Campers?

[Ifdot]

Completely new to Elk hunting and also looking into getting a camper for the family. I’d like to get something that could satisfy the family’s needs and use during elk season as a base camp.
What is the general parking areas like for public land hunts? I am aware this can vary greatly.
Can I get a 5th wheel into these areas? Should I be looking at a slide in?

 

[Team4LongGun]

Welcome to Rokslide-

Not sure how big your family is, but I wouldn't want a big 5th wheeler to haul and try and park where I hunt elk. Are you within a few hours of elk country, or are you coming several states away? Mobility, gas mileage, being able to move camp to find elk are all considerations to take into account.
They have some small 20' campers that are around 3k pounds that would fit the bill nicely, however, I think once you start hunting elk you will find a canvas tent will be just as good as a camper for basecamp. This type of camper will be good for family camping as well, we have a 20' that sleeps five. I don't use it to hunt elk.

 

[rambo2345]

I see alot of big campers used during elk season by hunters. You parking site sizes and availability will vary.

 

[5MilesBack]

Every elk hunting area I've ever hunted you could get a 5th wheel into......or close enough to make it work.

 

[Pdzoller]

Keep in mind things like tank and pipe locations because of freezing potential. Ground clearance and total height of unit. Am I good at backing trailers? Am I good at backing them in the dark? Do I have enough truck to handle stopping and the proper suspension to safely handle maneuvering it at speed?

 

[Ifdot]

Welcome to Rokslide-

Not sure how big your family is, but I wouldn't want a big 5th wheeler to haul and try and park where I hunt elk. Are you within a few hours of elk country, or are you coming several states away? Mobility, gas mileage, being able to move camp to find elk are all considerations to take into account.
They have some small 20' campers that are around 3k pounds that would fit the bill nicely, however, I think once you start hunting elk you will find a canvas tent will be just as good as a camper for basecamp. This type of camper will be good for family camping as well, we have a 20' that sleeps five. I don't use it to hunt elk.

There are 5 of us, and all girls or princesses I should say besides me.
I’m a 32 hour drive from where I’m planning on hunting this fall. I was thinking a 20ft would be about as big as I’d be able to reasonably get into these areas.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Talk about a crap shoot. The only answer is maybe.

 

[5MilesBack]

I was thinking a 20ft would be about as big as I’d be able to reasonably get into these areas.

My buddy has a three axle toy hauler 5th wheel......it's huge. I'm always amazed at how well and easily he maneuvers that thing. He sets it up every year in some areas with tight roads and spaces. He hauls that thing around as easily as I drive my truck. If you're good at it, I wouldn't worry about bringing it.

 

[jimh406]

It depends a lot on when you plan to hunt. Fwiw, length isn't necessarily the most important factor. Some have springs above the axles and some don't. Also, some have pretty well protected black/grey water that are heated and some hang down low with zero protection. Most are either very heavy and durable or very thin walled and not durable. It gets cold enough to freeze in most Elk areas during the season.

If I was you, I'd find a regular hunting place without the camper. Then, think about what you could use there. Some people convert utility trailers that also serve as a trailer to haul back the meat or ATV/UTV. That's living rough compared to a "camper", but a lot less to go wrong.

Btw, roads that are fine for a typical truck/SUV are absolutely brutal to a camper that's intended to drive on smooth roads.

 

[SHTF]

I bring a 27 foot Toy hauler out with me sometimes as we also have a UTV that we haul in it. I have not had to many problem. Just have to be realistic about where you want your basecamp to be at.

 

[Whip]

I have a 25' 4 season camping trailer that my wife & I use for our trips together in the summer and winters somewhere warm.
But when I head to the mountains in September I'll be taking my Seek Outside tipi with a wood stove. Sometimes I'll use an ATV with a small trailer to get into places I don't even want to take my truck. (Still on legally designated motor vehicle roads) Flexibility opens up a lot more to explore.

 

[Ifdot]

Maybe I can get the wife to hold off until I get this first season under my belt and see what I’ll be up against.

 

[pirogue]

I’ve taken my fifth wheel elk hunting, when the wife wanted to go with me. But that’s a couple weeks out of a year, if I draw a tag. The fifth wheel is used a lot more during the year than just an elk hunt.

 

[gwtravis]

Maybe I can get the wife to hold off until I get this first season under my belt and see what I’ll be up against.

yes yes yes

 

[f16jack]

What is the towing capacity of your truck? Also, goose neck vs. 5th wheel vs. hitch have different weights allowed (tongue and trailer). The trailer weight would be loaded and full of water.

 

[Indian Summer]

Don’t do it. You’ll get there. Probably. Lots of places to park. 2 days into the hunt you’ll be relocating to lower elevations wondering if you’ll have to come back for it in the spring. There’s a reason Lewis and Clark didn’t pitch in on a camper.

 

[Sinkinglizard]

Campers will limit mobility as well keep in mind. It'll be more work to pick up and move if you aren't getting into any elk. Check out the Enzy overland style cargo trailers. The build outs on those are pretty sweet.

Home | Enzy Campers

Custom Hunting Campers made by hunters for hunters

www.enzycampers.com

 

[Fatcamp]

There are 5 of us, and all girls or princesses I should say besides me.
I’m a 32 hour drive from where I’m planning on hunting this fall. I was thinking a 20ft would be about as big as I’d be able to reasonably get into these areas.

32 hour drive pulling a trailer sounds miserable.

 

[Spike elk]

I have three princesses of my own. A camper sure makes it more enjoyable for the ladies. It is also a super comfortable base camp. I split my time in between a tent on the mountain and back at base camp in the camper depending on the season. There is give and take with both. I have also had plenty of success with elk and deer hunting from a camper.

 

[Pdzoller]

I have used my camp trailer for three years now. For me, there isn’t a better base camp. I park low and within an hour of fuel/re-supply area. I have a camper shell on my pickup (secondary base camp). I backpack usually in four day stints and come back to re-supply/recharge on the fourth evening.

I can have my trailer ready to move in 15 minutes by myself. If my wife is there we can do it in half the time. I don’t think any other setup would be faster except just using a canopy on the pickup.

With that said. I don’t recommend going into any area with a trailer blind. I know where I am going to be, what the snow levels will do and where all my good turn arounds are.