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I'm looking at new hardside cab-over campers for my truck. I've looked at Apache 8.5, Sportsmen 8, and Fleetwood Angler 8B. The Apache was the least expensive and I didn't really like the longer cabover on the Fleetwood as I have a standard cab pickup. Any comments on these units or others I should look at? Thanks for any input.
Mike
Look at Lance. I dont think you're going to find a standard cab over anymore. Dont let this discourage you from buying an extended cab. You said you have a regular cab, the extra length of the cab over will not hurt your truck. As a matter of fact, it will push the center of gravity towards the front of the truck and this will make things better in handling. There's two things you're going to have to be careful with the extended cab over. When you open your hood, be careful the hood doesnt touch the camper and the other one is when you come up to a red light, you're going to have to stay back about 10 feet. If you go under the traffic light, you wont be able to see anything. This was my main concern a couple years ago when I bought my 11 foot Lance and put it on a regular cab, 1 ton Duley. But now I love the set-up and I'm glad I have the extended cab over. I dont think you're going to find many more regular cab trucks in the future.
ifish4eyes
12-29-2001, 06:29 PM
I would start with the one is the lightest and the proceed with the one with the most storage and if equiped, bath room/shower. Hydralic legs are very nice option but will significantly raise the price as would air conditioning.
When I look for a good quality truck camper, I look for the heaviest beast I can find. This is telling you something on how the camper was made. The heavier the camper, the longer it's going to last. These light campers are all crap. They are not made to last. When you purchase a truck camper, you get what you pay for and no more. Lance is the top of the line; they know how to build campers. They are strictly truck campers, nothing else. Take a look at the roof on the Lances and you will still see metal, not this rubber crap the manufacturers are putting on their campers today. All rubber roofs leak and if you go under tree branches, this will also tear the rubber and you wont even know it. A metal roof adds strength to the camper. A rubber roof is another easy way out for the manufacturer to produce an inferior product.
tx_basser
12-29-2001, 07:48 PM
I have spent alot of nights in Truck Campers, and seen some crappy ones. I would have to say the Lance ones are the best built, but some of their competition is not far off.
Heavier does equate to longer lasting I believe, but it all depends on how you are going to use it. If you are going into the mountains, deeply rutted roads, and traversing ditches and such, opt for the best you can get. Those lightweight ones I have seen come part on a 4 day elk hunt.
bluelund
12-29-2001, 09:25 PM
MLD,
I have been kicking around the idea of buying a truck camper myself and while doing some research came across a brand called S&S campers out in Kalispel Montana. I haven't seen one in person but looking at their brochure and their website they look like a very well made unit. You might want to check them out. Lance is also a very good camper, I have seen a couple and was impressed. Check out www.rvtraderonline.com there is usually 50 or 60 new units for sale.
Take care and good fishing,
Bob M
I'd definitely look at Lance. I was lucky enough to find a used one.
Good customer service, great interior layout options, good resale value if needed, quality construction, etc.....
If you would like more input on this you could go to the web sight of Happy campers I have been on it and they seem to be very helpful like the people on this sight. I can just about guess that they will recomend a lance.
Phil T.
12-30-2001, 09:35 AM
First, I'd never consider any of the brands you mention. They're just not built well enough. For less than what you'd pay for a new one of the "second tier" campers, you can buy a really good used model of a top-of-the-line brands. As in anything there are brands built to a price point, and brands built to a qualtity standard. The latter cost more, but last much longer.
The recommendations for buying a heavy-for-its-size camper are correct. The framing will be better. If you think you can buy a decent hard side camper that can be carried in a 1/2T pickup, you are wrong. Even a 9 1/2' hard side of decent structure will weigh about 2500 lbs empty. Clothing, bedding, groceries for two, plus some water in the fresh water tank (just in case the truck overheats), and you're looking at 3000 lbs, minimum. I know, I own a decent 9 1/2' camper. That's the load for a 1T or a "camper special" 3/4T pickup. Sorry to all you 1/2T owners, but fact are facts, and you can't have opinions about facts. Lighter duty pickups will be better off towing a small (about 20') 5th wheel or flat trailer. No boats behind the trailer, however.
As for brands, look at Coachmen, Jayco, or if you can find one, Lance, Bigfoot, Hallmark, Veri-Light and similarly high-priced units are the ones to consider. Fleetwood industries builds about 33% of all the camping units of all styles in the US, but they get about 50% of the insurance claims. There must be some big time cost containment going on.
Do not ever believe any commissioned salesman in regards to the carrying capacity of your truck. Refer to the brochures available at your truck dealership. Do not exceed the load rating set by the manufacturer. They designed and built the truck, they know of what they speak. If all else fails, there should be a metal tag in the frame of the driver's door that tells the load capacity of the rear axle on your individual truck. The camper will have a tag that tells the weight of the unit with propane and water, but empty waste tanks and no supplies. Add at least 500 lbs for two people, more if kids are along.
The most important thing to look for in a used camper or other RV is evidence of water leakage. If there are any stains on the inside walls, pass on that unit. The leak may have been repaired, but the water was trapped in the wall insulation long enough to weaken the framing. Again, I know due to past experience (a bad one).
Scott D
12-30-2001, 10:17 AM
Mike,
Everybody has given some really good advice but I feel like I should ad my 2 cents.
I have an 1997 Fleetwood Angler 9 foot camper. I bought it because it was lighter than the others I looked at which left me more power available for towing my boat. The camper may not be as well built as the heavier campers but I saved a lot of money and the lighter weight is a plus to me. In the 4+ years I have used it I have not had any problems even though it may be the bottom of the line camper. When I started looking for campers I really wanted the Bigfoot camper, but the price tag on them was just too high. The lower priced, lighter weight Angler has served me well.
I don't have a problem with truck capacity, I have a '97 F-350 single rear wheel. The reason I was looking at the 8' and 8.5' models is because I don't need a lot of room and like Scott D. said the lighter weight is less work for the motor. I will look into the brands you mention as I was undecided on the ones I had looked at.
I have had about 5 or 6 of these over the years, some good, some not. Now have a Shadow Cruiser 9.5 on a 3/4 ton (soon to be 1 ton). The post from phil has good advice. Two sites you should check out before buying anything are: www.travelbyroad.net/bbs/ and http://irv2.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic (Don't know how to make these "links" maybe someone else here can do that) Both have lots of info on slide in campers, with lots of discussions on the weight problems and brands. Lance, Bigfoot, and Alpenlite are good ones. Here in Iowa we have Northstar, small factory that gives tours and they make a small one for a half ton with a bathroom in it. Tiny though. A few feet makes a huge difference. You live in Colorado, I see there is a big RV dealer in Colorado Springs that claims to be the biggest BigFoot dealer in the US. They might have used units.
I found you have to spend at least 5 to 6 grand to get a decent used one, there are lots and lots of older units that leak (look under the overhead mattress) for a couple of thousand bucks. I would avoid those. Been there, done that, never again. I would stop at every RV dealer you see, look at any units in stock, and imagine living in it. If you have a half ton, you are limited to an 8 footer. Keep it simple due to the weight. Email me if you like more .02!! The wife and I think this is the only way to go till we get really old!!!
hgf,
What do you think of the Northstars quality wise? There's a dealer about 40 miles from me but I haven't looked at them.
Mike
Phil T.
12-30-2001, 11:46 AM
If you are anywhere near Blaine, MN, there's a Lance dealership there. Compare all other to that quality. A quick check of likely construction quality is simply jumping on the floor. Poorly-built campers have floors that flex, the better ones are solid.
As for size, unless you only stay at campgrounds with showers and flush toilets, try the bathroom facilities for size. I have a 9 1/2' slide-in, and the biffy is almost useless. The shower is an adventure in frustration. If I were to buy another, it would be at least a foot longer. The difference is in the bathroom. In the middle of the night (We're middle-aged, so midnight use is important.)a roomy bathroom would be heavenly. We also have found that state and forest service campgrounds have better bath/toilet facilities than most camping resorts.
One more buying hint: There are a number of slide-in dealerships in Montana. Montana has no sales tax, and I'll bet your state neither licenses no registers slide-in campers. Since MT has enough dealerships to provide some competition, the prices are better as well. Consider a vacation to Glacier or Yellowstone that can actually save you thousands of dollars. Check the yellow pages in any of the on-line phone directories in Butte, Great Falls, Billings or Kalispell, MT for dealerships. A website with links to manufacturers is www.rv.net. Most of the makers have dealership links.
OK in my opinion. They used to be Texan campers. I had one and it was fine. I see them at shows, and the quality looks very good. I took a tour of the factory once, and it looks like they take some care. I almost bought a demo, but then found my current model by accident, and it was a lot cheaper. Its a family owned outfit, not very big. Their models seem to be focused on slightly smaller ones, since that seems to be were the demand is.
vetspet(ind)
12-30-2001, 08:51 PM
i just heard of a 99 lance...13 ft model...all options...for sale for 9000 dollars....my friend has the same model but 98 i think and he bought this same model for 23,000 dollars...so this sounds like a good deal...this is a heavy unit...his old truck was a 3/4 ton ford with diesel and he had to add air bags on back suspension...just bought a 1 ton with duallies for his lance...he told me his dealer just got this unit in and it will go fast...supposed to have propane generator and all options according to my friend....i have a custom made 8 ft unit which was very economical...made during off season in indiana....they evidently are slow this time of yr...have fiberglass siding...top...a/c...fantastic fan is good accessory...get the 6 cubic ft fridgerator...and get three way...i got two way and the gas flame goes out whenever i exceed 55mph...had three places check this out and they can't fix it...if i had three way i'd put it on battery power...steve
jimirjr
01-03-2012, 10:25 AM
Have you considered a "pop up" type slide in camper? Many manufacturers are making a lot of nice models these days... it would save you a bit on weight, thus gas milage expense, going this route. I know it's a bunch easier to find a used 8' model for a full size p.u. rather than a 6' model.
Hot Runr Guy
01-03-2012, 01:08 PM
this thread is 10 years old,,,,,,,,,,
watertank
01-03-2012, 06:25 PM
I'll add my two cents...I have a 99 Lance 812 (8 1/2 ft.) Fiberglass siding, AC, microwave, toilet and shower, ect....bought it used 4 years ago for $6000. My truck is a Dodge diesel 3/4 ton and I added inflatable air bubbles..camper weighs in at 2500 lbs. The leaf springs don't even flatten with all of that weight. Pulled a Lund 1850 Tyee last couple of seasons (got a new 1875 ProV coming). Gas mileage 11 - 14 pulling everything..up to 16 boat only. Lance is well built and heavy, they also make a light version that might merit a look. For sure whatever you choose make sure that it has electric/hydraulic jacks. I have manual jacks and it is a ***** cranking. There are quite a few slide in campers on the internet.
bestfishes - jim
Shellback
01-03-2012, 07:11 PM
I'll add my two cents...I have a 99 Lance 812 (8 1/2 ft.) Fiberglass siding, AC, microwave, toilet and shower, ect....bought it used 4 years ago for $6000. My truck is a Dodge diesel 3/4 ton and I added inflatable air bubbles..camper weighs in at 2500 lbs. The leaf springs don't even flatten with all of that weight. Pulled a Lund 1850 Tyee last couple of seasons (got a new 1875 ProV coming). Gas mileage 11 - 14 pulling everything..up to 16 boat only. Lance is well built and heavy, they also make a light version that might merit a look. For sure whatever you choose make sure that it has electric/hydraulic jacks. I have manual jacks and it is a ***** cranking. There are quite a few slide in campers on the internet.
bestfishes - jim
Tweedy's RV in Texas has electric conversion kits for the jacks. About $1000 I think. best $1000 I spent. Sit on my butt on the picnic table pushing the remote button, and watch the camper go up and down. :) Life is Good!
Mueller
01-04-2012, 04:40 PM
Don't have any experience other than Lance had a 1010 for 10 years. While relaxing at campgrounds people would come over and say 'wish I would have bought a Lance'. "Nuff Said"
Shellback
01-04-2012, 06:56 PM
Bought it in 2000 sold it in 2010
I think he was referring the the age of the thread, not your camper. Someone brought this thread to the top after it was started 10 years ago. It was actually someone trying to sell a camper, and it had to be deleted.