Truck camper, whos done it?

[sintax]

I'm thinking more and more about picking up a truck camper, and wanted to see if anyone has an lessons learned they could pass along. I'm currently looking at the Lance 850 and the Wolf Creek 850. My camping would mostly would be desert (winter dirtbike / glamis), maybe an occasional offseason trip to Pirates. I really wouldn't be doing any July / Aug river trips in it. I usually choose to tent camp when camping comes into play, so this would be a big upgrade in comfort. I'm definitely a less is more kind of person in a lot of ways.

Here are the facts...

• 2007 classic Duramax, extended cab long bed
• no kids
• would be towing sand car or occasionally my 21' v-drive
• like the idea of off-grid BLM camping more than RV park

The Lance is about 10k more than the Wolf Creek, but they are very similar.

Anything you wish you had opt'd for / had? I'd love a slide out, but that really puts me in a bad spot weight wise w/ my 3/4 ton. I'll be doing a big solar setup / inverter, and (2) 6v AGM batts.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I'm thinking more and more about picking up a truck camper, and wanted to see if anyone has an lessons learned they could pass along. I'm currently looking at the Lance 850 and the Wolf Creek 850. My camping would mostly would be desert (winter dirtbike / glamis), maybe an occasional offseason trip to Pirates. I really wouldn't be doing any July / Aug river trips in it. I usually choose to tent camp when camping comes into play, so this would be a big upgrade in comfort. I'm definitely a less is more kind of person in a lot of ways.

Here are the facts...

• 2007 classic Duramax, extended cab long bed
• no kids
• would be towing sand car or occasionally my 21' v-drive
• like the idea of off-grid BLM camping more than RV park

The Lance is about 10k more than the Wolf Creek, but they are very similar.

Anything you wish you had opt'd for / had? I'd love a slide out, but that really puts me in a bad spot weight wise w/ my 3/4 ton. I'll be doing a big solar setup / inverter, and (2) 6v AGM batts.

Start by looking in the glovebox for a paper or a sticker that defines the Truck Camper weight. Its separate from the GVWR in the doors. That might help you decide. I am pretty sure the wolf creek is lighter. Wolf creek/Artic fox is a fan favorite among the TC crowd.

 

[lbhsbz]

I've been kicking around this idea for a while. The only reason I don't like tent camping is lack of a nice place to take a shit, and showers aren't bad either. I prefer to cook and eat outside, so I don't need any kitchen/dining stuff in the camper. I nice bed is a +, but not required....can use a tent / air mattress for that.

My ideal truck camper I guess would be a box with a decent sized shitter/shower in it, room for a small generator, nice cabover bed, and the rest open storage with maybe a fold down bed for the kid. Fresh water and grey/blackwater storage and that's it. Done right, you might be able to put a big door and stick 2 dirtbikes inside still to avoid a trailer.

This would keep weight/cost down I think and be less of a pain in the ass.

 

[sintax]

Start by looking in the glovebox for a paper or a sticker that defines the Truck Camper weight. Its separate from the GVWR in the doors. That might help you decide. I am pretty sure the wolf creek is lighter. Wolf creek/Artic fox is a fan favorite among the TC crowd.

yea, i'm comfortable with the weight of both of those units, the Lance is a few hundred pounds more, but nothing i'm concerned with. They are both "light" in comparison to some of the big dog Lance's / Arctic Foxes. Both are very 3/4 ton friendly. I'd LOVE to go see some, but there doesnt appear to be a Wolf Creek dealer anywhere near So-Cal. So i'm a bit bummed about that. I might have to roll out to Phx to check them out.

 

[sintax]

I've been kicking around this idea for a while. The only reason I don't like tent camping is lack of a nice place to take a shit, and showers aren't bad either. I prefer to cook and eat outside, so I don't need any kitchen/dining stuff in the camper. I nice bed is a +, but not required....can use a tent / air mattress for that.

My ideal truck camper I guess would be a box with a decent sized shitter/shower in it, room for a small generator, nice cabover bed, and the rest open storage with maybe a fold down bed for the kid. Fresh water and grey/blackwater storage and that's it. Done right, you might be able to put a big door and stick 2 dirtbikes inside still to avoid a trailer.

This would keep weight/cost down I think and be less of a pain in the ass.

So we're pretty much on the same page then.

I would want the oven option though, i know i'd use it, but you're right, I would cook 90% outside when the weather is good.

So what i've found interesting about these campers is the wet bath. This really is the ticket from what i can tell, it really gives you a decent size space with a shower. The head room in the shower is about 6'2" from what I understand and very decently sized. The shower is a nice to have for sure!

The cab over beds i'm looking at are full queen size mattresses, so that opens up a TON of options for comfort and dialing in your bed. They have either a fold down dinette or couch, and then they have a second bunk above that as an option. Mind you no full size dudes getting up there, but maybe a kid would be ok in a pinch.

They have 33gal fresh tank, and basically 20gal black and grey water.

For bikes I was planning on just doing a tongue carrier, they've worked well in the past and are easy. The two campers i'm looking at should be mostly flush with my long bed.

So regarding the genny, it sounds like their 9k btu AC can be run off a 2000w honda or yamaha, so thats really nice, but 99% of the time i'd try to be doing solar. You can build some really sweet setups these days.

 

[mesquito_creek]

The main feature I would want is a toilet with a black tank... Which seems like you are going to get with the models you are looking at and means you will be fully outfitted in those campers.. I have zero interest in a cartridge head.

 

[aj923]

This was my old setup.

Would be perfect for a couple. Add a kid & dog and it becomes way to small. Not much for storage in the TCs.

They are nice but not as easy to load and go as one might think. We just sold ours and have been looking at toy haulers and motorhomes.

 

[Ziggy]

Had a few older ones followed then by a 11' Lance for about 10 years. No slides but had a propane genny. Never any real issues other than the typical minor appliance hiccups. Carried the Lance on my 91 3/4 ton f250 and later on my 1ton y2k f350.
Extended hitch/receiver bar that fit into oe truck receiver with bracket bolted to rear of camper with a sort of floating support so it still pulled on truck chassis/receiver and not on camper bumper .....never had or saw any stress with it.
The only thing I did dislike was loading/unloading it from truck....especially if it was slightly breezy.

 

[sintax]

Had a few older ones followed then by a 11' Lance for about 10 years. No slides but had a propane genny. Never any real issues other than the typical minor appliance hiccups. Carried the Lance on my 91 3/4 ton f250 and later on my 1ton y2k f350.
Extended hitch/receiver bar that fit into oe truck receiver with bracket bolted to rear of camper with a sort of floating support so it still pulled on truck chassis/receiver and not on camper bumper .....never had or saw any stress with it.
The only thing I did dislike was loading/unloading it from truck....especially if it was slightly breezy.

yea, thats pretty much what I was looking at.

I THINK I can get away w/o an extension, but I may have to run a short one.

 

[Ziggy]

yea, thats pretty much what I was looking at.

I THINK I can get away w/o an extension, but I may have to run a short one.

Before the Lance I was able to just use a longer bar about 2' or so long.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I love me a nice truck camper. When my brothers and I were young, we had a '77 F-250 Camper Special Super Cab with a '77 10' Dolphin camper. My dad put in a fold down bunk that went over the dinette so my little brother could sleep there (my middle brother and myself were too big for that). It worked great for us for years. Us kids were rarely in the camper throughout the day unless we were sleeping. And typically one of us would prefer to sleep in the extra cab anyways as it folded down to a larger bed than the dinette and was our own space.

If you stick to the 8' floor camper, all you should need to do is get some good air bags (on board compressor is highly recommended). Also, make sure the tires have enough weight rating for the loaded camper and tongue weight of whatever you are towing. A blowout while loaded is NOT fun. If you go to a larger unit with an overhang, there is a lot more to it and more to consider.

 

[Jimmyv]

We had a Lance camper on a 2500 Dodge Diesel for some time. Did one epic cross country trip in it. Was spacious enough, made roadtripping fun, but space and weight were always a concern. Ultimately I decided I didn’t like the big camper on the truck, limited my driving, and I sold it. Told myself if we’re going to spend more than a night or two in it, I wanted a class c RV.

Never bought the C, but After the Lance, we’ve had multiple camper vans, a very nice Pleasureway Luxor, then a custom Mercedes Moto van (sat six, kitchenette and room for two dirt bikes).

Currently I have a Four Wheel Camper (think pop up camper for your truck), and I’m happy with it. Its definitely more like camping than the Lance was, but it’s light weight and low profile, and adds just a few additional conveniences when on the road.

Wife also just bought another van (Ford Transit), so it looks like I’ll be building another moto van shortly.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

For bikes I was planning on just doing a tongue carrier, they've worked well in the past and are easy. The two campers i'm looking at should be mostly flush with my long bed.

I would HIGHLY advice against that. It makes it almost impossible to get in the door with them there and if you are carrying 2 full size dirt bikes you are looking at WAY too much weight on that rear axle. There are a few bicycle rack options that can mount on the rear ladder to keep those out of the way of the door. For dirt bikes.... get a trailer.

 

[rivermobster]

I have 100gal of water in my toy hauler. It goes fast when dry camping. 30gallons? With no place to store additional water??

Id' think long and hard on that deal.

 

[sintax]

I have 100gal of water in my toy hauler. It goes fast when dry camping. 30gallons? With no place to store additional water??

Id' think long and hard on that deal.

Im currently use around 1.5 to 2 gallons of water a day when I dry camp, so 30 would be quite the luxury. I'm life long backpacker, you'd be blown away with what I can manage with (or rather, without). I understand the game changes when you have a sink and toilet, but all in all, I dont picture my usage changing all that much.

 

[sintax]

I would HIGHLY advice against that. It makes it almost impossible to get in the door with them there and if you are carrying 2 full size dirt bikes you are looking at WAY too much weight on that rear axle. There are a few bicycle rack options that can mount on the rear ladder to keep those out of the way of the door. For dirt bikes.... get a trailer.

haha I didnt think much about the fact it would block you, but you're right. I'm totally not opposed to the trailer, as thats the whole reason i'm wanting to go with a camper vs a toy hauler. That and I reallllly dont want to get another yearly envelope from the DMV, those guys mail me too much as is!

 

[rivermobster]

Im currently use around 1.5 to 2 gallons of water a day when I dry camp, so 30 would be quite the luxury. I'm life long backpacker, you'd be blown away with what I can manage with (or rather, without). I understand the game changes when you have a sink and toilet, but all in all, I dont picture my usage changing all that much.

I've hiked Half Dome twice, and few other places as well. I totally get what you are saying as far as camping is concerned.

But you are correct, everything changes with a shower, sink and head.

Have you thought about renting something, just to see how it goes first??

 

[77charger]

Had a lance 185 I loved it but kids got to big and only 1 extra bed. Was great fir river trips towing boat,desert shooting trips or trips where I went solo to glamis I’d put my 500 on a carrier. I also added a front hitch that I could carry a generator or take my stand up jet ski.
I have an 04 2500hd that still has tge happi jack camper kit that of you need them I can take off and sell you for a 100 bucks.
Also have a toyhauler too and that only got used for glamis trips as I preferred camper everywhere else.

 

[sintax]

I've hiked Half Dome twice, and few other places as well. I totally get what you are saying as far as camping is concerned.

But you are correct, everything changes with a shower, sink and head.

Have you thought about renting something, just to see how it goes first??

I'd totally be open to renting one first, that would be wise.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I'd totally be open to renting one first, that would be wise.

Cruise America rents them. I think you have to rent their F-150 with it though?

 

[Mandelon]

I had a 9' Vacationeer, and a Lance 1010. The Vacationeer was on a Ford F 350, and the Lance on a K 3500 SRW Longbed 4x4.

We used the shit out of both of them. From Mexico to Montana. With a roof AC it handled Parker in the heat with no issues. (On hookups)
We had a Honda generator but didn't need it often. Fridge and freezer on propane. Had to be very level for it to work well.
Indoor/outdoor showers, hot water. Wet bath, heater.. it was great. Fresh brownies out of the oven and ice cream from the freezer. Tent camping sucks after having these immense luxuries, LOL

I made a stinger attachment to extend my tow hitch. Added two 1/4" x 2" by 36" bars of steel as cross braces and it worked great. Triangles are strong.

You knew the camper was up there and had to drive with more attention to what was down the road, but we never had any incidents. It was great.

I used a drill attachment for the jackstands. The fancy ones are remote control nowadays. Buy a used unit. New ones are crazy expensive.

 

[v6toy4x]

I have had two truck campers over the last 32 years.
First was an 89 lance squire bought new in 89, ran it to 2005, then bought my current AF1140.

Took the squire in some pretty crazy places that there is no way I could get my current setup primarily due to physical size but more due to weight.

Go as small and light as you can, water management isnt a problem any more than getting by with one group 27 battery and no solar.
both much doable considering comparison to tenting!
The Lance will have better build quality, thus the $,

 

[Flying_Lavey]

meh.... just go get yourself a 450 series truck and pick up a Host Mammoth/Yukon/ or Everest. That will be living the life right there! lol

 

[Riverfamlee]

We were camping this past weekend and saw one that was a least 3 to 4 feet past the bed. Had a side door after the tailgate and a rear pop out. Pretty impressive actually. Didn't think to get a pic and well, sure as shit there is a thread about them.

 

[River Runnin]

Generator, Firestone Airbags, Powervision mirrors, Torklift tiedowns, A/C, and a cab Bladder!

Oh! Ya! ....And a Dually!

 

[USMC2010]

I had a 2007 Lance 245 for 8 years before moving to a toyhauler that I no longer have. Getting rid of the tc was one of my worst decisions. I would get a Lance 855S in a heartbeat.

 

[River Runnin]

We were camping this past weekend and saw one that was a least 3 to 4 feet past the bed. Had a side door after the tailgate and a rear pop out. Pretty impressive actually. Didn't think to get a pic and well, sure as shit there is a thread about them.

Mine was the Biggest camper made at the time. 4 foot over (12 ft), required a Dually) and had a custom made hitch extension so I could pull the boat!

 

[Canuck 1]

Find an older Bigfoot, all fiberglass units. A 9' will allow a trailer without an extension and be around 2000lbs

 

[sintax]

We were camping this past weekend and saw one that was a least 3 to 4 feet past the bed. Had a side door after the tailgate and a rear pop out. Pretty impressive actually. Didn't think to get a pic and well, sure as shit there is a thread about them.

Check out the Host brand campers, they have one with 3 pop outs I believe, as well as a fire place!

Cruise America rents them. I think you have to rent their F-150 with it though?

yea, i've seen them out and about. I'd be ok with that for a weekend deal just to feel it out.

 

[Willie B]

...Been there done that...for what you wanna do... if you’re gross vehicle weight is adequate go for it...
...I had a picture of me towing my Hallett Flatty cross country with an 11 foot Lance.., you can get a hitch extension ...I had no problems with it...but watch your tongue weight...
...If you put a receiver on the front of your truck... you can slide in a winch ..,if you mount a motorcycle up front that could be edgy...I’ve towed at night but as you can see it can restrict your headlights... I never got pulled over and I could see good enough... oh yeah Firestone airbags are a must if it’s a heavy Camper...
...I would get one with a generator and also put a decent solar array the roof with a charge controller... sometimes when it’s really hot you’ll be glad you have a generator to power your AC...
...

 

[copterzach]

World’s Best Truck Camper - Capri Camper

capricamper.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[boatdoc55]

We had several TCs in our first years together. Started with an 8' and worked our way up to a Elkhorn 11X. It was an 11' with side entry door. It was the cat's ass. The shower/bathroom was huge for a Tc and I could even get my big ass in the shower without soaping up the walls and spinning around to get clean. We moved on to bumper pulls and of course to 5th wheels. We're down to a house and motels/hotels now.

 

[Rajobigguy]

I had '75 F-250 highboy with a 11.5' executive camper. Loved that thing. No slide outs or anything too fancy and never felt cramped.

 

[Mandelon]

The prices of the new ones will make us old guys shit a brick. Now they have slideouts and cost over $50,000

 

[USMC2010]

The prices of the new ones will make us old guys shit a brick. Now they have slideouts and cost over $50,000

No kidding, used prices are what new used to be.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

We had several TCs in our first years together. Started with an 8' and worked our way up to a Elkhorn 11X. It was an 11' with side entry door. It was the cat's ass. The shower/bathroom was huge for a Tc and I could even get my big ass in the shower without soaping up the walls and spinning around to get clean. We moved on to bumper pulls and of course to 5th wheels. We're down to a house and motels/hotels now.

Have you seen the bathrooms in the big Hosts? Crazy big and nice!!

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[Tooms22]

Subscribed.

Thinking about doing this while towing a 29' Laveycraft... so yeah, I'm going light on the camper.

 

[rivermobster]

I have had two truck campers over the last 32 years.
First was an 89 lance squire bought new in 89, ran it to 2005, then bought my current AF1140.

Took the squire in some pretty crazy places that there is no way I could get my current setup primarily due to physical size but more due to weight.

Go as small and light as you can, water management isnt a problem any more than getting by with one group 27 battery and no solar.
both much doable considering comparison to tenting!
The Lance will have better build quality, thus the $,
View attachment 986081 View attachment 986083

Is that the free campground, on the Owens River, between Mammoth and June Lake?

 

[sintax]

The prices of the new ones will make us old guys shit a brick. Now they have slideouts and cost over $50,000

50 is cheap man! I was looking at a Lance 850 (non-slide and on the small / med side of things) and they are 46!

My goal is to try to find a couple year old one that was well taken care of, i'd like to stay under 40

 

[riverrider55]

I have a 2002 lance 1030 well taken care of we are selling it the unit sat on a 2001 f250 dry realistic weight is around 3500 pounds propane and water and gear. The family outgrew it we looked at the host and eagle cap units but ended up with the dynamax 28ss there is a picture of it in the rv section. I can pm you a few pictures of it if you want.

 

[sintax]

I have a 2002 lance 1030 well taken care of we are selling it the unit sat on a 2001 f250 dry realistic weight is around 3500 pounds propane and water and gear. The family outgrew it we looked at the host and eagle cap units but ended up with the dynamax 28ss there is a picture of it in the rv section. I can pm you a few pictures of it if you want.

I appreciate the offer but i'm really trying to stay under that weight.

 

[rivermobster]

The prices of the new ones will make us old guys shit a brick. Now they have slideouts and cost over $50,000

That's nuts..

You could buy a real nice toy hauler for that kinna money.

 

[Sherpa]

I ran a Vacationeer 11.5’ cab over on my 1990 f250 xcab 4x4 diesel longbed for over 15 years.
decent weight, fully self contained. Also made my own extended hitch tongue and my own frame mounted tie downs... we always loaded heavy.
towed our 1988 19’ master craft. Went everywhere
In that combo.... also towed a 10k cap flatbed with my buddies built cj7.
Only reason I sold the cab over is with 3 daughters we outgrew it...

pluses about cabovers:
No insurance required.
No registration required.
Make sure you have quality jacks on it.

i also built a “cart” for the camper I could move it when off the truck by myself..

 

[napanutt]

I had an Alpenlite 950 I believe. Bought brand new in I’d guess 2001 or 02 maybe. Small slide for the dinette. Compared to tenting it was great.

Holding tanks are really small. Make sure to get power jacks. As said above, loading and unloading gets to be a pain after awhile.
Oh, and frame tie down for sure as opposed to bed ties.

Oh yea, I hauled it and my cheetah with my 02 2500HD Silverado with the 6.0 gasser.

 

[TrojanDan]

I had an Alpenlite 950 I believe. Bought brand new in I’d guess 2001 or 02 maybe. Small slide for the dinette. Compared to tenting it was great.

Holding tanks are really small. Make sure to get power jacks. As said above, loading and unloading gets to be a pain after awhile.
Oh, and frame tie down for sure as opposed to bed ties.

Oh yea, I hauled it and my cheetah with my 02 2500HD Silverado with the 6.0 gasser.

Sounds like my old Alpenlite! Great camper with all the bells and whistles: dry bath, slide out, basement model with huge tank capacities (30 gal black, 30 gal grey, 40 gal water), a/c, 3 way fridge, electric jacks, etc... I would still own it if only I had bought a dually instead of a 3500 SRW. It was heavy when fully loaded for a one week camping trip.

 

[buck35]

I have 100gal of water in my toy hauler. It goes fast when dry camping. 30gallons? With no place to store additional water??

Id' think long and hard on that deal.

You are an official cali water waster.....our tiny moho carries maybe 25 gallons and we can do days .

 

[rivermobster]

You are an official cali water waster.....our tiny moho carries maybe 25 gallons and we can do days .

You're officially correct. Nothing better than a hot shower at the end of a day in the dirt.

 

[riverrider55]

I put pictures of our camper in the if it rolls it goes here section it has been a great camper for the family we just grew out of it so if anyone wants a great well taken care camper there is lots of pictures of it.

 

[v6toy4x]

Is that the free campground, on the Owens River, between Mammoth and June Lake?

Hull Creek OHV east of sonora Ca, hang a right at Long Barn and down to the clavey river

 

[Wayn-o]

Miss my camper. o5 GMC 2500 HD Diesel. Started with an older Lance, then went to an Artic Fox 990 with a slide out. Slide makes all the difference. Towed a trailer with baja bug and XR600 to San Felipe, Glamis North, Lucerne valley with no issues. Pulled it fine.