The kids are getting old enough they have/will be leaving the nest soon, been wondering if I should sell the trailer and get a truck camper instead (yes I've had one, and yes I hate loading/unloading them vs. a trailer where you just hook up and go).

I've always wanted a pop-up for longer trips, better mpgs. I only get 10mpg on the interstate no matter what trailer I've owned & with any of the 3 Cummins-powered trucks I've owned. Wondering though if there is really that big of a difference between a pop-up and a regular camper for fuel mileage? Is it worth the hassle of 1. Finding one (harder to find) 2. Setting them up each night (yeah, I know it's quick, but still.....) 3. Cold weather & security issues with the canvas sides?

 

We love our popup. I get 13.5 mpg in town/maybe 15 mpg. hwy. The camper's in the signature. It weighs 2000# wet w/stuff. 34" tires and the equivalent of 4.10's with your auto/ Smarty's on sw#5 default and I drive it easy.
I do immediately jump 3 mpg on the rare occasion when I dismount it.
This Northstar is 13 yrs old and has 33 Baja trips in it and numerous trips up and down the west coast and Utah. 10 minute setup and probably 30 minutes packing time and departure. No wind flap.
Our friends resorted to a hardsided camper and while certainly more comfortable,the difference without dually's is immediately noticeable.
They now have an Alaskan which is smaller inside than ours but more secure. Arctic packs are available for the inside of the camper,or you can make your own like we did.

 

Why not just scale down to one of the smaller RV's like the tear-drop, or Airstream? There are tons of choices out there .... I saw several models when I stopped by our local Camping World for some replacement tail light lenses this weekend.

You'd still get the convenience of the trailer, don't have to worry about loading/unloading into the bed of the truck, and won't have to pop it up in bad weather/night time.

I've also seen the ones with a trailer style front end for toys (bikes, ATV's, etc.) and a truck bed style camper on the rear axles.



-Kris

 

A friend had an Alaskan (very nice pop ups) on a 1st gen. Only dropped mpg by about 4.

I wouldn't think that would be a bad way to go. No issues with parking or getting into tight spaces as opposed to a trailer, and much less of the top heavy handling of a conventional camper...

 

Dispersed camping too. You're not condemned to a campground.

 

I had a full size truck camper, palomino maverick 8801 by forest river
on my 1998 12 valve 4#4 4.10 rear consistent 14-14.5 mpg, speed 60-62 mph.The camper was plagued with problems from the day I brought it home.Some of the pop up versions use a wood frame FWIW.I used mine for on the jobs or I would never own a truck camper,way to much coin for the space available.

 

For us the main problem with a pop-up is, it's kinda like staying in a tent as far as the noise, and the set up, some hard side TC,s have a pointed nose for a little better wind resistance, that seems to be the big factor for fuel economy with a TC.

I try to keep my speed around 55-60, with my camper the MPG's go way down with higher speeds or a head wind, we are able to manage 13 MPG with our rig, but my truck is old and not as comfy as a newer one for sure.

 

1stgen, that's a cool looking setup. Always enjoy seeing it.
To the OP, I get 13mpg avg out of my 07 with a 4000lb plus Arctic Fox camper on it, avg 60-65 on the highways up here. I'm sure it would be less if I was runnin 75 on the freeway.

 

The hardsides turn into a hotbox without A/C and a noisy generator going in summer.
Noise is a legitimate factor in campgrounds.
Shadow Cruiser used to sell a hardsided camper with a more pointed nose as stated.
The srw handing with a hardsided is precarious at best. Add a couple more wheels and they work super.
Everything's a tradeoff.

 

I kind of miss the old slide in camper. We always got really good mileage with our setup, usually around 15-16 or better. It had alot of solid oak inside from the previous owner so it was sort of heavy. Then an oak tree fell on it...

Now we have a 27' tt and get anywhere from 10-15mpg depending on wind/hills.

 

I don't like the idea of a pop up as I want it ready without having to set it up..That comes in handy if you just want to stop for lunch, then get back on the road So we have a hardside. We did add some more insulation and a better heater for cold weather. So far the coldest has been 5 degrees, and we did stay warm. Doors iced shut, but we were warm.Ours is on a 3500 dually. we get about 13 running 70. 4speed and 3 speed aux tranny. We did on a recent trip encounter 60 mph crosswinds, and a camper in front of us did turn over. Sure glad we have a dually, without duals pop up would sure be safer. Our old Dodge was a W250 with single wheels and was a bit scary with the camper on, so added duals to it.

 

Wow!! Awesome rig!

 

Our popup takes a big 5 minutes to raise up and down.
It's fine in a temperate climate. Definitely wouldn't work in your situation. Handling is pretty close to unladen with my upgraded suspension and offroad it does well. In Baja on a typical service road I can easily go 30 mph. With a hardsided,maybe 5 mph.
I'd consider one if I had a place to store it when not in use.

 

I also catch my eye wondering over to the pop-up campers on occasion, it would be nice to have an off road rig, mine is pretty darn top heavy.

 

There's no perfect rig. You've got a dually though. Good safe handling.