Newbie Here! - Would Love Some General Info/Help!

[ORExpore]

Hey Everyone,

I'm very new to the camper/RV world and am a little overwhelmed on where to start. I've been interested for some time but have never had the means to pull it off. I'm hoping to start looking for a camper that I can take on a few ski trips this winter but also use in the summer. So, if anyone is willing, I would appreciate some help in what to look for in a camper. Here is my truck situation and a few questions.

1) I drive a 2015 Silverado 2500 HD short bed but I also want to be able to tow a boat. it seems that some campers hang down pretty low in the back. What should I look for if I want to keep my towing capability. Also, my brother drives a long bed truck, are we able to share a camper and both tow a boat or would I need to upgrade to a long bed truck?

2) Since I want to use the camper in freezing temperatures are there certain campers or features I should look for? (i.e. how much do i need to worry about pipes freezing? Or is there a way to winter-proof a camper after I purchase is?

3) Any general info/ thoughts you guys have is greatly appreciated! If there are preferred feathers that are better than other or things to watch out or lookout for. I'm a budget so I will be purchasing a little but older of a camper so i wanted to start the looking process early.

Also, I know many will recommend the search function. I have an am using that but if you know of older post that talk about these topics and are willing to provide the link that would be great!

Thanks for all the help!

Best,

ORExplore

[Faststreak]

Look at Artic fox 811 we carried one for years on a 3/4 ton Chevrolet. We also pulled a boat. We did a few minor mods to the truck stable loads, camper Timbrens and sway bar. It worked great

[cewillis]

Powerdude wrote:
A short bed truck is fine, it will just limit your options a bit.

Finally a correct answer.
Short bed is only a limit if you think it is, and it's better for serious off road camping.
Many campers in all price ranges for SB trucks.

[DWeikert]

SidecarFlip wrote:

languiduck wrote:

narcodog wrote:

DWeikert wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

Doesn't that apply no matter what truck you have?

Weight police...

Ya, so wouldn't a shorter camper for a SB truck weigh less than a camper for a LB? Always has to be one comment about weight.

Depends on how much fru-fru stuff you get. The more 'stuff' the more weight. Shorter don't mean lighter by any means.

Likewise pop-up doesn't mean lighter either.

[SidecarFlip]

languiduck wrote:

narcodog wrote:

DWeikert wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

Doesn't that apply no matter what truck you have?

Weight police...

Ya, so wouldn't a shorter camper for a SB truck weigh less than a camper for a LB? Always has to be one comment about weight.

Depends on how much fru-fru stuff you get. The more 'stuff' the more weight. Shorter don't mean lighter by any means.

[languiduck]

narcodog wrote:

DWeikert wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

Doesn't that apply no matter what truck you have?

Weight police...

Ya, so wouldn't a shorter camper for a SB truck weigh less than a camper for a LB? Always has to be one comment about weight.

[DWeikert]

Just one caveat regarding your truck. Beginning with the 2007.5 body style GM narrowed the tailgate opening to 59". If you shop for a pre-2008 camper measure the tub area that fits through the tailgate and make sure it isn't too wide for your truck.

[ORExpore]

Man, y'all are awesome! This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I will definitely be buying a used camper and it would just be one other person and me. And a shower/bathroom definitely needs to be part of the deal. That being said, I don't mind adding the overload spring which I believe is the only difference between the 2500's and the 3500's in my truck make/year.

[narcodog]

DWeikert wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

Doesn't that apply no matter what truck you have?

Weight police...

[DWeikert]

SidecarFlip wrote:

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

Doesn't that apply no matter what truck you have?

[TxGearhead]

Yeah, there's people on here that have only one way of doing things...their way.
I wouldn't rule out a decent camper for your 2500. I have a Bigfoot and am partial to them. There is no drop down behind the tailgate so getting to your hitch isn't as bad a problem. An extended tongue is a good idea that solves the leverage issue. Downside of a Bigfoot is the shorter sleeping bed....it's a "short queen". Not an issue with me as I'm 5'7". If you're much taller it could be a problem. Look at the non-basement Bigfoot 1500 series or a comparable Northern Lite, both made for cold camping.
And do your research on what the camper really weighs. It is usually more.

[SidecarFlip]

narcodog wrote:

ORExpore wrote:
Thanks for all the responses! I really appreciate all the help. I will definitely look for a short bed camper but now I feel like I really need to consider holding off a little longer and upgrading to a long bed truck.

Don't sell short your short bed. I have had my short bed for 11 years and I have been in spots that a long bed would not go. If I was going to get a new rig it still would be a short bed. JMO
The same for a duelly I have no interest in a duelly or a diesel. I have nearly 100K hauling my short bed and it handles like a dream.

So long as you have a camper that is within reason weight wise....

[narcodog]

ORExpore wrote:
Thanks for all the responses! I really appreciate all the help. I will definitely look for a short bed camper but now I feel like I really need to consider holding off a little longer and upgrading to a long bed truck.

Don't sell short your short bed. I have had my short bed for 11 years and I have been in spots that a long bed would not go. If I was going to get a new rig it still would be a short bed. JMO
The same for a duelly I have no interest in a duelly or a diesel. I have nearly 100K hauling my short bed and it handles like a dream.

[languiduck]

ORExpore wrote:
Thanks for all the responses! I really appreciate all the help. I will definitely look for a short bed camper but now I feel like I really need to consider holding off a little longer and upgrading to a long bed truck.

That's a shame the folks on here convinced you a short bed truck is no good. I might ruffle some feathers saying this, but it's my perception and a generalized statement. Since I first logged on here I noticed many active members have one way of doing things and are not open to any suggestions that deviate. It's going to run off new members, and I stopped spending as much time here and posting up because of it.
To answer the question, a short bed truck is fine, I have a F250 with 6.75' bed and you can get a nice size TC in there to suit a weekend on the ski slopes. Any camper is going to be lacking with insulation for winter use. You'll not want a pop up model. You'll want heated tanks, and you will need to keep the hookups insulated. But where are you going to camp? Is there a ski resort with a campground? Winter camping in freezing weather is just going to be miserable IMO and I personally wouldn't do it.

Towing with a TC can get awful expensive, unless you are getting a camper with no overhang. Once you start needing extension, that Torklift stuff can become necessary depending on what you're towing.

[DWeikert]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Too light of truck with a too short bed.... For a hardside. You could go with a Hallmark or FWC or even an Alaskan but not a hardside.

Really???
Granted I did add some suspension mods. I do not regret the 6' bed. I only wish GM made a 3500 with the extended cab, 6' bed.