Truck camper vs 5th Wheel

[Zarkohl]

I have been looking at truck campers for my 1995 XLT F-250 long bed. What have others found to be the pro/con's of truck campers vs. a 5th wheel. I would like something that sleeps 4 (2 adults, 2 kids and a dog) and can pull a 17ft smoker craft. I would also like something that I can take back in the woods for bow hunting. Any, insight, advice and/or thoughts on this would be great?

[CodyDawg]

I have a 5th wheel and you couldnt convince me to get a pickup camper. The difference in room is unbelieveable. Especially with kids. Especially on a rainy day. Especially with a dog. Especially for storage. I have 1 kid and 2 dogs and I dont even use all my storage. I could go on and on, but the 5er is the way to go. Also, costwise there is not a lot of difference....pickup campers really cost a lot for what you get. If you plan to stay in one place for a while, it is simple to unhook your 5er, a little harder on the camper. Pulling a boat is a snap with a 5er as well, I have been doing it for years. Go out as a family and look at some then ask your wife what she thinks. As for brands, I have a Cougar and love it. I bought it at Quality RV in Elk River and they did a nice job. 5ers also hold their resale extremely well.

[Zarkohl]

CodyDawg: How difficult is it to pull a boat with a 5th wheel? Is it legal to do in most states? What concerns me is that its a whole lot of trailer to be pulling around. I can just see myself pulling into a gas station and . . .

[Dave]

If CodyDawg can do it, anybody can

[ChuckN]

I have a small 6' pop-up PU camper on my truck. It can sleep 2 adults, a child and 2 labs. But the times when you aren't sleeping is where the fun begins. I love it for camping, fishing and hunting trips. For hauling the boat, it was the most practical way. However, it can be a hassle to launch a boat daily with this set-up. You have to put everything in place, and leave camp.

Cody is right about those rainy days with kids, wife and dog(s). It can make a trip really long and uncomfortable being inside a truck camper. There are some nice units these days that are obviously more comfortable than my camper though.

But for me, I wouldn't own anything else. I might consider a larger, full shell PU camper and not buy another pop-up though.

The advantage is you can go off-road, less weight to haul, and trailer whatever you like from behind with ease.

[CodyDawg]

Pulling the boat is a breeze. Much easier than you think. It follows behind the 5er perfectly. Backing up is an issue and you don't want to dead-end yourself. But as long as you plan for it, that isnt a big deal. Gas mileage will obviously suffer a little, but if you have the motor to pull the 5er, you prolly have the motor to add the boat too. I also pull my snowmobile trailer behind it at times instead of the boat. I would look at it this way...if you are going to predominantly use it for hunting with one other guy, a PU camper is a good option. If, however, you plan on camping with the family much, I think you would be much happier with a 5er. the other thing to think about is that the capacities for your clean water and your black/grey water are considerably more with a 5er. So if you plan on staying very long in one spot, that makes a difference.

[CodyDawg]

Forgot your legal question, yes it is legal in most states. All the states around here allow it, although length limits vary. The good news is, very, very few officers enforce the length limit if you are behaving yourself. I am over the limit and was even stopped by a sheriff. As I am sweating bullets, he says "just wanted to stop you and tell you your door is open". Whew.

[Zarkohl]

Thanks guys. I've got a 1995 F-250 XLT with an 8 foot box. It has the 460 cc v-8, which is the 7.5 liter. It will pass anything but the gas station. It also has the trailer tow package and includes the 410 rearend. The GVWR is listed at 8,880 lbs, I can't recall off hand what the towing capacity is. I am not sure, however, how to figure out what it can pull safley. I know that there are maximum towable weights, but unsure how to figure it all out. In addition, what else will I need to do to set up my truck for a 5th wheel. I know there the hitch in the bed, but is there anything else? I assume with a 5th wheeler that I won't need to worry over load springs or airbags. Jim

[ChuckN]

With that truck you will be fine. I've seen countless 1/2 ton trucks with 5th wheels AND towing boats too. That's stretching it IMO.

I have F150 with overloads and it handles my camper and 19' glass boat with ease. My next truck will be a 3/4 ton.

[CodyDawg]

You need a place to plug in the 7-pin electrical connection and of course the 5th wheel hitch. Other than that, you are ready to go. I have a 02 F250 Powerstroke and it pulls it great.

[Zarkohl]

Thanks. I already have the 7-pin connector in place. How hard and/or expensive is it to install the hitch? Also how hard is it to unhook the trailer? It appears that it should be easier than taking of a camper. Jim

[IFallsRon]

There's information here (http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB80&Number=609464&Forum=All_Forums&Words=boat&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=592502&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=1988&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post609464) regarding towing a boat behind your camper.

[CodyDawg]

I unplug the electric from the truck (this also locks the brakes on the camper so it doesnt roll away), unclip the keeper pin, pull out the handle, hit the electric jack button until the hitch separates and drive away. Really, really easy. As far as installing the hitch, I would have someone do that for you...it is relatively cheap and that is fairly important to have right. The alignment is pretty important so you can take the hitch off the rails easily.

[Big Roy]

Here is my opinion on pickup campers.

I have owned them since 1988 and I am currently on my 3rd one, I just kept going larger and larger. I like to be able to pull a boat and have a place that is high and dry. The good and the bad

Good:

Easy set up.

Self contained.

Pulls a boat without any trouble.

Backing is not an issue if you have a trained spotter and you use your mirrors.

I can be ready to go in a short amount of time.

Bad:

Mine is big so you have to have a big truck. ( 4,000 lb camper / dually 7.3 diesel)

Small inside, I have a wife,2 kids and a dog so it does get crowded.

It is a PIA to drive around when not using it, my truck is my every day vehicle so it stays on it most of the summer.

Overhead clearance at some campgrounds have cost me some roof coverings, antennas and luggage racks.

Cannot get up and launch a boat without waking everyone else.

All and all I would not have it any other way, I did consider a 5th wheel and pulling a boat but, the thought of having to hook up the 5th wheel then, hooking up the boat, and getting to a campground and unhooking the boat then setting up the camper and then launching the boat and reversing the process would make my weekends kinda short,

Any way you go make sure you do your research, not all trucks can tow a 5th wheel nor can they handle a pickup camper, and, not all 5th wheels can handle a boat behind it. DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT THE SALESMAN TELL YOU!!!! I cannot stress that enough. Your GVRW is 8,800 lbs and I am guessing that your truck weighs 6,000 lbs. That means that you have a payload of only 2,800 lbs. I would only put a pickup camper that weighs around 2,000 lbs This is just a rough guess but you should find out. A very good resource is rv.net You can ask what others are doing and they will give you their opinions.

Hope this helps.

[CodyDawg]

I wouldnt be afraid of the set up and take down. It takes us exactly one hour from start to driving away...backing up to the boat trailer with the 5th wheel is easy.