Looking at Truck Camper for Retirement

NightSailor wrote:
19.5" wheel are expensive around $5000, and not needed.

Most of us didn't spend anywhere near $5000 for 4 tires/wheels. For Visions, it's more like $2500-3000. Yeah, I used to have a SRW. As far as not needed is concerned, it's just a matter of how far you want to push it. I upgraded to 19.5s because I wanted the extra room for error.

I moved to a DRW with 19.5s for even more room for error. No doubt, the tires are tougher with F, G, H compared to Es. Sure, there are disadvantages ... see the other threads regarding 19.5s.

You have gotten a lot of good information so far, but it is all worthless to you if you don't know the payload of your truck. There is only one way to find that number. Fill your fuel tank, go to a CAT Scale & with you & your wife in the truck & get it weighed. Now subtract that number from the GVWR weight shown on your door. That number should be your payload. Once you find that number you can shop for a camper keeping in mind you must also figure the weight of the propane, water, & all the food & "stuff" we carry with us in both the truck & the camper.
Also remember that any options you add to the camper will add to it's weight.
Good Luck & Happy Retirement,

Big Rig

If you want to carry a big heavy camper, you do not want a short box and depending on the weight of the camper you may want to upgrade to a two ton or larger ,I have a dodge one ton 4x4 dully and with my 9'6" big foot fully loaded with all our gear and stuff we are only about 150 lbs under our gross vehicle weight.

scrndoor wrote:
Everyone has been very helpful, many thanks.

A friend brought up something I hadn't thought of, but seems to be relatively common amongst boon dockers.

There are some that take their TC off the truck when staying for a few days. So of course this would effect the "floor strength" of the TC. In all the years I had TCs I've never done that outside of taking it off for winter storage.

And have also heard of people just backing up & stealing the TC, which is a bigger concern. I realize with electric jacks now a days if you lowered it far enough that wouldn't be a concern. Is there a way electric jacks can be locked?

Any opinions?

Cheers

Power to the electric jacks is shut off inside the TC. Of course this will not stop a determined thief. Guess that's what insurance is for. I just don't worry about it.

As to retirement planning.
TC seemed to be best choice for me.
Plan is to travel and enjoy various hobbies. TC allows me to camp and haul my Rhino for trail riding around AZ and the little 12 ft boat for fishing the Rim lakes or to haul the bass boat for fishing trips to bigger lakes. Versatility was important to me.
I went with a 99 F550 with a pick up bed. Wanted the 7.3 powerstroke and a payload I never wonder if it will get the job done. I don't think about Mods to the truck or towing ability. Just got the truck to get the job done.
The TC Truck combo Just fit well with my retirement plans.

Why don't you start a new post with this question. I've wondered the same thing.

Everyone has been very helpful, many thanks.

A friend brought up something I hadn't thought of, but seems to be relatively common amongst boon dockers.

There are some that take their TC off the truck when staying for a few days. So of course this would effect the "floor strength" of the TC. In all the years I had TCs I've never done that outside of taking it off for winter storage.

And have also heard of people just backing up & stealing the TC, which is a bigger concern. I realize with electric jacks now a days if you lowered it far enough that wouldn't be a concern. Is there a way electric jacks can be locked?

Any opinions?

Cheers

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for your opinions, looks like we're headed in the right direction ... camping in retirement!! ;)

Cheers

You can go with a slide on your short bed if you are willing to put money into wheels and suspension (the extra room is welcome when the weather turns bad). Mine does quite well even when towing a heavy 20' enclosed trailer. Although I am looking to upgrade to larger truck within the next two years, it is in anticipation of getting a larger TC and trailer in the future and not due to any current issues. Check out my profile to see how my truck is configured and what I have added. If you do not plan to tow heavy behind your rig, you will not need as many upgrades as me.

Only consider units with basements. This goes against the grain of the adventuresome that want as low of a CG and roof line as possible, but it has it's benefits:
1. Less of a climb between floor and cab over bed
2. More room for holding tanks and storage
3. Larger level floor area (floor will sit above wheel wells or bed rails allowing for more width)

Let me bash sir springs for a bit. Put these on and your overload springs won't engage. Then you need to add stops to your overloads and fuss with those to adjust them which makes the ride harsh unless they are the fancy one that you have to manually disengage every time--big has she. Then you need adjustable shocks because the air bags are squishy and bouncy.

Sway bars? My truck cane with big ones!

All this stuff is hype designed to make an inadequate truck functional without buying a new one the proper size. Your truck is a big one. It does not need anything

You need good tires. , a good spare, and on a long trip perhaps an unmounted spare.

I have a 2001 Silverado K3500.

My TC is a 3000 series Bigfoot.

I have not needed to make any changes to the suspension. It settles down and engages the overload springs and feels very stable.

The only issue I have is at 114,000 miles I am probably due for new shocks.

All you need for your one ton is tie downs.

19.5" wheel are expensive around $5000, and not needed. Carry a good spare tire and jack. Weight does cause wear issues with tires.