What pull behind Camper?

[gungfudan]

I have a 94 Mazda B3000 it has 51,000 original miles on it. I bought it this year and when I bought it it only had 49,000 on it. I have upgraded the alternator to 130 amps and removed the belt driven fan. Everything else is stock. My next step is to get a class 3 hitch and add the trailer light hookup. Then I am going to get a 4.10 rear end. My wife and I have been talking about buying a camper for 3 yrs now. I know I am limited to lightweight campers but I also don’t want to make payments on a camper. We are going to save up for one. I really don’t know what brand to look at. It has to have an shower and toilet because my wife has a thing about using public restrooms.

I would like something no more than 2,500 lbs. Any suggestions on brand or type?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000014865-5-Gallon-Solar-Shower/dp/B0009PUT20?tag=959media-20

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elephant-Folding-Commode-Portable/dp/B01MSOWG7U/?tag=959media-20

Open up any options?

Hardside or soft for a camper?

I have a customer that thinks I need to buy his popup and it was briefly tempting for the TRS roundup until he mentioned it really old and while it had been stored inside he wouldn't guarantee what has been inside of it... and is basically a tent on a trailer.

My wifey isn't bad with public restrooms and whatnot BUT it would be really nice to have a sink with running water for dishes.

While trying to figure out exactly a 1967 Apache Silver Buffalo was after he left (I didn't know they did popups back far) and it looked like most popups seem to age out around 20 years. They get pretty sparse after the mid 90's.

 

[gungfudan]

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000014865-5-Gallon-Solar-Shower/dp/B0009PUT20?tag=959media-20

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elephant-Folding-Commode-Portable/dp/B01MSOWG7U/?tag=959media-20

Yeah my wife would flip me off if I showed her that.

 

[gungfudan]

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000014865-5-Gallon-Solar-Shower/dp/B0009PUT20?tag=959media-20

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elephant-Folding-Commode-Portable/dp/B01MSOWG7U/?tag=959media-20

Open up any options?

Hardside or soft for a camper?

I have a customer that thinks I need to buy his popup and it was briefly tempting for the TRS roundup until he mentioned it really old and while it had been stored inside he wouldn't guarantee what has been inside of it... and is basically a tent on a trailer.

My wifey isn't bad with public restrooms and whatnot BUT it would be really nice to have a sink with running water for dishes.

While trying to figure out exactly a 1967 Apache Silver Buffalo was after he left (I didn't know they did popups back far) and it looked like most popups seem to age out around 20 years. They get pretty sparse after the mid 90's.

Hard side would be nice because I don’t think the soft would be comfortable in the cold.

 

[bobbywalter]

if your going to pull might consider putting mechanical fan back.

sub 3 k popups wont be bad.

 

[gungfudan]

What about an in bed camper? Building one? From https://www.boatdesigns.com/mobile/RV-Plans/departments/696/

Are the plans made for full size trucks?

 

[bobbywalter]

if you run a big in bed or any trailer taller then a pop up and plan to go to elevation definitely put the mechanical fan on for trips.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Probably gonna be hard to find a slide in with a shower and toilet for a small truck.

I have an 84 Skamper and there is no room for any of that. It is fairly comfortable for two though...

 

[91stranger]

There are a lot of new campers that are aiming for the SUV crowd and have really low tow ratings. I've towed a few pop ups in my day with my rangers. my current is a 99 3.0 2wd auto with 373 gears and it had no problem towing a little coleman popup. I think it was around 2500-3000 pounds too. if you post an ad on craigslist you might find someone needing to get rid of one cheap. A lot of times people have one that has been sitting and don't know what to do with it. The shower/toilet is going to be hard to find in a pop up AND cheap if you plan on saving your money to out right buy it. I work at an RV dealership and from my experience keystone trailers are better than most. Thor owns everyone now so they all pay thor in the end but the quality from keystone is better than thor. forest river isn't too bad. I would stay away from anything that says Thor or Heartland. If it were me, I would try to find a good deal on a pop up and just plumb in a bathroom. you would lose a lot of space but we all know how wives are. they get what they want at your expense lol. If you have any questionsa bout a camper you can message me. I've been in this business as a service/warranty writer for 4 years now so I know my stuff. There's not much I cant problem solve or know.

 

[Volkshook]

...my current is a 99 3.0 2wd auto with 373 gears and it had no problem towing a little coleman popup. I think it was around 2500-3000 pounds too...

Can I assume your tow hitch is a bit more impressive than the bumper-plate ball I have on my '93?

 

[Josh B]

Can I assume your tow hitch is a bit more impressive than the bumper-plate ball I have on my '93?

I got a factory trailer hitch from the wrecking yard a couple weeks ago for free. I'd seen one with the ball hitch still in it and grabbed that, but when paying out they had charged me $22 for it, but didn't notice that till later.
The next day I mentioned being shocked they charged more for parts(that one anyway)than Wmart sells em for new.
Over the weekend I studied into it and realized they had charged me for the whole tow package, and went by there early the next week and asked if I could have the other half, and they said "sure"!
An hour and 4 tough bolts later I was toting an almost hundred pound factory jobber out to my truck

Those prices were on their 50% off special, but you'd still likely get one at a decent yard for under $50

 

[Volkshook]

Is this the part you're talking about (roughly speaking, that is)?

(Asking because I'm pretty new to all of this and really unsure what all is included in a "tow package") :/

 

[Josh B]

Is this the part you're talking about (roughly speaking, that is)?
View attachment 33635

(Asking because I'm pretty new to all of this and really unsure what all is included in a "tow package") :/

Yes sir! I believe the "tow package" included that and the tail light plug(which simply plugs into the L-R tail lights connection)

 

[Josh B]

With 2WD that would also add a bit of traction on the winter roads

 

[Volkshook]

That's it? That's a "tow package"? So I should look kind of seriously at this ad on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/171655093538523/?ref=product_details