What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?

Sheriffdoug wrote:
Sleepy, I will read you post again, and digest the information, carefully. I AM listening!

It wasn't meant for you as much as it was remembering for me.

I hope that it makes sense.

Last words..... (well you can hope)

I love to spend money, even give it away... but I hate to waste it.

I was frugal in my approach to buying and outfitting my truck and camper but I wanted the best I could afford (and I did that on my first T/TC in 1970)

At the end of 2002 the cost of my truck, camper, taxes, and interest made my total expedature $110,000 (interest paid or interest lost on saved money turns out to be about the same.)

I did take my new truck and camper "investment" off road a few times in the early years... but the truth is fancy campers with slide rooms, and GMC SLT trucks aren't meant to go rock climbing.

There are trucks that are set up for off roading and....

... there are hard topped canvas campers that are built for and meant to do "Rugged or Extreme Truck Camping". When we see the trip reports that their owners share with us we know in our hearts that our T/TC's shouldn't attempt it.

I added many modifications to our TC to avoid campgrounds including PVSolar panels to suppliment the built in generator, just to be totally self sufficiant... mods that are expensive to install, frugal forever...as I added weight and money my desire to bounce over boulders diminished.

You already know how you intend to use your T/TC investment... have you figured out where your limits are?

I like BTGraphics approach for off-roading... he drives as far as reasonable with his big truck and camper... then gets out the motor bikes.

Others do their final assults by mountain bikes, back packs, kayaks, four wheeler ATV's, "jeeps" and even motor cycles.

Blush! We have fold-up Dahon bicycles... and got to using them so infrequently we quit hauling them in the back seat of the truck.

Have you considered any of these... or already do them?

Sleepy, I will read you post again, and digest the information, carefully. I AM listening!

Rang Dept of Transport today. Downloaded PDF from their site.
Maximum front & rear projection, less than 1.2 metres at either front and rear. So I'm ok?
Maximum width 2.5m + or - 25mm, I need 60mm!
Some one in the conversion industry I know, said to me, today, 3 to 4 inches, they won't know.
I rather be safe and get a permit. Still investigating.

Your need for a dually is obvious when you consider the width and height of your truck camper.

Call the duallys outside wheels training wheels or a tricycle if you will.

Think about riding a unicycle... the fat kid can learn to ride it. (Amd your new camper is a very fat kid) There is no equipment stability when you truck is too small

A bicycle is better... the long wheel base isn't quite as nimble... but your new camper is quite long... a crewcab will minimize "bucking" better than anything you can add under a short truck.

Now imagine the fat boy hanging off the bicycle seat on both sides and how much effort it takes him to keep his bicycle balanced. Sure he can do it... but it takes all of the fun out of riding it. He can add props or a wider seat on his bicycle... he can add stronger brakes... he can "soup up" his bike with tassels on his handle bars, a piece of card board held by a clothes pin near his spokes so that his bike will sound like it has a motor... but nothing he can add on will really make a difference in his scary ride.

That's sort of what I see when people try to make the wrong truck do the right job.

Driving your truck with the camper on should be a luxuray that you look forward to... you should be able to get in, start the engine and drive away... never feeling that top heavy sway, of bucking forward and backward that little trucks do, the wind from buses and trucks shouldnt push your TC around.


You can add all of the stuff you want under the truck but if the stuff you add makes your truck stiffer it will cause your cargo (you and your camper) to have a rough ride. (Think about all of the over the road commercial vehicles that use air to balance and soften the ride/load.) A rough ride causes vibration or even damage to your very expensive camper. A stiffer truck actually makes the sensation of being top heavy worse... as the wind pushes on your side your wheels on the windward side try to lift... and the seat of your pants feels it.

Like about everyone I was confused by all of the aftermaket add-ons being marketed when I bought my truck. I'm one of those people that doesn't do anything when I'm confused until I see the problem clearly... it might take a second or two or a long time. I never make but one change until I see what the result is... then I can make another decision if needed.

I research.. and listen, evaluate, calculate. I have the finished project in my minds eye before I start the project.

I special ordered my Lance 1161 for delivery in late November 2002... then bought the truck that would best haul it. It was a special order too. It arrived in October, just in time.

Using information that I'd aquired over months of researh and the manufacturers data I decided to add air instead of steel. Air compresses... steal doesn't. Air expands, steel doesn't. I liked the idea of being able to adjust the air (the steel is just what it is)

My add-ons: And I have never needed more.

1) Airbags and a high quality bicycle pump...the bags are quite small, 20 strokes will do the job... and I'm outside to inspect the balance of the load (TC).The airbags are independent from each other.

2) Lance has some shock absorbers that minimize "fly-back" movements if any ouside force would cause the cabover to move quickly (like a gust of wind or even a speed bump) I have tried them on and off... prefer having them.

In sumation...

I recommend...

Chose your camper first.

Get the right truck to haul that truck camper (you really can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.)

this means, the longest and the widest wheel base possible under the load both are for stability. (The crew cab is handy too... it is our storage on months long trips... and allows a guest on short trips)

Consider using air instead of steel to assist suspension or load balance and a good ride.

Buy the best engine/transmission possible... cheap is just that and will cost you dearly in the future.

Learn to do your own camper maintainence... and be vigilant... dealers don't have skilled people to do it. Don't believe what the add says, or what the salesman promises... they might fib.



sleepy

Sheriffdoug wrote:
Sleepy, you have a point, it's a load, on a Truck, so I'm going to investigate today with the department of transport. May need what we call here an "Oversize Permit", which you can only drive from sunset to dawn at 100kph/65mph limit. Interesting!

You might consider asking for a variance first... instead of using the word "permit". The subtile difference in words might make it easier... and eliminate costly fees.

Sleepy, you have a point, it's a load, on a Truck, so I'm going to investigate today with the department of transport. May need what we call here an "Oversize Permit", which you can only drive from sunset to dawn at 100kph/65mph limit. Interesting!

Height and width restrictions vary by state. It looks like if you want to be compliant everywhere, you have to stay under 8' wide and 12.5' high. This does not mean you will fit down every road, but it does seem to be the restriction that will make you legal.

For non-commercial vehicles I think it's up to each state.

Oregon law says 8 1/2 feet: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/818.html

Look at 818.080 specifically.

As others have stated, each state is different. There are campers that are many different widths. TCs may or may not be RVs depending on the state. In WA, they are licensed. From what I remember, Northern Lites are some of the most narrow ... once upon a time, I was going to try to store mine at home and I had a very narrow space to place the camper.

It's possible companies like Host that build them one at a time would be able to make one slightly smaller if needed. Host does a lot of custom work. I don't know if Arctic Fox and others do much custom work or not.

Sheriffdoug wrote:
Sleepy,
Here in OZtralia, maximum legal width for all RV's is 2.5m/98inches.
Eagle Cap 1160 I want is 102" and weighs 4320ib dry.
So, 4" over width, here.
What is maximum legal width for RV's/Truck Campers in The US?

according to a list at Readybrake
most states allow up to 102" a few are only 8ft and Hawaii is 9ft