toying with idea of pop up truck camper

[coguzzi]

as title says, thinkin about moving from van camping world to slide in pop up truck camper world since i already have a 02 toyota tundra i love and trust and narrow my fleet down some.

looking for honest opinions on what i should look for to fit a first gen tundra. i have ALWAYS had 4x4 vans (5 VW syncros and current 4x4 pop top econoline) so getting around in the CO rockies is important to me (jeep trails). i think weight is my big concern probably--right?

four wheel campers seem to answer that, but concerned about raising the ultra simple pop top with yakima box and perhaps snow up top. simple can have its faults to.

so who makes an ultralight mechanical mechanism lift camper?

i have a line on a 1999 Real lite Pop up Camper model RTS600 which i trying to determine will even fit my truck (think it will) but will it be to heavy? tundras are not super heavy duty.

looking for advise i guess

 

[NothingClever]

Talk to Stan at FWC who can help you determine the right strength for nitrogen struts (an option on FWCs) which assist lifting the roof.

Matt at Hallmark (www.hallmarkrv.com) uses a really nice lift mechanism that you can operate via handcrank (geared for easy operation) or cordless drill. If you navigate their page, you'll find multiple videos which show the mechanism.

If I were hauling a load all the time, I think Hallmark would be the more durable choice. They are a heavier camper but the roof and lifting mechanism will handle a lot of weight and the Hallmark's comfort and conveniences (a source of weight) are worth it for me.

 

[JCMatthews]

Owning a Tundra myself and wanting a pop up camper I understand where you are coming from. However, like most do, do a spring upgrade on your Tundra and then the little extra weight won't matter.

 

[trump]

Check out this setup:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/79326-WASURF63-s-Tundra-gets-a-custom-Phoenix-Pop-Up

If I moved to a fullsize, that would be my choice.

 

[Walt Knapp]

four wheel campers seem to answer that, but concerned about raising the ultra simple pop top with yakima box and perhaps snow up top. simple can have its faults to.

You can add lift struts to the FWC campers to handle extra load on the roof. But that's not endless, pile too much on the roof and you will damage it trying to lift it. And snow you sweep off before lifting the roof. FWC roofs can hold 1000 lbs of snow, but are not designed for active popup with that much load. ultralight and lifting 1000 lbs don't go together. And unless your name is superman you probably cannot handle it either. Think solar panels, kayaks and such for lift strut use. Sounds like you are not really thinking ultralight popup yet

 

[rotti]

...but will it be to heavy? tundras are not super heavy duty.

I think the Hallmarks are going to be way too heavy for your truck. If I were in your shoes I would be considering a FWC shell. My FWC Hawk (not a shell) empty and dry is 1300 pounds. For me, a 3/4 ton truck is the only option.

 

[coguzzi]

i think i typed that wrong, im more concerned about snowfall during the night when top is up, and ability to handle it and not collapse. i dont think i would ever raise a roof full of snow--im from snow country and know better--ha. but i would count on a yakima box being up there almost all the time, as well as solar panels, lift struts would be great, didnt know it was an option. adding lift struts to my syncro westfalia was one of the best things i ever did.

ive done alot of reading on the last day, seems like i really should try to stay under 1000lbs dry for the sake of the truck and frame, and plan on air bags minimum. FWC has a couple models that seem to fall in there but not much from other manufactures. but still open to suggestions since find a used one seems impossible (and not exactly cheap either)

I probably have one of the lightest 4x4 diesel camper vans out there right now--which is an oxymoron i know. im about 4000lbs lighter than a sportsmobile:Wow1: so i am a fan of bilding lightweight and strong

 

[rotti]

Have you been this site: http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/

A lot of great info on pop up truck campers, especially FWC.

 

[coguzzi]

i spent quite a bit of time today at rocky mountain four wheel campers (local to me), gotta admit im pretty sold on a hawk model and came home and crunched some numbers with the options i want. fantistic facility and Chris is excellent BTW, spent all afternoon with me. i also realized with used prices i might as well just order new and build exactly what i want (still watching classifieds though)

then i looked at all terrian camper website and see i can get almost the same camper for slightly less, but in CA so i cant go set a foot in one to see what i do or dont like. for example, i liked the hawk over the eagle FWC just because the entry door is larger and easier to get in, something i never would have known without seeing one first hand. ill probably have to pay shipping on either brand no matter what, even though i do have a local FWC dealer the camper is still made in CA

then now i started looking at Phoenix, local to me also. but seems there may be a weight penalty which is verified by research, but may also just be more realistic in the actual claimed weight. they certainly look heavier and bulkier though.

so, opinions?

edit: also off-road structural integrity is high on my list, ruled out some of the more readily available popups since i see them falling apart easy

 

[bob91yj]

I had high expectations on what my set up was going to be able to handle. I've realized that my truck/camper is never going to meet those expectations. I think any slide in camper that you put in your Tundra is going to immediately put the truck in 100% duty cycle mode. Before you pull the trigger on a camper, put a 1200# load of firewood in the bed and hit one of the trails you expect to run, see how the truck performs.

I understand that comparing my truck (Sierra Dmax) to yours is apples and oranges, just throwing my experiences out there.

 

[NothingClever]

No matter what camper you get, you'll have to address the suspension to some degree (and perhaps the gearing in the differentials) based on what you want to do with the truck.

If you want to leave the camper on there all the time, you'll do well to research four items:

1) Your leaf pack options
2) Your shock options
3) Airbag options
4) Differential gearing options

If you study your options and do what bob91 wisely recommended (simulated load on the terrain you'll drive), you'll be able to make an informed suspension decision which gets you what you need without breaking the bank and carries the camper you're desiring.

Best of luck with the hunt for a camper!

 

[mudmony]

Based on my limited experience, weigh your truck, deduct your GVW and start from there. Your options will be very limited if you obey the rules, but I never have liked rules

 

[Umnak]

I'd like to know your thoughts regarding the switch to a pop-up camper from a pop-up van. What do you see as the advantages of the camper over the van?
thanks,

 

[tanglefoot]

I don't think you have to be too careful about camper selection. People have had all kinds of campers on Tundras and T100s. Most combos end up running over the GVWR and still handle alright. You'll likely want to use some kind of extra suspension support (cheap helpers-leaves or add-a-leaves work great) but there's likely no reason to change axle gearing. You can probably put two campers on there and still beat me off the line. I have an 8' wooden pop-up on an almost 30-year-old Toyota with barely 100 hp coming off the flywheel (I like the 8 foot campers for the extra space).

Here's a nice Lite Craft in Denver for $2400. There were built near I-25 and 58th but just closed up shop a few years ago:
http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/3532459392.html

 

[sourdough]

Tundra with a Hawk

I have a 1st gen '03 Tundra 4x4 limited TRD with 85,000 miles and just bought a '10 Hawk shell with half a dozen weekend trips use. Both are just getting broke in. My truck has Bilstein 5100's, riderite bags and Toyo A/T E rated tires. The Hawk shell has extended cab over bed option plus jack mounts, camper jacks, furance, dual LP tanks, dual fan-tastic roof vents, 8' awning, aux. battery, flood lights, screen door, front window, and flip over couch. Should weigh in at about 950 lbs. I just picked it up and drove 200 miles home @ 65 MPH plus. Got 19 MPG going empty and 15 MPG coming home with the hawk. I ran 35 lbs. in the air bags and the Tundra handled/rode beautifully. If I toss in another 500 lbs. of personal gear I think I'll be fine..

The Hawk was on a 2 gen Tundra and sets high in my bed. 2 gen's have taller bed rails and cab. I got a good price on the Hawk and will get use to the fit.... or buy a new Tundra.:safari-rig: