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Truck Camper Forum _ Truck Camper Specs _ Does anyone 4x4 with their camper??

Posted by: Portofinoqp Jul 29 2013, 09:56 PM

I bought a 99 dodge long bed 3500 4x4 cummins with a 6 inch lift with front and rear bags. I'm looking at a Artic Fox 990 but am concerned in regards to how they hold up in off road conditions. I live half the year in a remote area of Colorado that definatley takes 4 low to get too. Does anyone have any experience in similar situations? I've attached a photo of my truck as well for compatibility. I've never owned a camper and this is a big purchase for me any help is greatly appreciated. Don't judge the wheels I bought it with them.
Thank You
Ian

Posted by: regal292 Jul 30 2013, 07:34 PM

We take ours off road a lot but the roads are mostly forest roads, some parts require 4x4. Definitely use it in the snow. You just need to be careful about the sway and the road not tilting to much. I would probably put on frame mounted tie downs to insure you don't pull the bed off the truck. you still need to be careful in going to fast on a ruff road you may not pull the frame mounts out but you could pull the mounts out of the camper. that's the best thing about a truck camper, you can take it more places than a trailer or motorhome. http://s38.photobucket.com/user/regal292/media/fdc47d96-eb0d-4140-b530-ca5fd7ff4dc8_zpsd3fdbde7.jpg.html http://s38.photobucket.com/user/regal292/media/PD_0088_zpsb6642fcc.jpg.html

Posted by: DuneYeti Aug 1 2013, 08:00 AM

You might want to check out Expeditionportal.com they have some info on this subject in their forum.
This is the only off-road stuff I do with mine. Along with some beach camping.
[attachmentid=527]

Posted by: Freespool Jun 8 2016, 06:38 PM

Google "9 reasons to buy a Northstar" Mike is very happy with his Laredo/Dodge 4x4 3500 combo, he actually gets off road with it. Northstar has some great options that would serve you well. There windows are the best, two options for black water and two different style fridges. Pair up a portable 2-3k generator from Honda with a 9K AC and twin 31XT Life Lines and you would have a very cool rig for 1 or 2 adults. Get the extra insulation package and don't worry about winter. Read all of Mikes articles, I think you will learn a lot. Have fun

Posted by: RedneckExpress Jun 27 2016, 06:16 PM

Forestry and BLM roads, mostly. The ones out in Lake County, Oregon were pretty close to jeep trails in some areas, had to creep slowly over rocks to keep from tossing the truck around violently.

Posted by: DA TOAD Jun 28 2016, 04:46 AM

I think my main concern, in forested country would be puncturing the camper with tree limbs. I had to trim up trees in my driveway to clear the 13' I need.

Posted by: RedneckExpress Jun 28 2016, 05:31 PM

QUOTE(DA TOAD @ Jun 28 2016, 04:46 AM)
I think my main concern, in forested country would be puncturing the camper with tree limbs.  I had to trim up trees in my driveway to clear the 13' I need.
*



Depends on the road. A quick fix is to make a flexible pvc pole that you can break down and attach it out in front and go slow so if the pole or poles move. You can stop in time.

Most Oregon blm/usfs roads are usually pretty clear, some of us carry a pole saw for times when it may be questionable.

Posted by: emcvay Jan 9 2018, 05:22 PM

I took my Angler 9D off road several times with no issue. Steep grades, 4low, lots of rocking back and forth etc but I took it slow and didn't rush. I'll see if I can find any pics of where I've taken...oh wait, here, this road I've done with the camper but on this trip I was in my work truck, it was just to show what the road to our cabin is like in the winter.

Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCEg3henqDE

Note: The rough sections starts 2:20 into the vid

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 9 2018, 08:46 PM

If you did that with a TC, you'd have ti do a helluva lot of trimming, even with a pop up TC.

Posted by: emcvay Jan 10 2018, 09:55 AM

Drove my 9D right up there. Sure, had some branches scrape now and again, but no damage at all. Just had to take it very slow.

Now, to be fair, the 9D is not nearly as tall as the new campers with basements and more headroom etc but still, the OP asked about 4 wheelin' biggrin.gif

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 10 2018, 09:21 PM

I'm kind of in the same boat you are, I access on a seasonal road in the forest and every year, first in trip always entails some trimming but my access is narrower than yours is and more densely forested.

I would never go in, in the winter. Way too much snow. 3 feet up where I have my ground is normal..

I like your sawmill video's too.

Posted by: emcvay Jan 11 2018, 08:53 AM

Fortunately I have neighbors who plow once in a while (when the snow builds up) and I try to get in and do so also. We have had 4-5 feet on the ground up there before I bought and it appears we're headed back that way (neighbors tell me it's cyclical and we're headed back to deeper snow). Last year we had two feet that stuck around a while (snow, melt, snow some more, melt, repeat).

Thanks for the kind note on the mill. I need to do some new ones!

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