Let's talk cab-over truck campers.

[Deeann]

I'd love to have a cab over truck camper. My family had one when I was a kid so I have some experience with them. Even if it was a zillion years ago. If you've got one, or have any experience with one, chime in and give me some thoughts on them. I won't be full timing. Just long vacations. (I'm retired).

Thanks, ladies!

[chalet05]

Go for it!!

I started out full timing with a 5er that I decided I didn't need to haul cross country. I bought a small truck camper for summers and used the 5er for winters. Then I upgraded to a larger camper. After 3 winters in the same park, I sold the 5er. Coming back from 6 months with a travel companion in here, I decided I could live in the camper full time so I have been in here over 20 months.

I have a Lance 1050S (dinette is slide out) with dry bath. My first was a smaller one with wet bath. The first Lance was well put together, the current one not so much.

Not sure what info you are looking for.

My friend bought a Northern Lite this past year. I had shopped with him and then went with him to pick it up - love it. It is without all the window trimmings, etc. plus has a ton of storage!

Another place to get info is the Truck Camper forum on RV.net.

[BarbaraRose]

I also am interested in this thread. Being that I will eventually be doing a 6 month trip around the western US thru the mountains and on a lot of bumpy backroads, I thought maybe a truck camper would be a better choice than a Class C or trailer.
I was wondering about how much storage space there is on those? Also, I heard they are harder to drive in windy conditions. How big of a truck do you need to get? A slide would be nice!
Any pros and cons are appreciated, as well!

[MelissaD]

Some campgrounds I've read don't allow truck campers (TC), so figure out how you plan to use it. Some place will allow you to drop your camper and others will not. For some a TC is a great options but with like every other camper there are pros and cons to each style. You need to find what is right for you. I 2nd the TC forum on RV.net

You'll find a TC on a deserted beach but you probably won't find my 5th wheel there if you catch my drift. Different styles, different needs.

Large pickups to haul the TC's are not cheap. I found that out when I bought mine. A 8 year old truck can still run you $18,000 verse $45,000 or so new. Also the weight capacity of the older used trucks are a lot lower than the newer truck capacities. You'll probably want 4 wheel drive and ensure it has the max tow package for that model. 8' Long bed trucks are not standard anymore. Remember that when looking at TC's, what size bed the TC was designed for.

Example: GVWR (max the truck can carry as listed by manufacture, found inside drivers door on column) - actual weight of truck without camper (weighted before loading camper) = how much your truck camper can weight.

2014 F350 14,000# - 8,000# = 6,000# TC
2004 F350 11,500# - 8,000# = 3,500# TC

My F350 weights in at 8,000# with us, fuel and stuff ready for a trip so it's a good example number. If you want to tow something like a boat behind you, tong weight will add say 500# to the 8,000# reducing possible TC weight. Also dry weights are what the camper weighted when it left the manufacturer. Once you add batteries, propane, water, your stuff it will never weight that again so look at the gross TC weight when doing calculations. We added 1,000# to our camper and we still have many empty cabinets/bins. It really adds up.

Since a TC sits in the bed of the truck and is not towed, you are concerned about GVWR not GCVWR (truck and trailer towed).
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GCVWR Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating

Hope this helps. Best of luck in finding your perfect camper.

[OutandAbout]

I have a Lance 915 camper. I love it. It is considered a lightweight camper. No slides and very small holding tanks, at 14 gal each with fresh water at 30 gal. I have a wet bath. There is a small outside compartment for storage. Inside storage is adequate for one, IMO. I do find the dinette area uncomfortable after sitting for a while. Different makes and models have all kinds of options.

Remember, you are constantly climbing up into the camper. Then you climb up into the cab over part. I have dogs that need to be lifted up and off every time as well. Not much area to keep clean, which I really like. I can clean the floor with 4 paper towels. There is a lot packed into these little campers as far as options go. My bed is North/South which suits me because I like to hang my feet over the end of the bed. This also allows some extra space on the side of the bed for stuff.

Check out all the manufacturers you can. I would advise picking out the camper you like first, then the truck. This way you will get a truck that will be the right size to haul the camper safely.

I haven't been able to do much camping lately, and hope to change that next year. I did pick the camper because I didn't want to tow anything and wanted something small.

I'm not sure what kind of info you are looking for either, so ask away and I'll try to help. Linda

[Bethers]

I've never seen a cg that doesn't allow a tc. Amend that, as there are pop up tc and there are cg's that only allow hard sidedcacampers. Lots of tc's I could fall in love with. I found it to be a more expensive option for me than a class c though.

Barbie, as to the roads, you're taking your home whether a class c or tc, so unless you're going with 4 wheel drive for off roading, I don't think I'd make the decision based on the roads.

[MelissaD]

Depends upon were you are traveling. I've seen no tent, pop ups and truck camper statements in the fine print at some campgrounds. Read threads on RV.net and Lance forums complaining about none TC's facilities. If you tend to travel in state and federal parks you are probably ok. With the price of some TC's not sure why they are grouped in. Just like some CG's have 10 year age limits. They may not enforce it if your rig looks nice but they reserve the option.

http://truckcampernews.rvtravel.com/2013/09/snooty-rv-parks-no-truck-campers-allowed.html

http://lanceowners.hoop.la/topic/no-truck-campers-allowed

There are also restrictions on soft sided campers due to bears and other animal concerns.

[Bethers]

There are lots of fine print ... like age restrictions on rv's. So far I've never been turned away for that although the fine print would say I can't stay. There are also Class A only parks ... etc etc ... but again, in 9+ years, and lots and lots of rv parks I've not been to one where I've known a tc to be turned away. Not saying they aren't out there, but I haven't experienced it. So, I don't think it's a problem to worry too much about. And wouldn't stop me from getting one if that's what I wanted.

And on another note - I see LOTS of 5th wheels boondocking and on beaches ... probably will encounter many of them in Baja this winter.

[MelissaD]

Cool, my only point was each type has limitations. One should understand what's possible and what restrictions they might encounter when they buy a selected type or style. There are some awesome TC's on the market these days. Just go to You Tube and look.

We looked at a state park in the area and would not feel comfortable trying to take our rig in there. Looks like most trailers were under 25' in there. Our trailer is 35' or 36' long (depends on where to look it up) and 12' tall due to front A/C unit. Due to low trees and some tight turns it's not worth the risk to me. I knew that going in when I bought it.

As for boondocking or beaches, it probably has much to do with the access point and part of the country. Since I don't have a 4x4 I'd be concerned getting off in the sand. But then again I weighted that out when I bought a 2x4 and not a 4x4 truck. How someone plans to use their RV effects many choices in their selection process.

Also read about someone having a problem getting financing since a TC is not a registered vehicle and without a title for the credit union to hold, no loan. Just something else to consider. Talk to your tax man but since an RV meets the tax requirements of a 2nd house, the mortgage interest maybe deductible.

Eyes wide open when you make a choice.

[avalen]

I've had two over the years, loved them for short term camping but can't say I thought they had enough room to live in. I lived
in my bigger one for 6 weeks though, in between house and condo. However, it was inconvenient for the dog cause she just
couldn't jump into bed when she wanted, she had to depend on me to pick her up and put her up there and of course I didn't
want her jumping down so that part made me nervous.

[chalet05]

There are hoity toity parks that do not allow truck campers, but they aren't my kind of places anyway. I did stay at a couple near Phoenix for spring training but that was with the 5th wheel. I even just read of a park that doesn't allow dually trucks!

I know there are states that do register and title truck campers - I have to have a license plate in Washington State. LeRoy got a title for his camper even though he doesn't have to register it in South Dakota. I can't speak to financing because I paid cash.

Yes, a truck is expensive but most RVs are.

Since I already have a 3/4 ton truck, I shopped for a camper that fit it. I do not have 4 wheel drive. This is its third summer on the road including Alaska last year. I am wanting a new truck so will be getting a 1 ton, dually with 4 wheel drive. There may be some campers available for 1/2 ton but if there are, the selection would be limited.

I would agree that you should look at campers, see what you like and what it weighs. And don't let some salesman tell you what truck you need - do your homework!
After Steven passed away, I wanted a truck camper. The one I fell in love with was too heavy for my truck, but the salesman said if I added this and that, I would be fine! I researched and researched and just wasn't comfortable with the idea.

I can't speak to the issue of pets as I don't have any. As far as climbing up into the camper, mine is two very doable steps - not that different from a MH or trailer. So far climbing onto the bed isn't an issue.

I realize not everyone could live in a truck camper, but it has certainly simplified my life.

[BarbaraRose]

Do you need to get insurance on the camper part or is that covered under the truck insurance?

[Deeann]

Wow, some good information and opinions here. Thanks, ladies!

I already have a half ton pickup and don't want to buy a new truck. Every dollar spent on a truck payment is a dollar I can't spend on travel. I know this will limit what I can buy. I was thinking about one of the TCs that has the crank up tops. They are more aerodynamic for better gas mileage, don't catch as much side wind, and are a bit lighter weight.

Much to think about.......

[Colliemom]

I have thought over the truck camper thing many times too. I am seeing more and more of them on the roads these days. But I also decided that I don't want to have to climb into the truck and then up into the camper bed each night either. Plus having bigger dogs like collies, would make it a bit tight not to mention getting them in and out each day. But they are a great way to travel cause you have the freedom to just get in and go. But vans like HavingFunNow (Louise) can be fun too, ifyou outfit it yourself and put in what you want.

[chalet05]

The camper is insured separately. I can't give you any idea on cost as mine was first insured on my 5er policy and now have a fulltimers' policy.

Lots of info and opinions about a camper on a 1/2 ton on RV.net. A pop-up may very well be a solution. I actually put money down on one when I bought my first Lance. Went home, thought about having to crank that roof up every time I wanted to stop to get in the camper and decided that wasn't for me. At any rate, Deeann having the truck and its weight specs gives you a good place to start.