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Short or Long bed

molzep
Explorer
Explorer
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?
Molly
1995 Fleetwood Angler(retired)
2009 Lance 815
2000 GMC Sierra (for now)
16 REPLIES 16

molzep
Explorer
Explorer
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!
Molly
1995 Fleetwood Angler(retired)
2009 Lance 815
2000 GMC Sierra (for now)

c_traveler2
Nomad
Nomad
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.
2007 F-250 4x4 /6.0 PSD/ext cab/ 2020 Bunduvry

Lance 815/ 85 watts solar panel (sold)
2020 Bunduvry by BundutecUSA

Travelingman2 Photo Website
Truck Camper Trip Reports 3.0
travelingman21000 YouTube Videos
Alex and Julie's Travels Blog

c_traveler2
Nomad
Nomad
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.
2007 F-250 4x4 /6.0 PSD/ext cab/ 2020 Bunduvry

Lance 815/ 85 watts solar panel (sold)
2020 Bunduvry by BundutecUSA

Travelingman2 Photo Website
Truck Camper Trip Reports 3.0
travelingman21000 YouTube Videos
Alex and Julie's Travels Blog

Mello_Mike
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2016 Northstar Laredo SC/240w Solar/2-6v Lifeline AGMs/Dometic CR110 DC Compressor Fridge
2013 Ram 3500 4x4/6.7L Cummins TD/3.42/Buckstop Bumper with Warn 16.5ti Winch/Big Wig Rear Sway Bar/Talons w/SS Fastguns
My Rig
1998 Jeep Wrangler
US Navy Ret.

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


Nice!
Molly
1995 Fleetwood Angler(retired)
2009 Lance 815
2000 GMC Sierra (for now)

12V_Cummins
Explorer
Explorer
Truck camper warehouse is saying they will have 15 truck campers in springfield!

Reelescape1
Explorer
Explorer
The Lance 820 is SB also. I think it was the predecessor to the 825.

wintersun
Explorer II
Explorer II
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
Explorer
Explorer
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
2011 Silverado 3500HD LT4x4 Ext.Cab L/B SRW
2008 S&S Montana Ponderosa 8.5 FBSC

molzep
Explorer
Explorer
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!
Molly
1995 Fleetwood Angler(retired)
2009 Lance 815
2000 GMC Sierra (for now)

DWeikert
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
Dan
2008 Chevy D/A 2500HD ECSB
2010 Northstar 8.5 Adventurer

GMCPU53
Explorer
Explorer
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
2011 Silverado 3500HD LT4x4 Ext.Cab L/B SRW
2008 S&S Montana Ponderosa 8.5 FBSC

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

Charlie_Em
Explorer
Explorer
According to the Lance site,the 825, 855 and 865 lines are all short bed campers.
Charlie, Emilie and Buc
"08" Winnabego Aspect 29H
"02" Suzuki Intruder
"05" Honda Goldwing