Hi all,
What level of terrain are you comfortable taking your full-size truck campers on?
My previous camper setup was moderately aggressive-terrain friendly it was a 2002 Chevy Silverado 4x4 with a Northstar 650 pop up cabover truck camper. It weighed 1,250 approx. I recall traversing some narrow canyon roads in Eastern WA and when any tires would enter a huge dirt hole It would feel like the camper was shaking back and forth. A few times over a steep embankment, I would experience the biggest adrenaline rushes because I thought “it was it” like I was going to take the tumble. Camper was secure and didn’t seem to move in the bed, just the rocking was scary. It would take me approx 45 mins to reach where I made camp because I was driving 2-3 mph average. In a vacant truck, it would take 5 mins.
New to me setup:
2013 Ford F350 Diesel
2002 Arctic Fox 990
So based on my previous setup and it’s low center of gravity due to it being a pop-up, I wonder if it is even a viable idea to reach this same place (or places similar). As many of you know, this camper is almost comically large when mounted on a truck, and weighs 3x’s my previous.
So what am I actually asking? How primitive of roads have you guys taken your campers on? Things to look out for, warning signs, things you absolutely wouldn't do, Pitches, banks, etc. I almost didn’t buy this camper because I didn’t think it would be suitable for deep woods, but I will be using it as an off-grid home for at least one year, so the slide appeal and features really attracted me.
In the canyon I like the most in Eastern WA, there are 2 “steeper” areas, and I don’t know how comfortable I would be with that camper.
I like to reach desolate areas of Eastern WA where the Subarus can’t go. They all get stuck within .25 miles and like to go deep to set up camp and do minimalist survival stuff and use the camper as a “base”. Also, love to bring my dirtbike out there. It’s the epitome of a perfect weekend.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
What level of terrain are you comfortable taking your full-size truck campers on?
My previous camper setup was moderately aggressive-terrain friendly it was a 2002 Chevy Silverado 4x4 with a Northstar 650 pop up cabover truck camper. It weighed 1,250 approx. I recall traversing some narrow canyon roads in Eastern WA and when any tires would enter a huge dirt hole It would feel like the camper was shaking back and forth. A few times over a steep embankment, I would experience the biggest adrenaline rushes because I thought “it was it” like I was going to take the tumble. Camper was secure and didn’t seem to move in the bed, just the rocking was scary. It would take me approx 45 mins to reach where I made camp because I was driving 2-3 mph average. In a vacant truck, it would take 5 mins.
New to me setup:
2013 Ford F350 Diesel
2002 Arctic Fox 990
So based on my previous setup and it’s low center of gravity due to it being a pop-up, I wonder if it is even a viable idea to reach this same place (or places similar). As many of you know, this camper is almost comically large when mounted on a truck, and weighs 3x’s my previous.
So what am I actually asking? How primitive of roads have you guys taken your campers on? Things to look out for, warning signs, things you absolutely wouldn't do, Pitches, banks, etc. I almost didn’t buy this camper because I didn’t think it would be suitable for deep woods, but I will be using it as an off-grid home for at least one year, so the slide appeal and features really attracted me.
In the canyon I like the most in Eastern WA, there are 2 “steeper” areas, and I don’t know how comfortable I would be with that camper.
I like to reach desolate areas of Eastern WA where the Subarus can’t go. They all get stuck within .25 miles and like to go deep to set up camp and do minimalist survival stuff and use the camper as a “base”. Also, love to bring my dirtbike out there. It’s the epitome of a perfect weekend.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
jefe 4x4 wrote:
Most of the answer is how good the operator is at slowly adding fixes until you get to your own equilibrium. It's taken me a bout 10 years to get my ancient Lance Lite (wood frame; 1842 pounds, wet; 200w solar; PD4645; no air conditioning; no oven; no microwave; all heavy objects down low) to the place where I have confidence in its ability to get to the destination. There are so many factors that are in play with your build,most of them to the truck itself.
So, the driver's experience is the determining factor on when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em on the trail. Here are a few vids of Anza taken 6 months ago: click on link to open my drop box.
You may have to put these addys in your browser to open:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xg1lwe92448ry7z/Mogols%20at%20great%20sand%20hill%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0j10uxr4sn8jrx/end%20Sandstone%20Cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ns02z7g1q1jhu0r/up%20a%20rocky%20cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9nfstvqf6hk4ab/up%20Fish%20Cr.%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfj5y93wsd7vfkw/jefe%20does%20sand%20hill%20at%20dry%20wash%20of%20the%20devil%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
Take your pick: jump right in and find out where your own red line falls.
Alright, on edit I think your camper is too heavy for hard core off-road use. Mine is right at 2700 pounds, loaded for bear. Why so light? Small tanks; the smallest; lightest; least tall; least wide Lance camper made 20 years ago. It is still sought after by folks who want the smallest footprint and still have a hard side with all the major amenities for traveling for 6 days, 6 months, or 6 years in every season, every weather, every road condition. I could not do this without a lot of trial and error at the beginning on what works off road and what doesn't.
jefe
Just wow, seeing your first picture is quite impressive. That's the stuff I am referencing. I could it in my pop up, but I don't think I could do it in the current setup, or at least wouldn't or shouldn't. Ultimately, I am outfitting the bike into an "adventure style" with racks, so if my truck and camper can't make it, at least I will still be able to. Seeing your pics really impresses upon me how capable our stuff is. I still want to get a no-slide lighter lance someday, but I bought this truck specifically to handle this camper because the deal was too good to pass up. Off camber inclines and declines were my biggest concern, but with how much these things weigh, I don't see them shifting anywhere. By the time it shifts you're probably looking at catastrophic damage anyway, lol.
Most of the answer is how good the operator is at slowly adding fixes until you get to your own equilibrium. It's taken me a bout 10 years to get my ancient Lance Lite (wood frame; 1842 pounds, wet; 200w solar; PD4645; no air conditioning; no oven; no microwave; all heavy objects down low) to the place where I have confidence in its ability to get to the destination. There are so many factors that are in play with your build,most of them to the truck itself.
So, the driver's experience is the determining factor on when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em on the trail. Here are a few vids of Anza taken 6 months ago: click on link to open my drop box.
You may have to put these addys in your browser to open:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xg1lwe92448ry7z/Mogols%20at%20great%20sand%20hill%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0j10uxr4sn8jrx/end%20Sandstone%20Cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ns02z7g1q1jhu0r/up%20a%20rocky%20cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9nfstvqf6hk4ab/up%20Fish%20Cr.%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfj5y93wsd7vfkw/jefe%20does%20sand%20hill%20at%20dry%20wash%20of%20the%20devil%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
Take your pick: jump right in and find out where your own red line falls.
Alright, on edit I think your camper is too heavy for hard core off-road use. Mine is right at 2700 pounds, loaded for bear. Why so light? Small tanks; the smallest; lightest; least tall; least wide Lance camper made 20 years ago. It is still sought after by folks who want the smallest footprint and still have a hard side with all the major amenities for traveling for 6 days, 6 months, or 6 years in every season, every weather, every road condition. I could not do this without a lot of trial and error at the beginning on what works off road and what doesn't.
jefe
So, the driver's experience is the determining factor on when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em on the trail. Here are a few vids of Anza taken 6 months ago: click on link to open my drop box.
You may have to put these addys in your browser to open:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xg1lwe92448ry7z/Mogols%20at%20great%20sand%20hill%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0j10uxr4sn8jrx/end%20Sandstone%20Cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ns02z7g1q1jhu0r/up%20a%20rocky%20cyn%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9nfstvqf6hk4ab/up%20Fish%20Cr.%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfj5y93wsd7vfkw/jefe%20does%20sand%20hill%20at%20dry%20wash%20of%20the%20devil%20Anza.m4v?dl=0
Take your pick: jump right in and find out where your own red line falls.
Alright, on edit I think your camper is too heavy for hard core off-road use. Mine is right at 2700 pounds, loaded for bear. Why so light? Small tanks; the smallest; lightest; least tall; least wide Lance camper made 20 years ago. It is still sought after by folks who want the smallest footprint and still have a hard side with all the major amenities for traveling for 6 days, 6 months, or 6 years in every season, every weather, every road condition. I could not do this without a lot of trial and error at the beginning on what works off road and what doesn't.
jefe
