Coming over from the dark side... maybe. (long, need input!)

[punomatic]

DW and I have been contemplating a more simplified life style. We are retired and currently licensing and insuring 4 vehicles, to wit: the class A, her daily driver, my daily driver/towed vehicle, and an old pickup I use for hauling this and that. The more we consider this "problem," the more we realize that we could downsize to two vehicles, to wit: her daily driver and a better pickup, with a TC.

We are absolute neophytes at truck campers. We have just begun to look at them. DW now believes that she can make the transition. We have noted that there seem to be a very small number of variations in floor plans. We have seen a couple of different ones, but mostly they are the same, except for the length of the camper and the possible addition of a slide here and there, which mainly adds to the floor space but doesn't change the overall arrangement much.

So far, the one that we both have been most drawn to is a Weekender by Skyline. I believe it is a 910 model. (We were at an RV dealer but there were no salesmen available, so a mfr. rep. from Work and Play who happened to be on the lot showed us around. He was not too conversant with TCs.) Judging by the condition and decor of the unit, I would guess it to be from the early '90s.

Does anyone have experience with this camper? Are there any particular things we should inquire about or look for? (I know to look for signs of delamination and water damage, etc. I'm wondering about quirks of this model.) Do you know where I can get some specs on this TC, i.e. weight, tank capacities, etc., etc.? NADA puts the value at something like $2200. Does that sound about right? Thanks for any light you can shed on this endeavor.

On a slightly different topic, is it terribly difficult to put the TC on the PU and take it off? I would need to be able to use the PU for other hauling. Thanks again

[RideSlow]

Excellent info. Currently dragging a tt, but lady I camp with wondered if we could go back to a camper like we had years ago, Beaver cabover/hangover on a Powerwagon.

[punomatic]

OK. Lesson learned. We put the deal together with the Silverado 2500, based on the camper dealer's recommendation and my failure to do proper due diligence. Sue.t and Mooney, you were absolutely right. It was the wrong pickup. (Newbies to the TC and pickup world, you know.) We did go camping a couple of times, but I was not comfortable being overweight. (The rig, I mean. My own personal (over)weight is none of your business!)

Fortunately for us, we have a friend who is an auto broker. (Should have gone there first.) He found us an amazing deal on a 2001 F350 SuperDuty Off Road. Between the great price we got on the F350 and what we lost on the Silverado, we are about where we would have been if we had bought an F350 from a dealer in the first place. Live and learn.

The worst thing about this blunder of mine is that I have been skulking around the forum, afraid to show my face, because I knew the weight police were lurking out there. We get the F350 tomorrow, so I will now be able to hold my head up again. Thanks for the advice, y'all.

BTW, we had a ball on those couple of camping trips. DW is happy with the camper, and we don't miss the MoHo at all. We HAVE agreed that the bathroom in the camper is the best motivation we have found to become smaller persons! 🙂

[Mooney]

punomatic wrote:
Update: The deal on the F250 fizzled. Turns out another party had made an offer. We were told their financing probably wouldn't be approved; it was. So, today we found and purchased a 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500. The deal on the camper was contingent on our finding a proper pickup. So now it's full speed ahead. We need to have the necessary hardware (BTW, what do they call that?) installed on the truck for securing the camper , a PDI and a lesson on loading and unloading the camper. By Wednesday, we should be ready to go camping.

Make sure you're comfortable with the size camper you'll be able to utilize with this truck!

[sue_t]

Hmmm ... we have an 8' Adventurer on our F-250. Dry weight on the camper is 1,800 lbs and that puts the truck a bit over its GVWR. The rear-end squats just a tad ... the 7.3L engine counterbalances it nicely.

Can't imagine a 10' Adventurer on the same truck.
Are you sure this is the "proper pickup" for that camper?

[punomatic]

Update: The deal on the F250 fizzled. Turns out another party had made an offer. We were told their financing probably wouldn't be approved; it was. So, today we found and purchased a 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500. The deal on the camper was contingent on our finding a proper pickup. So now it's full speed ahead. We need to have the necessary hardware (BTW, what do they call that?) installed on the truck for securing the camper , a PDI and a lesson on loading and unloading the camper. By Wednesday, we should be ready to go camping.

[dakonthemountai]

Well, as the owner of a 1995 Weekender 910, and previous owner of a NEW 1996 Weekender 1010 back in 1996, I'll say this. I love mine and looked for this specific model for over a year. They are a bit rare as the company has been out of business for a number of years, and as most campers of an age, prone to leaks and rot. It is heavy for a smaller camper (3,090lbs with full propane and 30 gallons of water, 15gal empty grey and black tanks) It was made for all weather, comfort camping. Enclosed, insulated and heated holding tanks and water tank from the ducted furnace (including a duct to the bathroom)I've camped in mine in subzero temps and was quite comfortable, relatively. Full 7' ceiling inside, which was a HUGE draw for me (my camping partner is 6'7" tall) LOTS of storage, standard roof rack and ladder, bumper sewer hose drawer, sliding storage drawer (for Fords only,GM trucks are too narrow) and just about every other convenience you might want back in 1995. One thing I really like about it, and was very important to me was the construction. They used 2 metal straps from the truck area pass through window under, up and over the bedroom area to the back of the camper to eliminate sagging of the cabover (bedroom) section. I did my research at the time of the new 1996, so I knew what I was getting into when I purchased the used 910 2 years ago. Here is the link to the photos of mine.

Good luck in whatever you purchase, just be careful to really, really inspect it for damage prior to purchase. $2,200 is actually what I paid for mine 2 years ago (asking price was $2,500,) knowing there were a few issues I had to deal with, such as replacing the rubber roof ($1,300, through Stardeck RV in CA) and a bit of water damage under the front window. I've done a bit of work on mine, such as updating the electrical/charging system, plastic parts, etc, but I still feel I have a camper I would spend many thousands of dollars more to replace at this point

Here is the link to pics of mine.

1995 Weekender 910

Dak

[punomatic]

Thank you all for your input. You can't know how valuable it has been. We are in the process of negotiating a deal for a 2001 Adventurer 100 WSB camper and a 2001 F250 with 7.3L diesel. I'll keep you posted on the progress of the negotiations and post photos if it all comes together as planned.

[Bedlam]

If you don't need to tow heavy or are willing to maintain another vehicle, a small Class C or B will cost you less than a truck/TC combination. I carry various toys with me and already had a truck that could be modified to the task. If I didn't, I would be looking at a Super C for my towing. The flexibility of a TC is nice, but you do give up easy access, capacity and space in order to have something fit in the back of a pickup.

Have a frank discussion with your spouse about the available space and access in and out of the TC and bed. We were spoiled with a toy hauler prior to our switch and even though we are in good health and love each others company, we camp year round in an area with 300 days of rain that sometimes makes you head inside for popcorn and a movie after identifying all the moss and slug species around you outdoors.

[Super_Dave]

Some of the real light weight campers aren't structurally suited for camping in off the truck. So, if camping in it off the truck is important to you, make sure it has a strucural floor.

[jefe_4x4]

While there are as many variations as people, the fact is your age and physical condition are big factors. The folks who come from a much more roomy MoHo, 5-er, or TT are struck by three things.
1. You must climb a set of rather narrow steps without handrails to enter the TC, especially on a 4WD Dodge with the highest bed level. This gets more difficult as you put on the years. My brother (@46 yrs old) broke his leg when he missed the top step on his brand new OUTFITTER!.
2. You must get used to a very small bathroom in which you need to be a contorsionist to do all your duties. I take a shower sitting on the pot with the wand, and my feet in a tub to save gray water from going in the black tank. I then dump the tub outside. Not my first choice but we're used to it.
2. You must further climb another set of very tall steps to get up into that luxurious queen size bed...and back down the steps in the middle of the night if need be (that pesky prostate?).
I turn 70 next week, and I can still climb the obstacles with gusto. So far- so good. Of course, we're hikers and do a lot of walking. YMMV.
These have been the defining obstacles which make many old-time TC-er's decide it's time for a low slung class C with no steps. Depending on how old you and your spouse are and your condition, THERE STILL MAY BE TIME! 8<)
I'm not trying to dissuade you, but only to give some options. One is to get a smaller class C with an actual towing rating (most can tow nothing) and buy a 6x8 utility trailer for your hauling needs. The woe here is most C's are gas, so good mpg's are out, compared to a diesel. Lot's of ways to go here.
regards, as always, jefe

[campn4walleye]

I must admit, I was adamant that I would not camp in a TC. I wanted a 5er. However, TCs have come a long way and there are so many more options and luxuries available in today's market.

DH can live with minimal; but I however had a few more requirements. I don't want to feel closed in, so I wanted a bathroom near the front, and a TC with more windows in the living area. I also wanted a slide to ensure enough room for us and the dogs (2).

What we chose has turned out to be a perfect fit. It's bright, cheery, has more than enough storage to include a wall closet and pull out pantry. Ours also has more counter space than others that we looked at. The best thing is that the bath is near the bed so that we don't have to climb over the big dog in the middle of the night to get to it.

I know your wife thinks she can make the switch, but it's just a few things to consider from a woman's point of view. Make sure your truck is large enough...ours is about 4300 lbs wet.

Hope this helps. Choose carefully, so there will be no regrets and you will enjoy your adventures.

[Mooney]

Puno,

I would suggest looking at some of the more mainstream camper choices. Too many manufactures dabbled in TC's then ran when their designs didn't hold up. Lance is the biggest, however other good models include Eagle Cap, Chalet, Artic Fox I enjoy my Host. There are others, and many will chime in with a favorite, however I think you'll find it time well spent researching some of these rigs.

Mooney

[realter]

It takes me just over an hour to load up all by myself. I hand crank, but have the camper on saw horses and boards, so stored fairly high up. I'd check out Lance, they have been around a long time and build a good camper,and have a huge network of dealers if you have any problems. Also, check out Hallmark if you are interested in a pop-up.

[sabconsulting]

Hi.

Once you get used to it it should only take a few minutes to load / unload the camper. It will take you a lot longer the first couple of times, but don't let that put you off. Various people have various different techniques to make loading easier. I've got runners screwed onto the bottom edge of the camper to guide it in between the wheel arches exactly.

Good luck.

Steve.