Slide in Campers

[wapitibob]

Used the chit outta mine, WY, AZ, NM, all over the place. Had it down roads no sane person would go without issue. The only time I used the little trailer was when taking the quad. Plenty of room for gear in the camper and back seat of the crewcab for a two week hunt with two guys.

 

[AKDoc]

Lots of valid comments from others thus far. There are pros/cons to slide-in campers. For us, a slide in camper has fit our chosen outdoor activities perfectly...we really enjoy remote road-trips.

We bought our slide-in camper brand new in 1997...a Bigfoot 2500. We still have it and use it every year. It's been up and down the Alcan several times, several times up the Haul Road and the Dempster, and all over the YT and Alaska road systems. The furnace on it and insulation are perfect for Alaska late season and winters. It has held up really well over the years, and everything is still working just fine, e.g., refrigerator, furnace, water pump, hot water, etc. I have gone through a couple jack systems over the years. The full length basement has been a very helpful feature.

It's always been on an F-350...I'm in agreement regarding a one-ton is the way to go. We also have a trailer that we pull for four-wheelers or snow-machines. Our Bigfoot has handled really well on our F-350's.

 

[wapitibob]

I also had firestone air bags on my F350.

 

[TaperPin]

Just having a one ton doesn’t guarantee anything - many are softly sprung, have weak anti sway bars, complete lack of overloads or bags, and if the truck has four doors, chances go way up you’ll be maxed out on gross weight and tire capacity with singles.

Having been with a heavily loaded dually during a blowout on an interstate bridge with new tires, I would buy the biggest truck possible and avoid the tallest heaviest campers.

My brother in law can’t use one because he can’t drive slow enough - he’d have a self induced blowout or run off the road.

These things depreciate like crazy, so look around. Buying new doesn’t guarantee great customer service on the warrantee.

 

[180ls1]

How many amenities do you (wife) need?

Four Wheel Campers save a ton of weight and give a lot of offroad capability back, even then they will limit you substantially. The GoFast style are cool too but very bare bones.

 

[IdahoElk]

How many amenities do you (wife) need?

Four Wheel Campers save a ton of weight and give a lot of offroad capability back, even then they will limit you substantially. The GoFast style are cool too but very bare bones.

A toilet is it, we would be using it for 2-4 day trips. I like the Four wheel and Palamino style.

 

[ORJoe]

If you're looking at the Four Wheel Camper, then a lot of the pros and cons of normal campers don't quite apply.
I've got an All Terrain Camper and love it. At the time I bought it (2012) they were basically the same as the 4 Wheel ones but 3k cheaper. As in there was a scuffle at FWC, and some guys moved 10 miles away and started their own camper company, so they are very similar. Since then FWC has been adding a lot of stuff and price, and ATC is kind of the same as it ever was but obviously costs more than 12 years ago

Better than a hard side camper:
Lighter
Less wind resistance so better mileage
Less wind resistance to the side so it's more stable
Lower CG. There are not many places I would take a stock Tacoma that I wouldn't take this camper
Extremely durable. Mine has been on its side and instead of exploding into a million matchsticks, I took it to the factory and they replaced all of the dented panels. That was 9 years ago.
No overhang off the back, means no trailer capacity compromise
Easy to put on. Don’t need to drive under it perfectly. Just get it on the truck bed and you can shove it into position.

Worse than a hard side camper:
No overhang off the back, means less room inside
The soft side doesn't insulate as well as a hard side. But I've been out in -15 and the heater keeps up. Both companies offer an extra layer pack that velcros in and you would want that in any weather.

Different than a hard side:
Less room means less stuff.
Mine has no water heater, shower, microwave, air conditioner, toilet, and I've only got the hand pump on the sink. Maybe you want that stuff, I don't.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Lone Peak Overland is about 2 blocks from my work. They make some very spartan utilitarian campers that are lightweight. Most of theirs mount in the bed though and don't come out easily. They look cool.

 

[rayporter]

if you haul or pull you should run it across the scales to know what it weighs.

 

[Weldor]

Be nice if they made a Grizzly proof one.

 

[logem]

Several people have mentioned that they prefer hard sided truck campers with slide outs. I purposefully avoided slide outs for the following reasons.

1. Better insulation: The slide outs are prone to leak air when out. I wanted my four season to be as sealed as possible for cold weather.
2. Reliability: I'm on a Facebook truck camper group, and people are often having issues with the slide system breaking or needing repairs.
3. Accessibility: Depending on the model, you most likely won't have access into the camper unless the slides are out. I can park and climb in immediately, if I want something from the refrigerator or some clothing, or restroom.

I highly recommend a one ton dually. I had a rear tire blow while driving 70 mph on the interstate (poorly made Nexen tires). This would have been catastrophic if I didn't have my dually.

I bought this Arctic Fox 865 new in 2020 and I feel that it's probably the best purchase I've ever made.

 

[jimh406]

I purposefully avoided slide outs for the following reasons.

1. Better insulation: The slide outs are prone to leak air when out. I wanted my four season to be as sealed as possible for cold weather.
2. Reliability: I'm on a Facebook truck camper group, and people are often having issues with the slide system breaking or needing repairs.
3. Accessibility: Depending on the model, you most likely won't have access into the camper unless the slides are out. I can park and climb in immediately, if I want something from the refrigerator or some clothing, or restroom.

None of those are always true.

1. I can close the slides if I want a smaller space to heat.
2. I've used mine about 20 years with no reliability issues or repair.
3. If you are fat, sure, otherwise, I can use mine with both slides closed. At minimum, go inside, close the slides.

It depends on how big you are and the design of the camper. As always, it depends.