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Don Voyage · 09-28-2014, 05:47 AM

That is one of the benefits of owning a truck camper. Taking it off truck and having a vehicle to travel around in. I lower mine as far as I can to ground after removal. Additionally, I have adjustable supports that go on the ground near the front jacks to support camper and keep it from rocking. The front jacks are secured at the top only and rocking would loosen mounting bolts etc and cause an unsafe or failure down the road. Back Jacks have additional support to lower bumber on my unit.

Loading and unloading in not a race and as a matter of fact dangerous if you are not careful. I take my time at loading as the cargo box clearance is really tight on each side. So, their is only one and I mean one position of camper in bed.

I have a heavy Lance 861/side slide out on a GMC 2500HD Duramax 4X4 crew cab. I added air bags, hellwig rear anti sway bar [a must need] and Rancho adjustable shocks all around.

You have to see what is your load capacity of the truck is and that will determine the size of camper you can have. I've seen way too many people put the wrong campers on and either broke their rear axle or worst were too top heavy. I have the 6' 6" cargo bed that limited my camper selection also.

I would suggest you reasearch on Truck Camper Magazine | Truck Campers Go Anywhere to get fully educated on this type of recreation.

I use both a motor home and truck camper for each type of destination and accessability. I am really hooked on Beach camping on Carolina Beach, NC. We get about 6 -12 of us to stay there with back entrance towards water.....way up from high tide mark too! Plus you will need a 4X4 chassis also. I attached a few pictures of mine on that beach. I have a built in generator that is noisy and the exhaust comes out in the back seating area. I have found the Honda 3000i Handi very quiet and economical to run, besides being only @ 70+ lbs.

It's really a fun adventure if you outfit and do it right!

Good Luck
Don

plasma800 · 09-29-2014, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Voyage

That is one of the benefits of owning a truck camper. Taking it off truck and having a vehicle to travel around in. I lower mine as far as I can to ground after removal. Additionally, I have adjustable supports that go on the ground near the front jacks to support camper and keep it from rocking. The front jacks are secured at the top only and rocking would loosen mounting bolts etc and cause an unsafe or failure down the road. Back Jacks have additional support to lower bumber on my unit.

Loading and unloading in not a race and as a matter of fact dangerous if you are not careful. I take my time at loading as the cargo box clearance is really tight on each side. So, their is only one and I mean one position of camper in bed.

I have a heavy Lance 861/side slide out on a GMC 2500HD Duramax 4X4 crew cab. I added air bags, hellwig rear anti sway bar [a must need] and Rancho adjustable shocks all around.

You have to see what is your load capacity of the truck is and that will determine the size of camper you can have. I've seen way too many people put the wrong campers on and either broke their rear axle or worst were too top heavy. I have the 6' 6" cargo bed that limited my camper selection also.

I would suggest you reasearch on Truck Camper Magazine | Truck Campers Go Anywhere to get fully educated on this type of recreation.

I use both a motor home and truck camper for each type of destination and accessability. I am really hooked on Beach camping on Carolina Beach, NC. We get about 6 -12 of us to stay there with back entrance towards water.....way up from high tide mark too! Plus you will need a 4X4 chassis also. I attached a few pictures of mine on that beach. I have a built in generator that is noisy and the exhaust comes out in the back seating area. I have found the Honda 3000i Handi very quiet and economical to run, besides being only @ 70+ lbs.

It's really a fun adventure if you outfit and do it right!

Good Luck
Don

Great looking setup!! Thanks for the info. I'm in the middle of used truck research right now - leaning F350 but unsure at this point (or 3500hd)

Love that rig of a genset on the front you have there!

Don Voyage · 09-29-2014, 04:39 AM

I would suggest you go with the heaviest carrying capacity you can get.
The HD models have more beefier suspension, frame and brakes. Shy away from the ones non-HD that have the snow plow package also. The snow plow package aims at additional enhancements to the front of truck only.

Also, The Ford 7.3 diesel in used is a better choice over the 6.0 or 6.4's who were and are plagued with problems. Fords new 6.7 has been successful so far I hear. My Duramax is made by Isuzu and is just great.
The aftermarket tuners to allow you to take the engine beyound manufacturer set rates is one of personnal choice. I don't use one with mine as I have seen way too many blown head gaskets from using the high performance mode setting on these units. Ram's Cummins are great engines, but their transmissions don't hold up except for the lastest years as I hear they have a "generic" allision tranny in them. They are real nice choice too.

Dually vs. Single wheel? I have a single wheel with my set-up. But have the new Michelins load rate "E"'s at 80 psi all around with camper on. 65 psi with camper off. Dully's afford a more stable ride and increased carrying capacity.
I use the truck a lot with camper off and preferred the single wheel. It's a personnal choice.

DEF[diesel exhaust FLuid] vs pre DEF. My 2008 Duramax is pre-DEF. My Passat and motor home uses DEF. It can be purchased at the truck stop pumps, not the car pumps. The price at the truck pumps is just about half price campared to buying in the 2.5 gallon box.
All diesels regenerate to clean out the soot that is accumulated in the exhaust filter. Pre-DEF units use Diesel fuel to accomplish this vs the newer ones with the DEF. I have had a change of opinion concerning this pre vs current. !- DEF is much cheaper to use than diesel and engine uses less def. 2- Engines with DEF have had a 60% removal of their smog equipment which yielded more horsepower/torque and better mileage [mpg's]. You also don't use that much driving down the road. Safe to guess a gallon per every 1000-1500 miles.

Lastly, make sure you get one with a rear axle ratio of 3.73 or higher. If you get a 4.11 you can count on not getting over 10 miles to the gallon with the camper on and 13-14 with it off. Mine has the 3.73 with the standard overdrive Allison transmission. With camper on I get 12-14 mpg's and 20-22 with it off driving around 65 mph. I have been all over the USA and never had a lack of power in the mountains or back roads.

I have out of convienance replaced my stock 26 gallon tank with one from Titan with 52.5 gallon capacity. The additional off road skid plate option for tank is good to protect tank since it hangs a couple of inches lower on truck. Off road damage is limited but the road crap that kicks up is just as damaging. Plus you get to fill up with cheaper diesel in other states.

Getting your truck first in the heaviest configuation and power is the first step. Then look for a capadable truck camper that will fit and be safely carried.

Good luck in your search.....but remember it will be worth it!!!!
Don