Looking for truck camper answers

[shirlw]

We are just beginning to look at the idea of truck camping, and I have a couple of very basic questions. When you are camped and want to visit nearby areas, do you unload the camper or take it around with you. And if unloaded, do you load it back on to camp or leave it unloaded? Also, when travelling with pets and sightseeing along the way, is there a generator to cool the camper when parked?

[bighatnohorse]

You're doing it right so far.
Find the camper you like, see how much it weighs, allow an additional 800 pounds for personal gear, food & beverage.

THEN, find that truck that can carry that kind of weight.
Many double and triple slide campers tips the scales at about 5,000 pounds - so you're into dually class territory then.

Taking the camper off the truck is a pain and should not be done on ground that is not level. Newer campers and truck bed openings are REALLY tight.
Taking the camper off is not a good plan unless parking it for 3+ days.

After 10 years of experience, we found our best action so far, is to tow the Jeep four down. It takes four minutes to detach it and use it for going places that even the TC shouldn't go.

[rutzbeck]

Back to the dog issue. I have traveled in 105 degree heat with two dogs that had thick coats. I found no matter how many windows and fans I left on it still felt hot. My boys were well behaved and won't touch the back screen. So I started leaving the door open and the screen latched. Then I would pull the scissor stairs up to pen the screen closed. This would cool the camper better as long as the sun wasn't shining in the back door. My dogs were so big that no one was going to come in. Worked great

[Kayteg1]

shirlw wrote:


Our other option is a Class B, but the truck camper seems roomier and more comfortable. We are experienced campers, downsizing from a 38 foot class A with toad. We want more mobility than before, but easier setup than our current popup.

My camper/truck combo has way more space and carrying capacity than my first ClassC on Toyota chassis.
20' ClassC was 5000lb, F350 with 12' camper is close to 15,000 lb.
Campers are not very popular, so even walking via them is not easy to arrange, but I found single slide the best bang for the size.
Multi slides give you more floor space, what is not really usable, while cutting down wardrobe storage.
I own 2 campers of the same size and very similar floor plan.
One was basement model other side entrance.
When basement model offers way more storage, it adds 1 foot to the height, so think air drag, less stability and observing bridge signs.
Side entrance is very practical when you travel a lot and make often stops, but also takes some interior storage away.
As concluded above >>> everything is a compromise.

[work2much]

shirlw wrote:
Our intended use is for touring, which will include impulse stops along the way as well as extended camping in state and national parks while making trips to areas nearby. From what I'm hearing, maybe a truck camper is not the best choice for this? We will be travelling with pets that must stay in the camper when we leave.

This is exactly what we use our TC for including traveling with pets.

Before we spent the money on a new TC we did also consider a class B, class C, 5th wheel. In the end for us a class B was too small, even the units with slides. We loved the idea of a 5th wheel and being able to spread out more but our experience has been that there would be too many places that a larger rig would prohibit us from going. Class C meant a dedicated rv that wouldn't be useful when we aren't traveling and would require it's own registration, mechanical maintenance and insurance. It also isn't as capable for unimproved roads.

Our compromise (and isn't everything a compromise to some degree) was a nice multi-slide camper that gives us good interior space, comfortable bed, usable shower, large tanks, comfortable seating but still fits on our truck and can take us most places that we enjoy that are off the main path.

[shirlw]

work2much wrote:

mike/kellie wrote:
The OP was last seen exiting the forum.

Yea, no kidding. Talk about hijacking a thread.

I wish there were a like button. I was just going to lie low and let this play out 😉

Seriously, thanks for the information. For those asking about the truck, we were going to purchase one appropriate to the camper we chose. Our intended use is for touring, which will include impulse stops along the way as well as extended camping in state and national parks while making trips to areas nearby. From what I'm hearing, maybe a truck camper is not the best choice for this? We will be travelling with pets that must stay in the camper when we leave.

Our other option is a Class B, but the truck camper seems roomier and more comfortable. We are experienced campers, downsizing from a 38 foot class A with toad. We want more mobility than before, but easier setup than our current popup.

[work2much]

mike/kellie wrote:
The OP was last seen exiting the forum.

Yea, no kidding. Talk about hijacking a thread.

[SidecarFlip]

yblaw wrote:
Uh.....If you look at Mr. Kirsch's profile, I think it says he owns a 2000 year model Palomino. His OP said "I own one....", which likely means that his reference to a "flakeboard" bottom was for a 2000 model, or, a pre-2010 model....Doesn't seem like his post was out of line, or based on anything other than what he owns.

No issue with me and I reference that more than once but he insisted that mine was like his and it isn't but when I stated that, he basically called me a liar so I had Lakeside post the pictures.

I don't care one way or another really but don't tell me something that isn't true, especially when I know it's a falsehood...

and don't give the Palomino Backpack soft side a bad wrap because it isn't true.

Being insistent when you know something is true is one thing but making a blanket statement when you really don't know is something else.

Pictures speak for themselves.

I rest my case, court is adjourned.

[SidecarFlip]

Mr. Flakeboard was insistent to the extreme that the bottom of ALL palomino's were flakeboard and the 'stiffeners' were TSC fence posts and I simply proved him wrong. I knew what the bottom of my Backpack was having been underneath it and taking the so called TSC Fence post stiffener off and modifying it to accept the Tork Lift steps.

Just so happened that Lakeside gave me a hand refitting the modified 'fence post' so he knew what the bottom was as well. We were both under it...

I tried to explain that but he (flakeboard) was having none of that so I had Lakeside post the pictures of the bottom of mine (2014-15 Backpack SS1550 so everyone can see that one, no 'flakeboard' and two, no TSC fence post stiffeners.

Pictures say a thousand words...

I stated that pre-2010 and Post 2010 Palimino's have nothing in common, I did that more than once. The new ones have a solid rear wall with an RV style door, the roof is different, the lift system is different, the bottom is different and so are the stiffeners and it's a very rigid unit. No squeaks, no leaks. It's put together nicely and in 2 years of what I consider pretty hard off road use, I have had ZERO issues. Nothing has broken, nothing has failed, no leaks no squeaks and yes, I use it (occupy it) off the truck with no issue either. For what I paid for it, basically 12 grand new, I think it was a darn good deal. I paid more for the 2002 Lance I sold to buy this one.

Just calling a spade a spade..or a flakeboard a flake .....

[mike_kellie]

The OP was last seen exiting the forum. I also learned that "flakeboard" should not be a safe-word used when camping. It seems to trigger some different emotions-

[yblaw]

Uh.....If you look at Mr. Kirsch's profile, I think it says he owns a 2000 year model Palomino. His OP said "I own one....", which likely means that his reference to a "flakeboard" bottom was for a 2000 model, or, a pre-2010 model....Doesn't seem like his post was out of line, or based on anything other than what he owns.

[SidecarFlip]

mkirsch wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
Also consider that not all campers are designed to be used off the truck, so it depends on what camper you get as well.

For example, the Palomino pop-ups need to have the floor supported, by the truck or some other means, when occupied. The floors of these campers are metal fence posts and flakeboard, not much there for structure.

Don't know where you came up with the 'Flakeboard' comment but it's flakey.

I own one.

The floor is 1/2" flakeboard and lightweight steel cross members in the same profile as a steel fence post you can buy at Tractor Supply.

Had Lakeside post the pictures for me. Like I said, you don't have a clue what the bottom of the Backpack's are constructed from or the stiffener rails for that matter.

The pictures give you (and anyone else) the correct perspective... No flakeboard (whatever that is, it's 3/4" plywood with a water resistant vinyl sheet over it and... roll formed steel stiffeners that run the length of the camper, one on each outside edge, one in the middle and one across the back, heavy enough thickness that I was able to weld on the bracket for the Stow and Go Revolution steps no problem.

The camper is very rigid, on and off the truck without benefit of anything underneath it. It's sitting in my garage right now, on the jacks with nothing under it, same as last year.

Either you don't know what you are talking about or have a pre 2010 Palomino. I'm leaning toward you not knowing what you are talking about. Pictures don't lie bub and neither does Lakeside for that matter.

[lakeside013104]

SidecarFlip wrote:

mkirsch wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
Also consider that not all campers are designed to be used off the truck, so it depends on what camper you get as well.

For example, the Palomino pop-ups need to have the floor supported, by the truck or some other means, when occupied. The floors of these campers are metal fence posts and flakeboard, not much there for structure.

Don't know where you came up with the 'Flakeboard' comment but it's flakey.

I own one.

The floor is 1/2" flakeboard and lightweight steel cross members in the same profile as a steel fence post you can buy at Tractor Supply.

Maybe an older one (pre 2010)

Not a Backpack. I live 60 miles from Colon, Michigan and I've been to the plant numerous times and I've watched them build them and they are not 'flakeboard' on the bottom, the bottom is 3/4" plywood. The formed steel stiffeners are not fence posts either. They are 1/8" hot rolled, formed steel channels with 1" side flanges and 3" bellies that run the entire length of the bottom from the front to the back within a foot of the rear of the unit with a cross channel across the back. I know, I removed the back channel and welded an L bracket to it to carry my TL stow and go revolution steps.

TL also has the pictures.

I don't post pictures on here but I have them. I guess I can PM Reddog and have him post them up but Lakeside (who posts on here gave me a hand installing the rear modified channel), so he's been underneath the camper as well.

I'll ask him to substantiate my comments if you want.

Your comments are still flaky far as I'm concerned. FOS is FOS in my book.

Sidecarr's comments are accurate. I have been under his camper and seen myself how it was constructed. He is quoting you facts.

Here are pictures from underneath his unit. I will let Sidecarr explain what the pictures are showing.

Lakeside

[SidecarFlip]

mkirsch wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
Also consider that not all campers are designed to be used off the truck, so it depends on what camper you get as well.

For example, the Palomino pop-ups need to have the floor supported, by the truck or some other means, when occupied. The floors of these campers are metal fence posts and flakeboard, not much there for structure.

Don't know where you came up with the 'Flakeboard' comment but it's flakey.

I own one.

The floor is 1/2" flakeboard and lightweight steel cross members in the same profile as a steel fence post you can buy at Tractor Supply.

Maybe an older one (pre 2010)

Not a Backpack. I live 60 miles from Colon, Michigan and I've been to the plant numerous times and I've watched them build them and they are not 'flakeboard' on the bottom, the bottom is 3/4" plywood. The formed steel stiffeners are not fence posts either. They are 1/8" hot rolled, formed steel channels with 1" side flanges and 3" bellies that run the entire length of the bottom from the front to the back within a foot of the rear of the unit with a cross channel across the back. I know, I removed the back channel and welded an L bracket to it to carry my TL stow and go revolution steps.

TL also has the pictures.

I don't post pictures on here but I have them. I guess I can PM Reddog and have him post them up but Lakeside (who posts on here gave me a hand installing the rear modified channel), so he's been underneath the camper as well.

I'll ask him to substantiate my comments if you want.

Your comments are still flaky far as I'm concerned. FOS is FOS in my book.

[mkirsch]

SidecarFlip wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
Also consider that not all campers are designed to be used off the truck, so it depends on what camper you get as well.

For example, the Palomino pop-ups need to have the floor supported, by the truck or some other means, when occupied. The floors of these campers are metal fence posts and flakeboard, not much there for structure.

Don't know where you came up with the 'Flakeboard' comment but it's flakey.

I own one.

The floor is 1/2" flakeboard and lightweight steel cross members in the same profile as a steel fence post you can buy at Tractor Supply.