TC durability on dirt roads

Wow truck campers are made for dirt roads.



When sold my 11 year old truck smelled of dirt road anytime I turned on the heater or air conditioner.
Camped in temps from +8 to 105F.
Still kind of miss my Lance camper but very glad I'm not feeding that Chevy parts eater anymore.

Truck Campers love getting off pavement! The more recent manufactured Truck Campers will hold up much better, than the wood framed TCs of the past. But, many of those have been passed down through generations of Upland Game hunters and still serving well.

What might be something to prepare for, is that you will need to develop techniques of securing belongings inside and around your TC. I use simple leashes to secure doors, drawers and items to keep them from mixing on the floor with other errant items. The same goes with learning techniques to enjoy all seasons in your camper.

The second issue with traveling off pavement, is the rocks thrown at the Toads and Trailer's leading edges, that you will be towing. Anyone looking at these areas on the trailer I tow, will be secured in that I really do travel off pavement.

Also, tire tread choice is important too, in how they will discard rocks and gravel, as well as provide traction in varied travel surfaces.

A TC is a good choice for what you are planning to do. Have Fun!

b

I might not have as much experience as some (1081 nights in this camper) but my actuall experiences show that:

I haven't had any problems with roads (trails) like these... or in the deserts of the west. No damage ever... go slow, pick our way carefully.





Places like the one below in the FL panhandle have done more damage to my TC and truck than anything or anywhere else.

Salt damage... we have roamed and parked on beaches all over the US and Canada... Inverters, fantastic fan motors, slide room tracks, tie downs, jacks, TV Antenna... anything made of metal... RUST... causing electronic failures or inconsistancy

I use my camper for fishing and get off the main roads onto old logging roads and gravel roads all the time. A lot of it has been in the area you are talking about the only problem I have run across is the wash boarding on some of the gravels roads will move things around in the cabinets but has had no affect on my camper. The great thing is your home is always with you so if you get hungry or want to take a break you don't have far to go.

First of all, you named Big Foot and Northern Lite campers as possible choices. These are quality campers, and will probably stand up very well. I live in British Columbia, Canada and usually spend up to 20 days a year travelling backroads in my area for camping and fishing. These are mountain logging roads, many with little maintenance. My first camper was a 1992 Fleetwood Caribou. I had it for fifteen years, and had only one issue that could be attributed to the rough roads I travel. I now own an Okanagan Camper and have had it for seven years. No issues so far that I would say were caused by backroad travel. As you said, take your time and drive according to the conditions. Actually, today I am heading off to a favorite fishing river for four days which is forty miles up a logging road, so a few more miles on my camper on backroads.