Hello all---In SoCal. Have experience with TT, Class A, and currently camp in a small 5er. Just returned from a 5 day trip to the Colorado River. Rented a small boat. Had a blast!We travel with myself, wife, 12yo and 17 yo boys and one small dog.Now, owning a nice 17' center console boat and wanting to take it with us wherever we travel, the 5er set up is not going to work. Decided against doubles towing after much research. MH is out of the question due to added cost of maintenance, insurance, just sits for most of the time, etc....I have thought of a TT and carrying a 14' alum boat on an overvcab carrier, but now I would need the carrier, another boat, and the boat would be nothing like the one I currently own (smaller with no options).So now the idea of a TC has come before us.Is a TC doable for the 4 of us with small pet?Wife is a little iffy as she says it may be too small and claustrophobic.Going to take her to look at some new Lance units as there is a dealer an hour away from our home. Will purchase used, but want to see what my options are in terms of what can I safely carry.My current truck is a 1992 F350, Crew Cab, SRW, 4X2, long bed. 68K miles orignal in top condition. SPECS:GVWR: 9200#GAWR front: 4000#GAWR rear 6084#Cargo weight rating: 2536#What can I safely tow in terms of models and sizes?What should I be looking for in a TC?Wife may only go for it if it feels roomy.I may get a dually truck if a large TC is necessary to keep wife happy!Thanks!

For a family of four you really need the larger 11-12' truck campers with two or more slides which will necessitate a DRW Class 3 or larger truck.

With a slide TC you would most likely have to go with a DRW. Check out Truck Camper Magazine's Newbie Section, lots of info.

We camp with 4: me, wife, 2 sons; and used to have a dog. We have an 11' camper with no slides. It's tight but we manage. I had a 20' boat I pulled behind, weighed about 4,500 pounds. On my '05 Chevy dually I'm about 1,700 pounds overweight with this rig. If I had even 1 slide it would have made a lot of difference in moving around inside. For the load of camper, family, and trailer a dually would be pretty much a necessity. Really, a 4 series truck from Ford or Ram would be a lot better. Otherwise, you'll be constantly counting ever pound.

TC sounds perfect for your Family. As noted...be sure you have enough truck.Oh yeah...don't drink the Lance koolaid yet, be open to all floor plans that work for your Family.TC's rock for active People!

Family of five here...and have a 8' non slide TC. It all depends on how you like to camp. We use ours for sleeping and don't hang out in it much (did once on the coast for a few hours waiting for a storm to pass). It works for us...other need/want a 45' class A.....Be open to more than Lance, although they make a fine camper....they didn't offer a floor plan we liked and the options important to us. Do you hear me Lance...build an 830 again with dual batteries and 40 gallons of water and you'll see a Wolf Creek for sale!

Newbie....need advice on TC selection | Good Sam Community

anutami
Explorer III
Apr 03, 2016
Buy this one

Clicky
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Apr 03, 2016
Your dilemma has played out many times in the 13 years I've been on this forum. If you can neutralize your biases, one way or another, and write down all your absolute NEEDS in an RV in one column and WANTS in another column, things will loom a little clearer. I don't think a truck camper is for everyone. It is the most expensive per square foot; it is NOT for anyone that has a smidgen of claustrophobia; nor a good fit for anyone with bad knees; a bad back; chronic weakness, or anyone that wants to spend a lot of time indoors, or in one place. There is NO privacy in a TC. A TC is made for traveling light; not getting to a single destination and parking for a week.
From my experience, not knowing your exact situation, I would at least look into a class C with enough towing capacity to tow your boat. Not every C has a large towing capacity. A class 4 or 5 chassis would be best, not a class 3.You get a lot more space for your money in a C vs. a TC.
Our daughter and son-in-law rented a 24 foot Class C Ford V-10 for a two week stint with our kids and grandkids. There was a LOT of room in that thing with one slide-out. We used the trailer hitch to haul 4 bicycles. Plenty of power. We went up and down the Oregon Coast in July. Cool. Jeanie and I trailed along in our tiny TC. Many nights one or other of the G-kids would sleep in our dinette area, although even with a 50 pounder it was tough getting to the Wee Chateau in the dark. Both rigs in OR:

jefe.
whizbang
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2016
Yours options are a Really Big camper on a dually, or, bringing a tent for the kids.
dave17352
Explorer
Apr 03, 2016
You have a great truck but not for what you want to do. I think a class C would be a lot better. I use to have one and traveled with a boat. Mine was a 28 foot. You can launch the boat just fine with something that size. Traveling is very comfortable. I think a truck camper for close to 4 adults is asking to much. Class C's are cheap used. I love my TC and is about as big as you can get with no slides. I pull a boat also. But I am at my limits and I have a 4k payload. Now unless you are bringing a tent I just don't think it is feasible. JMHO
Vinsil
Explorer
Apr 03, 2016
Family of five here...and have a 8' non slide TC. It all depends on how you like to camp. We use ours for sleeping and don't hang out in it much (did once on the coast for a few hours waiting for a storm to pass).

It works for us...other need/want a 45' class A.....

Be open to more than Lance, although they make a fine camper....they didn't offer a floor plan we liked and the options important to us. Do you hear me Lance...build an 830 again with dual batteries and 40 gallons of water and you'll see a Wolf Creek for sale!
billtex
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2016
TC sounds perfect for your Family. As noted...be sure you have enough truck.
Oh yeah...don't drink the Lance koolaid yet, be open to all floor plans that work for your Family.
TC's rock for active People!
KD4UPL
Explorer
Apr 02, 2016
We camp with 4: me, wife, 2 sons; and used to have a dog. We have an 11' camper with no slides. It's tight but we manage. I had a 20' boat I pulled behind, weighed about 4,500 pounds.
On my '05 Chevy dually I'm about 1,700 pounds overweight with this rig. If I had even 1 slide it would have made a lot of difference in moving around inside. For the load of camper, family, and trailer a dually would be pretty much a necessity. Really, a 4 series truck from Ford or Ram would be a lot better. Otherwise, you'll be constantly counting ever pound.
K_Mac
Explorer
Apr 02, 2016
With a slide TC you would most likely have to go with a DRW. Check out Truck Camper Magazine's Newbie Section, lots of info.
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 02, 2016
For a family of four you really need the larger 11-12' truck campers with two or more slides which will necessitate a DRW Class 3 or larger truck.

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