TC durability on dirt roads

[bobman]

I have a class B and have been considering selling it and getting a 4 season TC
Bigfoot or northern lite

My usage will be pheasant hunting, traveling down dirt sometimes washboard roads for about 4 weeks in Montana North Dakota and Kansas. I'm old enough to go real slow but I am wondering if the TC will fall apart in this type of service?

Basically I drive to two or three spots and hunt, then camp where I end up at dark and do it again the next day, maybe 25-50 miles max per day.

My truck is a crewcab f 350 dually 1997 if that matters. No rough 4x4 type stuff just lots of miles on dirt and gravel roads.

I overlooked the fact my class B isn't really capable of real cold weather boon docking, don't want to make another mistake with my next rv.

My other alternative is to pull a trailer or buy a class A and pull a toad to hunt out of but I am trying to avoid having to return each night to where I dropped off the rv.

I want a hard sided well insulated camper not a pop up

[jimh406]

I agree that most TCS are not the best for truly rough roads, but I don't think it matters what the orientation is for the bed. However, this thread was about dirt roads with some washboards which is an entirely different beast! 🙂

[sleepy]

whizbang wrote:
Truck campers are the best RV choice for rough roads.

If you look at enough older campers, you will find many that bulge or show signs of flexing where the cab over meets the truck. For this reason, I prefer the shorter cab over of a east-west bed. They hold up better on really rough roads.

The over whelming majority of TCers are extended cabovers with north-south beds. Folks love em. Miss-placed love in my opinion.

RREALLY? You'd think that I'd have noticed it at least once over the last 45 years.

Really?

[whizbang]

Truck campers are the best RV choice for rough roads.

If you look at enough older campers, you will find many that bulge or show signs of flexing where the cab over meets the truck. For this reason, I prefer the shorter cab over of a east-west bed. They hold up better on really rough roads.

The over whelming majority of TCers are extended cabovers with north-south beds. Folks love em. Miss-placed love in my opinion.

[Geewizard]

My TC is in great shape and has been on many graveled washboard roads since 2004 including parts of the Alaska Highway, the Dalton Highway, and other roads in Alaska. I think it all depends on the manufacturer of the TC.

[profdant139]

A trailer might be more comfortable, but there is no way a trailer can handle bad roads like a TC can. Having said that, we tow into the darndest places -- slowly and carefully. I have specially altered the trailer for rough roads -- see links below for more info on the trailer and where we have gone.

But for the real back country, I would prefer a TC. With the trailer, we have to scout for places to turn around -- a TC does not have to do that.

[c_traveler2]

I bought my Lance 815 new in 2002 and done many off road expeditions, There will be some extra maintenance due such off road travels and some where along the way you'll get some "desert pin stripping" a dent or two its part of the risk for off road travel.

Just a few photo of where I've taken my rig, a TC is a great way to go.

[NVR2L82AV8]

We like getting off the beaten path and its not been an issue for my AF 990 except for branches leaving permanent marks, the occasional broken plastic vent and rubber roof scratch etc. Growing up in the Northwest taught me allot, and by that I mean when I've got two tons strapped down (the camper) and I have to engage 4X4 its time to reevaluate a different course of action (no winch setup--yet). Living in the SW I've seen the gamut of temps--AF builds a solid comfortable camper. Sometimes your only option is a campground but, I think folks who limit themselves to just pavement and campgrounds miss out on the tremendous scenery off the beaten path. Happy Camping.

Edge of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon--no paved roads around here...

[Camp__Forrest__]

My camper was owned by an avid outdoorsman before me and we both have taken my camper on dirt roads a lot. Literally thousands of miles of dirt, maybe even tens of thousands. I can't point to a single problem resulting from vibrations.

Rain, on the other hand has caused oodles of problems for me. $10 in caulk can save a lot of time and hassle later.

[sabconsulting]

As my friends have already demonstrated above, truck campers are great for dirt trails. If you still have a doubt look at the Trip Reports sticky thread and check out the journeys of Jefe 4x4.

Also, here is our >20 year old camper at the top of a hill in the Sahara Desert:



Steve.

[jimh406]

I've driven mine all over the National forests in WA with no issues so far. I slow down when the roads are rougher. The bigger problem for me is width of road and clearance height.

[Less_Stuff]

Wow truck campers are made for dirt roads.



When sold my 11 year old truck smelled of dirt road anytime I turned on the heater or air conditioner.
Camped in temps from +8 to 105F.
Still kind of miss my Lance camper but very glad I'm not feeding that Chevy parts eater anymore.

[bka0721]

Truck Campers love getting off pavement! The more recent manufactured Truck Campers will hold up much better, than the wood framed TCs of the past. But, many of those have been passed down through generations of Upland Game hunters and still serving well.

What might be something to prepare for, is that you will need to develop techniques of securing belongings inside and around your TC. I use simple leashes to secure doors, drawers and items to keep them from mixing on the floor with other errant items. The same goes with learning techniques to enjoy all seasons in your camper.

The second issue with traveling off pavement, is the rocks thrown at the Toads and Trailer's leading edges, that you will be towing. Anyone looking at these areas on the trailer I tow, will be secured in that I really do travel off pavement.

Also, tire tread choice is important too, in how they will discard rocks and gravel, as well as provide traction in varied travel surfaces.

A TC is a good choice for what you are planning to do. Have Fun!

b

[sleepy]

I might not have as much experience as some (1081 nights in this camper) but my actuall experiences show that:

I haven't had any problems with roads (trails) like these... or in the deserts of the west. No damage ever... go slow, pick our way carefully.





Places like the one below in the FL panhandle have done more damage to my TC and truck than anything or anywhere else.

Salt damage... we have roamed and parked on beaches all over the US and Canada... Inverters, fantastic fan motors, slide room tracks, tie downs, jacks, TV Antenna... anything made of metal... RUST... causing electronic failures or inconsistancy

[Flyfisher86]

I use my camper for fishing and get off the main roads onto old logging roads and gravel roads all the time. A lot of it has been in the area you are talking about the only problem I have run across is the wash boarding on some of the gravels roads will move things around in the cabinets but has had no affect on my camper. The great thing is your home is always with you so if you get hungry or want to take a break you don't have far to go.