anybody use one of those truckbed campers?

[gater]

Lance campers makes the nicest ones we could find. We were looking at getting one a few years back and we looked at them all. Lance were definately the best made, and had the most open floor plans of all. That definatley something to think about. They have a website its Lancecampers.com. If the wieght and gas mileage isnt an issue, I would definately go hardside over a pop up... Just my 2 cents worth.

[ShilohRed]

I have the Class 5 hitch. Its 2 1/2" sq tubing 34" long. Sticks out even with the back of the camper bumper. Its heavy built. 2 1/2" x 1/4" then a 2" x 1/4" piece inside that.
This extension cuts down the tung weight of what you can tow. My 20ft boat has 290 lbs tung weight so with the extension its running 890.
Handles well. Also my camper is one of a few that is made for a long or short wheel base truck. And I do think my next one will be a 1 ton long bed. This one does well with the upgrades ( Eat your heart out Jeff Ricksons 19.5) but would do better with a 1 ton hauling the camper and boat.

Gater we looked at every lance made. And did not see one of them that was any better or as good as Okanagan. But Okanagan dealers are only in East Tn Then Denver Co for you.
Also for anyone looking theres a 2004 lance I think Model 821 with a slide at Pickwick. for Less then $8000. IT has a left rear jack gone. But the rest of the camper looks like new.
Also some damage where the jack was ripped out.'

Pete

[J White]

Yep Pete, those 19.5's are the ticket. If I'd known about them, I might
just still have a single-wheel truck instead of buying the dually.
I hauled mine on a 3/4 ton with 10 ply 16's for several years, but it still gives me the willies to think about how they pooched out even with max (80lbs) air pressure in them. I don't want to even think about trying to handle a
truck and slide-in if a tire let loose A question - does the class V
hitch interfere with your spare tire? Did you have to move it?

[ShilohRed]

Yep Pete, those 19.5's are the ticket. If I'd known about them, I might
just still have a single-wheel truck instead of buying the dually.
I hauled mine on a 3/4 ton with 10 ply 16's for several years, but it still gives me the willies to think about how they pooched out even with max (80lbs) air pressure in them. I don't want to even think about trying to handle a
truck and slide-in if a tire let loose A question - does the class V
hitch interfere with your spare tire? Did you have to move it?

Jeff I have the factory spare in there. it has a little room. Some people buy an extra 19.5 for a spare. But theres not that much difference between mine.
They sure do make it handle good. The only reason I got them.Was $1400 with 7000 miles in them. Verus $3200 the other way. So I took a road trip last fall to South AL and picked them up:D
PEte

[Waylonh]

I'm actually looking for something a little cheaper to fit my budget. I just need something to stay 1 or 2 nights in. For the price of some of those rigs, I'll have to pass. I would love to weld some aluminum and make my own camper for the bed of the truck. After all, it's just me. I'm not looking for the 4 seasons. I just need something to get me out of the rain.

[ncnat]

I'm actually looking for something a little cheaper to fit my budget. I just need something to stay 1 or 2 nights in. For the price of some of those rigs, I'll have to pass. I would love to weld some aluminum and make my own camper for the bed of the truck. After all, it's just me. I'm not looking for the 4 seasons. I just need something to get me out of the rain.

Take a look at the trunk tents that they are making now.

[Castoff]

Have a 4x4 crewcab with Lance camper and althugh used fairly often, have never used it to pull the boat, although that was one of the prime reasons to get it. I previously had a camper and used a four foot 2x2 heavy wall section of tube steel, with a ball mounted on one end. Worked fine and apparently let it go with the boat when I sold it. I have heard of guys launching their boats, then not having the traction to get off the ramp, leading to a soaked camper, so might want to be aware of that issue.
The only problem with a truck camper, as compared to a trailer etc, is inability to use truck bed for chairs, firewood, fuel, more firewood, your favorite grille or stove for cooking you fish, and more firewood.

If you are not staying at camping area with electric, would suggest the larger unit with a generator, if you need that luxury, but both features really up the overall weight which is the main killer of truck camper truck combos. And except for the simple camper shell, if you want beds, cabinets, stove, toilet etc, you will need at least a 3/4 ton truck. And if you need the AC and gen, a one ton is usually required. Check the truck camper forum at RV.net...you will get more information than you can possibly use.

If you simply want a place to sleep dry, find a camper lite, even the jack up top. But be aware of RV sales folks; some will say anything about weight to make a sale. Now is a good time to find one; since fuel is so high some people are dumping their RV rigs. Best area of the country is NW or SW; fewer here in the SE.

[gater]

Weve gota friend that has a ball mounted on the front of his pickup that he uses to load and unload his boat on steep ramps when hes got his camper on. We never have seen him get in a jam with it that way.