hard side camper like to drive? (cross winds, handling)

I think soft side campers have very specific uses that make them ideal for people in those situations. If you are expecting to go off road on roads that 4x4 is required, then a soft sided camper with it's lower height, lighter weight and lower center of gravity are strong advantages.

On the other hand, if your intention is more highway traveling, staying in improved campgrounds, state / national parks and RV parks, a hard sided camper will have it's advantages of less setup time, better sound and heat insulation, more storage and more space overall.

In my opinion, the type of truck you are looking at purchasing tells me you are going for the latter scenario and not the former. I agree with the others, if your going to purchase as much truck as you are looking at and carrying a large hard side camper, go with the dually for peace of mind. It isn't necessary but if your concerned about crosswinds, it's extra insurance exactly where you want it.

Depends on what you’re comfortable with.
If you’re buying camper only rig that won’t go in the garage then I’d just get a dually. But the big AF camper and srw truck seem fine in X winds. I usually slow down depending on how wrong but have definitely driven through major winds and haven’t tipped over yet!

You're overthinking this. Get the hardside.

If I had to do it over again, I would get a hardside. I still might. All it takes is money.

Do. not. worry.

With a DRW truck, all of the campers you are looking at will not pose handling challenges.

Take this from someone who has had both:
A popup camper makes for a very nimble ride.
In a warm night, nothing beats the airy openness.
You can never stealth-camp in one (same goes with a hardside with mandatory slideout)
Storage is much less than in a hardside.
They are great for all seasons, heat and all, but not the same as a hardside. You will find out if you need to spend some cold and rainy days inside one.
A popup insulates much less against noise. It makes a bigger difference than I expected.

Yes, a hardside is higher, and probably wider.
It has more space, is more comfortable, and more like a "normal" RV.

Spend some time in either, and imagine how you will travel.

If I were to usually travel in a 'moderately warm and dry environment, I would be all for the popup.
But I am in central europe with lots of cloudy, cool, rainy days even during camping season. I went back to a hardside, and I am happy with my choice. But only you can know what is right for you.

Old Days wrote:
I will second Northern Lite and Bigfoot.

And I will add Northstar as another great hardwall camper (also great pop-ups too).

I second the idea of DRW for a truck that will always have the camper on. Stability in wind will be almost a non issue.

Weight will be about the same between two like campers since one requires equipment to lift the roof and the other has hard walls holding the roof up.

Center of gravity will be a little higher on a hard wall camper. If you pack heavy items up high, that CG difference will be more pronounced.

Since this rig be will dedicated to carrying a camper, consider getting a DRW truck. It will be as wide the camper, so overall width will be the same but the rear track will be wider even though the wheels sit under the camper wings. Typically you need to up fit any truck to handle a truck camper - Starting with a DRW, will require less additions and modifications.

Overall height will be a the biggest determining factor where you can go off road or in some cases rural roads. A hard side camper will typically be over 10' tall when loaded on the truck, so low branches and bridges need to be observed as well tight areas where the truck may lean to one side contacting a rock wall or tree at the highest point.

Cirrus uses the heating system you desire in their hard side camper. I am not aware of others, but someone else may chime in.

With upper cabinets and possibly basement storage, you will find there is more space to pack things in a hard side. If you choose a hard side with slide, some of that storage is sacrificed for ability to have more living space.

I will second Northern Lite and Bigfoot.

As long as you have enough truck crosswinds really aren't a problem, yes the wind will push a taller rig more but I wouldn't make that a priority issue unless you are a nervous driver in windy conditions. Reduced clearance is a big deal if you want to go out where trails aren't maintained for 12' high vehicles.

If you want a hard side and pop up Alaskan makes a nice camper.

If you want a nice hard side with a radiant heater check out the Cirrus brand. They use the Alde system. Other high quality campers that will work on a 1 ton SRW would be Northern Lite and Bigfoot.

p.p.s whatever we get (even a pop up) it'll be too tall to garage.... and it will be in midwest (!) so the strongest roof possible is key. and yes i'll have to manage the snow load on the roof. Ug.