thinking about truck camper

[mayorb]

Hi all It's been awhile since I posted because I've been without an RV. We had 5th wheels and TT. But sold those because of being very busy and being unable to go.

Now we are ready to get back to making some trips around the country. I started looking at class b, but just didn't need another vehicle. Then started looking at TCs. I know you guys aren't basis, so I wanted to get your experience with TCs.

Would you ever go back to a tag along? Rv parks welcome you the same as other RVs? Is fuel mileage the same or better? Do you use your TC off the truck? What brand you recommend? Any other benefits or disappointments?

A Little about us, me,DW, 2 grandbabies now(maybe more in future) but they only go for one night or so, 3 dogs. Oh we have a chevy 2500 6.0 short bed.

[1stgenfarmboy]

You can make anything work if you want to, I mean we used camp in tents, and sometimes no tent at all, just a tarp and a sleeping bag, A truck camper is much better than that, but be aware.....they are small, even the ones that are way to big for your truck, If you live in part of the country where they have some at dealers take along the grandkids and go look at one for an hour or 2, you will get the idea of what a cold rainy day will be like, Ours was nice for my wife and I but when we had more people it got close.......and we really really like each other.


as I said before it "will" work just don't go into it blind as to the size of them.


For us some of the big plus points is, park just about anywhere, camp in any campground, if you miss a turn they are super easy to turn around, they are just down right handy, I loved my TC alot more than my wife, she goes along with my motorcycle, antique tractor, gun thing without gripe, so I think I can give a little on the camper.

[kohldad]

When reading the below, remember we are talking about an 8'6" TC with two people. We could add a small dog without much impact, but that is about it. Our camper could be carried on your truck, but not much bigger than it.

Would you ever go back to a tag along?

Our first camper was 30' TT which we used for 8 years. Our second one was a 35' FW which we had for 5 years. While we had the FW, I bought a used TC because the FW was too big to take camping by myself and I couldn't haul the trail jeep behind it. Didn't take long afterward the FW was sold. That was 7 years ago and I'm still running the same 8' TC as it fits just the two of us well.

As we approach retirement, we think about our future camping unit. For the first several years, we will be moving a lot, sitting very little, so the TC will be the ticket. Once we find our favorite areas of the USA and slow down to explore those areas more in-depth, we may switch back to a TT pulled by a Van or Class B. We don't want to loose having the amenities with us all the time and being able to spend a night way off the grid but do want the larger space for when we spend a week or two in one location. Our front running plan is a 30' TT pulled behind our 8' TC.

Rv parks welcome you the same as other RVs?

Never been turned away, but then again 95% of the parks I stay in are government operated. If I ever do find one, I'll just let them know the are a RV racist, tell them my lawyer will be in touch about a discrimination lawsuit and let them sweat bullets for a while. I'll just go on to a better campground.

Is fuel mileage the same or better?

I averaged about 1 mpg worse fuel mileage with a 12k lb FW and my 2400 lb TC. Not enough to let it sway my decision on what I would take along.

Do you use your TC off the truck?

A couple of times when it was in storage at my parents house. I stored it on a utility trailer so the camper was supported. I don't use it in campground for two reason. Foremost is I don't have electric jacks so lowering down low to the ground would be time consuming. Second, because the TC is only about 1/2 the cargo capacity of the truck and the camper stops at the rear bumper of my long bed truck, it's almost identical driving the truck/TC combo as it is the empty truck. In a small TC, it's even more important that everything has it's place and stays in that place. This makes going from parked to traveling a very minimal process, usually less than 1 minute.

What brand you recommend?

They all have the pluses and minus. Lance is most common and has good track record. Artic Fox is well built, great in cold/hot, but heavy. Outfitter good pop-up version.

Any other benefits or disappointments?

Two biggest benefits are I can tow a toy (boat, jeep, etc) and it's easy to maneuver. I never worry about exploring the roads because in the rare event I can't turn around, I can always back up as far as I need. I grew up in a TC so new the advantage. My wife and kids would laugh when I pointed them out while towing the FW. But after getting my wife to take a trip or two, she has fallen in love with the traveling style plus always having everything from commode, to fridge, to bed, to clothes with us all the time.

As far as disappointments, the biggest is it's hard to fit four people in it when the weather isn't great and we are camping with my daughter. But then again, since she has gotten her own camper, it's become a benefit because they have more room.

In your position, I would either be looking at TT or FW or upgrade to a dual wheel 1-ton truck to handle an 11' TC with slides.

[COboondocker]

Check out an Outfitter Juno 8. Your truck can handle it and it has a tent room for the dogs (or grandkids). The tent room easily fits our two st bernards and our four year old son with room to spare. We have the Juno 10 with a four year old, two adults and two 160 lb dogs. Space is still at a premium but that tent room with dogs and kids is a life saver. Cannot stress that enough. We had a 10' camper with a full wall slide and this camper feels more spacious because we're not shuffling around dogs and kids constantly.

Other pluses: Fuel mileage and handling with the popup vs hard side is great. The newer, I think 2013-14 models and newer, are solid fiberglass bodies and one piece fiberglass roof. The dinette seats are a slightly reclining angle, no idea why other manufacturers haven't caught on to this. Plenty of storage under the bed and around the camper. Wet bath. 400 ah of batteries. Heated basement with a return vent in the basement as well, vs just pumping in heat like some others. Side entry.

Downsides. Slightly colder than our hardside but we've still camped down to zero degrees with a -20 windchill and been a cozy 67 inside. Noise is more noticeable than our well insulated hardside, not terribly so but it's a noticeable difference. Have to put the top up and down and fold up the tent room to get up and go.

[mayorb]

thanks everybody for your comments and advice. After I had posted I've had second thoughts on a TC. My truck would not be able to carry a large enough camper, plus price is a factor too. I'm go to look again at TT or maybe 5th wheel. Thanks again to all and hope you have happy camping times ahead.

mayor

[cewillis]

profdant139 wrote:
we have been sorely tempted many times.

We'll get you one of these days.

[profdant139]

The other big advantage of a truck camper is if you want to camp in really rugged terrain. Nothing else will get you there. For us, a TC is not quite comfortable enough, but we have been sorely tempted many times.

[Grodyman]

I like truck campers for the ability to fit just about anywhere. Other than that, Trailers and 5th wheels are easier to hook/unhook and are more comfortable overall. I think I actually get the same or less mileage with a TC due to high wind resistance relative to a travel trailer. 5th wheel is by far the easiest to hook and unhook and use your tow vehicle as a touring vehicle.

Truck campers are easier on cross country trips when stopping to eat/fuel/shop etc. by a large margin, and one of the primary benefits. Good luck.
Gman

[work2much]

2 people and 2 60lb dogs fills our TC to the brim. So much so we are looking at a 5'r for morel full time travels.

Couldn't imagine having 2 more people trying to hang out in here at night or rainy days.

[jimh406]

wiredgeorge wrote:
The Highway 6 RV Resort in Houston won't take truck campers. Asked the guy on the phone why and he said owner doesn't want them. He didn't know why that was.

They seem to be part of a chain called Quality RV Resorts. I used their contact form for the corporite website to ask if they do allow truck campers and if not why. I'm ok with them saying no, but I thought it might be interesting to know why.

[wiredgeorge]

sonuvabug wrote:

mayorb wrote:
... snipped ... Would you ever go back to a tag along? Rv parks welcome you the same as other RVs? Is fuel mileage the same or better? Do you use your TC off the truck? What brand you recommend? Any other benefits or disappointments?

A Little about us, me,DW, 2 grandbabies now(maybe more in future) but they only go for one night or so, 3 dogs. Oh we have a chevy 2500 6.0 short bed.

I believe the specific concern is with the length of your truck and its carrying capacity. Too short (for the number of people & canines) and the right size TC will be too heavy for your 2500 (unless seriously modded and even then ... ).

To answer your questions: Never had a TT but did have a 29' Class C. Would not go back. Like you, didn't want another engine/tranny to maintain and we now love the TC & ability to cargo trailer our maxi-scooters behind us.

Personally we've never had an issue with RV Campgrounds or state/provincial/national parks hosting us. Even though our setup is older, is well maintained and looks great.

We're apples and oranges regarding mileage. Our lass C had the Ford 460 gasser and we got about 6-10 mpg depending on the terrain (i.e. mountains vs. flatlands). Current Ford 7.3 diesel has never delivered less than 10 mpg (hard driving through mountains pulling trailer) and has gone as high as 15 mpg with TC and trailer (both hand calculated). Again, depends on terrain and speed (we never exceed 62.5 mph/100 kph). The diesel pulls like a train and doesn't know the word quit.

Our TC is stored off the truck and used as a spare "bedroom" if we are in an overflow situation. We have never unloaded the TC while camping ... never have had the need or urge to.

Regarding brands and pro's & con's of TC'ing etc. there are trade-offs with every type of brand and RV class. I'd start searching and reading as there are lots of threads expressing varying opinions and experiences. It really depends on your needs, wants and available resources.

For us, we found a combination that works really well for us, we love our TC and our setup, and for now, can't see doing anything else in the foreseeable future.

Hope this helps mayorb.

The Highway 6 RV Resort in Houston won't take truck campers. Asked the guy on the phone why and he said owner doesn't want them. He didn't know why that was.

[jimh406]

I think it depends on how you plan to use the TC. If it is for sleeping and traveling, it could work. There are people here who do it. You might be a little crazy sitting inside for extended periods of time, but it would be better than a tent by a long shot. And, even the largest TCs are still small.

As far as what your camper will haul, you said 6.0 which is relatively light weight and gasoline, so you have some room to work with for weight. Putting it another way, they rent Lance 650s on F150s. Your truck is way more capable.

One slide would be helpful for floor space to give you more floor room, or a tent fold out would help as well. Both are available although you have have to look around. You can add a bunk yourself or buy one with a bunk to go over your dinette.

At the end of the day, if everybody fits in the front of the truck, they'll fit in the back.

[Grit_dog]

We use our AF off the truck sometimes. If in the same spot for more than a night or 2, especially up in the back country where it's much slower of a drive to take the truck somewhere with the white whale on the back. It does fine, but it's definately more labor intensive to load / unload than unhooking a trailer.
The 2 biggest things to look at are, IMO, space (go see if you think it would be cool with 5-7 warm bodies in a camper that fits on your truck) and amenities (does your wife have the same expectations as when you had bigger trailers (not climbing up in to bed, can't get dressed standing up, have to leave the bathroom to change your mind, s ucky seating arrangement, having to crawl up into the overhead to get that extra ingredient for dinner that's stashed up front, etc).
Also, in general, it takes a bigger heavier camper that is likely not suitable for your current truck to have a large fridge and decent size water and waste tanks.

All considerations not meant to discourage. Like I said, we love it, but there's a reason that there are about 1000x more TTs and 5vers than TCs.

Fast forward another 10 years or so when the kids are grown up, if we are doing extensive traveling. (I see us doing it via RV for the most part vs hotel ing it on long trips)
I will either have a dually with a mongo TC or pull a trailer. But ideally would have a smallish TC for some of the time.

[Grit_dog]

Without entering the truck/weight police discussion....
Space in a TC is at a premium. Dogs? May be able to live with 3 ankle biters in a small TC, but I wouldn't even consider it with one large dog.
Room for more than 2 people semi comfortably leads me towards a longer/slide out model which either isn't do able with a short box truck or very heavy for the truck you have.
Fuel mileage, with my truck I get about the same with the TC on the back as I do pulling a high profile trailer. I'd expect less than 10mpg with any hard side camper on a gasser.

Space and amenities are all in the eye of the beholder. Only you can decide if it's enough room for you guys and the dogs + kids once in a while. Wet bath that you can literally sh t, shower and shave at the the same time without moving could be a drawback.
We, family of 4, came from tent camping, so a TC seems luxurious, but pets don't come with and we don't use it much. It is comfortable for extended trips, we've done up to 3 weeks in it and it's super fun and the TC configuration fits our style. Back country camping a lot, a trailer would be a limitation, but we have the option of towing toys. Don't do that often or far though as the truck is pretty maxed out.

[burningman]

I agree. If you're starting with a clean sheet and already own a 3/4 ton shortbed, I'd look at trailers rather than truck campers. The campers that fit a shortbed are awfully small.
The 2500/3500 difference gets over-dramatized on here, the physical difference is usually almost nothing. Some overload springs and a sway bar and you can haul just fine with a 2500, but the short bed limits you to very short campers. I mean, you put the key in the door and you break the front window.
It can be done and there are lots of shortbed camper owners on here. I don't know how happy they would be with three dogs and a few grand kids in there.
You do have a fine trailer puller though!