| Truck bed camper thingies #251901 09/03/12 07:40 PM 09/03/12 07:40 PM |
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn Karl_Brogger OP
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Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn | Thoughts? I'm thinking about getting one for the hillbilly hotrod. $14k(ish) for the one I'm looking at. Makes more sense to me than buy a regular rv cost wise. are they a pain in the butt to load? Does the pickup still drive decently, or does the mileage just fall off the face of the earth?
I'm boatless.
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251908 09/04/12 05:08 AM 09/04/12 05:08 AM | Mac m
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Unregistered | I had one briefly, it was an ultra lite deal with a pop top that fit on the back of my Z71. I agree with Rich on the power jacks, I hated lading/unloading it, had to go round and round jacking it up one corner at a time. It wasn't bad for one person, had air/heat, and a fridge. After adding the camper, boat and all my mileage went down pretty good. I ended up getting an older C-Class camper in good shape. Mileage is pretty close and MUCH more comfortable. | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251913 09/04/12 07:20 AM 09/04/12 07:20 AM |
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. Timbo
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Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. | Karl, thanks for bringing this up, I've been thinking about adding one to my F150 for a while, but at $14,000? Ouch! I think I'll stick with the tent, or the Motel 6.
But I don't do the weeks long road trips you do, so for your millage and many trips to FL from MN, it makes sense.
What you also need is some way to 'home brew' diesel fuel! Then stop at every BK and MickyD's on the way down and pick up their used fry oil or something!
Blade F16 #777
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251914 09/04/12 07:33 AM 09/04/12 07:33 AM |
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,969 brucat
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Posts: 3,969 | I know several cat sailors that have owned these. None have complained, so I think that speaks volumes.
They really are only good for one person, maybe a couple. Add a dog, kid, etc. and you'll be looking for more room quickly.
A separate RV is great, but that's another whole drive train to maintain; and no matter what you do with it, you're only getting 7 mpg.
A separate RV does have other advantages, mainly the larger water and waste tanks (the larger, the better, allows more showers, etc.). You also tend to get more storage with an RV.
As for the pickup models, buy used and save tons of money, even if you have to add the power jacks separately. One guy I know used a power drill to speed up the manual jacks (still have to do one at a time, of course).
The pop-up models promise less impact on gas mileage (drag), but then you add the complication (maintenance) of the tent portion. Usually not a big deal, but if you fold it up wet, you'll want to open it when you get home to let it dry out (avoids mold/mildew). If you buy used, you'll need to be sure the canvas doesn't leak.
Be aware of the normal things to watch for when buying any used camper: water damage, leaking roof, functionality of appliances.
Hope this helps.
Mike | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251919 09/04/12 07:48 AM 09/04/12 07:48 AM | Mac m
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Unregistered | The ultra light pop up model I bought was like a 2002 and was super clean. Paid $2000 for it, had the fridge that ran off of 12v, 110v, or propane, propane furnace, 5 gal fresh water tank, and an A/C. Great for one person, two at most. At $14K I'd go for an RV. | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251921 09/04/12 07:53 AM 09/04/12 07:53 AM |
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. Timbo
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Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. | How water tight were those pop-up panels? I mean, in a driving rain, would they let water in? It's hard to tell from the picture but are they canvas 'windows' that roll up with netting over, or are they solid plastic panels, that would keep the water out?
Blade F16 #777
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251925 09/04/12 08:20 AM 09/04/12 08:20 AM | Mac m
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Unregistered | Mine seemed to be pretty water tight, didn't have it long though. Sold it to my cousin and he uses the snot out of it and hasn't mentioned any leaks. The windows were a tinted plastic that zipped up with netting on the outside if you wanted natural climate control. Seems like there was a canvas flap that would roll down to cove rthe windows for privacy. The canvas can be replaced if its worn.
I also had to set my mast on the trailer just right so it didn't hit the camper, basically it couldn't extend past the trailer tongue. Have to do the same with my RV. | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251927 09/04/12 08:26 AM 09/04/12 08:26 AM |
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn Karl_Brogger OP
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Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn | Having a place to store an rv is a big issue.
A hotel does seem a whole lot smarter than anything else. I'm at the point I'm just sick of tenting it.
Lots of good pros/cons Mike.
Last edited by Karl_Brogger; 09/04/12 08:36 AM.
I'm boatless.
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251929 09/04/12 08:38 AM 09/04/12 08:38 AM |
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn Karl_Brogger OP
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Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn | My trailer the masts end up being about two feet behind the ball anyways. One of the many plus's of having a trailer that is almost 26 feet long on its own.
I'm boatless.
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251930 09/04/12 08:56 AM 09/04/12 08:56 AM |
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. Team_Cat_Fever
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Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. | Karl, You're on the right track with the long trailer, with whatever you get. My 28' A class RV(Krantz's old one) was way less than 14k and gets 10 miles per gallon. Whatever you get make sure you can sleep in it on the road with a min. of hassle(Rest areas,etc.).
"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea Isak Dinesen If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most. E. B. White
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251934 09/04/12 09:45 AM 09/04/12 09:45 AM |
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,969 brucat
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Posts: 3,969 | There's no shortage of pros/cons to consider. We use our RV all the time.
The less you use it, the more it costs per trip (if you divide the depreciation by time spent using it), which some people see as a reason to get hotels.
For week-long events, hotels are hard to beat (someone else cleans up after you, unlimited water for better showers, etc.).
For cross-country trips, the gas in an RV will kill you. Here, multi-stacking and sharing costs is the only good solution.
10 mpg in a 28-foot Class A??? Wow, what year, engine, make and model is that?
Mike | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251936 09/04/12 10:05 AM 09/04/12 10:05 AM |
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. Team_Cat_Fever
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Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. | 1993 Fleetwood Flair w/ Chev. 454.(Mike Krantz's old steed) Towing or not doesn't seem to make much difference unless you've got a strong headwind (which always seems to happen on the long trips).
The multi stacking is definitely the way to fly, but Karl may be in the same boat as I am without alot of other sailors in the area.
"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea Isak Dinesen If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most. E. B. White
| | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251939 09/04/12 10:33 AM 09/04/12 10:33 AM | Mac m
Unregistered
| Mac m
Unregistered | That a lot better than mine. I have a 92 fleetwood Jamboree C Class with a Ford 460, I get 7-7.5 no matter how I drive the thing. I love the thing though, nice to be able to bring your own crapper with you hahaha! | | | Re: Truck bed camper thingies
[Re: Karl_Brogger]
#251940 09/04/12 10:36 AM 09/04/12 10:36 AM |
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. Team_Cat_Fever
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Posts: 3,224 Roanoke Island ,N.C. | Diligence w/ staying out of the secondaries of the 4 barrel and not letting the cruise control downshift, help alot.
"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea Isak Dinesen If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most. E. B. White
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