looking for 4x4 truck pop up - advice

[beantown]

hello all i'm looking for a 4x4 truck pop up camper, something older to not break the bank. I camp, backpack, rock climb, hike, back country splitboard etc. Ive always tent camped or backpack and use my 2 dr jeep but with our 2 dogs now its tough to pack everything and get outdoors. I would really like the camper for back country splitboarding so i can just drive down any road where i want to go and get after it. This winter i tent camped a lot in the eastern sierra and went out. Cold doesn't bother me, the coldest i got into was single digits in December camping by mammoth. We are also looking to do more disperse camping and not having to worry about setting up a tent site - i know some good places.

I don't really like RV's or big campers, small and compact fits me better so the pop up is what im looking for, and 4x4 is a must.

Anyways i found the 1992 4x4 gmc 2500, 104,000 miles, with a north star camper for 5,000. Haven't looked at it yet, just thinking about it. Seems the truck is worth 2,000~2,500 according to KBB. What would you say the camper is worth? From what i have read northstar seems to make a good camper, this one is older anyone know the model, and what i should look for in looking it over. is 5k good for this, i was thinking about 4k. How do these truck campers drive with a pop-up like this. does gas mileage suffer? my jeep already suck on gas with 35's! This truck camper world is all new to me, so im looking for advice. The guy told me this runs on propane for heat, ref, and stove. Pictures I saw have power outlets inside, how do those work? How long can this stuff run on a 5lb propane tank?

Ive been looking on Craigslist and random site forums online and seems there is not a whole lot to choose from.

 

[MTCK]

Seems like a good deal to me if the camper isn't rotten. Truck looks clean. 350?

 

[wirenut]

5 lb propane tank? I suspect it has at least one 20 lb tank, maybe even two. You should be able to run the refrigerator and stove for weeks on one 20 lb tank. The furnace can suck up lots of gas if it's really cold but you should still be good for several days.
Northstar has a great reputation. My experience with GM trucks has been excellent. However, that particular year of truck will probably "eat" brake pads pretty regularly, especially hauling that camper around.
I'm guessing fuel mileage will be 10 MPG or so with the camper on. Handling should be decent since a pop-up should have a fairly low center of gravity.
Be aware that that camper, loaded with propane, fresh water, food, gear, etc. plus the weight of you, passengers, pets, gear, etc. in the truck is likely very close to or over the truck's GVWR if not over. Most people with truck campers run this way. Just be sure you don't go over your axle and tire ratings.

 

[Regcabguy]

Buy it if it's as described. The Northstars are well built and roomy. Interesting how he's got the spare attached to the exterior back wall.
I had an '89 3500 2wd with the Turbo 400 trans. I always got 12-14 mpg with a Callen cab high camper and stock tires. The trans did not have the overdrive.
Fuel economy will be decent as long as you leave the tire diameter alone. My friend had the identical truck, regcab and utility bed with an Alaskan. He went one size up and it killed it.
Re-gearing is extremely expensive.
If it's one of the rare 4-speed manuals,you really scored.