Truck Camper For Chevy Silverado 1500

32vld wrote:
payload 1,550

problem is if i wanted to put a lance 650 on the truck it would be to short to fill the
bed length wise.

i know that 1,550 lb pl limits me weight wise, but it appears all campers are made for 5.5' or 6.5' beds, unless you have a 1 ton truck.

i also do not want a pop up truck camper.

You just don't seem to get it. You cannot carry a hardsided camper on a 1500 truck. Even a popup is a problem. Northstar makes popup that will fit your truck. The dry weight without any accessories is just short of your payload of 1550#. That does not include you, any passengers, 17 gal of water, propane, food, or a pair of shoes.

Since you are nearby, I strongly recommend you call or even better visit Bill Penney at Truck Camper Warehouse. He can give you options but they will not be what you seem to want.

the 2021 silverado 1500 has 2180 lb payload.

northstar (thanks for the tip) makes an 8' floor that weighs 2,000 - 2100 lb range.
however my research showed that new truck canpers cost more than i can afford.

i also cannot afford a new truck to go from a 1550 payload to a 2180 payload.

we had a pop up years ago. when i hit my 40's, my hands could not take the cold.
columbus day weekend we were camping at hither hills, montauk ny. time to pack
up a 30 mph wind, rain, boy did my hands hurt. that planted the thought that some
day i should get a travel trailer or a truck camper.

i am 66 now, kids gone the wife and i want to camp - travel again. there are 4 places near montauk were you can camp if you have an over night fishing
permit, 4wd beach permit, and 4wd pickup with a truck camper,

there is a 5th place that will allow trailers on the beach but not tents.

So you see why i want a truck camper. plus with a truck camper one can tow
a boat, a trailer, etc.

i have seen camper caps but you cannot stand up, cannot hold much, small
windows that will make them feel like a sweat box.

32vld wrote:
the 2021 silverado 1500 has 2180 lb payload.

northstar (thanks for the tip) makes an 8' floor that weighs 2,000 - 2100 lb range.
however my research showed that new truck canpers cost more than i can afford.

i also cannot afford a new truck to go from a 1550 payload to a 2180 payload.

we had a pop up years ago. when i hit my 40's, my hands could not take the cold.
columbus day weekend we were camping at hither hills, montauk ny. time to pack
up a 30 mph wind, rain, boy did my hands hurt. that planted the thought that some
day i should get a travel trailer or a truck camper.

i am 66 now, kids gone the wife and i want to camp - travel again. there are 4 places near montauk were you can camp if you have an over night fishing
permit, 4wd beach permit, and 4wd pickup with a truck camper,

there is a 5th place that will allow trailers on the beach but not tents.

So you see why i want a truck camper. plus with a truck camper one can tow
a boat, a trailer, etc.

i have seen camper caps but you cannot stand up, cannot hold much, small
windows that will make them feel like a sweat box.

Fwiw
Ive seen camper caps made of fiberglass that are high enough to stand up in.
Used mostly by contractors to carry tools and such.
Not sure of the name tho
Found it its called

SPACE KAP

Space kap diablo $8999

and no windows.

I am thinking about building my own out of wood. i have the tools.

Have you considered a travel trailer?

Building one out of wood probably isn’t the way to go. If $$ is an issue, I’d look at used models and especially used models that came with matching trucks that are suited to carry them. You’ll probably have to do some maintenance and upgrades, but you’ll save a lot in the long run and have a rig that’s matched and not overloaded. Just a thought.

I had a fairly heavy TC on a 1957 GMC 1500 stepside..I re-arched the springs and it road fairly well..I hauled horses in a two horse trailer over some rough roads and never had axle issues but Burningman did break an axle on a 1/2 ton with a TC...

Don't know what to say about the nay sayers when there are a bunch on here 2K over there GVWR and only a few compared, that are not over there GVWR with a TC..

32vld wrote:
payload 1,550

problem is if i wanted to put a lance 650 on the truck it would be to short to fill the
bed length wise.

i know that 1,550 lb pl limits me weight wise, but it appears all campers are made for 5.5' or 6.5' beds, unless you have a 1 ton truck.

i also do not want a pop up truck camper.

A 1550 lb payload means you should be shopping for a camper that weighs around 1000 lbs. Ideally 500 lbs but let's be realistic. :)

Even with a 1000 lb camper loaded and ready to camp you'll probably be over your vehicles rated capacity. Most of us are but we also verify we don't exceed tire, wheel, and axle ratings and many of us have added suspension mods to compensate.

There was a company, Six-Pac Campers that made a light weight hard side but they stopped building some years ago. You may be able to find a used one.

Another possibility - Cavecampers

Also, check the Camper Chooser on Truck Camper Magazine.

32vld wrote:

we had a pop up years ago. when i hit my 40's, my hands could not take the cold.

Just to be sure, you understand when people in the TC forum talk about pop-ups we're not talking about the trailer that pops up into a tent. We're referring to campers like this-



These often have insulation packages that add a layer of insulation to the fabric portion.

The Four Wheel Grandby is really the perfect camper for your truck. I see Four Wheel now offers a line of Topper model that sits on the bed rail instead of sliding into the truck bed. I suspect winters would get cold in this model though.