Not having purchased a TC or truck yet, I continue to read, ask questions and listen to the folks with experience. I was talking with the brother of a friend who has been truck camping for the last 6 years. He has a 2000 Aspenlite (I think) and a 2009 Chevy diesel duely 4X4. He pulls a 2 horse trailer and he and his wife go up into the 'boonies' and ride their horses. He says that he went to a TC because of the ability to dry camp off road and pull the horse trailer.He also said that he almost never takes his camper off of his truck, even if the ground is very level because he said that it is un-nerving to raise and lower the corner jacks. He said that the fact that you have to raise the jacks to almost full extension while supporting 4000 lbs is freak'in scary - his words.I was under the impression that this task was quite manageable. I have never done it so I don't know but his warning was quite sobering. He said I should just get a class C motorhome as it would be more logical since I am not really planning on doing much off road.Again, I would like the old hands to weigh in on this.Thanks in advance for your input. BTW, we are looking at a Lance 1181 with a diesel duely 4X4Mike in Oly

The first time some people use a computer it scares them to death, thinking they'll foul the thing up. Loading/unloading a camper is no different. Just be sure to learn from someone knowledgeable, give yourself plenty of time to accomplish the task, (i.e. don't start loading 10 minutes before you're scheduled to leave)take your time and you'll get better with experience. Fear is a crazy thing, it paralyzes some folks into never trying anything. You'll be fine, with today's jack systems, they're pretty well got the bugs worked out and work well. Happy hunting!

Hi,Some people get so good at loading and unloading that they even take off the camper while in a campground, then can go off roading, or use the truck for sightseeing. The newer campers have a much better support system internally, so the jacks are attached to something strong, and not likely to fall off the camper. Because of the dual rear wheels, you would require extensions for the front jacks, and the rear jacks are closer to the camper body. Now they even have electric jacks, with a remote control, so you can basically walk around the camper and raise and lower each jack with the controller, and it goes very easy. When I had my camper, I only removed the camper a dozen times or so, to use the truck separetly, and eventually replaced it with a class C, but it had a limited towing capacity, so I upgraded to a Bounder 30E. It has a generous 100 gallon fresh water tank, the rear overhang is not to long, and can tow something substantial, even though Fleetwood only recommends towing 3,500 pounds. Ford rated the F-53 chassis at 26,000 GCVWR, so I stay well under that rating. The frame extension is the limiting factor in Fleetwoods 3,500 pound towing limit on the 97 and earlier RV's. After Ford went to 19.5" rims in 1999, the towing limit went up to 5,000 pounds, mainly because the GVWR was higher, and cargo rating was high enough to carry an extra 750 pounds of hitch weight, should the owner decide to tow a cargo box trailer with toys, or a horse trailer. If you don't plan on off roading, then a class C or class A might be much better for boondocking. There is a lot more space for storage, water capacity is much higher, GVWR is high enough that they normally carry a minimum of 50 gallons of fresh water, and have a 20+ gallon black water tank, and 40+ grey water tank, so you can take daily showers. You do not require to buy the longest possible class A, it will not be a great match to boondocking, as the rear overhang can get hung up on a ditch crossing a minor creek, or bottom out on a pot hole infested forest road. Also longer does not go well around a switchback, or fit well into a small town skinny roads, or parking lot at the local 7-11. With my 27' class C, I never towed a car, mainly because the engine was a little small for the class C, it was a GMC with a 350" engine, Ford always came with a more powerful 460" V8 or now the 6.8L V10 making over 300 HP. With my 30' Bounder, it has a 250 HP V8 460" engine, and does not lack power. I towed a Manx dune buggy, then a Honda CRV, Ford Edge, now a Manx Buggy again, or with a tow dolly can take my Dodge Caravan handicap van, or the Edge 4 wheels down. Once I even towed a 27' cargo trailer to a drag race in Bowling Green KY. So consider that the camper will be limiting. You probably will be lucky to have a 30 gallon fresh water tank, (240 pounds) a smaller refrigerator, limited ability to sleep over 4 people, limited to carry a total of 5 or 6 passengers in the cab, further limited if you want to bring a dog in the cab (but they can ride in the camper). Food storage is limited to what fits. Not really a great place to store bikes or folding chairs. You are limited to about 2 solar panels in the 100 watt size before the roof becomes to crowded.With my Bounder, I took off the hitch, welded to it an additional 2" receiver on both the passenger and drivers side near the frame mounts, so I can install two bike racks, or carry my dog cart on one side, the bikes on the other.I can camp up to 2 weeks, taking daily showers, have a 59 gallon black water tank, that can last a month (I have full timed for the past 7 years). Have huge storage compartments for at least 5 chairs, carry a lot of stuff like tools, the water tanks are in a heated basement, so camping in 19F weather is fine. Fred.

I've had a lot of experience loading and unloading my 04 Lance 1121... more than you can imagine.:B I've used the "String's Wizzo Camper Alignment Technique" from the beginning. You can find it here. As with anything new, involving such expensive equipment, it was unnerving at first. Now, it comes easy. I'd advise using a "check list". Otherwise, you are subject to forgetting... things like moving the tag from the truck to the camper, lowering the TV antenna, etc. Good luck!

I have loaded and unloaded my truck camper several times. The loading is, for me, a slow process. I get out of the truck and check things several times to be certain that I am not about to bend, break, scratch, or otherwise destroy something. So far I have never had a problem. With my old TC with hand powered jacks it was a much more time consuming process and the jacks/legs were somewhat wobbly. With my new TC with electric, remote controlled, jacks it is much easier, faster, and sturdier. I had never seen the loading method referenced in a post above, but plan to implement it the next time I take my camper off the truck.You stated it has been recommended that you should get a Class C instead of a TC. I guess it depends on your travel plans. My wife and I have taveled approximately 90,000 miles in a truck camper rig. We only took it off twice while traveling. Once to repair the camper and once to have repairs done on the truck. Last year we thought about buying a small Class C. We had decided to do so and were ready to write the check. The night before we were scheduled to meet with the salesman, we started talking about all of the places we had taken our truck camper that we would not have been able to, or confident enough to, go without the having 4 wheel drive and the smaller size rig. We bought a new truck camper instead. When we are traveling with the TC we seldom spend more than one night in any one place and we usually are in the TC only at night to eat dinner and sleep. We have a fifth wheel for trips where we spend a lot of time in one place camping with friends. This helps.

Mike,The 1181 only comes with dually swing out brackets. Why? Lance determined that only a dually can safely carry an 1181. I unload several times a season for various reasons. Even for truck repair unexpectedly arising on the road. Have done that 5 times in RV parks over the years. It is a lot of weight, so I am reluctant to do it when boondocking. The front jacks have to be watched carefully as they twist more easily and on my rig the rear passenger jack retracts much more rapidly than the other three. My worst experience happened when I forgot to disconnect the passenger cabover strut. Couldn't figure out for the longest time why the camper was leaning oddly while rising. DUH. Advice: Create a very detailed check list for loading and unloading and FOLLOW it precisely.Rick

Using your truck camper jacks | Good Sam Community

JumboJet
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
Here is a trick I learned while purchasing my Lance w/Atwood jacks.

The Lance was sitting on the dealer's lot with NO BATTERY. The technician brought out a Dewalt cordless drill 14 volt battery, unplugged each jack from the camper, and raised the jacks with the Dewalt battery.

Just this weekend, my wireless/or wired Atwood remote control flaked out. The left front down button would not work. The slide extend/retract mode button would not work.

I cranked the slide in/out but used my Dewalt battery to lower that one jack while my son used the remote with the 3 operable buttons so I could unload my camper.

I ordered a new remote Sunday that should be delivered tomorrow.
dave17352
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
egarant wrote:
Here is my take, you like background noise? We'll your gonna get plenty of it in either a Class A or C as all the stuff you brought with you is only 3-18' from your head. My parents owned both a Class A and C, my buddy owned a Class C, all of which I spent a considerable amount of time in, and all I remember is the rattle of everything that COULD possibly rattle...pots/pans, shades, silverware, keys and things you thought couldn't make noise, will.

My wife and I rented a Class C this past winter to make sure we wanted to buy a TC, well after 2 weeks having to shout to each other while driving or having to blast the stereo, the choice was easy....like pulling trailer, owning a TC and driving a truck, isolates you from all the chaos that you are hauling with you. It is also a lot safer, no flying projectiles (pets included) to spear you in the back of the head when you have to slam on the brakes!

Having had a Class C in the past, I can say I somewhat agree with you about the noise. But I bet some of the higher end Class A's drive real quiet and smooth.
Kidoo
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
wnjj wrote:
pscansetzer wrote:
Everything work wonderful - no complaints- except the mattress got to do something about that before our mega-trip here in two weeks!

Memory foam topper fixed ours. Easily the best upgrade we did.

We bought a memory foam too, it was great in the warm climate, but when we went for a trip below freezing, the foam was hard as rock. We did warm up the camper before we got in, but heat will not get to the bed. It took a good half hour in the bed for the foam to soak up our body heat, going softer as we where moving around.
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We returned the memory foam and bought a 3 inch feather matt over top our regular matress, warm in cold weather, cool in warm weather
egarant
Explorer III
Jun 03, 2013
Here is my take, you like background noise? We'll your gonna get plenty of it in either a Class A or C as all the stuff you brought with you is only 3-18' from your head. My parents owned both a Class A and C, my buddy owned a Class C, all of which I spent a considerable amount of time in, and all I remember is the rattle of everything that COULD possibly rattle...pots/pans, shades, silverware, keys and things you thought couldn't make noise, will.

My wife and I rented a Class C this past winter to make sure we wanted to buy a TC, well after 2 weeks having to shout to each other while driving or having to blast the stereo, the choice was easy....like pulling trailer, owning a TC and driving a truck, isolates you from all the chaos that you are hauling with you. It is also a lot safer, no flying projectiles (pets included) to spear you in the back of the head when you have to slam on the brakes!
dave17352
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
wnjj wrote:
pscansetzer wrote:
Everything work wonderful - no complaints- except the mattress got to do something about that before our mega-trip here in two weeks!

Memory foam topper fixed ours. Easily the best upgrade we did.

X2 We put it on our 5th wheel and truck camper mattress. Made them both very comfortable.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2013
pscansetzer wrote:
Everything work wonderful - no complaints- except the mattress got to do something about that before our mega-trip here in two weeks!

Memory foam topper fixed ours. Easily the best upgrade we did.
pscansetzer
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
After purchasing our TC on the 9th of May and getting it home unloading wasn't a problem. The guys at the dealership which we bought the unit from spent a lot of time teaching me their "Old-hand" tricks for loading and unloading. We took the TC out this past weekend for her first "sea-trial" the loading couldn't have been easier. Everything work wonderful - no complaints- except the mattress got to do something about that before our mega-trip here in two weeks!

Like CAJW says - don't let it scare you - allow for the time and don't rush - I didn't get to crazy about that last 1/2" off of centerline side-to-side - drove in the mountains of NC and did't notice any affect whatsoever.

Enjoy!
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Jun 03, 2013
took me less than ten minutes to take the TC off the truck when we got home tonight. I have taken it ofc in campgrounds, boonies, never give it a second thought. I just pay attention to what I am doing. Loading back up takes me about 15 minutes. I am just not much of a worrier and I maintain my gear.
wintersun
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2013
My opinion, which will be in the minority, is that when you get to a full length pickup with a 11 foot plus camper and a gross combined weight of 13,000 lbs. it makes more sense to get a motorhome. This is doubly true if the pickup would be used 90-100% of the time as a camper carrier and not as a pickup.

I have a short bed truck with a 8.5' camper and even this setup is restrictive in terms of where I can take it off non-paved roads. Too much weight and too high a center of gravity of many areas. I use the pickup 60% of the time without the camper in the bed.

A motorhome is made by a single entity. With a slide-in camper you have the camper manufacturer, the truck manufacturer, the tie-down and turnbuckle manufacturer, just to start with, and any modifications or upgrades are custom ones. You will need to add have the tie-downs added to the truck, wiring for the camper added, shocks upgrades, springs upgrades, shocks upgraded, possible add an anti-sway bar and air bags. All this before you put the camper into the bed to the truck.

With a motorhome you can fill up the fuel tank, stock the fridge, and be ready to go. You will have larger fresh water and waste water holding tanks, an intergrated generator and inverter, a sleeping area that does not involve steps to climb up and get into, access to the entire motorhome from the cab area. The motorhome will be much easier for others to drive and part of the reason that motorhomes are available for rent by the week all over the USA but no company is renting trucks with slide-in campers in this country.

In a situation where I wanted to be able to take the camper of the truck to go exploring on a frequent basis I would instead get a motorhome and tow something like a Suzuki Brat 4x4 or get a pickup and put an ATV in the bed and tow a convention trailer and leave the trailer at the campsite, or pull a toy hauler.
dave17352
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
When I bought my 98 lance it had two broken electric jacks which the previous owner could not fix. He replaced them with two manual jacks, brand new from titan. I fixed the two eletric jacks and now take one manual jack with me. If I have a failure I can switch out the electric with a manual in a about 5 minutes. Because of this I have no fear of taking the camper of the truck when camping. Now I didn't think up my brilliant plan it just happened by chance but I do think a spare manual jack is a great idea for a truck camper traveler.