The Perfect Tow Vehicle Combination (I hope)

Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

Free Range Human
Diana and I have wanted to combine trips, such as Lake Powell and national parks, and still be more comfortable than on just the boater home.

We ordered a pop top truck camper from Four Wheel Campers. They have been in business for 40 years, and have a good reputation with the expedition types. My guess is that our unit will come in at about 1400 pounds with the options we selected. Here's an image of what it will look like with the top down.

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Top Up...

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Four Wheel Campers
 
Nifty!

I have a pop-top tow vehicle and in many ways it's a great combination. I still have a low profile, relatively fuel efficient tow vehicle, but it also makes a great camper. And I don't have to get "land dirt" in the boat. Also when traveling without the boat, I still have a home on wheels.

I only found a slight disadvantage when traveling with two people (in my particular setup). That is that with one person, it's possible to sleep down below without popping the top. That's nice for rest areas or other places you want to be a bit discreet. However with two, it was necessary to pop the top, which is great in campgrounds, but not quite so good in the other spots. Also, rather than having a large "storage cavern" as a tow vehicle, I have two rigs that are mini-homes. Still, it's a great rig all in all :thup

One thing I have found: Because both the boat and tow vehicle are relatively small, I thought it would be efficient to just carry one of many things, and then shift them back and forth from camper to boat and back. I mean things like tools, dishes, toiletries, etc. Well, that turned out to be a bit of a pain. Especially when, for example, we'd get all ready to go out boating (hence everything was transferred), but then the weather window would not materialize and we'd end up spending another few days or more rig camping. "Where's the....?" "Oh, it's in the boat (and it's raining, and dark.... groan." Or the reverse when changing back to land mode. So now I have duplicated some items (especially lighter ones, where there is not much penalty for doing so).

Looks like it should be fun! I always get a kick out of seeing a fellow "pop top" on the road :)
 
The model we ordered has a sofa that converts into a usable bed when the top is down. A few places like Yellowstone have hard sided camper requirements in some of the campgrounds, so that could be handy if I am on a solo trip.

We are putting solar on top, a couple of AGMs and a compressor refrigerator. Between that and the boaterhome, we should have it covered.
 
Nice........ :shock: Sop when the top gets popped up the second door set .......... goes ...... aWAY :?: :mrgreen:

Greeat idea for those tight turn parking spots :lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously :oops: Looks like a great plan.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
hardee":31qis45q said:
Nice........ :shock: Sop when the top gets popped up the second door set .......... goes ...... aWAY :?: :mrgreen:

...Stuff clipped...

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...

Harvey, not only that, but the poor truck turns into a Dodge. :roll: :roll:
 
This is certainly an indication of the truth of different strokes for different folks.

My wife and I have been going over the options for more comfortable on the road accommodations when pulling the 22 C-Dory just as you have. We looked at the 4 wheel pop top you are referring too, but without an inside shower and porta potti and AC, I don't see that added comfort over just getting along with the boat.

We've considered a bigger boat, but the 22 really is just right unless the "perfect deal" came along on a 25.

We'll probably settle on a lightweight non-pop top bed camper, but with some air conditioning, refrige, and enclosed shower/head.

I suppose if I was a hunter or a real explorer, the unit you've mentioned would be nice. But, as added comfort when land roving with the 22, it just seems like not much added utility for another 15 grand or so and more weight and drag for a very marginal added bit of comfort and that only with the pop top up. Still have to use campground showers and bathrooms.

But, please report back after you have yours and let us know if it really does fill the bill for the needs you've stated. I will keep an open mind as I have to be very careful when I spend 15 plus grand on a toy of any kind.
 
Looks good! Is that on the 6 1/2 foot bed? I'll look forward to a review of that camper when you get the chance to put it through its paces.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Wandering Sagebrush":2mjxvsb1 said:
hardee":2mjxvsb1 said:
Nice........ :shock: So when the top gets popped up the second door set .......... goes ...... aWAY :?: :mrgreen:

...Stuff clipped...

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...

Harvey, not only that, but the poor truck turns into a Dodge. :roll: :roll:
Click to expand...

YUP, and the rain cloud goes away.

COOL trick :wink :twisted:

Life is full of compromises. This looks like a good one. An area I have been looking into lately.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
potter water":1r6jv2n9 said:
This is certainly an indication of the truth of different strokes for different folks.

... Stuff clipped

We'll probably settle on a lightweight non-pop top bed camper, but with some air conditioning, refrige, and enclosed shower/head.

... More stuff clipped
Click to expand...

Harry, is there such a thing as a lightweight non-pop top? Most that I am familiar with come in at 3000 pounds or more, and are horribly top heavy. We have a soon to be sold Fleetwood Caribou that is 3300, dry. I've pulled the dory for about 1200 miles with the camper on, but it's not fun driving.

For showers, we boil water on the stove and take sponge baths. I may get a Zodi in the future. AC is not something I feel I need. We do have it on the Airstream, which will be our base camp when glamping. But for photo expeditions, or boating, I don't feel a need. Oh, it does have a porta potti.

I will keep this thread updated.

Regards,

Steve
 
A year ago we bought a Northstar TC650 - a pop-up truck camper for our 6.5 foot bed 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. Our camper has a queen size north-south bed, fridge with freezer, AC, three burner propane stove, hot/cold water and outside H/C shower for when we are camping way back in or for washing the dogs. Weight is about 1500 dry. It has an amazing amount of storage space.

We bought it so we can tow either Valkyrie or our UTV with the canoe on top of the UTV for our mountain trips to WY. Since getting it we have put over 15000 miles on it and love it. We also used it when we went to the Lake Powell CBGT this year and were gone for a month. Mileage not towing runs about 15.5 average including mts. Our Powell trip towing averaged 13.2.

While we have camped on our 22, after a long day on the road having air, a queen size bed and a refrigerator and freezer is very nice. However, we also bought it for just camping and understand how many Brats like to boater home instead. Different strokes and all of that!

We can't say enough good things about the Northstar. For those interested in hard wall truck camper, Northstar has four models weighing less than 2000 pounds dry. We visited the factory before buying and came away very impressed. For anyone interested in any truck camper, check out Truck Camper Magazine, an online "publication".

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
We have been looking at several that meet our needs in our Dodge Diesel 6.5 foot bed which weigh in at installation at less than 2000 pounds dry. My 2500 should handle that okay and be able to tow the 22.

However, we aren't going to pull the trigger on anything until spring at the earliest and may not go with a bed camper at all. It would be very handy to have, but as a retiree in the Obama era, I may hang onto my cash and put up with using the c-dory as a boater home as we have been doing for 4 seasons now.

I have a fleetwood 5th wheel and inflatable kayaks for non CD trips. Love the 5th wheel, and I do tow my 16 foot open aluminum fishing boat behind the 5th wheel on occasion.

It is all a compromise. I like the low profile pop up concept. But, I may be trying to solve a different problem than you. My wife and I are coming up on 70 next spring so amenities on the road and on the water become more important than when I was a spring chicken at age 50 or even 60:):)
 
Your camper Looks good, we started on the other end of the spectrum,camper first its an 1191 Lance,its heavy but not a problem with dually f-350 ,next couple years hope to find our c-dory to go with it. At present have a 2008 19 ft Montauk this is my first boat. Got it a year ago and practiced docking all summer long every outing,windy conditions bow in or stern in .They have visiting docks on an island so I practice for 15 or 20 minutes each time out. Also getting expierence trailering boat by myself.Once I start towing behind camper that will be a new challenge. I have a rear view camera ready to use. Im getting the torklift superhitch installed so as to be able to tow,its a 4 ft extension behind truck bumper that's whats needed to get behind camper. Now its easy with my regular truck and being able to see boat,but when not being able to view it im a little apprehensive about it. I figured get a lot of expierence first on a center console before getting the c-dory. Some trips with future c-dory we will camp in boat,and other times pull it behind truck camper.
 
Larry, we have the Super Hitch with extension as well for use when we have the big camper on. Your F350 dually should have a much more 'stable' stance with the camper and boat. I just found it tiring to drive ours.
 
I'm a less is more type (not surprising I landed on a c-dory then) and so from that perspective I think this pop top would be a very nice alternative to tenting in some of the places I have hunted. I see people towing very nice trailers into treacherous areas and wonder how they ever get in there (or back out). looking forward to seeing some pictures of this thing on adventure :)
 
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