anybody use one of those truckbed campers?

[Waylonh]

I've been looking for a deer/duck/fishing camper for the weekends. Any of you guys have one of those campers that insert into the bed of your truck? I need something stronger than a tent, and something to let me pull the boat. I would like to get an idea of how they look inside, and out. Also, are there any pros/cons to these? Any other suggestions?


If so post up some pictures.

[J White]

I've had two - a small one, and the huge one I have now. My .02,
go with a small one, possible even one of those where the top lets down
sort of like a pop-up camper. The one I have, though not as heavy as some,
at 3100 lbs, is one heck of a load on a truck. Not only heavy, top-heavy
and wide - catches a LOT of air going down the road. If you can manage
to only run 50-55 mph, it is not too bad, but try to run 70 on the big road,
and it is a struggle, and burns a lot of fuel. Also, due to the way the jacks
are made on mine, it is not designed to be occupied when off the truck.
A big drawback there. Have to unplug and stow everything to go launch or
load a boat, a big hassle if you are at a site where you can't leave your boat
in the water. The only thing I really gained going to the larger one is a
bathroom, but it is sort of a joke - so tiny it is not worth it. It is a Coachmen
brand, it is my understanding that they no longer make slide-in campers.

[KCBH]

I havent seen one in quite a while. But I sure remember them from my childhood, we went every where in them. Back then you could ride in the back . Do you remember the little pass thru window? Hahah. Them were the days!

[ShilohRed]

I have one, Here is a few pictures of it. And now you can get them with what every you need. Ours has 9ft of floor space, Bathroom shower Queen bed 6 cubic foot fridge, Ac Microwave stove 51 gallons of fresh water 36 gallons Grey 28 gallons black. It even has a slide-out that holds the fridge and dinette.
It has lots of storage, Even has a small basement heated tanks. and back bumper will hold 7 ft rods and around 6 of them. Fishing and being able to take the boat with us is the reason we went with this one.

Pete
Here it is on the truck.
[IMG][/IMG]
Here it is off the truck. And the slide is out.
[IMG][/IMG]
Here is a picture of the inside
[IMG][/IMG]
Bed with closet space all along the left side of it.
[IMG][/IMG]
Here is the bathroom you can do the Three S's and never move . LOL
[IMG][/IMG]

[Waylonh]

Red.........

That's a VERY NICE RIG! I'll bet that thing was expensive.

[steelguy]

I just bought a used 8ft one that pops up. had a 6 ft one a couple years ago(little to small).the one I have now only weighs a little over 1100 lbs,hardly know it is on the truck.
figure the pop-up models would be a little better on gas milage, but not sure how much better.any little bit helps:D

[ShilohRed]

Thanks, Yes it was high. But well made. And even in 10 degree weather its warm. Its made in Canada. So you know it can handle cold weather. And that is one reason we went with it.
Also sit it off the truck and have the boat hooked back up and ready to go fishing in less then 20 minutes. And that is by my self.

Weeks ago We made a trip To east Tn with the camper and 20ft boat. Full loaded and ready for 4 days of camping and fishing.
Average of 13.2 MPh the whole trip. And that was averaging 61 mph by GPS. So some of it was 70+.
I did add Air bags to the truck and 19.5 wheels and tires. Rides good and do not even know the 3400 lb camper is there most of the time.

We looked at a few pop up campers. but did not feel they would work out good in freezing weather. Back in Feb. WE camped and fished and had snow on the ground for 3 days . Used around 1/2 a 20 lb tank of gas.

Pete

[J White]

figure the pop-up models would be a little better on gas milage, but not sure how much better.any little bit helps:D

I know mine that doesn't pop up drops me from 18-19 mpg just pulling the boat, to 12-13 with the camper (I finally figured out, it can get as low
as 11 with the two of them, but you can back off the floorboard a little and
get 13 - and get there just as quick )

[steelguy]

hey shiloh.
do you have a special hitch for towing your boat? lloks like the camper hanging off the back would cause a problem?

[J White]

hey shiloh.
do you have a special hitch for towing your boat? lloks like the camper hanging off the back would cause a problem?

Well... while we're waiting for Shiloh, I'm in the same situation, I made
an extension out of 1/4" wall, 2" square tube. Puts the ball about 20"
further back, enough to get by. Reese makes a rig they call a "class V"
for this, it is a 2 1/2" receiver hitch with a long drawbar. I've never asked
him, but I'm betting Shilohred has one of these - he's got all the neat
toys, like those 19.5 Rickson's :D