Help.....buying a camper

~DJ~ wrote:
You've got a lot of homework to do. Start off by weighing your truck to figure available payload. By the time you subtract passengers, gear and tongue weight I fear you will be very disappointed in any TC you can carry.

Agreed. Since you are already towing a trailer I think your truck camper choices will be extremely limited. If it were me and money was limited I'd spend most of it upgrading to an F250 or 350 then buy a cheaper TC.

I bought the '95 Lance in my sig for a song last summer. At least in my area there's plenty of nice looking used TCs on Craigslist. There are even a few good deals on truck/TC combos.

You've got a lot of homework to do. Start off by weighing your truck to figure available payload. By the time you subtract passengers, gear and tongue weight I fear you will be very disappointed in any TC you can carry.

I think the 650 is the lance model they recommend for half ton trucks.

You could always consider a pop up too. Outfitter, Hallmark Four-wheel camper, All-Terrain Camper. etc. Especially if you're considering getting in to remote locations.

Any opinions on the Lance 825?

I have no experience with Travelite. It appears they have a model rated for a half ton truck.




Travelite

Our purpose for a truck camper is because we like to dry camp for a few days as we pull a small flatbed with our Ranger side by side. Nothing to far off the grid. Just a few days doing good old camping but with the luxury of a camper. We do realize we are limited to smaller truck campers. Any suggestions?

It's just a little confusing.. you are posting in the truck camper section, and you talk of a tow vehicle? A F150 like yours will pull a decent size trailer, or a fifth wheel too.

You might want to consider a fiberglass unit like an escapetrailer.com

Certainly, there are some that are indeed fair weather units meant for paved roads, and some others that can handle tougher conditions.

If you are looking at a slide in camper after having a motorhome I see a new truck in your future. I have a 9.5 foot long floor camper from the 70's and it is over 3000lbs loaded. I camp without a TV microwave or ac unit.

I suggest you go look at, lay in and pretend to use the restroom in lots of slide in campers as the are an amazing rv for some and other hate them. I love mine but hate my restroom. I am using a 1 ton dually to carry it and am much happier than when I used a modified Silverado 1500 under it.

Be prepared. You will receive a lot of feedback on your truck. It has very little haul capacity thus significantly limiting your camper selection. I suggest you pick out a camper you would be comfortable with and then match it to a truck. There are several threads here than can give you great input. And, you're going to love TCing.

Your question is much too broad and open. Are you considering fifth wheels, travel trailers, or even a pick-up camper for your truck?

How long, how big are you needed. Do you want the ability to install solar panels or running on a generator, or nothing at all.

Will you be "dry camping" off the grid, down forest service roads, or Wall Mart parking lots?

Too many questions here. Can you narrow your desires down a little?