Posted 2005-11-12 11:35 PM (#774) Subject: LQ or Truck camper
Posts: 41
Location: Mt. Horeb, WI
I am looking at two possibilities. A 3H 10 ft sw LQ GN trailer or a slide in camper for my truck then pull a 3 horseBP. Does anyone have any pro's and con's on this?
Posted 2005-11-13 4:17 AM (#775 - in reply to #774) Subject: LQ or truck camper
Posts: 72
Location: novinger, mo
I have done both. There are pros and cons to each. I like the LQ because when you are camping you can unhitch and drive somewhere without having to pack everything up like in a truck camper. I also did not like the way the truck handled with a camper on top, I could feel more sway, especially on rough ground, like in some campgrounds. It is a bit of a hassle to load and unload the camper on the truck. The LQ gives you more room in the camper section. I just went from an 8' LQ to a 10' LQ with a slideout, a good option to check out!
With a camper and 3H bumper pull, your investment is less. It is also easier to take the horses somewhere just for the day, without hauling the big trailer. The camper can be used when you don't want to take the horses. I camped with a truck camper and bumper pull for years (3 different campers) and did not have any bad experiences.
Either option can be a great way to go! It depends on how much $$ you want to spend. You can find good used of either type if you look hard enough.
Posted 2005-11-13 12:56 PM (#776 - in reply to #774) Subject: RE: LQ or Truck camper
Posts: 37
Location: Colorado Springs
What have you got for a truck? That's the crucial factor.
Most truck campers easily overload a 2500 truck, never mind towing a trailer too. Wheras a 2500 truck can better pull a GN LQ trailer.
If you've got a dually, no problem either way.
We've got a 2500 truck camper towing a trailer, which is WAY overweight, but has the most versatility for use. Looked at getting a GN LQ trailer, but it would STILL be overweight on the ball with the 2500 truck, plus a lot of $$$. Buying a new dually truck is actually cheaper than a new GN LQ trailer, so that's the route we'll be taking.
Posted 2005-11-13 3:43 PM (#777 - in reply to #774) Subject: RE: LQ or Truck camper
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan
I went through this same predicament a year ago, truck camper & bumper pull vs. a living quarter GN set up. I looked into the pop-up camper set up and liked those but for me putting the camper in the truck every weekend before a show and hooking up to a trailer just wasn't what I wanted. I wanted a GN living quarter trailer that had all of my stuff in it so all I had to do Friday was just hook up, load up some food for me and my horse and go. The other issue with hauling a 3 horse bumper pull, which I used to have, was hauling it behind my truck. To me, IMO, I enjoy pulling a GN much better than a bumper pull especially for longer road trips. However the versatility of having a truck camper is endless, not only for showing or camping with your horses but going somewhere to camp with the fam for a weekend. You really have to decide what is going to work for not only you and your horses but your family as well. If you are one who just goes to shows or trail rides and camps then a GN is the way to go but if you have other interests outside of horses then yes, a truck camper would be great.
Posted 2005-11-14 9:04 AM (#778 - in reply to #774) Subject: RE: LQ or Truck camper
Posts: 41
Location: Mt. Horeb, WI
Thank you all for your input. I haven't brought my new truck yet so your input has help with that. I know we do not what a dually. Would the camper be to top heavy for a 1 ton single axial truck? How about vision with truck camper, is it hard to see around or backup with the truck camper?
Posted 2005-11-14 4:51 PM (#779 - in reply to #774) Subject: RE: LQ or Truck camper
Posts: 326
Location: Palmdale, CA
I wouldn't consider the camper and trailer unless you have a really big truck, a small camper and a small trailer. My pop wanted to do this too. He has a '93 1 ton Dodge/Cummins dually and a 12' Skyline camper. The camper weighs a hefty 3200 lbs. You can definetly tell the camper is back there. There is no way I would haul horses behind this set up. I talked him out of it. So unless you get a small & light camper and pull a bare bones aluminum 2H trailer, and have a beefy truck I'd recommend against it. And if you have to do all this, what is the point. Instead my Dad is getting a nice GN trailer. More room for the horses, more room in the LQ and it is a safer rig. Campers are just too top heavy, combine that with top heavy horses and you have a scary combination. I'd go with a GN trailer instead.
LQ or Truck camper
