Looking to buy a truck camper.

[Mike008]

Hello. I run a Jeep in a club. We do about 6 out of state trips a year, usually 3 days at a time. I recently came to the conclusion I don't want to rough it anymore. My original plan was to buy a 24' enclosed car hauler/toy hauler. In my mind I had ruled out TC's due to my size, I'm 6'5 275 lbs.

I attended the RV show in Hershey 2 weeks back and actually went inside a few small slide in campers. I came away thinking I can make it work and it will be a lot more convenient then a 24' trailer.

My requirements are, a minimum ceiling height of 6'5, a shower, heat and a refrigerator. I also want to stay under 2000 lbs dry. I tow with a 2001 F250 PSD Supercab shortbed. I absolutely don't want to buy a new truck. This truck has been 100% reliable and I really like it.

I've narrowed my search down to an Adventurer 80GS. I like the fact that it's lightweight and only 7' wide. It also won't require a hitch extension to tow. I have been in one, and while the small bath/shower won't feel like a day at the spa, I think it's workable for me alone for a long weekend.

I had decided to look used for a few reasons. What I'm finding is sellers are pricing these campers too close to what a new on costs to justify buying used. Is this common with used TC's? Any other thoughts? Thanks. Mike.

[mkirsch]

You must not shop for used anything much, because most everybody is "fishing," trying to find that one idiot who will pay their ridiculous price, rather than set a fair price and sell it quickly.

Sometimes these people are realistic, and will accept a reasonable offer. Sometimes they'll run you off their property on the end of a shotgun barrel for daring to offer one red cent less than their asking price.

You don't think that there are any deals, because the deals come and go so quickly that you miss them. The only advice I have is, look more.

Trying to find a specific brand and model of camper, used, in good condition, at a price you can agree to, within the distance you're willing to drive, will be a tall order. You may have to settle for what you can get.

Is being able to stand up in the camper really that important? It's not like you're going to be doing wind sprints in there. You're going to be showering and sleeping, neither of which require standing fully upright. The rest of the time you'll be outside on the trail, or yukking it up with your buddies around the campfire.

All I am saying is maybe take a long hard look at some of your criteria. Maybe you can compromise and find yourself a great deal on a used camper that will ultimately end up being the perfect unit for you.

[Mike008]

openrd1 wrote:
Have you checked out Capri Camper?

No, I have not. Never heard of them. I will check them out. Ive been looking at Camplite by Livin Lite. I really like the 8.5. There seems to be some confusion as to the interior ceiling height. Some sources indicate 6'4 and some 6'8. I'm wating for a definitive answer from Livin Lite. In the mean time..... Is anyone familiar with Camplite?

[openrd1]

Have you checked out Capri Camper? They seem to be bigger in the outdoor, hunting, fishing market than most. They build all of their campers custom so they may be able to satisfy your needs better than a stock camper. They are also on the less expensive side of truck campers. We bought one to take on weekend fishing trips and absolutely love it. They also send you pictures while your camper is being built which is kind of neat. Hope this helps a little. Best of luck on your search!

[Mike008]

Thanks for the responses. I really like Northstar, but the ceiling is too low at 6'4. I think the Adventurer 80GS really fits my needs, I just need to find a use camper not priced like a new camper, or just bite the bullet and buy new.

[monkey44]

Depends on how quick you want it Six-Pac is a great camper - but out of production at the moment - it's owned by Four-wheel camper.

Look for used Six-Pac, or check site and ask FWC when production begins. This is excellent camper, and perfect for back-country hauling jeeps or trailer.

As I recall it, Six-Pac once lived in Texas, and then FWC bought it and moved it to Northern California, where it now lives.

http://www.six-pac.com/

[pcoplin]

An 8 foot no slide Lance camper will be at 2k dry. Especially if you get a "Lite" version.

Hotrodfords, have you actually weighed your 835 on the truck yet? My 835 lite weighs around 3500 lbs loaded and wet.

[Reddog1]

Consider buying a TC as you would purchase a Jeep. Actually,the same rules apply. The prices where they are scarce is much higher than where they are common.

I have a 1988 11.5 foot Bigfoot. and have flat towed a Samurai for about ten years.

Wayne

[hotrodfords]

You might look at a used Lance Lite 815/825, possibly 835/845. My Lance 835 weighs 2100#s wet - before I put my gear in it. I use an 06 Chev 2500HD and pull my open deck car hauler with a vintage Mustang on it. It is right at the limit on weight but the 6.0L/4:10 gear combo pulls it fine. However I'm not usually pulling steep mountain sides looking for a place to off road a Jeep!

Will you flat tow your Jeep?

[Bedlam]

I went with a 4000 lb truck camper on my 2005 F250 SC SB. It handled the weight well but needed some tire and suspension help to tow my 8000 lb 20' enclosed trailer behind the camper. Your 2001 model does not have the capacity of the newer generation trucks, but you should be able haul more than 2000 lbs with some minor upgrades.

We're looking at big triple slide models and have upgraded the truck in anticipation of a 6000 lb camper, otherwise I would still be driving my well traveled Ford.

[Oasisbob]

I was goingto suggest Lance but your weight limit stopped me. I have looked at "Camp Lite" trailers & truck campers. You might want to give them a look. Appear to be well made. Best of luck

[mikensallyt]

great info btw. I just sold my class a because it was to large for this solo man. I've been thinking of tents just to get out there but always had the truck camper in my mind. I guess I know where to go now. tks for the link. /Mikey

[jmckelvy]

If you haven't already, check out the Northstar campers. They are high quality and have 7 and 7 1/2 foot wide campers. I had an 8.5 Arrow for 7 years. Great camper.

Northstar Campers

[trailgranny50]

The pricing on used seems to depends on just how used, age, and where you are looking in the states. A lot of states have very few offerings while others have lots. Colorado, where my jeep club son in law lives, seem to have quite a few as do the other mountain states and California. It takes time to find one you like in very good condition. Prices tend to go up in summer and hunting seasons. We saw many in the $6,000-$15,000 range when we were looking and that's a lot less than the majority of new, decently put together campers. Good luck in your search! We got a decent much older camper for $2,700 then added that much in additional fixes and add ons. The camper had no rot or structural damages outside of a few dents. It is now, however, over your posted weight at 3,000# fully loaded. We do haul it on an 04 model Chevy Duramax 3500 DRW that we bought new and used for work till the camper came along and truck required no after market suspension work. Apples and oranges maybe but an idea of weight. It is a 9'6" on a long bed and requires an 18" receiver extension to tow. Your need for no bed overhang and a short bed is what may be a limiting factor along with weight. I'm sure there's just the one for you out there but your truck may still need suspension, wheel and tire help.