i sold my 2001 Ford for a 2018 Dodge 3500. It has a camera in the tailgate, that must be removed to install camper.

I got a direct plug in Camera from Brandmotion. Plugs into the stock factory plug in the back of the bed, and has extension to allow mounting on the camper. Mine mounts above the license plate. Only complaint is the cable that it came with is way too long, I had to zip tie all the slack. Also, the camper is mounted to the side of the camper, vs center, so takes some getting used to.

Very happy with it. Nice to be able to use the in dash display. Put in reverse adn camera comes on. I recall cost was about $200

I had a 2001 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, air bags with a Lance 820. Truck did great. I then bought an AF 811; big difference. Much heavier with higher CG. I safely used that combo for 3 years, but always felt overloaded (as I was) and had to drive very defensive.

I have since sold the truck and have a 2018 Ram 3500, single axle. What a huge difference. It has a 3900 payload and handles the load great. Yes, still at or above GVW, but truck is very stable. The new auto exhaust brakes are amazing.

I think the old slide outs were very heavy. Lance and others are finally starting to put campers on a diet.

Thanks. Ordered a memory foam online. Needed 2" narrower then a standard queen in the AF. Old one out, will unpack new one in place.

I just added a camera to my 2011 AF 811. My 2018 Dodge had a back up camera. I bought a new camera with harness from Brandmotion??, I need to look at my old emails. Camera works great. It is off center, as it mounts to my camper license plate frame. So takes some getting used to compared to the truck tailgate camera. For normal use, is fantastic. Backing up to a trailer not so good as not at center.

Still at great safety addition. When I first got it, it had the wrong plug to match my truck. They quickly corrected it at no cost.

I nice addition and nice it uses my dash display.

Time to replace the queen mattress in my TC.

Any recommendations?

I have only done that a few times, but never any issues.

Look forward to the reply's. My camper is outside in Placerville. My current cover is a fitted camper cover, that keeps sun and debris off it, but not rain. Concerned if having a full tarp over it would lead to mold?

I think sun it the biggest issue with outside storage. Wish I had a garage tall enough for the camper.

Considering building a tall garage, but hard to justify spending $75K to protect a $30K camper.

if only more money....

looking for a used short bed camper with slide out - Lance or Artic Fox.

I have an AF 811. Now friend is looking for one

thx

I had Lance for 15 years, bought new. Never had an issue, but did have some water damage at back window by dinette that I could never find source of. It was an 820 with no AC or gen. Our 2001 F250 worked fine. Never felt over weight even when towing a jeep on trailer.

We have since bought a used 811 Artic Fox. Very happy with the camper, but it is definitely heavier with AC, Slide and Generator. Also has a basement, so CG higher. Used the F250 on a few trips, including a few long trips with jeep in tow. Got home fine, but really felt different. Advertised weights were about 300# apart, but actual weight likely much different, as was CG.

I still have the AF camper, but have a new 3500 Dodge, CC, diesel. Trucks have come a long ways in 17 years. it has a payload or about 3900 pounds and feels much more stable. Auto exhaust brake amazing. A lot of the change is likely due to 3/4 ton/1 ton, plus 16 years newer.

Back to the issue of weight, TC's are heavy. I have not been on scales with either camper, but felt the increase with the more equipped AF (as expected). I now feel confident with the new truck.

Both campers have been 100% reliable and I would recommend either. Lots of choices out there. I think the bigger decisions is "simple camper" for off road use, vs " fancy camper" which is like a house on wheels. I wish I could afford both in the garage. Our simple camper is a tent and Jeep.

I have never had a trailer, but assume a camper slide out is essentially the same. You rely on motors, gears and tracks to extend and retract the slide out. Yes, you can slide it while on the truck. In fact you essentially have to in order to enter the camper. I can barely squeak by when the slide is in. Trick is to remember to slide it back in after that quick rest stop.

There is a manual crank backup system, but still complex. Since most trailers and 5thers have slides, I think it is safe to say manufacturers have it figured out. For a camper I think the issue is weight (and cost go up). With your 1 ton dually you should have the payload needed.

Pop ups seem like a great idea for a rig that goes offroad a lot. I took my Lance places people said I could not go. The Artic Fox is considerably heavier and taller, so really can't take it down a trail.

I see the biggest issue with pop ups is the small door. Every option has its pros and cons, just like a 5th vs TC.

With that truck you have a lot of options. I had a 2001 Lance 820 for 15 years, and now have an Artic Fox 811. Both a short bed campers. Campers get tight for 4 people, both on sleeping and moving around; especially with 4 adults. We had 4 of us in the Lance (2 kids, 2 adults), and a dog. Worked OK. Now just the two of us in the 811.

The Artic Fox has a slide out, which makes the living space so much more spacious. But the slide out comes at expense of cost, weight and complexity. If need to sleep 3 to 4 adults, look for as long as a dinette as you can as that is the second bed.

It is very easy to get over weight with any truck/TC combo. Likely not an issue until some event happens. I had a truck/camper combo for 17 years that worked great, never an issue. It was legally overweight from day one. I then bought a new (used) camper that was even heavier, and had a higher CG.

Drove that combo without issue for 2 years, but really had to be defensive on managing speed. Lucky never had an issue, but had to be on my toes.

I have since sold the truck and bought a 2018 Dodge SW. Things have come a long ways in 17 years. This truck is a 3500 vs a 250. I am now close, but still over, GVW. With new trannie and auto exhaust brakes, it is so much more manageable. Truck also has much less sway, given 1 ton vs 3/4 ton, plus fact truck and springs are new.

I now comfortably and I feel safely carry my TC. I also tow a 7,000 pound trailer at times which actually helps braking given the dual axle brakes. My only concern now are the tires on the single rear axle of the truck. I operate within the rating of the tires, but still have a lot of weight on single tires. Never have had a tire blow while towing, but feel that is the weak link. Plenty of power, plenty of braking, at/near GVW, but still relying on a single tire. Fortunately tires these days are very good.

I had a Lance 820 for 15 years. Bought new and never had any issues. Sold it to get one with more room - and generator and AC. Bought a 2 year old Artic Fox 811 which has been great.

I think the one piece "roof" of the Lance was better. I think Lance has an aluminum roof, vs AF vinyl? Neither has leaked. I like the new nose of the Lance cabover.

Like others have said, no camper is perfect for all occasions. The AF has all the bells and whistles, but is heavy and more complicated with the slide out. Also considerably heavier.

Would be nice to have the Lance for deer camp/off road traveling, and AF for all road camping.

We have been happy with both.

We have an Artic Fox 811. It has a sliding bathroom door. I can barely get into the camper with the slide in, but I can do it (36" waist). I can also get to the bathroom with the slide in. That said, when we stop and need to access the camper, I usually bump out slide a few inches. Much easier access.

Key is to remember to put the slide back in after those quick stops. I have almost done it a few times. I have learned to do a mental check list, and check my passenger side mirror prior to pulling out.

I do not know if the Lance models have similar access. I expect so

Thanks I do have it on local Craigslist, will try RV trader. Figure a TC forum would be the perfect place to find someone who could use it.

I have had a truck and camper since 2011. Often towed a 7000 flat bed with trailer behind the camper. I used the Torklift dual receiver, with the Super Truss extension. Never an issued.

3 years ago got a new camper, and a new Super Truss. I have since got a new truck and bought a new Super Truss.

I have my 2 year old, used once, extension on Market forum. Hope someone can use it for half what it cost new

Likely a good choice. Like all things, life if full of compromises. I took my Lance 820 places people said it could not go while getting into hunting camps. I never felt concerned nor had a problem.

With old truck, or even new one, I would not take my newer Artic Fox 811 to the same camps. Just that much heavier, and higher center of gravity. Plus has more overhang.

See other topics about trading in trailers/RVs for a TC. We have only had a TC (tons of tent camping), and for the two of us provides all we need. We tend to stay outside in camp, and use TC for cooking, sleeping, and restroom. That said, as I get closer to retirement a Fifth Wheel is interesting, but likely not to happen. As long as we can climb the steps into our 811, it really is great for us.

Back to the topic, our Lance 820 was a great camper Really had all we needed. We were at a flux in life and sold it (in a day). Then friends got at TC, and we started looking and found great deal on AF 811. Love it. We also love tent camping in the middle of now where with Tent/Jeep.

What F rated tires do you run? I am always concerned about the single rear tires. I have E rated at about 3,500#. I would love to get I higher rating.

Things were rated different back in 2001. My F250, CC, SB, 4WD, 7.3 had a list payload of only 1400 pounds. Crazy. We all know it can handle much more. Was concerned about times about liability if in accident when overloaded.

My 2018 3500 SWR Dodge has a payload for 3900 pounds. Even with that payload, once I add camper, people, water, dog, the tie downs, propane etc, I am likely over weight.

I added airbags from day one, which gave me ride weight. Friend with similar set up on a F350 also added airbags. I do not have airbags on my new one-ton and it seems to handle much better. Air bags give height, but they "slosh" back and forth giving sway.

I owned a 2001 Ford F250 CC shortbed 7.3 diesel for 17 years. Also had a Lance 820 for 15 years. That combo worked great, even when towing a jeep on a flat bed. Plenty of power and felt I could control the load. Yes was over weight even with the Lance

I sold the Lance and bought a 2011 Artic Fox 811 w/slide out. Night and day difference in the camper with the basement, slide out, AC and generator. So much more room than the Lance, even tough both about the same length. That slide out adds to the complexity also, but so far so good.

My Ford handled it well, but the camper was much heavier, and more top heavy. I felt it was much too for the truck when it came to stopping and stability. It stopped better when towing the Jeep due to the dual brakes on the trailer. But overloaded. Got 12 mpg towing, about the same has a Lance.

I have since sold the Ford and bought a 2018 Dodge 3500 short bed single axle. What a huge difference on stability and stopping. Auto exhaust brake is amazing, as are bigger brakes. Just hope the new truck is as reliable as the old 7.3

I know you main question was MPG, but thought I would share my experiecce.

For Sale - 28" Torklift Super truss hitch extension. 2 years old, used once. Bought a new truck with a shorted bed, so had to get a longer extension.

These are $500 new. For Sale $250. Located near Sacramento, CA