Forum Discussion

Mom_s_Folly's avatar
Mom_s_Folly
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013

Do I take it off the truck or leave it on for winter?

I am a new truck camper this season, and after a great 6 weeks/6000 miles of travel, I need to think about winter. I don't intend to use the truck for much (if any) this winter, so do I take the camper off or leave it on after I get it winterized?
  • If you are 100% for sure you won't drive the truck, leave it on. If you think might use the truck I would be sure to remove camper before there is snow on the ground. If you have inside storage it wouldn't matter either way.
  • Even if you don't use the truck I'd remove the camper just to get the weight off the truck. Unless no parking room for both separate.
    It takes under an hour to remove it. Then you have a spare vehicle too. Better to drive the truck occasionally than let it sit for 6-8 months.
  • The weight of the camper allows be to get around much better in the deep snows.
  • Doesn't matter one lick either way. Do whatever is most convenient for you.

    I like to drive my truck so the camper will be coming off later this week, and the truck will be driven as much as is practical until the snow flies. Then, it's back in the barn until at least mid-March. The truck has never seen salt and I intend to keep it that way.
  • If your truck is 2WD, leave the camper on for better traction in snow. If you truck is 4WD, take the camper off to get the weight off the springs. You don't need the weight for traction.
  • Vulcaneer wrote:
    ... You don't need the weight for traction.


    As a compulsive nit-picker, I can't help pointing out that more weight = more traction.

    Whether it's needed or not is another story. The extra traction gained by adding weight is useful for stopping the extra weight added for traction. :)
  • I don't use my truck very much in Winter so I leave my camper on it. If I have to use it and there is snow on the ground it does give the truck a lot more traction with the camper on.