Best combo for horse camping

[AC]

Over the last two years it seems all we do in the summer is go camping with our horses. We're having a great time but are getting tired of tent camping. I'm sniffing around at campers and have been given the following advise. 1) Don't get anything bigger than 9 1/2 feet. 2) replace my slide in bed liner with spray in. 3) Use Tork Lift tie downs. 4) Rancho 9000's. 5) Super hitch. When We started looking for campers I had no idea there were so many different manufacturers. We have decided to go used because of cost but still want quality. We seem to be zeroing in on either the Arctic Fox or Bigfoot. There are many new competitors for these two but when looking in the used market, these seem most available. Any Horseman out there who have some insight to share? I'm nervous about weight and durability. Here's what's currently available. 2001 A Fox 9. 6, AC/ micro, awning 17K, 1998 15c9. 6 Bigfoot, electric jacks, awning, rear view camera, no AC/micro, 10K . The Bigfoot is about 1000 lbs lighter but the A Fox has the slide out and much bigger holding tanks. I don't like the A Fox's rubber roof. Appreciate all advise, AC

P. S. Trailer weighs in at about 8500 lbs. loaded

 

[dieselshu]

campers

Check out Eagle Cap, they are made in Oregon, they have a few dealers in the PNW. Nice camper without the extreme cost.

http://www.eaglecapcampers.com, and torklift tie downs are the way to go...



Goodluck

DS

 

[dkok]

AC,



I think you are going the right route (camper/horse trailer). We have been doing the same for a couple of years and loving the flexibility of just taking the trailer, just taking the camper or the whole set up.



When I was shopping for the camper, I concluded that the ideal size was the 9. 5 foot because most of them offer all of the extras plus you don't have to have an outrageous extension on your hitch.



I fell in love with the Lance 920 which offers a sofa style seat/dining area which has a unique rollover hinge that allows you to convert from sofa to bed in seconds. I also found that the new "fantastic vent/fan" really eliminated the need for AC and on board generator (saves lots of money). We still carry a Honda EU2000 generator for the microwave and extended stays... definitely get a solar panel.



Other "must have" extras (in my opinion)... Air Lift air bags with in cab control, Tork Lift extendable hitch (15,000 pound trailer & 1,500 pound tongue rating).



Our camper has fiberglass sides which makes it heavier, but with the air bags... no problem. Loaded and wet we are probably 4,000 pounds on camper and 10,000 pounds on trailer (4 horse slant converted to 2 horse straight... we haul and ride a couple of Percheron Draft horses). I have used this same set up on my 2001 3500 as well as the 03 described below... great on both!



You should check with Dwight or Mike Hill at Hill's RV in Yakima. They are like the "Dave Smith" of Lance Dealers, low prices to do volume business. (509) 248-3131. They usually have some used campers and info on others that are available. They also offered and installed both sets of my air bags, controls and hitches.



I have had my Lance for a few years now and love it, no complaints.

 

[AKsmoker]

AC

You have been getting good advice! Go with a camper with a slide out. You will pay more but you will love the extra room. Space is everything in a camper! I went with a 9 footer b/c I could get away without extensions when using a weight distributing hitch. If you go larger the super hitch by torklift is the way to go. Same with the tiedown system torklift. Also I went with a camper with two water tanks one fresh one waste. 40 gal each. don't have to worry about dumping the black water every other day!! Get a Honda EU2000 good little gen. Twin batteries is a good way to go too! I hear portable electric fencing is a good way to go for the hay burners. I'm sure it will beat hobbles and fixed lines.

 

[C. Harlan]

Check out the Capri Campers... Very nice and not very expensive at all!

I am not sure of their website addy, so look it up on Yahoo, and search for Capri Campers...



-Chris-

 

[AC]

Thanks for all the advice! I like the idea of the fantastic fan. We're never anywhere commercial power is available anyway. Anyone have experience with rubber roofs? They all seem to be going that way and it seems to have a rather obvious flaw.



Dkok, It would be fun to ride with a pair of Percherons. I went to the Sandpoint Draft horse Show a couple years ago and was impressed. It's a long way to fall though... . Ever ride up at Haney Meadow?



I will check out the web sites offered and sincerely appreciate the info.

AC

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

I'm guessing you are interested in a slide-in camper and a bumper-pull horse trailer setup. Down here Cowboy Campers are very popular (don't know the contact info though). Personally don't have much experience with them. I've always been fond of the living quarters trailers, but that's personal preference. I like the idea of being able to unhook and use the truck to go to town or go out without having the bulk of the camper in the back. Also, I am a big believer in having tools along, so I have a tool box in the bed of my truck to try to keep the tools somewhat organized and weather proof. If you're interested in horse trailers I could give some advice but can't help with the campers.



Reb [><]

 

[rodmeyer]

campers

ac,two years ago I order a 9. 5 Bigfoot,the order was srewed up and we were tired of waiting. they had a bigfoot 10. 11 on the lot slide out, dry bath ,46 gal. water tank. we took it. glad we did. problem was my truck. only a 2500 with air and sway bar. not good. camper was way to heavy. 4500lbs dry. to much sway. so I traded truck in for a 3500 ho 6sd. with overloads. I pull a 3 horse exis,with a 40'' extention made by torklift. I use torklift tie downs also. I have had no problems at all pulling my horse trailer. my bigfoot is the 3000 series and does have the rubber roof. if you want the full fiberglass camper you need the 1500,2000,or the 2500 series. when your at your horse camp your be happier with the biggest camper you can get. the 8. 5 artic fox with full slides are very nice to and you won't need the extention. Good luck

 

[DPelletier]

1) I like my Bigfoot, its very well built and is light given its size. It all depends on your priorities, but I would buy the Bigfoot. As far as durability goes, our group has four Bigfoots from '94-97 and none of us have had any problems. I could tell you stories about some of the places we've been!



2) When I ordered my trailer, I got a 60" tongue. There was no need for any extension or any concern about the factory Class IV hitch. You may want to consider having a steel fab shop lengthen the tongue. Just a suggestion as you have precious cargo. I was able to use my weight distributing hitch set up from my previous 24' trailer. Works great. rated at 1000lbs/10,000lbs.

Dave

 

[dkok]

AC,



We haven't done the Haney Meadows ride, heard the trails are nice but the road getting in and out can be a pain.



We have to pick trails that are extra wide (feet about 9" wide each), extra tall (you can hit your head on a basketball hoop when riding) and no steep drops (my preference). We had a great trip for a week to Ocean Shores/Ocean City last year and found a lot of good riding this year in a trip north of Spokane (Deer Park/Deer Lake).



Keep in touch and maybe we will run into each other out there... happy trails. If you are in the Yakima area and want to see our set up, let me know.

 

[HOSS]

AC,

I too am a horse camper. I have a four horse Trails West and an 8ft Lance slide in. This is my third camper and I went with an 8ft for one reason only WIGHT!!!! I spend a lot of time at Haney Meadows, Keenes Horse Camp (Mt. Adams), Black Pines, Teanaway, Beaver Creek ect... ...

I went with a Lance light 8ft for the under 2000lb weight and the cost. If you ride like I do you only use the camper to crash in after a hard days ride! I had no need for fancy wood and etched glass or slide outs just a bed and a fridge and a place for the wife to take care of her business (bathroom). I sacrificed a few luxuries for the piece of mind that I am not overloading the truck!!! Four horses and all my pack gear and supplies and a camper can add up to real quick!!

Air bags are a must!!! I have used Ride Rite on all my truck and been very happy with them! There is nothing worse than driving down the slide at Haney Meadows and feeling your camper rocking back and forth a couple feet!!!!!

As far as the air bags go it is also nice to run an on board compressor to fill them and have an air line off the tank to air up flat tires!

If you are interested in checking out some new riding areas or people to ride with check out Back Country Horseman of Washington. I am Vice President of Traildusters Chapter of BCHW it is a great bunch of people who love to ride the back country.

Hoss

 

[TPCDrafting]

I too have ended up with a GN trailer. We had a bumper pull and were looking at campers. It might be worth checking out GN's with living quarters. Used ones are everywhere. Many buy them, then never use the LQ part. I too ride a bunch in the rockies and camp out quite a bit. I like being outside so we just bought one with an empty changing room up front. We're adding insulation to the roof as the walls are already triple wall construction. I bought a catalytic heater (safe for tents), put in an air mattress and we've got a place to crash. We needed a 4 horse, but go to places that's tough to turn around in as is, so we needed short as well. We're looking for a 2 horse with LQ for "just us" trips and especially for hunting.

 

[AC]

Hi Hoss, We are also members of BCHW. We're in the Enumclaw Chapter. Great bunch of people! I have wondered just how much time we'd be spending in the camper what with tending to the horses and camp fires and shooting the breeze with the neighbors. If I go with an 8 ft. model would I need a super hitch? How much weight can I safely load on the truck? How do you figure your tongue weight? There's a lot to figure out and the last thing I need is to overload the truck and find out the hard way :--)

 

[HOSS]

You can go with your standard hitch with an 8ft camper.

No extention needed.

I do have load leveler bars (1000lb) and air bags on the truck.

The truck rides level and the trailer tows great this way. With the 1000lb load leveler bars tounge weight is not an issue.



You would be happier towing with an 8ft over a longer camper and so would your truck!!!