I have $20,000 cash right now.. Can I afford this??

Think a bit 'out o' the box!' Pun intended!!
A good used class 'C' with a small toad would meet your need for a home on wheels and a date night set of wheels.

Think about a nice 'C' with a good sized bed down the back (date night?) and everything you need for full-time and self-contained.

Plus the small toad (there are several) can also be a personal winner - for looks, mileage, tow-ability and gal-magnet.

Yep - a truck and a fiver would NOT be my first choice!!

But then again, the days for those kinds of choices are well in my rear view mirror!!

I'd look for a truck/camper combination already set up ... Craigslist or on the RV sales sites. Otherwise, you need to consider 'extras' like the tie-downs and electrical connectors in the truck bed. It all adds up if you're on a budget.

Failing that -- I'd start looking for a truck and a camper you like, and see what each one costs, try to balance camper needs against a dependable truck. Camper does you little good sitting on a site with no truck to move it.

I agree with priority buying good solid camper. It's easier to upgrade a truck than a camper - campers lose value quickly. So finding a good one and maintaining it is a good idea.

I can't tell what kind of prices go for trucks that would satisfy you - used 250/2500 (stay away from 150/1500) trucks new enough to be dependable hold value pretty well. Even tho you want a "good camper" -- you'll probably spend a larger proportion of your budget on a truck ... it's just the market.

Once you start, don't settle. Find what you want once, because you can't afford to make a mistake and buy twice. But if you take your time, you will find a combination you like and suits your spending.

Any suggestions on specific truck campers and trucks in this range?

I'm very new to buying both.

Steve_in_29 wrote:
TCs don't have pass-throughs to truck unless you are climbing through the rear window (many are too small to do it).

Happy to climb through window. I did a little research on it. Saw some pass throughs online. Googled it.

I'm pretty physically fit, not at all big and can snake into just about any little spot. ha ha

donn0128 wrote:
20K on a truck and camper? Possibly. Have you considered a used class C?

I have,but need to be able to decouple the truck/rv sometimes for dates.

This is my chief complaint with boats (always need an uber) and with both my Sprinter RV and my Box truck conversion, this was always a huge issue.

Plan to grab a campsite on any date nights, leave truck camper there and use truck only.

I am full time...

PS: My username comes from my other life. I have a very high end catamaran that I've invested all my money and several years of my life into building. It's in the water, but I'm pulling it out for a break. I'm socially isolated on it, still trying to finish it inside. So, I've had enough and I'm going RVing again.

Full back story is I've done a box truck and Sprinter conversion as well in the past. Tired of building things. Trying to buy this time. Had enough. :)

TCs don't have pass-throughs to truck unless you are climbing through the rear window (many are too small to do it).

20K on a truck and camper? Possibly. Have you considered a used class C?