Campers fully usable off truck without additional supports?

[rv_bill-e]

I am finding it difficult to determine which TCs can be used as a stand-alone "base camp", with full functionality of tanks, etc. I am talking design and construction strength here with no concerns for campground use. TC Magazine does not mention this in their buyer's guide and the individual manufacturers do not seem to be listing this on their websites. So, does anyone just know or is there some way to determine this?

[mkirsch]

Vinsil wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
You guys SAY all this, but where is it DOCUMENTED?

😮

Well, if you look at the responses, they are all "authoritative." No reference to, "My owner's manual says this..." Just "such-and-such brand can be used off the truck."

I'm pretty sure none of these guys have designed, or are involved in any way shape or form with the manufacture of these campers.

[Steve_in_29]

HMS Beagle wrote:

scout4trout wrote:
When we purchased our Alpenlite new, there was a video for using the Atwood jacks and it says that you must always keep the front of the camper 4" higher than the rear or there is a risk of tipping.

I have seen this in several owners guides and other places. Some kind of Movie Physics at work here? Keeping the front jacks 4" higher is going to move the longitudinal CG by what, a couple of inches very worst case? If a camper is a couple of inches of CG from falling on it's face, it is going to have a whole lot of problems long before you try to jack it up. Even mild braking will put the overhang onto your hood for one thing. If you happen to leave your spare shoes up in the overhang, over it goes. Things like that. And yet this advice persists.

When we bought our first Outfitter my wife mentioned the tipping thing to Bob. He had BOTH him and myself hang from the very front of the cabover (probably 400+ pounds) and the camper never budged. I can see keeping the front slightly higher when in storage to encourage any moisture to run off instead of puddling and I do it with ours.

[Vinsil]

mkirsch wrote:
You guys SAY all this, but where is it DOCUMENTED?

The fact of the matter is there is no one place you can go to find this information, and the manufacturers do not provide this information as part of their advertising because stating, "can NOT be used off the truck," will cause many buyers to look elsewhere.

You have to get a specific brand/model of camper in mind, and then consult that camper's manual and/or the contact the manufacturer directly, to ask.

Since being able to use the camper off the truck is seen as a desirable feature, most modern campers have that capability, but you still should check.

For example, my Bronco does not state one way or the other, but looking at the structure (i.e. 1/2" chip board floor stapled to the cabinets from below) I don't think the floor would hold up to it being used off the truck.

In fact if I need to access the camper when it's off the truck, I build up cribbing underneath and treat it like thin ice.

😮

[rv_bill-e]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I really see the TCs usable off the truck and those which are not as two entirely different types of camper which right now share the same name of simply "Truck Camper". I know that overseas they are sometimes called "dismountables", and while I do not know exactly what they mean by that, that name seems to better describe what I need; a camper that can transported to your destination to be dismounted from the truck and fully usable as a (very) small cabin, as well as providing the usual mobile option.

[Bubtoofat]

Northstar video. CLICK

Mike

[mkirsch]

You guys SAY all this, but where is it DOCUMENTED?

The fact of the matter is there is no one place you can go to find this information, and the manufacturers do not provide this information as part of their advertising because stating, "can NOT be used off the truck," will cause many buyers to look elsewhere.

You have to get a specific brand/model of camper in mind, and then consult that camper's manual and/or the contact the manufacturer directly, to ask.

Since being able to use the camper off the truck is seen as a desirable feature, most modern campers have that capability, but you still should check.

For example, my Bronco does not state one way or the other, but looking at the structure (i.e. 1/2" chip board floor stapled to the cabinets from below) I don't think the floor would hold up to it being used off the truck.

In fact if I need to access the camper when it's off the truck, I build up cribbing underneath and treat it like thin ice.

[brholt]

fpoole wrote:
Arctic Fox 990 is fine, but the only caveate is not to fill the water tank up if OFF the truck with out support. Apparently the bladder will buckle the bottom or something like that.

I've had it off a few times, lowered to a few inches off the ground, works/feels fine...

It does get a little 'iffy' when I have to load in the wind, as in "Yikes, what was I thinking...." so it's a quick load if windy if I have too...

Hope that helps...

No, you can fill your Arctic Fox off the truck too. What you can't do, on or off the truck, is fill it with a high pressure source of water. The vent/overflow tube is pretty small and if you pressurize the water tank it will bulge possibly breaking things. (Pressurizing the fresh water tank will cause problems for any camper but other brands may have bigger vent/overflow lines).

[rickjo]

HMS Beagle wrote:

scout4trout wrote:
When we purchased our Alpenlite new, there was a video for using the Atwood jacks and it says that you must always keep the front of the camper 4" higher than the rear or there is a risk of tipping.

I have seen this in several owners guides and other places. Some kind of Movie Physics at work here? Keeping the front jacks 4" higher is going to move the longitudinal CG by what, a couple of inches very worst case? If a camper is a couple of inches of CG from falling on it's face, it is going to have a whole lot of problems long before you try to jack it up. Even mild braking will put the overhang onto your hood for one thing. If you happen to leave your spare shoes up in the overhang, over it goes. Things like that. And yet this advice persists.

As I always remark on this misguided tipping notion: If it could tip, there would be a warning sticker. OSHA remember?

Rick

[HMS_Beagle]

scout4trout wrote:
When we purchased our Alpenlite new, there was a video for using the Atwood jacks and it says that you must always keep the front of the camper 4" higher than the rear or there is a risk of tipping.

I have seen this in several owners guides and other places. Some kind of Movie Physics at work here? Keeping the front jacks 4" higher is going to move the longitudinal CG by what, a couple of inches very worst case? If a camper is a couple of inches of CG from falling on it's face, it is going to have a whole lot of problems long before you try to jack it up. Even mild braking will put the overhang onto your hood for one thing. If you happen to leave your spare shoes up in the overhang, over it goes. Things like that. And yet this advice persists.

[twodownzero]

A camper that doesn't work off the truck isn't worth a ****.

[bcbouy]

northstar can be used off truck.we did it for 3 weeks last aug.the folding 5 step was a bit awkward though.

[fpoole]

Arctic Fox 990 is fine, but the only caveate is not to fill the water tank up if OFF the truck with out support. Apparently the bladder will buckle the bottom or something like that.

I've had it off a few times, lowered to a few inches off the ground, works/feels fine...

It does get a little 'iffy' when I have to load in the wind, as in "Yikes, what was I thinking...." so it's a quick load if windy if I have too...

Hope that helps...

[Steve_in_29]

Outfitters are a basement equipped TC designed to be used off the truck with no additional support. You need to contact the manufacturer of the make/model you are interested in to confirm its ability to go unsupported.

[Vinsil]

Northwood gives it go to camp off the truck. I still support it when stored...old habit.