Let's talk about truck campers shall we...

[jtrux]

I used to full time in a 28' Salem a few years ago and once I got my job situation together I sold it and bought a house. Since selling it i've yearned for another camper but this time to do what they were meant to do...CAMP!!! Living in one is ok but it got old.

I never really thought too much about the truck campers until I went to a buddy's house a few days ago and he showed me his new (to him) '07 Lance 845 (I think that's the one he has) and I was hooked. He has it loaded on his '06 Megacab Dodge and he obviously has no issues with that big Cummins pulling that but i'm concerned about my truck.

I have a 1993 Chevy 2500 4X4 with a 454 and NV4500 (5 speed). Even though my truck pulls pretty much I want, i'm a little nervous about the idea of having 2500+ lbs in the bed.


This is what I like...http://www.lancecamper.com/lance-850-truck-camper-main.php


What are some thoughts on this???

Also any other good recommendations for a nice longbed truck camper that might be a little lighter but still have a toilet and AC (all I really care about)

[Peg_Leg]

I have no idea of what type of camping your planning on. But just as food for thought have you considered a popup truck camper? You can get all the emenities in just about anything.
I purchased one that had been backed into something and the wood around the top was rotted but the canvas kept the bottom dry. I fixed it up and with my 97 chevy K2500 454 averaged 13.4 mpg on a 13,000 mi trip. All kinds of roads. We went to AK back via San Fran, Pikes Peak, TX then home.
The lower wind resistance was great. I was grossing 11,000. I did have 19.5" tires rated at 5,000 each and Air-Lift air bags.

[Sheriffdoug]

G'day,

Take a look at Travel Lite & Adventurer.

Go to Adventurer: www.amlrv.com

www.travellitecampers.com


Good Luck!

[elkhornsun]

The lightest full size campers I have found are the Wolf Creek which are made by the same company that makes the Arctic Fox campers. I have an 845 and fully loaded it weighs in at 3700 lbs. (3200 lbs. dry weight).

Lance is not a good place to look for a lightweight camper for a truck with a long bed. Wolf Creek and Northern Lite campers are going to be more difficult to find on the used market but the lighter the camper the more gear, passengers, water, etc. you can carry.

Regardless, plan on upgrading your shocks, adding SuperSprings, and possibly upgrading your tires depending upon the total load capacity of the rear tires. 95% of the weight is carried by the rear axle and its wheels.

[MKish]

The Northstar campers are a little lighter than some (most models are narrow) and while they aren't luxurious, you can certainly get AC and a cozy bathroom. And more luxury than a Capri. 🙂

We did like the Lances though. Cushy! But too fat to fit in our backyard!

[jtrux]

I've been looking at the Palomino Bronco truck campers and the ones i'm looking at are around 1600lbs give or take. I still need to figure out how much I can load in the dang truck but i'd be willing to be that if I could keep it all around 2000 i'd be completely happy with it but i'll be doing more research from here on out.

[69_Avion]

I suggest that you choose your camper wisely and don't go too heavy. Remember, if you can find a lightweight camper you can always put it on a heavier truck. My Avion is 2,800# wet, and I won't put it on my Ford F-350 SRW. A 1 Ton dually is perfect for my camper, even though the SRW will haul it, I don't feel that comfortable with that much weight on the truck. By the time I load all my "stuff" the truck will be over 10,000#. Since my F-350 is a 4X4 extended cab, it is about 7,500# wet, with no load in it. Some folks don't mind going over the GVW of the truck, I try to keep mine within the factory specs.

[jtrux]

I just bought new tires for it, Michelin AT2 E rated. I'll have to check the capacity of them but they are 265/75's. I REALLY like them.


Anyways, travelnutz, I really appreciate the post. I figure if anything i'll get some airbags and i've even considered all new rear springs since they are 20 years old. The truck only has 129K on it so it's in pretty good shape and the engine pulls very well.

I'll look at all the other options everyone else has listed as I really need to do some more research.

Josh

[travelnutz]

We had a 1993 Chevy 2500 ext cab 4X4 LB with a 5.7 auto purchased new. We hauled a Lance Squire 4000 (9-1/2') with a dry base wt before options of 2353 lbs and when loaded with the options was 2784 lbs dry on the shipping tag. Add your water/gear/food/my 2' X 8' steel rear porch with our Honda EU2000 generator on it and the 22 X 30 X 14 storage box filled with a hookup needs 2 extra 30 amp powercords, leveling 2 X 10s, 12 ton hydraulic jack, etc. Yup, way over 3000 lbs. I still have the Lance brochure as I keep them for every RV and vehicle we purchase. They come in handy!

Truck hauled that Lance setup to Alaska and back from Michigan twice and to every state of the lower 48. Much of Canada also. Sold the truck to a farmer friend about 50 miles north of here in 2004 and he's still using it to haul loads and has over 300,000 on it now and still has the same engine, tranny, and airbags. We own the land next to his farm and see him and the truck a lot. We drove the truck over 100,000 miles with the Lance on. Never had one problem with the truck or it's handling. Yes, I did do some upgrades to the truck before loading the Lance. 265/75/16 "E" Michelin tires when the OEM 245's wore out at a little over 30,000 miles. Added Air-Lift Systems 5,000 lb airbags and very heavy shocks (Ranchos). Inflated the bags to 40-45 lbs.

The OEM tires are usually the lowest limiting weight capacity.

Assuming your frame etc is in good condition, you should not have a problem hauling the 850 Lance on your truck but I would suggest the larger tires 3415 lbs vs 3042 lbs each (373 lbs each tire), good airbags, and very heavy duty shocks. Tried Timbrens (rubber type overlaods) and found the airbags head and shoulders better as they are infinitely adjustable to loads and road conditions.

[Hey_there]

Hi again,

When tc mfg's use the term "Lite" they mean light on amenities, not light weight. For light weight, look at Capri Campers' Rodeo Deluxe.

Kurt

[Hey_there]

Hi jtrux,

Welcome to the truck camper forum. You will find that most (all?) tc's weigh a lot more than the "given" weight. That mfg's number is for a basic camper with no options. Most tc's weigh about several hundred pounds more than the "given" weight. Figure that loaded and ready to go camping, you will be 1000# more than the advertised weight. You need to find what your truck's carrying capacity is. Get it weighed at a truck stop. Get the weight on the front axle, and the weight on the back axle, separately, so you can determine how much available capacity you have on each axle. The Lance website gives good directions on how to determine your truck's capacity. All that said, you could probably carry the load OK. Maybe new shocks or an additional leaf spring.

Best of luck,

Kurt

[kerry4951]

If you are looking for "light", you won't find it with Arctic Fox. They are well built TCs but they are also heavy.

[jimh406]

Yes, it is possible to put a camper run a smaller older truck, but easier if you pick the camper first and choose a newer truck.

There are few threads from time to time about lighter campers. Besides Lance, Sixpac comes up quite a bit. Host used to make some lighter campers. For light popups, take a look at Four Wheel Campers.

[lhenry8113]

Check out Arctic Fox made Northwood Mfg., in La Grande, Or. They have been a front runner in Truck RV's for many years. Lars

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/