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[Cmwren]

Hey everyone! Thought I would register and check things out. My wife and I are going to be getting rid of our 40'5rh wheel toy hauler and go to a truck camper and utility trailer since our sxs no longer fits. Anyways we are looking at the arctic fox 992. Any guidance is appreciated.

[DAKKA]

We were in a similar situation as well. We had the 38ft 5th wheel then down sized to a 23ft pull behind and now are in a TC. After a couple years in the 5th and tow behind we realized we packed more than we ever used. We actually pulled everything out and realized that we only used about 1/4th of what we ever packed. It was more of the "what if".

I do agree with a couple comments, the sleeping in the cab over, its a change but did not really impact us much. The only issue I have right now as I am new to the TC is the loading and unloading takes me a bit longer than hitching up a 5th wheel and tow behind. Keeping it level...

We do have the eagle cab 1200 and we have used it now just twice but are very happy with the change. We had 4 of us in the this past weekend and it was plenty of room for when we were in side, which wasn't much.

As an additional note, I did drop the extra cash and went the torque lift super hitch 30k and run a 48 inch extension. Well worth it, IMO.

Good Luck,
Brad

[lakeside013104]

We downsized from a 39' 5er to a TC. Like many have mentioned, much easier to get around in the TC and fuel stops are a breeze. One does not need to carry all the STUFF. There is a Wally or Camping World right around the next turn.

As far as sleeping, our addition of a foam mattress in the TC made a huge difference. There is plenty of room for us and we sleep in a very comfortable bed. The bed is a little tougher to make up every morning, but a small price to pay for the freedom of movement and the ability to go most anywhere you want to.

I find that we are actually doing more CAMPING and not so much RVing anymore. There is a difference. RVing in resorts with the next camper four feet away from you along with all the close capacity environments, complete with the un-neighborly pleasantries, is no longer a problem. Using a TC and being able to experience the freedom to camp where you stop, is wonderful.

We have recently traveled from Maine to Alaska and have not made one reservation in a campground. We drive till we no longer wish to do so and within the next 20 or 30 miles, a CG or dry camping spot presents it's self.

We have found that while traveling in Alaska, campgrounds are only necessary every few days and then only to replenish with water and do laundry, etc.


TCs are a pleasant and very easy way to travel this beautiful country of ours. WE have not missed the space of the 5er nor the expense or stress to move from place to place. Setting up or breaking camp is a task of about four or five minutes compared to thirty minutes to an hour to do the same with a 5er.

TCs are NOT for everyone. Some of us require a huge space to be comfortable and feel secure. Traveling in our TC is a wonderful experience for us and we both feel that our decision to downsize was the correct choice.


Best of luck.

Lakeside

[towpro]

so your SxS does not fit in the toy hauler? you must need a big trailer your planing to tow behind your truck camper?

your looking at a 10' camper to put on your 8' bed. your going to have to extend your hitch. the affordable stuff is only going to allow you to tow around 6000 lbs, 600lbs tong weight with weight distribution. or you can drop a couple thousand and get the Torklift hitch.

We have a 30' 5th wheel AND our truck camper. when using the truck camper we also tow a 7x14 box trailer with a BMW R1200gs inside. we have found that we can use the bike trailer as a enclosed patio when weather is inclement.

your also going to miss the storage in the larger RV, but you can pack some cloths in the box trailer (or truck)

also do you have kids you will be traveling with?

[toedtoes]

I don't see any folks trying to talk the OP down. My concern was more practical - cabover bunks are not for everyone and it makes sense to make sure you're OK with it before the expense of changing rigs. Especially when you're going to a rig that doesn't have an alternate bed (realistically - as converting the dinette is a pain to do every day).

[Grit_dog]

Welcome Cmwren! Surprised so many trying to talk you down on this. Since you're looking for a TC, Arctic Fox campers are pretty darn solid. Have had 2 older ones now, both have served us well with very few issues.
With space being a concern, I may suggest a a cargo trailer in lieu of a utility trailer to haul the wheeler. More secure, space for extra "stuff" and once you put the white whale on the back of your pickup, it won't really matter what's behind it. A tall cargo trailer will tow about the same as a flatbed.

[travelnutz]

Actually, your change makes a whole lot of sense to me and we have been RV'ing for over 52 years now and had every type of RV except for a toy hauler. Have a carriage Carrilite 5h wheel and an 11'4" Lance TC presently and had 3-4 different RV's at the same time for decades. We are 75 years old now and the 2 are enough to do all we want to very comfortable. The TC is for spring, summer, and fall and we use and the 5th wheel for towing to Florida for our time there in winter for a few months. My wife is disabled and can only walk short distances and minimal bending so slipping on snow or ice in winter at home is just not on the menu!

With a TC rig, you can take anything along if so wanted for some trips that you do with your toy hauler by just adding a simple inexpensive enclosed trailer which is so easily pulled behind your TC/DRW truck rig. Want to go on a day trip while camping? Just leave the enclosed trailer back on your CG site!

The TC rig give you so much more versatility and can park in normal parking lots when going to the stores etc. Also gives you a home on wheels with you if the weather gets bad while away from your CG site and you have all your clothes you'll need plus food and shelter and even a place to flop for a little nap wherever you so desire. All the same appliances as in your toy hauler and also an onboard generator for 110 AC with no shore power if you buy with one built in or an external generator as that works too. Better fuel mileage than towing the toy hauler and no issues getting to the fuel pumps and back out as you are about the same as your rig is about the same size as a pickup truck.

Our first RV was an 8' TC on a 3/4 ton truck purchased new in early 1965 and for the last over 52 years we have always had at least one TC owned at any time. Even though we had TT's or 5th wheels or class B or a class C or even one of our big Allegro class A MH's at the same time. None compares to what all can be done or with/in a TC rig. No problem launching a boat on a trailer if you take one along with a TC rig.

We will not be without a TC as it is so great for long driving trips like going to Alaska etc or cross country trips or 1 and 2 day trips and/or being on the road most of the time and where pulling a large trailer just to sleep in at night is crazy as you need a CG and usually some AC. Not needed with a TC rig as you can park them about anywhere and no one would even know you are inside sleeping. Small to heat or AC yet has all the conveniences of a larger RV.

I'd say, GO FOR IT!

[Cmwren]

We have a friend that has a lance and we have been in it many times to check things out. That is how we decided to go this route and also how we figured we don't like a wet bath. We also have a 2014 Chevy 3500 dually crew cab 4x4 that is doing the hauling.

[SidecarFlip]

All I can say is: Take everything out of your 5er and lay it out and start eliminating. When you get down to about 1/4 of your 'collection,, you are close.

[RoyB]

Cmwren wrote:
Our trips are no more than a week, but usually once a month, so renting isn't an option.

I'm reading the renting comment to be to try out the Truck Camper for a trip and see if this is what you are expecting...

I know in my case I have been looking at Truck Campers ever since I fell in love with them from my Arizona work trips over the years...

My setup is going from the smaller OFF-ROAD POPUP setups to something larger for more home comfort.

The Trcuck camper would be great for this in my case. I have really looked hard at one and two side slides. With those you have alot of room much like the living area of a fifth wheel.

Then i got to see a truck camper with the side entrance with a slide on the rear side and one on both sides as well. This really opened up the living quarters big time with the rear slide a hugh full width large couch etc...

Of course you will will have to go with duallys on the truck and in my case storage would be a hugh drawback... As small as my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer is I have a hugh storage area from the 5X8 deck on the camper, the rear truck bed, and the back seat area inside my truck... I can carry some serious camping supplies and items with this setup...

I know I would have to pull a utility trailer behind the Truck camper for all of other hobby support I have to deal with...

All of this then fights what to do when you are camping somewhere and want to go on short trips around your camping area. I just leave my OFF-ROAD POPUP camper setup and go anywhere I want in my truck...

The Truck camper idea will not give me this routine unless you unload the Truck camper and set it on the ground... Then what do you do with the enclosed utility trailer. What about security for the Truck camper and the utility both left unattended at a camp site which in my case would most likely be a OFF-ROAD Camp Site back in the woods somewhere...

Then I also would be running around the local country side with a pretty large pickup truck with dual wheels on the rear...

Lots to consider here for me haha...

Roy Ken

[Bedlam]

We went from a Weekend Warrior toy hauler to an Arctic Fox 811 truck camper and found we wanted more room. Our previous truck did fine with the TH or TC, but we needed to upgrade trucks to go bigger. We decided to go to largest TC rather than largest TH by choosing a Host Mammoth. Before we could carry the Mammoth and still tow our 20' enclosed trailer, we had to upgrade the truck. Going to a Class 5 truck has kept my mods zero on the truck other than outfitting it with a flat bed and receiver.

If you camp in all seasons, sit inside the different units and see if there enough room and comfort for prolonged trips.

[toedtoes]

Cmwren wrote:
Hey everyone! Thought I would register and check things out. My wife and I are going to be getting rid of our 40'5rh wheel toy hauler and go to a truck camper and utility trailer since our sxs no longer fits. Anyways we are looking at the arctic fox 992. Any guidance is appreciated.

When I first read that, I read it as "since our sexes no longer fits" and I was going to ask what you had done... 🙂

I would suggest that you go to a dealer and both of you climb in and out of the cabover bunk. Get a feel for how to do so at night when the other person is asleep, etc. If you read in bed, try this out for a while, etc. Make sure you will both find it comfortable for your normal "bed" behaviors. I love my cabover bunk, but for many folks it's awkward, claustrophobic, cramped, etc. Make sure you are OK with it BEFORE you buy it. Figure out if you will need/want a step stool, ladder, etc., for getting in and out. And make sure that you can each get in and out without falling all over the other person.

With the toy hauler, you are probably used to a large floor space. Going to a TC will be a big difference as there is very little to no floor space. Again, go test some out and make sure you're comfortable with that as you will have less stuff inside (using the trailer to carry a lot) but still less space overall. Make sure you are both comfortable getting in and out of cupboards and the fridge, fixing a snack, reading, using the restroom, etc., while the other person is doing their thing inside.

I think when folks go from big to small, the biggest reason for it not working is that they didn't realize how much they had to change how they did things. In that small of a space, every movement you make will have an impact on your wife, and visa versa - so understanding what that really means before you make the change will be a huge part of making it successful.

[Cmwren]

Our trips are no more than a week, but usually once a month, so renting isn't an option.

[work2much]

We are currently semi full timing in our AF 1150. It has everything we need although more comfortable seating would be nice for relaxing. We like the ability to camp in smaller more remote areas that motorhomes or trailers can't.

I think you will be pleased with the 992.

How long are your trips? I think for normal 2-4 week vacations a TC gives great flexibility. For longer trips you may miss the space of your trailer.

[Lwiddis]

That's a radical change in RV size. Be sure. Why not rent a TC for a week?