Used Truck Camper in the Pacific Northwest?

[HBarlow]

I'm planning to make the Alaska journey beginning next month with the "CTDs To Alaska" group. Several of the other TDR members who are going haul slide-in truck campers. I own a large travel trailer which won't easily fit in some of the provincial parks where the other guys plan to overnight.



I've considered the idea of buying a decent used slide-in truck camper just for the trip and sell it when I return home. Years ago when I lived in Bremerton, WA for two years, truck campers were very common in that region. I assume they are still very common in WA, OR, ID, and Canada.



Do any of you who live in the Pacific Northwest have an opinion on this idea? I don't want to pay very much for one. I don't have a problem with buying an older unit as long as it would provide good service for a long trip and be resellable when I returned.



I also don't want to invest in all the accessory equipment such as air bags, cabover shocks, expensive tie down systems, etc. I guess that consideration would limit my choices to no more than a 9' cabover. It will be only me and my dog so I don't need a high end 11 1/2 foot unit.



Any ideas or suggestions?



Harvey

 

[wcjp]

Have you considered a popup trailer? This might fit your needs better than a slidein. It wouldn't require fancy tiedowns and weight would not be a factor. I don't know if they come with toilets. But, it sounds like you'll be staying in parks with bathrooms.

 

[JDanford]

Slide-in

I'm considering buying a new Arctic Fox slide-in. If I do, & I should know in the next few weeks, I'll have my '94 8-1/2 Lance Squire 3000 for sale. It's fully self-contained; double propane tanks, 39-gallon fresh water (including water heater). Best part, it's always been stored inside; really a super clean unit. New roof a/c last year; fantastic fan; 3-burner range/oven; outside shower; aluminum fold-down step; sleeps 6; Everything works; never any leaks. Other than a couple little rock dings on the front it would pass for a new one. I'll sell it for $7,500. I'm in Eastern Oregon. You should be able to use it for the trip & sell it for at least what you paid for it. By the way, the 9-1/2 Arctic Fox lists for $25,937. 51; seems like you could buy a small motor home for that not too many years ago!

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Harvey,

I don't know how large your trailer is but I towed purchased a used 28' 5th wheel (smaller then the one I had) to go to Alaska three years ago and wouldn't hesitate towing a larger trailer on now that I've been there. A TDR member friend may comment here but he towed a 36' Carriage with 3 slides all over Alaska last year without any problems. If you aren't afraid of a few rock chips and hitting a few chug holes, you may be okay with what you own. I noticed that the trucks with slidein camper seemed to travel at slower speeds then the ones with trailers on the AlCan highway.

Larry

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks to those who replied.



wcjp: I appreciate the suggestion but folding tent trailers don't hold much appeal for me. They are great for many purposes but I've never been a fan.



JDanford: Your Lance slide-in sounds like the perfect solution but that is more money than I could spend just for a trip to AK. A friend who is a Lance owner pointed out a good one on RVTraderOnLine a few weeks ago. It was on a dealer's lot somewhere in the Northwest at a very reasonable price. I thought about it a few days and when I looked at the website again it was gone. It must have been priced right.



Roger: Thanks for the advice. Everyone who has towed a trailer to AK has said the same. The old rumors about destroying vehicles are still repeated daily but the condition of the Alaska Highway seems to be much improved from what it was a few years ago.



Anyone else who lives in the NW know of a bargain slide-in?



Harvey

 

[BV]

Bargain Slide-ins

I see them off and on in the Oregonian - They are typically 70's to late 80 models with just the basics and cost less then $500. You will even see them in the thrity section for at or under $200.



We used the RV Trader to sell our slide in and found our current trailer in there as well.



Here is a current ad from the trader:

1986 ALASKAN, CAMPER 8', pop-up, excellent condition. $2250. Days 541-770-6020, eves 541-770-5454. Medford, Or



It has a picture: http://adcache.rvtraderonline.com/3/5/4/46743154.htm



5 ads less then $2500 in Idaho, Oregon and Washington came up today

 

[Midnite]

Re: Bargain Slide-ins

Originally posted by BV

Here is a current ad from the trader:

1986 ALASKAN, CAMPER 8', pop-up, excellent condition. $2250. Days 541-770-6020, eves 541-770-5454. Medford, Or

Wow! An '86 Alaskan for that price is a good deal, especially if it's a cabover model.



Mike (with a '69 non-cabover Alaskan)

 

[Tardog]

HBarlow



Pacific Northwest? Have you considered buying in Canada? (I'm in Victoria BC) The wife and I stopped in to look at a used 8' Camper today. It was a '97, that had been used 10 times, absolute mint condition. Queen bed, 3 way fridge, oven/stove, sky light, blinds, flush toilet, hydrailic jacks, on board power and all the hook up hardware etc. The only thing it did not have was hot water. Wet weight was about 1500#'s. He was asking $8700 cdn which is about $6200 US. Just a thought if you are planning to head north. Lots of good units around right now Cheers,

 

[HBarlow]

BV: Thanks for the suggestion. I looked over the current offerings on RVTrader. I'll keep reviewing the list. What is the "Oregonian?" Is it a local newspaper? Is it online? I'll check after I send this.



Tardog: Sure, I would consider a camper for sale in Canada if it is affordable. The one you described sounded great but more money than I can afford for just a trip to AK. I have an old but nice Avion trailer which I will keep. I'm just looking for a smaller unit for the trip over the Alaskan Highway.



Harvey

 

[Tardog]

Harvey, How much are you looking to spend?

 

[HBarlow]

Tardog:



Well, I guess the answer is as little as I have to. My ceiling price is probably $2500. An '86 Lance was recently advertised at $2695 if I remember correctly, by a dealer in the Pacific Northwest. It looked like what I was looking for but sold quickly.



I saw an older 8' slide-in advertised on RVTraderOnline this morning priced at $800. It looks decent from the one photo provided. If it was close I'd go look at it but I think it is in Utah.



I've seen a couple of advertised campers that interested me but they're too far to go look at quickly and then they sell.



I don't need plush accomodations and don't mind an older unit. I'm looking for a bargain that would provide good service for a couple months then could be resold after the trip.



Harvey

 

[Tardog]

Shoudn't be a problem for that money, where are you?

 

[HBarlow]

Tardog:



I hadn't realized my signature "fell off" the system sometime recently until you asked where I am. I reinstated my signature.



Harvey

 

[HBarlow]

Well, I thought I reset my signature. I guess I need to review my set up again.



Anyway, I live in Lubbock, in West Texas.



Harvey

 

[merryman]

Harvey



My Son has a 1979 camper. I don't know a lot about it except that they used it till they bought a pull trailer a few months ago. It extends about one foot beyond the bed of his truck, so I guess that would make it a 9 footer? Its not chery, but it seemed solid and has a bathroom, which at least on his Chevy 1 ton required removing the rear bumper.

I know he would accept it if some one held $600. under his nose. Its located here on the southern Oregon coast.



Vaughn

 

[HBarlow]

Vaughn,



Thanks for the lead. Your son's camper might be what I need.



Can you or your son send additional information and photos? I'd like to know the manufacturer's name and what appliances and equipment it has. Some have 12 volt water pumps, water heaters, furnaces, installed toilets, holding tanks, some have only a tiny water tank and hand pump and a porta-potty. Does it have the four-corner jacks or side jacks on tripod stands?



I'll send you a private message with my e-mail address.



Harvey

 

[Gonzo 1066]

camper option

Why dont you buy my Alpinlight 9. 5 truck camper. It is in very nice shape and is now on our 2002 3500 6 speed. The 3500 will handle it very nicely. Wh have put well over 100,000 miles on this combination, I am looking at a new Alpinlite. We are in Sumas Washington (where you will cross the boarder to BC) The logistics of it would seem to work for both of us. P. S. I also know of a 6 month old Alpinlite at a dealer in Lynden Wa. (also near the boarder)

 

[HBarlow]

Gonzo:



Tell me about your Alpenlite. (You may want to PM me. ) If it is a late model camper and "in very nice shape" it is probably out of my price range. I own a travel trailer and can't afford two RVs, I'm just looking for a truck camper for a trip to Alaska. It would have to be a bargain.



I know that RVers are pulling huge 5ers and driving large motorhomes to Alaska but I'd like the mobility and ability to park anywhere that a truck camper provides. A truck camper is also less likely to be damaged by road construction.



What I'm looking for is an older one that is clean and ready to use at a low price. I don't care if it is a '70s vintage camper as long as it needs no repairs and is priced right.



If I could find one that meets my needs, I would pick it up enroute to Alaska. I wouldn't be able to perform repairs or modify the camper or my truck since I would not be returning home before the trip.



Harvey

 

[BV]

The Oregonian

Sorry for the delay - Yes the Oregonian is a paper and yes it's online at: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/

 

[HBarlow]

Re: The Oregonian

Originally posted by BV

Sorry for the delay - Yes the Oregonian is a paper and yes it's online at: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/

BV:



Thanks for the reply. I found the Oregonian and reviewed the classified listing after I posted the question.



I reviewed what seemed like 100 motorhome listings and a few trailers. I was surprised that I didn't find a single truck camper in that particular issue.



Harvey