Truck campers

[AutobahnSHO]

So full-size trucks aren't my thing but I'd consider doing this eventually. Be able to park the camper and drive the truck.

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/rvs/d/2005-starcraft-9ft-pop-up/6441058849.html

[shp4man]

So full-size trucks aren't my thing but I'd consider doing this eventually. Be able to park the camper and drive the truck.

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/rvs/d/2005-starcraft-9ft-pop-up/6441058849.html

3/4 ton truck with big heavy sway bars is recommended.

[r0tor]

My family had one growing up... Parked it all summer at a permanent camp site.  He only had a wimpy 1980s F150.

I remember the loading and unloading if the thing onto the truck was a bit of a fiasco.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I haven seen one of those in years!

[Soup DeVille]

All things considered, it's easier to pull a small trailer. The truck campers are use by guys with boats a lot, because the truck can still haul the boat, but other than that it's easier to drop a trailer than to crank off the camper.

[Soup DeVille]

3/4 ton truck with big heavy sway bars is recommended.

Bahh.

You're one of those guys that believes tow ratings too, aren't you?

[shp4man]

Bahh.

You're one of those guys that believes tow ratings too, aren't you?

I'm thinking like a low mileage 'bout an 06 or so F250 with the V10. Perfect.

[AutobahnSHO]

I remember the loading and unloading if the thing onto the truck was a bit of a fiasco.

I could see that.

All things considered, it’s easier to pull a small trailer. The truck campers are use by guys with boats a lot, because the truck can still haul the boat, but other than that it’s easier to drop a trailer than to crank off the camper.

And that too.


I think the truck camper would help us go more minimal (can't carry too much junk). But really it's just dreaming at this point, we wouldn't use it much even if we did get the truck and the camper. In about 10years we could use it to go visit the kids, wherever they end up. As I peruse Craigslist for RVs/trailers/ campers, I saw last night a used trailer sold by a dealer saying the guy that bought it NEVER used it, and a 2014 trailer which had been "used only 4 times".

[shp4man]

At work, one of my jobs is a 2001 model gigantic full size motorhome. The POS only has 5000 miles on it. It sat unused for so long the fuel pump motor seized up, which I got to replace. It was in the 100 gallon gas tank. It was really fun, with spiders and dead mice. 

[AutobahnSHO]

At work, one of my jobs is a 2001 model gigantic full size motorhome. The POS only has 5000 miles on it. It sat unused for so long the fuel pump motor seized up, which I got to replace. It was in the 100 gallon gas tank. It was really fun, with spiders and dead mice. 

lol awesome.

[r0tor]

I could see that.

And that too.


I think the truck camper would help us go more minimal (can't carry too much junk). But really it's just dreaming at this point, we wouldn't use it much even if we did get the truck and the camper. In about 10years we could use it to go visit the kids, wherever they end up. As I peruse Craigslist for RVs/trailers/ campers, I saw last night a used trailer sold by a dealer saying the guy that bought it NEVER used it, and a 2014 trailer which had been "used only 4 times".

A pull behind is just so much easier - plus greatly opens up the options for a towing vehicle

[AutobahnSHO]

A pull behind is just so much easier - plus greatly opens up the options for a towing vehicle

yup. I look at the little tiny ones from time to time- easily pulled by our minivan. But then you have to go outside to per. Definitely need a halfway decent bathroom.

[RomanChariot]

At work, one of my jobs is a 2001 model gigantic full size motorhome. The POS only has 5000 miles on it. It sat unused for so long the fuel pump motor seized up, which I got to replace. It was in the 100 gallon gas tank. It was really fun, with spiders and dead mice. 

That was the reason we went with a travel trailer instead of motorhome. I couldn't see having to deal with the increased mechanical maintenance and increased costs for something that was going to sit in one place the majority of its life. Tires die of old age and motorhome tires are a lot more expensive than travel trailer tires.

[AutobahnSHO]

That was the reason we went with a travel trailer instead of motorhome. I couldn't see having to deal with the increased mechanical maintenance and increased costs for something that was going to sit in one place the majority of its life. Tires die of old age and motorhome tires are a lot more expensive than travel trailer tires.

I always thought it would be fun to do motorhome touring. Just go into the back during rest stops and get a snack or lay down. etc... etc...

But a friend pointed out if you motorhome you can't setup camp then go to the store. If you pull a trailer, you can park then still drive the truck.

[Soup DeVille]

yup. I look at the little tiny ones from time to time- easily pulled by our minivan. But then you have to go outside to per. Definitely need a halfway decent bathroom.

If you're at a campground, they'll have a place to pee.  If you're going backcountry camping; you're already in a place to pee.

(No, my wife doesn't see this the same way).

There are pop-ups and hybrids that have real bathrooms though.

[shp4man]

If your family is only two people or so like mine, you don't need a giant motorhome. You can get one with a bathroom (it's small, shit and shower at the same time  ) that will fit in a regular parking spot.

[AutobahnSHO]

If your family is only two people or so like mine, you don't need a giant motorhome. You can get one with a bathroom (it's small, shit and shower at the same time  ) that will fit in a regular parking spot.

I really like the van-sized ones. But they are usually expensive or junk. I see a lot of decent-shape older bigger ones.

[CaminoRacer]

I like hotels

[Soup DeVille]

I really like the van-sized ones. But they are usually expensive or junk. I see a lot of decent-shape older bigger ones.

Most campers are absolute shit under the skin. They're chipboard covered in aluminum or vinyl; and once that wood gets wet for any length of time, they're basically worthless. Which is why you see so many "bargains" out there.

[AutobahnSHO]

If you’re at a campground, they’ll have a place to pee.  If you’re going backcountry camping; you’re already in a place to pee.

(No, my wife doesn’t see this the same way).

There are pop-ups and hybrids that have real bathrooms though.

My wife is ok peeing on the side of the road, or without a bathroom. But that's frowned upon..      We had the chance to save $120 when we went to Maryland for New Year's. Cabins on-post are $50/night but you have to walk to the bathrooms (maybe 25m?). Wife didn't want to do that, to the tune of $40/night more.

I like being able to not have to bundle up to pee at night.

[AutobahnSHO]

I like hotels

Yeah but they get sold out in the summer, are not where I want to be sometimes, etc...

[AutobahnSHO]

Most campers are absolute shit under the skin. They’re chipboard covered in aluminum or vinyl; and once that wood gets wet for any length of time, they’re basically worthless. Which is why you see so many “bargains” out there.

Totally understood..

[Soup DeVille]

Yeah but they get sold out in the summer, are not where I want to be sometimes, etc...

You don't think campgrounds ge sold out?

[AutobahnSHO]

You don’t think campgrounds ge sold out?

Yeah but where we usually are, there are more parking spaces than hotels..

[Soup DeVille]

Yeah but where we usually are, there are more parking spaces than hotels..

Oh. Parking lot camping.

There's a word for that...

[RomanChariot]

You don't think campgrounds ge sold out?

We booked campsites for Arches National Park for spring break. In order to get sites inside the park we had to book 6 months in advance (the earliest their system will allow) and every campsite that came up on the website was gone within 15 seconds. It took 3 days of trying for us to get enough sites for our group.

[giant_mtb]

I have a customer with a quite new 2500HD Silverado (or Sierra?) that uses a bed camper.  He takes it to Alaska every year.  Not sure if he tows a boat as well or just likes the compact-ness of the bed camper.  I dunno, he's loaded so he does whatever the hell he wants.

[AutobahnSHO]

Oh. Parking lot camping.

There’s a word for that...

yeah, it's "last resort because you didn't make it to the campground"

I didn't necessarily say I was looking at RVs to "camp" but to "recreate" 

[AutobahnSHO]

We booked campsites for Arches National Park for spring break. In order to get sites inside the park we had to book 6 months in advance (the earliest their system will allow) and every campsite that came up on the website was gone within 15 seconds. It took 3 days of trying for us to get enough sites for our group.

I imagine Yellowstone is the same..

[Soup DeVille]

yeah, it's "last resort because you didn't make it to the campground"

I didn't necessarily say I was looking at RVs to "camp" but to "recreate" 

If that's on the agenda, then a converted van or truck bed camper begin to make more sense.