Ok we are in the market for a camper - but don't know which one. We have a 2002 Ram 2500 4 x4 diesel with camper package. I've looked at Alpenlite-Big foot (too expensive) and Artic Fox - any thoughts - I also want to be able to tow a boat or the enclosed ATV trailer, without putting too much weight on the truck. .
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The best camper ?
- Thread starter ddesau
- Start Date
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A lot of guys are fanatical about Lance, and they seem to be a pretty good product. Last time I looked they had 3 lines 'to fit any budget'. Northlands also seem to be popular.
You mentioned weight might be a concern. Those slide-ins can get heavy pretty quick. What type of camping are you planning on doing? Is your truck a long bed or short bed?
-Vic
You mentioned weight might be a concern. Those slide-ins can get heavy pretty quick. What type of camping are you planning on doing? Is your truck a long bed or short bed?
-Vic
Just an opinion, but I would go with a Travel Trailer or 5th wheel with a 2500 unless you plan to go 'light'.
Not to be critical, but the duallies are undersized for the big slide-ins.
Not to be critical, but the duallies are undersized for the big slide-ins.
lance
I have a 95 lance lite. 8'6'' and use it in my short bed 2500. Camper weighs less than 2,000lb ready to go. My truck handles it with out even using airbags. The truck does have the factory camper springs and sits nice and level with the camper in the back. The fiberglass ones can get to 3000lb+ in a hurry as you add options. A friend of mine had a camper that was well over 3000lb on a 2500 and it felt a little scary. Good luck.
Kevin
I have a 95 lance lite. 8'6'' and use it in my short bed 2500. Camper weighs less than 2,000lb ready to go. My truck handles it with out even using airbags. The truck does have the factory camper springs and sits nice and level with the camper in the back. The fiberglass ones can get to 3000lb+ in a hurry as you add options. A friend of mine had a camper that was well over 3000lb on a 2500 and it felt a little scary. Good luck.
Kevin
We have a 13 year old Lance 11. 6' and it's like new. No leaky facets, roofs, broken this or that. Testament to quality. The only thing we have changed because we didn't like them were the door latches. Northlands are great campers as well. You get what you pay for stands out here to me. If yu buy a cheap camper you'll get a cheap camper.
jarsong
ddesau, check out the Snowriver/Snowbird campers. These campers are, by far, the best built units that you can lay your hands on. I looked at Arctic Fox, Lance, Alpenlite, Eagle Cap and others when I was in the market. I am not going to knock anybodies campers, but when you look at the quality of the Snowriver (the USA version) compared to any other, you will be amazed. It is kind of like a Yugo and a Mercedes next to each other. Host. Eagle Cap and Citation also make nice units. The web site for Snowbird campers is; www.snowbirdcamper.com. I own a Snowriver, but I do not own any shares in the company and I do not sell them, just really impressed by them and the company president. Good luck in your search!
How about an older patched Cascade 8' slide in. Traded a 30-06 for it. 
The point is, how about settling for a cheap, okay, inexpensive, used camper. Mine works fine for the amount of time I spend in it. My wife even likes it. Plus, I saved a bunch of money for other toys.
My neighbor has a "4 wheel" which is suppose to be nice and light with aluminum framing. However, I would suggest reading about EarthRoamers experience with condensation.
The point is, how about settling for a cheap, okay, inexpensive, used camper. Mine works fine for the amount of time I spend in it. My wife even likes it. Plus, I saved a bunch of money for other toys.
My neighbor has a "4 wheel" which is suppose to be nice and light with aluminum framing. However, I would suggest reading about EarthRoamers experience with condensation.
I read this hoping to find someone who has an Alaskan or Alcan. I've had two Lance campers. Good units but heavy with all the goodies. I've discovered we like the off road, out of the way camping spots so we are considering Alaskan styled unit. Any info and experiences would be appreciated.
Alaskan camper
Driver72,
I have had an Alaskan camper for the last several years. They are very nice and well made. Mine has the pine wood interior that gives the feeling of being in a sailboat, it is so nice inside. However, for the ability to raise and lower they are compromised in the ability to haul stuff in cupboards as the top compresses in the area that would be storage. We have spent many nights in the camper with wind, rain, etc. and it is warm and tight.
Ours weighs 1570 empty and about 2000 pounds full. It has a boat rack on the roof. They are a little hard to load and unload and seem to be better left on the entire time even though we took ours off when not in use. The hydraulics are pretty straighforward (it uses hydraulics to raise and lower) and it is on a club cab long bed '01 2500 4x4. I had to put about three sheets of 1/2 inch plywood under the camper to get a nice space between the top of the cab and the bottom of the camper bed overhang. If you are interested in a pop up camper that does not have the cloth sides the Alaskan is great but if you want a full size camper the Alaskan is limited by it's ability to carry stuff. If you live in a windy area they are much easier to drive in crosswinds and gusts than full size campers. PM me if you want more impressions or info. I don't sell Alaskans nor do I have any stock in their company.
Driver72,
I have had an Alaskan camper for the last several years. They are very nice and well made. Mine has the pine wood interior that gives the feeling of being in a sailboat, it is so nice inside. However, for the ability to raise and lower they are compromised in the ability to haul stuff in cupboards as the top compresses in the area that would be storage. We have spent many nights in the camper with wind, rain, etc. and it is warm and tight.
Ours weighs 1570 empty and about 2000 pounds full. It has a boat rack on the roof. They are a little hard to load and unload and seem to be better left on the entire time even though we took ours off when not in use. The hydraulics are pretty straighforward (it uses hydraulics to raise and lower) and it is on a club cab long bed '01 2500 4x4. I had to put about three sheets of 1/2 inch plywood under the camper to get a nice space between the top of the cab and the bottom of the camper bed overhang. If you are interested in a pop up camper that does not have the cloth sides the Alaskan is great but if you want a full size camper the Alaskan is limited by it's ability to carry stuff. If you live in a windy area they are much easier to drive in crosswinds and gusts than full size campers. PM me if you want more impressions or info. I don't sell Alaskans nor do I have any stock in their company.
My vote for the best built is Bigfoot. Don't take my word for it, go look at one. Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) are expensive. I chose to buy a used Bigfoot rather than a new Brand X.
- Not all fiberglass campers are heavier than other designs. Mine is 2714 lbs loaded w/o water. Compare that to other campers 9. 5' long, with basements, insulated tanks, etc.
- That being said, my camper is too heavy for a 2500 towing a trailer (the reason for my new dually). A 1500 series 9. 5 would be a better choice, but you'll be over GVWR, especially towing a trailer or boat as well.
Oh, and NEVER trust the manufacturer's weights. Some are relatively accurate and some seem to be WAY off.
Dave
- Not all fiberglass campers are heavier than other designs. Mine is 2714 lbs loaded w/o water. Compare that to other campers 9. 5' long, with basements, insulated tanks, etc.
- That being said, my camper is too heavy for a 2500 towing a trailer (the reason for my new dually). A 1500 series 9. 5 would be a better choice, but you'll be over GVWR, especially towing a trailer or boat as well.
Oh, and NEVER trust the manufacturer's weights. Some are relatively accurate and some seem to be WAY off.
Dave
Our empty diesel trucks are front-heavy before a load is put in the bed. My lightly loaded truck is extremely front heavy because I have a large winch bumper on the front.
I wondered where a camper's weight is concentrated?
Is the camper weight centered over the rear axle so the weight distribution(front to back) of the truck/camper combination is equalized or is the weight of the camper centered between front and rear axles so the loaded truck will still be front heavy?
I wondered where a camper's weight is concentrated?
Is the camper weight centered over the rear axle so the weight distribution(front to back) of the truck/camper combination is equalized or is the weight of the camper centered between front and rear axles so the loaded truck will still be front heavy?
Dale,
On my truck, loading the 2714 lb camper only added 200 lbs to the front end. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but if I remember correctly, the axles were fairly well balanced afterward with maybe a front/rear weight distribution of 45%/55%.
Dave
On my truck, loading the 2714 lb camper only added 200 lbs to the front end. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but if I remember correctly, the axles were fairly well balanced afterward with maybe a front/rear weight distribution of 45%/55%.
Dave
I have to agree with Dave, Bigfoot is the way to go if you are serious about a truck camper. The last time I weighed my rig the front end was 4720 lbs. and the rear was 6440 lbs. One person, 3/4ths tank of fuel and no water in the camper. This truck/camper combination is just about ideal.
Dave
Dave
Lance 820 3800 LBS !!!!!!!
Are you sure about that 3800 lb weight. If I remember correctly
they are around 2400-2500 lbs dry. How did you acquire 1200-1300 lbs. I also have a 2500 short bed quad cab and have been
leaning toward the 820 as it is self contained including generator.
3800 lbs means that I would be 1000 lbs over gross. BEFORE
I add my ski boats tongue weight of 250-300 lbs.
GOT ME SCARED NOW:--)
Are you sure about that 3800 lb weight. If I remember correctly
they are around 2400-2500 lbs dry. How did you acquire 1200-1300 lbs. I also have a 2500 short bed quad cab and have been
leaning toward the 820 as it is self contained including generator.
3800 lbs means that I would be 1000 lbs over gross. BEFORE
I add my ski boats tongue weight of 250-300 lbs.
GOT ME SCARED NOW:--)
WatsonJ,
As I said, the manufacturers weights are sometimes suspect. But even if thier not, it isn't unrealistic to pack around 500 - 1000lbs worth of crap, er,. . I mean, stuff.
For example, you might have a listed camper weight of 2000 lbs. You decide to order double pane windows, the optional extra 20lb propane tank, microwave, air cond, elec jacks and the optional larger fridge. You've now added say 350 lbs (for the sake of argument). Then you pack all your clothes, pots and pans, matches, dishsoap, towels, deodorant, food, etc. etc. Oh and you decide to put a shovel, some tire chains, tools, wood blocking and some chairs in the basement and outside compartments. Oops! Just added another 600 lbs. Now up to 2950lbs. Now you think, hey I could haul a small trailer with a couple of quads, gas and additional gear. Trailer ends up weighing in at 2500 lbs. Tongue weight is another 375 lbs. Now up to 3325 lbs. Of course the truck weighs in at 7,000 lbs plus wife, dog and two kids means 7,400 lbs. Truck plus family, plus gear, plus camper, plus trailer tongue = 10,725 lbs. Oh no, truck is rated at 8800 lbs max GVWR and is now over by 1,925 lbs.
Problem is, there aren't very many campers that weigh 2,000 lbs.
Dave
ps. The preceding post was purely fictitious. Any resemblance to any rigs alive or dead is purely coincidental.
As I said, the manufacturers weights are sometimes suspect. But even if thier not, it isn't unrealistic to pack around 500 - 1000lbs worth of crap, er,. . I mean, stuff.
For example, you might have a listed camper weight of 2000 lbs. You decide to order double pane windows, the optional extra 20lb propane tank, microwave, air cond, elec jacks and the optional larger fridge. You've now added say 350 lbs (for the sake of argument). Then you pack all your clothes, pots and pans, matches, dishsoap, towels, deodorant, food, etc. etc. Oh and you decide to put a shovel, some tire chains, tools, wood blocking and some chairs in the basement and outside compartments. Oops! Just added another 600 lbs. Now up to 2950lbs. Now you think, hey I could haul a small trailer with a couple of quads, gas and additional gear. Trailer ends up weighing in at 2500 lbs. Tongue weight is another 375 lbs. Now up to 3325 lbs. Of course the truck weighs in at 7,000 lbs plus wife, dog and two kids means 7,400 lbs. Truck plus family, plus gear, plus camper, plus trailer tongue = 10,725 lbs. Oh no, truck is rated at 8800 lbs max GVWR and is now over by 1,925 lbs.
Problem is, there aren't very many campers that weigh 2,000 lbs.
Dave
ps. The preceding post was purely fictitious. Any resemblance to any rigs alive or dead is purely coincidental.
Dave-
You obviously pack light as I didn't see beer on your list!
It's true though, fill the tanks, food in the fridge, and the usual camping gear and you're easily over 1000-lbs. Just a tank of fuel adds several hundred. Not to mention, I like filling the basement with dry wood for the fire.
You obviously pack light as I didn't see beer on your list!
It's true though, fill the tanks, food in the fridge, and the usual camping gear and you're easily over 1000-lbs. Just a tank of fuel adds several hundred. Not to mention, I like filling the basement with dry wood for the fire.
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
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