SMB, Roadtrek, Truck Camper?

[thejm]

After going from van to RV to Jeep I’m back to a van! Pros and cons to each that’s why you need them all!

[JWA]

Originally Posted by thejm

After going from van to RV to Jeep I’m back to a van! Pros and cons to each that’s why you need them all!

Yep!

I don't camp or venture out as nearly everyone else here does but it seems the idea of a pulled trailer that'd house extra living space or more easily accommodate needed/wanted luxuries makes a lot of sense. Keep the van outfitted for off-roading and storing parts/tools/gear needed on those expeditions. Should you want to load bikes, watercraft or other items they could be transferred from the trailer to the van and back again when a new adventure is undertaken.

I suppose the only real issue is where to park the trailer when its dropped and how safe would it and the stuff inside be while its not being used.

[billwilson]

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...2wd-25590.html

Throw in 4x4 and you have a killer rig IMHO

[eddyturn]

This looks reasonable but still pretty high priced.

[deserteagle56]

Don't know where you like to camp but keep in mind that a camper up on a truck is very tall - and very susceptible to tree limbs whereas a Sportsmobile can slip through the limbs with minimal or no damage.

From someone who owns both.

[JohnandMandi]

We suggest you make a list of the specific wants then see if there are compromises or changes you could make instead of buying a different rig. Such as an Omni Oven, carrying a spare porta potti tank, a tent for the youngster etc. If you truly cannot reconcile the wants then make a full list to start narrowing down potential rigs..

We’ve owned a Pleasure-Way and loved it but storage in the professional built touring vans is virtually non-existent. A small class c starts to make more sense, 24 footers can get to a lot of places, especially considering you move every 1-3 days. The big comfy truck campers need a lot of truck, usually a dually to remain under the GVWR, an empty one ton is not a fun daily driver.

[vintageracer]

Below is a link from Expedition Portal that chronicles the YEARS of full time travel of a gentleman and his dogs all over the Western USA and Mexico. He has had several different types of vehicles, campers, RV's etc over his years of full time travel. IF you have the time and desire you can find and read about his experiences with the different types of trucks and campers he has used over the years.

He currently travels in a Ford 4WD F350 with slide in camper and pulls an old YJ Jeep for trips to rugged areas not accessible with his camper rig. He is NOT a campground camper and almost exclusively "Boondocks" when at all possible.

There are almost 180 pages of his travels with fantastic photography and information about where he is now, what he is doing and where he has been. Look at the later pages of this thread to see his current setup and see if this might work for you! You can also search the thread for information on previous rigs, why he made a change and why he has continued to use his current setup so successfully.

Just another possible tool to help you make the appropriate decision that fits your wants, needs and desires!

https://www.expeditionportal.com/for...journey.79245/

[carringb]

Originally Posted by billwilson

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...2wd-25590.html

Throw in 4x4 and you have a killer rig IMHO

^This

You get all the amenities of the the truck camper, but you still have access to the cab rather than going out the back then up to the front. Plus a lower center of gravity and overall height than a hard-shell camp, and no drafty nights like a pop-up camper.

[Courtney]

Hi

Our 2013 smb has the shower/toilet combo and is awesome. We still have plenty of room inside...…

Photo of my wife near the snake river july 2019

[rob_gendreau]

Truck campers can be nice, but also kind of wobbly offroad unless you get like the Four Wheel Camper types. The ones that go on a flatbed type chassis are really nice; more room.

I dunno about Roadtrek; weren't they just bought out after financial shenanigans? Doesn't mean a used one might be not be OK, but check.

I would think though that a bigger Sprinter type van might be in order. I have friends that get Class B+ vans and such down some pretty crappy roads boondocking, although slowly. Kind of unwieldy, but those Sprinters, eg, have a better turning radius than my E-250.