it looks like I'm in line for a lifestyle change; one of the benefits will be more shooting time.
I'm looking at traveling more - definitely on the road. I'm trying to determine the best way of doing so. Do I go with a camper for my 1/2 ton, pull a small trailer or go for a small motorhome(perhaps towing a small vehicle)? There is only one of me and my friend Rex.
Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.
harvey
Harvey,
I was checking into this for the future also. For me I would go with a trailer or a small motorhome towing a small SUV. A camper would restrict the place where I would go. With a trailer, I just could drop the trailer at my site and use my 4x4 pu to go out and shoot photos. Ditto with the Motorhome. You may find more areas to park a trailer. There is site you can check on. It isRV.Net ( http://blog.rv.net/ ). This site is very informative on RVing. It has a forum where can ask questions about the different aspects of RVing. Hope this helps. Let us know of what you decide.
John
I spend as much as 5 months a year on the road, approximately 2 of it with my wife along. We've been doing it for the last 12 years. Till now we've used tents, carrying it and the other accessories in the canopy of our half-ton 4x4 pickup. It's a great option for backcountry, off-road use, but really bothersome in inclement weather and for overnight stops. And truth be told, we're getting older and the hard ground has lost much of its appeal. We want to make changes while still having good offroad performance and access.
We travel each spring with another couple who have both a large 5th wheel trailer and a camper for their truck. They always opt for the camper for ease and fuel economy, which is set up in a noteworthy fashion. It's got 4 corner jacks, and he uses a cordless drill to raise and lower it. He can have it on or off the truck in 5 minutes, freeing the truck to accompany us on small roads. Neat. He also went to a canvas shop and had them make "walls" with a window and door from canvas. He mounted snaps along the bottom of the cabover part of the camper, so he can install the walls to create a spare room any time the camper is off the truck and sitting on its jacks. Add a catalytic heater and it's really comfy. Also a great place to stow gear overnight.
Trouble is, his camper is HEAVY and he's had to beef up his 3/4-ton truck to at least 1-ton specs. We've looked hard at campers suitable for 1/2-ton trucks and don't like any of them. Just too confined, and usually chinsilly built in order to keep the weight down. If you want to go with a camper, upgrade your truck and be done with it.
We're looking hard now at smaller travel trailers- no more than 20 feet. My wife doesn't like the little Scamps and such, though they'd be just fine for one person. My main beef with them is that they're single axle. I want double axle for stability on the highway and on rough roads. We've thought of going with a small 5th wheel, and they're really something. But that would mean removing the canopy from our truck. No way. It's too useful.
So it looks like we're going with an 18- 20-foot bumper pull trailer, which we can dump as needed while taking the truck into the back country. We'll also keep a basic set of camping gear in the canopy. We really enjoy the tent camping most, but we travel spring and fall when it's often cold or raining. We could probably pay for a used small trailer in savings if we weren't checking into motels and eating in restaurants every time the weather challenged!
Hey, Harvey. Have you ever considered using a popup camper. I have found that many photographers do, as well as us. Very light weight, easy to pull, great comfort, most have battery and electrical a/c and heat, easy to set up.Uses way less gas to pull. We also have a camper shell on our Tocoma, which comes in handy when camping. Turned out to be a great set up for us.
Posted by Ron Dudley on October 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Harvey,
A camper on a half-ton is a dicey proposition - campers are heavy, esp when loaded up with gear and water. I had a camper for five years - started out with it on a half ton. Even after beefing up the suspension (air bags) and getting new tires rated for more weight I never felt secure in rough back country. I was always afraid of a broken axle or something like that - never happened but after the first year I bought a 3/4 ton just for the peace of mind.
I now pull a 19' camping trailer with a half ton and I'm much happier with that combo. There's more room than the camper, campers are at least as expensive and I always found it to be a pain in the patoot to take the camper off out in the boonies (even with the drill to operate the jacks). And it's sometimes tricky to back the truck under the camper over uneven ground while it's up on the jacks.
Personally, I don't like popup (canvas sided) units, trailer or camper. Much too noisy for sleeping in many situations.
I've never done the motorhome thing but for me the size of most of them would be too limiting on where I could go with it, even pulling another vehicle.
That's what works, and didn't work, for me.
Posted by Kathy Odiorne on October 2, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Have you considered a class B motorhome? We have a pop up tent camper, but I don't do well with backing up and parking it. It has been sitting in our driveway for the past couple of years, and we've taken it out twice. This past August, we found a used E350 Phoenix class B on Craigslist for a reasonable price, and bought it. Very easy to maneuver. Not as large as a travel trailer, but easily sleeps 2 in the back and has a bunk over the cab area tht we use for extra strorage. You still have all the amenities (stove, refrig,microwave, toilet and shower). It came with a reese hitch, but I don't know how weight it will pull. Our thoughts are that if we go on a trip far from home, we would rent a car, but the class B is small enought to get around in if need be. rv.net is an excellent site for all things related to rving.
Posted by Don Miller on October 2, 2009 at 4:52 PM
For photography, I like a truck camper. Specifically a pop-up. The two extremes of popup are probably Four Wheel Campers and Alaskan Campers. I've looked at these for a F350 single rear wheel. This setup gives the maximum mobility.
A custom popup can be built on a flat bed one ton at not much additional cost. This maximizes space, but the truck is not longer a pickup.
If I had a half ton pickup I would probably start with pulling a medium trailer and then decide on the long term. I suggest shopping for a new trailer but buying used, probably from an individual.
I am considering a lightweight pop-up truck camper for bad roads but that limits the seasonal use. I have this tiny 2 person 4wd SUV called a Suzuki X90 that would fit a very small trailer. It's off-road capabilities are limited but it is small.
harvey
I camped using a tent (or sleeping out on the ground) since forever. In recent years I have noticed that the ground has gotten lumpier, so I went through your same dilemma. Here is what I consider the best compromise. It can go off road (good clearance). Plenty of room inside with (almost) all the amenities. Heat and A/C. Inside and outside gas stoves, hot water heater,refrigerator, shower, kitchen sink and stereo.....lightweight to tow and easy on gas consumption. A small generator or the extra battery w/ inverter provides power. Put your kayak on top. Unhook it all and leave it behind when you need to go into town.
When I camp I like to be (far) away from other people. This lets me get there and the only noise out here is the occasional Coyote.
Posted by Bill Stice on October 5, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Harvey, lots of great information above. Several of the options have a lot of merit. I have a 27 foot travel trailer (tow behind) and have been using it for over three years. I have used a pop-up and a pickup camper in the past but really like the trailer more because it has much more room and as my wife and I get older it is easier for us to use. Trailers and fifth wheels are heavier and do require more tow vehicle. In addition a good weight distribution hitch and a good anti-sway system are a must. It really depends on what you are comfortable with. All have advantages as well as drawbacks. I have a 3/4 ton heavy duty diesel pickup with extra clearance and four wheel drive. I went with a tow behind trailer because I have a locking cover (hard top type) on the back of it that I can lock all my gear in and secure it. In addition I can drop my trailer anywhere and use the truck as I would normally. I can drop my trailer in about five minutes. It takes me about twenty minutes to set it up for camping. A couple of additional options I did get with my trailer is an extreme weather package and a larger than stock hot water tank (my wife likes those hot showers)! I've camped in it in the winter down as low as 9 degrees with no problems. Hope this helps.
Posted by Michael Irvin on October 10, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Harvey,
My wife and I retired at 55, sold everything we owned, (almost) and have been full time RV'er for the last 8 years. We started out thinking we would do this for a year or so, then find a place to settle. We are enjoying our life style to much to stop. Since you will be on your own I would suggest a small motor home, and tow a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle like a jeep rubicon. We are on our second rig, both have been 5th wheels. We found on our first rig that a truck limits you to where you can go. Now we have a MD truck, and much larger 5th wheel we would be really limited except for the fact we have a jeep that my wife just drives along. Having the jeep opened up back roads, and areas that we would never have been able to get to. Also it is capable of being towed 4 wheels down without any modifications, just put the transfer case in neutral.
Mike
Posted by Don George on October 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Harvey,
I've been RV-ing and photographing for 25 years. The savings are unbeliveable over hotels and eating out. I fiqure I save over 100.00 a day x 45 days a year. At those savings you pay for your RV quickly. I've had pull trailors, motorhomes, and pop-ups. My wife ltwo years ago decided not to go as often so I'm basically on my own from a camping perspective. I sold my 26 foot trailer and purchased a used hard top Ailiner pop-up. The reason I went with a hard top instead of a tent top is due to the National Park regulations. They are now requiring that all food be removed from soft top campers and placed in a lock storage area such as your car etc. My Ailiner is set up for off road with a heavy duty axle etc. I can take it into any area I need to. Its very light weight and easy to tow. It has a refrigerator freezer, a/c, 3burner stove, stereo, furnace, double sinks,double propane tanks, and best of all a shower and toilet! It has a special front end storage area built on that holds tons of stuff.
The couch is a flexsteel and folds out into a bed. The unit ets up and tears down in 5 minutes.
Lots of other features but I guess I've rambled enough. Any questions E-mail me.
Discussion
13 repliesI'm looking at traveling more - definitely on the road. I'm trying to determine the best way of doing so. Do I go with a camper for my 1/2 ton, pull a small trailer or go for a small motorhome(perhaps towing a small vehicle)? There is only one of me and my friend Rex.
Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.
harvey
I was checking into this for the future also. For me I would go with a trailer or a small motorhome towing a small SUV. A camper would restrict the place where I would go. With a trailer, I just could drop the trailer at my site and use my 4x4 pu to go out and shoot photos. Ditto with the Motorhome. You may find more areas to park a trailer. There is site you can check on. It isRV.Net ( http://blog.rv.net/ ). This site is very informative on RVing. It has a forum where can ask questions about the different aspects of RVing. Hope this helps. Let us know of what you decide.
John
I spend as much as 5 months a year on the road, approximately 2 of it with my wife along. We've been doing it for the last 12 years. Till now we've used tents, carrying it and the other accessories in the canopy of our half-ton 4x4 pickup. It's a great option for backcountry, off-road use, but really bothersome in inclement weather and for overnight stops. And truth be told, we're getting older and the hard ground has lost much of its appeal. We want to make changes while still having good offroad performance and access.
We travel each spring with another couple who have both a large 5th wheel trailer and a camper for their truck. They always opt for the camper for ease and fuel economy, which is set up in a noteworthy fashion. It's got 4 corner jacks, and he uses a cordless drill to raise and lower it. He can have it on or off the truck in 5 minutes, freeing the truck to accompany us on small roads. Neat. He also went to a canvas shop and had them make "walls" with a window and door from canvas. He mounted snaps along the bottom of the cabover part of the camper, so he can install the walls to create a spare room any time the camper is off the truck and sitting on its jacks. Add a catalytic heater and it's really comfy. Also a great place to stow gear overnight.
Trouble is, his camper is HEAVY and he's had to beef up his 3/4-ton truck to at least 1-ton specs. We've looked hard at campers suitable for 1/2-ton trucks and don't like any of them. Just too confined, and usually chinsilly built in order to keep the weight down. If you want to go with a camper, upgrade your truck and be done with it.
We're looking hard now at smaller travel trailers- no more than 20 feet. My wife doesn't like the little Scamps and such, though they'd be just fine for one person. My main beef with them is that they're single axle. I want double axle for stability on the highway and on rough roads. We've thought of going with a small 5th wheel, and they're really something. But that would mean removing the canopy from our truck. No way. It's too useful.
So it looks like we're going with an 18- 20-foot bumper pull trailer, which we can dump as needed while taking the truck into the back country. We'll also keep a basic set of camping gear in the canopy. We really enjoy the tent camping most, but we travel spring and fall when it's often cold or raining. We could probably pay for a used small trailer in savings if we weren't checking into motels and eating in restaurants every time the weather challenged!
A camper on a half-ton is a dicey proposition - campers are heavy, esp when loaded up with gear and water. I had a camper for five years - started out with it on a half ton. Even after beefing up the suspension (air bags) and getting new tires rated for more weight I never felt secure in rough back country. I was always afraid of a broken axle or something like that - never happened but after the first year I bought a 3/4 ton just for the peace of mind.
I now pull a 19' camping trailer with a half ton and I'm much happier with that combo. There's more room than the camper, campers are at least as expensive and I always found it to be a pain in the patoot to take the camper off out in the boonies (even with the drill to operate the jacks). And it's sometimes tricky to back the truck under the camper over uneven ground while it's up on the jacks.
Personally, I don't like popup (canvas sided) units, trailer or camper. Much too noisy for sleeping in many situations.
I've never done the motorhome thing but for me the size of most of them would be too limiting on where I could go with it, even pulling another vehicle.
That's what works, and didn't work, for me.
A custom popup can be built on a flat bed one ton at not much additional cost. This maximizes space, but the truck is not longer a pickup.
If I had a half ton pickup I would probably start with pulling a medium trailer and then decide on the long term. I suggest shopping for a new trailer but buying used, probably from an individual.
harvey
When I camp I like to be (far) away from other people. This lets me get there and the only noise out here is the occasional Coyote.
harvey
Yep, it's the Fleetwood E-1. Here's a link:
http://www.colemantrailers.com/compare-trailers?modelone=46&modeltwo=
About $10,500 with A/C included. Oh, and by the way.... that's a 4WD V8 Toyota I'm towing with.
My wife and I retired at 55, sold everything we owned, (almost) and have been full time RV'er for the last 8 years. We started out thinking we would do this for a year or so, then find a place to settle. We are enjoying our life style to much to stop. Since you will be on your own I would suggest a small motor home, and tow a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle like a jeep rubicon. We are on our second rig, both have been 5th wheels. We found on our first rig that a truck limits you to where you can go. Now we have a MD truck, and much larger 5th wheel we would be really limited except for the fact we have a jeep that my wife just drives along. Having the jeep opened up back roads, and areas that we would never have been able to get to. Also it is capable of being towed 4 wheels down without any modifications, just put the transfer case in neutral.
Mike
I've been RV-ing and photographing for 25 years. The savings are unbeliveable over hotels and eating out. I fiqure I save over 100.00 a day x 45 days a year. At those savings you pay for your RV quickly. I've had pull trailors, motorhomes, and pop-ups. My wife ltwo years ago decided not to go as often so I'm basically on my own from a camping perspective. I sold my 26 foot trailer and purchased a used hard top Ailiner pop-up. The reason I went with a hard top instead of a tent top is due to the National Park regulations. They are now requiring that all food be removed from soft top campers and placed in a lock storage area such as your car etc. My Ailiner is set up for off road with a heavy duty axle etc. I can take it into any area I need to. Its very light weight and easy to tow. It has a refrigerator freezer, a/c, 3burner stove, stereo, furnace, double sinks,double propane tanks, and best of all a shower and toilet! It has a special front end storage area built on that holds tons of stuff.
The couch is a flexsteel and folds out into a bed. The unit ets up and tears down in 5 minutes.
Lots of other features but I guess I've rambled enough. Any questions E-mail me.