Newbie Looking for Advice

[PGriffiths]

Hi Everyone,

I've recently had a friend visit and on the back of his truck was a pick-up camper (pop-up style). I had never really looked into them until then and I immediately fell in love with the model!

I'm looking for a camper that I can take across the US on an extended road trip. Something that will offer a slightly lower profile than other units and something that doesn't involve a trailer/towing. A truck camper seems to fit this bill nicely. I would use this as my primary residence for the duration of the trip (likely up to 6 months or more).

I have a few questions that I hope some folks here can help me with (I apologize if these are elsewhere in the forums or are too basic!)

1) Where do I start? - Are there particular brands/models that are better than others, pros/cons of each?

2) I own a 2003 Chevy S10, 6' bed. - Is this enough truck for a pop-up camper or would I need a full size?

3) Shopping for a used camper(doubt I could afford new). - What are some things to look for? What are some things to avoid? Are there things on a camper that can't be fixed/replaced?

4) Reliability/longevity - Are truck campers good for a while? As stated in the previous question, I will need to buy used so I want to make sure whatever I buy will still meet my needs.

5) Anything else? Are there things you wish you knew when you started into the truck camper world that you know now? Any experience or suggestions about anything truck camper related would be really helpful and appreciated. I have very little experience with campers in general so I apologize for my ignorance here.

Thank you all for the help!

[whizbang]

Yeah, I figured I'd alarm all the FWC fans with that comment.

I had a FWC. (go to the very first page of the PHOTO thread. You can see all 4 of our truck/camper combos). My Four Wheel Camper had two things I ABSOLUTELY hated:

1 --- The windows are located above and below head height. AT head height (eye level) there is framing and cabinetry. The net effect is that visibility outside is poor.

Now, this doesn't matter is you are outdoors all day and the camper is just a eating and sleeping area. However, if you get caught in inclement weather, the FWC is claustrophobic. (This is the Pacific NW. More than once my weekend hiking turned into weekend book reading inside the camper).

2 --- Additionally, my FWC was badly out of level side-to-side. All the cabinets, battery, water, and propane was located on the drivers side. I had my FWC on a Ford Ranger (badly overloaded), then on a long bed Crew Cab F350.

Load wise, the F350 drove like the camper wasn't there. Until you looked at the set-up from the front or rear. The FWC leaned badly to the driver side.

I had to put air bags on BOTH trucks to correct the lean.

I think side-to-side lean is inexcusable. My Jayco is dead level. Anything less is crappy engineering.

Based on on-line photos of FWC, the design hasn't changed and the campers are still out of level. (perhaps I am mistaken???).

Dudes, it's just my opinion, I realize lots of people love both Four Wheel Camper and Palomino. The FWC are the lightest campers on the road. Lots to love about then. I get it. I just won't get one again myself.

And yes, the new Palominos are much better than the older ones. By volume, there are still more old ones around, and the olds ones are... not good. Hence my comment. The new ones, while better, run a tad heavy.

[hedgehopper]

Find the camper that you like and THEN get a truck sufficiently heavy duty to carry it. If you're lucky, you might find the camper already mounted on a suitable pickup, as we did. However, don't assume that because the camper is already mounted on the truck that the truck is adequate to carry the camper.

[SidecarFlip]

Grit dog wrote:
You could limp by, maybe with the smallest pop up made and very little added weight on an S10. (Nevermind it's also old. Vehicle condition comes into play).
You're talking about 6 month stints? You want hippie style, mattress in a van, bathing and dishes in the Mc Donald's bathroom, or do you want most/all indoor living features?

Personally, find a HD truck and then start looking for campers. At the bare minimum, a well equipped half ton for the smaller pop ups.

I would agree with Grit Dog. You could get by with a minimal camper but in couple months, you'll look and feel like 5 miles of bad road without any amenities associated with a comfortably equipped pop up TC,

I tote my pop up on a 1 ton Ford but I had the truck when I owned my Lance and it is overkill for what is in the bed now. On the plus side, the truck never works hard, gets good mileage and I don't even know there is a camper in the bed (unless I look in the mirror).

Most TC'ers (at least on here) worry about how close they are to GVW, tires and will my suspension take the weight. I went the other way. I'm not even close to my GVW, I have way more truck than camper, but a compact pickup truck with my camper in the bed (if it would fit, which I don't think it would), would be grossly overweight.

S10's are fine for going to the supermarket or playing wannabe truck but for hauling anything...get something with more arse.

[Grit_dog]

You could limp by, maybe with the smallest pop up made and very little added weight on an S10. (Nevermind it's also old. Vehicle condition comes into play).
You're talking about 6 month stints? You want hippie style, mattress in a van, bathing and dishes in the Mc Donald's bathroom, or do you want most/all indoor living features?

Personally, find a HD truck and then start looking for campers. At the bare minimum, a well equipped half ton for the smaller pop ups.

[SidecarFlip]

joerg68 wrote:
thirding the question why to avoid FWC. For all I know they are among the most dependable and rugged campers out there, being all aluminum frame and such.

I know if I was to buy another pop up and had an unlimited wallet (I don't, I'm retired), my first choice would be a Four Wheel Grandby (maybe a limited edition Woolrich), second would be a Hallmark, third would be an Alaskan, fourth would be a Northstar and last would be a Palomino (which I happen to own and have had ZERO issues with.

Like an Alaskan or Hallmark, you can get a Four Wheel Camper built any way you want it, aluminium outer skin or Filon, any options and the FWC camper is TIG welded aluminum frame with no wood anywhere (except inside in the cabinets)

Would be my first choice.

Finding one used or an Alaskan is an exercise in futility. People buy them and keep them forever.

...and unlike a conventional TC, they can be used on a light weight pickup truck.

[joerg68]

thirding the question why to avoid FWC. For all I know they are among the most dependable and rugged campers out there, being all aluminum frame and such.

[GoinThisAway]

Ah! You've been bitten by the truck camper bug! There's no cure for that but then most TCers I know don't want to be cured 😉

1) Where do I start? - Are there particular brands/models that are better than others, pros/cons of each?

Since you're looking at used, finding a brand with good customer support is worth considering. If you find a unit you're interested in, you should consider calling the manufacturer to ask some questions and see how you're treated. I've heard many praises for Hallmark and Outfitter, even from folks who bought their unit used, but there may be others that provide good support too.

2) I own a 2003 Chevy S10, 6' bed. - Is this enough truck for a pop-up camper or would I need a full size?

You might be able to find one that will fit but, as others have said, it won't be much. Remember when you're matching camper to truck that, in addition to the camper itself, you have to allow for the weight of the stuff you'll be putting into it. This can easily add up to 500 to 1000 lbs. And don't forget to allow for your own weight and that of any pets and/or passengers. I suggest you look online at the new units first just to get an idea of what amenities you can't do without and get a feel for what the weights are on different size units. Be aware that the weights given are typically base weights which don't include the weight of options.

3) Shopping for a used camper(doubt I could afford new). - What are some things to look for? What are some things to avoid? Are there things on a camper that can't be fixed/replaced?

As stated, previous leaks with its resultant rot damage are the biggest worry. It's always more extensive than it first appears and more costly and time consuming to fix than originally thought. Look at the sealant on the seams and around any door or fixture through the wall or roof. You want to see that it is neat, with no cracks or gaps. Feel the walls, roof, floor, etc. to see if it's solid and look to see if there are any bows or ripples that could indicate rot or delamination. Open all the cabinets and drawers and look at the inside of the outer shell to check for any sign of water intrusion ... dark streaks, mold, etc. Avoid listening when a seller tells you he hauled the camper on such-and-such a truck for years with no problems ... do you're own research! Anything on any camper can be fixed or replaced but with a used camper you can quickly spend enough on repairs to negate the savings of buying used. Structural deficiencies are the hardest to fix; compartment doors, windows, appliances, and fixtures are easily replaced assuming the unit isn't so old that its hard or impossible to find the parts.

4) Reliability/longevity - Are truck campers good for a while? As stated in the previous question, I will need to buy used so I want to make sure whatever I buy will still meet my needs.

If taken care of, truck campers (like any other RV) can last for decades. Again, rot is their biggest enemy. Even campers with an aluminum frame usually have wood inside the framing tubes and, other than CampLite who don't make a popup, wood is used on the walls, ceiling, cabinets, floor, etc. Being stored under a roof when not used helps. Make sure the unit has been properly winterized as needed to maintaining the plumbing and prevent leaks.

5) Anything else? Are there things you wish you knew when you started into the truck camper world that you know now? Any experience or suggestions about anything truck camper related would be really helpful and appreciated. I have very little experience with campers in general so I apologize for my ignorance here.

Note that since you're buying used, as long as you don't overpay for a unit you can always sell it with little or no loss and find another. Go to as many dealers with truck campers as you can and look at both their new and used units. Even if you're going to go used you can get an idea of floorplans, build quality, etc, of a particular manufacturer, all of which is usually pretty consistent over the years. Another great way to see a lot of units and, even better, talk to the folks who have used them, is to attend a truck camper rally (Truck Camper Magazine has a list of upcoming rallies and there's a forum here for rallies too). Most truck camper owners are quite happy to talk about and show off their rig. You can even note the location and the truck camper brand and type of posters here in the Truck Camper forum and send those with a popup a Private Message to see if you can meet with them if you're in their area ... assuming they're not on the road enjoying their rig :B

Good luck on your search!

[SidecarFlip]

whizbang wrote:
Yes, you will need a full size truck, 1 ton or 3/4 ton (F350 or F250 or equal).

The most important thing in a used camper is the condition... NO LEAKS!!! Inspect very well in good light.

Consider Hallmark, Outfitter, Northstar, Sunlite, and Jayco.

Avoid Four Wheel Camper and Palomino, especially Palomino.

I could take that as an insult. The new ones are a lot better than the older ones. No 2 piece door and no crank up lift.

Curious as to why you say to avoid Four Wheel Campers other than price and not many available used.

[GeoBoy]

whizbang wrote:
Yes, you will need a full size truck, 1 ton or 3/4 ton (F350 or F250 or equal).

The most important thing in a used camper is the condition... NO LEAKS!!! Inspect very well in good light.

Consider Hallmark, Outfitter, Northstar, Sunlite, and Jayco.

Avoid Four Wheel Camper and Palomino, especially Palomino.

Why avoid Four Wheeler camper?

[whizbang]

Yes, you will need a full size truck, 1 ton or 3/4 ton (F350 or F250 or equal).

The most important thing in a used camper is the condition... NO LEAKS!!! Inspect very well in good light.

Consider Hallmark, Outfitter, Northstar, Sunlite, and Jayco.

Avoid Four Wheel Camper and Palomino, especially Palomino.

[K_Mac]

Check out TCM. Truck Camper Magizine. They have a newbie section with lots of good info. More truck is in your future if you plan on living in it for six months. Good luck.

[mkirsch]

If you've got designs of being completely self-contained, with kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc., I am not aware of any campers for compact trucks that include those features.

Most compact truck campers are pretty much just camper-shaped bedrooms, and cramped ones at that. You need to have external facilities for bathing and doing your business.

Remember you want to live like this for SIX MONTHS and travel LONG DISTANCES with this setup. Driving an overloaded truck all over the country and living in an almost primitive setting for long stretches isn't for everyone.

[towpro]

being the owner of a 2001 Chevy S10, you would really be pushing that truck carrying a pickup camper. I would recommend looking at a full size truck. But before you buy a truck, figure out which camper you want. This part is important, because many buy the truck, than the camper, then realize the truck is too light.

a good place to start is 4 hours SE of you at Truck Camper Warehouse
they are Saturday and Sundays weekend.

[joerg68]

The list above is missing Fourwheel Campers. Lightweight, rugged, expensive.
Really if you need/want to buy used, I think the better camper (as in: better shape) is the better deal regardless of the brand.

Used campers often come with existing (water-)damage, repair is more work than you anticipate.

The interwebs tell me the payload of your truck is around 1200-1500 lbs. That ... is not much. Also, I am not sure which campers will physically fit between the rear wheel wells. Never trust the weight stated for any given camper, and calculate realistically what additional weights need to be added.

Many popup campers can be safely loaded on many 1/2ton / 1500 series pickup trucks.
The 3/4ton idea is not bad. If in doubt, it is better to have more truck than you need.