Rcomendation for Slide- in

[tureks]

I'm looking to purchase my first camper. I am looking for recommendations for a light weight, hard side, slide-in. It will be going on a Quad cab short bed 2500. I will also be trailering a Jeep. This being my first camper I am soliciting all the info I can get to help make my decision.

 

[klenger]

In addition to asked on the TDR, check out irv2.com. They have a section just for slide-in campers. Lot's of good folks there, many who frequent this board and irv2.com.



Good luck.

 

[sheldon]

Rambler,



Will the Jeep be on a trailer or flat towed? If on a trailer, it adds to your truck's GVW. If flat towed it does not add to your truck's GVW. This will make a difference with the weight of the camper. There are many campers that work on short beds but almost all have overhangs which means using an extended hitch for your Jeep. It all depends on how much camper you need or want. Check out as many camper places as you can find. Each time I went to one I discovered something different or another idea. It helped me out when came to putting together my camper.

 

[DPelletier]

After much research, I decided to get a Bigfoot 2500 series camper. Moulded fiberglass two pce shell, reasonably light, very strong and really good quality. Northern Lites are nice too, but I didn't see a layout I liked. Make sure you research the weight issues carefully, you will be over GVWR - just make sure you know all the issues ahead of time. Sheldon is right, consider your hitch and the effect of the tongue weight in your camper selection. Good hunting.

Dave

 

[wcjp]

I'll be upgrading to the Tork Super Hitch shortly. I was told that the stock hitch will accept upto an 18" extension. With the extension the towing capacity is reduced by 1/3. I believe the stock hitch can only tow upto 5000pds without a weight distributing setup. The Jeep probably weighs in at or near 3500pds. This doesn't include the trailer with electric brakes(which are nice). My trailer weighs about 1400pds.



The Tork setup is very beefy. It makes the stock setup look like a joke. The Tork also allows a longer extension while towing more weight. Try a search for "Tork" under the Towing, Hauling, and RV Forum. Per recommendations I found here on the TDR I'll be going with Tork's frame mount camper tiedown system with the Happy Jack spring loaded turnbuckles.

 

[tandersen]

You may want to consider the LanceLite model 815. I also flat tow a Jeep CJ7 with my 3600lb Lance 1121 and a super hitch with 42" extension.

 

[Papa Joe]

Love my Lance. So does everyone who has one.



Regardless of the brand, if you get a 'larger' camper, consider the Torklift (frame mounted) tie downs with Happijack springloaded turnbuckles (as mentioned by wcjp above). Superb set up IMHO.



Joe

 

[dewdo]

I really like my Arctic Fox and the quality of the unit. Another important point is the fact it is made in the U. S. so some of our fellow countrymen can keep their jobs. Canadian campers are made well, but so are the U. S made ones. A lot of them even better.



I know it is hard to find U. S. manufactured products anymore, so lets try and keep as much of our business on U. S. soil as possible. Why support workers in other countries when we need it here in the good ole U. S. Of A! Especially right now!



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[wcjp]

My neighbor has an Artic Fox trailer. They're very pleased with it. They mentioned the Artic Fox is prepared for the colder climates unlike other models.

 

[VicR]

If you are looking to avoid an overhang, both Sunlite and Six-pac make SB campers that don't go past the end of the bed - allowing you to use the hitch without an extension. Of course there are some tradeoffs going to a camper this small. Mostly you give up a separate bathroom and have to go the porta-potty route. On the plus side when we were looking these small hardsides are usually around 7,000 brand new with furnace and 3 way fridge.



I am nowhere near smart enough to post a picture, so I'll just attach a link of the floorplan. Its the 690 that doesn't have anoverhang.



http://www.ewingsrv.com/sunLite/sunLiteHardFloorplans.htm



-Vic