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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Oct 24, 2018 - 12:46pm PT
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Congratulations, Jim and Angela!
Of course there is a bit more set up time when you’re towing, but for longer road trips, which you fo, it’s a great choice.
The only consistent complaint I’ve ever heard about them is that they tend to get more flats. For reasons I don’t understand, they always come with those wierd dinky tires. So perhaps just be prepared for that.
Phyl
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Oct 24, 2018 - 01:02pm PT
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Pop top camper on a 4x4.
The only problem is going from cab to camper in mud or snow.
I camped in places where nothing else would go.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Oct 24, 2018 - 01:10pm PT
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I also had a 1988 or so 4Runner when I was young. A memory that sticks out, my girlfriend (future wife) picked me up at the airport. My dog waited in the airport parking lot in the back on the bed of blankets. We found a spot to park for the night and crawled in back. Hmm, what's that smell? Oh, dog poop buried in the blankets. We were young and broke and still sprung for a hotel room that night.
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skywalker1
Trad climber
co
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Oct 24, 2018 - 01:28pm PT
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I'm gonna be negative here. I used to have a Chevy Astro cargo, bare steel that I decked out. Single with a dog. So I get it. But now we (my family) camp when we go camping. My daughter sleeps in her own tent, my wife and I sleep in our tent. Comfortize it anyway you like. But any time we go with friends that bring their trailer there are issues. Limits our place to find a site. It becomes their house and its no longer a camping trip.
Further I can't stand trying to get up the mountain, or down for that matter, when someone feels they need to trailer there house behind them and can only go 35mph. You don't need it. Its not camping. Just get a motel.
Jim I know you are as self sufficient as anyone and I guess you earned the camper tow-behind thing.
But good luck with it I just feel that folks are too caught up in their rigs and lose the whole idea of just throwing it down in the dirt. And god forbid sleep under the stars without the tent.
Edit: Hope I wasn’t too negative...::-)
S.....
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norm larson
climber
wilson, wyoming
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Oct 24, 2018 - 01:50pm PT
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Had the pickup truck camper and mostly liked it but seemed like I always needed something from the back or the front.
We've had a Chevy Express AWD van now for the last 6 years. Liking it a lot. Everything is right there. No pop top so it's not that tall but then we aren't either. But we don't have to mess with a poptop when it's time to move.The AWD drive is excellent in snow and does OK for getting to places that aren't super gnarly 4WD. We like to cook outside but if the weather is crap we can cook in. Live in grizzly bear country so we feel better not cooking inside.
Personally I don't like towing a trailer and then there is the issue of things being somewhere else all the time. But whatever. I've spent some time in some friends R Pod and it was sweet once setup.
All depends how much you are moving and where you want to camp and how long the trip is. I like the van for the away from home type trip where you might be moving each night or every couple of days like the Eastside. Or driving to a trailhead for a backcountry climbing trip and want to stay the night before and maybe after.
I'm sure you'll make the best of the new trailer and now you'll know which is better for you. Safe travels.
Skywalker you are right on. Sometimes the dirt under the stars is the best place to be.
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Alois
Trad climber
Idyllwild, California
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Oct 24, 2018 - 02:16pm PT
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I really like our Northstar pop-up. After spending some 40+ years in a tent, upon retirement, we decided to get something we could get away with for months, not days.
The Northstar sits on 4x4 F-150. Great combo that allows us to load up for long trips. The last 4 years we spent three months+ every summer in it.
There are other pop-ups on the market but none have the space for climbing gear, ice gear etc. The Northstar has the space.
I had this set up in places where I would never drive my car. It has 30 gallon water tank, solar panel, queen size bed and for the two of us, is perfect.
We can get lost in the backcountry for about three weeks without running out of water. This works for us.
But there are many set ups that work.
Jim, I hope you can continue to enjoy the fab outdoors that we are so lucky to still be able to see and use. Cheers, Alois.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Oct 24, 2018 - 02:27pm PT
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Sleeping in tents is fine.
What you really need in bad weather is a good kitchen and hang out area so a basic van works fine for all but real 4x4 country
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Roots
Mountain climber
Redmond, Oregon
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Oct 24, 2018 - 02:37pm PT
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We wanted a popup cab over for years....I built my rig to get us out to just about anywhere with 35's and winch all while dreaming of a popup.
Then the time came to finally buy a popup and I did the math on my Tundra's load carrying limits. LOL with the heavy duty bumpers, winch, coilovers, large spare tire, etc....I could not have a pop up. So we went trailer.
*You'll notice that the guys with the popup rigs have basically stock trucks. -that's not my thing.
I do miss being able to stealth camp but I figure in a pinch I can slide under my tonneau cover. I still sleep in a tent often. In fact more often than my trailer.
Dig it!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Oct 24, 2018 - 02:49pm PT
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Further I can't stand trying to get up the mountain, or down for that matter, when someone feels they can only go 65.
There, fixed it for ya. I really hate it when I’m trying to get up the mountain towing my trailer
and some self-righteous tree hugger in their Prius won’t move the phuk over.
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Oct 24, 2018 - 02:49pm PT
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These are good.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 24, 2018 - 02:55pm PT
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Skywalker1 I’m sure I’ve thrown down on the dirt more than 99% of my fellow Americans...just got back from Pakistan where I did 38 consecutive days doing just that. I just don’t care to do that anymore in car camping situatiins anymore. The same is true with hiking, I’ve hiked many thousands of miles but if there is a road I prefer to drive.
You don’t have to worry about being behind me going 35 mph up a hill...ask anyone who has ever ridden with me about that.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:03pm PT
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To use the trailer, you have to have a place to leave it - generally a good campsite. Joshua tree is a good example.
With a van, you don't need an official campsite. You can camp many more places since you're not going to leave anything setup - like the backcountry boards or BLM lands.
Northstar is one of the heavier popups.
Four Wheel is the lightest.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:19pm PT
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You don’t have to worry about being behind me going 35 mph up a hill...
You planning a "Paradox Triple" with trailer in tow? :)
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:21pm PT
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My Four Wheel had cheesy construction, fell apart.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:42pm PT
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"Truck camper would be the best if you could easily detach it. I'm not sure why somebody haven't figure it out yet."
Any light truck camper with four jack legs is removable. Just detach the tiedowns on level ground, CAREFULLY jack the legs down, and drive out from under it.
I guess you have to line it up very closely to reverse this and reinstall - is +/- 2 inches good enough and then it self centers the rest of the way?
Some only remove it at home where they have a dolly rig. - which could be helped if the truck has air jacks or big enough tires and you could air it down a few inches.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:52pm PT
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"self-righteous tree hugger in their Prius won’t move the phuk over."
What a crock of faux bs put out by alt-righteous loons.
Everyone I know with a Prius drives above average speed. They get 40mpg at 85mph. They do slow down some on big hills when fully loaded. However they are still faster than an 80's Fourrunner & many other rigs.
Have you never driven to Yosemite? You will be stuck behind RV's & campers.
In other places you will be stuck behind 40 year old pickup trucks.
But your biased brain only remembers the time it was a prius.
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Alois
Trad climber
Idyllwild, California
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:54pm PT
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Splater Re The weight of pop-ups, you are correct. The Northstar is about 250 lbs (maybe more) heavier than the Four Wheel camper of similar size.
BUT
Try to load Four Wheel with rock and ice gear for a summer in Canada backcountry (for ex.).
There is no room for climbing gear or dry food for backpacking or enough water capacity. The Four Wheel is great for weekend and short trips because it is light and will fit over Tacoma or other light trucks. If you don't need gear, they are great. One pays with lack of space and with the Northstar with the extra weight. Just depends what one needs. In all cases, there are compromises to be made...Speed is not one of them. You can go 70 all the way on a highway.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Oct 24, 2018 - 03:56pm PT
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Splater, have you always been ‘easy’? BwaHaHa!
Is the reading comprehension level here even 8th grade?
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Oct 24, 2018 - 04:06pm PT
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Reilly, When you are half trolling, the other half is still propagating alt-right propaganda.
You should be grateful for every Prius; they are saving the supply for gas hogs.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Oct 24, 2018 - 04:33pm PT
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If you have a camper you can always leave it at home and throw down on the dirt. I did it a few weeks ago in my trusty bivy sack, while getting 45 MPG in our Prius for a weekend trip with a lot of driving. Makes up for when I drive the Super Duty, Crew Cab, Long Bed, Diesel, 4x4 with a camper, lol. Speaking of car camping: get a 3.5" plus thick thermarest style pad from REI or Big Johnson, I can actually get a good nights sleep on one of those.
I guess you have to line it up very closely to reverse this and reinstall - is +/- 2 inches good enough and then it self centers the rest of the way?
No it sits where you drop it. Mine has tight clearance between the camper and sides of the tailgate; I only have about +/- 1/2" play. The first time I lined it up took 1 hour (figured out where it needs to be to be centered). Then 30 minutes (figured out what parts of the truck and camper to look at and line up so it's centered). Now I can do it in 5 minutes. I've only taken it off once while camping. Not really worth it. I have electric jacks (I had manual jacks on my rig in the late 90s, it takes way longer). So: Unscrew the tie downs, disconnect the electric hook up, jack it up, drive out, lower it down. Takes maybe 15-20 minutes each time. I also like having the kitchen and bathroom with me at all times. e.g. go to the crag during the day and have your food/beer cold in the fridge, and a bathroom/sink handy.
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