Question on Truck Campers

[smcrea]

Hi,

We've had a travel trailer for about 10 years and are now considering downsizing as the kids leave home.

We have a 2015 F350 Diesel pickup and are considering getting a camper.

My wife is leaning towards a B class but I am not keen on the idea as we have a perfectly serviceable truck.

After digging around I found out that my wife worry is not being able to get from the camper into the truck cabin and be able to drive off. I understand that this seems strange after having a travel trailer for so many years 🙂

We heard that some truck campers have a window at the front that would allow you to slip from the camper through the rear sliding window into the truck in an emergency.

Question: is this in fact the case?

If so then which truck campers would have this?

Thanks!

[SoonDockin]

thedavidzoo wrote:
We have this boot between camper and truck. Works great. Bought it from Bill at TruckCamperWarehouse.

Someone else's pic though.

I like the look of that one vs the clear one. Is it inflatable?

[thedavidzoo]

We have this boot between camper and truck. Works great. Bought it from Bill at TruckCamperWarehouse.

Someone else's pic though.

[jimh406]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I always leave Quincy's dog bowls on the back step outside and his tie out chainl

The chain is ok, but generally a bad idea to leave dog food bowls outside in critter country due to the smells. Well, unless you want to see if your TC will hold up to bears. 🙂

[SugarHillCTD]

Wait until the OP's wife is afraid to get into bed with the TC off the truck.

"It's going to tip forward" :S (along with other myths)

[SidecarFlip]

I'd say between my 114 pound chow lab and the 44, no one is going to bother us. I know when we retire, I always leave Quincy's dog bowls on the back step outside and his tie out chain.... A gentle reminder that there is a 4 legged creature inside and it's not a toy poodle either....lol

[SidecarFlip]

Kayteg1 wrote:

SoonDockin wrote:
Is there a better boot available to seal the two so no leaks?

TrailFX

What I have as well... My 'whoopee cushion'....lol

[work2much]

No pass through option for us. The shower is where a pass through would be. Wed had them in previous campers but pretty small to try and fit through.

Really never worried about it. I can't drive my sticks and bricks country home away from danger either. Between the dogs and a shotgun I feel very safe in our camper.

[Kayteg1]

SoonDockin wrote:
Is there a better boot available to seal the two so no leaks?

TrailFX

[SoonDockin]

Two things I miss about my previous C. Quick access to the bathroom or snacks and the living quarters being pre heated or cooled. I don't typically go where I don't feel safe. Having the window pass through to help keep it cool in summer comes up in our travels. If the hole was big enough, I might even climb through in the rain. Is there a better boot available to seal the two so no leaks?

[mountainkowboy]

In the "old days" before TC's were able to be removed and used off-truck, you could get a "boot" that connected the truck to the TC by removing the windows and snapping to the inside of both. It is possible to have that done with the "right" camper. Our old S&S has a large enough window to be able to go back and forth. But I sure can't see either one of us trying to crawl in the back of the truck in any instance, although the dogs would probably like it.

[Bedlam]

Between a panic alarm in the truck and exterior lights and speakers on the camper, plenty of attention would drawn to an intruder. If no one is around to see or hear this, they will also not hear any back ground noise that may be generated from within the camper.

[emcvay]

I'm in the 'armed' camp. No need to have a quick means of getting to the drivers seat and doing a walk around to get there let's me see the environment.

[billyray50]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Most do but you had better be very flexible and thin to do it. Both of mine have / had windows and I run a boot between the truck sliding window and the camper but I've never attempted to use it ti get into the truck.

If I bought another, I'd opt out of the window entirely, just another leak point.

Agree with sidecarflip.

[Optimistic_Para]

RoyB wrote:
Wasp spray cans work too...

NO! Wasp Spray DOESN'T work and it drives me crazy when people continue to spread this stupid myth.

Here's an article about an actual case where an intruder was stabbed to death after he had been sprayed with wasp spray with no effect:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529190/Intruder-killed-Crossfit-owners-planned-abduct-****...

Here's an explanation - from a pepper spray manufacturer - explaining WHY it doesn't work, with a link to a video SHOWING that it doesn't work:

https://www.sabrered.com/blog/why-wasp-spray-won%E2%80%99t-work-self-defense-against-humans-chemist-...

And if you search on Youtube you'll find a bunch of other videos showing that it doesn't work

[Kayteg1]

In my industrial years I did crawl via holes smaller than my electric rear window.
The trick is to put 1 arm first when opening is narrower than your shoulders.
Never tried that on my camper and I doubt I will, but in case of fire, everything is possible.