I am in the process of rebuilding an old truck bed camper that I bought for 150 bucks. Its pretty rough but it will take shape eventually.


My question is What do you like and what to you dislike about them? Is there anything you think is a must have with them? How does your truck perform with it and pulling a boat? What types do yall have?

I just use my truck. and sleep in the backseat, or in the bed when it gets warmer.

I've got one on my Truck I've had since I bought it. Its' a Raider, a canadian company that was bought by leer I believe.

I spend a fairly significant amount of time every year traveling out west and I sleep in it quite a bit. If you have a good sleeping bag, you should be able to sleep in it year around, especially around here. You can organize your gear in there fairly well. One thing that is handy, is to build a bedframe maybe 18 inches off the bed, so there is storage room underneith but still room to sleep above. Its easier than setting up tents and whatever, if you are in a campground.

My truck performs the same, you might get a little better gas mileage with it and you it might handle just a little bit better. hardly noticeable.

any questions, shoot me a pm.

I am talking like an RV type truck bed camper One that has AC, sink, beds stove oven bath room.


something like this.


http://www.travellitecampers.com/models.htm

ha, gotcha, id imagine that'll slow ya down a bit, but not much! just more for the wind to blow against.

I just bought one. PM me and we can talk about how to rig your truck up.

It's like a hotel on wheels!!!

I'm interested in this topic, its so expensive to travel these days. I would like to see what people think

Me too. I have been looking at buying an old Class C camper, but almost would rather buy a good used 3/4 ton and have a camper I could load and use when I want to.

Or I sleep in the Suburban, ugh.

The only issue with older truck campers is lack of shower, I love a shower after fishing. Although most parks have hot water...

Alright, since more are interested I will fill you in on what I know.

I've always wanted one...what better way to tow a boat, enjoy nature, and save money on hotels??

So I set out to find a truck camper that would fit my half ton Chevy. It turns out my truck bed was the shorter bed...5'8" or so. They do not make campers that have bathroom/shower that fit this size truck. They do make campers that fit just about any truck....minus the bathroom.

So I found a friend that I grew up with at church that had one his grandfather had sold him. It was made to fit a long bed truck.

I began my search for a truck to pull it. I chose a 2006 Dodge 2500. It has the I6 motor pre EPA changes. The truck is hard to find, but having the long bed made the search harder. I found one with 59K miles on it.

I added Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags...cost $400. This allows you to air up the back axle to make the truck level after you load the camper.

Tie Downs - I went with Tork Lift Tie Downs. They seem to be the best of the best. Safety and strength. I didn't want a camper to fly off or damage my truck. Check out their website and you tube videos for more info.

I also went with the Tork Lift receiver called the Super Truss and and Super Hitch...again this is the best of the best. The strength between the boat, truck, and camper becomes one unit! There is no "slop" or play when towing the boat.

www.torklift.com

I'm using just regular turn buckles that you buy at Lowes. I'm wanting to upgrade to the Tork Lift Fastguns...but then again after all the above parts I wasn't left with much money.

The Dodge diesel pulls it great. I'm running around 65mph at 1700-1800 RMP....getting 13mph. It can go faster, but why?

Bumpy roads do slow you down. The Air Bags help give the stability (and when you are done you let the air out for a normal ride without the camper). The Air Bags feel like you are riding on air.

I'm really happy with the set up. I do wish I had a camera on the back of the camper to see. I have to rely on mirrors.

I also want to upgrade to electric jacks to make loading and unloading easier. Right now I have hyrdaulics and it takes two peoples doing each front/back legs at the same time. Inches at a time. Electric Jack run $2000 for a set....but they can be done inside your truck.

I compared Lance Camper specs with what my truck could handle...their website is great. I used that to see what I was buying would fit and handle okay. Each truck has it's own GAWR...keep that in mind when picking one out to match your truck.

Other than that, I can't think of much.

I found some good ideas and tips on www.truckcamperforum.com

A fellow TFFer also helped with some ideas...which I found helpful.

Best of luck and feel free to ask more questions or PM me.

I found this place very helpful. PJ is the sales lady and she knows her stuff! I wish I could have bought a new one from her.

http://www.princesscraft.com/

If I had my choice for a new one it would be from Lance Campers...they are the industry leader in my opinion!

http://www.lancecamper.com/

I like the look of these campers...I was afraid to ask how much they were!

http://www.chaletrv.com/campers_photos.php

I have a rodeo camper with ac but no shower. Its a load for my 2002 dodge 1500 and I have to leave the tail gate down to haul it but the truck will cruise at 70 and I still get about 12 mpg. This is not a cab over model though but it has two twin beds and I love it. Saves a lot of money. A must have is a small generator to run it at the boat ramp. Just save up and get the honda.

Here's what I have - a 2004 model. It's nice because you can haul it with a 1/2 ton too. Used to use it quite a bit but not so much anymore, because I don't travel much for tourneys anymore. I have been thinking about selling it but haven't gotten around to it.

http://www.palominorv.com/site/default.asp?page=product&model=bronco

Some good information here. Keep it coming some nice stuff. My camper is a GO GO Camper I have basically rebuilt the entire wood frame and replace the floor. I have to get new jacks and
looking for the right tie down system.


Bass Bustin PM Sent