Posted 2008-10-25 9:46 AM (#93605) Subject: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
New User
Posts: 3
What truck camper would anyone suggest for a 350 longbed Dually 4 door Ford truck. We are not interested in any overhang, but do want a combination shower/toilet. We prefer the hardshell campers but not rulling out the pop-up versions. Also, would we need any extra sway bars for pulling a 18ft 3 horse Corn Pro trailer with this large truck?
Posted 2008-10-25 9:56 AM (#93607 - in reply to #93605) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Our last camper was an 8 1/2' Coleman that had a shower/toilet combination. With your dual RW you'll need the optional jack extensions for loading. Lance has some very nice truck campers with hard shell exteriors and variable interior floor plans.
We pulled exactly the same trailer. In addition to the factory towing and camper packages, we found Timbren springs to offer the additional load and handling stability we needed. The factory sway bars are sufficient.
Posted 2008-10-26 4:28 AM (#93645 - in reply to #93605) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
WHOA!!! Didin't realize they were as nice as they are, and like everything else on the market, you can make them cost as much as you like!! $30,000.00 for a slide in. with a slide out of course!
Posted 2008-10-26 10:31 AM (#93654 - in reply to #93607) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
New User
Posts: 3
You have extra springs on the truck. We didn't realize we would need any extra springs due to the fact that the truck is a dually. Do you use sway bars? We traded down from a gooseneck to this trailer so we could have more versatility. How have you enjoyed the truck camper/horse trailer set-up?
Posted 2008-10-26 11:25 AM (#93657 - in reply to #93654) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by Nancy Whitaker on 2008-10-26 11:31 AM
You have extra springs on the truck. We didn't realize we would need any extra springs due to the fact that the truck is a dually. Do you use sway bars? We traded down from a gooseneck to this trailer so we could have more versatility. How have you enjoyed the truck camper/horse trailer set-up?
The combination of a loaded trailer and a large camper approached our truck's capacity. Also our truck has SRWs instead of your dually which is more stable for the camper. With the installation of the Timbrens, the truck has worked exceptionally well in our every loading configuration. It was equipped from Ford with the sway bars, when we purchased both the camper and towing option packages.
After my accident, I had a difficult time loading the camper and hooking up the BP by myself. We sold the camper and bought a LQ. A few years later we sold the BP trailer and bought a second LQ. We find them to be more convenient to use and manage: maintenance, storage and usage. Our campers ( we owned four different ones) all had the rear doors, not the newer side entries now being sold. Without the trailer being unhooked, the forward jack was always being stepped on, over or around, and sometime being tripped by. It was a constant nuisance to avoid.
The handling of a truck carrying a camper while towing a trailer is much compromised when compared to towing a GN. High cross winds on bridges can be an uneasy experience. The fuel mileage is also significantly lower and the braking distances are increased.
If I were buying the rig to primarily use for camping, and riding was a secondary goal, the truck camper would be viable. With it, parking in popular tourist areas is not a problem. With riding as our main goals, and a comfortable place to live is a secondary concern, the LQs are best for us.
Posted 2008-10-26 12:52 PM (#93662 - in reply to #93605) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Oak Harbor,WA
Would highly recommend a Bigfoot camper. Had a 1996 1500 9'6" model that we enjoyed.( would stick with the 1500 series for trailering ) Was light and no seams for water/snow intrusion. Very well made. Now have a 1996 Bigfoot 2500 10'6". Is heavy in comparison to the 1500. Personally I would not buy a NEW camper. Have found that the older Bigfoot campers were in perfect condition and less than half the price of new. Personally, not to ruffle any feathers, every brand we looked at except Bigfoot had major issues or the potential for problems. I would not buy a camper with a slide out. They are too heavy for a 1 ton pickup period. If you want the room, need to change the vehicle. We also installed air bags and Rancho 9000 shocks that make a huge difference. Many folks don't use their camper as often or as hard as we do. Have dry storage etc. and have no problems. Of what I have seen personally that you may look for. Leaking issues requiring a complete reskin of one name brand, jacks ripped off the corners of several brand new, in the sale lot, of another. Seams separating under the door (not repairable) of another. Soft spots in the roof and leaks from snow build up are common. Good luck!
Posted 2008-10-26 10:39 PM (#93687 - in reply to #93605) Subject: RE: truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Here is my review of Outfitter popup camper, http://www.mrtruck.net/titanoutfitter.htm it has a fullsize door, something unusuall for a popup and a queen size bed over the cab. Well made camper.
truck camper for 350 Ford longbed dually pulling horses
