What kind of truck would I need for this slide-in?

[K1ngN0thing]

A Class B with good MPG would be my ideal living situation, but it seems all the older ones, which is all I'd be able to afford, don't. I like the idea of being able to drop the extra weight whenever I need a fuel efficient vehicle. Just found this listing on the classifieds http://southcoast.craigslist.org/rvs/4869785206.html and was surprised to learn that there are slide-ins with showers. What kind of truck would I need for something like this? Would http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4810517983.html do it? How many miles to the gallon would it knock off? How do the size of the water tanks compare?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The Ford truck in question appears to only have the 6 foot bed.  The Lance 980 is 11 feet long, I'm quite sure that it needs a truck with an 8 foot bed.

Half ton trucks are too light duty for the weight of a truck camper.  I would consider a 3/4 ton to be the minimum, a one ton would be even better.

Regards
John

 

[SoulRaven]

Doing a quick search for your area, I'd grab this one if it's still available.

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/rvs/4842703081.html

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Doing a quick search for your area, I'd grab this one if it's still available.

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/rvs/4842703081.html

That was one of the first I looked at, but after doing some research I learned they were recalled due to the 5 lug axle in the back often failing.

 

[SoulRaven]

That was one of the first I looked at, but after doing some research I learned they were recalled due to the 5 lug axle in the back often failing.

If there was a recall wouldn't Toyota still be on the hook to upgrade it?

If not, the upgrade would probably still save you money over that camper/truck combo.

 

[Seraphim]

Besides bed size, the biggest deciding factor is weight. Our truck camper is just under 3000lbs dry. It has a slide and a wet bath (shower). Add full water tanks, propane, gear, occupants and we have about 5000lbs of cargo, probably. The cargo capacity of our one ton truck is 5500lbs.

So check out the wet and dry weights of that camper, figure in the weight of the additional gear you're going to carry, plus the weight of any occupants, and that will give you an idea of how heavy a truck you'll need.

 

[Seraphim]

I couldn't find the cargo capacity of that truck, but would estimate it to be about 1800 pounds, judging from the vehicles curb weight and its gross vehicle weight rating. That's 1800 pounds for everything it's going to carry.

 

[Seraphim]

Dry weight of that Lance appears to be around 2700 or 2800 pounds.

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Does anyone know if this model has a shower? http://providence.craigslist.org/rvs/4849313142.html

 

[Willy]

Dunno what it's like down south but, up here in B.C., it's illegal to carry and overhead camper on a 1/2 ton. Not often enforced, though , the wrecker in Abbotsford is full of 1/2 tons that got nailed. 'Course, this may have changed since I last inquired. ..Willy.

 

[msbarth]

I had a Lance camper that was same size as the one posted.  According to the scale at the truck stop that camper actually weighed 3740 pounds, with nothing personal inside.  My truck was 2001 Chevy 2500 one ton with 8 foot bed.

This camper was well built and I really enjoyed it.  Only money I ever spent on it was a battery.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would never put a slide in camper on a 1/2 ton pick up. some may argue but I wouldn't do it. some manufacturers even say theirs can go on a 1/2 ton. todays 1/2 tons are more like cars than trucks. highdesertranger

 

[Seraphim]

Does anyone know if this model has a shower? http://providence.craigslist.org/rvs/4849313142.html

Not trying to be snarky, but You could just do an Internet search to find specs and a layout of that model, which is pretty much what you're asking us to do for you...

 

[Seraphim]

Looking around with no model number, I'd suggest this model may not even have a toilet...

 

[K1ngN0thing]

Not trying to be snarky, but You could just do an Internet search to find specs and a layout of that model, which is pretty much what you're asking us to do for you...

I wasn't able to find anything. Shot them an email and they say it does, but you'd think they'd have taken a picture of it...

 

[K1ngN0thing]

After thinking about it some more I don't think I'm going to go with a truck cap. I want to be able to get to the driver's seat without going outside. If that were a possibility, I'd be sold.

 

[Willy]

With the slide-in camper I have on now, and the canopy I'm gonna replace it with, I can get through to the front via the sliding window in the rear of the cab. Not the most convenient but, in a pinch, I could do it (tried.. just to make sure). ..Willy.

 

[Seraphim]

It's not a big issue entering from the outside, unless you're concerned about safety. But then I wouldn't be parking in that spot, anyway.

 

[Almost There]

It's not a big issue entering from the outside, unless you're concerned about safety. But then I wouldn't be parking in that spot, anyway.

With me it's not about safety so much as it's about weather...being able to slide from the driver's seat to the living quarters without doing contortions or running around outside is just so much handier, especially in bad weather like pouring rain. One appreciates it even more if you've ever had to pull off the highway in a bad rain storm...I can laugh at the rain gods... as I make lunch, use the pottie, take a nap, etc etc without ever getting a drop on me.

 

[Seraphim]

Nice to hear you can use the potty without getting a drop on you lol...