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!!