. My truck is too big for that. Reality dictates where you are going to go with a camper this size on a 3/4 ton quad cab 8' bed you are simply limited period. However I get to 90% of the places I want to go. Base camps for hunting, hiking etc.. It's nice to backpack a few days in the wilderness then come 'home' to the Guanella.


4. I have no toilet or shower in mine. It's a 8' foot model. I'm a lifelong tent / backpacker. I never did a #2 in my tent and quite frankly I don't want to do it in an enclosed camper. My friend has a toilet in his. It smells like porta potty chemicals. Not my cup of tea. My camper has an outdoor shower and my wife and I and our two kids camp where there are not a lot of people. I rigged up a quick copper tube frame for a shower enclosure and we shower outside using a teak shower foot frame . I've even showered outside in the winter. Plus adding a shower and toilet adds weight. For us it's easier to simply go outside like we always have.

5. Speaking of 4 people. Summer camping no problem- we make due. Best suited for 2-3 max though. Winter camping? Tough for 4. We were at Glacier Ntl park last January in the snow and -10. With all the gear and coats- it's tough. We live with it though.

6. Cold weather- This past hunting season I was at a base camp in Montana. Started out 70degrees and sunny then hit with a 2-3 day snowstorm an -20 degrees temps at night. I was the only one to tough it out. The camper stays WARM and toasty and the water did not freeze up at all WHEN the furnace is working. My problem was that I let a propane tank get less than 1/4 full and at that temp you get damn near zero BTU output. The furnace went out in the middle of the night and the water pump froze. I was without running water the rest of the trip, even though I hooked a fresh LP tank up. I called Hallmark and they said "no worries- you'll be fine once it thaws out". They told me how to access the pump and I set up a heater next to it once I got home and sure enough once it thawed it kicked right up. No damage to the water system or lines. They do not use copper lines so it would take a lot to burst these lines. This problem was MY fault and not a camper fault. I can attest that I was warm and comfy during the harshest parts of the storm.!

7. Camper fit and finish- fantastic camper, thoughtful storage and attention to detail. Do things break? Sure- I have some things come loose. Like the mini-blinds near the sink- the end caps at the base came off. I found these little screws and plastic pieces on the floor one day and I couldn't ID it. I called Hallmark and asked and within 10 seconds of describing it they knew what is was. Did I tell you they have great service!? Other than that it's been minor litle things that I can fix with my on board tools, epoxy etc. Nothing major.

8. Add-ons- I bought my camper lightly used and it has solar and some internal LED lights. When we were looking for a truck camper and thinking of buying new we would have not opted for solar. BOY AM I GLAD I GOT SOLAR! I have never run out of juice! Even in a 3 day snowstorm I had enough juice to run the furnace darn near non-stop! In normal use I can use lights, furnace- the radio and it will take about 25% from the battery and the next day it's fully recharged by early afternoon. Sweet!

I hope this helps a little, but I can assure that you will be so impressed by Hallmark. Think long and hard about what you really, really need vs. what you want. Like I'm glad we don't have a toilet and glad we have solar. For my needs the benefit of solar is obvious but I was dead set against it at the onset. I don't go to places with 'shorepower', and I don't like generators- this makes total sense.. Let me know if you have any questions. I can also post some pics if you wish!

waldospa wrote:
I have a hallmark guanella which is the 8' instead of the 9.5' (therefore lighter) and we do exaxtly what you are looking to do, light to moderate 4x4. In colorado that is a requirement to get to some really cool places to camp. We have no problem whatsoever, and we slept in minus 5 on multiple occasions this year with our 2 small kids and were just fine. I love my hallmark and am a huge fan and let everyone know it, they build campers like they use them themselves and are always making improvements that you would only notice by using them. People have their allegiances in the hallmark vs outfitter competition, come to colorado like you said and judge for yourself. Ask for randy at hallmark. 4 wheel campers are the lightest, but i believe you give up some of the comfort. We run a gmc 2500 duramax and love our combination.

Thank you for the reply and a referance to Randy. I am leaning toward the Hallmarks 9.5 Cuchara XL but i want to be sure. I also like the fact that the Cuchara has a Honda storage box that can be added to the back of the Camper listed on their option package page.
Scott

I have a hallmark guanella which is the 8' instead of the 9.5' (therefore lighter) and we do exaxtly what you are looking to do, light to moderate 4x4. In colorado that is a requirement to get to some really cool places to camp. We have no problem whatsoever, and we slept in minus 5 on multiple occasions this year with our 2 small kids and were just fine. I love my hallmark and am a huge fan and let everyone know it, they build campers like they use them themselves and are always making improvements that you would only notice by using them. People have their allegiances in the hallmark vs outfitter competition, come to colorado like you said and judge for yourself. Ask for randy at hallmark. 4 wheel campers are the lightest, but i believe you give up some of the comfort. We run a gmc 2500 duramax and love our combination.

Thank You again for the replies.
After reviewing the 9.5 Apex Outfitter and the Hallmark 9.5 Cuchara. I will have Defiantly have schedule some vacation time to come back to the main Land and go to Colorado and check out both Companies. Its pretty close between them. Do any of you have the Honda EU 2000 Generator or the AC Polar cub. How about the Solar packages #1 or #2,and the Rhino Rack, Yakima or Thule rack system with the Cargo Box.
I'll let you all know when i will be in Colorado. Might be in a year or so. Planning is in progress. Talk with you all later.
Scott

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43511151/ns/travel-active_travel/#.UYqqiJVrU20

Pop up trailers are no go in some spots BUT pop up truck campers are okay due to the height of the hard wall from the ground.

You won't go wrong quality-wise with any of the campers mentioned so far, or with a Northstar 850sc. Really depends on what you want, and it pays to go look at them - closely.
Are you sure about the hardside TC in Yellowstone? Many years ago (2005) when I camped Alaska for 2 months, the Denali rangers told me I had to have a hardside 'camper' for Teklanika. Turns out they meant a hardside trailer; my popup TC was fine. That's because the concern was wolves, not bears, and the soft side of my TC was several feet off the ground. As for bears -- they go where they want to go, hardside, softside, steelside - makes no difference.

Your truck selection is perfect. With your plan of long camps including 2 people the size of your fresh water capacity and refrigerator become most important. Total water capacity increases with a cassette toilet which I highly recommend. Given a cassette toilet total fresh water capacity favors Outfitter at 60 gallons. Max refrigerator size is 3.8 cubic foot for Hallmark and 7.5 for the Outfitter. The Outfitter 7.5 is a compressor refrigerator so you would want plenty of extra battery amps. Enjoy!