We think we want to trade the 5'ver for a TC

Question

I'm just starting to research this, and I know next to nothing. It would be best if hubby did the research, but I have the time and I'd like to at least narrow it down for him.

We have a 2008 F450 with a GVWR of 14,500. I "think" the payload capacity is 5,380lbs, but we'll need to weigh it to find out for sure.

I'm loving the Adventurer 116DS and the Eagle Cap 1160, but I'm guessing the EC is too heavy for our truck, and maybe the Adventurer is as well. 90% of the time, we wouldn't tow anything, but we would like to tow our Gator occasionally in a 16' featherlight, so there's that to consider.

It's just hubby, myself and one large German Shepherd. Many years ago, we had a small TT that hubby worked out of, with a single slide. It only had a dinette and no sofa, like many of the TC's. He really disliked that and says we'll regret it if we don't get a rear slide with a sofa (or recliners).

I'm concerned about not having full access to the inside with the slides in. I don't mind opening them, but it's my understanding that they should only be opened when on level ground?

How usable are the double slide units for boondocking? Are they too heavy and awkward to take down rougher roads? Parking on the beach? Forest service roads, etc?

Are the manufacturer solar setups worth getting, or is after market preferable?

I have a gazillion questions :) It's a big (or little, lol) move from a 40' quadruple slide 5'ver to a TC!

bedlam · Answer

1. With your trailer and Gator, you are towing about 4000 lbs. Without a WDH you will have about 600 lbs of hitch weight and less than 400 lbs with a WDH. Take those numbers into consideration when looking at capacities.

2. The slides in current campers are reliable and can be deployed partially or fully. We never had problems deploying the slide at an angle where we felt comfortable climbing in the camper. I would be more worried about your fridge off level than the slide.

3. The more slides, the more weight. You will run into clearance issues with branches and limbs that hover 12' above the ground on forest roads more than the weight. Your truck will not have the flotation on soft sand due to the tires. You should be able to go over packed sand without issue.

jimh406 · Answer

Floor plans vary a lot. The Host McKinly is a relatively lightweight small camper that has a sofa and is side entry and accessible with slide in. There are lots of others. Look at both older and newer campers to get an idea of the possibilities.

Some nonslide campers are actually really, really heavy. I prefer a shorter camper with more slides for less overhang. Others, disagree. In practice, one slide adds 200-500 while 1 ft length adds 200-500 lbs.

You will level the truck before camping, so after level, the slides won't be an issue. I've set up mine on beaches more than once. Slides advanced a lot early in their history. I think you'll be good if it is 2005 and above for most brands.

Solar varies. I think most people would say the more efficient ones are doityourself.

brholt · Answer

cjtinkle wrote:I'm just starting to research this, and I know next to nothing.  It would be best if hubby did the research, but I have the time and I'd like to at least narrow it down for him.We have a 2008 F450 with a GVWR of 14,500.  I "think" the payload capacity is 5,380lbs, but we'll need to weigh it to find out for sure.I'm loving the Adventurer 116DS and the Eagle Cap 1160, but I'm guessing the EC is too heavy for our truck, and maybe the Adventurer is as well.  90% of the time, we wouldn't tow anything, but we would like to tow our Gator occasionally in a 16' featherlight, so there's that to consider.It's just hubby, myself and one large German Shepherd.  Many years ago, we had a small TT that hubby worked out of, with a single slide.  It only had a dinette and no sofa, like many of the TC's.  He really disliked that and says we'll regret it if we don't get a rear slide with a sofa (or recliners).I'm concerned about not having full access to the inside with the slides in.  I don't mind opening them, but it's my understanding that they should only be opened when on level ground?How usable are the double slide units for boondocking?  Are they too heavy and awkward to take down rougher roads?  Parking on the beach?  Forest service roads, etc?Are the manufacturer solar setups worth getting, or is after market preferable?I have a gazillion questions :)  It's a big (or little, lol) move from a 40' quadruple slide 5'ver to a TC!If your payload really is 5,380 lb then the EC 1160 will probably push you over your GVWR.  How important that is to you is something only you can decide (some people only worry about axle weights).  You can get real weight estimates here (select the camper line and check the "wet" weight estimate:Truck Camper Magazine Buyers guideRegarding slides.  Some people are concerned about getting in with it closed and others say it is simple to slide them out.   Personally I think it is a plus but I wouldn't make it the main factor.I don't think slides are a problem for boondocking except:  1)  They add weight and 2) I don't like driver side slides.   The problem is you that if you pull off a road or into a parking lot they tend to stick out into the travel path.  As to roads, many people take these units down forest service and rough roads.  You are going to be slower than the popup campers and you will not be going rock climbing.  Biggest issue is often height, not width.Some beaches (in the east?) ban DRW.  The 19.5 tires you have (i believe) can not be aired down  very much so that will be a disadvantage as well.   On the other hand Washington and Oregon beaches can be very hard packed and you would drive them without problems.

cjtinkle · Answer

Thanks for the replies :). I definitely have a lot of reading to do.

I went out and looked, our tires are 19.5 inch, and our rear GAWR is 9500lbs. The sticker does say the payload is 5390, I don't know if that includes hypothetical passengers or not. We'll take it down to Flying J and weigh it.

svjim · Answer

Adventurer and I assume EC since they are owned by Adventurer actually weight the camper with all accessories included, you if you are looking at a dealer, you will get a pretty good idea of the actual weight of the camper.

On Solar, I will agree partially with a previous comment doing it yourself. That can result in a more efficient system then what the factory will ship you, but I frankly would find a reliable solar dealer in your area that specializes in solar for RV and use them. The campers are prewired for solar, although it is possible that the wiring would not be sufficient. You do have a lot of reading when it comes to solar.

Like you, my wife and I came from a 5th wheel and started way back when with a tent trailer. Just go tired of towing and the limitations of a large camper. We settled in on a smaller TC from Adventurer because of the limitations of our 1999 F250, but for two it is just fine. It will take some time to get use to a TC and we are still in that mode, but do not regret the decision to switch to a TC.

Jim

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We think we want to trade the 5'ver for a TC

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