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Truck campers
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mi rider
Reg. Jul 2006
Posted 2006-07-10 11:30 AM (#257)
Subject: Truck campers





Posts: 7

Does anyone pull a truckcamper and a bumper pull.We are thinking of doing this,just curious of how inconvienc this might turn out to be.Its one of those pop up truck campers. Are they a pain to unhook from truck once you get to where your going? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Dunoir
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2006-07-10 11:51 AM (#258 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 325

Location: Coconut Creek, FL

Several friends of mine have them and seem very happy with them.  I do know you need a 2500/250 or higher truck and be sure you have the right length truck bed for the camper. 

You also want the special hook-up (hydraulic I think) for removing the camper from the truck otherwise it's really difficult to remove. 

 

 

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MIfarmbabe
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2006-07-10 12:01 PM (#259 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 565

Location: Michigan

We have one of those Sunlite pop-up campers for our 3/4 Chevy. It is a 8 foot and our truck has a 6' bed so it goes out over the tailgate. That wouldn't work pulling with a bumper pull. My husband has a little fishing boat and the tongue on the trailer is long so it works without jackknifing issues. You can buy an extension for your hitch and I have been told that works, but I would just buy a camper that fits in the box of your truck. It was easy to put on, just back in and line it up. They are nice and convenient. I contemplated this set-up too but went with a gooseneck living quarter trailer. You could probably pick up a  used camper somewhere pretty easy. The pop-up kind are nicer, less weight. You'll need a second person to help you hook up to your trailer though as you can't see a dang thing behind you when the camper is on.

Might be a better option than sleeping in your trailer!

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Flush
Reg. Jan 2005
Posted 2006-07-10 12:10 PM (#260 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 50

Location: Colorado

I have had two different "pop-up" truck campers, both were lightweight  (FourWheel and Phoenix) smaller models. I have pulled trailers with them loaded on the truck, but not horse trailers only boat and utility trailers. 

I really like them for what they offer, but they do have limitations. First is that they are pretty small, unless you get a really big model.  If you do get a big model, you will need a real big truck to haul the camper and horses and be legal/safe.

In general they can be somewhat of a pain to load/unload depending on the camper. You need to be on pretty level ground, and typically it is a tight fit so you have to back the truck in very carefully. Mine have had manual (hand-crank) and hydraulic jacks which are simple and cheap. The problem is to unload you have to raise the trailer, then move the truck, and then lower to a more userfriendly stable position. This takes some time, as each corner has to be raised/lowered one at a time. If you really wanted to take it on and off frequently, the way to go would be electric jacks that all operate at the same time. This would save a bunch of time.

Most people, including myself, just leave the camper on the truck for the duration of the camping trip. If I was staying somewhere for a week or more, it may make sense to remove it, but for shorter trips I just remove the jacks (less wind resistance) and leave the camper in. In general in takes me 30-45 minutes to fully load and secure the camper, not terrible but certainly longer than disconnecting a trailer hitch.

When shopping for campers, be very weary of weights. The GVWR of your truck will need to handle the weight of the passengers, all your camping gear in the camper (like water), as well as the weight of the camper and the tongue weight of the trailer. Most moderate sized campers with horse trailers will push the limits of even an 2500 truck.

Good Luck,

             Flush

P.S. There is a company that make a "frame" that is electrically raises and lowers the camper and "hugs" the camper to your truck. It is probably expensive, but appears to significantly reduce the loading/unloading time. I'll see if I can find a link. Edit, I found the thing I was thinking of, its called "stablelift"  //www.stablelift.com

 

 

 

 



Edited by Flush 2006-07-10 12:23 PM
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Dunoir
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2006-07-10 2:17 PM (#261 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 325

Location: Coconut Creek, FL

Stablelift is what my friends have on theirs.  They bought the camper used from fellow member in our trail riding club and we used it for several years and even trailered from South Fla to Montana several times.  He ended up selling it and got a LQ trailer. 

They used to pull a 2H but now pull a 3H Aluminum trailer with it to hold all their gear and 3 dogs that they bring with them. 

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walkin
Reg. Jan 2005
Posted 2006-07-10 2:24 PM (#262 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 212

Location: md
I ha a 8' 6" truck camper[coachmen] for years and loved it.  After the first time I did not need help to put it on or take it off.  i pulled a bumper pull merhow and then a prolite.  I never had trouble hooking up.  I would leave the camper for the season.
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farmbabe
Reg. Nov 2003
Posted 2006-07-10 4:01 PM (#263 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 937

Location: michigan
I did the truck camper- bumper pull for a while. My biggest beef was the door to the camper was in back, right in front of the hitch. In my case, I had to load horsey stuff in the camper ( no DR in the 16ft stock trailer) Although I never tripped and fell, it was a distinct possiblity that cross my mind as I hauled the stuff out. I never unhooked the rig at shows since getting it back together was tough and embarrassing ( i can't back anything up) The set up is one of many options. I prefer my current Gn trailer.
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sskinner
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2006-07-11 10:12 AM (#264 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers






Posts: 44

Location: New Richmond, Wisconsin
We currently have a truck camper & love the flexibility as we do more than just horse activities. We have two young girls, as they get older we will be shopping for a LQ trailer for more room. A draw back with young kids is the climbing in and out; if not them, it's us going for toys, diapers, etc... A rainy day can make the camper feel pretty small, but if you tend to spend a lot of time outside it's not that bad. I think ideally they are perfect for two people. We do drop the trailer but have never unloaded the camper at the site, we are able to get into smaller sites but have to be aware of our height. Don't want branches poking holes in the roof. We have hand jacks but my husband made a little attachment for his power drill that speeds things up. We also have a dolly that the camper rests on that we can wheel right up to that back of the truck before loading; it makes lining things up a lot easier. I say it probably takes 20-30 minutes to load/unload. Be sure to measure the narrowest end of the box (where the tailgate meets up) and also the width of the camper where it rests in the box, especially if it has a bathroom before buying. There's not usually much room for error, and not all makes of trucks/campers are the same. Be sure to have enough truck to handle everything, remember that 1 gallon of water weighs 8 pounds so things like that can really add up fast. We have airbags in the truck and it makes a big difference in the handling. Once you get used to the top heavy sway and adjust your driving accordingly, you'll get along great!
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bechack
Reg. Mar 2006
Posted 2006-07-12 1:26 PM (#265 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 71

Location: Coarsegold, CA
Have done this camper/horse trailer thing for 14+ years.  I took the jack off the trailer!!  Had a ring welded on the side of the trailer tongue for a removable boat jack. I store it in the tack room.  I never have to worry about falling on the hitch any more. 
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Horsin Around
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2006-07-16 6:41 PM (#266 - in reply to #257)
Subject: RE: Truck campers





Posts: 12

Location: Shawnee, OK

Not sure if you mean actually pulling a trailer with camper on top and then a bumper pull horsetrailer?

I've had a pickup camper and GN trailer and I'll never go back to a pickup camper.

I like not having the heavy weight on the truck which you do need to adjust your driving more so not to sway.  I didn't like driving on a windy day.  It's much easier to hitch since I'm hitching be myself.  I don't have to hear  the grumbling about putting the camper on and off. 

When I'm on vacation I love being able to unhitch my trailer so I can use my truck to check out the local area, go out to eat, etc.  I like having the extra room in the truck bed to haul hay etc.  A GN is easier for me to back and I can always park and setup by myself.  If I miss my turn traveling, it's easier to turn around because I can do a u-turn where with a bumper pull I couldn't do it. 

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