Camper Suggestions???

[r47smiley]

Been using a friends Lance 855s occassionly and love it but I'd like to get my own TC. Driving a 2012 F250 6.5' crew cab with enough upgrades to carry the 855s pretty well in spite of the weight.

Right now is not the time for us to spend what a 855s costs. I foolishly passed on a mint condition Fleetwood Angler a few years ago that was cherry.... oh well, live and learn.

Any suggestion on a 8'6" floor camper that is made for a short bed from approx the year 2000 that would be good to search for? I'd like to keep the purchase under 5k. Doesnt need a built in gen, but AC is a must. I realize there are huge variable including who owned it and how it was cared for, but it seems that some models that old are more prone to water issues then other. Would plan to keep it for a few years until our second child who is due in a few months is ready for frequent camping and upgrade to a 855s or possibly a small class C.

Thx,

Rob

[jaycocreek]

r47smiley-

Just a quick look on craigslist in California (don't know where you live) so I chose Redding and I came up with what looks to be a great little truck camper for $3500..The pictures look impressive for an older Lance.No leaks!!!

1990 Lance Squire LS 2500. I used it on my Dodge 1500. Great condition. Everything works. The entire roof has been completely sealed. No leaks. It's 8.5 ft long but will fit a 6ft bed with the tailgate down. It has brand new bedding, new black-out curtains, new deep cycle RV battery, 3-way fridge which works propane or electric, 12,000 btu furnace, 3 burner stove with oven, double sink, bathroom with flushing toilet and full propane tank. It also has fresh, grey and black water tanks. $3500 OBO No Texts Please.

[jaycocreek]

Any suggestion on a 8'6" floor camper that is made for a short bed from approx the year 2000 that would be good to search for? I'd like to keep the purchase under 5k. Doesnt need a built in gen, but AC is a must. I realize there are huge variable including who owned it and how it was cared for, but it seems that some models that old are more prone to water issues then other.

A few years ago I bought a 90's Lance Squire 8.6 for just under $3000 that had no water damage..I re-sealed it up and used it heavily on rough mountain roads and it never did leak..One of the best TC's I have ever had..I did have to replace the AC($470 on special) on it,but that's all..I sold it for $2500 to a smoke jumper with a Dodge shortbed..He left the tailgate down when he loaded it and it looked great..He still has it.

Stealhead fish'in on the Salmon river.Very cold out with extended propane hookup..

[DWeikert]

Northstar makes some campers that fit your requirements. The 8.5 Adventurer and Laredo SC are options for a 250/2500 series truck.

[burningman]

To some people, $2 million dollar waterfront houses are tear-downs.
To me, blowing $20, $30k or more on a truck camper is cutting into my flying-to-Hawaii budget way too much. It all depends on your priorities.
There are tons of $5000 and under campers in nice shape and worth fixing up.

[jaycocreek]

A $5K camper is a 'throw-away' in my opinion. Not worth fixing up; you just use it up and dump it when it is no longer safe.

Maybe from where you live but that definitely is not the case around here and this general area..

When I was looking last year I ran into three that were under $5K that were in excellent shape...Older person bought new and kept in the barn when not being used, is a good example of a few out there that are just like new but older.Not all 5K rigs are "throw aways"..

The TC world has gone crazy with the influx of newbie's going truck camping and the used prices are way out of line,the new prices are just insane!

Something is wrong in Denmark when a new TC cost more than a quality new fifth wheel or travel trailer.It's just crazy..You can buy a new Class C for less than some TC's(retail)..I see them all the time for $59K or less.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Let me just say that we started truck campering with our first kid at 3 months old. Don't wait any long than necessary to get the right camper. Certainly not years.

A $5K camper is a 'throw-away' in my opinion. Not worth fixing up; you just use it up and dump it when it is no longer safe.

I got my 855S from a dealer in Tuscan, AZ and financed. Payments at just over $200 a month. I too live in NorCal and it was worth the 900 mile each-way drive for the price I got it for. If you think about it in monthly payments, that's a couple nights a month in a hotel. Easy to justify.

[r47smiley]

Thanks all. If needed I can add an AC. I've found some pretty nice 845's and they are a few grand more

[3TV]

I was going to recommend either an Arctic Fox or Wolf Creek camper, because I have had good luck with them in the past. So I went on RVTrader.com to see if there were any for sale that would fit the OP's requirements. I did a nationwide search for short bed truck campers with air conditioning for less than $5000, and came up with ZERO campers. I changed to any truck camper with air conditioning for less than $5000, and still came up with nothing. I removed the air conditioning requirement and found three campers in the early to mid 1990s for less than $5000, but none were for short bed trucks. When I searched for short bed truck campers with air conditioning from 1995 to 2005, but no price limit, I found eight campers, but the cheapest was twice his price limit, and the rest were three to four times his price limit.

Campers from 20 to 25 years ago did not tend to have air conditioning like they do now. And campers from that long ago tended to be made more for long bed trucks. Short bed trucks have become more popular in recent years.

Anyway, it may be a long search to find one with those requirements, for that price. Good luck.

[monkey44]

We haul a Lance 845 on our 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Chevy easy enough - altho we live on Florida, which is flat, we head to Blue Ridge and Rocky Mountains a couple times a year. It hauls those mountains fine too ...

We anticipated adding extra springs or Timbren, but have not found it necessary at this point. We might add new shocks and maybe a rear anti-sway bar before our next trip, but that's just because it will ride better not because it feels unsafe or wobbly. Truck is 2015 with 48,000 miles, mostly hauling the camper, so not like any issues are bothering us in our travels.

The 845 is a nice, well equipped camper with good sized tanks. Our DRY weight = 2780 lbs, and 8'6 fits our Short Bed just fine. We pack light, and keep our tanks low when traveling, and fill up when we arrive, dump just before we leave camp.

Those other Lance models are the same size, but lighter and a little less equipped, I believe.

Lance has extensive dealerships if you need any parts - altho most RV equipment is the same manufacturer anyway, Fridge, Pumps, Range, etc.

[mkirsch]

A good 8'6" floor camper that is made for a short bed from approx the year 2000 priced under $5K would be, a good 8'6" floor camper made for a short bed from approx the year 2000 priced under $5K.

Seriously, if you try limiting yourself to a specific brand model or year, you will be looking for a long time. Look at anything that comes along in your price range, and be open to possibilities. Don't worry about brand reputation. If it's in good shape, it's in good shape. Once it's out of warranty, who made it doesn't really matter much, and anything in the 10-20 year old range is definitely going to be out of warranty.

[wanderingbob]

I got an 815 for sale , but it might be a little drive as I am in Florida and you are in Calif.

[SidecarFlip]

Six Pac....

[r47smiley]

Thanks, 845 is one I would consider.

Rob

[FireGuard]

Lance 815, 820, 845