small/midsize camper in full size truck
My current tow rig is a '05 Ram 1500 Quad cab, 2WD, Hemi 5.7, 3.92 gear running on stock 33" tires and factory tow package with class IV hitch. At the time of buying it, it was largely an impulse buy due to impending doom of the then current DD, and didn't really account for what I may get into in the future.
The current - I'd really like to add a camper of some sort to the stable, as I'm not all that excited about a tent on the ground, or an air mattress in the bed of the truck any more.
The problem - the capacity of the 1/2 ton truck, seeing as how there will also be a Jeep or rock buggy on a trailer behind the truck along with the camper. Replacing the truck with a larger model isn't currently an option, as I don't have the cash to buy what I'd want outright, and I don't want to take on another loan as I'm also looking at buying a house within the next year (largely that I don't want the loan on the credit report, not an issue with the payments/cost)
I've been looking at a few of the slide in truck campers, and in the mindset of keeping weight as low as possible, I've also been looking at some of the stripped down campers meant for small to midsize trucks, such as the Four Wheeler pop up models. I wouldn't be buying new, as they would be cost prohibitive right now, but using that as an example.
Running the numbers on weight, I would still be overloaded by a few hundred pounds, but I'm thinking I'd be OK with the weight distributing hitch setup and some air bag helper springs.
I wouldn't be looking at extravagent models..really I'd be happy with something with a normal bed, a small A/C unit, stove and regular refridgerator as opposed to an ice box.
That said, would there be issues with running a small truck camper in a full size truck bed? I figured they likely wouldn't be tall enough to clear the roof on the truck, but that could be easily solved with a spacer in the bed of the truck.
The current - I'd really like to add a camper of some sort to the stable, as I'm not all that excited about a tent on the ground, or an air mattress in the bed of the truck any more.
The problem - the capacity of the 1/2 ton truck, seeing as how there will also be a Jeep or rock buggy on a trailer behind the truck along with the camper. Replacing the truck with a larger model isn't currently an option, as I don't have the cash to buy what I'd want outright, and I don't want to take on another loan as I'm also looking at buying a house within the next year (largely that I don't want the loan on the credit report, not an issue with the payments/cost)
I've been looking at a few of the slide in truck campers, and in the mindset of keeping weight as low as possible, I've also been looking at some of the stripped down campers meant for small to midsize trucks, such as the Four Wheeler pop up models. I wouldn't be buying new, as they would be cost prohibitive right now, but using that as an example.
Running the numbers on weight, I would still be overloaded by a few hundred pounds, but I'm thinking I'd be OK with the weight distributing hitch setup and some air bag helper springs.
I wouldn't be looking at extravagent models..really I'd be happy with something with a normal bed, a small A/C unit, stove and regular refridgerator as opposed to an ice box.
That said, would there be issues with running a small truck camper in a full size truck bed? I figured they likely wouldn't be tall enough to clear the roof on the truck, but that could be easily solved with a spacer in the bed of the truck.
