View Single Post
Old 03-19-2010, 05:46 PM   #4
Rich Biebel
VIP Member
 
Rich Biebel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 25
Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts
Default 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
Stock 147R
Rich Biebel is offline   Reply With Quote