Want to live in a truck camper/RV. Recommendations?

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
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Jan 2, 2006
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http://www.motorhomecar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/truck-camper.jpg

I'm looking for basically a mobile home. I really like the idea of not having to tow anything and the ability to park anywhere, and if I want a runabout I can just put the camper on the hydraulic jacks and take the truck by itself.

Looking to buy used. Budget is maybe $15K or lower for both truck and camper?

Does anyone have experience with these? Good camper brands I should look at and good, reliable trucks?

I'd like:

1. shower/bathroom
2. kitchen/stove/sink
3. fridge

I don't have any kind of experience with RVs. Can they be air conditioned for hot summers? What about heat?

And am I basically looking at 10 miles per gallon no matter what I do? The thought of spending $150+ for a fill-up is astounding to me coming from my little Honda Fit.

And will this be cheaper than living somewhere with rent at $800/month?

Gah, too many questions.
 
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KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
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The problem won't be finding a vehicle to meet your needs, that will be relatively easy. The problem will be finding a place to put it that isn't a cesspool.

Have you found a RV park that you can permanently stay at? If not, you probably want to find that first because they may have certain requirements for the vehicle and, if it is a nice place, they probably have a waiting list.

-KeithP
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
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The problem won't be finding a vehicle to meet your needs, that will be relatively easy. The problem will be finding a place to put it that isn't a cesspool.

Have you found a RV park that you can permanently stay at? If not, you probably want to find that first because they may have certain requirements for the vehicle and, if it is a nice place, they probably have a waiting list.

-KeithP


there is a nice one down near my dad in southern IL. its on a very nice lake. the people have really nice RV's.

but they can only stay 11 months a year (or something like that) its really odd.

but it cost them something liek $30 a month
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,469
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You aren't going to like living in a camper. A full sized RV would maybe work, but remember that every week or two you're going to have to refill the propane tank, and empty the sewage tank.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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Rent a RV of the size/facilities you desire. Try it for a couple of weeks and see if you can handle the change
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
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i just returned from a 7 day trip in my truck camper. It is an older, smaller model but works well. to have a shower and bathroom you will be looking at something quite large and heavy needing a 1 ton truck. I am sticking to a half ton with a much lighter design. I got about 14.5 mpg over our trip of nearly 1500 miles, much of which was back roads and some dirt/mountain roads. I am planing on having a custom camper built by one of these manufactures sometime soon:

http://www.allterraincampers.com/
http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/
http://www.coyoterv.biz/

Here is the best site in the world for information and custom builds. also, campers and trucks for sale all over the world: my SN there is Herm. you should join and check out hundreds of builds and campers there. Many of these people live and work out of their vehicles, there are even some pro photographers that travel and work this way.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/

for AC you will have to run a generator or plug in. I have 120 watts of solar and can fun a 12v fridge and my lights.
 
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cyclistca

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2000
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You aren't going to like living in a camper. A full sized RV would maybe work, but remember that every week or two you're going to have to refill the propane tank, and empty the sewage tank.

If I remember back to that time lots of parks have sewage hookups.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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Parks won't let you remove a truck camper and drive away from it. Forget that idea completely.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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The private parks around me are like that. I think it stems from the idea that you could drop off your junk and just not come back. They are a PITA to haul away for the typical tow company and not much to recover either.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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I also thing a PU camper would suck as any long term abode. get a proper trailer of some sort and you would be much happier. A bumper pull lets you bring a bike along too:awe:
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
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The private parks around me are like that. I think it stems from the idea that you could drop off your junk and just not come back. They are a PITA to haul away for the typical tow company and not much to recover either.

Every park has it's own rules. Trailer/RV camping is a whole different critter than other types of camping. The major manufacturers of different RV's and trailers have entire networks and member forums to aid in camping. The Good Sam club sites are a starting point.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
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Buy a big rig.

Modify the trailer to be a large camper, with the end of it a garage for your Fit.

Win.
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
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1. shower/bathroom
2. kitchen/stove/sink
3. fridge

on the back of a pickup truck? you should probably see how much space you actually get first, and then find a place to park it that has facilities. also, with a 15k budget i'm not sure you're going to be getting anything custom, unless you mean chicken wire windows.
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
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hmm... lots of bad info here.

I have yet to be in a park that will not allow me to remove my truck camper. and have been to about 10 national parks and many privet camp grounds.

If you are ok with a smaller space a truck camper is indeed a place to live. an 8 foot camper with cab over bed affords an impressive amount of space. 7 days in ours is fine with 2 people and a cat. A little more space and we feel we could live it in all the time.

My mid-60s built camper is 8 foot long and has no cab over. has a 2 burner propane stove, 10 gallon water tank and sink with hand pump faucet. cabinet space for pots and pans, food, silverware, lantern, small trash can, and another 10 gallons of water and a bench on either side for sleeping with 6 foot x 2 foot x 8 in storage under each bench. I have plywood panels that cover the center to make a large bed to spread out for the 3 of us.

I have an 8x10 awning for the back and we usually cook outside on my old Colman liquid fuel stove.

no heat in my old camper, but it could be added easily, I use a buddy heater if it does get too cold. most modern campers have a thermostat controlled furnace. Propane cylinders last us a long time and i use about a quart of gasoline for cooking about every week. we have 120 watts of solar that will run our lights and 12v compressor type fridge for as long as we want, i have not run out of power yet, and if i do i can just start the truck to charge the battery. all this and about 800 lbs loaded. I added air bags to my half to to increase roll stability and to level the truck. It handles the weight great and we take it off road all the time. for anything much bigger I would go with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

the new camper will be focused on light weight. a 6 foot pop up with cab over with my 120w solar, 12v fridge, furnace, and vent fan. it should weigh in around 1000 lbs. loaded with all our stuff and will have a lot more room.

here is a picture from last week:

2012-03-14_16-02-01_977.jpg


we were nearly at the top of this road: 10%+ grades and switch backs on gravel. over 1000' elevation change in a few miles of road.

2012-03-14_16-01-30_899.jpg


i figure between 8 and 10 k for a new, custom built unit with my specs from coyote RV. a used camper and truck could be had for 15 easily.
 
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erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
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you're a better mine than i am. i spent two nights in a truck bed camper and that was enough for me for life. do you run airbags on the back or is that the stock suspension?
 

Joepublic2

Golden Member
Jan 22, 2005
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Well the only reason you'd want to do this is that you're hard up for cash if you're not retired so find a place that will let you rent a lot for a year because you'll usually get a much better rate. I'd get a pull along camper, thought, and just rent a truck to move it around and keep a small car/motorcycle to get to and from work/school since motor homes guzzle gas and are much more expensive to maintain than a roll behind camper (you have a big expensive motor, big expensive transmission, big expensive suspension system etc.).

http://www.vintage-airstream.com/ (airstreams are pretty much the best campers def worth the extra $$$, can probably get a used one in good shape for 15k or a little north with a little bargain hunting)

It can be much cheaper than $800 a month for rent after the upfront investment. If you can find a lot for $250 a month it'll pay for itself in a little over two years.
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
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firestone ride rites with about 30 psi in them for level. that picture was on an incline and the front wheels are turned.

the stock suspension was ok, but i wanted the air to level it a bit and for roll stability. makes a big difference on the dirt and gravel roads.
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
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firestone ride rites with about 30 psi in them for level. that picture was on an incline and the front wheels are turned.

the stock suspension was ok, but i wanted the air to level it a bit and for roll stability. makes a big difference on the dirt and gravel roads.

gotcha. it looked like it was squatting a bit in the back, but given the conditions i can see why.