Conflicted on Camper

[eyemgh]

I am SO conflicted!!!

I know the limitations of the Raven/Silverado combo (small and occasionally goes over GVWR, separate thread on that), but it’s paid for.

If I build something new, I’ll put it on the F250 with a well apportioned Sherptek (separate thread on that, essentially a 7.3/4.30, with Kings on all 4 and internally on the fly adjustable bags). Before even adding a camper, I’ll be into it for $80-$90k depending on what trim I “can’t live without” and what deal I could ink on the truck. Then there’s the camper.

I like the familiarity of FWC, but I want a cassette and can only get it in a front dinette. We want a side. Plus, the older I get, the less I like pushing the top up. A Grandby would be even heavier.
Hallmark is intriguing, certainly more plush, but heavier, more complex, and service is a long way away.

Scout is cool, but it’s a hard side with a single, tiny roof vent. I worry about it being hot and less agile. It is relatively light for a hard side though.

Any thoughts or others to consider? Thanks!

EDIT: Must haves are cassette toilet and separate beds for two adults, even if one is smaller. Likes are no gray water tank, good ventilation, shore power, possibility for solar and LiFEPO, Truma Combi.

 

[1000arms]

You might look at the following thread. The OP @Mundo4x4Casa has a lot of experience offroad and with truck campers offroad. The thread eventually includes his new truck camper and putting it on a SRW F-350 SCSB.

jefe's hardside camper hauler

At the moment I'm a persona non grata in Klubb XTC. For the last 3 months and the first time in 18 years Jeanie and i have no camper. There is definitely something missing in our lives but this will change next month when we pick up our 2020 Northstar Laredo SC at the factory in Iowa ordered...

expeditionportal.com

 

[mkish]

The popup version of the NS Laredo floorplan is the 850 SC. If one of your adults is short (smaller dinette bed), there's a 650 SC which won't hang off a shortbed. I have a 2012 Northstar 800 with no cassette but a nice size dinette bed. Good size fresh tank, easy crank up (new ones are electric), easy takedown with NO tucking. (I'm short. No tucking canvas is a big deal for me.)

The main advantage a cassette has over a good portapotty is that they're usually in a "bathroom" for privacy. Now that my kids are older I kinda wish I had that!

 

[eyemgh]

The popup version of the NS Laredo floorplan is the 850 SC. If one of your adults is short (smaller dinette bed), there's a 650 SC which won't hang off a shortbed. I have a 2012 Northstar 800 with no cassette but a nice size dinette bed. Good size fresh tank, easy crank up (new ones are electric), easy takedown with NO tucking. (I'm short. No tucking canvas is a big deal for me.)

The main advantage a cassette has over a good portapotty is that they're usually in a "bathroom" for privacy. Now that my kids are older I kinda wish I had that!

I have a Thetford Port-a-potty, that works, but it doesn’t have a home and it’s a bit of a pain schlepping the whole thing around to fill the top and bottom.

Hadn’t considered NS, but the 850SC has a nice floor plan!

 

[vintageracer]

With all the new folks buying RV's and gittin into "Overland" life that makes for very crowded RV parks and a very crowded back country as more and more people venture into the great unknown.

Bigger might not be better!

Ya I know as we age we want all the comforts of home wherever we are at however I suggest you think long and hard about what really is important for you as you travel.

Smaller might be better!

Smaller costs less, a smaller rig gits you further into the boonies and away from the great unwashed masses, smaller is easier to store, smaller is cheaper to maintain, smaller is less hard on your smaller truck and on and on!

No "smaller" is not for everybody. I think there are a lot of folks that have far more second thoughts/regrets about their BIG comfortable truck/camper purchase than they will acknowledge to the rest of us here on the forum. "Buyer's Remorse" if you will.

Maybe a "Chill Pill" is a good strategy for YOU to really focus on what YOU really NEED rather than what YOU really WANT. That "Chill Pill" might make a lotta "Cents" and help to reduce your confusion and help YOU to make the best decision for the long term!

Something to consider!

 

[eyemgh]

With all the new folks buying RV's and gittin into "Overland" life that makes for very crowded RV parks and a very crowded back country as more and more people venture into the great unknown.

Bigger might not be better!

Ya I know as we age we want all the comforts of home wherever we are at however I suggest you think long and hard about what really is important for you as you travel.

Smaller might be better!

Smaller costs less, a smaller rig gits you further into the boonies and away from the great unwashed masses, smaller is easier to store, smaller is cheaper to maintain, smaller is less hard on your smaller truck and on and on!

No "smaller" is not for everybody. I think there are a lot of folks that have far more second thoughts/regrets about their BIG comfortable truck/camper purchase than they will acknowledge to the rest of us here on the forum. "Buyer's Remorse" if you will.

Maybe a "Chill Pill" is a good strategy for YOU to really focus on what YOU really NEED rather than what YOU really WANT. That "Chill Pill" might make a lotta "Cents" and help to reduce your confusion and help YOU to make the best decision for the long term!

Something to consider!

Oh, I’m 100% with you. The thing is, it isn’t just me making this decision. ?

Plus, the older we get, the more comforts we need, not just want.

If we upsize, it will only be marginally bigger than the rig we have. Both will take us anywhere we want to go.

 

[Chorky]

Bigger might not be better!

Mike here has a great point. I go back and forth a lot as well. Between a camper for my F350, or a nice little trailer for my TJ. both get you out. one is more comfortable, the other is easier and goes more places. One is good for all seasons, the other being smaller likely is used more during the summer. Both come up to the same cost. The real difference, like what Mike said, is which one (in my example here) is more 'realistic'. This site has tons of amazing builds and information. but i think what is missed out on most of the time is what is reality. Will you truly be 'overlanding' for months on end, or just go out for a night or two every other weekend. Quite a big difference. Although, like you I also understand the need for more comfort. Maybe consider a camper van?? I think the dream of taking a big camper truly off road is something of a fantasy. Many do it, but even more people dont and end up sticking to main campgrounds.

But, as for pop up camper options - at least for myself, I would choose either an Alaskan, or a AluCab. They offer things that others fall very short on. Just my .02. Hope it is helpful.

 

[eyemgh]

Mike here has a great point. I go back and forth a lot as well. Between a camper for my F350, or a nice little trailer for my TJ. both get you out. one is more comfortable, the other is easier and goes more places. One is good for all seasons, the other being smaller likely is used more during the summer. Both come up to the same cost. The real difference, like what Mike said, is which one (in my example here) is more 'realistic'. This site has tons of amazing builds and information. but i think what is missed out on most of the time is what is reality. Will you truly be 'overlanding' for months on end, or just go out for a night or two every other weekend. Quite a big difference. Although, like you I also understand the need for more comfort. Maybe consider a camper van?? I think the dream of taking a big camper truly off road is something of a fantasy. Many do it, but even more people dont and end up sticking to main campgrounds.

But, as for pop up camper options - at least for myself, I would choose either an Alaskan, or a AluCab. They offer things that others fall very short on. Just my .02. Hope it is helpful.

We only campground camp when we have to. For example, dispersed camping along the Oregon coast is not very gratifying, as it's either listening to the traffic on 101 or camping on the dunes with 4-wheelers flying by. Otherwise, we dispersed camp, usually off non-technical forest roads, but occasionally off of high clearance, 4WD only roads. We want something that we could continue doing that in, but also travel throughout the US and Canada after we retire.