Help a newb shop.
Hi. Steve from Hailey, Idaho, which is near Sun Valley. Starting a process of shopping. I want to upgrade from car/tent camping towing out boat with a Suburban to a Truck Camper that will fit withi...
Forum Discussion
We bought our 8.5 SS TC for the reasons you talk about - towing utility trailer or more often our boat. We love it! The 8.5 ends up just hanging over the rear bumper so easy to hookup trailers. Also carry my sewer hose in PVC pipe style carrier attached to bottom of TC across the back over the bumper, out of the way, but easy access, works out great. The S&S is a basement model, which is nice for 4 season camping here in PNW. Has enclosed tanks and long storage tray which is great for fish poles, extra collapsible awning poles we use with a tarp for an extended outdoor awning and similar. They are on the heavy side.
We shopped for about a year, trying hard to find that mystical clean older unit for under $5K. Here in the PNW there were a good number of RV sales lots that had TCs as well as Craig's list and Truck/Camper trader Mags. We ended up looking at a lot of junk. Most of the low end stuff had evidence of moisture damage in the front corners, or rear wings. After looking all that looking we were ready to jump when we found a real clean, barely used unit a couple yrs old for about 1/2 the new price. We love it!
We did have a roof top A/C unit added, which I regret as we rarely use it, and height limits our storage options as I really believe in covered storage here in rain country. Also really have to watch tree limbs.
One of the features we did not think much about when shopping, but really like is the hatches from inside into the P/U bed space in front of the wheel wells. Great for dirty laundry bag, bottles and cans, boots, tools, extra 12 VDC battery and more.
No slide works for me...less stuff to break and leak!
BTW we lucked into a clean 7.3 F/350 DRW long bed crew cab. After driving some of the F250 and F350 SWD this one rides much nicer, especially with the heavy camper and boat behind. With all the stuff we carry these days very glad I have the DRW.
Take your time and enjoy the process!
We shopped for about a year, trying hard to find that mystical clean older unit for under $5K. Here in the PNW there were a good number of RV sales lots that had TCs as well as Craig's list and Truck/Camper trader Mags. We ended up looking at a lot of junk. Most of the low end stuff had evidence of moisture damage in the front corners, or rear wings. After looking all that looking we were ready to jump when we found a real clean, barely used unit a couple yrs old for about 1/2 the new price. We love it!
We did have a roof top A/C unit added, which I regret as we rarely use it, and height limits our storage options as I really believe in covered storage here in rain country. Also really have to watch tree limbs.
One of the features we did not think much about when shopping, but really like is the hatches from inside into the P/U bed space in front of the wheel wells. Great for dirty laundry bag, bottles and cans, boots, tools, extra 12 VDC battery and more.
No slide works for me...less stuff to break and leak!
BTW we lucked into a clean 7.3 F/350 DRW long bed crew cab. After driving some of the F250 and F350 SWD this one rides much nicer, especially with the heavy camper and boat behind. With all the stuff we carry these days very glad I have the DRW.
Take your time and enjoy the process!
