Any others? Anyone have that kind of set up and would be so kind as to share their experiences? Thanks!!
http://www.amlrv.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2017-80RB-Ext-9.jpg
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
But really, if I was gonna go off-road, I'd feel better about a pop-up trailer with flipped axle plus blocks or springs to get some lift and some big tires. I think that would follow you more places than you'll go with a tall hard-side camper on top. And it'll be a whole lot roomier. I know guys who pull such things behind their wheelers just about anywhere they wanna go. One guy goes such gnarly places with his that he has a rotating hitch setup to allow crazy twist.
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Since you do not have a truck, why not get something more suitable for carrying a camper? Better yet, pick out the camper you want and then buy a truck that’s capable of carrying it.
Have you checked Alaskan campers? Would work great on a 3/4 ton truck.
ct1500 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
Hard sided camper and half ton truck is a small choice. If you are looking for a truck and want a slide in camper I would go with a 3/4 ton at least.
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ct1500 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
I am in the same situation as you, except a 6.5 bed on a 1/2 ton. Presently have a Travel Lite 770SL. Supposed to weigh 1330, and on the scale it goes 1700, without being loaded for a trip. I'm now it the process of rebuilding an old 4 Wheel camper to suit my needs. There are very few truck campers that will be compatible with a 1/2 ton. 4 Wheel, and ATC are a couple I know of. Personally I think it's almost criminal for these truck camper manufacturers to advertise some of their rigs for 1/2 ton trucks.
Why not include it's criminal for truck mfg. to sell vehicles that do NOT have any bed CARGO capacity (after passenger weight )considerations and still call them a truck
* This post was last edited 02/21/17 09:17am by 54suds *
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wcjeep wrote:
Is there a reason a 3/4 is not preferred for Offroad use? Better frame, suspension, axles and brakes.
Is there a reason a 3/4 is not preferred for Offroad use? Better frame, suspension, axles and brakes.
No reason at all. And Alaskan is a great camper - if you don't mind the fact that it's open to the elements when putting the top up or down.
Cal
wcjeep wrote:
Is there a reason a 3/4 is not preferred for Offroad use? Better frame, suspension, axles and brakes.
Have you checked Alaskan campers? Would work great on a 3/4 ton truck.
Is there a reason a 3/4 is not preferred for Offroad use? Better frame, suspension, axles and brakes.
Have you checked Alaskan campers? Would work great on a 3/4 ton truck.
Only reason I was not considering a 3/4 ton was because of the less favorable break-over angles, and larger overall footprint (width, etc.) Although, the benefits may outweigh the downsides.
I'll check out Alaskan campers, thanks.
shellbackcva59 wrote:
I am in the same situation as you, except a 6.5 bed on a 1/2 ton. Presently have a Travel Lite 770SL. Supposed to weigh 1330, and on the scale it goes 1700, without being loaded for a trip. I'm now it the process of rebuilding an old 4 Wheel camper to suit my needs. There are very few truck campers that will be compatible with a 1/2 ton. 4 Wheel, and ATC are a couple I know of. Personally I think it's almost criminal for these truck camper manufacturers to advertise some of their rigs for 1/2 ton trucks.
ct1500 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
Thanks for the reply. I see your point. I'd like to think I'm smart enough to not trust a dealer, which is why I'm working on doing my due diligence now.
I sold my last truck, so at the moment I don't have a specific payload number. I'd really prefer to stay with in the half-ton segment, so I'm trying to figure out if I can manage to find an appropriately matched hard sided camper. I need the flexibility of being able to go off road, so a trailer is not as well suited to me.
I am in the same situation as you, except a 6.5 bed on a 1/2 ton. Presently have a Travel Lite 770SL. Supposed to weigh 1330, and on the scale it goes 1700, without being loaded for a trip. I'm now it the process of rebuilding an old 4 Wheel camper to suit my needs. There are very few truck campers that will be compatible with a 1/2 ton. 4 Wheel, and ATC are a couple I know of. Personally I think it's almost criminal for these truck camper manufacturers to advertise some of their rigs for 1/2 ton trucks.
Agreed. At first glance before I looked into the details, it seemed like it was going to be possible to find a good truck/camper match. Now, it looks like they're just false advertising.
Care to share any more details about your 4 wheel camper? Do you mean a travel trailer?
I'm almost starting to think that a travel trailer might just be an easier solution if I want to stay with a half ton.
But since you need a truck anyway, an ext cab short box 3/4ton will fit anywhere a crew cab 5.5' bed half ton will. Likely more places as the 2 solid front axle mfgs will have ALOT more ground clearance and the ability to go to 35" tires with few to no more to the truck.
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However, according to the sales numbers, that's about the most popular truck these days.
I'm assuming that's because most people are really buying them for "car" duty. Buying one intentionally to carry a camper I can only assume means the camper-hauling ability is the absolute least important factor in the decision. If that's not the case, I will argue it's the wrong decision.
But.... if that's what this fellow wants to own, all we can do is try to help him figure out what is gonna work with it.
That Lance 650 will actually fit and is designed to stay within rated payload and center of gravity.
They did a lot of things to lighten it: thinner cabinets, an on-demand water heater, stove delete, plastic rather than fiberglass shower, and the roof is thinner (and NOT designed to be walked on!!).
It really will work... but man, its TINY!!
* This post was last edited 02/21/17 03:27pm by burningman *
But, the best thing to do is go shop for camper in person. Decide what camper you want "then" buy the truck or decide "not" to buy a camper at all.
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Heck, even Ford is saying it's okay to overload their F150 trucks with hard side truck campers: https://www.livinlite.com/ford/ford-truckcampers.htm
If you've got a manufacturer saying it's okay, then why bother worrying and preaching doom and gloom?
...and yes, I'm aware I carry a 1600lb popup in a 1 ton dually. Not because I think I need a dually for that size camper, but because I use the dually for other purposes that are nunya bizness.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
"Care to share any more details about your 4 wheel camper? Do you mean a travel trailer?"
Here is a link to Four Wheel Campers:
http://www.fourwh.com
They build lightweight slide in pop up truck campers designed to survive backcountry off road use. They are not inexpensive and command high resale value. I have owned two since 1983 and would highly recommend them.
My current Hawk model weights 1340 pounds dry and I still wouldn't consider anything less than a 3/4 ton truck.
On the GM trucks the exterior dimensions are just about identical between the 1/2 and 3/4 (no 5 1/2 bed available on the HD). Break over angles better on the HD due to suspension and taller tires.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/ju7TmxP.jpg)
* This post was last edited 02/21/17 12:14pm by rottidawg *
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mkirsch wrote:
Hardside with bathroom is impossible to do and stay within payload on a half ton truck. Your only option is to completely ignore any ratings, add a few suspension enhancements, maybe upgrade the tires, and hit the road.
Hardside with bathroom is impossible to do and stay within payload on a half ton truck. Your only option is to completely ignore any ratings, add a few suspension enhancements, maybe upgrade the tires, and hit the road.
Well, if you check into it, that Lance 650 really is designed, successfully, to fit the dimensions and payload of the F-150 shorty, the one with the ashtray where a truck bed would be on a real pickup.
Now, no one is saying life-size people fit into that Lance or any other camper one of those "trucks" will carry, or that you will have enough water onboard to actually use the shower it has. But the thing will actually go on the F-150 Rear Glovebox Edition.
Quote:
Well, if you check into it, that Lance 650 really is designed, successfully, to fit the dimensions and payload of the F-150 shorty, the one with the ashtray where a truck bed would be on a real pickup.
Now, no one is saying life-size people fit into that Lance or any other camper one of those "trucks" will carry, or that you will have enough water onboard to actually use the shower it has. But the thing will actually go on the F-150 Rear Glovebox Edition.
According to the Lance website, the 650 weighs 1900 lbs wet. What is the payload of the F-150 shorty? I couldn't find it on the Ford website.
Well, if you check into it, that Lance 650 really is designed, successfully, to fit the dimensions and payload of the F-150 shorty, the one with the ashtray where a truck bed would be on a real pickup.
Now, no one is saying life-size people fit into that Lance or any other camper one of those "trucks" will carry, or that you will have enough water onboard to actually use the shower it has. But the thing will actually go on the F-150 Rear Glovebox Edition.