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Slide-in camper options?

Eagle02

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So... now that I know..
Ive had it now for a little over a year with no complaints.. it was a convenience factor for me... the coldest I’ve slept in it was 27. I’m used to camping on the ground for an extended period of time, I prepared with a warm sleeping bag. I entertained the various heaters but for my climate I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t a necessity.

I added 1” of latex foam inside the mattress cover for added comfort. I have no issue with water intrusion but I did add a tailgate seal. I found the wind noise to be less than that experienced in a tent with a rain fly. Mosquitoes have been an issue but I’ve managed.. the V2 has an improved seal fabric to roof and should minimize this issue.

I’ve been on a few trips with it so far. Spent time last fall hunting out of it at a lease. I would wake up, stow the bag and pillow, fold it down and drive to my stand. ully loaded with a fridge, camp gear and water. I’ve noticed sag in the rear along with floating on road. I’m now trying to figure out my best options for suspension. Possibly going to do a Hellwig sway bar along with either Airbags or sumo springs. I still intend to keep the hight stock for now.

It’s a not a true camper I get it... but I beats sleeping on the ground and in a pinch it’s folded down and your on the road. Mine stays on full time. If I get a couple days off I add groceries and water and I hit the road. If I had the income I would go the alucab camper route with the propane fireplace.. but then you loose the bed of the truck for other tasks and it increases the cab over hight. If you do plan to order one it’s best to do it and forget it... mine was right at a year start to finish and then delivery was an added cost and wait. Would recommend it and do it again if I had to.
Hope this helps some, I’ll update with some pictures at some point.
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syreeves

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Ive had it now for a little over a year with no complaints.. it was a convenience factor for me... the coldest I’ve slept in it was 27. I’m used to camping on the ground for an extended period of time, I prepared with a warm sleeping bag. I entertained the various heaters but for my climate I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t a necessity.

I added 1” of latex foam inside the mattress cover for added comfort. I have no issue with water intrusion but I did add a tailgate seal. I found the wind noise to be less than that experienced in a tent with a rain fly. Mosquitoes have been an issue but I’ve managed.. the V2 has an improved seal fabric to roof and should minimize this issue.

I’ve been on a few trips with it so far. Spent time last fall hunting out of it at a lease. I would wake up, stow the bag and pillow, fold it down and drive to my stand. ully loaded with a fridge, camp gear and water. I’ve noticed sag in the rear along with floating on road. I’m now trying to figure out my best options for suspension. Possibly going to do a Hellwig sway bar along with either Airbags or sumo springs. I still intend to keep the hight stock for now.

It’s a not a true camper I get it... but I beats sleeping on the ground and in a pinch it’s folded down and your on the road. Mine stays on full time. If I get a couple days off I add groceries and water and I hit the road. If I had the income I would go the alucab camper route with the propane fireplace.. but then you loose the bed of the truck for other tasks and it increases the cab over hight. If you do plan to order one it’s best to do it and forget it... mine was right at a year start to finish and then delivery was an added cost and wait. Would recommend it and do it again if I had to.
Hope this helps some, I’ll update with some pictures at some point.
Cool - I think you and I are doing about the same thing. I want "set it and forget it" with maximum bed flexibility. The quick set up and take down is key for me because I roam and this small measure of comfort is a long way for me. Ground tenting is fine but I'm nearing 50... : ) thanks!
 

Crealock37

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Jean, I’m considering a truck camper for my Gladiator. Which Hellwig sway bar did you choose and are you satisfied with it? Thx, Jeff

Here is my Slide in Camper option, all custom made Aluminum and ultra light gr fiberglass panels. Loaded 1300 pounds, made truck modify to make sure I have a great and safe ride, teraflex 3.0, hellwig Sway bar, airbags 10 PLY open Country at3
Cheers Jean

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Mac Attack

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Where do we get one? Making them custom? Love how clean the interior is. Simple but fully functioning.
So, let me know next time you are looking for something to do that's FUN. I'll bring my Glad by.
 

maddocmuc

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What about the Kimbo? anyone tried this?
Kimbo
 

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Rokon

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That Kimbo is pretty interesting. I like the construction methods and materials. Shows some nice innovation and practicality. Maybe a slightly scaled down version to better fit the proportions of the JT. I think the angular facets and flat surfaces would look great on our boxy Jeeps and compliment each other.
 

syreeves

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I don't want to be a downer but, bare in mind that, all campers with hard side is not a viable option, center of gravity is very hight on these truck, so side wind would be a nightmare on the road 😱. Pop-up was my way to go, even will all extra suspension mod added, my safe cruising speed is never above 60 mph
Why? If they are light and the CoG for the camper itself is concentrated down low then the combined CoG shoudn't change much. I am arm-chairing this - not actual calculations... but man a hard side like that Kimbo would be perfect.

Jus dreaming here but I want a slide in camper for the convenience as I get older. Cooking outside, sleeping on the ground etc. is all fine and I have been doing it for 30 years. But its a lot of set up and take down time. And my wife wants that extra bit of luxury and convenience. I think a pop-up is likely better anyway given the anemic 3.6 but even a popup is going to be taxing on any engine. With the right gears and a long range fuel tank a Kimbo or a popup (I really wished any of the 4W Camper Swift / Scout YoHo / AT Atlas could work in a Gladiator) would really make the JT platform into a true overland competitor to the Tacoma b/c right now if you want a slide in camper on a small maneuverable and offroad capable platform your only realistic option is a Tacoma. Sure you can custom build but for non-superhero's a factory made "vehicle approved" slide-in is just not available.
 

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Hey there, just wondering if anyone's come across any slide-in camper options, and if so, are they all pop-up types, or are there some hard shells out there as well? I do know that they exist for mid-sized pickups, despite the fact most of the market is aimed at full sized models, though most of the offerings I've seen so far are for other manufacturers, the Tacoma being a popular platform for these. And yes, most of the ones out there for other manufacturers are for mid-sized pickups with a 6 foot bed, but there are a few that would fit a 5 foot box as well, though the makers of the campers seem to make their measurements specifically for the model that the camper is to be mated to.
Looks nice. I don't think Gladiator's have the payload capacity though for this type of stuff. Not sure what type of insurance risk there is with that scenario (if much of any). Seems like these options make more sense for a full size vehicle.
Yeah that's the issue right there. Payload is the challenge. If you go with a Sport and/or Max Tow, you can get 1,500+ lbs. of payload capacity and then you could probably pull it off legally. But if you go Overland, Rubicon, Mojave, etc. or if you go with the diesel engine, then your payload will end up in the 900-1,100 range depending on options. At that point it'll be REALLY hard to do a slide in camper legally.

Two occupants going 350 lbs. total would mean that your camper AND gear AND water/fluids would be limited to 550-750 lbs. and that's going to be a tough nut to crack.

Of course, there are people who don't care about the law, and we'll see them on Instagram towing a triple-axle RV with a Rubicon :LOL:
 

syreeves

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Yeah that's the issue right there. Payload is the challenge. If you go with a Sport and/or Max Tow, you can get 1,500+ lbs. of payload capacity and then you could probably pull it off legally. But if you go Overland, Rubicon, Mojave, etc. or if you go with the diesel engine, then your payload will end up in the 900-1,100 range depending on options. At that point it'll be REALLY hard to do a slide in camper legally.

Two occupants going 350 lbs. total would mean that your camper AND gear AND water/fluids would be limited to 550-750 lbs. and that's going to be a tough nut to crack.

Of course, there are people who don't care about the law, and we'll see them on Instagram towing a triple-axle RV with a Rubicon :LOL:
Thought this was a well written article about the true capability and real world experiences towing with a Gladiator. Mind you this guy was driving an EcoDiesel. Would love to have seen this on a 3.6 gasser - the article would be much shorter: "it sucked and and I nearly died trying to tow this trailer - 'nuff said."
https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2021/...diator-diesel-tow-with-the-wrong-trailer.html
 

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I made a list of all the available campers for the Gladiator. Hope you find it helpful. The cost column is updated as of March 2021.

CamperTypeCostWeightWebsite
Four Wheel Camper's Project MPop Up$9,795.00358https://fourwheelcampers.com/model/project-m/
Snap! TreehouseWedge$10,500.00340https://snapoutfitters.com/product/standard-snap-treehouse/
Vagabond DrifterWedge$7,250.00315https://vagabondoutdoors.com/product/the-drifter/
GoFastWedge$6,950.00275https://gofastcampers.com/
AT Overland SummitWedge$10,200.00340https://atoverland.com/pages/at-summit-truck-topper
AT Overland AtlasPop Up$11,000.00360https://atoverland.com/pages/at-atlas-truck-topper
AT Overland HabitatFlip$10,000.00340https://atoverland.com/pages/at-habitat-truck-topper
Earthcruiser ModWedge$22,000.00700https://earthcruiser.com/our-vehicles/earthcruiser-mod/
Alu-Cab CanopyWedge$9,500.00550https://www.alu-cab.com/product/canopy-camper/
Super PacificWedge$9,495300https://www.superpacificusa.com/home
Harker EDCWedge$7,500.00300https://harkeroutdoors.com/
Ovrlnd CamperPop Up$7,600.00300https://campovrlnd.com
Camp King OutbackWedge$13,500325https://sloopimports.com/products/camp-king-industries-outback-series-integrated-tent-topper
Hiatus CamperPop Up (hard wall)$14,500480https://www.hiatuscampers.com/
TrailfortDouble Wedge$11,500420http://www.TrailFort.com/
Skinny Guy Campers Flip$27,0001,000https://www.skinnyguycampers.com/
 
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maddocmuc

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David _in_Tx: thank you very much for your info. This will keep me busy over easter!
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