Looking for a Hard Side Truck Camper with Door on the Side

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I'm looking for a new truck camper to replace my 2005 Bigfoot. The new camper needs to fit on a short bed truck and have an entry door on the side. I'm not interested in anything with a rear door entry. I tow a Jeep so the side door would be a huge plus for me. I have to put up a metal porch and steps each night and that gets old (see picture). I found the Host Aspen but I've read some bad things about that company so that's not an option. Anybody aware of anything else out there ?

 

[Lance990]

The Lance 830 has a side door and will fit a short bed.

http://www.lancecamper.com/docs/2010-Camper-Brochure.pdf

It was made by Lance from 2008-2012. I love the cross camper dinette seating. The 830 fits short beds but the 1040 (same layout) fits a long bed.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Thanks for the reply but I'm looking for something new (2015-2016). Other than the Host, I can't find a thing. I wonder why that is ?

 

[Lance990]

It is like anything else, things go out of style and come back again. Most used truck campers are "gently used" so keep that in mind if you can't find a new one that suits you. In 2013, I paid $7,200 for my Lance 990 which was 15 years old at the time but you couldn't tell that it had ever been used. I can assure you that you will not be having $30k more fun with a new camper than I will be having in mine. There is nothing on a new camper that my Lance 990 doesn't have. I'd rather save the $30k and use it for fuel to travel and be just as comfortable as someone in a new camper. Besides, the quality of Lance campers means I'll be getting plenty of use from my camper for years to come. Just something to think about! Good luck with your search!

 

[IdaSHO]

Jerry, have you considered a retrofit/remodel of an existing model to get what you want?

Or even the possibility of a custom built unit?

 

[zb39]

I was going to suggest Host also. We are looking at the mammoth right now with the double couch option. Then flat tow the Jeep with it.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Thanks guys..........I'm getting ready to go full time again so projects are out of the question for me. I'm really in the market for new cause I use mine a lot and if I switch it's going to be to a new one. In the (11) years that I've owned my Bigfoot, I'd guess that I've lived in it at least 3, maybe 4 years. Maybe someday I'll get over my love affair with my Chevy truck and I'll get a new long bed truck and then I'll get the camper.

 

[boxcar1]

I doubt very much that you will find anything that you will like as well as your 05 Bigfoot on todays market.
Especially with a side entrance short bed configuration.
Most ( not all ) side loaders are large , heavy units with a CG to far back to work well in a short bed truck.
Sorry that I can't be of more help.

 

[Mundo4x4Casa]

I'm still in the dark as to why you just don't disconnect the jeep. Cannot take more than 3 minutes. Thinking outside the box, why not just use a swing-down step connected to the tow bar and a front patch as the second step. My bro had a set up where he welded a set of alternating foot pads that plugged into the receiver hitch. Slick operation. I used a 1 foot step stool against the tongue on my jeep trailer to gain access to the TC while at the Hammers or Mojave Road (trailer attached).

Notice the extension on the class V hitch. It's about 18". This leaves a lot more room for access.
Below is my car trailer with my (R.I.P.) CJ8 rock crawler. The long tongue was used as the second step after the 1 foot step stool (not shown).

Here is the step rest we've used on occasion with the extension. On this trip we mostly stepped on the 1 foot step stool and another foot on the coupler:

There a lot of ways to solve your problem without a cash-echtomy.
jefe

 

[IdaSHO]

A rear door has many, many downsides when compared to a side entrance.

Towing is one, and a good one. Its a major inconvenience.

Another one, a big one for me is the filth. The rear of the camper always collects a ton of road grime/dirt/dust, when side entrances collect hardly any.

Thanks guys..........I'm getting ready to go full time again so projects are out of the question for me.

My question with regards to a retrofit was to drum up ideas for you. Why spend a ton of money on a new unit when you can spend just a bit on a remodel?

Depending upon the current configuration of the utilities and interior of your Bigfoot, relocating the door to the side may work.


If you are set on a new model, then by all means go new. Just some thoughts.

 

[Nitromethane43]

If you insist on new and have the budget for a nice camper, Dutch Campers have some pretty nice products, and I believe any layout can be had in a side entry door. They also do custom units if you do not find a suitable floor plan.

Price List

 

[Lance990]

My Lance 990 bumper step has two positions it can be mounted. It can be in the center when not towing and to the right when not towing. This provides easy access to the rear door no matter what.

 

[fisher205]

Jerry,
time to get a long bed truck http://www.northstarcampers.com/online-catalog.php?view=item&parentId=15&catId=17&numId=25

Let me know when you come out this way.
Brad

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Mundo4x4Casa.......it's really more than what I initially stated. I travel with (2) large dogs. When I travel, I usually travel slow. That means I stop a lot and the dogs and I are in and out of the camper all day. During the day I'm not installing the steps and the porch so I'm lifting (2) dogs in and out of the camper. Often in the evening I'll disconnect the Jeep and install the steps. It takes me more than (3) minutes to disconnect the Jeep, park it, and install the steps. I travel solo so it's always a pain to reconnect in the morning. I look at these nice side load truck campers and I'm envious. Heck their steps are attached and fold out. very quick and simple from what I've seen.

Nitromethane43.......Dutch Campers would not be an alternative for me. I'd prefer something made in Canada or U.S. but thanks for the reply.

IdaSho.......you're right about the filth thing. Disconnecting that Jeep is another dirty task. I always wear gloves now.

Brad.......I should be passing through in early June (assuming my plans work out) so we can grab coffee. I'll email you and give you a call when I get close.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

So I've been thinking more about these side load campers and I wonder why there's only one manufacturer in the U.S. & Canada (that I'm aware of) making a short bed side load truck camper. It seems to me that there would be a market for this style camper but then maybe not. I wonder how well that Lance side load sold before they discontinued making it.

Boxcar1.......you're right about finding something I like better than my 05 Bigfoot. That's been a great truck camper for me.