Freightliner & Truck Camper

[petersene]

Don't know if this is possible. Thinking of getting rid of my F350 and get one of these. Really like my rig but I feel like the newer trucks aren't built to last (Let's not get into the Ford Vs Chevy Vs Dodge debate) I know some will say go with a motorhome at that point but I like having the freedom a truck provides.

Has anyone seen this used with a truck camper? Looks like cab height would be the biggest problem.

[805gregg]

That truck looks goofy with that tiny PU bed

[Ivylog]

Do not pay $100K+ on something that looks neat but does not do what you need to do. For half that you can find, with a lot of looking, something like this. The crew cab is very hard to find with 300+ HP and a auto tranny. If you do not need the crew cab, auto tranny, and 300+ then plenty of trucks out there for less than $25K and 100K miles.



Put the TC on the back of the flat bed with storage or ATV under the front overhang. Add 8' storage boxes to the sides to fill in that area of the TC.

[markowwes]

I like the way you think, I also pull a heavy load with a 116 Ultimate Suite Okanagan. Went from a f350 to a f550 with a service body. Very happy with the combination now, but a year ago we had some serious problems with the ring gear. Ford ended up installing a new short block to solve it but at the time we were also considering going that route, I think a service body would do better than the typical box considering all the extra space for stuff. The engines you get with those rigs will give you way better economy and torque for the long hills. I don’t think a 4 X 4 would be in the mix though, the height would make it look a little off.

[_DJ_1]

BTGraphics has a huge truck. Maybe he will chime in.

[Bedlam]

petersene wrote:
Didn't think about the overall height. Maybe a 550 would be the way to go. The price of a 550 gets up there once you add a bed etc. The reason I was looking a little bigger is I tow a trailer 95% of the time with my current setup (2009 F-350 Dually Diesel, 24' Enclosed Trailer & Arctic Fox 990). I have been looking at upgrading both the Camper and trailer. Bigger trailer and larger Chalet camper. Just thinking out loud here getting ideas

Thanks

I hauled an AF811 on the back of my F250 while towing 8000 lbs. Now I am doing the same on my 5500. We are are also looking to get a larger TC in the next few years, so I just went through the truck upgrade process.

[valhalla360]

As others have suggested, just get a longer wheel base and mount the camper completely behind the cab and you get a nice storage space under the overhang.

That said, I don't get the idea that new trucks don't last? If you look at the facts, they last longer than they ever have. It's nothing to get 200-250k miles out of a truck. 30-40yrs ago if you hit 100k miles it was time for a new truck or an engine overhaul. The only reason I could see for moving up would be if you are exceeding the load ratings (which are higher than ever with new trucks).

[pjay9]

If you are going to spend that much for the rig plus the mods to fit TC..why not just do a Super C, plus eliminates some inherant TC issues, such as being a stand alone structure that requires different engineering and ultimately maintenance for it. Trade-offs all the time..but you get the bigger truck frame and cab and trans and engine with more usable space for the living area. JMHO!!!

[petersene]

Didn't think about the overall height. Maybe a 550 would be the way to go. The price of a 550 gets up there once you add a bed etc. The reason I was looking a little bigger is I tow a trailer 95% of the time with my current setup (2009 F-350 Dually Diesel, 24' Enclosed Trailer & Arctic Fox 990). I have been looking at upgrading both the Camper and trailer. Bigger trailer and larger Chalet camper. Just thinking out loud here getting ideas

Thanks

[2oldman]

That is one sweet looking hauler. Almost a shame to deface it by putting a camper on it! I wonder if SportChassis makes a camper...hmmm

[free_radical]

petersene wrote:
Don't know if this is possible. Thinking of getting rid of my F350 and get one of these. Really like my rig but I feel like the newer trucks aren't built to last (Let's not get into the Ford Vs Chevy Vs Dodge debate) I know some will say go with a motorhome at that point but I like having the freedom a truck provides.
Has anyone seen this used with a truck camper? Looks like cab height would be the biggest problem.

FWIW
I have 08 Silverado and in all these years the only thing that broke was a seat handle which was a five minute fix done under waranty,,so have to disagree about new trucks not being reliable
But then I drive normally and don't race it..still have original brakes on it too..

[dadwolf2]

Does a truck that large really provide you with more "freedom" than a motorhome would?

[Tom_Barb]

petersene wrote:
Don't know if this is possible. Thinking of getting rid of my F350 and get one of these. Really like my rig but I feel like the newer trucks aren't built to last (Let's not get into the Ford Vs Chevy Vs Dodge debate) I know some will say go with a motorhome at that point but I like having the freedom a truck provides.

Has anyone seen this used with a truck camper? Looks like cab height would be the biggest problem.

Why not pull the box, and put a big sleeper cab back there?

[CAJW]

Not the same hauler, but this article might give you an idea or two.

Big Rig TC

[KD4UPL]

Getting the camper to clear the cab will likely make the top of the AC unit too tall for road use. It will also make the entrance to the camper really high and require some sort of fabricated and likely unwieldy stairs.
Otherwise, it sure would handle the weight well.
I've looked into something like this and the best I can come up with is a Dodge 4500 or 5500 cab and chassis with a flat bed. This eliminates the cab height issues.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Sharp looking ride but it's going to require a serious lift platform in the bed to get the cabover on the TC to clear the truck cab. The Kodiak needed added lift for cab clearance too I think. You'd be better off to stick with a truck from one of the main 3 truck manufacturers F, C, or D for compatibility. Buying that truck for hauling a truck camper would equate to more dollars than cents so to say. Unless that's your financial status and you don't care about cost, then you should be able to pay for any modifications needed to make the setup work. The new trucks have been looking pretty good to me. The new larger gas engine that replaced the v10 seems to be very good. If you are going to tow and need that diesel, the 6.7 seems to be a very good engine too. If you need the load capacity, the 450 4500 and 550 5500 sized trucks should accommodate you.
You'll figure out what you need before long and all will be well.