Short or Long bed

[molzep]

We have a short bed pickup (GMC 2500 4WD) for now. Our Fleetwood Angler has seen better days (like the days when the tie downs were attached to solid frame), so we're looking at purchasing a new camper. I'd like to buy something that will work on the short bed, and on the 8ft we'll buy in a year or two. I thought Lance had a couple models, but I don't see them listed for both short and long on their site.
Anybody have suggestions?

[molzep]

I purchased a 2009 Lance 815. The last year it was made. So far it looks great in the driveway, now I just need to summerize my truck!

[c_traveler2]

wintersun wrote:
If you download the Lance brochures from their website they go back more than 5 years. The brochures indicate which models are for heavy duty short bed trucks. These campers have the center of gravity directly over the rear axle of a short bed truck.

Current 855 and 861 models and the older 845, 815, 825, 830 models are all designed specifically for use on short bed trucks. Lance provides the broadest range of campers for short bed trucks but others to consider are the ones from Wolf Creek and Northern Lite.

I like the fiberglass shell design that is like the way boats are constructed of the Northern Lite campers. Having a fiberglass roof makes it a lot easier to attach items like solar panels and would reduce the amount of recaulking needed considerably.

Don't trust the published weights of any of the manufacturers. I would add 500# to whatever they state and then another 700# for your gear and provisions, etc. to the planned payload for your truck.

Lance 815 was design to be used either on a short or long bed truck. I've had mine new since 2002.

[c_traveler2]

molzep wrote:
We have a short bed pickup (GMC 2500 4WD) for now. Our Fleetwood Angler has seen better days (like the days when the tie downs were attached to solid frame), so we're looking at purchasing a new camper. I'd like to buy something that will work on the short bed, and on the 8ft we'll buy in a year or two. I thought Lance had a couple models, but I don't see them listed for both short and long on their site.
Anybody have suggestions?

Unfortunate Lance dropped their 815 model, which could be used on a long or short bed truck. You can still find some in the used market.

[Mello_Mike]

Northwood Manufacturing makes both Arctic Fox and Wolf Creek campers which are made for short-bed trucks. My Wolf Creek 850 has been a great camper. Extremely well built and weight-wise will work on either a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

[molzep]

12V Cummins wrote:
Truck camper warehouse is saying they will have 15 truck campers in springfield!

Nice!

[12V_Cummins]

Truck camper warehouse is saying they will have 15 truck campers in springfield!

[Reelescape1]

The Lance 820 is SB also. I think it was the predecessor to the 825.

[wintersun]

If you download the Lance brochures from their website they go back more than 5 years. The brochures indicate which models are for heavy duty short bed trucks. These campers have the center of gravity directly over the rear axle of a short bed truck.

Current 855 and 861 models and the older 845, 815, 825, 830 models are all designed specifically for use on short bed trucks. Lance provides the broadest range of campers for short bed trucks but others to consider are the ones from Wolf Creek and Northern Lite.

I like the fiberglass shell design that is like the way boats are constructed of the Northern Lite campers. Having a fiberglass roof makes it a lot easier to attach items like solar panels and would reduce the amount of recaulking needed considerably.

Don't trust the published weights of any of the manufacturers. I would add 500# to whatever they state and then another 700# for your gear and provisions, etc. to the planned payload for your truck.

[GMCPU53]

molzep wrote:
Thanks! I think I'll check out the Arctic Fox 811, Northstar, the S & S (never heard of that brand) and some Northstars. I don't want to have the gap between camper and the truck. I'm more looking for the the Northstar like option where you can detach (or skip) the rear storage. I think the Lance 815 use to do that.

There's a camper show next month in Springfield, I hope there are some truck campers to look at!

thanks all!

Truck Camper Warehouse / East End Campers is usually there in Springfield with several TC's

[molzep]

Thanks! I think I'll check out the Arctic Fox 811, Northstar, the S & S (never heard of that brand) and some Northstars. I don't want to have the gap between camper and the truck. I'm more looking for the the Northstar like option where you can detach (or skip) the rear storage. I think the Lance 815 use to do that.

There's a camper show next month in Springfield, I hope there are some truck campers to look at!

thanks all!

[DWeikert]

My Northstar Adventurer is short or long bed compatible. Well, "mine" is only for a short bed because I ordered it with the permanent wrap around rear. It's available with detachable storage at the rear overhang so you can use it on a short bed or remove the rear storage and then use the same camper on a long bed. Mine is a somewhat smaller camper (7' wide) but Northstar does also offer that functionality on other models.

[GMCPU53]

My 8.5 ft S&S Ponderosa camper will fit on both a short and long bed , and it is a very well made TC .

Joe

[jimh406]

As long as the camper has nothing hanging down to prevent it sliding forward to the front of the bed, any short bed camper can work on a long bed. A few people here have spacers in front of their campers. Although that is possible, I wouldn't do it.

[Charlie_Em]

According to the Lance site,the 825, 855 and 865 lines are all short bed campers.