Questions for those of you that use Truck Bed Campers on a Short bed

SoCal Angler · August 3

Some background about my current situation and what I am seeking to do:

I currently use a 25' TT for family camping. Use maybe 3-4 times per year with most trips close to home (20-400 miles). I will keep this TT for family trips when family does want to go.

Now retired, and soon to be 62, I want to continue to camp, fish, and explore the Southwest and Western states, especially the northern part of my home state of CA.

These trips will be solo, as wife and sons have no interest.

Now that its been determined these trips will solo, I'm looking for a simpler approach without having to stay in hotels/motels and pull a TT. Although I do appreciate the comforts of a TT, I prefer not to have to tow a rig when venturing solo (less stress, less mechanical issues to worry about, etc.).

Considering:

This will be my first truck camper.

Both hard and soft side campers that are under 2000# dry , i.e., Northstar 650/850, Lance 650, Six-Pac D650, Lance 825, Cirrus 620, Four Wheel Campers Hawk, and others I may find in my research.

Will purchase used.

For those of you that use a truck bed camper....

1. Do you camp solo?

2. How do you deal with the R&R of the Multi-Pro tailgate each and every time you use the truck camper (I have an SLE model, pretty basic, with only a back up camera and electronic tailgate buttons)?

How heavy is MP tailgate?

How involved is it to remove?

How do you store it when using your camper?

3. I would like to keep tailgate on truck and use the MP drop step for entering/exiting camper, but that limits me to only a couple of small campers. Trying to figure out what is the best give and take sacrifice....keep tailgate on truck and use smaller camper or remove gate each time I use camper which allows for a larger camper???

4. What additional items should I be considering....camper size/type selection, MP tailgate, traveling/camping solo, etc?

Thanks!

Another JR · August 12

On 8/3/2024 at 10:39 AM, SoCal Angler said:

Some background about my current situation and what I am seeking to do:

I currently use a 25' TT for family camping. Use maybe 3-4 times per year with most trips close to home (20-400 miles). I will keep this TT for family trips when family does want to go.

Now retired, and soon to be 62, I want to continue to camp, fish, and explore the Southwest and Western states, especially the northern part of my home state of CA.

These trips will be solo, as wife and sons have no interest.

Now that its been determined these trips will solo, I'm looking for a simpler approach without having to stay in hotels/motels and pull a TT. Although I do appreciate the comforts of a TT, I prefer not to have to tow a rig when venturing solo (less stress, less mechanical issues to worry about, etc.).

Considering:

This will be my first truck camper.

Both hard and soft side campers that are under 2000# dry , i.e., Northstar 650/850, Lance 650, Six-Pac D650, Lance 825, Cirrus 620, Four Wheel Campers Hawk, and others I may find in my research.

Will purchase used.

For those of you that use a truck bed camper....

1. Do you camp solo?

2. How do you deal with the R&R of the Multi-Pro tailgate each and every time you use the truck camper (I have an SLE model, pretty basic, with only a back up camera and electronic tailgate buttons)?

How heavy is MP tailgate?

How involved is it to remove?

How do you store it when using your camper?

3. I would like to keep tailgate on truck and use the MP drop step for entering/exiting camper, but that limits me to only a couple of small campers. Trying to figure out what is the best give and take sacrifice....keep tailgate on truck and use smaller camper or remove gate each time I use camper which allows for a larger camper???

4. What additional items should I be considering....camper size/type selection, MP tailgate, traveling/camping solo, etc?

Thanks!

Regarding number 2:

I put the camper on in April and take it off in late October, so not too much on/off. My son comes over and helps with the tailgate. It’s 75 lbs but too big around for one person to hold it securely. It’s ideal to have a third person to fish the wires through the hole while the other two hold the tailgate. Getting the left hinge to come unstuck the first time was hard, but after the first time it was much easier. I keep it in a plywood crate so it doesn’t get damaged.

Pryme · August 13

How could the fam have no interest in seeing and camping in NorCal man that’s some of the best sightseeing you can do.

SoCal Angler · August 13

It is!!! We've camped as a family for past 20 years...mainly beaches. One son is now 25, he just completed grad school and is ready to begin his career. Other son 20, has Autism and he is ready to go anywhere! Wife, not so much interested anymore. She has her own hobby and successful FB group. So if it isn't me and younger son, I'll be solo! It's all good...I've realized as we age our interests evolve. As long as everyone is healthy and happy!

Pryme · August 13

1 hour ago, SoCal Angler said:

It is!!! We've camped as a family for past 20 years...mainly beaches. One son is now 25, he just completed grad school and is ready to begin his career. Other son 20, has Autism and he is ready to go anywhere! Wife, not so much interested anymore. She has her own hobby and successful FB group. So if it isn't me and younger son, I'll be solo! It's all good...I've realized as we age our interests evolve. As long as everyone is healthy and happy!

I was able to see many far off places in California as a kid. From big sur up to the redwoods to lake Shasta to big bear, mammoth, mt Whitney, sequoia and Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada mountain's, Gorman, onion valley, Death Valley, bodhi ghost town, the Salton Sea, salt flats, and all the beaches from San Diego up to Big Sur area. Never seen mavericks though.

Edited August 13 by Pryme

SoCal Angler · August 13

14 hours ago, Pryme said:

I was able to see many far off places in California as a kid. From big sur up to the redwoods to lake Shasta to big bear, mammoth, mt Whitney, sequoia and Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada mountain's, Gorman, onion valley, Death Valley, bodhi ghost town, the Salton Sea, salt flats, and all the beaches from San Diego up to Big Sur area. Never seen mavericks though.

Wow, you got to see quite a bit of CA! Between ages 18-40 I was a sailing nut! I lived on the water in my 35' sailboat from ages 23-34 and even lived on Catalina for a few years! Moved inland in 2000 so I could afford a home. Since then, I do not visit the ocean very much at all.

Now, I want to spend my next chapter of life camping/fishing CA and wherever my interests take me! If I don't get a camper, I'll just pull my 25' TT.

Pryme · August 13

1 hour ago, SoCal Angler said:

Wow, you got to see quite a bit of CA! Between ages 18-40 I was a sailing nut! I lived on the water in my 35' sailboat from ages 23-34 and even lived on Catalina for a few years! Moved inland in 2000 so I could afford a home. Since then, I do not visit the ocean very much at all.

Now, I want to spend my next chapter of life camping/fishing CA and wherever my interests take me! If I don't get a camper, I'll just pull my 25' TT.

Yeah I love Catalina. I’ve been there and all of the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara. I used to go on 2-3 day dive trips with my dad as a kid. He was a professional underwater photographer. He had a close call with a great white off the backside of Catalina at a place called farnsworth bank. He stopped diving there after seeing two whites in as many weeks there.

SoCal Angler · August 13

Great adventures your dad provided you! GWS are all up/down our coast...mainly SoCal. I used to dive back in the 70's but only saw sand sharks. GWS were not as prevalent as they are now! What state are living in now?

Pryme · August 14

4 hours ago, SoCal Angler said:

Great adventures your dad provided you! GWS are all up/down our coast...mainly SoCal. I used to dive back in the 70's but only saw sand sharks. GWS were not as prevalent as they are now! What state are living in now?

I now live about as far as one can get from the ocean in WI.