OK, I am going to jump into the truck camping experience, wanting to go with a pop up. I am selling my pull behind and will be on a very limited budget, the wife says stay below $1000. I have never owned a pop up truck camper so I do not know what to look for. I have an 06 F150 4X4, stock so I need to stay under 1600lbs. I would like to get one with a 2 way fridge and battery power, and a queen bed up top. What do I need to look out for when I am looking at them, what questions do I need to ask. I have found a couple near to me but have not looked at them yet. Any advice would be very helpful, like I said, I am new at this.
New to truck campers what kind to get?
- Thread starter mgh
- Start date
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Terrainist
Explorer
Sort of an all encompassing question, if you could only ask one question - ask the seller, "what is wrong with it?". You want to know everything they know. If all the appliances work, if anything is finicky or intermittent, what needs attention, etc. I would stay away from the older wood framed campers unless you can do a very good job of inspecting for wood rot. But even then it is a crap shoot as things are hidden. Aluminum framed is the way to go.
Be patient in your search, learn as much as you can. Look at and get into a few of them to get a feel for what's out there. You have a newer truck and on your budget are looking for an older camper. The older ones sometimes do not fit in the newer trucks. Winter is coming though, it's the best time to be buying. vs. spring, when people are trying to get outdoors.
These campers may not fit your truck for example. If you are handy, they can be modified to fit. People do that.
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/rvs/1964659046.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/1996587851.html
Be patient in your search, learn as much as you can. Look at and get into a few of them to get a feel for what's out there. You have a newer truck and on your budget are looking for an older camper. The older ones sometimes do not fit in the newer trucks. Winter is coming though, it's the best time to be buying. vs. spring, when people are trying to get outdoors.
These campers may not fit your truck for example. If you are handy, they can be modified to fit. People do that.
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/rvs/1964659046.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/1996587851.html
Luckily for you your location is Colorado. The reason you're lucky is Four Wheel used to be manufactured there and Hallmark still is. For your price range a lot of the used ones seem to be advertised there. The fit issue is real. I'd advise taking a tape measure to your tailgate opening, bed sides and cab top to bed bottom, then to the lower unit of any perspective camper you look at. After that Terrainist's advice to ask about appliances and so on is good. One thing I'd suggest is make sure the owner will gladly "Pop It" for you. Some brands use a geared crank system to raise the top. Some systems had a history of the gears going out of sync and breaking. Make sure to look closely at the pop up material for wear spots and mildew stains. The last thing I'd recommend is make sure you can power the camper up and check the lights. A burned out bulb is one thing, having to try and find a short is another.
Hope this helps and best of luck in your search.
Hope this helps and best of luck in your search.
Thanks for the advice thus far. I tried 3 time to contact the guy about the FWC, but I guess he sold it, I never heard back. I sold the travel trailer last night and have the wifes blessing for the pop up, but still the $1000 budget. I have found a couple late 80's Hallmarks. I post up what I end up with, and any more advice would be welcomed.
Congratulations on your trailer sale! In my neck of the woods, (Oregon) Hallmark Campers are kind of a rarity. That said I don't know much first hand about them. What I have gleaned about them from this and other forums is they have an overall good reputation. Another thing that seems common from some of the posts I've read is they are heavier than some other campers. I can say I followed one down the highway on a Toyota Tundra other day. It seemed to be handling the camper just fine.
Hope you find success.
Hope you find success.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Hi mgh,
This is a great time to be in the market for an inexpensive pop-up, especially for a full-size truck. I PM'ed you some craigslists posts for possible candidates in the denver-metro area.
I'm North of Denver and last year, I found one in my $500 price range. It's a late-80's 4-seasons (they were made in Denver). It's a wooden camper but I've been really happy with it. I was originally seeking a 4-wheel but you don't need one to go off-road...other campers do it well too.
I did a little work on it--mainly to undo previous owner "modifications" but it didn't need a tremendous amount of work or money to make it comfortable. All the structure, softwall, and roof and cushions were in good shape. I mainly did some wiring work, added a solar charger, and did a little cosmetic work (cleaning, vinyl tile floor, minwax on cabinets).
Your price range is completely doable, and there are more campers available for full-sized trucks than compact trucks.
I wouldn't neccesarily shop by brand, especially in the price range. I'd pay more attention to the condition of the softwall (that easily costs more than the whole camper to replace) the structure (no soft spots) and the amenities.
I'm not sure if your truck is a shortbed, but mine is and I'm really glad I ended up with an 8-foot camper that goes to the end of the tailgate. That way, I get a storage closet, a longer countertop with 3-burner stove and double sink, and stretch-out room on the lower bed.
Let me know if I can help--I love talking campers.
Eric
This is a great time to be in the market for an inexpensive pop-up, especially for a full-size truck. I PM'ed you some craigslists posts for possible candidates in the denver-metro area.
I'm North of Denver and last year, I found one in my $500 price range. It's a late-80's 4-seasons (they were made in Denver). It's a wooden camper but I've been really happy with it. I was originally seeking a 4-wheel but you don't need one to go off-road...other campers do it well too.
I did a little work on it--mainly to undo previous owner "modifications" but it didn't need a tremendous amount of work or money to make it comfortable. All the structure, softwall, and roof and cushions were in good shape. I mainly did some wiring work, added a solar charger, and did a little cosmetic work (cleaning, vinyl tile floor, minwax on cabinets).
Your price range is completely doable, and there are more campers available for full-sized trucks than compact trucks.
I wouldn't neccesarily shop by brand, especially in the price range. I'd pay more attention to the condition of the softwall (that easily costs more than the whole camper to replace) the structure (no soft spots) and the amenities.
I'm not sure if your truck is a shortbed, but mine is and I'm really glad I ended up with an 8-foot camper that goes to the end of the tailgate. That way, I get a storage closet, a longer countertop with 3-burner stove and double sink, and stretch-out room on the lower bed.
Let me know if I can help--I love talking campers.
Eric
STREGA
Explorer
One thing to keep in mind is older slide in campers don't always fit into newer trucks, bed sizes have changed over the years even if both are fullsize. Check the 4wd website they have a fitchart that will give you a good idea on what will work.
Secondly, In the $1000 price range you will be looking at mostly older campers. Almost all will be wood framed which will likely to have wood rot and will be heavy also. Beside spending money on the camper you will also have to spend money on suspension upgrades to safely/properly mount a camper if you don't already have that done to your F-150. One of the best/cheapest ways that I found was the Timbren system.
Good luck on your search.
Secondly, In the $1000 price range you will be looking at mostly older campers. Almost all will be wood framed which will likely to have wood rot and will be heavy also. Beside spending money on the camper you will also have to spend money on suspension upgrades to safely/properly mount a camper if you don't already have that done to your F-150. One of the best/cheapest ways that I found was the Timbren system.
Good luck on your search.