need opinions on slide-in campers

[rich m]

Boy I'm lucky!
The wife wants to get a self-contained camper to slide in the back of the "mule"...
(talked her out of a selfpropelled RV. . whew! that was close #ad
)
#ad

Need to stay in the $12K-or-less range, and a super-insulated, monster-equipped one won't be necessary, but a full bathroom, sleep 6 and A/C will be a "must".

Along with the recommendations on the unit, I better get opinions on suspension considerations, as well. I'd suspect "helper springs" or airbags would be needed, at least, so how'bout some pros and cons there as well?

As you can see from signature, I'm a little BOMBed, and have a BD brake, so uphill and downhill are both covered.

ultimately, (fantasy) the rig would be used as a basecamp for boating/camping weekends, so the 21ft pontoon boat can get wet... rm

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mildly BOMBed 98. 4 1B7KF23D4WJxxxxxx-- BD's #5 plate and 210HP injectors--BD Brake and the associated transmission bomb goodies (except for TC,currently), 4" open exhaust (short),Psychotty, camper shell, Warn front receiver, G159Unisteels on Rickson 19. 5's. . CD player is bone stock, so are the seats. PrimeLoc, also remote spin-on filter for the auto trans... Pyro,Boost and Trans temp from Isspro,
Westin nerf rails(black),
bent welding rod to hang celphone on dashboard...
240HP on Dynojet from 75-105mph drumspeed.

 

[Smokey1]

Rich M
You will want to put Airbags on so you can balance the load. If the camper is heavy on the drivers side of the truck, you can put 70# of air in that side and 40# in the right side. This is great way to go!!!!

I would measure the center of the axle to the top of the wheel well empty, then when your loaded up do the same and adjust the air in each side of the truck. it's sure beats moving cases of beer from one side to the other!!!!!

I had a Lance truck camper, it was great and keep the family happy on long trips.

Good Luck!! enjoy

 

[boatpuller]

#ad
Don't just move beer from one side to the other, buy more beer and put more on both sides, just not quite as much on the low side!!!!! #ad

Why spend good beer money on Airbags???LOL


Caleb

 

[GRudy]

Hi Rich,
I have been hauling around a 10'-8" Lance Squire 8000 for my mobile hunting camp for 5 years now. I first used a 95 Chevy 8600 gvw with 350 gas. Hauled it ok... until you hit a hill! Got tired of flat to the floor and 9 MPG. so I now have a 99 3500. This cummins don't even know the camper is back there! Anyhow, I had the Firestone Ride right air springs on the Chevy. They work great. I haul about 2500 miles per year so if there was going to be a problem with them I would have found it. The dually on the other hand really don't need any suspension help. Allot less sway with the dual wheels. With a 3/4 ton truck you will need some sort of suspension aid, if for nothing else, just to be able to see where your going at night. With 3500-4000 lbs. in the bed it will sqat a 3/4 ton about 6"
Now for the camper. The Lance is a very nice unit. You should be able to locate a used one in the 12,000 range but a new one will set you back about 16-17,000 +. I would be willing to sell you mine for about 10,000. Email me for a list of equipment. I have been looking into the Bigfoot brand campers. That will be my next camper. Better insulated and since we use our camper only in November,Dec. and January, we need insulation!

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George, Perry County, PA
99 3500, Reg Cab, 4x4, NV4500, ISB, 4:10,VA box,Putco Boss
running boards, Grover air horns, Intense Blue.

 

[Happy Camper]

I would make sure of the weight of the slide in if you are concerned about being over weight. (over weight of the posted GVW on the door plate) I hauled a 9'10" Lance Legend on the 2500 4x4 with a 60gal fuel tank and was over the GVW by quite a number. Never had any problem, no air bags just camper special equipment on Pickup. Have a 3500 and a big difference in handling curves.

 

[rich m]

Ok. So far, the bags score "adjustability" points, and the springs, of course, score on simplicity. ... does the bag system have an on-board compressor, or just a tube and valve for stationary "air-ups"? (easier to ask here than to "search" #ad
) (found a site that contains the bags--- http://www.macsspring.com/website/riderite-catalog-dodgeframe.htm The Lance people do seem to have a nice product, and whose-ever winds up on mine will probably be one of those big 11-12 footers #ad
so as to accomodate the full bathroom, and sufficient storage (wife sometimes "loads out" as if we're bugging out for good!) better to have a "kitchen sink" already there to save her the plumbing work #ad



[This message has been edited by rich m (edited 02-25-2001). ]

 

[RAPID RICK]

I had air bags on my trk with my camper & I
would'nt recomend them to my worst enemy!Used
them for about 4 months,took them off & GAVE
them away. Replaced them with 2 more leaf over
load springs & it is wonderful. 4 leaf overloads are the only way to go in my opinion. Rick

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99 3500 4x4 QC,5spd,3. 55 posi,turn over ball goose neck hitch,Putnam class V reciever hitch,Alcoa alum. wheels,275 hp inj. home built boost module,4 in. straight exhaust(built it in my shop)Pac brake,4 leaf overload springs,all options execpt leather & keyless entry,2000 Artic Fox 10 ft. camper,with slide out 2horse tongue pull trlr. ,24 ft flat bed that I haul my 6200# modified alcohol burning Ford 4x4
pull truck on.

 

[Bumble]

Paranoia time...

Hold up Rich. Ultimately it's up to you, but an 11 to 12 footer slide in gets mighty heavy even for a dually. If you have a 3/4 ton truck I don't think there is any camper manufacturer that makes a camper that big that you would feel comfortable putting on your truck.

With a 3/4 ton truck (with a Cummins), your payload is around 2200 lbs (+ or - a few hundred). An 11 to 12 footer can weigh as much as 3000 lbs or more. Then add more weight for that AC unit sitting on top and any other extras.

I've been looking at slide ins for the past year and have come to the conclusion that if I want the camper fully loaded (full water, food, toys, people, tools, etc) that the biggest I could go without exceeding weight ratings is 9. 5 feet, and thats on a dually.

There are plenty of people that say our trucks can handle more weight easily (and they probably can), but all that extra weight has to be stopped, carried in a cross wind, carried around sharp turns without leaning, etc. The next time your going down the interstate and you see some 5th wheelers, look how many of them are being towed by 1/2 tons. It's just not safe, for the owners, or the people around them.

On another note, you can't go wrong with a Lance camper.

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[arlan]

Rich,
I agree with Ron on finding a camper that will sleep six, unless you want a kid or two in bed with you. I have heard bad things about air bags also. Going to extra springs is the way to go. I have a 4000 lb camper is my 1998 3500 with factory camper package and it hauls like a dream.

One of the members on this board emailed me that he was selling his Lance. It's a nice clean unit with lots of extras. I will forward you that email.

Arlan

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98. 5 ISB QC 3500 4X4 3. 54, PowerMax1, DTT TC & VB, TY303 225/70/19. 5's on Rickson Wheels, 275 Injectors, Mag-Hytec Transmission Pan/Differential Cover, 9000 LB Warn Winch, Ultra Board Running Boards, Westach Combo Boost/EGT Transmission Temperature & Fuel Pressure gauges, Pac Brake, 2-lo kit, CB, GPS, Rancho 9000's, ATS exhaust manifold, JRE 4" exhaust with muffler and resonator. Lifetime NRA Member

 

[rich m]

Heeheehee--- "sleep 6" I should have clarified... in my household, those 6 would be 3 kids, aunt Tessie, my wife and me... I'm the only "full size" person in the equation... the rest are partial or full Filipinos, and my 4'10" wife is the biggest of them, with my daughter a close 2nd... 4-5 "normal size" people's accomodations is about equiv. to 6-7 Filipinos #ad
(except when it comes to rice and fish, then, you have to multiply #ad
)

Arlan---got the ad that you forwarded. . sounds nice/decent bargain, what w/ the generators and all, might hafta drive down to SD and see it, if the local hunting doesn't compare...
George, ol' buddy, yer just too far away to make that transaction practical (I'm in Nevada, and not retired enough to have the time for that long of a drive) #ad

FF1063 throws in another variable with the adjustable shocks, and I saw another vote each direction (1 pro/1 con) on the airbags, but still no specific complaint for why not?
Now, I wonder about extra leaves and adjustable shox??---gettin' more complicated, but isn't that the way life is?

 

[Doug]

Rich,
We have a Bigfoot 20C8. 10 camper. It has a queen size bed facing foreward which we really like. It also has basement storage. Aside from a problem with the grey water not draining properly-which Guarantee RV in Calgary did not seem able to fix, but Paul's RV in Drumheller DID-we really like the unit.
When fully loaded we come "very close" to GVWR. As I stated elsewhere, I added Timbren springs, but would go the extra leaf route if I did it again. Also, I find that the BD e-brake really helps-wouldn't be without one!
Doug

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91. 5 D250 5 speed, 16cm2 housing, gauges (EGT, boost, tach), BD exhaust brake (w/ 60lb springs)

[This message has been edited by Doug (edited 02-27-2001). ]

 

[rrl989]

Rich,
It's going to be hard to find a slide-on that sleeps six?, I have the biggest Lance which only sleeps five. Get the lightest, smallest camper you can tolerate. If I had to do it over, I would consider a pop-up slide-on. Adjustable shocks, air bags, and proper tie downs are needed. I also have the cabover struts. Whatever the empty weight is, add another 1000 lbs. for options, water, cargo, and passengers. Your weight is quite limited with a 3/4 ton. I "think" I have the best setup, and believe me, I always feel that top heavy load I carrying.

Ron

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98 3500 QC 4X4 Int Blue, 6BTA5. 9, Auto 3. 54 LSD, PIAA Pro90's, RS9000's, Tonneau, Running Boards, 5K Air Bags, Hadley Air Horns, EGT/Boost/transmission Temp Gauges, Cobra / K40, Valley class V, Bugflector II, Bedliner, Tow Hooks, Cup Smoothie, Meg's turn-down tip, SS Fender Flares... .....

99 Lance 1110 Slide-On Truck Camper

[This message has been edited by FF1063 (edited 02-27-2001). ]

 

[RAPID RICK]

Rich,
With the air bags my truck was wishy-
washy(thats a technical term). It swayed side to side,leaned WAY to much in the corners &
it took 2 hands to drive it. The kicker was my wife told me the air bags go or the camper
goes because she wouldn't drive with the camper on. Took the bags off,bought a set of
OEM 2 leaf overloads & added them to the 2
leaf overloads allready on the truck & WOW!
Handles almost as good with camper on as it does empty. Made a truck out of our dually
instead of a car with dauls.

PS
I put 4 new shocks on & they didn't help
stabilize the bags at all. Hope this helps.
Rick

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Rich, Got two words for you, 5th wheel #ad
. You can sleep 6 or more with no problem, in a 20' 5th and still pull the boat at the same time. The bonus is you can leave the camper and whomever behind, and take off with the boat to check out other lakes. And I will bet that the wife will find the interior of a 5th much more appealing the a pickup camper. Ever try to cook dinner in a pickup camper with just two other people in it? it ain't pretty. I case your wondering, I am pulling a 29' 5th wheel and a 16' boat, and it pulls like a dream and no white knuckles when the wind blows or a semi goes by. Also here in Michigan you can have passengers in the 5th wheel, and I think most states have the same laws, but I would check in your state for that and also what the maximum length for a tandem rig.
Kyle
#ad


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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & rebuilt 5 speed Getrag in 2001(wife can't drive a stick #ad
. Freshly rebuilt and Balanced Cummins, Rebuilt NP205, Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked, Matched Injectors, 3" New Mandrel Bent Exhaust,no muffler, Borgeson Steering Shaft, K&N Air Filter, 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers, 16K Reese 5th Wheel Hitch,and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand F**d and Ch**y. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

[This message has been edited by CrewCabDiesel (edited 02-28-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by CrewCabDiesel (edited 03-02-2001). ]

 

[Jim Ashbaugh]

We have a 4x4 popup camper and a Bigfoot 2500-B. Like George, we use the Bigfoot mostly in the winter months in the Rockys hunting. I just went out and looked at the weight of the Bigfoot, it's 2434 wet. That's with 50 gallons of water and two full propane tanks. I have a solar system on the Bigfoot because I found it used a lot of DC. I also have a catalytic heater so I don't have to use the forced air heater as much. We use the popup for exploring and off road use. Rick, I have air bags and am satified with them. I took just one trip to Idaho without them and installed them when we got home and have had no problems. I also had the springs on a 1/2 ton that I had a camper on back in the 70's and was happy with that setup.

Jim

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2001 silver 2500 4x4 reg. cab, auto, sliding rear window, limited slip rear axle, 3. 54, four wheel popup camper
1993 F-250 4x4, auto, extended cab, complete banks package, Bigfoot,10 ft cabover camper

 

[Bumble]

RAPID RICK, with the extra springs installed on your truck, have you noticed any squeaking going down the road? There is a local 2500 CTD carrying a Lance 8. 5' camper that squeaks fairly bad on bumps (it has the camper springs current, but no other suspension upgrades).

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[jjdiesel]

Rich, I agree with CrewCabDiesel. Think about it... many guys with a slide-in wind up with a 5er or something else with more room. Slide-ins are cool... I still love looking at them, but man, they are cramped no matter what you do. There are a LOT of benefits to going with a trailer of some sort. Personally, I could never go back to a slide-in after experiencing a 5er. I've had them both. Just an opinion... trying to help.

 

[dresslered]

One thing about a slide-in is that you can go places that you wouldn't even dream of with a fifth wheel. Additionally, there are no registation fees and insurance is dirt cheap since it is considered to be an accessory to the truck.

------------------
David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[RAPID RICK]

Bumble,
My springs don't make any noise at all
loaded or unloaded. The rubber pads on the overload brackets that are mounted to the frame might be gone which means metal springs
sliding on metal brackets.

jjdiesel,
You would be suprised how much room
there is in a camper. Mine is 10ft. with a
slide out & it is really roomy.
Rick

 

[Don D]

Rich. Here's the unit you're looking for. Light weight, full basement, four seasons, and less $ than other high line campers. www.northern-lite.com

Give me a call at 541-330-2495 for more info. (e-mail troubles right now) I could get you hooked up with someone in the Northwest who handles them.

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'93 W250, LE, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , Cummins, K&N, 16cm turbo, Power Wagon injectors, Professionaly rebuilt and calibrated pump, straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch, Aluminum everything. My Rigs

[This message has been edited by Don D (edited 03-04-2001). ]