Diesel engines & PU Campers

[Azelgin]

That's a mighty nice getaway rig, Azelgin.

Thanks.

I added four extra tie down chains on my camper. Been in a few places that could have been a little inconvient, had it decided to come off the truck. Before I added the extra ties, we hit a railroad grade that was a bigger jump than I realized and the right rear tie down tore out the side of the camper. Good thing I had some tools and my screw gun, along with some sheet metal screws with me. Put it back together in the camp ground that night. After I saw how the tie downs were attaced in the wall, I decided it wern't gonna work for the places we go. The other thing with the 4 x 4, is it's so tall when empty, it's kind of scary to have the camper jacked up that high to get it off and on. I built a 2' tall wood frame to store the camper on when it's off the truck, so I don't wear myself out jacking it back up to stick it on the truck all the time and it keeps the weight off the jacks.

We've drug the truck and trailer into some places that have been pretty tight.

I built the little trailer with an extra long tongue, so I can jacknife it pretty far around to get myself out of trouble. Doesn't always work every time and we've had to disconnect and turn it around by hand more than once. You'd think I'd learn where not to go one of these days.

 

[SRath]

I have this idealized dream rig in mind for "someday". It would be a Bigfoot slide in and I would have my 16 foot 60 hp aluminum jonboat on behind. I would make some very clever rack/ramp assembly to carry a small 4wheeler or a couple of our dirtbikes on the trailer over the boat. Use the boat to carry some of the bulkier stuff that takes up camper space, too.

Right now I have a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier that holds my 300+ pound DR650 enduro very well. I designed and made it myself and it tilts with a fold out ramp to make loading and unloading the bike a breeze. It is very stout and is also a hitch extension that allows me to still pull a trailer. We used it on our class C motorhome (without pulling the boat) on our 3000 mile trip out West through the mountains and desert. Having that street-legal, but off road capable, bike along really made a difference in what we could do and go see. The street legal WR400 I have is much lighter and much more offroad capable, but it isn't designed to carry a passenger like the DR650 is.

It's really nice to take your toys with you.

 

[Azelgin]

My little boat is a 12 footer. You can't see it in the picture, but, there is a winch attached to the rack up under the bow. The handles on the back of the boat set in a couple of holders on the trailer with two cables hanging down from the rear of the rack attaching to the boat handles also. Hook the winch strap to the bow of the boat, turn the winch handle and it flops the boat up onto the rack one handed. The bikes are a KLG 250 for me and a Yamaha TW200 for the wife. I'm not good at sharing (so she says) so, she got a bike of her own. The little 8 hp Merc. boat motor locks to the trailer between the bikes and there is a tool box on the front for all the other odds and ends. We used to have two bicycles on a rack on the back, but, motorcycles are more our style. All loaded down, the trailer alone weighs in at 2500 lbs. The wife keep asking me where our 3 mules are going to ride, but, I haven't come up with an answer for that yet. I think here in AZ we can pull two trailers, so . . . . maybe?

 

[HerbW]

Nice looking setup! To put the 285s under your truck did you put 2" levelers in the front under(or over?) the coil springs to have frame clearance. I'm running 265s Michelins on 17" alloy rims off a 2007 Dodge and love them. They should be a bit larger than 16" rims with same size tires. I would like a camper over a 5th wheel or trailer cause I'm an elk/deer hunter, fisherman and sometimes work out of town guy. Anywhere my truck can park, my camper could also. Not so with a trailer or 5th wheel. I can park at job locations with camper where the others wouldn't be allowed and save motel expenses. I assume your camper is fully self contained. Thant's what I've wanted. Thanks for the info and picture. Herb

 

[Azelgin]

Nice looking setup! To put the 285s under your truck did you put 2" levelers in the front under(or over?) the coil springs to have frame clearance.

Thanks. I'm still on the stock 16" rims. I was running 295 Ds for awhile, until Michilen came out with their new MS2s in the 285 Es. Clearance is not a problem with either one.

We went with a camper over a TT, or, 5th wheel, for the same reasons as you: can't put a trailer in the places we like to go. We ended up taking along the bikes, so we could explore and run to the corner store for supplies, without breaking camp. The trailer is small enough we can usually get it in anywhere we can take the camper. Trailer axle width is the same as the truck axles. Miss the bolder with the truck and the trailer should miss it too. I used Dodge 8 lug pattern hubs on the trailer, so we wouldnt have to carry another spare. Something to keep in mind when you're trying to cram maximum stuff in a minimum package. The camper is self contained and weve done a few thing to make it suite us. We actually lived in it while we were building our house. Good thing the weather here in AZ lets you spend a lot of time outdoors. Make sure you get a camper with an outside shower. Those camper showers get kind of cramped, if you are over 4' tall and 80 lbs.

 

[rrl989]

So how big of camper can I use on my 1998 3/4 ton 8800 GVW diesel? I have the factory tow package and camper prep that includes overload springs and anti sway bars? It's not a dually! I think of getting a camper or small 5th wheel. Thanks, Herb

Herb, several mfg'rs like Lance and Arctic Fox are finally going back to producing smaller and lighter truck campers. Unfortunately, if interested you'll probably have to buy 'new'. Your smart to stay away from TC's with slide outs, too heavy for you.