Considering switch from TT to truck camper

[bedell]

We have had a 32ft. travel trailer for five years. Due to some health/mobility issues we no longer want to deal with towing. We are considering getting a truck camper to use with our 2005 Silverado 2500HD with an 8ft. bed. The truck has a big V8. factory tow package etc. It is a 2WD gasser. We are totally new to the concept of a truck camper so any advice, help would be appreciated.

[Photomike]

I also have to support the idea of going with a class B or a class C motor home. I love my truck camper, I love where I can go and what I can do with it, but the stairs are the big drawback. I did recently install a set of Glow steps and that has made it much more stable to get in and out, but I still have all those steps to go up and down. I've been looking at class B and class C units myself, the big thing I do not like about the class B is the fact that you have to make and fold up your bed every day. With a class C you can get a lot of these with the beds in the back that stay made up just as a bed at home would. Another advantage I saw in the class C is that if you don't use the bed over the cab (if you have one) you can use this for storage of light items such as clothing.

I never figured back when I bought my truck camper that old age would creep up on me so fast. If you're already considering downsizing from a travel trailer you may want to consider what it's going to be like in another five or 10 years and buy today something that you can use down the road.

[MKish]

Like the others said, you just have to get in and try one out and see how it works with your particular mobility issues. Some are easier to get into the bed than others, but they're usually the ones with more steps to get to the door.

(It's much much much easier to steal a trailer--even a popped up popup--than a TC. A TC theft would almost have to be premeditated!)

[Junket]

X2 on the B+ or smaller C. We've kinda kicked that around lately but then check prices and just load stuff in the old TC and continue to crawl in and keep moving, alibet, slower and more carefully.


X3 on Small C o B Been looking the same
Ken

[Joe417]

We have a 5thW and a TC. Arthritis hurts a bit crawling into and out of bed but I'll take the TC first. The 5thW is for when we wine and dine the grand kids.

1st go round TC didn't have a basement(so bed was too high) and bath was too small. Sold it, then went with an AF and love it. Wherever we park, "somewhat" leveling is all the effort it takes.

Looks like the same steps as Jefe4x4 (GlowStep) except we use a swing out hand rail. They are solid. Also added an extra firm mattress to help with the back.

I added 3750# tires, air bags, and a sway bar. Probably didn't have to have the air bags but they help balance the load. Don't put too much air in if you do add them. The rear axle is ~6900# and is the reason for the heavier tires.

I'm happy we bought the first TC fairly cheap. It let us find out quickly what we liked and disliked.

You'll never know until you try it. Maybe you can rent one somewhere and try for a short trip.

[17oaks]

Did a TC from the RV world about 6 years ago and have never looked back. Us and 5 dogs. If you have mobility issues then I would look at several of the TC that have the door opening on the side, the door sits MUCH lower. Host campers have side doors, and there are some others.

The cost difference between 2500 and 3500 trucks is minor unless you jump into diesel and DUAL RW, stay gas and SRW and the dollars are minor, plus you get much larger payload capactity, up to 7000 lbs.

Do it, but look and ask lots of questions, look before you leap and you will never regret it!

[trailgranny50]

X2 on the B+ or smaller C. We've kinda kicked that around lately but then check prices and just load stuff in the old TC and continue to crawl in and keep moving, alibet, slower and more carefully.

[Bedlam]

With mobility issues, I also suggest a Class B or C over a truck camper. There is a big climb to the door and into bed which will only be bigger if your condition is worsening.

[realter]

I've never put my tailgate back on. Got a 2 x8 and sawed it to fit am
Nd painted same color as truck. Works nice

[sky_free]

Keep in mind when you are looking at TC's that they are always shown unloaded with the step on the ground. I was shocked the first time I saw how high the first step was the first time I got in one that was actually loaded on a 4wd truck. For us it's no big deal, but I can't tell you how many times I've almost fallen off that Fox Landing. I know it's going to kill me some day.

If the issue is the strength required to hitch a TT, it is less physical effort loading a truck camper, but putting the tailgate on and taking it off is pretty difficult. If you are going to just leave it on the truck forever this is a non-issue of course.

[realter]

handye9 wrote:
With health / mobility issues, a TC may not be a good fit. You need to climb into the camper and climb into bed. Your truck's payload, limits your options in TC size / weight. You're looking at smaller hardsides and pop-ups.

I have a smaller hardside. Don't enjoy the climbing. The bathroom is so small, it's difficult changing your mind. Forget about changing clothes or showering in there. With mobility issues, it could be difficult just getting into the bathroom. With just two people, somebody is always in the way. Took the wife on a two week trip, with the TC, she said never again. It works good for a couple guys on hunting trip.

Maybe, a better option would be downsizing the travel trailer and changing to a lighter hitch. Possibly and Andersen WD hitch.

This could be me writing this. And on mine with the bathroom being about 5" up, we literally just fall out. No kidding.

The dinette is too short for a tall person to sleep on also.

I'd consider a Casita or Scamp. Light weight design.

Best of luck.

[RoyB]

I always wanted to do the TRUCK CAMPER as well. I like to get back off the trails alot and it seems like the TC would be a good thing for that.

The draw back for me was loss of precious storage space by losing the truck bed. I carry alot of supplies and support items in my present truck bed setup and the front deck on my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer.

I would most likely have to pull a small utility behind the truck camper to solve this problem.

I also would have to unload the camper off the truck to be able to drive around and do some sight seeing or going into towns for supplies... I know that isn't a really big effort to do but then I would be worried sick someone would steal my truck camper sitting on the ground while I was out of the area...

If I pulled an off-road JEEP behind my truck would work but then I lose out again on precious storage space.

There really isn't alot of extra room with the truck campers. You truck will also have to be a larger unit probably with duallies to safely carry the camper...

I still wish I had a truck camper however ever time I see one...

I too am getting up there in years as well - I'm 74 now...

Just some of my thoughts
Roy Ken

[Oldtymeflyr]

Try climbing into the bed of a few to see if it works. There are ladders made for the purpose and that may be an option and of course there is the dinette for sleeping as well.

Good luck.

[jefe_4x4]

TT man,
A TC is not a good fit for anyone with mobility or strength woes. The first thing I would do is actually climb in a small hardside (that is actually on a truck) up and down the steps, over and over, and go through ALL the motions of staying in one for a couple weeks. Here is the enemy of mobility:

Of course the first thing to 'try out' would be the bathroom, toilet, shower, sink. Then make sure you can go up and down the stairs and the two big steps up to the bed. Make sure you can do the TC Ballet, with a belly-against-the-wall while your lover passes by. Where will your clothes go? Can you live with that small a fridge?
The lack of floorspace affects people in different ways. We have one of the smallest full featured hardsides around and over the past 14 years have learned to live with it. I offered to get Jeanie a new XP Camper but she deferred saying she was used to this one and it has become a trusted friend on the road.....and it's paid for.
A lot of people have faced the mobility threshold and have switched to a low entry class C to live out the rest of their time in the RV saddle. This only works if you do not need your truck for hauling and can do without it.
A TC is simply not for everyone.
regards, as always, jefe
camping ON the beach in N. Calif. in June 2007. Not a soul around. If you have a 2WD 2500 your entry altitude will be lower than the 4WD Dodge below:

[Grit_dog]

IMO mobility/health issues wouldn't lend themselves well to a TC where you have to climb up 3-4' to get in and another 4' into bed coupled with a bathroom you have to go outside of to change your mind. Lol. Not to mention, hooking a trailer is much easier than loading a camper.
No towing and easy access is Class C or A territory.