Can a Ford F-150 handle a truck camper?

[ArtW]

Have you looked at a trailer that you can diy or even the runaway camper? I know the runaway would be in your price range, but like the truck campers not super stealthy.

Actually, I just bought a 4x8 cargo trailer off CL to make a sort of homemade runaway, got it for $300
I need to put legal lighting on it, fenders, and get it registered (It's never been registered AFAIK)then I'll need to replace the wood, put in windows and a door, etc


SUV RVing, thanks for sharing that, that would work on even my Ranger, and like you said, I can build out the bed area
Only bad thing there is only 6 foot bed, might be a touch cramped
I wonder which is worse for mileage, the topper or the trailer?
the topper would be more roomy aside from the length

My Ranger already has a Leer commercial style cap on it, but it's getting older
A new Leer high rise topper is $1700, their commercial $1600
shoot, for $300 more (or less, depending on model) I could have the bell air, and a much nicer and roomier one, at thet

 

[SoulRaven]

A couple of small & lightweight: http://eurekacampersinc.com/slideinn-truck-campers.html and mass manufactured by Travel Lite: http://rayzrcamper.com/ Here in KS, used trucks are expensive because we are in farm country and there is always someone waiting for one.

 

[DannyB1954]

I went to the bel-air web site. One of their photos shows the construction. It looks like 1 x 2 wood for the frame. I don't know about durability using on a 4wd.

 

[Lalyly]

A couple of small & lightweight:  http://eurekacampersinc.com/slideinn-truck-campers.html and mass manufactured by Travel Lite:  http://rayzrcamper.com/  Here in KS, used trucks are expensive because we are in farm country and there is always someone waiting for one.

Now I know why trucks are so expensive here. The prices where much higher for f-250 or f-350, too when we bought our truck. Probably everybody knows that 150s are not so good at towing or hauling.

 

[jimindenver]

I went to the bel-air web site. One of their photos shows the construction. It looks like 1 x 2 wood for the frame. I don't know about durability using on a 4wd.

Valid point but I guess it would depend on your idea of 4 wheeling. We take out 25 ft trailer over some rough patches in 4x4 low and very controlled. It would scramble the insides if I didn't.

I thought I saw it was a custom build shop. Maybe you could order it built with a tubular frame.

 

[akrvbob]

p.s. DH does not approve the truck topper  (it would be permanently on the truck => fuel consumption, it wouldn't fit in the garage, w/ the camping gear inside he wouldn't be able to use it for hauling other stuff around)

I guess you are getting a pretty clear picture of where your happiness fits in his priorities.   :s

 

[ArtW]

I guess it depends what topper we're discussing
the topper currently on my Ranger has NO effect on fuel economy, but it's not something I'd want to live in
but aside from the belair, toppers are easily removeable, and unless you mean the belair, ALL of them will fit in a garage
me and my Uncle Jack both, will not own a pickup WITHOUT a topper, as it keeps tools, etc protected from the weather, and we can remove it when we want to

 

[Svenn]

I regret everyday not getting a F-250+... I'm at payload capacity in my 2016 F-150 and I can tell the truck struggles. I spent hundreds of hours of labor and invested a ton of $ in the custom canopy before I realized this was an issue. I upgraded to load range E tires to prevent the most dangerous of consequences. I have to slow down way more than I want to around corners and I constantly have to think about where to load up on water so I don't drive over payload. Honestly if someone offered to buy my rig from me I'd sell it, the F-150 really is just a big Prius.

The F-250s look way better too... even the old models from the early 2000's don't look dated. The F-150s on the other hand look dated after just a couple years.