Hi all, another question from a newbie trying to decide on my first TC. I'm looking at an Adventurer 116 DS. The floor length is 11'6", width, 96" and weight with options is about 4600#. I'm getting close to making a decision but one remaining concern I have is After a few trips will I wish I had gotten something smaller. I have plenty of truck (F450) but I'm thinking more about ease of use, drive ability, handling and things like that. As an example, years ago I bought the Fiver in my sig with the idea when my wife and I retired we would spend a few months each year in it work camping or traveling. For various reasons that never happened. One thing I've learned from experience is for many of the short camping trips and places I go today I would be better off with something smaller and lighter. Don't get me wrong I like it and it's very nice and comfy but I might would use it more if it were shorter, lighter and easier to maneuver. I plan to use the TC mostly for solo trips pulling a trailer with a motorcycle. I'm thinking one 6-8'week trip a year out west or to Alaska with most other trips being from a few days to a couple of weeks camping closer to home. So my question is have any of you purchased a TC and later wished you had gotten something smaller for any reason?Is hauling a larger, heavier TC more work or more stressful than the same trip with something smaller?

we full time in a mobile suites and bought a Lance truck camper for summer use. We also have an F450, so could "go big".After looking at a bunch of Truck campers, we decided that for our use- living in it for months at a time, bigger is better. We originally thought we'd use it for our Great Alaska Trip this year, then sell it, but decided that if it was big enough and comfortable enough, we would keep it and use it each summer, which made it more worth the investment.So far we've been in it for 6 weeks and its so comfortable, we are making plans for next summer already. So, for us, no, we have no regrets about going big. We did, however, have to invest more in it than we thought, with sway bars and stable loads etc.Sue

I am from the opposite side if the equation. We have a 8.5 foot non slide camper and have often thought of getting a bigger camper but after every trip on FSRs we always come to the same conclusion...glad we don't have to maneuver a unit with bigger overhang. We are now looking at a fifth wheel for those trips when we don't worry about size, and keeping the camper for use in our favorite remote locations where a larger unit just won't work.

Like you we sold our fifth wheel to get a camper. So far,after 4 weekends of camping and 6 of boondocking we never wish we had a smaller camper.

After using a 38' motorhome for over 10 years using any size TC is a cinch in my opinion. I never regretted buying an AF 1140. The truck handles it well and the overall length never gave us a problem. The only thing I would sometimes like is if the height was lower, but even that is not a major inonvenience. We dont do aggressive off roading like many others do but we have been in many remote areas with our rig and its never been a problem. I find that pulling a trailer can sometimes give me more hassle than hauling just a large TC by itself.

I have not wished it was smaller- but I sure wish it was lighter and had we had more load carrying capacity

Have You Ever Wished Your TC Was Smaller? | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Have I wished my TC was smaller? No. We got very lucky the first time out. It already has one of the narrowest (84") least tall (6'4" inside) hardsides I've seen and lightweight. Now if you asked what would I change in our current TC, the answer would be:
1. Loose the front and pass thru windows altogether.
2. solid block insulation all around. It does not add much weight per its volume.
3. double pane windows, in other words the 4-season package.
Now the most important answer to your question: Get used to what you have. Do some easy to do, light remodeling if it's not quite right. It just takes time. Resistance is futile. Use the thing like there is no tomorrow.
jefe
dadwolf2
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
twodownzero wrote:
billtex wrote:

I am not sure where the OP lives (NC?) but you might reconsider AC...

I'd rather face the 115 degree Phoenix heat all year long than set foot in a humid place like the south without air conditioning.

Many things are optional when camping in a camper...ac is not!

Interesting perspective. I agree that the southern humidity would kill me. We didn't get AC on our last camper because we didn't use it with the last two RV's. We don't stay in places with full hookups and locally, we leave for the mountains in the summer.
WVbassmistress
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
I don't think it could get any smaller!!!!
finaddict
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
twodownzero wrote:
billtex wrote:

I am not sure where the OP lives (NC?) but you might reconsider AC...

I'd rather face the 115 degree Phoenix heat all year long than set foot in a humid place like the south without air conditioning.

Many things are optional when camping in a camper...ac is not!
Not in B.C ;-)
twodownzero
Explorer
Jul 14, 2014
billtex wrote:

I am not sure where the OP lives (NC?) but you might reconsider AC...

I'd rather face the 115 degree Phoenix heat all year long than set foot in a humid place like the south without air conditioning.

Many things are optional when camping in a camper...ac is not!
spacedoutbob
Explorer
Jul 14, 2014
No, I had a 8 foot then 9'8" now a 11'3", I would never go smaller, the extra space, plus the storage is all worth it to me. When I go on long trips I can carry much more.

Bob
finaddict
Explorer
Jul 14, 2014
Nope, Had a 9 1/2 foot camper with the family. Now grown and gone so most of my camping is just me. Went down to an 8 1/2 Alpenlite. perfect size and much lighter.
wintersun
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2014
The advantage of a larger camper for extensive traveling is having more space for clothing (2-3 season wear) and for provisions that may be difficult and time consuming to locate on the road.

You already paid the price in terms of size and fuel with the 450 truck so the camper is not going to make a great deal of difference.

One aspect to consider is what is required to tow with the camper you choose and what you need to do to the truck. Towing a trailer is one area where the larger campers with their side entry doors are a definite advantage.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2014
dave17352,

Quote:

"a lance long bed in my signature. I personally would never go back. My rig now holds 46 gallons of fresh water and has 48 gallons of holding tanks. This for me is big. The extra 3 feet hanging off the rear doesn't make a difference"

You Sir, have it exactly right and our Lance Legend 990 has the same plus and what a joy to use! Now if only they would make TC's 8'6" wide so there's even more usable room inside without a slideout needed we'd be even happier. TC designs and offerings would be much better at 8'6" yet and still be very maneuverable and able to pull a boat or trailer behind or a "true" offroad vehicle behind. Heck, would also have more room inside with 1, 2, or even 3 slideouts if desired.

Would make a single use type class "C" with the added expenses associated with having another motorized money hole grabber be nearly a thing of the past for so many RV'ers.
bjbear
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014
We downsized from a 39 foot toy hauler to a 10 1/2 foot basement model TC with Polar Pac and one slide. Never regretted it for one minute. Really enjoy being able to get into tight spots. We also tow an SUV occasionally if we are going to do a lot of driving around in one place.

I would not want to go any smaller on the TC though. Only complaint I have is the dinette seats are not very comfortable. Keep meaning to upgrade the foam, but I guess there not too bad as I never seem to remember to do it.