Small truck slide-in camper

[rstl99]

What do you think about such a small slide-in camper over a small reliable and fuel-economy japanese truck (Toyota, Mazda) as a solution for solo or two-person road-based treks in N-A?

I have an interest to try out a truck-camper, and don't want to get into the large truck-campers, and thought this might provide a cheap and right-sized way to travel (more economical on gas too I would assume)? Small can be beautiful...

The camper is right-priced, but probably needs some work.

[84scrambler]

my opinion is base on the need to carry stuff on the truck and in the bed, two kayaks and a lot of gear, so i would much rather have a trailer camper, get there drop it off and i can go down the trail safely to my fishing spot. Now i don't mean a 30' goose neck just a adventure trailer with a roof top or a old pop-up with some bigger tires. i also have to drive my truck every day so having a camper on the back all the time is not an option. my .02 james

[762X39]

My buddy around the corner has a truck camper and it takes about 20 minutes to get it off the truck (or on).If you can live without a bunch of "stuff" (how did I ever camp with my Cannondale?) a small truck and camper should be fine.

[eugene]

Why not the popup style like FWC and such?

[rstl99]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice folks. I don't presently have a pickup, my truck is a 4x4 Land Cruiser, but I'm reluctant to part with the notion that a truck camper may be a better solution for extended northern road trips, than my 4x4 towing a trailer, or God forbid, a RTT. But the fuel economy is a consideration, especially given the distances I would be travelling, hence the casual interest in a smaller camper that can be carried on top of a reasonably fuel-efficient small pickup. THe lack of space may be a deciding factor however (I'm 6ft and 230 lbs, and find I need more than less space to be comfortable in a vehicle, driving and camping).
Cheers.

[Sportsman Matt]

I had a small camper that sat on the bed of a Ford Ranger pickup. I had to beef up the rear suspension to handle the weight, and it was great for a weekend getaway. Downfall is it was small, you had to coordinate with others inside to move around, and space was limited. But I was able to get into areas that the larger truck campers couldn't, like some of the backwood trails to some really cool fishing spots.

Unfortunately I sold the truck camper a few months ago, bought a small travel trailer and on the last 2 trips out, parked the trailer in a campground, and traveled with the truck to some great spots to view and fish, and returned back to the camper at the end of the day. Downfall to the trailer is I can't tow the boat to some of these places if I had the trailer, and vice-versa.

There are plusses and minusses to everything, you just have to weigh both sides and see if it will work for you.

[Bob599]

Sounds like a flip pac would work pretty well. Any thoughts? Lots of small trucks running these without any weight issues. Plenty of extra payload then. Also running during the week for work wont be a problem.

[Desertrat1]

Have a Ford F350 4x4 log bed with a short bed camper on it leaves enough room behind the camper for the gas can, firewood and generator, looks a bit wierd ,but can still get in with the tailgate up and when down I have a patio
Can still tow a boat ( sold mine) or carry my dirtbike on a reciever rack
6'2" 225 lbs and enough room for the wife and myself. Takes about 10-15 min. to put on or take off

[Sleeping Dog]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice folks. I don't presently have a pickup, my truck is a 4x4 Land Cruiser, but I'm reluctant to part with the notion that a truck camper may be a better solution for extended northern road trips, than my 4x4 towing a trailer, or God forbid, a RTT. But the fuel economy is a consideration, especially given the distances I would be travelling, hence the casual interest in a smaller camper that can be carried on top of a reasonably fuel-efficient small pickup. THe lack of space may be a deciding factor however (I'm 6ft and 230 lbs, and find I need more than less space to be comfortable in a vehicle, driving and camping).
Cheers.

It seems to me that because a truck gets better mileage, doesn't mean it will have greater range. Often the gas tank is smaller in the more efficient truck.

Just a thought.

Jim

[eugene]

The other gotcha is unless you go back to a really old small truck you don't get any fuel economy gains. Once they started adding auto transmissions and A/C and everything else the fuel economy averages around the 20mpg mark for small and full size trucks. The older 4 clyinder manual transmission, no confort items trucks could get decent mileage but those are getting harder to find.