Driving With a Pop Up vs Hardside??

[Dagwood_55]

Currently drive a '18 Ford 350 LWB, SRW. What is the feeling between driving a 2000lb (OEM Wt) popup vs a 3000lb hardside?? Daylight and Dark?? Or something you get used to and then no big deal?? We do travel down NF roads, but nothing off road. Not wanting a white knuckle drive...

Thinking a Northstar 850SC popup vs a Northside Larado SC Hardside.

thanks

[SidecarFlip]

Going from a hardside (Lance) to a pop up (palomino) was a revelation for us in the handling department which is for me, is important, I got tired of fighting the wind and the rocking when passing trucks on the slab, but the big revelation came with the overall closed height as it pertained to the type of camping we do which is primarily primitive. I don't have to worry about tree limbs or even underpass height anymore. No need to look up to see if I have the overhead clearance and storage became a non issue as well, as it fits in the garage wen not in use. The Lance required I keep it in one of the barns and I need the barns for farm use. We will never go back.

I'd say something about fuel mileage but no point in doing that as cheap as fuel is today.

[Dagwood_55]

OP here, thanks for all the good info.

My main concern or question was more on how the 2 different TC's drive. I understand the popup will hardly be noticable on a 350 SRW. But how does the 350 SRW handle with a med sized hard side TC on it. Will it be fine on most NF roads?? I have no intention on "rock crawling" or "mudding" But do want to get off the pavement and down regular maintained NF gravel roads. And I don't want a white knuckle experience while driving in traffic dow the interstate @ 65 to 70 mph or across mountain passes in CO.

[JimK-NY]

I would think the choice would be highly dependent on how you use your camper. If you are trying to skimp on the specs and cost for your truck, a popup would definitely help. If you want to do off road camping, a popup would certainly be an improvement and would allow you to travel where a larger and heavier truck camper should not venture.

When I bought my truck camper, my wife and I were preparing for full time travel and did so for 2 years. A hard sided camper gave us more comfort and more storage. It was way more convenient for stopping at the side of the road for lunch or a quick nap or use of the toilet.

We also did a lot of "stealth" camping. People who go camping at a local campground often have no idea or use for this technique. Our travel often consisted of driving long distances between major National Parks or other attractions. Once there we spent our days exploring and doing photography. All we needed at night was a place to park. We rarely stayed in RV parks and often did not stay in campgrounds. Stealth camping was often our choice for cost and convenience. A popup or a slide is not stealthy.

Just to explain this further, stealth camping means keeping a low profile and does not equate with camping illegally. I can give endless examples but one should suffice. When we visited my wife's sister for several weeks in Mill Valley, CA, we stayed next to the golf course. We checked with the police department. We could park in the same location without moving for up to one month. Even so we went full stealth as a courtesy to the neighbors. We have done the same in many similar locations.

[Geewizard]

SidecarFlip wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Can you go potty in the Northstar when on the road without popping?

We can use the potty in our Palomino without raising the top, the fridge and the sink and sit at the table to eat, you just cannot stand up or you'll bump your noggin.

The Palomino and the Northstar use the same roof lowering-raising mechanism. Takes 20 seconds up, 20 seconds down. On mine, 4 latches, one in each corner and off we go.

Very simple. Northstar was my first choice but the Palomino factory is 45 miles from here and they sell me anything I require direct so that became the deciding issue for me.

Have not required much in 4 years either. Needed a new decal for the side (original one came loose, replaced it). Thats been it. No issues at all really.

We are very happy with out purchase.

Same with my Outfitter except for the distance to the factory.

[Geewizard]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I was considering pop-up as 2nd camper when I would go alone, but researching the subject I found those comparisons.
Pop up is not much lighter than hardside. When you have much less space in popup, the lift mechanism shaves weigh saving tarp is giving on sides.
Popup soft sides have limited life prediction. Will you have it exposed to sun, like we do in Nevada, that will crack in matter of short years.
I had 2 different campers on my dually. The basement model was over a foot higher and also wider than old Lance.
I could drive 80 mph in semi truck tail wind with both of them just fine.
I keep my fuel consumption on fuelly and if fuel consumption due to extra foot is higher, not to degree it can make statistic.
Additional observation that once my new truck passed 25,000 miles, the mpg seem to go up by about 0.2. I always set CC at 60 mph with camper
Looks like engine is finally breaking-in.

Well, I disagree with some of this regarding MY pop-up TC:

-the lift mechanism doesn't weigh very much
-I've had the same soft sides since 2004 with no deterioration.

And in general, I have quite enough room and I can use the toilet with the top down. I've made lunch on the stove with the top down. And I could sleep on the dinette with the top down if I wanted.

I chose an aluminum-framed pop-up TC because of the lower wind resistance, lighter weight, and tent-like experience when camping.
But, I hardly ever camp in noisy campgrounds.

The OP can PM me if they want more info on my experiences with a pop-up TC.

YMMV

[Grit_dog]

OP, your truck is well suited for either and will have no problem packing a hardside camper like you're describing safely and comfortably.
Unless your idea of white knuckle is driving a loaded pickup truck.
Of course a pop up will be proportionally better because it's physically smaller and lighter, but there's a million hard side campers being hauled safely on srw trucks all the time.

[SidecarFlip]

Lwiddis wrote:
Can you go potty in the Northstar when on the road without popping?

We can use the potty in our Palomino without raising the top, the fridge and the sink and sit at the table to eat, you just cannot stand up or you'll bump your noggin.

The Palomino and the Northstar use the same roof lowering-raising mechanism. Takes 20 seconds up, 20 seconds down. On mine, 4 latches, one in each corner and off we go.

Very simple. Northstar was my first choice but the Palomino factory is 45 miles from here and they sell me anything I require direct so that became the deciding issue for me.

Have not required much in 4 years either. Needed a new decal for the side (original one came loose, replaced it). Thats been it. No issues at all really.

We are very happy with out purchase.

[jsc253]

Dagwood,
I have 2016 F250SB Crew Cab and a Northstar TC650. Basically it is the 850 but a little shorter. I have never driven with a hardside camper but absolutely enjoy everything about the pop-up. I have been in heavy winds on the road and it handles well. If you frequent windy areas, it may be unnerving with the top up while you are camping. I've heard it can handle up to 40 mph winds but I dont think I would want to stay anywhere under those conditions.

The pop-ups do take a couple minutes to raise and lower the roof and have less storage. We use the camper all the time for lunch stops without raising the roof. We can sit at the table, access the fridge, use the furnace in cold weather, access and all the lower cabinets. I suspect on the 850, the toilet can be used too. On a side note, I have not had any problems with camper other than a third party light issue. Northstar quickly responded.

If you have further questions, contact me

[JD5150]

Laredo SC is only 18 inches taller than 850sc pop up. Your truck will handle either one. Might need to do minor modification to the suspension with the hard side. If you need more headroom or more cabover headroom the SS is bigger. Wider and taller. I think by 5 inches taller. Making 6'9 interior height and more headroom in the cabover area

[KD4UPL]

A small hardside like you're looking at shouldn't be any big deal. My only comparison was an 8' pop-up to an 11' hard side. So yes, it was significantly heavier with more bounce and sway.
For my use, which is more traveling than camping, I much prefer the hardside camper. It is better insulated, more sound proof, and more secure. Anybody with a pocket knife can get right in a pop-up. Also, the hardside camper will have a ton more storage. We often stop at rest areas for lunch or stop in the middle of nowhere for my wife to use the bathroom. It would get real old having to raise and lower the roof for each and every quick stop.
If I was rock crawling or otherwise going off road a pop-up would be better both for weight, center of gravity, and overhead clearance.

[kohldad]

Since you have a good truck, I wouldn't worry about the weight difference. Yes the hardside will be a bit more unstable, but it shouldn't be bad at all. With the hardside, you may need to do a few minor suspension upgrades like heavier sway bar, stable loads etc.

I have a Lance 815 which is a bit lighter and not only do rough forest roads but also easy off-road trails.

I would be more concerned with how you plan on using it. If you travel all day and only stop at night, the pop-up may be a better option. But if you use the rig several times a day, then you will probably more satisfied with the hardside.

[Dick_B]

Popup better while on the road. Hardside better at a campground. Compare how much time you are on the road vs how much time spent at a CG; no brainer.

[jimh406]

A popup is better at interstate speed which will result in better MPG. The shorter height also would be harder to hit a low limb if that matters where you drive. They are also usually a lot smaller. If a popup suits your needs, I don’t think you can go wrong.

I wouldn’t put too much stock in their weights until you put them both on a scale. Some manufacturers are closer than others and some include all equipment and some don’t include any options.

[Lwiddis]

Can you go potty in the Northstar when on the road without popping?

[Kayteg1]

I was considering pop-up as 2nd camper when I would go alone, but researching the subject I found those comparisons.
Pop up is not much lighter than hardside. When you have much less space in popup, the lift mechanism shaves weigh saving tarp is giving on sides.
Popup soft sides have limited life prediction. Will you have it exposed to sun, like we do in Nevada, that will crack in matter of short years.
I had 2 different campers on my dually. The basement model was over a foot higher and also wider than old Lance.
I could drive 80 mph in semi truck tail wind with both of them just fine.
I keep my fuel consumption on fuelly and if fuel consumption due to extra foot is higher, not to degree it can make statistic.
Additional observation that once my new truck passed 25,000 miles, the mpg seem to go up by about 0.2. I always set CC at 60 mph with camper
Looks like engine is finally breaking-in.