Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Need camper advice!, Best camper for my use.

[marchesi]

I currently own a 4x4 Ford Sportsmobile Diesel van and spend half of my time in Montana and half of my time in Baja Mexico. I am looking for something a little more spacious and that doesn't need to be popped up every time I want to camp. So I decided to look at hardsided campers. I need insulation for Montana, light weight and durability for Baja. The washboard in Baja will absolutely destroy anything that is not built to last. I looked at the Northen Lite and Bigfoot. I like the construction of the campers and the weight but they are so dam big. I wish they didn't hang off the back an extra foot. I am also concerned with gas mileage. I am planning to get a diesel truck. What kind of gas mileage should I expect with one of those monsters? How will they drive in the small curvy roads of Mexico? How will they handle off road? They seem so top heavy. Any hard sided campers that are light weight, compact and durable?

[Dave D.]

Nope, nothing lightweight in a hardside. Sounds like you need a 4Wheel Camper. They are pop-up though you can get an insulating skirt for the canvass to cover off cold weather. Very low profile so you will save on fuel.

Most of all you will get to your baja destination relaxed instead of white knuckling a top heavy camper over poor roads.

[marchesi]

Nope, nothing lightweight in a hardside.  Sounds like you need a 4Wheel Camper.  They are pop-up though you can get an insulating skirt for the canvass to cover off cold weather.  Very low profile so you will save on fuel.

Most of all you will get to your baja destination relaxed instead of white knuckling a top heavy camper over poor roads.

Good point David!

[elkhornsun]

There are campers for short bed trucks like the Lance 815/825, 855 that weigh between 2000 and 2400 lbs dry and these are hard sided campers. For the bad roads of Mexico or for that matter much of California a truck like the Chevy 3/4 or 1 tons with an independent front suspension will make a noticeable difference in ride comfort.

There are Lance models that have double pane windows which help with condensation in the winter and have more insulation or the Arctic Fox type but these are 1000-1500 lbs heavier. How much you gain in thermal efficiency with such a small space and a 14,000 or higher BTU furnace is something to consider.

The advantage of a 4x4 is you can go slower on bad sections of road and save the suspension, camper, and your and your passengers from unnecessary damage.

[Jethrock]

I currently own a 4x4 Ford Sportsmobile Diesel van and spend half of my time in Montana and half of my time in Baja Mexico.  I am looking for something a little more spacious and that doesn't need to be popped up every time I want to camp.  So I decided to look at hardsided campers.  I need insulation for Montana, light weight and durability for Baja.  The washboard in Baja will absolutely destroy anything that is not built to last.  I looked at the Northen Lite and Bigfoot. I like the construction of the campers and the weight but they are so dam big.  I wish they didn't hang off the back an extra foot.  I am also concerned with gas mileage.  I am planning to get a diesel truck.  What kind of gas mileage should I expect with one of those monsters?  How will they drive in the small curvy roads of Mexico?  How will they handle off road?  They seem so top heavy.  Any hard sided campers that are light weight, compact and durable?

Did you ever decide on a rig? I am in a similar position, part time in the snowy mountains and part time in the dusty desert. I've had a pop up for years and it just doesn't work...in the mountains it's cold and wet with leaks/condensation. At night the heater cycles on and off and it's very noisy in the wind. In the desert if the AC isn't running it's over 100 degrees and dust collects all over the inside. What's needed is a hardside (preferabley with a slide out) for the conditions that is also durable enough for the roads. Of course there are vehicles designed for this like Earthroamer http://www.earthroamer.com/ or Tiger http://www.tigervehicles.com/ , but they are crazy expensive.

What are your thoughts??

[PRodacy]

Lightweight is relative. Check out Okanagan campers. They went out of business in 2008, but used ones are available. I bought a 2006 9-foot model that onl;y weighs around 2700 pounds dry (no slide-outs, but more room than many with slides). 55-gallon fresh water tank, very large black and grey tanks. Originally had a 5-year warranty compared to all others who only offer a 1-year warranty (gives an ideas of the build quality). My use is similar to yours - very rough roads, desert and Colorado mountains. Last trip, a friend with a Lance 992 had his microwave tear loose and drop to the floor, developed a leak in his water tank, and the oven quit working - he blamed the rough road. The Okanagan was fine.

I have a 6.6 liter diesel with a 4x4 crew cab dually and get around 16mpg driving Colorado mountains.