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AllenTC2
post Jul 29 2017, 05:50 AM
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Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



Hey all,

I'm considering my retirement options, all of which need to be relatively low cost (which will sound funny when you hear my ideas relative to this site). I'm planning on retiring from the military in the next 5-6 years, and one of my courses of action may be to get a truck and camper and spend my time wandering the US, Canada, Mexico, and wherever else I can get my wheels to.

Very steep learning curve! I'm having to wrap my head around axle weights, diesel v gas, slide-ins, etc. etc. etc. I'm looking primarily at Lance and Host products. Not the monster ones (though I suppose all are "big" compared to the camper I rode around in with my family as a child) but like the Lance 975 or Host Rainier.

I was wondering if any of you all full-time in your camper? How has that been? The biggest drawback I've been able to find is it'll be tough to host the grandkids (if/when they come to be LOL).
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Chief 2
post Jul 30 2017, 05:20 AM
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Group: Members
Posts: 59
Joined: 19-March 17
Member No.: 9,469
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2005 Chevrolet 3500 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac with Quick Loads
Truck and Camper Setup: 2005 Chevy 3500 4x4 Edge Attitude, 4" exhaust, Airaid Air Intake, Ranchos, Air Bags, Hellwig Big Wig, Cabover struts. Lance 1172 loaded with 200 watt Renogy solar and Zamp controller



We have spent up to 6 mos. in ours the first an 1181 and now the 1172. Both have been roomy compared to some. Most of the time it was no issue for the DW and I. Lots of time spent outside when weather permitting and we get along really well. Down side is having storage sufficient to put your stuff, but being in the military you probably haven't accumulated much anyway. Consider a 1 ton dually when you go truck shopping as you may upgrade to a bigger camper down the road and you don't want to be restricted by truck size. Retirement will come soon. Good to start planning your escape now.
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SidecarFlip
post Jul 30 2017, 10:39 AM
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Group: Members
Posts: 472
Joined: 15-October 16
Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



You need to consider a Northstar as well. Northstar has a swing out 'add a room' that isn't a slide and don't add the weight or the complexity of a slide to the unit. Northstar builds very high quality hardsides and soft side (P'UP) units.

Nice thing about Northstar is you can spec them how you want, unlike a 'cookie cutter' Lance.

I owned (and subsequently sold) a Lance and while it was a nice unit, there are better ones out there. Lance is notoriously heavy and Lance 's advertised weights aren't even close to actual weight, IOW, much heavier.
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AllenTC2
post Jul 31 2017, 06:41 AM
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Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



Thanks for the advisement. The 12 STC looks nice. It looks a little cramped for full-time living, but was reading an interview with the Northstar head guy....he alluded to the fact that some places don't allow slide-outs?

One thing I'm kinda lost on....."basements". What does this mean in the truck camper world? All of these campers have some form of subfloor stowage. Is there something that sets a basement model apart from a non-basement?
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Colorado_Kid
post Jul 31 2017, 02:37 PM
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Group: Members
Posts: 7
Joined: 9-July 16
Member No.: 9,053
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: None
Type of Tiedowns used: None
Truck and Camper Setup: Have none yet but will be buying one within the next year.



QUOTE(AllenTC2 @ Jul 31 2017, 05:41 AM)
Thanks for the advisement. The 12 STC looks nice. It looks a little cramped for full-time living, but was reading an interview with the Northstar head guy....he alluded to the fact that some places don't allow slide-outs?

One thing I'm kinda lost on....."basements". What does this mean in the truck camper world? All of these campers have some form of subfloor stowage. Is there something that sets a basement model apart from a non-basement?
*



A basement in a truck camper just refers to the storage space you can access on the outside of the truck camper. Must hard side truck campers have them but for people who do a lot of off roading they usually get the pop up truck campers that don't have basements.
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AllenTC2
post Jul 31 2017, 02:50 PM
Post #6





Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



So like the spots for generators, propane canisters, etc.? Or that big pull out tray I've seen on some campers?

FWIW, I don't anticipate any true "off-roading", though I understand that means different things to different people. I envision things like fire roads, etc., not gnarly rock-hopping. LOL As I want to do it full-time, I think a hard side is a must. It'll be my home and while I can deal with small spaces, I still want a little room. I've already decided a dry bathroom is also a requirement. LOL
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SidecarFlip
post Jul 31 2017, 10:10 PM
Post #7





Group: Members
Posts: 472
Joined: 15-October 16
Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



Problem is, no TC has a lot of room compared to say a TT. It's all about maximizing the space you have available. If you need more space. unfurl your awning and sit outside....

If you are going to do any off road stuff, even fire roads, forget a camper with a high CG (aka: basement). You won't like the feeling of the camper sawing back and forth, been there did that with my Lance and thats why I have a P'UP now.

All TC's are a compromise and full timing in a TC will be a challenge. You might consider a smaller motorhome if you want room and /or a unit like an Earth Roamer if you have the pcoketbook to afford one.
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AllenTC2
post Aug 1 2017, 11:44 AM
Post #8





Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



An Earthroamer would be nice, but I said a military retirement, not winning the lottery. biggrin.gif

Space is relative. I'd like enough room for two adults to pass in the main area without one having to sit down.

Okay, so no basement = lower CG = better 'handling'. Check.
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skyhammer
post Aug 1 2017, 03:45 PM
Post #9





Group: Members
Posts: 91
Joined: 3-July 11
From: NW Calif.
Member No.: 5,520
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Host
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2011 F-350,4WD,CC,DRW
Type of Tiedowns used: Tork lift fast guns
Truck and Camper Setup: Air bags, tork lift stable loads,Reese extension hitch. Host 11.5' triple slide



QUOTE(AllenTC2 @ Jul 31 2017, 06:41 AM)
Thanks for the advisement. The 12 STC looks nice. It looks a little cramped for full-time living, but was reading an interview with the Northstar head guy....he alluded to the fact that some places don't allow slide-outs?

One thing I'm kinda lost on....."basements". What does this mean in the truck camper world? All of these campers have some form of subfloor stowage. Is there something that sets a basement model apart from a non-basement?
*



Basements generally refer to those campers where the floor is above the bed rails.
If the floor is above the bed rails, you now have all that space between the floor and bed for storage.
Basement space is usually not used for built in generators, batteries or propane tank storage. On my camper, the generator, batteries and propane tanks are accessed from compartments on the side and back of the camper, not from the basement.
My basement is 4' 8" long, 4' wide and 22" high for storage, the rest of the basement up front is for the water tanks, which have their own door in the front of the camper, under the overhead to access the water tanks.
If you have a basement model, access to the converter, water pump, transfer switch, inverter, various water tanks, plumbing and wiring etc., is very accessible and much easier to work on.


--------------------
2011, F-350,CC,DRW,6.7,4WD
Air bags, Tork Lift Stable Loads
Host, 11.5' Tripple Slide
Tork Lift Fast Guns
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AllenTC2
post Aug 1 2017, 05:13 PM
Post #10





Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



QUOTE(skyhammer @ Aug 1 2017, 04:45 PM)
Basements generally refer to those campers where the floor is above the bed rails.
*



Okay, I think I understand that. So a basement means your TC will generally be taller as well? Which leads to the CG being higher? The Northstar STC being "basementless" has the walking area in between the bed rails. You lose some storage in exchange for a lower height/CG, correct?

I see you have a Host....Mammoth or Everest? What do you think about them? They look very nice on the inside, definitely a compromise between the 'comfort' of a motorcoach, and the 'go places' ability of a TC.

Next dumb question....these tie-down turnbuckles I see. What do they attach to on the truck? I've spoken to a couple of CSRs online, they can't tell me if that is a dealer installed item or what. I assume there is something attached to the frame that sticks out from between the truck cab and the bed, and somewhere around the rear bumper.
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Nobody
post Aug 2 2017, 11:48 AM
Post #11





Group: Members
Posts: 124
Joined: 5-November 12
Member No.: 6,339
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Palomino
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: '99 Ford F-250 SuperCab long bed, 7.3L Power Stroke
Type of Tiedowns used: Blackstone Mfg Co Camper Clampers, looking for TorkLift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2003 SunLite 8.5 WTSB, modified roof lift to support roof air



I've owned truck campers since the mid 1960s from basic 8' box slide ins to the largest side entry camper you could buy in the mid/late 1980s. I owned a 1985 F250 single cab with the 6.9L IDI diesel engine, a C-6 auto tranny & 3:55 gear ratio rear end. We made the Alaska Hiway trip in that rig, towing a small 4WD Toyota P/U. I'd added Air Lift air bags to the rear suspension, & Cabover 'struts' for stability, & at something over 3K lbs traveling weight I was somewhat overloaded but not excessively so. I retired from the USAF in 1977 & from my 'retirement' job in 1992. We made the Alaska trip in Jun-Sep 1993 & thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. If I were a little younger & in better health we'd do it again, this time with the truck & camper only. The little Toyota came in really handy when we drove the Pipeline Haul Road but other than that we didn't use it much. I think we'd have done just as well using the truck/camper only even with the 'oversize camper.

I've never owned a truck camper with a 'basement' & don't know if I'd like that much height, especially with the raised COG. I've never felt uncomfortable with sway of a large cabover camper (except taking the Real-Lite home before I got the air bags & cabover struts installed. On the Alaska trip we averaged between 12-14mpg. I think for the entire trip including towing the Toyota. I currently own a '99 F250, SuperCab, Super Duty, long bed, with a 7.3L turbo diesel that carries a 2003 8.5" Sun-Lite pop-up type truck camper. My camper has a toilet but no water heater or indoor shower, tho it does have an outside cold water shower. I'm gettin' too old to use that much except for rinsing dishes. We've owned close to a dozen truck campers including 4 Pop-ups, & hauled 'em with everything from a '63 GMC V-6 to the current 7.3L turbo diesel. Have not had any experience with the GM DuraMax or the older Detroit diesels, nor the Dodge Cummins, but I've heard nothing but good things about 'em, especially the GM with the Allison trans. I'm somewhat enamored with the Northstar, Northland, & other '4-season' campers. If I were equipping a rig for year round travel I think I'd look seriously at a GM 3500 (maybe dual rear wheels & 4WD) & a Northstar solid wall camper. If I were thinking of a pop-up type camper I'd consider either a Northstar, an Outfitter, or a Hallmark. Most of them can be equipped to suit & all have a good reputation for longevity. Having used truck campers for over 50yrs that's my take on current offerings. I think the current offerings of both truck & campers are too large & too heavy for getting much off the 'beaten path.,' but then again I ain't as adventurous as I was once...
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AllenTC2
post Aug 2 2017, 12:37 PM
Post #12





Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



QUOTE(Nobody @ Aug 2 2017, 12:48 PM)
My camper has a toilet but no water heater or indoor shower, tho it does have an outside cold water shower. I'm gettin' too old to use that much except for rinsing dishes.
*



biggrin.gif I know what you mean. I spent 7 years in the infantry, and nowadays I cringe at the idea of having to use a portajohn.

Regrettably, Northstar doesn't have any dealers near me (in WV). But I will keep them on my short list. The 12 STC easily has the room for just me, just need to see if it "fits". And I have to also remember I'm still a while off from retirement. I have a few years yet.
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skyhammer
post Aug 2 2017, 04:21 PM
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Group: Members
Posts: 91
Joined: 3-July 11
From: NW Calif.
Member No.: 5,520
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Host
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2011 F-350,4WD,CC,DRW
Type of Tiedowns used: Tork lift fast guns
Truck and Camper Setup: Air bags, tork lift stable loads,Reese extension hitch. Host 11.5' triple slide



QUOTE(AllenTC2 @ Aug 1 2017, 05:13 PM)
Okay, I think I understand that. So a basement means your TC will generally be taller as well? Which leads to the CG being higher? The Northstar STC being "basementless" has the walking area in between the bed rails. You lose some storage in exchange for a lower height/CG, correct?

I see you have a Host....Mammoth or Everest? What do you think about them? They look very nice on the inside, definitely a compromise between the 'comfort' of a motorcoach, and the 'go places' ability of a TC.

Next dumb question....these tie-down turnbuckles I see. What do they attach to on the truck? I've spoken to a couple of CSRs online, they can't tell me if that is a dealer installed item or what. I assume there is something attached to the frame that sticks out from between the truck cab and the bed, and somewhere around the rear bumper.
*



Yes, with a basement, your height will higher. Without a basement you lose a massive amount of storage. Without a basement your floor space is limited to width between the wheel wells. With a basement, even without slides, your floor space will wider, not restricted by the wheel wells. With my slides out, my floor is 8' wide.With the rear slide out, I gain a little under 3' in floor length and gain a couch and more cabinets.
I use Tork lift tie downs, they attach to the frame, front and rear. They are not cheap and your camper dealer can install them.
IMO, Host is one of the better campers. Host doesn't sell small or non slide campers.Rarely are any two Host campers built the same. Host will customize your camper pretty much any way your want. If it is not on their option list, don't worry, just tell them what you want and if they can, they will build it.
Hosts are one of the more expensive campers. I bought mine direct from the factory and watched them build it and made changes during the process. Since no dealer was involved, I didn't have dealer markup. They are sold exclusively through dealer now.


--------------------
2011, F-350,CC,DRW,6.7,4WD
Air bags, Tork Lift Stable Loads
Host, 11.5' Tripple Slide
Tork Lift Fast Guns
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SidecarFlip
post Aug 4 2017, 11:56 AM
Post #14





Group: Members
Posts: 472
Joined: 15-October 16
Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



Not everyone wants to cart around a barge. I realize we live in a society where 'bigger is better' but not everyone ascribes to that philosophy.
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AllenTC2
post Aug 9 2017, 04:07 PM
Post #15





Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-July 17
Member No.: 9,679
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet. Leaning towards Host and Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Subaru Forester xD
Type of Tiedowns used: none...except when carrying kayaks
Truck and Camper Setup: I am here to learn about that very thing.



So can someone explain to me the merits of diesel vs gas engines? Seems to me diesel offers longer engine life, slightly better mileage, and more torque. The torque part seems to me to be more important for towing something than carrying.....but I'm not the sharpest tool in the toolshed when it comes to this stuff.

After a lot of reading this weekend, I am pretty sure I want to keep my payload within the specs of the vehicle (despite what appears to be a lot of evidence that one CAN safely motor while exceeding the GVWR). I'm looking at perhaps a F550 chassis cab with some form of custom "box" to put the camper in.
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skyhammer
post Aug 10 2017, 03:14 PM
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Group: Members
Posts: 91
Joined: 3-July 11
From: NW Calif.
Member No.: 5,520
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Host
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2011 F-350,4WD,CC,DRW
Type of Tiedowns used: Tork lift fast guns
Truck and Camper Setup: Air bags, tork lift stable loads,Reese extension hitch. Host 11.5' triple slide



Yes, in general diesels have a longer engine life, better mileage and more torque. Torque is important with a camper, especially with the larger ones. It takes a lot of power and torque to overcome the wind resistance with the huge frontal area of the larger campers.
Maintenance is more costly on a diesel, more oil, more batteries and fuel filters.
Most newer gas engines don't have a fuel filter that the owner can change as it is in the fuel tank.
A C&C model will have a larger payload and GVWR, but the engine, while the same size, has considerably less power and torque.You lose more than 100 HP and more than 150lbs of torque, but the engine will probably last longer.
If you can live with less HP and torque C&C is the way to go. C&C don't have near the available options either.Also, depending upon the state you live in, license and registration can be higher and with a flat bed, you may have to stop at weigh stations.


--------------------
2011, F-350,CC,DRW,6.7,4WD
Air bags, Tork Lift Stable Loads
Host, 11.5' Tripple Slide
Tork Lift Fast Guns
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