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.