Truck Campers

[Wildman]

Toyota's new offering to the mix. Sort of reminds me of the old Toyota campers they offered in the 80's.


https://newatlas.com/automotive/toyota-tacozilla-4x4-camper-truck/

 

[Wildman]

In a TCM exclusive interview, Pierre-Mathieu Roy, President and Creative Director of LOKI Basecamp, explains the extreme off-road, all-weather concept of the Icarus.
From the fiberglass shell and aluminum frame, to the heated floors and 12-volt air conditioning, the Icarus series is ready to play; anywhere and in any condition.
https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/.../exclusive.../

 

[Apparition]

In a TCM exclusive interview, Pierre-Mathieu Roy, President and Creative Director of LOKI Basecamp, explains the extreme off-road, all-weather concept of the Icarus.
From the fiberglass shell and aluminum frame, to the heated floors and 12-volt air conditioning, the Icarus series is ready to play; anywhere and in any condition.
https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/.../exclusive.../


View attachment 289616


View attachment 289617


View attachment 289618

Damn, that’s expensive. Looks nice though.

 

[Wildman]

Damn, that’s expensive. Looks nice though.

Yep my jaw HIT the ground when I read the price. But it's a sweet looking setup.

 

[TurboTJ]

Yeah, mighty expensive for 1) no bathroom, 2) no kitchen except for a movable induction hotplate, 3) no heater except for the floor, 4) no jacks, 5) no step or platform, 6) no propane (but 5 gallons external diesel just for the water heater!!), and 7) precious little storage. Between the heated floor and the 12V A/C you're going to need that 600 A-hr battery. That external frame that is supposed to make it really strong doesn't look structural at all.

 

[LarryTJ]

When I purchased my used Lance 951 (couple years ago) I knew it would weigh more than my prior Lance camper and what got my attention was looking at the weight when I drove the truck and camper onto the scales (front axle first than rear - eye opener) so I pulled the trigger on some Method NV 305 HD 18" (4500lbs max load) wheels and Cooper ATIII LT275/70R/18 (rated at 3640lbs per tire). I was looking at purchasing the ICON HD Rebound (4000 max load) but waiting for 8 weeks and that got pushed back another 4-5 weeks and honestly who knows when they would arrive so i decided to go with the Method. Gave the truck a more aggressive look, I'm happy with the feel of the Cooper tires, no road noise, quiet on the bumps, smooth but I did notice the mass/weight increase so no more tail gating . I could also carry a spare in the OEM underside slot.

 

[Wildman]

A website for campers.

https://camperbeast.com/

 

[josb612]

Not for me but it's interesting https://backwoodscamperco.com/

 

[Wildman]

2022 Truck Camper Buyers Guide

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/truck-campers-buyers-guide/

 

[LJtheunicorn]

Since BOOmbOOm brought up this style of camper I figured I share a few manufacturers

Four Wheel Truck Campers They make some very nice campers that can be mounted onto flat bed truck or slide in for a standard truck bed.


Palomino Truck Campers They offer both soft side and hard side campers.


Alaskan Truck Campers This from what I remember is one of the original collapsible type campers and have been around for years. I can remember this brand from back in the 60's even.


As has been pointed out there are so many options out there for the different styles and options of campers that of course what works for one may not work for the next person. There are also some CUSTOM built truck campers available out there. What you choose to spend is sort of like deciding on how much to spend on our Jeeps. The sky is the limit and you can have just a basic place to sleep out of the weather or go all out and have a camper that is close to the size of a small apartment if you choose. Fresh water & gray and black water holding tank sizes varies from brand to brand and by size.


As Turbo TJ said you'll be surprised at how much things actually weigh once you're loaded and ready to roll. It helps to run your rig across the scales just to see where you at once you have everything loaded up. I hope this helps others out for those who are thinking about purchasing a truck camper at some point.

Adding another to the list is Capri camper made just outside of Dallas Texas, they cater more to the rodeo crowd but are still a very cool camper in this category

 

[LJtheunicorn]

WOW folks you have got to check this new camper out.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/2022-palomino-hs-2912/
View attachment 286508

I think this is a badass idea and can’t believe it took the industry this long to make one with a back deck. Having two doors is also an awesome idea as that was my concern when I first clicked on the article

 

[LJtheunicorn]

After owning the 6.0 (its in the shop getting a new oring somewhere in the HP oil system for the injectors) i just want somethin that doesn't break and the 7.3 gasser sounds Great!

The 7.3 numbers are very similar to the diesel numbers of the 2003-2006 era and no one was complaining about them being underpowered back then. I am looking into buying a f-350 dually with the 7.3 for a truck camper Jeep on a trailer setup in the coming years.

 

[B00mb00m]

The 7.3 numbers are very similar to the diesel numbers of the 2003-2006 era and no one was complaining about them being underpowered back then. I am looking into buying a f-350 dually with the 7.3 for a truck camper Jeep on a trailer setup in the coming years.

That's how i feel about it as well. At this point I want simplicity in my life.

 

[LJtheunicorn]

That's how i feel about it as well. At this point I want simplicity in my life.

Well whoever gets one first report back! It’ll probably be a couple years until i end up with one as I refuse to buy a camper until I can store it under a roof or inside and at the current house I don’t have room for a camper or structure to put one in.

 

[Wildman]

I know it's about as a heated debate as Metal Cloak or?
I'm a diesel guy if I'm going to be driving any distance and hauling heavy. IMO that's a camper and Jeep on a trailer. Of course I'm talking about a double or triple slide camper too.
I worked at a RV shop and can't tell you the number of fried engines I either replaced or rebuilt because of their owners towing. These were in motorhomes and were 460's or 454's. So I learned from that and then driving semi's for a few years that diesel was the way to go. But if you aren't hauling long distances a gas engine is fine.
But I'll stay with a diesel.

 

[LJtheunicorn]

I know it's about as a heated debate as Metal Cloak or?
I'm a diesel guy if I'm going to be driving any distance and hauling heavy. IMO that's a camper and Jeep on a trailer. Of course I'm talking about a double or triple slide camper too.
I worked at a RV shop and can't tell you the number of fried engines I either replaced or rebuilt because of their owners towing. These were in motorhomes and were 460's or 454's. So I learned from that and then driving semi's for a few years that diesel was the way to go. But if you aren't hauling long distances a gas engine is fine.
But I'll stay with a diesel.

I believe that 100% anytime up until about the last 10 years. These new gas engines (ford 7.3 and GM 6.6) are pushing numbers around what an 05 duramax did stock so I don’t see an issue hauling smaller loads such as a truck camper and Jeep being towed by a gas engine nowadays.

I saw the new 6.6 gas Chevy being used as a hot shotter a few months ago hauling a gooseneck with 3 cars on it routinely.

He said his only complaint was fuel economy but had plenty of power for the loads he hauls, not as good as a diesel but did the work just fine. He said obviously the diesel would be much much more pleasant but he was doing fine. I do not know how many towing miles he had however.

 

[Wildman]

I believe that 100% anytime up until about the last 10 years. These new gas engines (ford 7.3 and GM 6.6) are pushing numbers around what an 05 duramax did stock so I don’t see an issue hauling smaller loads such as a truck camper and Jeep being towed by a gas engine nowadays.

I saw the new 6.6 gas Chevy being used as a hot shotter a few months ago hauling a gooseneck with 3 cars on it routinely.
View attachment 300599
He said his only complaint was fuel economy but had plenty of power for the loads he hauls, not as good as a diesel but did the work just fine. He said obviously the diesel would be much much more pleasant but he was doing fine. I do not know how many towing miles he had however.

It isn't just about the HP & TQ numbers. Now I've not kept up on the newer offerings of gas engines but for durability IMO a diesel can't be beat. But again if you are going to be DD the truck and only use it 1 weekend a month to haul a lighter camper (under 4k lbs) and tow your Jeep then I'd agree. But not for anything more.
But that's just my opinion.

 

[Bigmac]

Now don't get me wrong, got my first diesel last year and I don't ever want to go back, but I will say there are some pro's to the gas motor and I'd be willing to bet the 7.3 gas is more than up to the task of a middle weight TC and a jeep on your trailer.

My last truck camper was an f250 6.4L gas with the lance 825 weighing about 3500 fully loaded, 2200 lb trailer, 4400lb jeep, with about 800 lbs on the tongue.

though it screamed all through Colorado and averaged 3mpg in some places I only felt it really struggle once on a very tight very steep 15mph hairpin turn. That was with the 2011 f250 with tbe 6.4L gas motor.

If the 6.4 could handle it, the 7.3 would be just fine. If your going with like a double slide 1250 or something however... maybe think twice.

 

[B00mb00m]

Now don't get me wrong, got my first diesel last year and I don't ever want to go back, but I will say there are some pro's to the gas motor and I'd be willing to bet the 7.3 gas is more than up to the task of a middle weight TC and a jeep on your trailer.

My last truck camper was an f250 6.4L gas with the lance 825 weighing about 3500 fully loaded, 2200 lb trailer, 4400lb jeep, with about 800 lbs on the tongue.

though it screamed all through Colorado and averaged 3mpg in some places I only felt it really struggle once on a very tight very steep 15mph hairpin turn. That was with the 2011 f250 with tbe 6.4L gas motor.

If the 6.4 could handle it, the 7.3 would be just fine. If your going with like a double slide 1250 or something however... maybe think twice.

Thanks for the real-world feedback. The 7.3L appears to be superior in design to the 6.4L and also paired with more gears so assuming the 10 speed is up to it, should make the 7.3L struggle less than previous generations of gasser F250.

The 1/month hauling with maybe a couple times a year of camper + jeep (in future) makes it hard to swallow the extra cost and complexity of the modern diesel. I'm still driving my 6.0 diesel until I figure out the right thing to do. It's all i need from a capability perspective just annoyed at constant mechanical attention it requires.

 

[B00mb00m]

But again if you are going to be DD the truck and only use it 1 weekend a month to haul a lighter camper (under 4k lbs) and tow your Jeep then I'd agree. But not for anything more.

That is the exact description of my usage. I could almost just pick up a V10 F350 and Prius and be better off for my usage but I really don't want 4 vehicles.