Actual off road capability of composite campers.

[Reno_Nate]

Question for the group. For those that have built a hard sided composite camper what has been your experience with its capabilities off road? Seem like they have a real high center of gravity. Currently have an F150 with a small slide in. With a 2in level and 33s it goes most places I want it to. It's a little small for our growing family and looking to upgrade. Originally was thinking van but they don't seem super capable and have a high COG. So thinking trade in the f150 for a 350 and do a flatbed camper . I'd love a popup OEV but they are out of our price range and FWC seems like they have a lot of condensation issues in cold weather. So wondering about a composite hard side but will I have the same issues as a van with high COG? we are mostly weekend warriors to a week out. Thanks!

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[rruff]

So wondering about a composite hard side but will I have the same issues as a van with high COG? we are mostly weekend warriors to a week out. Thanks!

It won't be very different if you custom build to similar specs. To reduce COG concerns, keep the heavy stuff low in a custom build.

You seem overly worried about COG, but you'd need to be on >40 degree angle for that to happen, or make a silly maneuver, or have the road collapse. Ground clearance and roof height are more common limitations for getting places in a big rig. Traction and turning radius are important also.

 

[andy_b]

To anser the question: we haven’t had issues. As long as it fits (and we don’t always and still make it) we are fine.

If you keep the big things low, minimal stuff on the roof, and exercise restraint when installing and loading high cabinets, you should be fine. We left out upper cabinets in our build for this reason. Our COG is just behind the rear wall of the truck cabin at the level of the framerails.

Off camber feels dangerous but rarely is.

 

[simple]

What is your definition of off-road?

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Hard sided campers typically have a CofG advantage over slide-ins (we have had both) because the water tanks are below the floor instead of above it.
This rig weighs about 6 to 6.5T.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[Reno_Nate]

What is your definition of off-road?

Example ftom a few weeks ago: Had to use my rear diff lock here with slippery mud

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[Reno_Nate]

Example ftom a few weeks ago: Had to use my rear diff lock here with slippery mud

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And not sure why the photo won't upload. Off camber, slippery and with big potholes. Aka two tracks in Nevada

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[geoffff]

Hard sided campers typically have a CofG advantage over slide-ins (we have had both) because the water tanks are below the floor instead of above it.
This rig weighs about 6 to 6.5T.

Wow, that's impressive!! :0

I was curious, so I measured the worst frame of your video. Looking at the trees, the camera seems to be tilted about 4°. After compensating for that, I measure 23°. I'm surprised how scary 23° looks!

 

[rruff]

I'm surprised how scary 23° looks!

We usually pucker up and freak out when we get about half way to the tipping point. Because he's bouncing, he's probably over half way.

To clarify, in a static situation the CG needs to tilt past the tire contact point that you'll be pivoting on when you tip over. For instance, say his CG is in the center of his rig, and at the level of the top of the radiator where you drew the line. If you draw a vertical line through the tire contact with the ground, he's still a long way from that point. And his actual CG is probably quite a bit lower.

 

[Victorian]

Keep your heavy stuff within 30" off the interior floor height and only very lightweight gear (no upper cabinets) above that and you will not have to worry about tipping points compare to your stock mid size truck. With bigger trucks (F550, LMTV etc) you have much more mass low to ground and therefore your interior can be more heavy without much worry.

 

[tacollie]

Keep the heavy stuff low. You'll be good.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Keep everything heavy low, for the vast majority of ( smart, experienced, common sense, etc) people. They find their personal limits way before the rig does.

 

[Bushwagon]

I have an Overland Explorer. Previous owners went from Canada to Panama and back. I travel seasonally to the southern US and have also gone down the Baja. I own a wildtrak Bronco on 35s and off-road with that as well.

Weight is your issue. Any 4x4 truck with decent rubber will go a long ways with average driving skill. When you get stuck or in a tricky spot and need to recover is the problem. My rig weighs 16,500lbs always. If you get that stuck only a tractor or heavy recovery unit will be of help. I try to stick to something like poorly maintained forestry roads. Had a pretty exciting trip off the mountain into Seymour arm BC one time. Also had a fella in a big military rig pass me on the beach in Baja and bury it in the sand. Was a 3 day recovery and eventually needed a backhoe.

It's not if it will go there. It probably will. It's if while going there you mess up. Now what's your plan? That's the real limiter in my experience.

 

[simple]

I have an Overland Explorer. Previous owners went from Canada to Panama and back. I travel seasonally to the southern US and have also gone down the Baja. I own a wildtrak Bronco on 35s and off-road with that as well.

Weight is your issue. Any 4x4 truck with decent rubber will go a long ways with average driving skill. When you get stuck or in a tricky spot and need to recover is the problem. My rig weighs 16,500lbs always. If you get that stuck only a tractor or heavy recovery unit will be of help. I try to stick to something like poorly maintained forestry roads. Had a pretty exciting trip off the mountain into Seymour arm BC one time. Also had a fella in a big military rig pass me on the beach in Baja and bury it in the sand. Was a 3 day recovery and eventually needed a backhoe.

It's not if it will go there. It probably will. It's if while going there you mess up. Now what's your plan? That's the real limiter in my experience.

What wheels and tires are on your truck? Can you compare the highway ride to a 1ton with factory singles and a lighter camper?

I hear a lot that super single setups are hard to get the tires balanced so there isn't added vibration at highway speeds.

 

[rruff]

^If you are going to be fairly light, then I think there are good reasons to use LT tires. SS rims can be bought with a bead for either LT or military.

If you are on the verge of getting stuck, then airing down is your best bet. Best to have a system for airing down and back up again with minimal hassle if you are offroad for an appreciable distance.