What Brand for a working mans camper

[scott936]

First post here and I’m sure it’s been discussed many times however were new to TC but not new to camping we have has several TT…

We have 2008 Dodge 2500 4x4 6.7L quad cab long bed, we are in search of a used camper something along the lines of a lance 1030 although were are not absolute on the “Lance” brand just want the most for our buck spent.
Budget for this 10k-13k, the main reason for this camper is to provide shelter during our trade shows in Texas, so in short the truck will haul camper and pull 18 foot trailer (about 5K lbs). Our truck is fitted with bags, sway bar currently will be adding Torklift hitch and Torklift camper hold downs.

Now the question is what Brand and model will fit us the best…. ?

[SALTYDOG5435S-T]

I live in Beeville (south of SA). I ended up going to Red Oak (just south of Dallas) to get my Lance 845. At the time I was driving a F-250, 4x4, Gas, CC, Short bed. I did the upgrades before I got the camper. Stable loads, Rancho 9k's, E range tires. The 845 was the max the truck could handle. When these posters state something will not work and give a reason, LISTEN. If you disagree do your research before you donot listen.

I looked on line at that same camper. It is to heavy for a 250/2500. I now have a F-350 long bed with modified rear spring pack and I am not sure I want to carry that camper. My 350 does not even know the 845 is back there and yes you can put a short bed camper on a long bed truck.

Just think about what they say and do research.
Cliff

[mkirsch]

You've only got a 2500, so your payload is limited. Odds are you will be well over the stock wheel/tire rating with just a camper the size of the 1030, and then you want to hitch a trailer on a long extension behind that. IMHO you're into 19.5 wheel/tire, or dually truck, territory.

If you're looking at used campers in a camper-poor area, beggars can't be choosers. Brand is irrelevant. If it has the features you need, is in good shape/ well taken care of, and is fairly priced, BUY IT. It could be the worst brand known to man, but if it's 10 years old and still in like-new condition, how bad can it possibly be?

People told me Palominos were junk, but I bought a 10 year old unit that had been kept inside any time it wasn't being used, hadn't been used much... That was four years ago. It's in every bit as good of shape now as it was when I bought it. Probably better considering the mods and maintenance I've done to it.

[davidaf]

trailgranny50 wrote:

Your not kidding on the far and few between, we drove 150 miles yesterday to look at a Lance 1030 dealership said "good shape" IMHO it was in fair shape... All I can say they must not be that popular in Texas, theres only 2 dealerships in the state

I don't recall seeing any TCs on the road during our two week trip from CA to Iowa and back (I-40 out I-70 back) until we got close to Colorado and the Rockies then we saw tons of them. Guess they are attracted to the mountains.

[SugarHillCTD]

realter wrote:
Northstar

Another vote for Northstar

[twodownzero]

I hope you realize that even before you hook up the trailer you're going to be 20% over your GVWR. I would not put a big camper on a long bed 3/4 ton and expect to tow anything at all. You are going to wish you bought a dual wheel 1 ton here real soon. Even the smallest hard side camper is going to be pretty hard on the truck while pulling a trailer.

[bobndot]

I would go as light as possible if you plan to tow 5k.
The 1030 is a lot of camper (wet rolling down the road...4000#).

Personally if I were going to tow that much again on a regular basis, I would be looking at a non-slide lighter model Northstar camper.
Lance dry weights on 1030 models did not incl. any options. The average option list for Lance is 400-500#. Now add your personal stuff (which adds up real fast) . A lot of folks add 1500# to a given dry weight once they go to a scale and get "scale shocked" . At $7.00 for an average CAT scale weigh in, its one of the best "shocking" deals in America.

Can your tires and wheels do the job to support all the weight on the rear axle ?

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/1442646/print/true.cfm

[jimh406]

I'd look around for a good used camper. As far as what model(s) goes, I'd look at floor plans from several manufacturers. Pick the type you like, and then shop for similar campers.

[Bedlam]

scott936 wrote:
When you say keep it short a lance 1030 is 10'11" and as I understand it thats as long as I can put in a 2500 8' bed, with that being said are you saying we would be better served in a Lance 1010 and sacrifice the extra room in the shower area??

You will have to use a 3' SuperTruss for the 1030. This will put much more leverage on your rear axle than a 2' extension and a camper with less overhang.

Not only will you be spending more for the extension, you will have to invest more into suspension as you get more weight behind the axle. Depending on how happy you are with your current truck, you may want to weigh the cost of going to a DRW verses upgrading your current one. My truck handles my camper and trailer well, but we had to limit our choices and I had to make some truck upgrades to keep things in check.

[scott936]

99Discovery wrote:
During my search of campers, if I were looking for a "working man's" camper, and also pulling a trailer, it would be a Camp Lite.

The MSRP is cheaper than the competitors, the interior and exterior is pretty much all aluminum, it is also robust and incredibly light. You could get the 11 slide or the 10.0 and be fairly happy with the setup. Everything seems heavy duty and easy to clean also. As long as the aluminum framing holds up, they should last for years with minimal worry about water damage.

Downside? It's not "cute", and searching for a camper for my family (3 kids), it's not very "homey" which is important for the wife. It is incredibly utilitarian, very much a "working camper" or a "hunter's camper." The finish work leaves something to be desired, as there were aluminum burrs and edges on most corners that hadn't been shaved off. Not a deal breaker for me (I'd use it as a negotiating point), but when you have a two year old, a few bloody fingers off of the edges makes for a none-too-happy wife.

So I'm probably going to go the Adventurer route instead (I'd check out the non-slide 80 series or even the 86 or 910sbs if you have a dually and want a slide); however, if I were in your shoes, I'd buy a Camp Lite 11 or 10.0.

Good info I will check it out... Thanks

[scott936]

Bonesquatch wrote:
I live west of Houston and driving a long distance to look at a truck camper was A necessity. My first used one was a small Palomino that I bought from a guy visiting from Colorado for the holidays. My current Lance I had to drive all the way up to Fort Worth to look at and purchase. I like the aluminum frame of the Lance and also the layout and features. Plus they are an industrywide recognized name with good quality. And a lot easier to find down here then Bigfoot and other brands. Shop around and good luck!

Were just north of you in Huntsville, we went to Austin yesterday to look, I have found a Lance 1010 in Ft Worth private seller.

[99Discovery]

During my search of campers, if I were looking for a "working man's" camper, and also pulling a trailer, it would be a Camp Lite.

The MSRP is cheaper than the competitors, the interior and exterior is pretty much all aluminum, it is also robust and incredibly light. You could get the 11 slide or the 10.0 and be fairly happy with the setup. Everything seems heavy duty and easy to clean also. As long as the aluminum framing holds up, they should last for years with minimal worry about water damage.

Downside? It's not "cute", and searching for a camper for my family (3 kids), it's not very "homey" which is important for the wife. It is incredibly utilitarian, very much a "working camper" or a "hunter's camper." The finish work leaves something to be desired, as there were aluminum burrs and edges on most corners that hadn't been shaved off. Not a deal breaker for me (I'd use it as a negotiating point), but when you have a two year old, a few bloody fingers off of the edges makes for a none-too-happy wife.

So I'm probably going to go the Adventurer route instead (I'd check out the non-slide 80 series or even the 86 or 910sbs if you have a dually and want a slide); however, if I were in your shoes, I'd buy a Camp Lite 11 or 10.0.

[realter]

Northstar

[Bonesquatch]

I live west of Houston and driving a long distance to look at a truck camper was A necessity. My first used one was a small Palomino that I bought from a guy visiting from Colorado for the holidays. My current Lance I had to drive all the way up to Fort Worth to look at and purchase. I like the aluminum frame of the Lance and also the layout and features. Plus they are an industrywide recognized name with good quality. And a lot easier to find down here then Bigfoot and other brands. Shop around and good luck!

[scott936]

Bedlam wrote:
Keep the camper overhang short. The long extensions will but more leverage on the rear axle. Most likely you will need to go to 19.5" wheels to be able to carry a camper and tow 5000 lbs at the same time. A WDH will help off load some of that tongue weight to the other axles.

When you say keep it short a lance 1030 is 10'11" and as I understand it thats as long as I can put in a 2500 8' bed, with that being said are you saying we would be better served in a Lance 1010 and sacrifice the extra room in the shower area??