Mostly Off Road T/C Questions
Please, pardon my ignorance.
My background: off road/remote/lightweight camping, lot of it in Jeeps, motorcycles, backpacking, ultra light fishing, etc., often in poor conditions (cold, snowing, wet, etc.).
Currently: I own a Super Duty (short bed) and am considering a truck camper. I like the idea of a pop-up truck camper for the low profile and lower center of gravity off road. I'm big on quality and am not sure which manufacturers offer quality products (maybe they all do nowadays). Offroadability (if that's a word) is paramount.
My concerns are cold weather camping and durability on rough roads. I drive on washboard and rutted out dirt roads (very) often. My Super Duty is built to go where I point it.
Questions: I've looked (online) at Northstar (TC650) and Outfitter. Are there others I should consider (my thought is mostly based on durability)? I'll likely buy new and have it for 10+ years.
Also, I currently own a short bed truck and am concerned with rear overhang. I don't want to catch jacks or the trailer on rocks, ruts, etc. In addition to that, I may want to tow a small utility trailer behind me and am concerned the longer truck camper might inhibit that (maybe it won't, so school me).
My son may inherit my truck in the next five years, which would mean I could buy any other truck (i.e., long bed). Although I appreciate the short wheelbase of the shorter box when off road. I don't know if the shorter campers feel a LOT tighter than the longer campers. Is there a huge difference between a 6.5 and 8 foot t/c? If I ever think I'd have a long bed, or is there a significant difference, should I be looking at an 8 foot camper? This may not be an issue if you have an awning or two and are really using the camper mostly for sleeping, or maybe not, tell me.
I really appreciate the help. I realize some questions are preference and you won't know mine, but knowing your preference and why will likely help me in my decision making.
My background: off road/remote/lightweight camping, lot of it in Jeeps, motorcycles, backpacking, ultra light fishing, etc., often in poor conditions (cold, snowing, wet, etc.).
Currently: I own a Super Duty (short bed) and am considering a truck camper. I like the idea of a pop-up truck camper for the low profile and lower center of gravity off road. I'm big on quality and am not sure which manufacturers offer quality products (maybe they all do nowadays). Offroadability (if that's a word) is paramount.
My concerns are cold weather camping and durability on rough roads. I drive on washboard and rutted out dirt roads (very) often. My Super Duty is built to go where I point it.
Questions: I've looked (online) at Northstar (TC650) and Outfitter. Are there others I should consider (my thought is mostly based on durability)? I'll likely buy new and have it for 10+ years.
Also, I currently own a short bed truck and am concerned with rear overhang. I don't want to catch jacks or the trailer on rocks, ruts, etc. In addition to that, I may want to tow a small utility trailer behind me and am concerned the longer truck camper might inhibit that (maybe it won't, so school me).
My son may inherit my truck in the next five years, which would mean I could buy any other truck (i.e., long bed). Although I appreciate the short wheelbase of the shorter box when off road. I don't know if the shorter campers feel a LOT tighter than the longer campers. Is there a huge difference between a 6.5 and 8 foot t/c? If I ever think I'd have a long bed, or is there a significant difference, should I be looking at an 8 foot camper? This may not be an issue if you have an awning or two and are really using the camper mostly for sleeping, or maybe not, tell me.
I really appreciate the help. I realize some questions are preference and you won't know mine, but knowing your preference and why will likely help me in my decision making.
