What is your opinion on this guys...here's my situation... I own a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 EC, SB 4x4 with the 5.3L...runs like a top and very strong. At some point in the future, I'd like to get a camper and take some trips out West. Ideally, I'd like to take a month and get all the way up to Alaska and back (quite the trip from Wisconsin). Anyway, this brought about a question in my mind and I'd like your opinion. What would be easier on the truck and give better gas mileage: a truck camper or a travel trailer? Keep in mind, the lightest truck camper I've found is around 1400-1500 pounds dry weight (add weight for supplies, water, etc), and I'm WAY over my payload...so, I would add helper springs/air-bags if I went this route. The travel trailer I could deal with would be about 19-21 ft long and weigh in around 2500-2800 pounds (dry weight). Also, remember this will be through some hilly/mountainous terrain and potentially not-so-nice weather, so brakes may be an issue too. Sorry for the loaded question, but I thought you might all like to think about this like I have been! Thanks, -Steve
I think that having a 1/2 ton completly rules out the camper idea. I would look for a travel trailer. Get one that is as light as you can buy b/c the weight of all of your supplies will add up quickly. Install the biggest trans cooler you can find, and get a Weight distributing hitch with sway control. Any trailer that big will have its own brakes so that wont be too much of an issue. However you will need a trailer brake controller. Alot of guys have good luck with the Tekonsha Prodigy. It can be found for around $100 on the internet if you look hard enough.
Like Brent said, a slide in camper should be out of the question for a 1/2ton. Get a smaller travel trailer that weighs no more than 5,500lb WET and completely loaded ready to go.
DON'T put a slide-in a half ton. They are just too heavy, esp. on semi-windey roads out here. I've never driven I-90, but both I-80 and I-70 have passes that are over 9000 ft. Both have kinda 'windey' roads going up hill and down. Your suspension, nerves and brakes will be taxed quite severly with the slide-in. You'll see half ton pickups and SUVs out here towing trailers all the time. A good brake controller is pretty much a requirement, as is a tranny cooler. Other than that, I think you'll do fine with the IFS Chev. We used one to tow a Scrambler from Salt Lake to Portland, OR and back (not exactly full of hills, but there are a few). I was surprised how well it did.
I agree with the others, no way would I put a slid-in in a half ton. Even if you add sway bars, bags, and whatever else you need just to support the weight, you still have half ton axles and brakes. Add to that you'll be on some of the most remote areas in N America, and do you really want to chance loosing the brakes, or an axle bearing, or even a shaft? Get a small tag-along at most. Maybe even a good pop-up (not one of the tents on wheels, not for an Alaska trip) to reduce drag and weight. Add a camper shell to the truck so you can store most gear in the bed and I would think that would be good to go...
I think you would be fine with a pop-up style truck camper. They are light enough for a half ton, and the center of gravity is lower then a hard sided camper (less sway). Only problem I see with those is storage (or lack of). I am not sure you could pack enough into one for a month long trip and keep the payload low, and your set-up/break-down time down.
i also agree about the pop up slide in. BUT if i was doing the same trip i would go with a low rise canopy over the bed for storage of larger items, and a pop up, folt out, travel trailer. also have the axle made spring under on the trailer with a shock upgrade on both the truck and trailer. a set of air bags would amke the ride much more plesent as well. Grant
I would get a hi-lo style tag trailer, or something with a reduced frontal area. I don't think I'd go over 4500 wet for me, with a 5.3, if I was going to go any distance. Marc
I wouldn't pull anything over 4500lbs with it unless you want to spin your engine at 4500RPMs everytime you hit a slight grade. And yes, get something with a small face to the wind.
I agree with most everyone else. For a 1/2 ton, go travel trailer. The Hi Lo's are nice but expensive. Coleman made some hard sided pop-ups recently, that may be an option. Easy to pull better insulated than the canvas sided ones. Brake controller is a must. Prodigy is the best.
If it were me, I would get a pickup shell with one of those carpet/bed kits that has storage underneath it and call it a day. This one even has a bed warmer!
