Truck slide in camper advice

[rowilson]

Hey guys I'm looking at buying a slide in camper to use for a few weekend trips and mostly to go to tractors shows throughout the summer and needed some experienced advice. I am looking for a pop up that I can close the tailgate when it's on the truck. So far I have only seen the Jayco Sportster that can be used this way. I am not looking at a larger camper as we plan to be able to pull a tag trailer behind it for a tractor and when using the goose neck trailer put the camper at the front of it. Does anyone know which manufacturers and models will allow you to keep your tailgate on? I know the longer ones are more popular but this is want I'm looking for.

Thanks,

 

[fkovalski]

There may be some older ones that can fit... but you will have to be concerned about the width of the older ones as the newer truck tailgait openings (side- to- side) are narrower than your year.



BUT, why do you want the tail gate to be up? I am not quite following your reasons. . There are many pop- ups that will fit in the 8' bed with no tailgate and allow for trailer towing with out the use of a hitch extension. There is no real "containment" holding feature of the tailgate for the camper in the up position... That is, you will still need a tie down system of sorts.





BUT... think of this if you had the tail gate on... You need to lower it to get in the camper, you wil be inside the camper at night... . some joker comes along and put it up while you are in it... how do you get out? It really is not too safe to have tha posibility of getting holed in!



As far as TC's... look at NORTHSTAR. If you really need this feature, Rex at Northstar can build to suit. Nice guy too!

 

[rowilson]

I appreciate your input but one of the reasons I want to keep the tailgate on is to try and keep the bed cracks from starting in the corners like I've seen before on trucks without the tailgate. The Northstar campers look nice and heavy duty with a lot more options than the old units had. As for someone closing the tailgate while I'm in it I supposed could be a problem but not a big issue to me.

 

[CCBrady]

The bed cracks that you are looking at, are caused by the use of tie downs that are attached to the bed, like the ones that use the post holes or are attached to the front panel of the bed. If you use one of the mfrs that attach to the frame you will not get the cracks. The reason for the cracks, is if you tie to the bed, all of the rolling force from the camper as you drive down the road is transmited through the bed to the frame. If you tie to the frame then there is no load transmited through the bed, its just along for the ride.



Chris

 

[BrianJ]

To each there own, so more power to you if that's what you want, but I can also see stairs off the back of the camper to get in and out being a problem with the tailgate on. You'll have to climb on top of the tailgate everytime you get in and out.

 

[Regcabguy]

Bed cracks?

I've had my Northstar on 24/7 for seven years now,thirty plus Mex. trips,zero cracks. I am going to upgrade my happijac standard(for 2000) setup for the frame mount beefup setup they now suggest. Centering guides will be much appreciated as minimal shifting of camper has been a nuisance.

 

[Darrenf]

I've got an 8' 93 Sunlite eagle in the back of my 01 long box. If it weren't for the hinges of the camper door I could close the tailgate. I always run it with tailgate down even when towing my 18' roadmaster car hauler. There's no interference with the crank arm (watcha-ma-call-it) on the trailer as it is mounted far enough back on the tongue. My horse trailer has a shorter tongue and is a little closer but I would still have to work at it to come into contact I think. Plus the remedy to this is the move the tailgate cables from their normal supports on the bed and hook them onto the tailgate post.



I use a folding 2 step kitchen stool that I place outside to step up onto the tailgate. Then, as I'm standing on my tailgate drinking my morning coffee, I always boast to the the big rig RV guys that my RV has something your RV doesn't... . a Deck!

 

[Lorenz]

Towing my enclosed trailer, boats and misc small trailers while camping is why I went with a Camper this time around. No toy hauler or 5th wheel for me.



I think the tailgate is a mute point. It's the tiedowns mounted from the bed stake holes that would bugger you bed. I second the frame tie downs. Torq lifts are the set I went with. I actually have a second set for 2nd gens sitting in the garage. Email me if they sound like something your interested in.



I use a stinger/extension to get past the small overhang of my camper. I've beefed the hitch/extension up quite a bit since this pic.



I went with Outfittermfg.com for my pop up. I searched it out for quit a few months before I decided. I sold my Lance 821 slide out to shed some weight.



I have a whole lot of info on the subject. Throw out a couple of specific questions and I'll gladly give you my opinions.



Sean



I went to look for the pic and don't have it on this computer. I'll get it off the other computer if your interested

 

[smartineau]

Back to the camper issue, I do not know if their 8' model allows you to keep your tailgate on or not but try 'alaskancamper' or 'alaskacamper' .com. They make some real good quality campers but they are spendy and you can custom design your own layout.



steve

 

[fkovalski]

Also- Look at the overall camper lengths and the front rail of the truck bed. In my case, the back of the camper looks almost as if the tail gate would fit, furthermore- my TC could move forward if the camper bumpstops/ bumpers were removed. You may be able to get one that fits after taking some close measurements.



If you find one you like, make a deal on it with the condition that your gate must close, then fit it on your truck.



As far as beds cracking... . It may have been an issue at one time. I have the Tork Lifts that mount to the frame and am going to the Happi Jac setup soon. The latter for me will work better for off road ground clearance. Many times I have to put a tire to traverse a rock... after the front goes over, the tie down is right in the way of that rock. Also... exposed roots in a narrow road have posed problems for me.



But think of this... . IF (and that is a BIG if... ) if there is any type of damage due to a tie down sytem... would you rather have it on the frame or the bed?

 

[fkovalski]

You may also want to look here--> NATCOA or RV. Net (truck camper forum) for more input.

 

[rowilson]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to stop at a couple camper places tomorrow to check out what's out there. I've been reading and looking for a few months for one but still no luck. My truck is 96-1/2" from the front top of the bed to the tailgate. The camper I looked at over the weekend was 97"