Slide in Campers

Alpine4x4

FNG
Joined
Aug 24, 2022
Messages
72
Forest River brands are hit and miss, be wary. Our trailer is a FR and the build is noticeably less substantial than our older Arctic Fox slide in. I have had to do a lot of improvements to the trailer to replace sub parts components or poor build quality.
 

Terrapin

WKR
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
357
I really want a Four Wheel Camper on a 3/4 ton diesel short bed. That would give me a low profile for driving in the wind and up narrow/ tree covered mountain roads. It is light enough that it won’t impede my towing capacity (boat or ATV trailer). They are renowned for being tough and durable (welded aluminum frame/ no wood).

Downsides are a lack of creature comforts like a shower & real pooper, noise and dry out of the pop-up canvas & cost. Seems like all the cool kid/ van life influencers like them & even a used one is $30k.

Scout Campers have a strong following, similarly priced. I’m waiting to see how their new pop up holds up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
6,368
Location
WA
I bought a ram 5500 4x4 for the extra warm fuzzies with a big pig camper and hooking on our 24' jet boat. Having towed some very heavy loads and seeing how it handles it.....I wouldn't want it any other way. My front axle shaft u joints are bigger than the drive shaft joints on my 2500 cummins. The brakes are stupid huge and they work.

The ride is reasonable empty but what sucks is the extra width.....but turning radius is killer.
 

Mojave

WKR
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
2,392
We had a Lance for years. Lance went to a new non toxic construction and the new ones were better than the one I had. Ours was a 2013 and it made us kind of ill if he used it in the winter when it was first new.

New ones are supposed to be past that.

I think if you are dragging a horse trailer or a ATV trailer they are the best possible option.

Another option not often talked about is they can be set on a flatbed trailer and then the ATVs can be loaded behind it. If you have a flat bed you are pulling with a big 3/4 ton suburban.

I have even seen situations where guys had a conversion of a flatbed with a system to haul horses behind the trailer. Not sure I would do that.

The ones for half tons and min-trucks are tiny. They also like duallies a lot better than they like standard trucks. For wind.
 

Marshfly

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Messages
1,335
Location
Missoula, Montana
See if this link works. I'd be starting my research with these manufacturers.

https://www.rvtrader.com/Used-Truck-Camper/rvs-for-sale?type=Truck Camper|198074&make=Hallmark|765316309,Outfitter|282735830,Northstar Campers|409197,Travel Lite|2303426&price=*:12000&condition=U&zip=59803&radius=10000

Outfitter, Hallmark, and Northstar are the best in the bunch for popups with amenities (i.e. not 4wheelcamper style)
You could add Lance and Adventurer to the list also if you are ok with something heavier
 

180ls1

WKR
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Messages
1,188

I would probably buy a used Four Wheel Camper and try it out. Having the reference experience of using it for a season will tell you a lot about what works with your situation. You can probably turn and sell it for not much of a loss if you want a bigger, smaller, more striped down or whatever version.

They really are the best for what they are, even 30+ year old ones sell for thousands. Something you don't really see with others because they don't last that long.
 

Wolverine

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
121
Location
Michigan
If you are handy, you can build one just the way you want and save money. I built this one because I didn't want all the bells and whistles and weight of a store bought.
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This one is very basic but serves the purpose. Light, warm and cheap compared to store bought. The biggest expenses are the RV siding and the four jacks. It's criminal how much they charge for the jacks.

It's 7' wide, 7' long and 5'11 tall inside. 1 1/2" walls. Weight is at 1000 pounds with camping gear and 6 gallons of water. Ride is great on a half ton truck.

I am working on doing a cab over in the next year or so. I will still sleep down low and use the cab over for storage.
20210820_140350.jpg20210823_181028.jpg
 

Mojave

WKR
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
2,392
There are quite a few tutorials on YouTube building them.

If you are handy, this is where I would start.
 

wesfromky

WKR
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Messages
1,120
Location
KY
If you want a durable, lighter, no frills option, check out Radica. They have a bigger model now that might work. I got one of the moonlanders a couple weeks ago, so haven't had a chance to really test it, but the build quality seems really good. Plus, only 250lbs.

 

Marshfly

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Messages
1,335
Location
Missoula, Montana
Tha Moonlander is way too much money for what it is IMHO. God they are ugly too. You can get a Lone Peak or Harker for similar money and it comes with the tent.

I really think the OP is looking for an actual built camper though. Not a "hard tent" in the bed of his truck.
 

wesfromky

WKR
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Messages
1,120
Location
KY
Tha Moonlander is way too much money for what it is IMHO. God they are ugly too. You can get a Lone Peak or Harker for similar money and it comes with the tent.

I really think the OP is looking for an actual built camper though. Not a "hard tent" in the bed of his truck.
A lot depends on what you are looking for as far as features and use case. I like mine so far, and the price is reasonable based on what I, personally, was looking for. Lots of other options out there if it isn't for you.
 

Marshfly

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Messages
1,335
Location
Missoula, Montana
Moonlander price seems good.
$9k for a 6.5ft bed cab over hard shell with zero in it is a good price?
The $5600 is for a 5ft with no cabover and zero inside. Not even powdercoat on the outside.

LOL.

Harker and Lone Peak are both $6k WITH the tent and side doors. Finished.

The guy's budget was $10k all in.

Heck you can get a brand new 4wc Project M for $12k.
 

jimh406

WKR
Joined
Feb 6, 2022
Messages
1,209
Location
Western MT
$9k for a 6.5ft bed cab over hard shell with zero in it is a good price?
The $5600 is for a 5ft with no cabover and zero inside. Not even powdercoat on the outside.

LOL.

Harker and Lone Peak are both $6k WITH the tent and side doors. Finished.

The guy's budget was $10k all in.

Heck you can get a brand new 4wc Project M for $12k.
Hey, give me a break. I didn’t say it was inexpensive, but 10k doesn’t get much any more. :)
 
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