How should I setup my rig for camping?

I’m trying to figure out how I wanna go about setting up my truck for camping and have a few options.
I came across a military trailer and am diving into the thought of converting it for over-landing I’m thinking my options are
1) building a rack/RTT/slide out fridge&grill/storage/etc
2) converting it into a teardrop style camper
OR
3) simply getting a bed rack & rtt

I’m leaning towards the first two but want to know if anyone has experience with making an overland trailer/camper. This sounds more ideal bc I can leave it at home when I’m simply driving my truck for daily use. What do you guys think?

 

I went the bed rack and RTT route. I have a pulley system in my garage and take the RTT/rack off together and leave it hanging in my garage. As for camping gear, I measured and got totes that perfectly fit in the bed that are water tight and store them on a shelf unit in the garage. Takes me about 10 minutes to bolt down the RTT and load the bed with totes...about as long as hooking up a trailer and loading it and I don't have the footprint/additional property tax of a trailer dedicated to camping.

Just my experience.

 

I like the idea of a rugged camping trailer versus adding all the stuff / weight to the truck bed itself. I personally would rather invest in the trailer build out versus the RTT set up and all that goes along with it.

 

I think the first 2 options will cost you way more than you hope, unless you're able to do all of the work and source the materials yourself. That being said, if money is no issue and you have the storage space for a trailer, it'd most definitely be the more enjoyable solution (in my opinion). FWIW, I'd buy a small camper for the price of what some of these overland type trailer setups cost, but there's also no enjoyment of "building your rig", and I definitely do understand that aspect. Money/practicality/most sense options aren't always a blanket solution for everyone. Build what your heart desires and don't look back

 

Man that’s really not a bad idea considering you have a system taking everything on and off. What bed rack and RTT did you go with?

 

I do too! The idea of being able to setup my camp and unhooking the trailer to go scouting sounds enjoyable to me. Even if I ever trade my truck in for something else I’ll still be able to keep the trailer for future vehicles. Hmm decisions decisions

 

I went with the C4 bed rack found here and the new Ironman Nomad 1300 tent seen here. I'll get a picture put up here soon.

 

Trailer.

The more you build out the truck, the less versatile you make it. Its like buying a swiss army knife and zip tying everything so that only the little scissors are exposed.

 

I love the idea of being able to build my own trailer setup but am really trying to research the cost of everything down the road. The ability to have full control over quality of material (insulation, appliances, hand ware, etc). This would definitely be a long term project if I wanna go this route considering cost. I did find a listing for a camper for $800 but it looks to good to be true. It’s an 18ft camper. I could possibly upgrade it myself to my liking what do you guys think?

 

Uh, how many palm trees and gravel drives have you seen in Arlington Tx?

Shoot, If that's really 800, I'll skip work and go buy it right now.

 

"If its too good to be true...."

If you want a fully built out teardrop/camper/overland/offroad/etc trailer, you're gonna be looking at many many thousands of dollars. Trailers/campers are not a small expense, and you also have to consider the future costs. They're like having an additional vehicle (to an extent). You pay for insurance, tags, maintenance, etc. The ad you listed is too good to be true.

 

@everyone

What do guys think about this? Is it too good too be true? I need to go check this out in person

 

Another vote for a trailer, for all the aforementioned reasons... freedom of movement after setting up camp, keeping weight off the truck, and ease of hitting the road (hook up the trailer and go).

 

How much camping have you done? Most of the stuff people bring is not absolutely necessary, nor are modifications. It’s really dependent on what you want to bring, how you want to camp, and where you want to go. It’s really hard to give advice without knowing about what it is you want to do out there.

 

Oh wait, or is it in wichita KS?



Shit, it just moved to San Angelo!










Well fuck! No wonder its so cheap! Little bugger is moving across country so fast nobody can catch it!







Edit, in all seriousness, I'm still a fan of the trailer. Offroad teardrops are awesome. Just not that one. ^^^

 

What kinda "overlanding" are you actually going to be doing? I originally built my truck with an AT Habitat and after a few years with that we decided we weren't really pushing the limits of the truck offroad (and didn't want to), and would prefer some more creature comforts. It could be cold in that tent and we wanted to be able to camp more 4 season.




We have moved on to a Scout Yoho now, and it's been great. Only thing I have to watch out for is the added height and width when trying to make it between trees. Anywhere more open, no issues at all. I'm not bombin' down forest roads so the truck handles it just fine. Even "offroad".





It also matters how many people are going with you? Is it just you? Significant other? Kids? Dog? Dogs? Where do you normally camp? What part of the country you from? Lotsa snow? Open Desert?


And back to the Yoho, the slide in camper also gives great flexibility. Drop the camper for more serious offroading, or even tow a loaded trailer with the camper still on. Its definitely not for everybody, but it's an option!

 

He's right. Shit, I live in Arlington and that landscape looks very foreign to me.

 

That's a complete scam listing. I've had a couple of teardrop campers and although they are great, try to find a way to give one a try before you invest in buying/building one. Changing clothes lying on the bed can get old when it's raining out, etc. Facebook is a great resource to find one. The page I have followed for a while now is called "ONLY Teardrop Campers 4 Sale USA+Plus Parts" and has good listings. Especially right now as people are offloading their pandemic campers.

 

Whatever you choose to do, do not search this website, let alone search google for anything.

 

^This, I went the same route. Thought about a trailer setup but decided that it wasn’t practical for the places that we like to go camping (prefer to stay away from established camp grounds).