Suggestions on purcahsing a new slide in camper

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I have a 96 2500HD with 4. 10's and rancho's. I am looking to purchase a slide in soon. I would appreciate any suggestions or comments on different brands and models.

It will be used year round. Summer to tow my 911 to the tracks and winter to go skiing and as well as any other travel we might have in mind. I have a 7 yr old with a newborn due Dec. 6 2000. I also have a little dog and a big Newfounland. So some kind of floor space is necessary for the big dog to have a place to sleep.

I believe that I have to purchase the air bags and Helwig swaybars. Any thing else?

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

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96 2500HD, lost my cat,K&N-Re-0880,Rancho RS 9000's, ext. cab, LWB, 4x4 w/western 8. 5 pro plow-finally paid for, 4. 10, tek style by design tonuea cover w/thule bike rack over the bed and cover, aftermarket front bumper with the foglights under the headlights,like the new style, red bumper and grill with billet aluminium inserts, mopar black powdercoted nerf bars, under the rail bedliner, wood grain dash, cab lights and dual trumpet horns,Marvel Mystery Oil and some Rotella, All SNAP ON, eclipse cd player w/extant amp on steroids, 130,000 going strong

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Track car

 

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For slide-in's... I don't think anything beats a Lance. They are really nice!

 

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Check out the Bigfoot's. These are incredible slide-in's but very heavy! They also have basements so that you can store your junk down below and leave the floorspace for the dogs. Mine is rated to -40 degrees as it has double-pane windows and skylights. They don't use any wood framing as wood can rot. This also makes them extremely rigid. The 3000 is aluminum framed and the walls are polyurathane injected throughout for a minimum of R12 (R20 in the floor). The lighter models are a two-piece "hull" design (two shells glued together like a turtle). Check out the specs. and the quality.

Try http://www.campingcountryrv.com/bigfoot/Default.htm or
http://www.bigfootrv.com/

Another great site for hearing all the comparisons from full-time campers is: http://www.happycampers.net/

I think that any name-brand will fulfill most of your needs. I too, believe that the Lance is of exceptional quality.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper.



[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 08-29-2000). ]

 

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I'll second that vote for the Lance camper.

#ad
#ad


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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, presureloc. Hadley (LOUD) air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

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I have a Lance that I am very happy with. I also like the Bigfoot and have been considering one for my next camper. From the weight charts published for the Bigfoot it looks like their 1500 size would be the biggest that you could use on a 2500 truck and even that would be pushing it.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10LS, Auto, BD Pressure Loc, Mystery Switch,TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans gauges, Optima Red Tops, All black. Tow 14k HitchHiker triple glide 5th Whl. Also use 9. 5' Lance. NRA Life Member.

 

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I too am in the market for a camper. Much to my dismay I have discovered that my 2500 does not afford me the payload capacity for a larger camper.

As far as brand, I have looked at the Lance line and checked out Sun Valley on-line. Lance campers are very nice. Sun Valley produces good-sized campers, which are lighter in weight. I have not been able to walk through the Sun Valley brand and would like the hear any feed back other members may have about them…

Check out their site: http://sunliteinc.com/index.html



[This message has been edited by wheelinfool (edited 08-28-2000). ]

 

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Love my Lance Legend 1010 Fiberglas! I looked at the Bigfoot's but I saw a few folks with stress cracks in the gel-coat and didn't want to deal with it. Also anything with a basement will either sacfafice headroom or be top heavy adding to the wind resistance. I have a camper kit and 5,000lb. Air Bags, Rancho 9000's and no problems.

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2000, 3500 Driftwood, 4X4, Quad Cab, SLT+ Laramie, Tan Leather, 6 Speed, 3. 54LSD, Tow Package, Camper Package, All Possible Options, Rancho RS 9000 Shocks, Linex Bed Liner, K&N Air Filter, Husky Floor Mats, Geno's Smoothie, Chrome "Down and Out" Exhaust, Stainless Steel Fender Trim Kit, Geno's Charcoal Air Filter, Mopar Bug Deflector, Whisler Radar Detector, AirLift 5000 Air Bags, Smittybuilt Polished Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, Sylvania Cool Blue Headlights, Pro Flaps, 1999 Lance Fiberglas 1010 Legend, TV, VCR, Air, generator, max'ed out all possible options, sleeps 5. Ya Baby!

 

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Griff996, Whats your budget ? Watch out, your payload (Slide-on)is limited. A wet 10-11 footer exceeds 3000lbs. IMO, Lance offers the best value, & holds it as well.

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

 

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There is a publication out there called J. D. GALLANT R. V. RATING BOOK that rates every single RV made, including truck campers. The ratings in the book are based on the ownership experience of the people who own them, not on some copy editor's personal preference. The ratings are from 1 to 5 stars. There is only one truck camper that earned a 5 star rating and that's a NORTHERN LITE. According to the rating guide, "To get a 5 Star rating, a brand needs to have an exemplary record of performance in value, durability, and safety that is indicated by all ratings being 90 or higher... you will find very few 5-star models in this edition. " I own a Northern Lite (which is VERY similar in construction to the Bigfoot) and it's an excellent unit. Before purchasing it I looked closely at the Lance and Bigfoot but decided the Northern Lite was superior. I have not been disappointed. Both the Lance and Bigfoot earned 4 star ratings.

 

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I would go with the Lance. Time proven construction and lighter than some of the other higher end campers. Mostly screwed together instead of staples. You know how rumors go but I've heard of stress cracks in the aluminium frame models as well as the Aluminium sweating real bad in cold climates. I've had this problem with canopies before. I've never owned a camper built this way so this is all second hand.

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01 3500 4X4 ETH/DEE, Loaded Except Leather and a Rear Slider. Spray in Liner, DeeZee Running boards, Yadda Yadda Yadda...

 

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My price range has been looking @ new Lances. Of course we would love what we want used for a few thousand less the plus the depreciation. What would my rear max payload be then wet? I found a 1999 Lance 1030 used for sale this evening on the web. Waiting for a return e-mail on it. The 1030 Lance is 2618 dry. It has everything except air and generator. Since we own our truck outright we could spend new if we really wanted. We are considering a cash purchase for the one we found on the web. What can I expect to pay to get air and a generator?

Thanks again guys for all of your help!

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96 2500HD, lost my cat,K&N-Re-0880,Rancho RS 9000's, ext. cab, LWB, 4x4 w/western 8. 5 pro plow-finally paid for, 4. 10, tek style by design tonuea cover w/thule bike rack over the bed and cover, aftermarket front bumper with the foglights under the headlights,like the new style, red bumper and grill with billet aluminium inserts, mopar black powdercoted nerf bars, under the rail bedliner, wood grain dash, cab lights and dual trumpet horns,Marvel Mystery Oil and some Rotella, All SNAP ON, eclipse cd player w/extant amp on steroids, 130,000 going strong

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Track car

 

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If you'll go to the Lance site http:www.lancecampers.com they have a 'Match your truck' section that will show you their model recommendations based on the size and capacity of your truck... . And they are pretty accurate in their estimates (based on my decision to buy the 1130. They have lite models for the 'smaller' trucks but I believe you can still get one with a generator. Good luck, keep us posted.


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Y2K 3500, 4WD, Auto, 3. 54, Custom Brush Guard, Mopar nerf bars & rock guard, Camper package, Towing package, all options except leather, Air-Lift Air Bags, Hadley 'BULLY' air horns, Lance 1130 Camper (3400 lbs)

 

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Griff, be careful with the weight of a camper on your 2500. My 9'4" Lance when mounted on my '96 2500 extended cab weighs 9600#. Just me aboard with a full fuel tank and the camper empty except for propane, no water. Loaded for travel I am sure I am near or above 10,000#. The 9600# breaks down to 5300# rear and 4300# front. Well below the axle and tire limits on my 4x4 but exceeding the 8800# rating by quite a bit. Mine does have an air conditioner but when you start adding generators and other items the weight adds up pretty quick. These trucks start out with a big weight penalty because of the Cummins.

[This message has been edited by Dieselnerd (edited 08-28-2000). ]

 

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I looked at 2 coachmans today. 100sd and a 115sl. Pretty nice. The salesman told me that the coachmans are better than the Lances because they have aluminum contruction. Is alum. vs. wood an issue here? What about this issue compared with alum. or glass exteriors? any difference?

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96 2500HD, lost my cat,K&N-Re-0880,Rancho RS 9000's, ext. cab, LWB, 4x4 w/western 8. 5 pro plow-finally paid for, 4. 10, tek style by design tonuea cover w/thule bike rack over the bed and cover, aftermarket front bumper with the foglights under the headlights,like the new style, red bumper and grill with billet aluminium inserts, mopar black powdercoted nerf bars, under the rail bedliner, wood grain dash, cab lights and dual trumpet horns,Marvel Mystery Oil and some Rotella, All SNAP ON, eclipse cd player w/extant amp on steroids, 130,000 going strong

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Track car

 

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I understand that during the lamination process, the industry standard of glue is 8 pounds. Lance uses over 60 pounds! I spent days in the Cascades of Washington covered in snow. Extremely well insulated, virtually air tight. Pay extra and get the fiberglas, it's a bit heavier but offers even better insulating qualities and super easy cleaning.

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2000, 3500 Driftwood, 4X4, Quad Cab, SLT+ Laramie, Tan Leather, 6 Speed, 3. 54LSD, Tow Package, Camper Package, All Possible Options, Rancho RS 9000 Shocks, Linex Bed Liner, K&N Air Filter, Husky Floor Mats, Geno's Smoothie, Chrome "Down and Out" Exhaust, Stainless Steel Fender Trim Kit, Geno's Charcoal Air Filter, Mopar Bug Deflector, Whisler Radar Detector, AirLift 5000 Air Bags, Smittybuilt Polished Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, Sylvania Cool Blue Headlights, Pro Flaps, 1999 Lance Fiberglas 1010 Legend, TV, VCR, Air, generator, max'ed out all possible options, sleeps 5. Ya Baby!

 

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I think you would be very hard pressed to find a better slide-in than the Bigfoot campers. If I'm not mistaken, the Bigfoot's boast better insulative properties than ANY other camper on the market, allowing true four season camping ANYWHERE you want to go. That said, my personal favorite is the Alaskan camper ("it raises, it lowers"). They have been producing these in western Washington for over 35 years (that I know of). I have several old friends that have had their respective Alaskan campers for over 20 years each, out lasting numerous trucks they've owned. One leaves his Alaskan on his 4x permanently. With some of the places these gentlemen get their rigs into it's a wonder they still hold up as well as they do. I would also like to point out these campers are more Sportsman oriented.

Another friend of mine purchased a 10. 5' Arctic Fox camper late last year for his '99 2500 QC V-10 ( #ad
). Although he got a year end deal on it, I have never seen more camper for the money! It even looked as well built (if not better) than the Lance campers. This is also a fiberglass camper. #ad


[This message has been edited by John (edited 08-29-2000). ]

 

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Griff996
I have a 88 model Coachmen 11. 5. Weight wet over 4000 lbs.
It has a stick frame. If you get a leak, and you will, it will rot. I personally would never never buy a camper with a wood frame again!
I have looked at a hundred campers on numerous trips out west and 2 trips to Alaska.
My favorite is the Bigfoot with aluminum frame. No sweating in frame because the frame is insulated also.
Lance makes a very nice camper also.
Before you make a decision take the time to investigate the Bigfoots
My experience with rot in my camper came from a window leak that wasn't found soon enough.
I had to rebuild the entire front half.


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96 3500 ext. cab 4x4 auto. tst 230/605 kit. haul 11. 5 slidein camper, and tow cj7 on trailor. gross wt. 16000+lbs.

 

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Dieselnerd

I have a stupid question. The GVWR on my truck is 8800. If you combine the front and rear GAWR I get 10934. Why is there such a difference. I don't get it. What # should I be concerned with?

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96 2500HD, lost my cat,K&N-Re-0880,Rancho RS 9000's, ext. cab, LWB, 4x4 w/western 8. 5 pro plow-finally paid for, 4. 10, tek style by design tonuea cover w/thule bike rack over the bed and cover, aftermarket front bumper with the foglights under the headlights,like the new style, red bumper and grill with billet aluminium inserts, mopar black powdercoted nerf bars, under the rail bedliner, wood grain dash, cab lights and dual trumpet horns,Marvel Mystery Oil and some Rotella, All SNAP ON, eclipse cd player w/extant amp on steroids, 130,000 going strong

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Track car

 

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Griff: True, axle capacity is way more than 8800#. Several factors are involved, the 8800 is selected by Dodge as a safe weight considering brakes and other handling factors. They also build in a safety factor. I'm not sure of the exact weight where you become a 1 ton instead of a 3/4 ton (DOT) but I think it's about 9000#. This changes your licensing in many states to commercial and opens another potential bag of worms. I have upgraded my rear brakes to the 3500 cylinders for better braking and feel comfortable with my weight with the camper. As long as you don't overload your axles nothing will actually break but you should ensure that it stops good and goes around corners without wanting to tip over. You can add airbags, extra springs or swaybars if you don't have the camper package. Mine handles fine with the factory camper package and the upgraded rear brakes but my Lance is not that large. Lance says that any camper they make over 10' MAY require a 1 ton truck. I have heard rumors that people have been stopped and weighed by the Highway Patrol but I have no first hand knowledge of that. I can see where they might if the camper appeared too large for the truck. I've seen some trucks sagging down badly and it was obvious they were way overloaded. Mine rides evenly and doesn't hang out past the rear very far and I have driven all over the country and all over Canada without any problems. It comes down to your own personal decision as to what you are comfortable with.

[This message has been edited by Dieselnerd (edited 08-29-2000). ]

 

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For me the limiting factor with my 3300 pound Elkhorn was the tires. I was running the tires right at the max of the 'E' rating (3032 pounds) and the Goodyear factory tires were coming apart with half the tread remaining.
Solved this problem with the Ricka dual wheel adapters which allow me to run with dual tires when I carry the camper. They look a little funny because they stick outside of the wheel wells but only about as far as the side of the camper. Now I have minimal tire wear and more stability when carring the camper and can drive on the soft sand of Texas beaches with out bogging down!

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3300 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters, K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
101,000 miles and counting.