Truck & Camper Pros & Cons - and how you can eliminate a couple of the cons you've heard about . . .
After 9 years of truck and camper ownership, here are Coral’s and my perspectives on the pros and cons.
Some of you have been asking about wheel/tire specs:
The wheels are 10-bolt American Force. (Had to install adapter rings - which also forced the wheels out slightly further on each side. A good thing. Just the standard 8-bolt factory to 10-bolt adapter as required by the after-market wheels. My memory tells me they add about 3/8ths of an inch to the track width - per side.
I had some really gnarly tires for the first 50,000 miles, great in mud etc. but also not snow rated, and the mountain pass near here requires tires with the snowflake on them so the heavy-duty pick-up truck expert I consulted put me into the Yokohama Geolandar A/T series - 10 ply rating, size LT275/65R20 126/123R I'm just so impressed with them. Quieter on the highway than my previous selection, but super solid cornering or otherwise. (Think 'roll elimination'! ) :)
For heavy hauling they recommend 70 - 80lbs psi inflation. If up at 80lbs, it's a rough ride. If down at 60lbs, the ride improves tangibly, but then one gets a little more roll, and of course, the lower pressure plays havoc with tire sidewall life.
DISCLAIMER: The videos on this channel are for entertainment purposes only. We profess no expertise of any kind, whether tool, equipment, sawmill, edger plumbing, electrical, construction, farm, animal, travel, or otherwise.
On our best day, we are at best rank amateurs in search of fun, new adventures, and experiences to share.
It is important to do your own research to find what works best for you and your situation.
We love our Lance 1172.❤We are full-time and I'd like to add if your using the camper for vacations here and there a 3500/350 dually will get the job done. NOW for full time travel where your going off road boondocking a lot. I would step up to at least a 4500 /450 truck. We love the fact we can drop the camper and have our cabin separated from our truck to explore and run errands etc. The Lance is a great 4 seasons camper that we've put it to the test and it always surpassed our expectations. ❤❤❤
Had that Lance for a full 10 years and it gave us a host of great memories. Such an awesome unit. No regrets. Huge thanks for tuning in and sharing your experience! Come back and visit again. Our travelling is over for this season, but in 2024 it's off to Alaska with the trusty F350 and camper.
Thank you for your feedback
I love how he explain pros & cons , he don't speak too fast and i can understand properly ! I just subscribe to his channel
Thank you for tuning in and being part of my journey. Watch for a new pros and cons video coming soon - and another make and model of camper.
I agree, it's the most versatile way to travel and camp. That's why I purchased a new truck and truck camper last year and have put over 30,000 miles on it traveling, camping and visiting friends and family. Another pro is the ability to visit family on extended stays and you have your own personal private apartment and separate transportation. I've done it numerous times and it's an awesome way to visit. 2021 F250 and 2021 Wolf Creek 840 here.
Wow! And I totally agree on all counts. Happy travelling to you! Sounds like you've got a terrific combination there.
Eric - is your F250 diesel or gas? And it handles the camper on a SRW axle?
@@Hogdriver88 7.3 Gas SRW axle. Handles fine. With a full load, I can climb the steepest grades as fast as I want. As far as handling, It's not a Miata but it's amazingly stable. 3,114 Lbs of payload.
@@ericcarawan1308 Ahh, the ‘Godzilla’ engine… 8 foot bed, or maybe 6.5 feet?
@@Hogdriver88 I believe it is 6'10", which is the short bed with the FX4 package.
This fella's voice is good enough to be a professional voice actor/announcer/narrator in big budget productions. So it's pretty cool to see him use it on a fun independent channel where he can use that voice to say whatever it is he wants to say. Also, that's a really nice truck camper. It packs away pretty well, and when fully deployed gives an absurd amount of interior space.
Thanks for your kind words and for being part of my journey. Come and visit often - and particularly when you need a little 'picker-up'. And you're right - that camper truly has an absurd amount of space. Coral (who is truly claustrophobic) and I have lived in it for up to six weeks at a time.
I actually thought this was a professional salesman. His voice!
I was just trying to see if I would want to get into the RV/camper life, and I’m sold for sure. Not only was this video super helpful but I can tell how much fun you both have living like this. Thanks and keep up the videos
Thank you for being part of our journey - and for your kind words. For us it strikes a balance between the conveniences we've come to enjoy, and an ability to be completely spontaneous in terms of when and where we park. 26' of total length for us has been a winner.
As always, Howard, very balanced and respectful review. Even though I am not a camper, I'm sure this will be helpful to many!👍
Coral and I find that 'getting away' in a fashion where we don't have to pack and unpack suitcases etc. and can 'be in the same room' (our mantra from when we first met) is an amazing experience. If every anything that you want to know further about truck and camper, just shoot me an email with coordinates, and I'd love to chat further. howard.kettner@gmail.com All the very best!
You are a great presenter. Your joy is infectious. Thank you for your vid.
So nice of you to tune in with your words of encouragement. All the best wherever your travels take you!
Very comprehensive and straightforward information!! Subbed! 👍
Welcome aboard! And huge thanks for tuning in and sharing my journey.
Yes always a full walk-around 100%. You are super informative, great rig.
Thanks for watching! More to come.
Great video - I’m soaking up knowledge like this so when I get around to it, I’ll do it right the first time! Love the truck, the stance and the whole setup. Thanks!
So many things I'd do differently. I really took the long road on this one. Huge thanks for visiting our little channel.
Extremely useful and practical video. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for tuning in and for your encouragement.
I could listen to you talk for hours... Instant subscriber.
Thanks for tuning in and for the sub. The best is yet to come!
Hit so many points , wow that's an impressive setup.
Thank you for your kind words and for visiting 82Maple. Here's wishing you all the very best!
Howard. I'm facing the issues that you addressed here; and you put light on my thoughts and decisions. Great content and format; thank you. Steven, Utah, USA
Thanks for being part of my journey Steven. Happy RV'ing!
Howard , great Video definitely covered the cons and pros. And a nice set up for sure. Have a great adventure be safe be humble.
Huge thanks for tuning in. PS - love your channel!
@@howardkettner thank you Howard
Great Video, you have made a very good KZhead channel. Hope it keeps growing.
Thank you - and same to you! Thanks again for visiting and commenting!
Excellent video. Well organized, to the point, and super informative. Great job on this video. I learned a "ton"...no pun intended.
Glad it was helpful! Huge thanks for tuning in!
Great perspective. New sub. Thanks for sharing. The suspension information was well presented and worth its weight in gold I believe. 💯🙏👏
Thanks for tuning in and thanks for the sub! Welcome to the journey!
Great video. You are a well spoken man.
I appreciate that! Thank you for tuning in and being part of my journey!
Enjoyed the video camper review & added the MT Ghost Town to a future trip!
Huge thanks for tuning in. And that Garnet Ghost Town was truly an amazing trip back to another time. Made me reflect again about how fortunate we are.
@@howardkettner I went to Rhyolite ghost town next to Beatty, NV by Death Valley last year. I had the same view.
Would be nice to try before you buy when it comes to truck campers. Not easy to do but when you mentioned roundabouts etc it made me realize that there are so many driving conditions to test and so many different truck /camper configurations. When spending $50-70K I would be frustrated at my purchase if I did not at least somewhat know how the vehicle is going to react under ordinary driving situations. Thank you for your video.
You could not be more correct. 10 RV's over 3 decades have taught me that one needs to factor in about 5% above the initial cost for bridging the gap between expectations and reality - whether that is adding solar panels, enhancing suspension, etc. In my experience - despite best efforts and all of the pre-purchase research that I do, it seems like there are one or two really good questions that I failed to ask.
New to the channel, can't wait to see more of the content. We just purchased a small truck camper from Scout and made a 8400 mile whirlwind from our home in the Upper peninsula of Michigan, across Canada, down into the states through California and then over to Salt Lake City and then home. I do believe the camper is a little on the small side for us, but do truly enjoy the ease of driving, whether it be downtown Banff or cruising through Yosemite. May have to upgrade to just a bit bigger setup. Going to have to go back and watch more of your videos. Thanks for the great insight. 🇨🇦🇺🇲
Huge thanks for being part of my journey. Wow! That was a whirlwind trip! Thanks for sharing! Always so hard to guess at what would be the right size. What I would do differently next time is try hard to eliminate both slides-outs. I'm good with a 4' overhang, but I just gotta think that in the long haul, those slide outs will cause grief.
Very nice and polite person 😊
😊 Thank you for tuning in and being part of my journey. More to come!
Very informative, very well spoken, nicely edited. Good job! I'm very curious about towing with and extended truck camper and how that works. I have a 14ft enclosed trailer that I tow my motorcycles around with and having a truck camper would definatly cut hotel fees when out of town for rides lol. A video on that would be awesome!
Hey! Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey. And thank you for the video topic suggestion. Will do - but not likely till Spring as I'll not be likely have the camper onboard again till then. In the meanwhile, here is one of my videos in which, as part of other subject matter, I do talk about all the fundamentals, how my tow rig is equipped and the roles of the truss-hitch extender and the trailer ball weigh scale. Your 14' enclosed trailer should not be an issue subject to tow vehicle capacity. I've routinely towed a 26' cargo trailer loaded with ATV's and a 20' flatdeck - with camper onboard the tow vehicle and the camper extending nearly 4' beyond the truck box. Part 1 kzhead.info/sun/Z7iPn6mfn5ODmoE/bejne.html
This was an excellent video sir. Thank you so much for sharing !!!
Glad you enjoyed it! And a huge thanks for tuning in and being part of the journey!
Hi there. I m glad you are doing a video on proper handling of heavy campers, the motion I think you are referring to is called roll - Sway is where if you were towing a trailer behind your truck.
You are correct. The right terms matter, and I super appreciate your clarification. Have an awesome weekend!
My wife and I are at retirement age and recently purchased a new truck and almost new camper. We did our homework before making the decision, but even so, in hindsight may have done a few things differently. Your comments are spot on, and I would highly recommend your video to anyone contemplating a truck / camper purchase. Great job!
Huge thanks for tuning in! Here's wishing you happy and safe travels. In hindsight I think there is only about 3 dozen things I'd have done differently - hahaha - but here's to the journey.
I just found your channel, I really enjoyed your presentation; ironically I have been thinking about going with a cabover camper for our F 450 so we could tow our offroad Landrover to our great Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and be able to enjoy the Landrover trails. We usually tow our 40 foot fifth wheel and so can’t take our 4x4 with us. We do like the space of the large lance cabover campers and will be looking for an affordable used one in the near future. Thanks for the suspension upgrade information 👍🏼 God’s Speed!
Wow! Thank you for your kind words and thanks for tuning in . . . Please do keep me posted. I think you'll be really happy with the space of the Lance cabover . . .
Great video! Very insightful! Thank you very much!
Glad it was helpful! Here's with thanks and appreciation for being part of my journey!
A fella subscribed as soon as I saw Red Green. Thanks for the video, and the considerations. Keep your stick on the ice!
Thanks for the sub! And you too (keep that stick on the ice!) Red Green - he always makes me happy!
the fact is, the wider outward the wheels or tires, the more sway or lean, due to the leverage being further out from leaf suspension points, think of the modified outward wheels as an additional extension bar like the breaker bar, but again lucky you beef up the leaf springs as well. Thx for sharing great info.
Thanks for tuning in . . . Great explanation on the 'leverage' applied by the wider wheels . . . Wish I'd thought of that and mentioned/explained it in the video like you did.
Thank you for sharing!! Great information
You are so welcome! Thanks for your kind words and journeying with me!
Great video. Thank you for sharing!
And thanks for being part of my journey - more to come.
Just came across your channel. Love your content and sense of humor. We have a Northstar truck camper on a Ram Megacab and love it! Perfect for the two of us and our GPS cat! I would love to see a video on your modifications and improvements that you mentioned. Also how is your Starlink working out? We are dangerously (ha) handy and enjoy tweaking things. Always fun to see old fashioned ingenuity at work! Nice rig!
Welcome aboard! Will definitely be doing an update video after some additional tweaks. Got it buckled down for the winter now, providing me with a home away from home when visiting grandkids. The heat system that was the subject of another video is working well, but I'll do an update on that as well. Love the Starlink. That's truly been the missing 'link' till now. Just gotta make sure one is parked where there is a clear sky above. Montana's big skies were perfect on our Montana/Yellowstone trip. Safe and happy travels. Again - thanks for tuning in . . .
Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate it it.
Glad it was helpful! Huge thanks for tuning in. Just shooting a new pro's and cons video this morning with a whole new set of learnings. It will be posted out in a couple of weeks. Appreciate your comments and your being part of my journey.
Good discussion. Airbags a must in my opinion. Really good tires/rims. And don't forget packing properly, I've seen plenty of campers off kilter due to improper cargo balancing. Have many, many miles on my 2007 Eagle Cap 950 on a Chevy Silverado 3500HD diesel. Best way to travel for me. Happy journeys to all, whatever you choose.
Well said! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your journey! Happy travels.
Great video. I have Lance 975 with Chevy K3500. ✌️
The 975 is a terrific unit! Happy travels - and thanks for tuning in and contributing to the dialogue.
Love the energy in this video...thanks for making content!
Thank you for your kind words - and for tuning in and being part of our journey! Much appreciated.
Wonderful, wonderful video! My wife and I are looking into getting some form of camping unit. I would prefer the truck camper and she would prefer a tow camper. Your video will help me get the truck camper!
Good choice! My wife and I thought we were somehow depriving ourselves so we did actually buy a 20' trailer from a reputable brand. Fortunately, the RV prices were spiralling upward at a fast pace so after a couple of months we got our money back and ordered an up-to-date camper. Video coming within the next 3 weeks. Spoiler alert - we opted for the Arctic Fox 1140 for reasons that I'll articulate in the video. Twice in our first week of travel we got into the last spot in the RV park because we only need 25'. (We're pretty spontaneous and don't like our reservations to dictate the pace of our trip.)
Love the Camper. I also use to love to watch Red Green
Huge thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey. Here's to Red Green - he always made me smile!🇨🇦
Great video for a newbie camper like me. Bought our truck and camper 2 years ago as a package used. 2008 GMC 3500 dually diesel 4WD. 2008 Lance 992 camper. Never camped before or drove a truck with a camper and it took a while to get used to that weight but we love the set up. We ordered a 2022 Lance 1172 camper last November and are still waiting for delivery up to Canada. I agree with you about the versatility of a truck camper to pretty mush go anywhere and park anywhere in a small town or village. We are still learning. We ordered the new camper with extra solar power lithium batteries a generator and a cell phone antenna booster. I did put airbags on my truck to help with the weight and stability. Our Lance 992 is over 4500 lbs. we prefer the layout of the 1172 with the rear couch as an option to sit instead of always in the dinette. Happy trails. 👍🇨🇦
Wow! Congrats on the order for the 1172! You'll definitely need to reach out and let me know how you like it! Sounds like you've ordered all the right stuff in terms of options. About twice a year Coral and I will browse a few lots, always looking at our options, and every time returning to our purchase of the 1172, and to paraphrase a line out of the Raiders of the Lost Ark, remark to each other "we chose wisely". Happy RV'ing (from Kelowna, BC to you). 🇨🇦
Nice to hear back from you. We are looking forward to the new camper. We didn’t think it would take this long to come after we were told 8 months and now could be a year or longer for delivery. We traded out 992 in on it. Now Lance is making the 2023 models. They’ve made a number of changes on the new 1172’s and they look amazing. Our Canadian dollar sucks though and so does Turdeau 🇨🇦
Good video….We have been to RR museum in Revelstoke, awesome. I like your Canadian accent. We have had all kinds of camping units. Your camper looks great.
Here's to many more RV miles, and many more RR Museums. Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by.
Great video and accurate evaluation of pros/cons. I’m currently on a class B but am in the process of purchasing a truck and camper now. The only thing I think I will miss is the ability to go from the cab to my living space without getting out of the vehicle. But there are many pros that negate that single con. Happy travels to you both. 😊
Huge thanks for tuning in - and congratulations on your incoming truck and camper. Happy and safe travels to you too!
As a solo female, that is the Big con for me... Not being able to quickly get from living area to driver seat should the need arise. I would hate to be in a position where I was either trapped in the camper or running outside into some danger to try and get vehicle out of there....
@@MommaOsoIrish67 inn5 years one only had one bad experience and it was while I was away from the van. Really, if someone is determined to “get you” all they have to do is disable your wheels…van or truck doesn’t matter. 🤷🏻♀️
@101taiga That's good to hear! But I'm not just talking human threat. Where I live, national forest lands, plenty of beautiful but remote opportunities, the wildlife AND natural disasters are also things one might needr be prepared for. Of course, no matter how prepared you are, one never really knows. I've been in a pop-up tent camper, with children, while a bear trashed the camp around us! Although armed, I didn't want to test my tool of self defense against the bear if I didn't absolutely have to do so...(what if all I did was piss it off??) I guess I'm more wary now because if the way our world has so vastly changed since those days..it's hard to predict what is ahead. Will we be headed into "desperate times"? I used to think a strangwrcwas just a friend I hasn't met yet. Thankfully, my bad people experiences have been far outweighed by the positive ones.. I guess it's all down to trusting our gut, and listening when itbsays something. :-)
I believe at some point everybody goes through this choice process of prioritizing type of RV. Your presentation was one of the most informative and well explained I have viewed viewed. I am currently in a flat bed, hardside pop-up DIY camper. It's on a 1995 Toyota T100 rear-wheel drive V6. Equipped with eight 100 watt solar panels and 400 ah of batteries. This is set up for 1 person and I find it very functional. I am a full-timer.
Man you are living my dream. Good on you!. Here's wishing you an amazing journey. Huge thanks for tuning in and being part of mine.
Wonderful video. One of my long life dreams was to buy a truck camper once I retired. Well, I bought one. The one I use as my avatar. I love my Arctic Fox 1140. It has plenty of room for my wife and I for as long as we want to go out. I might look into some of the modifications you shared to insure a safe, stable / anti-sway drive. Thank you Sir for the excellent video. I just found your channel, and I am a new sub. Take care.
That is awesome! I took a look at the avatar on your site and then looked up the unit on the Arctic Fox site. It looks amazing! Happy travels and keep me posted as you put on the miles!
Great information here thank you very much!😊
Glad it was helpful! Huge thanks for tuning in . . .
Good info!
Thanks for tuning in and being part of the journey. More to come!
I like this guy lol. I’m looking at several different cab overs. First is an Arctic Fox, a Lance and a Palamino. Not 100% yet on which, because they each have their own pros and cons.
I'm going to be most interested in hearing your perspectives as you reach a conclusion. I don't think I've ever explored a Palamino, but I've heard good things about Arctic Fox, and have acquaintances that own Arctic Fox and speak very highly of that brand.
Great video. Thanks !!
Thanks for tuning in Freddie! Good times.
Good job; I enjoyed your video.
Thank you very much! And thank you for tuning in and being part of my journey!
Love red green.
Love it that all episodes are now on KZhead. Thanks for tuning in . . .
Being a Semi Truck driver I look up all the time sign for height might be wrong I have a 1978 f250 4x4 with a 66 Ford special slide in camper,I modified it a bit with a full shower and separate bathroom awesome video first time watching God bless be safe ✝️🇺🇸
Wow. Sounds like you’ve got something really special there! Nicely done. Thanks for tuning in - and you be safe and we’ll also.
Great video. Love rv living. People don't understand how cheap it is. Some places we stay have showers. That is nice.
We agree! It really is. . . Thank you for tuning in and being part of my journey with my new little channel!
Nice video some good info .
Glad you enjoyed. Huge thanks for tuning in . . .
We love our Lance 1191 camper. Purchased new in 2014. Added many mods to make it much better for free standing camping Ng.
Love the 1191. When we got ours it was a real toss-up between the 1191 and 1172. Just setting mine up to use this winter, free standing, in modest freezing conditions. Will be doing a video on that in the next month or so.
@@howardkettner We now use a Wave 8 catalytic heater when free standing. Also added several 12 volt very quiet 120mm fans to blow warm air into the bed area and the back of the camper. Makes a huge difference when it's near or below freezing. Added self heating 200Ah lithium and 2500 watt inverter. Did not connect inverter to main power, I made 2 outlets, one specifically for the microwave and another at the rear counter for general use. Added a fan with external switch to fridge to circulate air. Fridge works so much better now even when 115 outside.
This was a great help!! Thank you! I’m looking to purchase a camper. I just changed my mind, for the better. I just don’t want to put that much money into a pick up. I’m going to a tongue trailer. This really helped my family! I like how you think. 👍👍👍🙏 Thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey. For sure - if I didn't need a pick-up for all that I need to do around our property, my decision would have likely been very different. Lots of great videos out there with various trailer pros and cons to help guide you. One thing I'm hearing a lot about currently is to watch for frame strength. Lippert (frame provider to many trailer manufacturers ) seems to be getting a lot of bad press for brand new frames bending or breaking - resulting in the dealer blaming the manufacturer, the manufacturer blaming Lippert, leaving the customer camping in their driveway or worse . . . All the very best
Well done , great presentation One of the main problems I see with a van type camper , is the narrow, and confined head space , you have much better open feeling in a truck camper, compared to a van
Glad you enjoyed it. Sometime in the next two weeks I'll be talking about a camper with even more headroom, less bulk, a little less floor space, due to one less slide, but lots more storage . . . Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey.
We have a GMC 3500 HD DW 6.6L Duramax, Deleted with tow tune in it. We have a BigFoot Camper dry weight 2450 lbs, we get 21 litres per hundred km with it loaded and 15.5 camper off. One thing I call a PRO is not having to license the camper or inspection, also less toll cost because of less axles, also ferry fees are less due to short length and camp sites are less too. We always leave the camper on the truck for insurance reasons, if it’s not on the truck and something happens to it like a fire or damage it’s not covered, but on the truck it’s covered. You did a great job on this informative video.
Thanks for tuning in. Love your unit. While there are a lot of things I like about my unit - I'd never get one this big again. It's just a beast. Lots to love. Lots I'd do differently. Great list of pro's that I'd not talked about. thanks you. PS - I have my camper off of the truck most of the time - because I probably need to use the truck at least once every couple of weeks for a day's duty without the camper. Found an insurer that gives me full value coverage for $240 per year.
What a great video RS. Canada
Thanks for watching and being part of my journey!
Great Job !!!
You are very kind. Here's with thanks and appreciation for being part of my always flawed, but also fulfilling journey!
@@howardkettner You keep it real !! Thats priceless !!
Currently on my 3rd truck/camper set up, all have been 11ft models.. unlike trailers there are no extra tires, wheels or electric brake maintenance and therefore no axles,( no registration or licences fees ) simply move your license plate from your rear truck bumper to the camper. Great video, absolutely agree on suspension upgrades..
Interesting that you mention the trailer braking systems. I'd not mentioned that in the video, and whether with a travel trailer or any other trailer at some point or another during ownership that becomes it's own challenge and issue. Thank you for visiting Bill! Really appreciate your perspectives.
Some States/Provinces may require the license plate to remain on the truck. This should be checked for the State where the vehicle is registered. The same applies for taxes and registration.
@@Harry-zz2oh Ohhhhhh - good point. Highways regulations are generally provincial/state jurisdiction, and can vary. Just found this statement online: "Driver licensing and vehicle registration in the United States are handled by the state government in all states but Hawaii, where local governments perform DMV functions."
I have owned two truck campers since 2009 when I bought my first one. It’s still the best rig for my needs. I tow a cargo trailer with my motorcycles and extra camping gear. A toy hauler means I’d have to unload my motorcycles every time I stop to camp, which isn’t feasible when stopping for a quickie overnight stop while enroute somewhere.
Thanks for weighing in on the discussion. Truth! Truck & camper = increased options for extra hauling and mobility.
I keep changing my mind between a truck camper and a Class B for one major reason, and that is the immediate access you have to the cab of a Class B in case you should want to get away from a situation in a hurry, and you don’t want to have to get out of the camper and then walk (or run) to your truck. Am I just being paranoid? But like that either units give you the ability to stop along the way at attractions. Great video! Thanks!
Thanks for tuning in and commenting! There are definitely puts and takes to both. I hear of a couple of incidents in out of the way campsites, where campers felt that they might be in danger and just drove away in situations like you've implied. That has caused me to be very vigilant and intentional about where I park. For me what it came down to is that I needed a one-ton pickup truck around our hobby farm and building projects, and having a truck and camper means one less engine and drivetrain to maintain.
@@howardkettner Appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. Your choice makes sense in your situation. Have subscribed to your channel. Safe travels!
Having been boondocking for months on end in my truck camper going on 7 years now with my wife we have yet to find a situation where we needed to get in the drivers seat in such a hurry we couldn't from the camper. Also, even with a Class B you probably just can't up and leave without raising a stable jack or removing some kind of leveling block, etc.
@@flyingdutchman7585 thanks for responding. Yeah, I never thought about the possibility of having to deal with leveling equipment. Thanks again, and safe travels!!
My biggest concern!!
Great video. On your air bags did they install a single or duel path for your air. On our truck we installed the duel path and don’t get the sway. Our truck had the 5000 lb air bags. Now you can get the 7500 lb bags. Keep up the great videos 👍🏻
Hey! Dan - thank you for visiting our little channel. Great info! They installed a single path and that is great news about the dual path. I didn't know that existed. And I was unaware of the 7500 pound airbags. That likely would have saved me $2k of spring/torsion bar work. Safe and happy travels to you. I hope our paths cross again!
the little yellow signs with the suggested speed for the curves is for large trucks and semis not for passenger cars thank you
Hey! Thanks for tuning in and commenting. Your point is well made. My perhaps less well articulated point was that prior to the wheel replacement and suspension changes, there is was a lot of sway, and hence a lot of driver nervousness even taking those corners at 5mph under suggested.
Nice camper good job and watch out for them sticke finger thieves we just bought one and heading on our journey next week Happy Trails
Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey! Yeah - for sure - gotta be watching out for those folks that want to help themselves. Things like lockable tie-down cinches etc. The attempted thievery I mentioned happened right outside a hotel that is part of a major brand, inside of a chain-link fence lot with security patrol, and right under a high powered pole lamp. Only think that saved us was the delay caused by two first rate bicycle lock cables. Enjoy the trip and the camper!
Great video!! I’m just picking up my new to me truck camper and am quite excited. Not the greatest time of year to use but excited either way. I live in Canada and will be driving from BC to Ontario with it on my truck lots of boon docking
Whoa - that is awesome. Congrats. I live and work in Kelowna, BC. Stay in touch. Always have time for a coffee with a fellow truck and camper owner.
Cool!! My parents live in Armstrong . I grew up in BC and love Kelowna!! I’ll be driving through Nov. 5 and then again nov 18 ish!!
@@Handydam hey Lee. Shoot me a text on 3rd or 4th and let’s see if we can connect! 604-230-8051
@@Handydam Just checking in to see if you're still coming thru Kelowna on or around tomorrow. 604-230-8051
@@howardkettner hello. I’ll be on Armstrong tonight and then Saturday drive to the valley. Nit sure which way yet for the coq was closed last night. I’ll be driving through sometime between November 18-20 this time with my camper . I’ll keep in touch re tomorrow and the later in the month . Currently in medicine hat
Well done👍
Thank you for visiting and being part of my journey!👍
godbless
Great video I have a host triple slide with a Ford 450 The Ford 450 has 19.5" wheels and tires and heavier suspension I would not recommend air bags. Just get the camper package The last thing put 1" spacers above the leaf Springs.
Hey! Mike - I agree on all counts. After much back and forth with others who have more experience than me, I've concluded: - The next truck with be the F-450 with the camper package. Among other things the F350 turning radius is horrible. F450 is awesome. - Camper package with the heavier suspension. - Love the suggestion of 1" spacers above leaf springs. I love the stance and hence the stability that come with my existing wider wheels and tires - so would transfer my existing wheels package (American Force, 10 bolt, 20"- not cheap) over to the new vehicle. Huge thanks for being part of my journey of learning!
Im self employed with passive income. Im in a unique position after grinding away at 80hrs/week most of my life. I take advantage of that free time with my truck camper. Its wonderful and fairly stress free traveling.
Thanks for tuning in and being part of the conversation. I agree (wonderful and stress free travelling. Sounds like we had similar 'addictions' (those 80 hour weeks). My dad used to call 12 hours days '1/2 days' - as in 'you don't get a medal for just working half-a-day Howard'. He always delivered that with a laugh - but he also meant that it be taken seriously. :)
Very nice!
Thanks for the visit. Here's to the roads ahead. May you enjoy every step of the journey.
@@howardkettner Thanks and God bless you. Great Video!
Great review. I’ve wanted a truck camper rig since forever, but the sheer size of these modern things siting in a truck bed is a little unnerving to me - and I’ve got a lot of miles in 18 wheelers. Can’t beat the single vehicle convenience with ability to separate components.
Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey! I totally get it (the “unnerving” part). That’s why I took more time than I probably should have in reviewing the suspension and wheel modifications. Totally a ‘night versus day’ experience. On my way home from the RV dealer, as I went through a traffics circle at something like 25 miles per hour, before those modifications, the only thing going through my head was “oh my God, what have I gotten myself into” and from there on I was on a mission to never have that reflexive thought again . . . Problem solved.
LOVE LOVE LOVE RED GREEN
hahaha - Totally!
Great video….
Thanks for tuning in!
I would be interested in hearing an update on the future cataract surgery , there’s one in my near future also.
Wow - for me it was totally life changing. It's like someone turned the lights on in terms of outcome. And since I've been continuously wearing glasses and or contacts - since I was in elementary school, I also went for the lens implants. My right eye is now corrected for reading and is 20/15 and my left is for distance - and it just tested out at a solid 20/20 yesterday. No adverse effects at this point and the right eye is now four weeks later and the left was done 10 days ago. No discomfort, loss of sleep or other negative symptoms. My only regret was that I stalled too long. It's been several years since I felt comfortable driving at night. Very fortunate that Coral is completely good with night driving, otherwise that would have been pretty limiting. Up here, on government healthcare, I still would have had to wait for an estimated year for treatment, but for most things like this we have a private option, and once having chosen that I was on a fast-track. Let me know if any other questions.
I’m only 51 but I’ve been praying for cataracts for years! I can’t wait to ditch my lifetime of contacts and glasses. Last month my prayers starts to be answered - my optometrist finally noted the first signs! Back on topic, my parents just switched to a class B precisely due to the climb into bed issue. Mom’s knees can’t take it anymore.
All the best for your cataract surgery. Simultaneous with the removal of cataracts, the specialist inserted a lens giving me 20/20 vision for the first time since I was 12 (am now 67). In fact I was in for my week 1 checkup today and the vision tested better than 20/20. I hear you on the bed issue. We spend a few nights testing out a travel trailer recently and that one thing (no more climbing up into the bed) had significant appeal. Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey.
Some people are adding a short ladder so they can access the cabover. I'm planning to do so for my Lance 915 camper. I've fallen a couple of times and it isn't fun hitting the floor. One person uses a regular stepladder which has wide steps so it is easy to move and place where you want.
@@Harry-zz2oh Great tip - and you're right - a slip and fall is not going to make a great camping experience.
My buddy has insisted I purchase a dual-wheel one ton truck like this for my cab-over camper! One of the things you may have missed mentioning is to warn those who insist on buying a single-axel one ton truck need to be warned about getting a flat tire on the rear! With all that weight, a single-axel one ton will cause all that weight to bare down on the wheel and damage that too and that is even more expensive! Furthermore, under the right conditions, the wheel digging into the ground has no traction, of course, and may cause a sever sway that could cause you to lose control. I can think of other things like the outside on a turn could have a blow out and cause you to roll over as well! Lots of negative possibilities, which is why with all that weight you should strongly consider a dual-wheel rear axel for a large camper!
Thanks for tuning in. Great point. I just feel so much comfortable in a dually. Maybe that is just an illusion, but for me, it's peace of mind. Here's wishing you all the very best.
Yes, but some positives to the single rear wheel as well, like two less tires to go bad, especially the inner ones with a dually. Limited room at toll booths., construction sites, road repair areas, (you know, that get very narrow with cement barriers on both sides..) Not to mention the increase in fuel consumption, and loss of miles per gallon . The trick is to find some balance by applying some suspension alternatives ie., extra leaf springs, sway bar, perhaps some Timbrens to combat any sway on off road maneuvering, premiums tires with higher weight ratings and paying attention to your cargo capacity . Many people exceed their manufacturing standards. Not all is perfect, but the price of fuel especially diesel now days, makes the SRW much more practical as long as it meets your intended purposes of safety and affordability. Just saying...
I run a SRW F350 to carry my camper. It is a Northern Lite so it's fiberglass and lighter than most truck campers. I went with single rear wheel because having lived in the Rocky Mountains during spring thaw and with lots of snow I find that dually's do horrible in mud and snow and I have pulled many a stuck dually out with my truck. The important thing is to run tires that are rated for heavy loads and keep them inflated to the proper psi. Most people don't understand that by lowering the psi in your tire it's side wall rating drops significantly. Meet a few TC on dirt roads/trails that lowered their psi and ended up either blowing or rolling a tire off the rim.
Great Job! Very insightful.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in and being part of my journey!
The yellow suggested speed signs are for large or oversized vehicles.
Thanks for tuning in and being part of the conversation!
i subscribed when you referenced red green. keep your stick on the ice
hahaha. Yeah - I think I've watched every episode 3x. Thanks for tuning in. More to come. Your support is truly appreciated. All the best for 2023
@@howardkettner happy holidays. I am researching to begin the truck camper life. I plan on a 5 year run if possible. Would you recommend this camper as a full time for 1 person and 2 animals?
First time watching you. The legal limits in the states is 13'6 and 80 inches wide. I'm a truck driver so that may differ in an rv situation. But that's the legal limits for semis. I really enjoyed this video and maybe we'll bump into each other at a campground somewhere
Hey! Dan To the best of my knowledge the same applies to RVs as to semis. Huge thanks for visiting our little channel.
My Eaglecap truck camper is 102" wide! My dually pickup is 89" wide! Your 80" measurement is not correct regarding maximum width in the US.
@@gmv0553 Thanks for the comment. Yeah, It's 8'6" in Canada too. Both my camper and one of my Cargo trailers (which I've pulled in Canada and the US are 102" wide
Yup, know your parameters. You could mount a remote camera in a place where it will show the roof an the clearance. For that matter you could monitor the corners.
Great suggestion! Huge thanks as always!
Great camper! Upgrade your solar and inverter. Definitely worth it!
Thanks for tuning in and being part of the journey! We agree! Sold this unit for a variety of reasons (check out some of my most recent videos) - and while doing that did the upgrade to 400W of solar . . .
Thanks for sharing your video. One question can you go into more detail on your wheel setup vs stock? Just trying to figure out the wider stance.
Sure thing. Thanks for tuning in. The stock wheels on the F350 when new were the biggest I could order, and they still looked like little roller-skate wheels under the truck. The outside of the outside dual tire on the rear was fully 1-1/2 to 2 inches inboard of the edge of the flareside fender. So - I went to my local tire dealer and asked what I could do to provide less roll, and more stability overall, and he suggested a greater rim/wheel offset, and larger overall tire circumference. Worked like a beauty. Now the outside tire is fully 2 inches outside of the edge of the flareside fender. On the front - same thing but less dramatic as we didn't want to overload the front stock suspension, so we selected a wheel/tire combination that put us about 1-1/2 inches wider on each side or 3" overall. Hope this helps. Let me know if anything else . . .
Could you add wheel sizes to that description. Thanks. Good video.
I went back and forth between a truck camper and a small travel trailer. I decided with the truck and travel trailer. My truck is a F-150 V8 4x4 and my trailer a 19.8 foot Jayco 166fbs. I went with the gas powered truck due to the high cost and maintenance and repair for diesels. I also have a shell on my truck of tons of storage and a rack system on the roof that holds all my fly rods. My trailer has one slide 55 gallons of fresh water and also 2 30 gallon propane tanks. I can detach and take my truck through a car wash can't do that with a dually. Just have to decide what's right for you.
Thanks for tuning in . . . and you are correct on all counts. Lots of factors to consider depending on other uses/requirements. I just finished responding to another viewer that I need my one-ton capacity pickup a couple of times a week - whether slugging a load of logs on my flatdeck, or taking a 6,000 pound tractor to another site. Haha - on the car wash you are so right. I have to self-wash the truck and camper combo when travelling. Again - thanks for your perspectives.
Curious....what wheel brand and size did you go with. They look good, but even better, they achieve the goal of stability. Great video. Look forward to seeing more.
The wheels are 10 bolt American Force. (Had to install adapter rings - which also forced the wheels out slightly further on each side. A good thing. I had some really gnarly tires for the first 50,000 miles, great in mud etc. but also not snow rated, and the pass near here requires tires with the snowflake on them so the heavy duty pick-up truck expert I consulted put me into the Yokohama Geolandar A/T series - 10 ply rating, size LT275/65R20 126/123R I'm just so impressed with them. Quieter on the highway than my previous selection, but super solid cornering or otherwise. Think 'roll elimination'! :)
Hi how come you didn’t just go to F450? Is it actual payload lower since gvwr same but 450 weighs more?
Can one enter the camper with the back slideout closed? Thanks for taking time in posting this video.
Thanks for tuning in - and great questions. I should have covered that. Unfortunately not. The controller for the slide out is in a pocket just inside the door and to the left, and that slide needs to be opened about half way.
Nice vid!! I spend between 6-9 months boondocking each year in my truck camper. It is a Northern Lite and I run a SRW F350 to carry it. The NL are fiberglass so it is lighter so not sure how these work on heavier loads but before you add springs and sway bars, I would suggest, no matter what you have to install Torklift Stableloads. Easy to self install on your existing leafsprings and took out all the sway from my truck. The other thing I think people should know is if you plan to do a lot of off roading in your truck camper I would recommend against anything with slide outs. One, they add a lot of weight to your camper and two, much more of a chance of a twist getting that/those slides stuck either in or out. Mine has no slides and there is still lots of room for extended months of camper no problem.
Wow! You're living the dream. Love the Northern Lite product. Thanks for the tip on the Torklift Stableloads - and the outcome with those. And - I could not agree more on the slide-outs. On a truck camper, it's not "if" it's just "when" IMO. In the 2nd year of ownership, mine had to be transported back to the factory for more substantial gussetting, etc. Then at my expense I had to install wearplates on the bottom of the slide. The rollers were literally chewing through the bottom. Good points all. Happy boondocking!
how did you slide the camper under the cover? I noticed it's sitting on a pedestal, but it didn't seem like it had casters or wheels on it. It also didn't seem like the camper would fit under it while still on the truck. Thanks in advance for the time, loved the video! 🙂
Great questions all. Thanks for tuning in and being part of the conversation. It's tight - but hey - that shelter was here when we bought this property a year and a half ago - and we lucked out. It's got 14' of clearance. Hard to tell from the camera angle tho. The process is: - back truck and camper under the shelter - jack camper up - and here's where we use all 14' of overhead - pull truck out from under - place stand underneath. I built it with kiln dried spruce and one sheet of 3/8th plywood, and all 160 pounds of me can easily drag it underneath the camper. - level stand (I have pre-levelled the ground under the shelter, so maybe at most a 1x4" board under one corner or another. - lower the camper - thus taking a lot of weight off the jacks and with the level base under the camper it prevents the slides from 'jamming' when I open them. Hope this helps.
I have been truck Camper since I've 16 years old 12 truck campers we have or 2nd 1172 and we ordered or F350 Ford Lariat Truck camper package I comes with a 450 rear end 3:55 rear end with a sway bar from the Factory! I have a Spring man install 2 springs in the rear end 1 more helper and on the main 1 down another main spring and all problems handle! Now sway and perfectly level! Guess what I'm only 11'10 Love it I fit in my 12' Garage door! Your 1 foo higher! now throw those air bags out waste of money and buy some goo spring not all that after market stuff! No sway and down the high GREAT!! I've doing this for Years the only way to go:)
Thanks for sharing your experience. Always great to meet another 1172 owner. I should have done a better job of clarifying what my height measurement includes. I've got a Yakima rooftop carrier where I keep some super light but bulky stuff for longer trips - otherwise my height measurement would be same as yours. I had airbags initially installed - at the RV dealers suggestions. You are right - they don't work - in fact for reasons I won't get into here they actually made things worse. Like you I got additional overload springs installed - and beefed up the torsion bar as well. Love how it handles. It's as easy and carefree now as driving a passenger car. Again - thanks for tuning in . . .
Thanks For Inviting Me In to Your. Journey. Does A lot For A Young Lady Fighting Lung Cancer W/ Only One Lung! You Made Me Smile Gave Me. Chuckle & That"s The Best Mediçine Of All And I'd Like Yo Thank You And Your Lovely Wife! And Don't Sorry Gods Has A Plan For Me! He Has A Plan For All Of Us😊😉💜🙏👣 Once Again, Thank Yo I Both♥️👣
Here's admiring your faith and hope and wishing you all the best for your journey. Tune in whenever you need a smile. Lots going on here with the animals and us.
I love my truck Camper and did a lot of research be for buying my 2017 F350 dually Camper special with a GVWR of 14000 lbs as far as I know it the highest rating you can get with a F350. 16000lbs GVWR is F550 territory Besides that great video. Cheers
Huge thanks for visiting and being part of my journey. I'll be doing an update/clarification video in the weeks ahead about the GVWR point you make. The short version is that #1 - your research and conclusion is 100% correct for your unit and my unit alike. However, the new 2022 units have an increased capacity, depending on the actual model. I'll include links and 'stills' of the documentation. In the meanwhile, safe and happy travels.
@@howardkettner The You Tube algorithm did it's job yesterday and directed me to your channel; and I'm glad it did!! I subscribed; and look forward to reviewing past videos and future videos. As I have the identical truck to yours (2016 version), I too questioned the 16,000 GVWR. Even with my 2001 Lance 1030 fully loaded, I am right at 14,000# limit pulling a 20' enclosed trailer (6,000# loaded). While I don't see ever needing any more load capability, I am interested in pursuing some of your anti-sway upgrades. Great video! Safe travels. BTW, I had to upgrade to a dually when I weighed my Lance on my (previous) 2011 F350 SRW truck without a trailer attached. It was over 1,000# overweight; and I see this same truck / camper combination on the road all of the time. Never follow too closely to these guys! The expense of having to upgrade to a dually for a larger truck camper is another "con", but will also be considered a "pro" if a tire failure occurs.
@@joeluehring4676 Huge thanks for joining the conversation Joe! Good move upgrading to dually. One of the interesting observations from one of the more reputable folks I've known in the RV industry is that upwards of 80% of RV's that one meets on the highway, (whether motorhomes, trucks and trailers or trucks and campers) is that they're overloaded - and not by just a little bit.
The amount of rear overhang on your camper is massive. I am surprised there is any weight on the front wheels at all. :)
It's actually super well balanced. I have so much respect for the engineering/weight distribution thought that goes into these units. i.e. appliances like Fridge, stove, hot water tank etc. mounted forward. Ditto for clothes closets etc. The cabover weight is also specifically designed to offset the rear overhand. The unit actually has a sticker on the outside walls stating identifying precisely where the centre of gravity is, and it's right where it should be on the F350 - almost just slightly forward of the centre of the rear axle.
@@howardkettner I knew it would be balanced, it just looks so extreme it's difficult to imagine it being balanced. I wanted to put a Northern Lite on my 2003 Dodge Cummins Quad cab long box SRW but the payload is just not enough and the SRW would likely not be stable enough. They are so heavy when loaded unfortunately. I don't really want to buy a new truck for it. Oh, and the Northern Lite campers are huge money as well. They are the price of a luxury SUV. They are not worth what they ask for them.
@@stevenpringle7813 Yeah - for me it would have been a buy that supported local industry. They are super well built. Nothing negative to say about them at all - but once I'm up in that price range, I figured I might as well have at least one reliable slide to give me the extra space inside. And if one has not lived in 'slide vs no-slide' the one slide opening up 18" is monumental in terms going from claustrophobic (which my wife is) to spacious. Thanks for being part of my journey.
You are a cool man, very pleasant to hear you talking. Cheers from Ukraine ;)
Hey, thanks for tuning in and for your greetings from the Ukraine.
I think you just sold me on a camper trailer. Ill have to do the upgrades
Huge thanks for tuning in. All the best. Don't hesitate to reach out if any questions.
Any video or blog on the sway bar setups or tire/wheel combo? At that point now with our rig. Almost 300k on nothing but stock gear and airbags. Now adding 2, 12k winches, large in bed camper (hard side this time) and front motorcycle carrier.
Ohhh - that is SUPER interesting. Would love to see pix
@@howardkettner I could get video up. Do you have a video or article about the wheel/tire combo you used?
For sure. A lot of folks have been asking the same question. Let me know if any additional comments or questions: kzhead.infoKCGb1ZFAtXI
Great overview Howard. Our daughter is purchased 9 yr old dodge 2500 + older bigfoot. I cannot stress enough due diligence for vehicle repair/maintenance. Question, camper tie downs, turn bucket/hook or turn bucket/chain or HD racket straps? Which is the best solution? Thanks
I think any of the above are suitable. I've seen them all in use - although the ratchet straps would be in a distinct minority. Lippert has a happijac turnbuckle set on Amazon that is fairly economical. I use The Fastgun because I can lock them to prevent theft of the assembly. That's easily the most expensive option. All depends where one is parking and how long the vehicle might be left unattended. Definitely one doesn't want someone to walk off with the tie downs, leaving her stranded. Great point on the repair/maintenance. My F350 is now 11 years old and with regular maintenance, I still have a vehicle that is super reliable and will do the job for many more years. Overall, sounds like a terrific learning experience and adventure for your daughter. I've heard nothing but positive experiences with Bigfoot. Seems like a solid unit.
I think a real good step stool will solve some things, and it will be a lot cheaper than all that suspension stuff.;)
You have a very practical approach to these sorts of issues. Here's with very genuine appreciation for your suggestions and perspectives. It's comments like yours that I was hoping for and which was a big part of what caused me to create a KZhead channel. At 67 the clock is ticking and I just don't have time to make all the mistakes that would otherwise be inevitable. Happy New Year 2023.
I believe that some truck campers have passed the point of safe in regards to weight and stability no matter how much you modify. Laws of physics still apply
Thanks for tuning in. I do not disagree. I'm actually shocked that there are not more accidents. I only had to take a stock brand new F350 and a newly purchased truck bed camper through a single round-about intersection once, a decade ago to know it was unsafe. After suspension upgrades, widening the stance considerably front and rear, consulting with suspension, alignment and tire experts along the way, I'm confident in what I have now - but I'm also hyper aware of how I load the unit. Weight at the bottom, bulk at the top, etc. Along the way I've had RV sales people share that it is their reasoned opinion that there one out of every two motorhomes that is on a one-on chassis that is exceeding the manufacturers stated allowable weight - and issue that directly impacts braking and cornering. I suspect we'll see a day coming when anything over a 10,000 lb RV unit/combined vehicle weight unit will require an upgrade in drivers license, accompanied by random weight scale checks.
I have been rv'in for over 40 yrs.( i've never owned a truck camper). I'm always amazed why anyone would buy a over priced wind sail. Before you make a purchase watch a video of a truck camper traveling down a uneven dirt road even 5 at mph, pickups were never designed to carry that much weight that high in the bed.
Hey! thanks for tuning in and sharing! All I can say is that once I got the springs sorted out, it's super solid. Last trip from Wyoming to Idaho we had cross winds that were causing less than fully loaded 53' semi trailers to lean, and we were rock solid. We also did a stretch of 20 miles of twisty, uneven road with several corners banked the wrong way as we explored an old mining site, and could not have asked for a better experience. For what we do - and find essential to support everything we need for everything from backpacking in difficult terrain and weather, to dressing up to attend a conference and it's associated events, our choice was either a 5th wheel trailer or the 1172. Loving where we landed . . .