Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: steeleywhopper on December 31, 2022, 04:59:32 PM

Title: Truck Camper?
Post by: steeleywhopper on December 31, 2022, 04:59:32 PM: I have a 2009 2500HD Duramax Long bed and it is stock. I am wanting to find a camper for it so that I can tow the boat (21ft North River Seahawk) and have a dry place to sleep when traveling to Salmon fish.
I have never owned a camper let alone known anyone that has one so I am completely green when it comes to trying to find one. If anyone has been through this before and has any advice I'm all ears.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: MADMAX on December 31, 2022, 05:16:53 PM: Make sure your truck is capable
I had an S&S 9.5 and hauled an 18ft Duckworth with it on a 7.3 Ford
Its a load with both on a 3/4 ton
Stopping is the thing
I see the safest setups with a dually

Check out
GVWR
Superhitch
Torklift tiedowns
12 ply tires
Airbags

https://www.rv.com/rv/trending-rvs/the-best-truck-camper-brandsinternal/

Nice little camper on CL

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/rvs/7570703124.html
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: tmike on December 31, 2022, 05:24:08 PM: I have a 9 1/2 foot Pastime camper and tow a 18 foot duckworth. I have a hitch extension and it works fine. The nice thing about the camper is I can drop it off my truck fairly easily if I need to once I get to where I’m going.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: tmike on December 31, 2022, 05:46:43 PM: MADMAX is right. I have airbags, torklift tie downs and 12ply tires. Not sure how heavy an S and S is so that is a consideration also. I’m actually going to sell both the camper and boat just because I moved east and don’t use them much anymore. We took many trips to Sekiu etc and in my case it worked out pretty well.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: MR5x5 on December 31, 2022, 05:53:00 PM: Are you looking for a no kidding camper with all the luxuries of home, or somewhere dry and comfortable you can hide out in? I run one of these, I've insulated it, added lighting, heat, etc. Could not be happier. I get full use of the truck bed and have a comfortable place to camp out of.

https://campovrlnd.com/
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: RB on December 31, 2022, 06:18:06 PM: Madmax, and Tmike are spot on. They are heavy, and the convenience of being able to drop it and go are nice. I had a 9.5 camper when I had my 99 Dodge diesel and it was fun, pulled an 18 foot Glasply behind it, with a hitch extension, and was able to do quite a lot. As I have aged and the family too, any more we just find a rental close by and stay there.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: Westside88 on December 31, 2022, 06:56:02 PM: They can be really nice if you use them alot with a boat. I had an older one that I moved on from. If I were to get another I'd probably go with an ultra light set up. Maybe one of the ones that runs a low profile while driving an pops up in camp. Nice ones are so expensive new it makes renting a cabin seem like a bargain though, however when I get to a point in my life that I could use one more often I'll probably do it.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: steeleywhopper on December 31, 2022, 08:42:26 PM: Quote from: MR5x5 on December 31, 2022, 05:53:00 PM
Are you looking for a no kidding camper with all the luxuries of home, or somewhere dry and comfortable you can hide out in? I run one of these, I've insulated it, added lighting, heat, etc. Could not be happier. I get full use of the truck bed and have a comfortable place to camp out of.

https://campovrlnd.com/

That is a pretty slick little set up!
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: CP on January 01, 2023, 07:56:21 AM: Minimalist solution, if you don’t need all the comforts of home:
https://softopper.com

I’ve owned one since 2018 and while not perfect, it’s been a much better option for me than a heavy, bulky truck camper. I can pop it on or off in minutes and it folds up and stores away taking up very little space.

I may add the tailgate tent this spring to give a bit more room for some cross county road trips.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: steeleywhopper on January 01, 2023, 08:29:58 AM: After doing some searching on the Craigslist and other market place classifieds I see there are many campers in various states of decay and niceness for sale.
I've been thinking it would be nice to have one but after starting down this rabbit hole I may just stick to my small wall tent or rent a house.
Title: Re: Truck Camper?
Post by: cooltimber on January 01, 2023, 10:20:54 AM: Quote from: CP on January 01, 2023, 07:56:21 AM
Minimalist solution, if you don’t need all the comforts of home:
https://softopper.com

I’ve owned one since 2018 and while not perfect, it’s been a much better option for me than a heavy, bulky truck camper. I can pop it on or off in minutes and it folds up and stores away taking up very little space.

I may add the tailgate tent this spring to give a bit more room for some cross county road trips.
They work great for many yrs.