newbie questions

[jbb]

Greetings,

Wanting to purchase my first truck camper. I have an 05 tacoma, high milage ( will be replacing it in a couple of years with same) and realize that I will have to have the rear spring TSB done and air bags or timbrens, and maybe even a tire upgrade. Right now there is 1996 pop up Skamper, 6 foot for sale, owner says it weighs about 900lbs. He said he uses toyotas D rings in bed to secure it. This sounds unsafe to me? Other options for my composite bed? The ad picture also shows the camper resting on what appear to be 3x3's or 4x4's to raise it over the bed rails. Does this higher centre of gravity pose measurable safety concerns? Anything else I should be concerned with? I plan on driving the two hours to go see it this weekend (if it is still available)

Thanks for any and all help with these questions.

Jb

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Welcome!

First, I'd be surprised if that Skamper weighed only 900 pounds. Even so, securing it to the stock tie-downs is asking for trouble. Four Wheel Campers installs a special pair of thick steel brackets on the composite-bed Tacomas to secure their aluminum-framed campers, which are much lighter than the Skamper.

Clearly, raising the Skamper on blocks will hurt your center of gravity. Much better if it fits properly.

Since Skampers are no longer made, you could run into problems sourcing special parts. Also, I've seen two Skampers used in rough country that eventually lost their structural rigidity and began flexing side to side. Something to keep in mind if you plan a lot of off-pavement travel.

We installed Boss air bags to compensate for the weight of our FWC. There's an article here which might help you decide which way to go:

Leveling the JATAC

 

[SLO_F-250]

Welcome to the Expo!

I had a 1989 Skamper 060S for 3 years. It was my starter camper as well. Great little camper and I took it all over the place. Funny enough the production tag on the door said dry weight 875lbs... So if it is the smaller model camper 900lbs according to Skamper is not off. :sombrero:

Plan on a load helper spring for the rear. Your fiberglass bed might be tough to connect to. You might try using turnbuckles to the bumper in the rear. Not the best/strongest but plenty of people so this. For the front you could try Torklift camper tie-downs that extend from the frame rails out. Have the guy measure the base of the camper to the bottom of the roof. You can then measure your truck to see if the camper will fit. Because I fit the little thing on my Superduty I raised it up 10" and added a drawer underneath. My current camper is raised up 2-1/2". It is common to have to do this as there are too many makes and models of campers and trucks to have a perfect fit every time. And as Jonathon said above the COG will be raised. Regarding the safety concerns it all depends on you, where you plan on taking it, and what you plan on doing with it.

I would not shy away from a good condition Skamper. As long as there is no drywrot or soft spots it could be a good little project. Yea, FWC, ATC, Pheonix, etc make a MUCH better camper, but for a starter camper under $2-3k (assumed) go for it.

Picture of the ole girl. I still miss that under the bed storage...

All in all it depends a lot on your budget, what you plan on doing with the camper, and your needs. I took the skamper on plenty of dirt roads and hammered it and it never let me down.

Good Luck. Also look at both links in my signature. I have documented each camper restoration, how it is mounted, etc. You will find good info in there and possibly see what you might get yourself into.
Cheers.
:ylsmoke:

 

[jbb]

Hi again,

Thanks for your speedy replies. I'm still debating this camper. Nice thread on your Skamper build SLO- F250, enjoyed and learned alot from it.

 

[Overland Hadley]

You will definitely want E rated tires.

I would look at getting the bracket that Four Wheel Camper has for the Tacoma, even if it is for use with a Skamper.

You will need to be aware of the higher COG that your truck will have with the camper. But this goes for any camper mounted on a truck. (I personally feel that my Tacoma rides better with the camper than it did with a heavy topper on it.)

If you get the camper please share some photos with us.

 

[SLO_F-250]

Hi again,

Thanks for your speedy replies. I'm still debating this camper. Nice thread on your Skamper build SLO- F250, enjoyed and learned alot from it.

Thanks. Im glad it helped out. It sure was a fun project and a sad day when I saw her go. Good Luck and keep us posted.

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If you get the camper please share some photos with us.
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What Overland said! WE LOVE PICTS! :elkgrin: