Davlin Campers

[ccblank]

Hi all,
I have been obsessing over truck campers for a couple of months right now as I try to figure out what is going to work for me. I had almost resigned myself to the pop-up TC, when I saw this available not far from me:
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rvs/d/cab-over-camper-small-truck/6356517804.html
I can't really find anything online about Davlin Campers. Any information on them?
Is it really possible to put a hard-side camper on a Ford Ranger or other small truck?

Thank you for any information!

[ccblank]

Hey Kayteg,
That pictures is AWESOME! Yes, I've spent some time in RR and love it! The crowds are a little insane, but the climbing is good enough to keep coming back 🙂 Camping sure will be better in a tc... 😄

[Kayteg1]

Red Rock Canyon is Las Vegas suburbans, so short drive on the highway and excelent scenery. State has 17 miles drive there (for a fee) but exit before you have free access. The stone has excelent friction and you can walk on it at unbelievable angle. I don't climb myself, but love hiking there and see lot of climbers practicing.
Probably not a challenge for experienced climbers, but can't beat convenience and scenery.
To see the picture -copy http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w266/kajtek1/PICT0047.jpg

[ccblank]

Kayteg, would be heading out to Red Rocks this weekend for sure! Not for sure if we'd be in the Calico area, but my friend did mention being interested in something out there! I've found the truck camper market to be a little light in general; not a lot to choose from. Especially since I'm looking for something pretty specific.

You guys have been so incredibly helpful! Looks like price is a big issue, although this length/weight seems a bit rare. I might be willing to pay a little over if it's really in good condition. I did notice on another camper that I looked at the ceiling was painted, and in some older pictures you could see the water stains. Sneaky..

I also found this one, that I actually think I like better: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rvs/d/small-truck-camper-rare-for-7/6355127266.html
It's further away in LA, so I am a bit worried I could drive all the way out there and high tail it around. Big risk big reward? I'm assuming overpriced as well.

Thanks again so much for all your helpful feedback! Friendliest forum on the web 🙂

[SidecarFlip]

Maximum a grand and that is if everything works. If the fridge is iffy, thats a big expense and old fridges suffer from congestive cooling failure a lot.

Pretty easy to ascertain just how much water damage there is without disturbing anything, just look under the mattress in the front for staining, inside the cabinets at floor level, staining and at the floor itself for obvious bubbles which are indicative of water damage.

Campers with conventional front windows in the cab over are all suspect.

[Kayteg1]

What I found moving from CA Bay Are to Vegas is that Vegas is not much of TC market.
That can be good and can be bad.
I could not find big camper here and had to drive to Phoenix, but on the other hand the seller here might not have too many offers - especially with no AC.
Also cc, when you come here, take your climbing gear to Red Rock Canyon calico area.
PM me so I will take camera and take some pictures.

[dakonthemountai]

I do echo the price difficulty for this camper... At least in California it would be less than half what the seller is asking. Davlin quality was really no different than many, many of the other brands being made at the time. Basic wood structure, aluminum siding and roof. Most campers from that area will most likely have hidden water damage somewhere, so be prepared for a potential project. The photos show paint on the inside. Through the years I've often seen that when an older camper has a painted interior it was to mask water stains on the wood or the ceiling. leaks are very common...even in NEW campers! Sad, but true.
Best of luck to you !
Dak

[ccblank]

Thank all for the feedback! I'll definitely look closely at the structure. I was concerned the roof looked a little bowed too.
I'm definitely on a budget, so $8500 is out for me.
I live in AZ, but I live in Flagstaff so it's not too warm 😛 Also mostly using this for climbing, and the climbing is always better when the temps are low! More concerned about having a heater actually.
Sounds like I'll need to work on my negotiating skills! It's been posted a couple of times and for a little while now, so maybe they'll be open.

[SidecarFlip]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Here is new one with 1000lb weight

If that would be with OP budget, looks like good deal.

No way it weighs 1000 pounds. More like 1500 dry.

Build quality on a Trevel Lite is suspect anyway, but then it's relatively new so at least it's not a winter project... at least not this winter...lol

Could be the OP is on a budget and don't want to spend 8500.

[Kayteg1]

Here is new one with 1000lb weight

If that would be with OP budget, looks like good deal.

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

Definitely a good candidate for a rebuild, but not at that price. I would offer 800-1000.

[SidecarFlip]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Pictures are poor quality, so hard to judge condition from them, but no AC for camping in AZ or NV ????
NO WAY.

Not everyone is luxury orientated like you are.... just say'in.:p

I will say that typical CL pie-in-the-sky asking price.

[Kayteg1]

Pictures are poor quality, so hard to judge condition from them, but no AC for camping in AZ or NV ????
NO WAY.
The label says dry weight just above 1000lb.
I had more weight on El Camino, so it is doable, what doesn't mean it will be comfortable to drive.

[SidecarFlip]

It appears to have some intrusion issues on the backside left of the door and the cab over also appears to be a bit wonky (bowed) but could be the camera too. Has the old style hydraulic jacks (can be a PITA) at times..

$2100 is too much for a vintage unit like that, in that condition. Maybe 1 grand on the high side.

[Bumpyroad]

somebody here referred me to 4 wheel campers IIRC out of CA that had light weight TCs. would work on my tacoma
bumpy

[ccblank]

Thanks for the info and advice! That's kind of what I suspected, about the overloading, but I was thrown off that it seemed to be sized specifically for those trucks. Seems like an option might be to put it on an F-150 and create extra storage underneath and around the camper. If it seems structurally sound that is 🙂