Truck Camper vs. Fifth Wheel

Suggestion, take a trip to Canada, go to Fraserway RV, rent a Truck Camper, and see what you think.
Truck Campers are much more compact, manouevrable, easy to park, have queen sized bed, bathroom, large fridge, easier to store, capable for offroad adventures, not available for 5th Wheelers or Travel Trailers.

Get a north south bed, not an east west.

Do you want a wet bath or a dry bath?

Truck Campers with slideouts, that give much more space, generally require a dual rear wheel truck.

You could have the best of both worlds, buy a Truck Camper as well!

Check out a site called Truck Camper Magazine, for some very interesting information.

Good Luck

Thank you for the great info. We want a wet bath. What is the benefit of the north and south bed over the east west bed?

Your 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 4 x 4 Crew Cab 8.1 / Allison / 3.73
will not carry a very large camper.
It will tow a large 5er however.
Look in the glove compartment for a sticker that gives recommended camper weight. Remember GM figures a 150 pound passengers under every seatbelt. So if only two people are in the truck you can add a little to the sticker weight. Bottom line is truck & load should not exceed GVWR. Only 9,200 pounds for your truck I belive.

A North/South bed is one which you sleep oriented along the front to back axis of the truck/camper. An East/West bed is one in which you sleep perpendicular to the front to back axis. This orientation requires the person sleeping most forward to have to climb over the other person if also in bed.

I really like my truck camper and the freedom it gives. I just recently purchased a moderate sized 5er but intend to keep the TC at least til I am sure I am happy with the 5er and whatever restrictions it may place on our preferred camping style.

You are asking about upkeep. I wax my rig once a year. I clean the roof twice a year and treat it with protectant.

With your truck look for something in the 2700 lb range and upgrade to 265 E tires and you will be ready to go. After that you may need to add Supersprings or some other suspension upgrade.

My 2500hd loaded with my TC comes in at 10,600 loaded with fuel,LP, food and fly fishing gear.

Lance makes an 855 and 855S that will fit your truck very well.

The weight police will have a lot to say.

As far as maintenance goes, with similar options all of them will require similar
Maintenance. The trailers will have axles that need to be maintained and
TCs will have the jacks and tie downs that will need to be maintained.
Get what suits your needs. TCs are very convenient.

As far as maintenance goes, with similar options all of them will require similar
Maintenance. The trailers will have axles that need to be maintained and
TCs will have the jacks and tie downs that will need to be maintained.
Get what suits your needs. TCs are very convenient.

If we could have, we would have kept both but we decided to stay with the fiver because of the extra space.

The 5th wheel is a lot more work, remember you have another set of wheels which means work on suspension, tire, brakes, bearings and of course a pin box and hitch to contend with. Tougher to keep clean also.

So if time working on the camper is an issue. a truck camper is the way to go.

Ron W.

I've had them all and they all have advantages and disadvantages, get what suits your style of travel. I have a 5er and TC and the TC gets used 90% of the time. I only use the 5er when I'm going to 1 place and park it. The 1 problem I have with the TC is if you want to go somewhere for a few hours or to town for supplies you have to pack up everytime, I can live with that or take my motorcycle which I carry up front.To bad they both need wash and waxing, lol.

Truck camper requries about a 1/4 time in maintenance. No tires and axles, and much less sq ft inside and out.