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Truck Camper Forum _ General Discussion _ Current fixation with short bed pickups

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 23 2017, 01:22 PM

Cannot understand the current fixation with short and shorter bed pickup trucks. Fine for pulling a TT or even a 5er but no good for a TC. The current trend seems to be a short box with a huge cab (usually 4 doors). I think they look odd with no bed to speak of.

The shorter the bed, the shorter the TC, the less available space inside and typically, short bed pickups are also short on payload capacity as well. Finally, the short and shorter bed trucks usually are short on power, all negative impacts to hauling a TC with any substance.

Myself, I'd never buy new unless it was an 8 foot bed and at the very least a 3/4 ton truck with a motor to match the payload capability.

I consider 1/2 ton short bed pickup trucks to be a status symbol and grocery store hauler and not much else

I realize the RV industry builds short box TC's but they are real tight inside for one and lack many features that long box campers have and secondly, most, if not all require extensive suspension modifications to their carry trucks to be able to even haul a camper.

Seems counter productive to me....

I don't get it.

Posted by: december45 Jan 23 2017, 08:01 PM

Ive got a f250 short bed, when i got it, the bed size was the one and only thing i was not happy with, I decided I could live with it. Im now looking for a long bed and if i can find the right dually I will go for that.
I have a 1997 Lance squire lite 165, so its a good match with the truck

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 23 2017, 08:53 PM

QUOTE(december45 @ Jan 23 2017, 08:01 PM)
Ive got a f250 short bed, when i got it, the bed size was the one and only thing i was not happy with, I decided I could live with it. Im now looking for a long bed and if i can find the right dually I will go for that.
I have a 1997 Lance squire lite 165, so its a good match with the truck
*



Not familiar with that model. I have a Lance 915 Lite sitting in the side yard that is for sale, it's a 2001, loaded but it's an 8 foot bed model. It's too high for where I usually camp (on my own property in northern Michigan), I have an issue with the trees getting in, so it's never been there and I bought instead a Palomino SS 1500 which has a fold down top. Same interior accessories, wet bath, toilet upper berth, lower berth, full kitchen, hot water /cold water and 3 way fridge but without the height issue.

IMO. a short bed limits you in interior space and a compact short bed truck (like a Tacoma) really limits the interior room and how a camper can be equipped as well.

I'll always take an 8 foot bed over a short bed, any day but I do use my truck for more than toting a camper around, it's a farm truck too. Has to earn it's keep, just like me....

Posted by: Backroad Joe Jan 26 2017, 02:34 PM

Breakover angle!

I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 5.7L 4x4 Quad Cab with 6' bed and a 2012 Palomino Bronco B800. I wanted a truck I can use off-road so keeping the wheelbase minimal was a primary factor. The "cab and half" would be perfect but later models are hard to find.

I do however agree with you about why buy anything but a long bed provided the 4x4 is not part of the equation. Going forward, if I were ever able to let this truck go I would get a long bed as I've also determined I would prefer a wet bath.

Now if by short you mean those less than 6 foot where the rear wheel well meets the rear door I don't even consider them as pick up trucks.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Jan 27 2017, 12:52 PM

Not sure what 'breakover angle' is and if it pertains to hauling a truck camper on seasonal roads like I do.

Sounds like a rock crawling term and rock crawling with a TC, I don't believe would be to shall I say, safe to do.

I have a Palomino as well, but a new SS1500 with the one piece rear door...and wet bath. The new 'Broncos' are very nice inside and outside.

I've seen a number of pickup trucks where the cab with 4 doors is longer than the bed. Don't see the point myself, either.

I think it's a 'status' thing, having a non useable pickup truck to go grocery shopping with.

Certainly not a work truck configuration

Posted by: twilliams Feb 11 2017, 06:27 PM

QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ Jan 27 2017, 01:52 PM)
Not sure what 'breakover angle' is and if it pertains to hauling a truck camper on seasonal roads like I do.

Sounds like a rock crawling term and rock crawling with a TC, I don't believe would be to shall I say, safe to do.

I have a Palomino as well, but a new SS1500 with the one piece rear door...and wet bath.  The new 'Broncos' are very nice inside and outside.

I've seen a number of pickup trucks where the cab with 4 doors is longer than the bed.  Don't see the point myself, either.

I think it's a 'status' thing, having a non useable pickup truck to go grocery shopping with.

Certainly not a work truck configuration
*


hello men. I have a short bed 1/2 ton 2dr. I have a camper that has a over hang off back,its 8 ft works fine and handles well

Posted by: Backroad Joe Feb 13 2017, 02:25 PM

[QUOTE]I don't get it.

I guess you won't. I simply offered another perspective and you used the term breakover angle, which you even admit you know nothing about, and spin that into rock-crawling with a camper.

Then you trash owners of half-tons as unusable grocery getters. My daughter has a four door 1/2 ton. She can load the family or load the bed with all the stuff she hauls on and off her ranch.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Feb 15 2017, 01:48 PM

[quote=Backroad Joe,Feb 13 2017, 02:25 PM]
[QUOTE]I don't get it.

I guess you won't. I simply offered another perspective and you used the term breakover angle, which you even admit you know nothing about, and spin that into rock-crawling with a camper.

Then you trash owners of half-tons as unusable grocery getters. My daughter has a four door 1/2 ton. She can load the family or load the bed with all the stuff she hauls on and off her ranch.

*

[/quote]


I camp 100% off road and I've never had an issue with 'breakover angle' whatever that is. Sorry if I offended you. I'm not up on buzz words or stuff like that.

Posted by: JADE RACING Feb 16 2017, 10:56 AM

After reading replies some people have very strong personal replies to ever topic and that tends to make new and perspective t/c owners not return to ask for advice on this forum. If advice is asked a sincere reply without a snide remark is more appropriate. As an owner of many different types of rv's over the last40 years I read most questions and shake my head at some replies as they do not help the newer people getting into t/c lifestyle. This is only my opinion

Posted by: Nobody Feb 16 2017, 07:39 PM

[quote=Backroad Joe,Feb 13 2017, 02:25 PM]
[QUOTE]I don't get it.

I guess you won't. I simply offered another perspective and you used the term breakover angle, which you even admit you know nothing about, and spin that into rock-crawling with a camper.

Then you trash owners of half-tons as unusable grocery getters. My daughter has a four door 1/2 ton. She can load the family or load the bed with all the stuff she hauls on and off her ranch.

*

[/quote]

First time I ever saw/heard he term 'breakover angle' was in your post previous to the one quoted. I'm 77years old, been hauling truck campers large & small since the early 1960s & the term 'breakover angle' is a new one on me. Thought I was pretty conversant with truck camper terminology but I don't know that one. I'm familiar with approach & departure angle but I'd sure like to know what breakover angle means. Thanks

Posted by: Wardster Feb 17 2017, 02:55 PM

I'm not part of the current fixation you speak of since my truck is an '03, but I am quite content with it and the Northern-Lite TC that it carries.

Posted by: Spanky Feb 18 2017, 12:28 PM

I have heard the term "breakover angle" before but it was in my Jeeping group of friends, it refers to the angle that would be the point where your vehicle(whatever it is) would turn over side to side. Ive been truckcamping for a long time and being an avid back country camper, I ve heard this called things like "tip over angle", "rollover angle", and the "oh S&%t angle", all of which I have been very close to on more than one adventure in both my camper and my Jeep. Not a fun "angle" in any vehicle. So, I guess we all learn something new everyday. Happy Camping biggrin.gif

Posted by: Backroad Joe Feb 23 2017, 11:56 PM

To clarify, breakover angle is what one exceeds when the truck becomes high-centered. It is fore and aft related as is approach or departure angles.

The OP questioned why short bed trucks. Since I frequent un-maintained, difficult or technically demanding off-road trails to access my favorite campsites I chose a rig that is as short as possible, has high ground clearance with the smallest pop-up camper that was reasonable.

Posted by: RV_Tech Feb 24 2017, 03:41 AM

I know what "breakover angle" is, but never thought about it in reference to truck campers. You must be going into some pretty gnarly places with your truck camper. smile.gif

Posted by: december45 Feb 24 2017, 09:33 AM

I got a short bed as described above, because that was available at the time, really no "fixation" attached.
As far as being substantial, my guess is my 1997 Lance squire lite 165s is as substantial as the next 1997 lance camper. It happens to be roomy enough for me, and it fits my needs fine.
I think i would enjoy the site more if we addressed real problems, then we could suggest real solutions, the posts that address likes, brands, opinions of why would someone prefer one item over another, really doesn't advance the site and makes for .... for a lack of a better term bickering.

Posted by: Nobody Feb 24 2017, 11:08 AM

QUOTE(Backroad Joe @ Feb 23 2017, 11:56 PM)
To clarify, breakover angle  is what one exceeds when the truck becomes high-centered. It is fore and aft related as is approach or departure angles.

The OP questioned why short bed trucks. Since I frequent un-maintained, difficult or technically demanding off-road trails to access my favorite campsites I chose a rig that is as short as possible, has high ground clearance with the smallest pop-up camper that was reasonable.
*



Thanks Joe, now I understand your post(s)/terminology. Also your preference for shorter vehicles... Not my 'cup-o-tea' but everyone has their own 'thing'!

Posted by: jamesdaclark Feb 24 2017, 12:42 PM

I have a shotbed Dodge quad cab 4x4. I purchased it new $14,000 off of msrp. I live on a deadend narrow mountain road with a very small turnaround area I would have prefered a 3/4 ton, but for the price there was no choice. I snow camp off road every winter and have a Travel Lite 690. There is a right truck and TC combo for everyone and their own reasons. Mine was price and the lack of space on my property.

Posted by: Checkswrecks Apr 18 2018, 09:13 AM

New guy here who has heard the "no use for" comments before so hope you don't mind adding to this older thread. Basically, this post is a counterpoint on behalf of the owners of short half-tons, it's not meant to be mean or provoke.

There's an old story about the two blind guys describing the elephant, in that our trucks reflect what we use them for. The blind guy feeling the side of the elephant said the animal is like a great wall and the guy describing the tail said the animal was like a thin tree. They both thought anybody saying different must be crazy.

The OP lives in the country and I need to be able to do renovations in an eastern city. The OP would come to hate his big truck real quick in my daily life, because the streets were designed in horse carriage days. In addition to how narrow the streets are, we see delivery and work trucks get hung up or need to back away from corners on a daily basis. Plus, everybody ELSE here has small cars, so when you are lucky enough to find parking, it will be a short spot and only a short truck will fit.
user posted image

I've started with a basic 2016 F150 with a standard cab, 6' bed, tow package, and added options to make it work for what I need. Despite the grocery getter comments, it's hauled LOTS of demo bricks, towed past the GCVW, and whatever else I've needed without bottoming the rear.

For truck camper use, I just need to respect the natural limits, which means staying in the smaller and more basic range of TCs. I'm not full timing, so this works for me.

Posted by: wintertree Apr 18 2018, 07:58 PM

I never have owned....nor will ever own a short box truck.....its just not my cup of tea....but I am a huge minority in this regard.....with short box / 4 door trucks every where....Dealerships are full of them...more people space ...less cargo space....but thats the way the world is going with less people needed more cargo room as less people do their own projects and would rather hire out....pulling a Travel trailer with a short box truck (light duty unit) work quite well....you can take your family along....still have room in the box for extra stuff and still have an actual "truck" doing the hauling and work even if its a 1/2 ton...
Years ago towing RV's was done by a huge car (usually a station wagon....) had the weight...power....and room for all the kids...LOL

I personally don't see this trend going anywhere...It will only get more popular

Posted by: Elkins45 Aug 24 2018, 12:03 PM

Why short bed trucks? The short answer is CAFE standards. If you want a full-sized sedan with a V8 then you have almost no choices and will pay a $1000 gas guzzler tax on the sticker.

Trucks are exempt for the car standards and have a much lower MPG threshold than cars do. There's a reason Cadillac started making the Escalade and it wasn't because they had a sudden longing to get into the truck business. It's because they needed a loophole so they could still make huge land boats. Same thing with these goofy looking trucks where the cab is longer than the bed.

There's also some sort of obscure EPA rule regarding vehicle footprint I read an article about. I don't remember the details but the gist was that a standard cab truck somehow didn't earn enough (or maybe too many?) points on the formula to meet the rule so the extended cab trucks have a market advantage in terms of how many they must make for every single cab.

Long story short: trucks are the new substitute for big cars.

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