2005 2500 Slide-In options

[JCastilleja]

Hi Guys, I have searched the threads for info on which slide in to get for a 2005 2500. I found plenty of advice on first and second gen trucks but none on the third gens. I'd like to get a small slide-in. I don't need massive amounts of storage or huge restrooms, just a place to sleep and cook the occasional meal. I am new to the slide-in campers and don't want to be taken at the dealership! Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Regcabguy]

Slide-in camper

I've enjoyed a 8' Northstar popup for 5 years now with nothing but praise for quality of construction. I believe they stand by their product but I've never had to approach them. We've pondered changing to a hardside but the offroad advantages of a lower profile camper overcome the access hinderances, mainly the rear door. Also surfboards,kayaks,canoes fit nicely on the popup within reach. Can't say enough good things about this camper.

 

[JCastilleja]

Thanks for the info. I was told that the pop ups are prone to leaking, what has been your experience? I do like the fact that they seem to lower the center of gravity as I would be driving off road to access some of the camping sites I am considering.

 

[RAMN4EVR]

I've owned two Lance campers. I would suggest checking them out.

 

[JCastilleja]

RAMN4EVR,

That is a very nice set-up! Thanks for the info, every bit of it helps. I went to their,Lance, website and am impressed. From what I read in the forum, Lance seems to be a stand-up company. My father-in-law has a Canadian Flyer that he picked up for a good price, but I think I'll exceed my weight with something that big. Thanks for helping out this newbie camper!



P. S. I just had my first baby, a daughter and can't wait until she can walk to take her out hiking! Along with having children though, I am learning that many of my items on my wish list are quickly being put on the back burner... diapers are rapidly depleteing my funds... LOL! Again thanks for the input!



Jose

 

[Jumbo Jet]

My 2500 with a 'small' Lance camper.



#ad

 

[RAMN4EVR]

you can always look for a used one. Lots of people buy them, but never use them. My camper is a 2000, looks like new inside. I don't think it used more than 5 times or so. Where are you located at? Search the RV web sites. I bought our first Lance in March. It had been on the lot over a year. I started out with a 94 Lance Lite 9 1/2 ft. It was cozy. But it kept our family close for two weeks at a time. Thats my wife and two boys. Good luck in your search.

 

[Dieselnerd]

My Northern Lite weighs just over 2200# and carries very nicely on my SRW 3500 which has basically the same suspension as a 2500 except for the overload springs in the rear. Northern Lite is a great camper but they are not inexpensive. Good quality unit.

http://www.northern-lite.com/

 

[Regcabguy]

Zero leaks so far!

 

[Lorenz]

I had a big lance 821 with a slide.



sold it and went to an outfitter pop up.



Pop up wins hands down. pop up is used to boot. bought the lance new.



The ability to move around on fire roads and back road is much easier. Understand I'm a regular to off roading in other vehicles. Non of my prerunners or moto cross bikes gave me the Pucker factor like my big Lance did on a rocky fire road. Jumping dune to dune didn't scare me as much as feeling like I didn't have full control in such a huge combo like the Lance and the 2500. Air bags and rancho 9000 were par for the coarse when loaded down with the Lance.



Having the room with the slide and bigger bath was nice but easily worked around for the trade off in weight and MPG. 12mpg with the lance 15. 5 with the popup.

 

[Lorenz]

I have some of the Lance on CD at the home if youd like me to upload them?

 

[VicR]

Didn't know there were so many pop-up fans on the board. We've had our 2000 Sunlite Eagle SB pop-up for 5 years now and absolutely love it. I think they are sold under the name Apache now. Zero leaks (or any problems for that matter). I second the comments about low CG and easy to manuver.



Jose - we had our first baby 3/17/05 and we've already had her camping twice (total of 8 nights so far) and we will spend the last week of August in Yosemite. You don't have to wait to introduce her camping. We got a baby carrier from Baby Bjorn and she rides snugly on my front while we hike. Sure it takes a little getting used to and I don't cover as many miles as before, but the tradeoff is worth it.



-Vic

 

[Grizzly]

You won't find a better camper than a Lance. Your truck can handle an 8' to 9'. Another alternative, and much cheaper, but a good camper is an S & S camper.

 

[Lorenz]

You won't find a better camper than a Lance.

Fit and finish work on my 2004 Outfitter pop-up is better than my sold 2004 Lance. I will agree resale on a Lance is the best bar-none.



We can argue "better" to death.



I would say "You won't find a bigger name in the camper industry than Lance. " I'm guessing Canadians would take issue with this statement. There's some big names that are very popular in Canada. Now I'm just arguing with myself... I'll stop now.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I have a 9. 5 Lance and a 9. 5 Northern Lite. When I got the Northern Lite I put the Lance up on my hunting land and use the NL for camping with the truck. Both campers are the same length but the Lance has more storage space and more room in the bathroom and feels bigger because of the square construction. It also has a larger water tank. Dry weight of the Lance is about 900 pounds more than the NL. Both have A/C. As far as fit, finish and quality, the Lance comes in a distant second. The NL has all oak cabinets and no "printed" wood anywhere, it's all real wood. It is much better insulated and when camping in the cold the NL only uses about half the propane needed in the Lance. On the truck the NL is more streamlined and doesn't run into a "wind wall" at higher speeds. That all being said, my wife liked the Lance better although she admits the interior was not as nicely finished. I would buy another Lance if I had a DRW but even the smallest ones are quite heavy. The NL when loaded still stays under my truck GVW.

 

[Lock93]

I'm a Lance owner (twice), but I wouldn't say brand loyal. I had really good luck with our Lance Lite 815. A bit narrower (won't fit on DRW), a bit shorter, but still full size and worked great for us for a number of years. Couldn't even feel it on my old '02 2500. Plus, up here they are "loss leaders" for the local dealer in Tacoma, so we picked it up new for less than $8k.



Now have two kids, and the ability to upgrade, so we picked up a brand new '04 Lance 920 this year (I wasn't impressed with slide-outs). 'Course, its on the dually in my sig, so it also dissappears when driving.



Good luck! Any choice beats sleeping in a tent on the hard ground.

 

[BNH4221]

It was a while ago, but I did own a Sunline truck camper. I bought it used with no owners manual.

Called Sunline and they sent me one no charge. Also answered some questions for me. Very nice people to deal with.

Never had a leak or any other problems with it. Wasn't using it enough so I sold it a year later for a tidy profit.

I'd buy another Sunline product in a heartbeat.



Steve

 

[CRuth]

I have a Four Wheel Pop Up Camper. Very light. No leaks. Much like the other poster, I spend a lot of time off road. I'm used to my Jeep offroad and tend to "try" and take the truck some of the same places. So much nicer with the pop up than with my old full size camper. Really all depends on what amenities you need though. If you were waffling between a camper and a tt you wouldn't be happy with a pop up

 

[cannongeorge]

Satisfied with pop-up solution

I bought an Outfitter Apex to throw on my shortbed Dodge (Yr. 2004. 5) 2500. My first choice was a Lance 815 "lite" camper. But like Lorenenz, I was very concerned about C. G. and total weight. I also very much liked the 4-Wheel Outfitters camper - but wanted to incorporate an inside toilet and shower. I planned to drive mostly off-road in the desert, and was very concerned about weight, departure angles, and the like. I also wanted electric jacks to unload and load the thing. I looked at Northstar, Palomino, Six-Pac, Pine Mountain, Starcraft, and Hallmark. They all have good rigs, but there is (in my mind) a quantum leap in overall quality and support if you can leap up to Outfitter. No, you cannot replicate driving a Jeep Wrangler through really tough spots. But I routinely drive through "difficult" spots and I am satisfied with hauling the Outfitter along with me. I did add airbags and I will eventually add air shocks, to help control suspension response.

 

[Lorenz]

Any pics of your Outfitter in action. I have absolutely fell in love with the way my rigs looks. I thought I was downgrading from the Lance, needless to say I've outgrown that notion!





Edited because I posted the same pic twice