Suggestions on which camper for a Nissan Frontier 4cyl

[berg]

I have a 99 Nissan frontier with the Fuel injected2.4l 4cylinder motor and 5 speed 4x4-manual trans. HP rating is 148rwhp which in generous IMO. Wondering if I am going to regret getting a slide in pop up with this setup? This motor would be compared to the Toyota 22re for hp and reliability and configuartion.
I installed calmini extra heavy duty front torsion bars and threw in a extra spring on the rears in hopes it will handle it ok.
Being a slide in newbie I wondered what you guy thought about this combo and which camper would you suggest as far as weight and craftsmanship. I will be using it for mainly exploring , fishing, taking the long way home kind of camping. nothing hardcore.
Tired of sleeping under a shell.
PS the bed is 76" long 58" wide and it is an ex cab.

thanks

 

[davidshourd]

I think you will have enough power to putt it around. just pull over to the right hand side and enjoy the journey! I think you will find that you will need airbags though. the trucks just are not made for carrying 700-900# all day, day in and out in their bed. it may be alright at first, but it will sag and be sloppy.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Four Wheel Campers makes a couple small units that weigh 500-700lbs. Check the Eagle or Finch model.

Another option would be All Terrain Campers, the Bobcat is their smallest model.

 

[maximumrob]

Flippac or just a regular topper with one of those inflatable beds that fits around the wheel wells. You're probably already thinking the engine won't pull you up much of a grade on the highway with a real slide-in camper in it, and you'd be right.

I recall my days with a 4-cyl mini-truck and recall having to downshift to *3rd* when climbing a mild grade pulling a couple Jet Skis (real Jet Skis, not these 1,500 monsters people call Jet Skis these days).

Good luck and post pictures when you pick something!

 

[dzzz]

I think your better off with a trailer. You'll be 2x your trucks rated payload with even the lightest TC.

 

[Piet]

Flippac

 

[ddawson]

I've got a 99 Fronty, but it is the six cylinder with an auto trans. My truck is slow when fully loaded and I have a flippac on it. I imagine yours would be considerably slower. For the rear, I have custom aftermarket leafs (Alcan) and they help a lot. I would definitely consider getting airbags if you're going the slide-in route.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I think your better off with a trailer. You'll be 2x your trucks rated payload with even the lightest TC.

Not with a 500lb FWC Finch shell model.

What is the payload on your Frontier?

 

[tanglefoot]

You should have a good chunk more motivation than a 22re. That's what I have and it's barely over 100hp at the flywheel, maybe 70-80 hp at the wheels.

My camper budget was very small ($500) so I didn't have many choices. I went with a heavier wood-camper. It's worked out well. The combo's a little clumsy (I wish I'd never scrapped my sway-bar back in the day!) and under-powered but it's been a ton of fun. I did add some of those cheap half-leaf helper springs from the auto parts store. I think they were about $20.

It's an 8-foot camper and I'm glad it is. It sits on the open tailgate and has some decent interior space (with a 3-burner stove and double sink!) I think I'd have a hard time moving around in a 6-foot camper on a mini-truck.

Have fun!

Eric

 

[LateNate]

Air bags are a must.

 

[bajajoaquin]

Not with a 500lb FWC Finch shell model.

Would it always be empty? Or would he be likely to add water, coolers with ice (at 8 lb/gal), and gear?

Don't think of it as "only 500 lbs." You're adding 500 lbs to your camping gear.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Would it always be empty? Or would he be likely to add water, coolers with ice (at 8 lb/gal), and gear?

Don't think of it as "only 500 lbs." You're adding 500 lbs to your camping gear.

Yes, of course.

My comment was that adding 500lbs, if correct planning was done, would not mean loading the truck to twice the payload.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Maybe we will get some more thoughts from the OP?

 

[abeaudin1971]

I've an '09 access cab 4x4 tacoma with the 2.7l 4 cylinder and a flippac.

Around eastern Ontario it runs fine but in the mountains out west.. third gear is your friend.

I realize the frontier is a lighter truck likely and close to as powerful but if it was to do over again, the v6 would have been purchased.

 

[meafordmike]

I've an '09 access cab 4x4 tacoma with the 2.7l 4 cylinder and a flippac.

Around eastern Ontario it runs fine but in the mountains out west.. third gear is your friend.

I realize the frontier is a lighter truck likely and close to as powerful but if it was to do over again, the v6 would have been purchased.

To bad you have the 6ft bed, as I have the V6 and am looking for a Flippac.:sombrero: