How to get started with a truck camper

BeatCJ wrote:
I wasn't going to post, but feel compelled to add my $0.02. If you don't have any experience with a pickup, I would guess you haven't driven anything larger than the aforementioned Volvo. A full size truck is a HUGE difference. I teach people to drive medium and heavy trucks as part of my job, and the learning curve is steep. Most of them never get really comfortable. I don't know where you are in Oregon, but I did a quick Craiglist search, and found a few campers that would be a big step up from the back of a station wagon and are intended for a small or midsize truck. I personally like Toyota trucks, and don't think you could go wrong by purchasing a good condition used truck and camper, and seeing if you even like it. As for 4 wheel drive, it's really only worth about 500 feet (This is not accurate at all and makes no sense. Success of the 4wd is dependent on too many different factors to even remotely attempt to establish a distance it would travel. In all my years of wheeling I've never heard anyone say anything like that. Ignore this statement please OP. Get 4wd, install a locker and enjoy.). If that distance can get you out, it's invaluable. I won't buy another truck without it, but that's my bias. As for fuel mileage, none will be good with a camper. I was extremely happy with the 12.6 I got in my truck, I can get almost 18 unloaded at the same speeds.

You say the wife is losing interest in camping adventures, why? My wife says she won't live out of boxes any more. our truck camper is the only way she will go. She is starting to talk about more room, what with two dogs to trip over on her way to the potty in the middle of the night, and grandkids starting to camp with us. I don't want a new truck, and mine is maxed out right now. I have weighed it several times full, and my rear axle is only 100 lbs less than the rating on my rear tires (my weak link right now). Maybe picking the right camper/truck combo would pique her interest. (if that's a goal)

Myself, if I were starting from scratch with a modest budget (and mine is) I like my current setup. But I do know it, and don't really know where you want to go. My camper is huge to really be an offroad camper, but really, how much of your travel will be offroad. I can creep most two-tracks I come to. If I were to load lighter, I would be fine pretty much anywhere. My camper, old and ugly, but everything working was $500. I would guess you could buy a truck like mine for less than $5000. Not listed in my signature, my truck is a single cab, 5 speed manual transmission 4x4 diesel with 323,000 miles, on 35x12.50r16.5 tires.

Good luck, have fun.

Offroad capabilities are greatly dependent on tires, ground clearance (don't need a whole lot, maybe 2-4" max), and weight. Keep it light, get good tires (KM2's are a great tire for both on and offroad). Also, remember, without lockers you will not truly have 4wd. The tire with the least amount of traction will be the one to spin, this is true for both axles. So at a minimum I'd install a locker in the rear since you will have the additional weight of the camper.

As has been mentioned, skip the 1/2ton all together (see my "Researching for my buddy" thread. In my searching for a camper I had to deal with the decreased capacity of the Megacab 3500 and it was very frustrating. Even after finding a camper, airbags were a must. These are all things you will need to consider and possibly take into account with your budget.

I would check mpg on the trucks. A smaller truck doesn't mean better fuel economy. I would also consider pop up units ( I ad one ) don't generally have bathrooms. This is a big deal. I would also look used, just check over the forum for advice. Good travels.

mcraiga wrote:

I did like the suggestion of looking at VW syncros. That would certainly be the right size but I worry that parts will get harder and harder to find vs a newer US made truck.

You better have some deep pocket$

I wasn't going to post, but feel compelled to add my $0.02. If you don't have any experience with a pickup, I would guess you haven't driven anything larger than the aforementioned Volvo. A full size truck is a HUGE difference. I teach people to drive medium and heavy trucks as part of my job, and the learning curve is steep. Most of them never get really comfortable. I don't know where you are in Oregon, but I did a quick Craiglist search, and found a few campers that would be a big step up from the back of a station wagon and are intended for a small or midsize truck. I personally like Toyota trucks, and don't think you could go wrong by purchasing a good condition used truck and camper, and seeing if you even like it. As for 4 wheel drive, it's really only worth about 500 feet. If that distance can get you out, it's invaluable. I won't buy another truck without it, but that's my bias. As for fuel mileage, none will be good with a camper. I was extremely happy with the 12.6 I got in my truck, I can get almost 18 unloaded at the same speeds.

You say the wife is losing interest in camping adventures, why? My wife says she won't live out of boxes any more. our truck camper is the only way she will go. She is starting to talk about more room, what with two dogs to trip over on her way to the potty in the middle of the night, and grandkids starting to camp with us. I don't want a new truck, and mine is maxed out right now. I have weighed it several times full, and my rear axle is only 100 lbs less than the rating on my rear tires (my weak link right now). Maybe picking the right camper/truck combo would pique her interest. (if that's a goal)

Myself, if I were starting from scratch with a modest budget (and mine is) I like my current setup. But I do know it, and don't really know where you want to go. My camper is huge to really be an offroad camper, but really, how much of your travel will be offroad. I can creep most two-tracks I come to. If I were to load lighter, I would be fine pretty much anywhere. My camper, old and ugly, but everything working was $500. I would guess you could buy a truck like mine for less than $5000. Not listed in my signature, my truck is a single cab, 5 speed manual transmission 4x4 diesel with 323,000 miles, on 35x12.50r16.5 tires.

Good luck, have fun.

Further, checkout Truck Camper Magazine, free, online, www.truckcampermagazine.com
They have a great video about truck campers & getting started.

I had an import slumber queen on by 4 banger Isuzu 4wd for 10 years with no issues. I have seen a couple of Tacomas with the Northern light import campers on them and they did not look over loaded.

Make sure you get electric Jacks, as with manual Jacks it's 170-190 cranks each Jack, up & down.

Check the battery capacity, can you put on a 120w solar panel on the roof, what is the fresh water capacity, black & grey storage, are there any lockers to store your essentials, do you go offroad, will I tow something behind.

With a smaller camper, get a gaucho sofa or where do I sit in the camper comfortably in the camper?

The bigger the camper, the lesser offroad capability.

Once again, water is very important!
Checkout the new Adventurer 80rb & 86fb, both have north/south beds, and cabover windows both sides.

www.amlrv.com or for Popups, checkout Four Wheel Campers

Good Luck, Doug

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies folks. The takeaways for me are to decide on camper first and let that guide the truck. It also seems that getting a full sized truck makes more sense - that may be cheaper as well. I had been looking at used Tacoma's and they are not cheap. Deciding on a larger truck also helps me scope the sizes of pop tops to start browsing. I don't want a huge long truck as it may be the case that the truck becomes my only vehicle...thinking about costs in retirement and paying for insurance on 2 cars may be out of my range. I'll start looking at campers that fit a short bed 2500 or so and see what I come up with.

I did like the suggestion of looking at VW syncros. That would certainly be the right size but I worry that parts will get harder and harder to find vs a newer US made truck.

I've had 2 different TCs on 3 different trucks. I would not get a compact truck nor a 1500 truck. I would go right for a 2500 minimum. Since you want a short bed then that will be easier to find in a 2500. I normally recommend that anyone interested in a TC go straight to a 3500.
I'm sure it may seem like overkill to some but the fact is camper are heavy and so are trucks. You already mentioned wanting 4wd; that adds weight. When you add in the weight of your camper, accessories, water, propane, gear, food, etc. you will likely overwhelm the majority of 1500 trucks. Even if the weight is technically within the specs of the truck the same camper on a 2500 or 3500 will handle, maneuver, and STOP much better.
Mostly I would echo the advice to pick out the camper you want and the options you want. Find the real weight (not what the brochure says). Add about 1,000 pounds for passengers, food, etc. Then find a truck with the actual capacity (again, not advertised payload) to haul it.

Bumpyroad wrote:

tktplz wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
I'm not sure what you are calling modest, but in any case, to go offroad really well, I'd look at a Four Wheel Camper. They are one of the only really lightweight popups that are possible to carry on very lightweight pickups and can be bought with almost no extra weight as a shell. That would make it possible to buy a lot of different trucks.

Sure, I've driven my truck/camper on mud and dirt, and it is on the other end of the spectrum. With double slides, and fully decked out, it is nice once you get there, but it does have overhang and a lot of weight/cost compared to the minimal options.

A 4 Wheel Camper, and a 4 X 4 will be my retirement camper. Right now I jumped in with a travel lite 690FD hard side and a Tacoma Pre-Runner. I'll have it for the next 10 or so years till I buy my retirement vehicle. Do your research and see what you need and don't need, then you can pick the correct camper for your needs. Then you get a truck to handle it. Good Luck and have fun!

is a Tacoma really rated to carry that?
bumpy

I would say no when loaded, but many do.

My "light weight" FWC Hawk has posted weight of 740 pounds, but with the common options (frig, furnace, dual batteries) at the scales, dry and empty it was 1,340 pounds. So fully loaded probably at least a ton.

Myself, I wouldn't even consider a 1/2 ton truck let alone a baby truck. I would rather have some left over capacity than be over my truck rating....but thats just me. Really, just do the math. Look at your trucks payload sticker and start adding up your load.