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Hello Mike, I wandering when you would create a posting forum
Thanks, guys, I appreciate your kind words. I get lots of questions via email. While I enjoy this interaction, the information goes to only one person. I’m hoping to expand not only my reach with this forum but the reach of others. There are many others with years of wisdom and experience who can add much to this forum as well.
Mike I really appreciate you taking on this adventure. Not many free forums out there that specifically target slide-in campers. I will start passing TCA to others I know that where using TRUKX.com. Not much action there!
Hello boys,…. and girls, i hope there are some.
This is jefe, pronounced, Hay’-fay, aka Jeff Reynolds. I’ve been floating around RV.net, the Lance Owners Association (LOA) forum, and Expedition Portal for a long time and am anxious to interact with other people who have the same focus: namely about taking your truck camper off pavement to reach locales that other forms of RV’s can only dream about. I call this narrow slice of truckcamperdom, XTC (Extreme Truck Camper). Here is what my rig looked like in 2001: stock everything except the running boards: That’s Mount Whitney directly over the top of the Lance.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/DSCN0234_zps1de3afab.jpg
A couple of those sites started out being off-road oriented, but over time sites like the hard side truck camper forum on Expedition Portal have completely dried up and have become dormant. For 17 years I’ve been upgrading my truck and camper to take on the wild areas of N.America. Many, many great lessons were learned along the way, many the hard way.
The fastest way to become an XTC-er is to be an eX-four wheel driver or (lower case) used-to-be jeeper. I’ve owned and cut my off road teeth on: 1949 Willys Ute Wagon, 1966 Toyota FJ-40, 1970 Toyota FJ-55, 1973 Jeep J-4000, 1980 International Scout Traveler TD, 1982 Jeep Scrambler (CJ-8), 1989 Jeep XJ Limited, 1990 Jeep XJ, 1999 Jeep XJ, 2001 Dodge 2500 CTD, 2011 Jeep MK Cherokee Limited, 2008 Kioti 4WD diesel tractor. Several of these had close to 200K miles by the time I wore them out. Most of these went through upgrading spurts, as I can never leave ‘good enough’ alone, so the lessons started to pile up. Many of the techniques involved with grinding over unforgiving terrain with a 10K pound truck camper are lessons learned while in low range with one of those rigs. What about traction aiding differentials? Approach, breakover, and departure angles? How tall or wide or heavy is too tall, or wide, or heavy? How can you keep from pulling that camper apart because of the twisting of the truck’s frame over said undulating terrain?
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/FourWheelDrives/04130016_zpsalk2d0ab.jpg
Once you have that can-do AND can-get-back-to-civilization attitude and technique developed with a smaller 4WD, it’s a short hop over to the hard-core, truck camper camp. I have no dog in the fight between hard side and soft side TC’s. They both have their good, bad, and ugly: In my case, all three.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/DSC_0218_zpsnk2cdn5d.jpg
I find the forums I’ve been on are all in a state of flux with the focus shifting constantly and people coming and going as they get in and out of the TC business. The situation I find myself in, at the 11th hour of my lifetime, is I want to hang with people with the same focus with the TC without infringing on someone else’s unfriendly turf aka: their paradigm. This may be the place. We’ll see.
regards, as always, jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hello everyone!
I’ve been lurking here for a little while. Thought I’d join in on the conversations. Thanks Mello Mike for starting the site. You can never acquire too much knowledge or know how.
I’ve been truck camping since 2009. Learned a lot during that time. Especially about the way I want to camp and travel. I started out camping as often as I could. Last year I spent approximately 200 days enjoying this life. Hoping to fit more time in this year!
I do have other pics of my rig. I just need to take the time to figure out how to get them on the screen!
LOL! And, yes I realize that I’m in “rarefied atmosphere”. Been there all my life! Enjoy every minute of it. I have never been one to follow the well beaten path.
I actually started camping in 2003. I had two tow-alongs. I just couldn’t get to where I wanted to go. I researched quite a bit and realized that a truck camper was the way to go. Being on the east coast (Dan Wiekert and I live about 5 miles apart, unbeknownst to him), I wanted a 4 season camper and set my heart on an S and S. However, I simply could not turn down a huge deal on my leftover Host. It was a beautiful camper. But again too tall and heavy to go where I wanted. So I sold it and found my used S and S about 40 miles from my house. It’s been a good fit for me.
So if I’m lucky I can spend some time in that special atmosphere known as truck camping!
Good to see you here Linda. Do you have any more pics of your rig? You are in a rarified atmosphere.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hi Linda, and welcome to TCA. You’ve got a fine lookin’ truck camper rig.
I just looked at your Flickr link and its set to “Private” so the link won’t work. You have to first set that setting to “Public” which will create a direct link to the photo that you can use.
Mike
Thanks for your help Mike. I think I got it!!
Yo, Linda, you seem like an adventurous soul. Yours is a rig you could spend some time in: Not too tall: Not too wide; Spacious interior config. After looking for years at campers on the road, I cannot recall another like yours. In the pursuit of happiness, may you find an abundance.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Jefe,
Like I said before, it’s just perfect for me.
I had the upholstery redone to reflect a little fun and color. I’ll post a pic or two of that shortly. I also replaced the normal mattress with a Sleep Number mattress.
I just updated my profile to add my Bilstein shocks, Timbrens etc. Although, for a girl 😉 I’m pretty mechanically inclined. I wanted to keep everything as maintenance free as possible. I just added a rearview camera in the bed of my truck as well as an updated bed mat with new paint lines for my more mature eyes! Makes it a little easier to load.
I just got lucky too. I had Duratain put on the camper and then added Duratain undercoating to my truck. My son works at a local dealership and they were looking for a guinea pig. So for less that $200 they completed the tasks. I have to say…it looks great and definitely is a great sound barrier. Doesn’t look its age at all!!Linda
Hi All
New to truck camping but not to camping. Our pre-retirement toy is a 2017 Silverado(gas) DRW 3500. The camper is a 2016 Artic Fox 990 we purchased used last month. It has very little wear, as you can imagine, the Onan generator only has 3.8 hours on it. Looking forward to traveling out west in the coming years. Mikes site has been an inspiration and very helpful as we researched our truck camper purchase.
Thanks for the add…
Ron
http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx167/ronr2/Truck%20Camper/1104171636a.jpgHi TruckCampers,
we, my best of all wives, Viola, and me fell in love to TruckCampers few years ago. We bought an old 1992 Jayco 8ft Popup Camper and got some interesting surprises with it. Parts of the Camper kept us warm during the winter, some parts helped us raising flowers.
But after one year and 800 hrs of (wo-)manpower it went out of the barn and looked better than new.
The Jayco received some upgrades like a German Truma furnace, 200 W of solar-system and an Engel-Compressor fridge. + the hand-crank roof lift was upgrades with a small ATV-winch. It know opens in 7-8 seconds 😉
The whole story and renovation is to find at WTW-Forums and I would like to ask Mike if i can place the Link to our renovation here or in the pictures section.
The Camper found a nice place on a 2000 F-250 SuperDuty.After 4 years in the German Truck Camper community we started to Import TruckCampers of Palomino and TravelLite to Europe. Mainly Focussed on Mid-Size Trucks and we hope to be lucky with this idea.
Let´s have fun and share it together
2000 F-250 SuperDuty SC Lariat Longbed 7.3 ltr. 4x4
1992 Jayco-Sportster 8ft Popup - rebuilt 2014/2015Only official TravelLite and Palomino-Truck Camper Dealer in Europe
Hi All,
Dave here. I’ve been truck camping ever since a bought my first rig, a 72 F25 and an 11’Traveleze camper, back in 1972. I’m on my 4th truck, a 2011 F350, and third camper, a 2006 Artic Fox 990. I’m fortunate to live in Idaho where there is a lot of public and in most places no requirement to camp in designated campgrounds so we boondock it most of the time. I tow a 47 CJ2A to get around in. Enjoy just getting away, along with exploring and fishing.Dave E
2011 Ford F350 SC
2006 Arctic Fox 990hello
back in the ’70’s my family, (mom, dad, 3 kids) lived in an 8 1/2 Security camper for 6 yrs.
never lost that truck camper feeling, and yrs later my wife, myself and son have been truck camping since the early 2000’s. we have an older setup, ’85 K30 crew with 42″ swampers and a ’89 8 ft Travel-Mate, but it will go most anyplace we point it. we camp well off the grid, as we ride atv’s and this looks like a good forum for the way we camp…(no pavement…lol)We are please to start our very own truck camper forum. We hope you enjoy it and find it a helpful resource. We also hope you make a few new friends along the way.
Hi New here and trying to navigate my way around the site. I have a couple issues with my 2016 Forest River Palomino pop up tc that I am seeking help with but not sure how to post a new subject to get this going. Lots of reading, I have been through the 4 pages of the forum so far and gaining on knowledge! lol
Carrie
Hello all,
Just joined today and looking forward to participating in this friendly community. My wife Yoly and I have traveled far and wide over 10 of the last 12 years of retirement …. over 100,000 miles across 48 states in the most diverse forms of campers you can image. We document all our adventures on our 8 year old YouTube travel channel. Rather than bore you with all the details, I think I’ll try and post a link to our Introduction video as that will bring everyone up to speed. Now gotta research how to create a Profile 🙂
Introduction to Travels with Yoly
Neil & Yoly
2016 Ram 2500HD Tradesman, 2WD Crew Cab, 6.4L Hemi
2018 Travel Lite 840 SBRX
Honda EU2000iHowdy campers. My hubby and I have been camping for over 40 years and recently graduated from sleeping in the back of our 4×4 truck with a camper shell to the luxury of an Alaskan camper on a 4×4 F-350 utility truck. Our favorite haunts are Death Valley in the winter and Big Sur year round, both in California.
Having a rig this big is an adjustment and may mean “tamer” adventures off-road. Our wheelbase is 22 ft. long and we plan to visit the desert trails soon to test out our new to us rig. I was encouraged to see Jefe’s pics of taking his rig over rocky terrain. 😉
I’m so happy to find a forum that addresses the joys and challenges of truck camper camping!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e5c6F5Sx1mHpiWKT72004 4x4 F-350 utility truck
2004 Alaskan camperHi all. ’bout time there a dedicated forum for TC’s and a dedicated TC site!
My story (short version):
Sold my company, wanted to travel (NOT on an airplane for a change) we bought a motorhome. 1 year later with the MH spending almost as much time in the shop as it did on the road, I ate the loss and the dealer bought it back from me to say NEVER AGAIN!We were now without and the search was on for an RV. TC, you gotta be kidding. Then the search began for a 5th wheel or TT. But a guy I met said have you ever looked at a TC? Heck NO! Then come look at mine. WOW! Big Lance on his truck, him and wife love it.
More Searching and we started talking to folks and they said look at Arctic Fox 1150 with the slide. We were living in Scottsdale at the time and Tom’s Campers had one. WOW again. But it was not a 1150.
We find a AF 1150 up in Idaho on ebay. I call, he sends 40 pics tells me he wants to move it, he does not deal in TC’s and this TC was a trade in on a Prevost at $1M. We drive up and here is a NEW AF 1150 and a NEW GMC 3500 dually and what a rig it was, yes it was new, never used. Guys wife told him no and hell no I won’t go. I load it on my truck for $23k.
8 years later I sell it for $20k after it was on RV Trader for 2 days and 3 backup full price offers.
Now I am on my 2nd 5th wheel. WH.Y?
Dogs got old and could not get up in or out of the TC and with 6 dogs the TC was getting cramped.
So why am I here? We LOVED our TC and of all of our RV’s we had it the longest, and with near zero issues with it, none of which were major, stoppers or took anything more than 30 min and a new part to replace. We down to 4 dogs and 2 of them are very near their time and the other 2 are getting close to chasing rabbits in the sky.
Time to start looking again as we have missed our TC.
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasHello everyone, New to the forum but not the site. I spend most of my time on LOA but LOA is changing and I am looking for a new group of truck campers to hang out with. I have been truck camping since I was a kid and my first rig was 1966 Beeline. “Used” of course but it was a fun machine. No heat, No air, porta potty, etc… I have since upgraded a couple of times to newer models but never bought new. I presently have a 2007 lance 1181 and I love it. I have had it for ten years and have done many upgrades. I am now looking for something smaller and easier to handle. I have looked at the Lance 650 and the cirrus 720. I am waiting to see if cirrus will make a half ton model for my ram 1500. Anyway just wanted to say high.
JoeLance of America! It is my go to TC forum because of ten years seniority and I have many friends there. I am looking for a little change in the forum atmosphere so here I am. Welcome to the TC lifestyle. My wife and I have been TCing since 1995. Our first truck camper was a coachman Ranger. I loved that camper and if it didn’t rot from underneath me I’d still have it.
Thanks, JoeHello, new to the forum and TC’s in general. Camped in friends and families a few times over the years but recently bought one for myself! Looking forward to learning more and planning an extended road trip at the end of this year. Anyone int he PNW that like to teach a newbie the ropes I would be appreciative! Hoping to make the truck a bit more off road capable to be able to do some decent overloading so any tips on suspension/tires/wheels or other mods is greatly appreciated!
’16 F350 CCLB SRW
’17 NS 850SC pop up
*not sure how to post pics 🙁Howdy Derek and Welcome.
Before you make any changes at all, Take your truck and camper to a truck scale and get accurate weights for both the front and rear axle, not just the whole truck. You really need to know these figures to make intelligent choices.
CAT scales is a nationwide chain of truck scales. Do a Google search on them and they will direct you to the nearest scale to your location. They also have short videos there showing you exactly what to do to get good weight figures. BTW, some people like to get truck weights for both with and without the camper on board.
Did you mean to say “overlanding” instead of “overloading”?
You didn’t say whether your truck was two or four wheel drive.
Two wheel drive trucks can be surprisingly good off pavement vehicles if you mean unpaved forest service roads and trails. It’s been said that a two wheel drive with GOOD tires will get you to 90% of the places that four wheel drive will take you. (The four wheel drive just lets you get further away from civilization before you get stuck!)
The key is to have really GOOD off road tires and to air them down whenever you are off pavement.
Regards
John
I don't like to make plans. They cause the word "PREMEDITATED" to get used in court!
DON'T FEED THE VULTURES!
My Body is a Temple! Ancient, Crumbling, Probably Cursed . . .Howdy Derek and Welcome.
Before you make any changes at all, Take your truck and camper to a truck scale and get accurate weights for both the front and rear axle, not just the whole truck. You really need to know these figures to make intelligent choices.
CAT scales is a nationwide chain of truck scales. Do a Google search on them and they will direct you to the nearest scale to your location. They also have short videos there showing you exactly what to do to get good weight figures. BTW, some people like to get truck weights for both with and without the camper on board.
Did you mean to say “overlanding” instead of “overloading”?
You didn’t say whether your truck was two or four wheel drive.
Two wheel drive trucks can be surprisingly good off pavement vehicles if you mean unpaved forest service roads and trails. It’s been said that a two wheel drive with GOOD tires will get you to 90% of the places that four wheel drive will take you. (The four wheel drive just lets you get further away from civilization before you get stuck!)
The key is to have really GOOD off road tires and to air them down whenever you are off pavement.
John,
Thanks! So yes I meant overlanding stupid autocorrect. Yeah I know I need to get the weights just haven’t gotten to that part yet. Is it as simple as rolling the front wheels up without the rears onto the scale and vice versa? I’ll have to google proper procedure.
To your other question, I do have a 4×4 model. I’m not in a rush but still looking for the options to upgrade.
Thanks againHello all! New here and hoping to get some good info from this site. Looking forward to diving in and soaking up some knowledge.
About me: Travel RN for three years zipping around the US in a Chevy van (gasp!), which I love. However, it’s a big ol’ beast as it’s the extended version with a two foot fiberglass camper top. I’m stuck in civilization when I’m working, but on days off and between contracts, I’m finding I want to get further out and away from said civilization. My van is a RWD, and while I’ve been on some sketchy roads, I tend to error on the side of caution cause towing me outta the sticks costs a whole lot of money. I’m currently considering changing to a truck and slide in camper. I’ve reconciled my pros and cons, so hoping to get some insight from this forum to make the best choices for myself.
I’ve (almost) decided on the camper, but am hemming and hawing about the truck. Diesel? Gas? Ram? Ford? Chevy? Dually? I’m hoping to buy within the next year, don’t plan on towing anything, just toting the camper. Just me and my 50 pound doggo navigator up front. I do know I want a 4WD crew cab (which I know reduces payload) – the rest is undecided. I will say when I started looking at trucks, I was surprised by the smallish payloads on some of the HD Trucks.
Throw all your truck thoughts at me, good or bad! I appreciate any feedback you might have.
Hello and welcome!!! A fellow newbie…. I find the forum to be sparse and not very populated but always informative. I don’t post much either. Anyway welcome to the forum.
Hello all! New here and hoping to get some good info from this site. Looking forward to diving in and soaking up some knowledge.
About me: Travel RN for three years zipping around the US in a Chevy van (gasp!), which I love. However, it’s a big ol’ beast as it’s the extended version with a two foot fiberglass camper top. I’m stuck in civilization when I’m working, but on days off and between contracts, I’m finding I want to get further out and away from said civilization. My van is a RWD, and while I’ve been on some sketchy roads, I tend to error on the side of caution cause towing me outta the sticks costs a whole lot of money. I’m currently considering changing to a truck and slide in camper. I’ve reconciled my pros and cons, so hoping to get some insight from this forum to make the best choices for myself.
I’ve (almost) decided on the camper, but am hemming and hawing about the truck. Diesel? Gas? Ram? Ford? Chevy? Dually? I’m hoping to buy within the next year, don’t plan on towing anything, just toting the camper. Just me and my 50 pound doggo navigator up front. I do know I want a 4WD crew cab (which I know reduces payload) – the rest is undecided. I will say when I started looking at trucks, I was surprised by the smallish payloads on some of the HD Trucks.
Throw all your truck thoughts at me, good or bad! I appreciate any feedback you might have.
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasHello all! New here and hoping to get some good info from this site. Looking forward to diving in and soaking up some knowledge.
About me: Travel RN for three years zipping around the US in a Chevy van (gasp!), which I love. However, it’s a big ol’ beast as it’s the extended version with a two foot fiberglass camper top. I’m stuck in civilization when I’m working, but on days off and between contracts, I’m finding I want to get further out and away from said civilization. My van is a RWD, and while I’ve been on some sketchy roads, I tend to error on the side of caution cause towing me outta the sticks costs a whole lot of money. I’m currently considering changing to a truck and slide in camper. I’ve reconciled my pros and cons, so hoping to get some insight from this forum to make the best choices for myself.
I’ve (almost) decided on the camper, but am hemming and hawing about the truck. Diesel? Gas? Ram? Ford? Chevy? Dually? I’m hoping to buy within the next year, don’t plan on towing anything, just toting the camper. Just me and my 50 pound doggo navigator up front. I do know I want a 4WD crew cab (which I know reduces payload) – the rest is undecided. I will say when I started looking at trucks, I was surprised by the smallish payloads on some of the HD Trucks.
Throw all your truck thoughts at me, good or bad! I appreciate any feedback you might have.
Hello Ramona, Truck Camper for 9 years, 2 different campers and 6 different trucks. You are doing the right thing by picking your TC first, then buying the truck. I would look hard at Arctic Fox with one or two slide outs. AF makes a quality TC, I had one for 8 years with zero issues and was doing 25 trips a year. Here is one for sale that would give you a good TC and a place to live for years to come: https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Northwood-ARCTIC-FOX-996-5012907390
Truck: Ford F 350 Diesel I would suggest a newer model a ‘15 up https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=75250&inventorySearchWidgetType=PRICE&trimNames=Lariat&cabins=CREW&showNegotiable=true&sortDir=ASC&sourceContext=untrackedWithinSite_false_0&distance=50&sortType=DEAL_SCORE&endYear=2020&startYear=2015#listing=275785837
These are just some examples I am throwing out to give you food for thought. I have owned 5 F 350’s and 1 F 450. I have nearly 250,000 total driving miles with no major issues at all and only a few minor issues, all covered by warranty. Since I have no idea of your budget not sure where to begin, so look at the links and I will be happy to help, answer questions and do my best to guide you in the right direction…
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasThanks Don! I appreciate your feed back.
I’ve pretty much decided on a Northern Lite camper. I don’t want any slides and prefer a well thought out fiberglass camper. I know Lance TC are top notch, but I’m not a fan of slides and their design choices. I’m not too picky about this, but the fact is I will be living in it full time and want to be comfortable. I’m also researching Bigfoot, but like the modernity of the Northern Lite.
I was thinking a short bed p/u due to easier maneuverability while in civilization. Do you think it’s worth the loss of space?
I’m leaning towards a gas engine due to increased payload, cheaper maintenance, and ubiquity of gasoline vs diesel fuel. It’s seems that the increased mileage with a diesel is not that spectacular with all the modifications now required for Diesel engines related to emissions. I did read that RAM may be coming out with a Cummins diesel with an Allison transmission, which would definitely make me reconsider a diesel. Have you heard anything about that?
As far as a 3500 truck of any manufacturer, am I correct in the understanding that these HD trucks have perfectly adequate suspension and sway bars, or is this something I would need to have done after purchase? Even the heaviest Northern Lite will be easily managed by either a gas or Diesel engine and I prefer to have excess power and stability, even in the worst conditions, rather than something underpowered and borderline unsafe.
Can you make an argument for a diesel? I do know I will be in this vehicle/TC for a good ten years before I retire. I do want a quality truck that will be able to last. I don’t have anything against buying used, however, I don’t know enough about trucks and engines to be qualified to see when I’m getting an excellent truck or a potential headache.
Thanks much for your thought!
Ramona,
As the load gets heavier the advantage goes to diesel for better mpg and ability to haul/tow.Gas work good under lighter loads. Gas will get better mpg unloaded but loaded it will not do as good as a diesel when loaded. Gas may, MAY work better for you based upon what you wrote.
My Camper tips the scales at over 5700 lbs full loaded for travel. Here is what you need to know: There will be a sticker on your camper, usually outside and it shows the base weight, then the As BUILT weight, not add to the as built about 600+ lbs for food stuffs, clothes, etc etc water in tanks etc. This your TRAVEL wt. You can find that at any CAT scale at most truck stops. Drive on and for about $12 bucks you get your load weight by the front and rear axle and combined.
As you are going no slide and short bed big weight savings.
As for trucks, I always had Chev/GMC, but when I need to make the move to heavy duty hauling, I ended up buying Ford F 350 and as a engineer I compared them all and Ford is the best truck out there at the F 350 and above level.
You don’t normally get swaybars on stock trucks unless you get the Camper Package and I would say that is a MUST! It Certifies you truck to carry a camper!!! Ford has it and I am sure other makers do.
Do not know where you live but for a real super deal on a Ford truck if you want to go new. McLane Ford, Fredericksburg Texas is hard to beat: They sell trucks at Invoice minus any Ford discounts to which your eligible. I just bought my new truck and Invoice minus $3500 dollars due to eligible discounts. In addition they a clean deal, that mean no lifetime window tint or steering wheel wax or muffler bearings. Its owned by a Texas rancher, only got a couple of sales guys jeans boots place. You would love Fredericksburg, old German town, now a tourist mega small town great place to visit. Over 143 wineries, breweries and distilleries to visit in the Texas Hill country. https://www.mclaneford.com, Matt Self is my sales guy, I get nothing if you buy there. Bought a lot of trucks and cars and never been treated better or got in and out faster. I know the owner, have his personal phone number, just the kind of place it is.
If you buy new then here is a build I did on line that you can look at and I recommend you click on ‘Summary’ and look at the options. I built it to do what I think would work for you based upon your input. https://shop.ford.com/build/superduty/#/config/Config%5B%7CFord%7CSuperDuty%7C2020%7C1%7C1.%7C613A.X3B.148.N1…XLT.54F.4X4.SEC.85S.67E.YZKAA.X3E.68D.471.17V.SRW.TDX.350.CBB.%5D
Let me know, I will guide and and help in any way I can…
Seriously consider living in a camper, it is small when there are no slides and a short bed also. There is a reason why many people buy and regret or upgrade if they can afford it, because it was to small to live in. If you chose no slide, then I would recommend a long bed for a longer model. DRY BATH! Even as an Infantry soldier who has taken baths in any place he found to be somewhat wet, creeks, rice paddies, hard rain etc, there is nothing like a good hot shower in a space that is dedicated for it.
I have dated several nurses and I understand you view, but the camper is you home and you need freedom of some space and the cramp of wet baths and barely being able to turn around. A short bed truck is only 6 ft long for some truck, the F 350 is 6 3/4 ft.
If you are on Facebook here is a truck camper group you can join and get tons of help: https://www.facebook.com/groups/722631361410607/
Don
US Army Retired
2019 F 350 CC-LB King Ranch
Hill Country of TexasThanks Don, Appreciate your input. I am familiar with the weight issue- after my campervan was built out, I was about a 1000lbs under max, and I want to do the same things with whatever truck I end up getting. Better to have too much truck than not enough.
I had talked to a local dealer who suggested I have it built out, but there’s no guarantee that there will be any incentives at the time of completion, which I don’t like, but that’s another story.
I’m pretty sure I won’t have any issue with living mostly full time in a TC. I always get housing in the warmer months because the dog needs to in safe temperatures, but in cooler climes, we’ll be fine. A TC will have a lot more amenities than my campervan, which was deliberately built out very minimally.
I’m reconsidering the short bed. Having difficulty finding the exact length of a crew cab and long bed, but don’t think it’ll be too much longer than my extended van, which is around 22’.
Northern Lite TC do have dry bath options, which I’ve pretty much decided on.
Texas Hill country is legendary! Hoping to get there one day. Cheers!
Spocamp–Get cost-effective sports gears for camping & hiking, sports clothing, sneakers, fitness & body building, running, water sports, fishing, sports accessories, etc.
Official website: https://www.spocampsports.com/
Product and service: outdoor camping gears, camping sleeping pad, camping backpack, camping stove, etc.A shout out to everyone here. My wife and I just completed our first year with our pop-up truck camper and absolutely loved the experience. I found this place when my wife surprised me with a Truck camper Adventure T-shirt for Christmas. Love the shirt and can’t wait until it warms up so I can wear it out and about.
We live in Atlantic Canada where there are very few truck campers around so we had to travel to the USA to buy our new Real Lite 1604 camper. We love the outdoors so we knew exactly what we wanted when we decided to by a RV for our retirement. We have toured through a lot of the western US and were looking forward to exploring New England back roads last summer but the Covid thing kept us home due to the closed border. maybe next summer.
Welcome to TCA, Lindsay!
I’m sure you’ve already discovered what a great job Mike does with this website.
That is a great “lite” popup you guys have. I’ve a good friend who absolutely loved his and enjoyed all the backcountry he was able to access with it.
Hi everyone. I don’t have a camper yet and wants to join this community before I buy one. It will be my first camper and I have had experiences travelling outdoors. It’s not the right time for me to buy right now since there are travel restrictions crossing states and borders. I’ll spend more time here lurking, learning things about campers and hopefully own one at the right time.
Welcome, Michael. Lurk away. There’s a ton of good info here as well as good people willing to help.
Stan
Hey all!!! New to both the site and truck campers. We recently bought a 2001 Chevy 2500HD with the 8.1l so I know I can do a camper. Wife just bought a Lance 650 to mount in it as it’s just us using it. This way we can tow the wife’s boat as well for fun. We have a 19’ toy hauler as well but not planning on keeping it with the camper.
Hi all – Like others just getting into the truck camper thing. My adventures since 2006 have been in my 2005 Sportsmobile 4×4 van. I still love it but my wife and I are starting to think of a little more comfort in our travels. My wife has a 24′ Retro trailer that she loves but I’m still not a fan of trailer life. I like to get away from it all which a trailer like that doesn’t really fit to.
I received my 2022 F250 Lariat Tremor in late Sept. and had a flatbed installed within a month. Now just waiting, waiting, waiting …. for the Bison Overland camper. Now being told mid-summer ready date. Until I get the camper completed, the van will continue to get loved on more adventures.
The Sportsmobile Forum has been fantastic since I joined. Very polite, respectful, and helpful group (can’t say that about all forums I visit). I have high hopes this will be similar.
Progression:
Current Van
F250 as purchased
F250 with flatbed (just waiting on a camper)
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