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Help Me Pick a Camper

CDA 455 II

CDA 455 II

ANFAQUE2
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May 19, 2020
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No Country For Old Men
Recently; I've been working on my pop-up camper and come to the realization I don't like stooping/ducking to enter/exit; my fused spine simply says 'fug no'.

So this thread is to help decide if I want to get:
Another truck camper (hard wall)
Travel trailer
Gooseneck
5th wheel.

Also; I'm looking for suggestions/tips on what to look for when buying said camper.
Such as roof water leaks etc.

As an owner; my only experience with a camper is my current Four Wheel Camper pop-up truck camper.
1761745016144.jpeg


Maybe I should start with a gooseneck or 5th wheel car-hauler and go from there?🤷‍♂️

Or a non slide-out truck camper?
1761745444104.png


I need/want all the help I can get; suggestions/tips/possible campers and trailer for sale, etc.:emb4:
 
I just got a hard-sided cabover and love it. It’s for a 6.5’ bed so it’s getting fixed up to sell and purchase an 8’ camper. I don’t need or want any more room than a cabover. It’s always just me. I’ll either have the boat or someday my rig back on the road and almost always will be towing something except for camping at the drags.

You may not like how the Bronco rides with a full-height camper. I have a CCLB with air bags and 10-ply tires and while comfortable to drive, it wallows side to side more than I like. I do have to take corners slower now. I will be adding a sway bar when I get a bigger camper, this one is only 1300#, and no bathroom or gray water tank.

Otherwise it’s perfect for me. AC, TV, Hot Water, Heater, outdoor shower, 3-way fridge, lots of storage room.

Yes it looks goofy, don’t care. Climbing in and out is kind of a pain in the ass, but I only have a cheesy ladder for now.

IMG_0330.jpeg
IMG_0331.jpeg
 
Last edited:
white-rhino said:
Questions to help with answers.
Intended use Fulltime RV'ing
Sleep how many Up to 3
Needing to tow other toys (how many and size) Possibly tow my '94 Bronco (3.5tons).
Budget <$50k
Click to expand...
Excellent questions

My '25 F-350 specs:
GVWR: 14K lbs
Cargo: 5.7k lbs

Towing;
Bumper/conventional: 27k lbs
Gooseneck/5th wheel: 31.3k lbs
 
I had an 2000ish thor bumper pull toy hauler, 25ft long i think

Sold that and picked up an 01 lance shortbed cab over camper that hangs out over the bumper, I got the cab over so I can tow the crawler

If i had more storage room at the house I'd switch to a sundowner/logan style of toy hauler, basically an enclosed trailer with living quarters

more water, more poo tank, more beds, more batteries, more storage, more better
 
Arickvan said:
I had an 2000ish thor bumper pull toy hauler, 25ft long i think

Sold that and picked up an 01 lance shortbed cab over camper that hangs out over the bumper, I got the cab over so I can tow the crawler

If i had more storage room at the house I'd switch to a sundowner/logan style of toy hauler, basically an enclosed trailer with living quarters

more water, more poo tank, more beds, more batteries, more storage, more better
Click to expand...
Sundowner :smokin::grinpimp:
1761752811418.png
 
CDA 455 II said:
Excellent questions

My '25 F-350 specs:
GVWR: 14K lbs
Cargo: 5.7k lbs

Towing;
Bumper/conventional: 27k lbs
Gooseneck/5th wheel: 31.3k lbs
Click to expand...
I’ve had almost everything. Pop up, slide in 12’ camper, 1 class C and 3 class A motorhomes, 2 fifth wheels and a non-live in 38’ enclosed GN that we camped out of. We looked at toy haulers but needed a garage to handle a Jeep which limits choices and is huge. No way I would want to full time in anything but a 5th wheel or motorhome.
Your biggest issue is hauling a heavy off-road toy. It’s pushing the limit for double tow. Here is my 37 ft 5’er with my buggy on a 14’ aluminum trailer. 73’ long. I had to beef up the trailer hitch on the 5’er to be comfortable.
IMG_6875.jpeg


Our current setup is a 35’ DP pulling either a 32’ open deck which hauls my tractor and JLU

Resized_20241016_152637_1729107051738.jpeg


Or my 18’ enclosed which hauls my buggy

IMG_0821.jpeg


Or flat tows my JLU

IMG_0625.jpeg


Downside to the MH is it’s above your budget.
So…. For what you want and your budget I think a smaller 5th wheel is the best way to go. I’ve seen people flat tow behind them but I don’t know the legal side of it but it would reduce some of your overall weight.

Considering weight, I wouldn’t want to tow your trail rig behind a big pickup camper. People do it but it’s a big load on the back.

Plus I’m a pussy and for full timing I want space to sprawl out. :laughing:
 
Projectjunkie said:
If you're living in this thing and ditching your rental, buy a nice 5th wheel toyhauler and downsize the bronco to something that weighs 2k and fits inside....
Click to expand...
Yeah; I'm agreeing.
In another thread the Sundowner trailer got nothing but praise.

I want/need a street-legal rig.
I only thing I can think of is a bone-stock '68 CJ5 Jeep with a Buick V6; weighing about 2.5k.
That's the rig I was introduced to off-roading in, back in the late '70s.
 
^^^ which is why we steered away from a TH. At the time we were looking at them we had a well built YJ, 109” wb on 40’s @5000# was a no go. My buggy would be worse.
That’s why the MH works better for us.

I’m not sure of your definition of full timing. If you plan to be gone multiple weeks at a time, interior floor plan layout is a big consideration. That was another downside to the TH. You basically have a sofa staring at your kitchen. If you plan to be on the move a lot, you can’t rely on the garage for overflow seating/sleeping.

I consider a TH as a great weekend/week recreation rig dedicated to trail riding but not a live in rig.

My daughter & husband lived in a 42’ bunkhouse 5th wheel for 1-1/2 years with their teenage son. Consider the same TH layout but replace the garage with a bedroom & bath. They hated the living area because the only seating was the couch with TV trays.
 
Last edited:
If you are trying to co RVing vs camping I would just find the best deal you can get on a used 5er in your flavor (front living, rear living, bunk etc.)
They are for sale everywhere right now...
 
nOOB question:
Is there ever a reason to buy a used camper at a camper dealership?

I've read it's best to buy a 5y.o. camper because:
1) MSRP is gone
2) Any problems with camper were corrected by previous owner.
 
CDA 455 II said:
nOOB question:
Is there ever a reason to buy a used camper at a camper dealership?

I've read it's best to buy a 5y.o. camper because:
1) MSRP is gone
2) Any problems with camper were corrected by previous owner.
Click to expand...
I don't think I'd get too hung up on where you get it.

The dealer is going to have hard $#s that they are trying to hit, they also would generally offer very little in the terms of trade on the camper you are trying to buy.

So IMO they might want to get the rig off there bucks and cut their losses.
The same could be said for a private seller if they are in a certain financial state.
 
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CDA 455 II said:
Recently; I've been working on my pop-up camper and come to the realization I don't like stooping/ducking to enter/exit; my fused spine simply says 'fug no'.

So this thread is to help decide if I want to get:
Another truck camper (hard wall)
Travel trailer
Gooseneck
5th wheel.

Also; I'm looking for suggestions/tips on what to look for when buying said camper.
Such as roof water leaks etc.

As an owner; my only experience with a camper is my current Four Wheel Camper pop-up truck camper.
1761745016144.jpeg


Maybe I should start with a gooseneck or 5th wheel car-hauler and go from there?🤷‍♂️

Or a non slide-out truck camper?
1761745444104.png


I need/want all the help I can get; suggestions/tips/possible campers and trailer for sale, etc.:emb4:
Click to expand...
Will the 4Wheel Camper be for sale any time soon and if so, remind me of your location please?
 
If you like the current pop up setup, and the door is your main issue. Could you change how your stairs are to get into it to help? I've noticed how different it is getting into mine when its in different spots, as in on the truck, vs using the steps i have, or sitting on the trailer, or closer to the ground.

Also, the alaskan pop up campers (at least the older ones, haven't been around any of the newer ones) have a tall door when they are popped up.
 
CDA 455 II said:
2) Any problems with camper were corrected by previous owner.
Click to expand...
Get that thought out of your head right off the bat. Nearly all campers are sticks and staples with components made by the RV equivalent of Vevor. The more you drive them down the road, the more they're going to shake **** apart. They'll develop more problems as the years go by, sure, but they're rolling off the line with issues brand new. Any corrected problems are only corrected for now.

The only real benefit in buying used from a dealer is the option for an extended warranty, IMO.

As far as buying, check for delamination on the outside and water damage around ceiling fixtures inside. Check the roof for waves. Pay close attention to the background in the pics on the ad, and pay special attention to the ones with pics taken in covered storage. The sun is the #1 enemy, with rain and road miles coming in a close 2 and 3.

As far as what platform, figure out your must haves and go from there. Hit up the RV version of Air B&B and rent a couple different ones, see what you like.
 
I said it in the other thread but I would take a tracker\sidekick over an older jeep unless you are looking to do some serious offroad stuff. For something to treat like a street legal SxS and just have fun a tracker with mild lift, locker in rear and UTV tires would be my go to unless you don't mind the rough ride of a samurai. I know neither of those perform like a SxS but I think coming from the bronco you will be surprised about the fun the little rigs can give and the places they can go.
 
white-rhino said:
I’ve had almost everything. Pop up, slide in 12’ camper, 1 class C and 3 class A motorhomes, 2 fifth wheels and a non-live in 38’ enclosed GN that we camped out of. We looked at toy haulers but needed a garage to handle a Jeep which limits choices and is huge. No way I would want to full time in anything but a 5th wheel or motorhome.
Your biggest issue is hauling a heavy off-road toy. It’s pushing the limit for double tow. Here is my 37 ft 5’er with my buggy on a 14’ aluminum trailer. 73’ long. I had to beef up the trailer hitch on the 5’er to be comfortable.
IMG_6875.jpeg


Our current setup is a 35’ DP pulling either a 32’ open deck which hauls my tractor and JLU

Resized_20241016_152637_1729107051738.jpeg


Or my 18’ enclosed which hauls my buggy

IMG_0821.jpeg


Or flat tows my JLU

IMG_0625.jpeg


Downside to the MH is it’s above your budget.
So…. For what you want and your budget I think a smaller 5th wheel is the best way to go. I’ve seen people flat tow behind them but I don’t know the legal side of it but it would reduce some of your overall weight.

Considering weight, I wouldn’t want to tow your trail rig behind a big pickup camper. People do it but it’s a big load on the back.

Plus I’m a pussy and for full timing I want space to sprawl out. :laughing:
Click to expand...
How about flat-towing the Bronco if I decide to go with a truck camper?

Or using a car dolly?
 
CDA 455 II said:
How about flat-towing the Bronco if I decide to go with a truck camper?

Or using a car dolly?
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with flat towing other than the issue of tire wear and getting it home if you break it. My son in law pulled a square body Blazer for a while. Was a pita because his 35x12.50’s were too big for the dolly so he had to swap out the front tires all the time.

You never really defined your description of “full timing”.
Retired on the road for weeks/months at a time or 1-2 weeks max.
 
white-rhino said:
Nothing wrong with flat towing other than the issue of tire wear and getting it home if you break it. My son in law pulled a square body Blazer for a while. Was a pita because his 35x12.50’s were too big for the dolly so he had to swap out the front tires all the time.

You never really defined your description of “full timing”.
Retired on the road for weeks/months at a time or 1-2 weeks max.
Click to expand...
Full-timing = having no apartment/townhouse/property-home.

Literally living out of the camper all over the country.

In essence; homeless.
 
For a few days of boony crashing a camper wouldnt be bad. But to live outta? **** that :laughing:

I wouldnt go snag a big ass toyhauler, just because it would be a PITA to drag into the cool places IMO. For sure something bigger than a camper though
 
Steve300xcw said:
For a few days of boony crashing a camper wouldnt be bad. But to live outta? **** that :laughing:

I wouldnt go snag a big ass toyhauler, just because it would be a PITA to drag into the cool places IMO. For sure something bigger than a camper though
Click to expand...
Thats a good reason to have a small run around. I knew a older couple that had a geo metro they put on a dolly behind their class A. I bet they replaced the rear tires 2x as much as the fronts just from all the highway miles and they both loved their little 50mpg convertible.
 
350TacoZilla said:
Thats a good reason to have a small run around. I knew a older couple that had a geo metro they put on a dolly behind their class A. I bet they replaced the rear tires 2x as much as the fronts just from all the highway miles and they both loved their little 50mpg convertible.
Click to expand...

I know some folks who picked up a smart car as they could cram it on the trailer with the sxs when they drug the party bus over to the dunes.

That said if I was living in a camper and just ****ing off. I would want to be able to drag the thing up into the woods and places less traveled. Bigger trailer would be a PITA. Agree on having a lil run around rig though.
 
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