Fuel Mileage and truck Campers

[CKimball]

hey gang... . ponderin for awhile to get a t/c or a class c as we are soon to be empty nesters and want a new unit to replace our big long trailer..... curious on how much more fuel one would use with a t/c of about 3klbs+ (dry bath, slide model) on my trucks back... . (see sig)... . those of who that own a t/c are there any cons to this choice... so far my pros for the t/c vs Class C have far exceeded the cons that I see... . but want to hear what others have seen in their choice of goin with a t/c... . oh... how long does it take one to load and unload the unit of the trucks back...

thanks in advance

cameron

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I typically run real close to 20 mpg at 65 mph empty.



With the t/c I can get 14. 5 mpg at 65 mph. In a strong head wind (30 mph), I have seen as low as 10. 5 mpg.



I like the fact that I can have a truck and a nice camper without an extra insurance, personal property tax, license, etc.



It can take as little as 15 minutes to an hour to get mine loaded/unloaded.



I have to:

0) check air in tires (If my steel Rickson wheels and 14 ply tires aren't on the truck, I install) Takes an extra 30 minutes. Been trying to buy a set of Aluminum 19. 5" wheels since May, but haven't received them yet. I don't like to keep the steel wheels on full time - too ugly!

1) increase the airbag pressure

2) install the receiver hitch extension (takes a few minutes - I have a unique cantilever designed extension)

3) raise the camper

4) remove the tailgate

5) install a 3/4" piece of plywood in the bottom of the truck bed (could permanently mount to camper)

6) back under - I don't have the alignment kit in the bed, so I may have to adjust the centering once or twice.

7) lower camper into truck bed

8) plug in pigtail to truck receptacle

9) hook up the Happijim tiedowns (Kwikload turnbuckles would save a few minutes here)

10) check all lights



Ready to go!



If I am not towing, leaving the hitch extension off saves much time.

 

[azpete]

CK, I had the same dilemma in '96. It all depends on if you want room to roam or don't mind being alittle cramped. Chose the cab over because we like to get away from the crowd and witch means roads that you wouldn't want to take a class C on. Also much easier to maneuver in town plus no tags to buy every year (very expensive in AZ) and only afew dollars extra on the truck insurance. The slide outs were not being made yet when I bought my 91/2 foot. When I finally saw one, said why didn't I wait. Those extra inches make all the difference in the world.



Mine is equipped with generator, AC, microwave and satellite TV. I know I am pushing over 3000#. I'm sure a slide would be pushing 4000#. With the electric jacks I can load mine in about 15 min. by myself. Unlike alot of trucks on here, empty I have only gotten 15 to 16 mpg. With the camper and towing either the boat or ATV's it's been around 11-11 1/2.



In RV parks where we will be spending afew days I unload the camper and go sight seeing with an empty truck. Alot of parks will not let you unload, so you have to check first. Another downside is if a $400,000 diesel pusher pulls into the space next to you will usually not be invited over for evening champagne on the veranda.



As for brand, I have a top of the line Fleetwood. Don't ask me what I thing of there product and customer service it would take 10 more pages.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Mileage with the camper at 65 is about 14.



Loading similiar to above. Total time is about 45-60 minutes. I don't have a real level spot to have the camper staged on so that makes loading more difficult.



Camper is a LANCE 835.

 

[rwitt]

I just made a trip to Yellowstone and back in late September. Average mpg was 14. 3 for the trip. Basically what the others have said for loading, mostly depends on if I get the truck under the camper correctly the first time.

Rich

 

[azpete]

get the truck under the camper correctly the first time.



rwitt, thanks for reminding me of that long crease in my right wheel well

 

[RCook]

I'm curious - why not a smaller trailer? I get 13-16 mpg with my 19' TT, depending on speed and headwind, and it sure is roomier, and easier to detach, than a slide-in.

 

[CKimball]

I'm curious - why not a smaller trailer? I get 13-16 mpg with my 19' TT, depending on speed and headwind, and it sure is roomier, and easier to detach, than a slide-in.

that was also in the cards but I Jeep ALOT and there is something to be said about a nice bed and shower after playing in the dirt... . right now I have the Mrs drive out behind me... . kind of a pain in the wallet... .



thanks for the responses but need to ask one more ???... . do any of you tow a trailer behind your tc loaded truck and if so what is the max the stinger can handle???. . this may be the deciding factor as I plan to tow a 22ft alum deck car trailer (open) to put my jeep on...

thanks again

 

[jeepit]

See sig, I have the Lance and tow an 18footer with Jeep on it. I can cruise with traffic if need be but usually opt for lower speeds for better mileage. Yes, it is nice to have a bed and shower after a long day Jeepin

So far it has worked out real nice with the wife and I space wise. I couldn't see anymore people staying in it and being comfortable. But the kids are in college now and we are out playing :-laf

 

[Jumbo Jet]

#ad




Trailer weighs 5,200. Just pulled 700 miles for a job in Manhattan, KS.

 

[ralbert]

The replys that have been posted are telling you the truth. I enjoy my TC more for traveling than my 5th. With the TC you do not have extra tires and axle bearing to worry about. I blew a right rear tire on the way south on the 5th. I am thinking about a tire pressure monitoring system after loosing that tire. My mileage with the TC is about 14to16. All depends on the weight of the right foot. If I was looking for a new TC I would look at Northstar. They make a nice light weight 8. 5 Arrow model. Good luck Rob

 

[Grizzly]

I averaged 14 mpg on a 11,000 mile round trip from Albuquerque to all over Alaska on my 11'-3" Lance, which I sold Sunday. I can load the camper in about 15 minutes, but it takes time to unload the tailgate, air up 6 tires, tie it down, wash the truck and camper, load up the four fender well pockets, un-winterize the camper, flush out the water tank with water and bleach solution, pull the battery out to clean it and refill the cells, change oil and filters on the generator, fire up the generator, furnace, water heater, micro wave, stove and oven, check the refrige on 110, 12V and LP. In the mean time my wife cleans the inside thoroughly, put on clean linen, stocks the camper with food and supplies. Well, we just spend the better part of a day. The camper stays on the truck till November.

 

[rwitt]

that was also in the cards but I Jeep ALOT and there is something to be said about a nice bed and shower after playing in the dirt... . right now I have the Mrs drive out behind me... . kind of a pain in the wallet... .



thanks for the responses but need to ask one more ???... . do any of you tow a trailer behind your tc loaded truck and if so what is the max the stinger can handle???. . this may be the deciding factor as I plan to tow a 22ft alum deck car trailer (open) to put my jeep on...

thanks again

That's why I have a truck camper, I tow the jeep on a 16' car trailer. Plus the camper on the truck is very easy to drive around solo as on my trip to Yellowstone.

Get yourself the Torklift Superhitch with the Torklift extension if you plan on towing anything like your Jeep on a trailer.

Rich

 

[rwitt]

get the truck under the camper correctly the first time.



rwitt, thanks for reminding me of that long crease in my right wheel well

Yep, I've got one of those creases also

 

[NoSeeUm]

I get about the same as the others report, about 12-16 mpg. I seldom go over 65 mph and 60 mph is the normal.



I have Atwood electric jacks installed. Loading and unloading is a snap. It takes longer to deal with the chains. I would highly recommend them.



Jim

 

[RRuggles]

Mpg

When we had our 1996 dually extended cab 12 valve we had an 11. 5 foot VeriLite camper, dry bath, etc. By sticking to 55 mph we got 16 mpg. When we attached our Jeep Cherokee behind we got 15 mpg. Now, with our '01 2500 4x4 short box quad cab 24 valve we get 15 mpg with our 8. 5 foot camper (wet bath).

 

[dward]

Speed is a VERY big factor on mpg with a TC. If I stay around 60-65, I can get around 11 with my 5k lb Lance.

You can't beat the versatility of a t/c. With my remote elec. jacks, I can have it offloaded and on the ground ready to use in about 5 minutes. If I back under straight the first time I can load it in 5-10 min, or longer if I need to adjust to center it.

I have an 03 4x4 dually with the 3:73 and it works great. If I were going to carry the camper most of the time, I think the 4:10's would work better.

 

[Grizzly]

Since you have no signature, I'm curious as to what Lance camper you have that weighs 5,000 lbs. I thought I had the largest extended cab-over-camper which weighed 3400 lbs empty and about 4500 lbs totally loaded for a two month trip to Alaska

 

[dward]

I have the Max 1191, which is the largest basement model. It is one "heavy" camper.

 

[Grizzly]

I have the Max 1191, which is the largest basement model. It is one "heavy" camper.

Those are nice. My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting with a couple from Texas in Hyder, Alaska that had one. I like the side door, the slide out and all the storage. When you load it, do you lift it high enough to clear the fender wells and then lower it onto the truck bed? Besides being heavy they are a bit spendy.