Camper, or Trailer for 1/2 ton truck.

[seth30]

Looking at the possibility of picking up a camper or trailer.  I have never owned one before, and looking for the good and bad stories on them.  I notice the trailer has more accommodations, but wonder how well it would do in the back country while the camper seems more compact, and pricey but has mobility.  Thanks for voting and reading the post

[whacker1]

Camper's aren't very well suited for 1/2 ton pickups.  There are some that will work, but then they aren't very comfortable or durable.  You can find a nice 20 foot light trailer that would do the job better.

[jackelope]

1/2 ton shortbed truck I assume?
You can do a camper but if it's anything other than a bare bones camper with no accessories, they suck to drive in a half ton truck...really top heavy, you need to add airbags, there's no room in the camper for anything so to me it's a waste of money for what you can get that will fit in a half ton truck. If it's something you want for the "backcountry" then I guess you'd have to have a camper but you're going to spend a lot of money for a little camper.
 

[seth30]

7 foot bed in my truck, and I have only pulled loads of wood in my trailer with it. That did suck some gas though Do you think pulling a trailer with it would suck less gas than having a top heavy camper?

Seth

[pianoman9701]

When I hear back country, I'm thinking backpacking in, so I'm not sure what you mean. However, if you just mean an out-of-the-way hunting spot with road access, It depends on what you need. You can rent either depending on the RV place and try them out for yourself. Personally, for the first year this year, my buddy and I are not tent camping and are renting a 22' trailer. We decided on the trailer so that we can unhook and then use the rig for our hunting jaunts. The cost is $775 for 12 nights. For that kind of money, we wouldn't even consider a purchase. For the amount of use we would give it, we could never justify the purchase price and upkeep. For us, renting a trailer is the way to go.

[seth30]

I'm sorry what I mean in back country is the switchbacks, and logging roads.  They usually have  good dead end spur roads that are perfect for camping.  I have been up a few where with no warning at the beginning of the road it will be cut off somewhere a few miles back, and hauling a trailer up it would be a pain to try and back down.  Or would you guys drop your trailer at the beginning of the road drive up to maker sure then come back for the trailer?

[pianoman9701]

scout ahead of time, then you don't need to drop the trailer and go look. 2 or 3 times doing that will suck.

[seth30]

When I hear back country, I'm thinking backpacking in, so I'm not sure what you mean. However, if you just mean an out-of-the-way hunting spot with road access, It depends on what you need. You can rent either depending on the RV place and try them out for yourself. Personally, for the first year this year, my buddy and I are not tent camping and are renting a 22' trailer. We decided on the trailer so that we can unhook and then use the rig for our hunting jaunts. The cost is $775 for 12 nights. For that kind of money, we wouldn't even consider a purchase. For the amount of use we would give it, we could never justify the purchase price and upkeep. For us, renting a trailer is the way to go.

thanks didnt know you could rent a trailer..  If I do make a purchase it will be used, and probaly from craigs list.

[seth30]

scout ahead of time, then you don't need to drop the trailer and go look. 2 or 3 times doing that will suck.

for everything but elk that is feasible. 

[6x6in6]

I wouldn't put a camper on a 1/2 ton truck.  But that's me.
Look at the weight ratings of the truck before you buy either.  Look at the fine print of your insurance policy.  I know for a fact that my policy states that if exceed the trucks capacities GAWR (gross axle weight ratio - camper) or GCWR (gross combined weight ratio - truck + trailer), claim denied in the event of bad things happening.  That's one check you probably won't want to write.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I have a 9.5 foot camper on my 1 ton. I tow a boat allot also so it was what I needed as I also need 4x4 drive for allot of river boat launches.
As far a dropping the camper mine has remote control happijacs and I can have the camper on or off in 2 minutes or less with my fast guns also.

But with a slide out I'm in 25,000 dollars! Its nice to drop for hunting and still have my truck. For you though, if your not a fisherman, your way better off with a trailer with that 1/2 ton.

[Rick]

I wouldn't put a camper on a 1/2 ton truck.  But that's me.
Look at the weight ratings of the truck before you buy either.  Look at the fine print of your insurance policy.  I know for a fact that my policy states that if exceed the trucks capacities GAWR (gross axle weight ratio - camper) or GCWR (gross combined weight ratio - truck + trailer), claim denied in the event of bad things happening.  That's one check you probably won't want to write.

Are you positive your policy mentions GCWR? Thats a manufacturers performance rating and nothing else.

The GCWR is what the manufacturer says the truck can move down the highway,keep up with traffic,climb interstate grades,etc.

I could see the GVWR or the axle/tire ratings being mentioned,but not the GCWR.

[pianoman9701]

scout ahead of time, then you don't need to drop the trailer and go look. 2 or 3 times doing that will suck.

for everything but elk that is feasible.

You don't scout for elk? I find my camping spots and have about 5 options before go on the hunt. Just me and my 

[6x6in6]

I wouldn't put a camper on a 1/2 ton truck.  But that's me.
Look at the weight ratings of the truck before you buy either.  Look at the fine print of your insurance policy.  I know for a fact that my policy states that if exceed the trucks capacities GAWR (gross axle weight ratio - camper) or GCWR (gross combined weight ratio - truck + trailer), claim denied in the event of bad things happening.  That's one check you probably won't want to write.

Are you positive your policy mentions GCWR? Thats a manufacturers performance rating and nothing else.

The GCWR is what the manufacturer says the truck can move down the highway,keep up with traffic,climb interstate grades,etc.

I could see the GVWR or the axle/tire ratings being mentioned,but not the GCWR.

Correct, and thank you.
I meant GVWR and not GCWR.
The GVWR may be higher than GCWR but never lower.  The reason GCWR's may be lower is due to the trucks hitch limitations.

[Machias]

Two years ago I took my overhead camper to the "backcountry"!      The road in was 6 miles, I had my 17 year old with me, in fact it was his birthday and we were going deer hunting the next morning.  It was raining, road was a bit muddy.  I was going to a spot someone had told me about that would be good for riding my mules from so I ASSUMED the road was good enough for a horse trailer.  I did not scout the road.  HOLY smokes.  At the 3 mile point the road started getting steep and a bit rough.....go farther......then it started getting really muddy with a few big rocks thrown in now and then....go farther.....then the limbs began to scrap the side and the road tilted down the mountain.....go farther......no place to stop or turn around.....go farther.....TOO FAR!!!  It was the scariest ride my son or I have ever done and with the top heavy camper I was about 100% certain we were not making it off the mountain.  Somehow we made it to the top.  Turns out the last mile or so was really just a ATV trail.  Some guys were like what the hell, how in the world did you get that thing up here.      I didn't sleep much that night because I really didn't think I could get it back down the mountain.  Cut our hunting short because it started raining harder and all I could think about was how in the world am I getting this overhead camper back down this mountain.  Now it would have been just as bad with a trailer, but I would have probably dropped the trailer and drove up and checked out the road first.  My son still talks about his 17th borthday!!   

[Buckmark]

Camper, pop up style.
Gives you the camper features, with low height during travel, light weight and the ability to tow a utility trailer, boat etc....
http://www.hallmarkrv.com/page/1002/new.html?inet=aD1hcmoteWF4JnJoPXVienIteWF4

[C-Money]

My advise, stay away from the lots/dealers. They with rip you off and try to sell water damaged junk. My wife and I ventured over to the west side and looked at a few places and were greatly disappointed in the used stock. We bought a mint condition 5th wheel in Moses Lake for a fraction of the price the dealers wanted for junk. With a 1/2 ton, I would look at a small 5th wheel or a bumper pull camper. A bed camper will not work real well in a 1/2 ton. Load a ton of hay in the 1/2 ton pick up and drive around, you will get the picture. Good luck!

[rtspring]

SETH,

I have had both. They both have pros and cons.. Last year I finally did the wall tent purchase and will never go back to a trialer or camper.

I can pretty much go anywhere with my set up and not have to worry about how I am going to get back out. The problem I always had with a trailer is finding a spot to put it and be able to manuever it and the truck.

Down fall to a tent is no running water but I can live with that.

Best trailer I ever had was a little cheapo pop up tent trailer, I drug that thing around for 3 years with no problems and finally made it into a quad trailer.....

Where I elk hunt it can drop 3 feet of snow in one hell of a hurry, Not a good time to worry about getting a trailer off the mountain...

[seth30]

scout ahead of time, then you don't need to drop the trailer and go look. 2 or 3 times doing that will suck.

for everything but elk that is feasible.

You don't scout for elk? I find my camping spots and have about 5 options before go on the hunt. Just me and my 

not by choice

[GoldTip]

I use a trailer that is a "toyhauler".  It is bumper pull and allows me to bring along my four wheelers if it is a spot thats legal to use them.  I do pre-scout before heading up a road "thinking" I will be able to park trailer or turn it around.  I have a 3/4 ton diesel, which for a toyhauler I would highly recommend a 3/4 ton and also a diesel, but a half ton would easily pull my buddies 22'  bumper pull trailer with no problems.  Drawback to a pickup camper is it's attached to your pick up unless you spend big time money on the electric self leveling jacks, also makes your truck VERY tall, so when going down roads you have to be very aware of how high the limbs across the road are.

[HUNT]

+1 for the wall tent.  Especially if you are hunting backcountry

[seth30]

I have a wall tent, and love it   But looking for someithing a litte more cozy for the better half, and it will hold up better on those rainy days.  Last elk season my tent's waterproffing stopped working after the 2nd day of rain.    Thanks for all the inputs guys, Im learning a lot more in a few hours than I have in days of reading up on campers and trailers

[huntlakewood]

I have Nissan frontier with a 4.0 6 cyl and tow a 18 foot rainier with it does really well wish I had a bigger truck just for the extra power but overall very happy. I had problems with the manufacturer and poulsbo rv I had alot of problems with them and will never do business with them or send business there way. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

My Dad bought his Rainer from Poulsbo RV in Mount Vernon and had horrible service from them as well. Will never do business with them again. They did the good ole "Bait and switch" crap on him.

I have had both. I can say I love the trailer the best. Once camp is set up, the truck is free to make a run to town etc if need be. Plus, if you get an animal, the thought of hauling it back inside the camper does not sound appealing. 

[seth30]

My Dad bought his Rainer from Poulsbo RV in Mount Vernon and had horrible service from them as well. Will never do business with them again. They did the good ole "Bait and switch" crap on him.

I have had both. I can say I love the trailer the best. Once camp is set up, the truck is free to make a run to town etc if need be. Plus, if you get an animal, the thought of hauling it back inside the camper does not sound appealing. 

  With my labs left alone in the back of the camper I know some stuff would get modified by teeth

[7mag.]

I wouldn't put a camper on a half ton. I have a half ton and a 20' trailer. It pulls it just fine, but when I upgrade to a bigger trailer, I will have a deisel first. It's not just about power, but brakes as well. Half tons have smaller brakes. Just remember, you always have to plan ahead when towing a trailer. And learn how to back it up BEFORE you head out on the road.

[jackmaster]

if your using this just for huntn then i wouldnt get either one, this is just my opinion but myself and a few other guys that have trailors and instead of using them we use are walltents and you wouldnt believe the size of the wall tent and all the ammenities you can get at the quarter of a the cost of a camper or a trailor, but i guess if i was to take one it would be the trailor and least once you get to where your going you can unhook it from your truck and that way if you get tired of walkn you can go road huntn

[jstone]

Make sure you think about the weight diff. between the truck and the trailer. To light of a truck and a heavy trailer you could go for a ride that you dont want to go on.

[seth30]

I pull a 8 foot trailer with my truck, and I load the truck and trailer with firewood every time with no issues.

[croix]

have you considered a tent trailer? light weight, maneuverable, an have more ammenities than you might expect

http://www.jayco.com/php/products/camping.trailers/trailer.php?id=229

[seth30]

no never thought of a tent trailer, looking at them online they look like fairweather tents but I like the price compared to the others Do you have one if so how does it hold up to the cold weather and rain?

[huntlakewood]

I had a tent trailer I loved it real easy to tow. Mine had a heater in it that would blow you out the door. Gasmann and I took it to scouting and it got pretty windy and it di just fine. Never had it in the snow.  I bought mine used off of craigs list for 2000. Wife wanted to up grade so we went for enclosed trailer. When I was looking the new tent trailers was just as much or more then the Rainier I bought if you got everything Bathroom etc. Goog luck

[whacker1]

Tent trailers are really good to test the water.  The only problem I ever ran into is that some of them sweat just like a normal tent does with condensation, but they dry out as soon as the skies clear off.  We only ran into that issue at night in mid october in heavy night rains.  Most of the heaters will blow you out as mentioned previously.  Good affordable option to enter the RV Market.  Doesn't hit the gas mileage near as hard as a travel trailer.   But go into it knowing exactly what it is.

[Buckmark]

I spent alot of years using tent trailers, the #1 thing about them is if you use them in wet conditions (ie raining or snowing) when you get home you need to be able to open it up, atleast 1/2 way to dryout.
If you do not have this available then do not get a tent trailer...

[seth30]

After carefully reading the posts, comments, messages, and poll count I have decided to go with a trailer.  Not sure if a standard trailer or the tent trailer.  Thank you for all your help and guidance in this! Once again HUNTWA has proven to be a outstading forum

[gasman]

Here is My 

You can haul a camper on half ton with out any problems if you add air bags to the suspension. I did for a few years untill I bought a jeep ad wanted to tow the jeep around. so I upgraded to a 3/4 ton.

When It comes to campers and having you vehicle to drive around with. They have these new things called "Electric Jacks". push a button and raise up the camper, drive the truck out from underneath of it, drop the camper to ground level and your golden 
I have had my truck and camper in places you would not find trailers many time. Most of the time I just park the truck and camper and drive the jeep around.

My choice for a camper was that I can haul my camper and tow any thing I want behind it without limitations. Be it a trailer with motorcycles, quads, boat or my jeep. I have the freedom to go and do any thing I want. With having a camping trailer you are limited to only what you can fit in the back of your truck and for, that's not enough room.
I played with the Toy Hauler idea, but living with the smell of gas, oil, or dirt in it all the time was a big turn off for me.

Gotta load up my camper right now for a weekend of scouting for elk. See ya.....

[croix]

no never thought of a tent trailer, looking at them online they look like fairweather tents but I like the price compared to the others Do you have one if so how does it hold up to the cold weather and rain?

epq21 has the coleman version of the jayco trailer that i posted. we've hunted in that thing numerous times including late elk season in the snow. never had an issue staying warm. he has also never had any real issues with condensation, but like someone mentioned, if you stow it while it's wet you will need to open it up to get the water off of the outside or you will end up with mold/mildew.

things can get a little "cozy" with 4 hunters, but we've had 3 without any issues. they are just so lite and maneuverable that i think they are great for some of those old dirt roads and somewhat "backwoods" camping. he tows his with a toyota fj cruiser so a 1/2 ton truck would have no issues. plus, it leaves the bed of your truck open for things like mountain bikes, firewood, generators, water jugs, etc.

anyway, that's my