Truck campers , who's got one.pics? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

biglump67 · 11-17-2004, 12:04 PM

How many people here have a slide in truck camper. How do you like it. Does it effect gas mileage and make the truck blow around alot more ? I am thinking of selling my van, and buying an old longbox truck and camper.
I want a camper that will sit inside the box, not the real big 11 or 12 footers.I would buy an avion even though they hang out the back, they are just too cool. I want to be able to still use the trailer hitch, so I can tow a trailer with cycles or a dune buggy.
The campers usually weigh about 1500 lbs, would a 1/2 ton handle that ok, if the rear springs were beefed up. I figure the VERY MAX, I would pull carry combined would be 7k lbs.
I figure the trailer about 1500, buggy 3500, camper 1500. If we take the trailer out of the picture is a 1/2 going to carry a 1500 lb camper without hurting anything in the rear axle?
Thanks, John

krazy_texan · 11-17-2004, 05:14 PM

i have one and before i got it we transported it in the back of of a 97 f150 worked fine reduced gas mileage a little bit but not much.

da-burb · 11-17-2004, 08:28 PM

I had one in a 71 C20. 1971 Coachman 11-1/2' long and it has to weigh more than 2,000#'s. It didn't make a bit of difference in MPG's. With a big block you get 10 miles per gallon empty or full. I could see it making a couple fewer MPG's in a small block.

I personally wouldn't put a heavy camper in a half ton. Maybe if you find a modern camper that isn't as heavy as a 70's model. The 3/4 tons handle the load better. The biggest issue while driving is side winds. You have a big sail and it pushes you around big time. I don't have that problem with the C-30 motorhome I currently have. The other reason against a half ton is stopping power. Your brakes are bigger and better on the C20-'s. When you have a big rig, you get tons of people pulling out in front of you so you had better be able to stop.

gr8scott51 · 11-17-2004, 10:29 PM

Get one like this.

biglump67 · 11-18-2004, 02:00 AM

That is a great looking setup! I was looking at some of the newer ones that pop up. That might be the way to go.I could put one on my 79 shortbox 4x4 until I find my dedicated camper rig.
I would love to find a class 3 motorhome on a truck frame, most are built on vans. I saw a 1961 Chevy apache on ebay a while back, it looked awesome. There are a couple Fords on ebay right now, am I allowed to say that word here he he?
I am in no hurry as my mind changes daily, and searching is 1/2 the fun.

da-burb · 11-18-2004, 08:32 AM

This is my 71 C30. I love it! And a picture of my first truck and camper.

biglump67 · 11-18-2004, 10:34 AM

Nice !

11-17-2004, 12:04 PM	#1
biglump67 biglump67 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Muskegon Militiagan US of A Posts: 75	Truck campers , who's got one.pics? How many people here have a slide in truck camper. How do you like it. Does it effect gas mileage and make the truck blow around alot more ? I am thinking of selling my van, and buying an old longbox truck and camper. I want a camper that will sit inside the box, not the real big 11 or 12 footers.I would buy an avion even though they hang out the back, they are just too cool. I want to be able to still use the trailer hitch, so I can tow a trailer with cycles or a dune buggy. The campers usually weigh about 1500 lbs, would a 1/2 ton handle that ok, if the rear springs were beefed up. I figure the VERY MAX, I would pull carry combined would be 7k lbs. I figure the trailer about 1500, buggy 3500, camper 1500. If we take the trailer out of the picture is a 1/2 going to carry a 1500 lb camper without hurting anything in the rear axle? Thanks, John

11-17-2004, 05:14 PM	#2
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	i have one and before i got it we transported it in the back of of a 97 f150 worked fine reduced gas mileage a little bit but not much. __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

11-17-2004, 08:28 PM	#3
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	I had one in a 71 C20. 1971 Coachman 11-1/2' long and it has to weigh more than 2,000#'s. It didn't make a bit of difference in MPG's. With a big block you get 10 miles per gallon empty or full. I could see it making a couple fewer MPG's in a small block. I personally wouldn't put a heavy camper in a half ton. Maybe if you find a modern camper that isn't as heavy as a 70's model. The 3/4 tons handle the load better. The biggest issue while driving is side winds. You have a big sail and it pushes you around big time. I don't have that problem with the C-30 motorhome I currently have. The other reason against a half ton is stopping power. Your brakes are bigger and better on the C20-'s. When you have a big rig, you get tons of people pulling out in front of you so you had better be able to stop. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

11-17-2004, 10:29 PM	#4
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	Get one like this. Attached Images __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

11-18-2004, 08:32 AM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	This is my 71 C30. I love it! And a picture of my first truck and camper. Attached Images __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

11-18-2004, 02:00 AM	#5
biglump67 biglump67 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Muskegon Militiagan US of A Posts: 75	That is a great looking setup! I was looking at some of the newer ones that pop up. That might be the way to go.I could put one on my 79 shortbox 4x4 until I find my dedicated camper rig. I would love to find a class 3 motorhome on a truck frame, most are built on vans. I saw a 1961 Chevy apache on ebay a while back, it looked awesome. There are a couple Fords on ebay right now, am I allowed to say that word here he he? I am in no hurry as my mind changes daily, and searching is 1/2 the fun.

11-18-2004, 10:34 AM	#7
biglump67 biglump67 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Muskegon Militiagan US of A Posts: 75	Nice !



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