Question for those who tow W/truck & camper??

Philip Saran · 03-16-2010, 07:03 PM

I want to add a used cab over camper to my F350 diesel for towing my
car. It will be a 9-1/2 ft unit.

Opinions/comments good or bad on the following brands:

(1) Lance
(2) Northland
(3) S & S campers
(4) Fleetwood - no longer manufactured

k.pascoe · 03-19-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

I want to add a used cab over camper to my F350 diesel for towing my
car. It will be a 9-1/2 ft unit.

Opinions/comments good or bad on the following brands:

(1) Lance
(2) Northland
(3) S & S campers
(4) Fleetwood - no longer manufactured

I towed with a 11 1/2 ft Fleetwood Carabu camper. I use a Super Hitch w/ a 4 1/2 ext. My truck is a 1985 F350 towing a 13500 lb. 24 ft. enclosed.

BTW I'm selling the camper.

J Kuchel · 03-19-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

I want to add a used cab over camper to my F350 diesel for towing my
car. It will be a 9-1/2 ft unit.

Opinions/comments good or bad on the following brands:

(1) Lance
(2) Northland
(3) S & S campers
(4) Fleetwood - no longer manufactured

We had a Lance for many years. All of the research we did before the purchase paid off. The resale value was very good and we never had a problem. We out grew it and bought a diesel pusher, but that lance lasted 12 years and was like new. Just try to get a one piece roof, preferrably not a rubber one.

Rich Biebel · 03-19-2010, 05:46 PM

I have a Lance Lite 815. I bought it new in 2003 or 2004. It is 8' long and can be carried by a short or long bed pickup. I need no hitch extension and use a single rear wheel 2500 GMC to carry it. I have had a 22' and now a 26' trailer and have had dragsters as well as door cars and had no problem hauling it all.

I only needed something for myself for weekend races and the camper is perfect. They are small and it must be pretty cramped with more than one person in one. I don't think I would have one if it was more than just me at the races. To cramped and I am sure not many wives would be to happy in something like that!
I don't have a lot of room for a MH and didn't want the added expenses or maintenance issues.

I made some upgrades to my truck....airbags, stabilizer bar in the rear and good shocks.

The biggest thing I added and absolutely consider a must.......power remote jacks for the camper. I bought a retrofit kit and added it to my manual jacks....I can load or unload my camper in just a few minutes and do it safely without having to be messing with jacks and drivers.......a must for a big camper...Mine weighs less than 2000lbs empty......

Lance builds way more than any other manufacturer and they are very nice units.

I now have a diesel pickup and just got it setup to carry my Lance.......

If you buy a camper you have to decide about what tie down system you will use.....Happijac or Torklift are the 2 most popular.....I use the Happijac and have no problems.....

I have no problem going down the road but you definately have to get used to it. I am extra carefull on exit ramp type turns and slow down when it's windy.........My camper makes my truck a bit bouncy without my trailer on the back..... the air bags do that.....Timbrens are another way to go for that deal. I know some guys with big camper trailers and they like the Timbrens to help with the extra loads..........

Overall my Lance has worked perfectly for me and does the job. I can stay 3-4 days at a race and it has all that I need. I did add AC, and inverter, a TV and a microwave......Add some beer and I am good to go !!!

Philip Saran · 03-19-2010, 09:28 PM

Thanks for all the responses. Today I purchased a 2001 Northland Grizzly
9 foot 11 inch cab over with the electric jacks/A/C/wet bath/Queen bed.

Yes the electric jacks and wet bath were a must have.

Yes I may need to add air bags to mine, but I do have a one ton diesel
with front and rear sway bars and the 4x4 suspension.

03-16-2010, 07:03 PM	#1
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Question for those who tow W/truck & camper?? I want to add a used cab over camper to my F350 diesel for towing my car. It will be a 9-1/2 ft unit. Opinions/comments good or bad on the following brands: (1) Lance (2) Northland (3) S & S campers (4) Fleetwood - no longer manufactured __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

03-19-2010, 05:46 PM	#4
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: Question for those who tow W/truck & camper?? I have a Lance Lite 815. I bought it new in 2003 or 2004. It is 8' long and can be carried by a short or long bed pickup. I need no hitch extension and use a single rear wheel 2500 GMC to carry it. I have had a 22' and now a 26' trailer and have had dragsters as well as door cars and had no problem hauling it all. I only needed something for myself for weekend races and the camper is perfect. They are small and it must be pretty cramped with more than one person in one. I don't think I would have one if it was more than just me at the races. To cramped and I am sure not many wives would be to happy in something like that! I don't have a lot of room for a MH and didn't want the added expenses or maintenance issues. I made some upgrades to my truck....airbags, stabilizer bar in the rear and good shocks. The biggest thing I added and absolutely consider a must.......power remote jacks for the camper. I bought a retrofit kit and added it to my manual jacks....I can load or unload my camper in just a few minutes and do it safely without having to be messing with jacks and drivers.......a must for a big camper...Mine weighs less than 2000lbs empty...... Lance builds way more than any other manufacturer and they are very nice units. I now have a diesel pickup and just got it setup to carry my Lance....... If you buy a camper you have to decide about what tie down system you will use.....Happijac or Torklift are the 2 most popular.....I use the Happijac and have no problems..... I have no problem going down the road but you definately have to get used to it. I am extra carefull on exit ramp type turns and slow down when it's windy.........My camper makes my truck a bit bouncy without my trailer on the back..... the air bags do that.....Timbrens are another way to go for that deal. I know some guys with big camper trailers and they like the Timbrens to help with the extra loads.......... Overall my Lance has worked perfectly for me and does the job. I can stay 3-4 days at a race and it has all that I need. I did add AC, and inverter, a TV and a microwave......Add some beer and I am good to go !!! __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479

03-19-2010, 09:28 PM	#5
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Question for those who tow W/truck & camper?? Thanks for all the responses. Today I purchased a 2001 Northland Grizzly 9 foot 11 inch cab over with the electric jacks/A/C/wet bath/Queen bed. Yes the electric jacks and wet bath were a must have. Yes I may need to add air bags to mine, but I do have a one ton diesel with front and rear sway bars and the 4x4 suspension. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado Last edited by Philip Saran; 03-19-2010 at 09:30 PM.