OK - I've been reading and using the search feature - but am still confused about the "anatomy" of a TC.A little background: We started with a 2004 28' Class C 10 yrs ago; then last year bought a 28' 5er with a slide, to spend some time in FL. Our business needs a heavy duty truck anyway, so we have a 2012 long bed F-350 SW Diesel to pull the 5er. We've decided that having a smaller, nimbler place to sleep for short jaunts/weekend visits would be ideal, so will sell the Class C and purchase a used, "minimalist" pop-up TC. That way I can fit in National Forest campgrounds with my kayaking pals, for starters :-)So I've noticed that some TCs hang over the back of the truck: is that where holding tanks are located? What is that called? A "skirt with taillights"? If a TC doesn't have that rear part, does that mean it's a porta-potty-only model? But even Portapotty models still have a sink, so where are the fresh and gray tanks located?? I've also read about "basements" - I'm assuming that is a space between the interior floor of the camper and its base?I've already read that we'll need to build a truck bed floor around the 5th wheel rails - easy-peasy.At first, we thought about downsizing to a Class B; but the simplicity of a TC (and knowing we'll always have a truck available) makes it the smarter choice for us.Thanks for your help!Deb

The overhang may or may not have tanks. Just depends on the manufacturer where they place the tanks and the length of the camper as to whether or not the camper hangs over or not. The bigger the camper, the more "stuff" inside. Campers that fit entirely in the bed, in the case of a longbed truck, 8', can have full baths which most often are "wet" baths, that is the shower area and sink are shared with the loo. You're right about "basement". You're talking about purchasing a pop-up which will have limitations but they can come with quite a few of the features that are also found in bigger hardsides.Go to an RV dealer that carries Palomino, or Four Wheel for example. Leave your wallet home but let them take you through one and answer your questions.

They are all different, and even within the same manufacturer the models can be very different from each other. Most of the time you can find the floor plans by searching on google or on the manufacturer website. It will show you if it has a wet bath, or a potty, or just a space for a cassette potty. If I had a long bed I would be trying to find a model with separate bath and potty, that's the only thing I dislike dealing with in a TC. I wouldn't worry too much about the tank placement, they are going to be where they need to be. The dump valves will be in the back. The water fill is usually more forward on a side.Be advised that when you build a floor on the bed, that means the TC sits that much higher in the air. Depending on the TC you may have to anyway, for cab clearance on your Ford. I did.

languiduck wrote: I wouldn't worry too much about the tank placement, they are going to be where they need to be. The dump valves will be in the back. The water fill is usually more forward on a side.I would def think about tank placement and dump valves...this can make the difference between a 4 season camper or not...Also, don't assume a popup is lighter than a hard side...some are...many are not.

languiduck wrote:They are all different, and even within the same manufacturer the models can be very different from each other. LOL! That's good to know - at least my confusion is warranted ;-)Has anyone gone from a pop-up to a hardside (or vice-versa) on the same truck? I'm curious as to the actual difference in MPG? Hubby wants the low profile of a pop-up (and I like the tent-like aspect of it) - but if we found a nice used hardside, what would the penalty in mpg be? Our F-350 gets incredible mileage all by itself (22 on the highway) - but of course drops to 12 when harnessed to our mid-profile 5er. We're guessing a pop-up TC might be in the mid-to-upper teens; and a hardside would probably replicate having the 5er behind us since the hole punched through the air is going to be similar?

It is RECREATIONAL. If 1-2 MPG is really going to put that much of a damper on your wallet, maybe you should reconsider this purchase and do more "staycationing" until your financial situation improves.That said, either will give you better MPG than a Class C.Reality is it doesn't make much difference. Claiming that you get better MPGs with the popup is just a coping mechanism for people who really wanted a big hard-side camper.

Questions from a Newbie | Good Sam Community

Bleugoat
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
Just to set the record straight. The newer pop up truck campers do not use canvas and I have never had a problem lowering mine with a wet side wall.

As to the construction, different makers use different designs. For example, my Outfitter has a basement and the tanks are there. Northstar pop ups do not have a basement and many of their units have cassette toilets which eliminates the black tank.

Your best bet is to look at as many units as you can, because only you can decide which fits you best. One great resource is Truck Camper Magazine's buyers guide.

Buyers Guide.

I get 13 - 15 mpg with mine.

Good Luck
tonymull
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
One of the best things about a TC is that you just drop the steps and get in. No setup. You lose some of that with the pop-ups. I liked the tentyness of our hybrid but if you live where it rains a lot you will end up closing it damp and that is not good.
tonymull
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
languiduck wrote:
Have you ever owned or used any type of RV that has canvass, such as a popup, hybrid, or pop top? I have. Never again. Of course there are advantages to the lower profile, but there are plenty of disadvantages too; which normally rear their ugly head after some use and/or having to put the top down with damp canvass for various reasons.
I have no experience with a pop up TC but I have had a tent trailer (pop up) and a hybrid and I learned to hate them both.

I would agree exactly with that assessment.

Mileage for a 3500 won't be a lot different until you cross the 3000lb range anyway. The wind resistance just doesn't make as much difference as the weight. There are plenty of hardsides around 2000lbs if you don't want a slide. I have an older Pastime 8.5 footer that is 1750 dry. My MPG dipped 1 compared to a shell...and a heavier foot on the pedal.
languiduck
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
Have you ever owned or used any type of RV that has canvass, such as a popup, hybrid, or pop top? I have. Never again. Of course there are advantages to the lower profile, but there are plenty of disadvantages too; which normally rear their ugly head after some use and/or having to put the top down with damp canvass for various reasons.
I have no experience with a pop up TC but I have had a tent trailer (pop up) and a hybrid and I learned to hate them both.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2014
mkirsch wrote:
It is RECREATIONAL. If 1-2 MPG is really going to put that much of a damper on your wallet, maybe you should reconsider this purchase and do more "staycationing" until your financial situation improves.

Money isn't an issue. I was just curious about the mpg difference. It's more about modifying the truck - we're hoping to put a lightweight TC on the F-350 and do as few modifications as possible.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
Deb and Ed M wrote:
.... We're guessing a pop-up TC might be in the mid-to-upper teens; and a hardside would probably replicate having the 5er behind us since the hole punched through the air is going to be similar?

I think you've got that nailed.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 15, 2014
It is RECREATIONAL. If 1-2 MPG is really going to put that much of a damper on your wallet, maybe you should reconsider this purchase and do more "staycationing" until your financial situation improves.

That said, either will give you better MPG than a Class C.

Reality is it doesn't make much difference. Claiming that you get better MPGs with the popup is just a coping mechanism for people who really wanted a big hard-side camper.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2014
languiduck wrote:
They are all different, and even within the same manufacturer the models can be very different from each other.

LOL! That's good to know - at least my confusion is warranted ;-)

Has anyone gone from a pop-up to a hardside (or vice-versa) on the same truck? I'm curious as to the actual difference in MPG? Hubby wants the low profile of a pop-up (and I like the tent-like aspect of it) - but if we found a nice used hardside, what would the penalty in mpg be? Our F-350 gets incredible mileage all by itself (22 on the highway) - but of course drops to 12 when harnessed to our mid-profile 5er. We're guessing a pop-up TC might be in the mid-to-upper teens; and a hardside would probably replicate having the 5er behind us since the hole punched through the air is going to be similar?
billtex
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2014
languiduck wrote:

I wouldn't worry too much about the tank placement, they are going to be where they need to be. The dump valves will be in the back. The water fill is usually more forward on a side.

I would def think about tank placement and dump valves...this can make the difference between a 4 season camper or not...

Also, don't assume a popup is lighter than a hard side...some are...many are not.
languiduck
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
They are all different, and even within the same manufacturer the models can be very different from each other. Most of the time you can find the floor plans by searching on google or on the manufacturer website. It will show you if it has a wet bath, or a potty, or just a space for a cassette potty.

If I had a long bed I would be trying to find a model with separate bath and potty, that's the only thing I dislike dealing with in a TC.

I wouldn't worry too much about the tank placement, they are going to be where they need to be. The dump valves will be in the back. The water fill is usually more forward on a side.

Be advised that when you build a floor on the bed, that means the TC sits that much higher in the air. Depending on the TC you may have to anyway, for cab clearance on your Ford. I did.

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