Looking to downsize

Vinsil wrote:
My boat weighs what you heep does (cruiser guy here, heep on purpose).

You've got enough truck, just some mods and you could step into a full hard side like have if you wish..

^This. You'd lose some of the weight cops on here immediately if if you'd have said you have a 350. Same truck, more springs in back. You're a gear head. Beef up the suspension a little and go find a hard side camper if that's what you're after.
However, if the springs on the '11 models are like my '13 and '15 F250s, they're pretty soft. I may think about adding springs rather than all the bolt on c rap I have. In the end you could buy a full set of leafs for less than the other stuff.
If you stay to the lighter side, like 3klbs or less, it will be super stable. Many haul much heavier campers and still tow.
I'll admit though, even with bags, swaybar, Stableloads, my little short bed srw tuck has some rock n roll to it especially on uneven trails. Like 1 wheel at a time potholes are the worst. I'm a newb to this TC thing but got 10-15kmi hauling it out of Seattle here to Alaska n back and out to the Midwest. Lots o mountains and plenty of dirt roads and it works. Dually would be ideal but it works fine as is.

Kayteg1 wrote:
Why I don't get in this scenario?
Driving F250 short bed 4x4 and tow Jeep?
What for?

Focus. Op didn't ask for opinions on why he should tow a jeep or not.

Colorado has more Truck Campers than any other state,so finding a good used one will not be hard to do.

We looked at a Palomino HS2902 with a slide out, the weight being well over what my door post sticker says. Sales guy says with airbags I'll be fine. I said "no thanks". Looking at a Travel Lite 890SBRX, weight being real close, sales guy says I should do Timbrens. Was interested in Outfitter, as they are almost around the corner from me, but WOW, too expensive! I do like the Outfitter stuff, very well made, small guy business, custom made to order, but just can't justify spending that much without trying something less expensive first. Will definitely check into the Lance 650 and 825 and compare them to the Travel Lite. Hopefully, I can find some decent used campers, since I don't know how we will like truck camping other than it's more comfortable than tent camping (former Marine - had enough of that) lol!

I have to start out by saying, "I hate spellcheck software." Every time i make a post I must go back through edit and undo all the spell checking. The program has no tolerance for jargon, of which we use a lot. In addition, I can type as fast as I can think, so I don't watch the result until it's a paragraph too late. Editorial: OFF.
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Old Days and TX Gearhead make the same recommendations that I would.
The 825 is on the same short bed, narrow/less tall/not so wide platform as my older Lance 165-s with the same dimensions, and the same wet weight, except many of the accessories and cold weather details are much improved. Aluminum frame also. It is adequate for 2 people ONLY. I hope those 4 kids are out of there and you are in STAGE II (out of the house and out of your pocket).
Your Ford 2 series is close enough to beef up the suspension and tires. We've had good luck with our '98 Lance and considered dumping it for a new Lane 650, but I've upgraded so many systems that after weighing the cost vs. time left to use it, we decided to keep it and run it the rest of the way into the ground. The only downside I can see with the 650 is it's 3 or 4" taller because the fridge was moved up high on the edge of cab over bed area.
Another idea is to keep the MoHo and get a minimalist pop up as a contrast to you luxury RV. That way you could pick and chose which platform to use.
Just a word about hard side vs. Soft side. They each have things they can do better than the other.
Our 165-s is now insulated and very, very quiet overnight. So much so that if we're in a rowdy camp situation, the noise just doesn't matter. My brother John's 9.5 foot OUTFITTER! was filled with silt when we sat out a desert windstorm at the Hammers and the wind noise was pretty intense. In the Lance, we've slept in winds up to 90 mph and it was quiet. We did have some fear that the rig was going to go over though. But is was quiet! However, he does have a lower profile which helps when going, 'off-road' as you are want to do. Here's a pic of his '99 Ford II series diesel, long bed, stock height with OUTFITTER! It's about 16 inches lower than my '01 Dodge II series, short bed, 3 inch lift, larger tires, hard side:

Of course, his is palatial in the up position, compared to mine. You would think the Lance would weigh more than the OUTFITTER! by looking at the pic, but you'd be dead wrong. His wet weight is a few hundred pounds more. Some of that is in bigger tanks.
Also, if stealth appeals to you, the rule of thumb is to have an RV that doesn't change shape or look like anyone is home. i.e.: pop ups; pop outs; awnings.
After 15 years with the Lance we are so used to it, it's like an old pair of shoes. I know every creak and groan: what it can and cannot do.
One last thing: for short duration RV trips into the boonies, you can't beat a pop up. For longer duration trips, especially in bad weather, the hard side starts to tip the scales as there is nothing to set up.
Looking to downsize, you must decide how far down you want to go and what you can do with and do without. Keep us informed.It's always fun to watch the platform change process.
jefe

Decide on the camper first.
I like the Artic Fox, Silver Fox model
It is will made and insulated to keep the heat both in and out!

My boat weighs what you heep does (cruiser guy here, heep on purpose).

You've got enough truck, just some mods and you could step into a full hard side like have if you wish..

Old Days wrote:
Go look at a Lance 825 its a great camper for two people. With a few suspension up grades you can carry a 825. Just look at my profile.

X2 on the Lance 825. Great little camper for your truck. E rated tires and some stableloads would be a good start to carry that. I like the 825 so much, I wish I had a shortbed.

Six Pac used to make fairly light weight small hard side campers with shower and toilet. Dad had one from the 70's (8 foot) and I had one from the 80's (8-1/2 foot). Both had shower and flushing toilet, 3 way fridge, etc, just like larger campers. I think Six Pac are now out of business, some time in the last few years, but you can still find them used on craigslist or rv trader, etc.

Capri Campers of Texas also makes a deluxe 8 foot hard side camper with full bath that isn't too heavy. They are very popular among the rodeo crowd, who pull heavy horse trailers behind their trucks.

tommy salmon wrote:
Steve in 29 - Semper Fi Brother! Thanks for clearing up the cassette toilet question! You knew exactly what I was thinking! Now I get it, and will reconsider some.

Semper Fi back at you. (77-95)

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